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babblesbabble · 3 years

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A Matter of Trust

Chapter Three

Rating: Explicit | 18+

Read here on AO3

Jude and Cardan kick things up a notch.

They order a number of things from the room service menu, ordering one item at a time. It is, according to Cardan, the best way to savor it and Jude has nowhere else to be tonight. It was her idea in the first place to order food, but it seems she might not be the only one attempting to use the time to their advantage. For Jude there’s not one good reason to reject luxurious food from an expensive hotel, when it’s all being paid for. For Cardan it is an opportunity to show that he’s not the same person.

They begin with a charcuterie board, fresh fruit and cheeses with nuts and bits of bread and jam. Jude would gladly live off the stuff. Then it’s plump crab cakes and a basket of the truffle fries for each of them. And of course, what’s a healthy dose of wooing without dessert? He picks the warm chocolate chip cookies fresh from the bakery next door. They’re notorious on Instagram— Jude must have seen at least a dozen pictures of the large cookies with oozing chocolate chips before. They were a must have for any guest staying at Insmoor.

There is something intimate about sharing a meal with someone. Eating is not exactly the most flattering thing you can do in front of another person, but pretense is probably behind them after she’s had a mind-numbing orgasm under his direction. Jude doubts, at this point there is little she could do that would be a turn off. No, something has formed between them, tentative as it may be, that is caustic.

Jude plucks one of the last green grapes from the remains of the charcuterie board and pops it into her mouth savoring the fresh taste. They have eaten in relative companionable silence exchanging only the occasional courtesy, but she knows their business is unfinished. She has pushed off the conversation for as long as possible. If she starts now, she will feel more in control of the situation, something she is slowly taking back after opening up.

Jude takes a deep breath mentally preparing for the toll of this and beings, “An agreement, that’s what you want to make right?”

“Yes, that way we can go over what we want. What we’re okay with, or not.” Cardan leans back stretching against the chair Jude had once occupied. She tries not to get distracted thinking about what had happened there not so long ago.

“You can start,” she prompts, pulling her legs up to sit crisscross on the couch she’s been occupying. It’s adjacent to the chair and the leftover pickings of their room service is scattered on the coffee table that’s in front of them.

“For now, maybe we can do this once a week. How does that sound?” He proposes.

It’s not exactly what Jude had expected to begin with but it’s as good a place as any. “That sounds fair. We can always agree to more if we want.”

“Right, exactly. I’d also like to spend time with you outside of scenes.” His eyes try to stay on her, and Jude can tell he is nervous to ask this.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” She asks slightly bewildered, a near laugh tinged to her words.

“I… I guess I am, yes. I’m not saying we have to be anything, but it could make things easier if we got along better outside of scene. From what I’ve seen tonight you weren’t all the way comfortable getting into it.”

He had managed to read her fairly well throughout their play it seems. It surprises Jude a bit, but he has been full of surprises.

“It’s vulnerable,” Jude admits. Her brown eyes moving across the room to look at the surroundings once more, all the same and becoming obviously recognizable to her. At the moment it is easier than looking at him. “I don’t ‘do’ vulnerable very well.”

“I think it’s powerful to be able to give yourself over to another. It’s not something just anyone can do.” Cardan shifts forward and carefully places a hand on hers.

She can feel the warmth seeping from his large hand that fully covers her own. It is a kind touch, an attempt at building connection.

She considers his words, “I can see that perspective, and in a way it is. But opening up is… precarious. You showed me at least today that you’re capable. That doesn’t just mean I trust you without question though.”

“I don’t expect you to, Jude. If you didn’t question me, I think that would concern me more,” Cardan laughs a little.

“I’m a bit of a challenge,” Jude shrugs. She’s practically a maze of intricacies and contradictions but she thinks he deserves to have to earn this from her.

“You're worth it,” He says confidently, but pulls back from being so close.

It’s another push of reassurance to her, he wants this with her and he’s willing to do whatever she puts in the way to make it happen. Isn’t that a twist of fate?

“Oh, I hope so. If you’re taking me out, I want an experience,” Jude sits back against the couch.

“Right, you’re a tough sell,” he sighs, but is ready to go along with it. “I’ll figure something out.”

She gives him a grin, “Glad to hear it. I’m so looking forward to it.”

They spend the rest of the night hashing out what they want from this. They discuss limits and absolute nos. Where they want this to go. It is long and not always fun or comfortable for either of them, but on the other side they’re the better for it. By the end of the night Jude would tentatively call what they have a friendship with many benefits. That, she can live with.

Later that week he took her on a trip to the Museum of Sex. She had asked for an experience and he certainly had given her one. It was on the nose for their situation and at first Jude had not appreciated it. It had felt like a joke at her expense and she had nearly walked away from the whole thing until she realized: it was supposed to be fun. Sex is strange, awkward, mysterious, demanding, and many other describable and indescribable things but it is supposed to be fun. And of all things, it had taken an obscenely large dildo and a pegging joke to make her laugh and loosen up. It made her realize that she could have fun with Cardan. Sex and friendship and them—Jude and Cardan—didn’t have to be so serious. Except for when they wanted to be.

It made things easier the next time they played in scene. They did not push the boundaries much but this time he put his hands on her as he directed her. They grazed at her sides and only brushed beneath her breasts, caressing her neck and pressing against her lips like a gentle kiss. It was sweet, delicious, teasing torture in a very pleasing way. As she had leaned back against him post-orgasm, she could feel his hardness against his thigh. He only sat there and didn’t ask for anything in return.

It had happened again the next time and the time after that as he found new ways to make her cum with his fingers and toys. As he learned the curves of her body. He never seemed to ask for anything in return at this point and Jude, only after they had parted, began to wonder if her not offering had been a disappointment. Did it bother him to give her this new world and to hold himself back? She had seen the want in him, his eyes though dark as the richest black coffee, didn’t lie.

She had to ask before the thoughts consumed her and the only way she could bear to was through text.

Jude: Do you want me to touch you?

Cardan: I’d be more than happy for you to. But, do you want to touch me?

Of course. He was waiting for her to want it, to ask for it. For as much as he was the one in control it was only on her terms as she was beginning to realize more and more.

Jude: I do. We both should be getting something out of this.

Cardan: I have been. Seeing you open up to this had been enough.

Cardan: Since you insist though, I’ll work it into my plans for next time ;)

So far, their games have helped Jude find a bit more of the balance she craves. Work may not always keep her interest and the pressure may feel as if it is closing in some days, but she always has something to look forward to at least. There is always a release around the corner.

This time she is going to his place. They had kicked hotels for the comfort and privacy for their personal domiciles. He has his own townhouse not too far from downtown, and she has her own condo in the financial district. They’ve made a lot of progress so far and Jude is ready to make more, even if her stomach twists thinking about it all. The unknown of each scene they play leaves her in stomach churning anticipation, but the new possibilities are what excites her and pushes her. Each time with Cardan was a slow expansion of what she already knows, and she is thirsty for more.

As she stood on his stoop, she felt ready for this. Jude may be plagued by overthinking and overanalyzing, but she isn’t a coward. She certainly didn’t get as far as she has in life without drive. She pulls from that to confidently bound up the steps and press her red manicured finger to the buzzer to announce her arrival.

All she can hear is the sound of the wind whipping down the block and rustling leaves, until he pulls open the door. He’s already got a smile.

The place is big for one person with large high ceilings and at least three floors. The townhouse was traditional brick on the outside, the interior modern yet tastefully decorated with a dark color palette. There was plenty of space to play around in and Jude didn’t have to worry about trying to be quiet. It also reminded her just how much money he had. Cardan inherited a significant amount of money from his father when he passed and real estate was probably the soundest thing he could have done with it.

She sits herself down at a stool by the kitchen that opens into a living area not too far into the place. “So… what’s the plan for today?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” he says with that familiar smirk.

“I would,” she plays it cool crossing her arms.

“We’re going to start with some new stuff first, then move to more familiar territory. That sound good?”

“Yes, that sounds like a good plan,” she nods approvingly.

She wants him. It’s something she doesn’t always actively think about because it is always there pulsing under the surface. He has always been frustratingly attractive, a boy with such a poor attitude gifted with such beauty. It has only grown as his temperament and behavior have improved melding into charm. Even as she is with him more and more frequently, his effect on her doesn’t wear off. She doesn’t get used to his freakishly beautiful features. His sharp cheekbones and the defined planes of his body. He is what people imagine when dreaming up heroes.

Her eyes burn across his body. He is dressed simply in jeans and a loose patterned button up she’s sure cost a grand from one luxury store or another. It’s easy to move around in and get off, which is certainly the point for today. She doesn’t really know what he does for work, it has something to do with his family’s company and he didn’t like talking about his family at all. He always seemed to be available and was always dressed more like he’s walked out of a luxury brand’s streetwear runway than from a business meeting.

“You can start by getting down on your knees,” he breaks through her circling thoughts about him.

She stands up and then slowly lowers herself to the ground in front of him. Her eyes stay locked on his own, not moving. Once she is in position she speaks, “How long have you pictured me like this?”

She’s begun to test the bounds of his patience in this. What will he allow her to get away with? Where is the line for him? For herself?

“Long enough,” he looks down at her.

He has a way of looking at someone and seeing right through them.

“Since the first time I bet, I’ve made you wait,” she bites her lip.

“You’ve done as I asked. Which is a miracle.”

“You’ve managed to keep my attention,” she says simply.

“It’s time to keep mine,” his eyes harden. Just as Jude has slipped into her role he is slipping into his. “No more delaying, if you're as brave as you pretend to be, you’ll do it.”

He’s goading her. It lights the fire inside of her, her arousal dawning as she reaches out to pull his dark colored jeans down. He’s not wearing any underwear beneath it so for the first time she’s actually greeted with his cock it’s right in her face. He never was very subtle.

“Someone’s eager,” Judge teases.

“And someone’s a brat.” He lets his hand sink into the curls of her hair, fingers tangling and tugging her forward. They’d discussed it before.

Oh, she likes that. She likes seeing him grab control. She can see just how much he wants her, as she breathes in and forgets to exhale for a moment. Her eyes flit up to his face and then back down. She’ll show him just how good she can be if and when she wants to.

Jude wraps a hand around the base of him, her grip sure. It’s almost a little gross the way her mouth waters and her thighs press together. She opens and takes him in slowly, never once breaking eye contact.

Cardan comes undone, his shoulders fall as if all the tension in his body has gone lax. There’s a vulnerability, an openness to him she hasn’t seen before. He keeps his emotions under the surface and now they have risen to the top. The way he looks at her is reverent. Like she is something worth beholding.

She likes the feeling knowing that this is all her doing. This is her power. Each inch she takes in, each squeeze of her hand reveals his desires. It is when she is as far as she can go, he groans pulling on her hair again. Another pulse of pleasure runs through her center. This shouldn’t give her as much pleasure as it does and yet his pleasure is amplifying her own.

“That’s it,” he encourages, “faster now, be a good girl.”

It echoes in her head a hazy mantra now. She moves faster, one hand gripping the back of his thigh, nails biting into skin. He doesn’t seem to mind the sting, maybe he likes it too. He’s bucking into her mouth now. The tension is high, and she wonders if this is it, if he’s going to-

He’s pulling out now and Jude lets her grip on him go a bit confused by the quick change.

“What-” she stops her voice sounding different to herself, softer.

“Lift up your shirt,” Cardan says as he languidly strokes himself, keeping right on the edge.

It takes a second, but Jude’s hands move to the hem of her shirt and she pulls it up, exposing her stomach and chest.

“Sweet Jude, my resplendent undoing,” he murmurs.

She basks in the sweetness of it—then he’s cumming over her stomach and chest, marking her. She can feel the sticky heat on her bare skin. She should hate it. She should find it degrading and cruel and everything she thought an act like this was, but she doesn’t feel that way at all. Her cheeks are heated, but there’s no embarrassment. Instead, and perhaps this is truly what should shame her, it was gratifying.

“You can put your shirt down now. As much as I admire the view, I’m not finished with you yet,” Cardan’s smirk is back, and Jude’s never seen anything better.

She smiles and lets her shirt drop, “What now?”

“You have some work to do. Come over to the table, it's all set up,” Cardan takes her hand pulling her up to her feet and leading her over. She makes sure not to wobble.

Across the way from the kitchen is a glass dining table. She’s not sure where he’s going with this until she sees at the head of the table are some papers and a pencil.

“Are you testing me?” Jude says almost baffled by what he’s cooked up here.

“You told me once that there was a certain rush that came from getting good grades,” Cardan starts as he makes sure she takes her seat. “Let’s see if it stuck.”

Jude looks down at the papers for the first time. “Are you actually giving me a test right now?”

“Yes,” he says his eyes darkening, “but I think you’ll like your reward much better than a grade.”

He’s going to make her ask, so she does, “And what is the reward?”

“Once you finish, you’re going to lay down on this table and I’m going to eat you out,” he says.

Jude is right back in at that, “Easy.” She shrugs confident she can complete this quickly, it’s only a few pages after all.

“But,” he leans forward close enough that she can feel his breath tickling her ear, “I’m only going to do it for so long. Every answer you get wrong you lose time. I won’t stop though no matter how many times you cum and how much you beg, if you have that long.”

“And if I don’t have long enough?” She can’t take her eyes off him.

“That’s not my problem, is it?” He grins, the master of this wicked delight.

“You are heinous,” Jude snaps hands gripping the edge of the table. She should hate him and in the moment, that’s almost what it feels like, but the anger isn’t true.

“Now, now don’t be so quick to anger. Think of my mouth all over you,” his lips graze her ear as he says it.

Jude’s eyes close as she pictures it, can imagine the feeling of him and the pleasure she’ll get to have. She wants this. He always manages to surprise her with new challenges, and she is game to play them all.

“Let me take the test,” she says eager. “Go stand in the corner or something.”

He laughs at that stepping away and ending his teasing of her, for the moment. He takes position at the opposite side of the table sitting down.

“Whenever you’re ready then,” Cardan says.

Jude picks up the pencil and starts. There are four sections to the test, ten questions for each section and each section a different subject: English, science, history and math. It’s no more difficult than what she learned in school; the problem is that she is out of practice now. Some of it comes easy and other questions she struggles over. All the while she can still feel his cum marking her body, slowly drying and Cardan’s dark eyes watching her from across the table. It’s a heady experience to say the least.

After one last look over, Jude flips the test back to the first page and slides it over to him, “I’m finished.”

He doesn’t say anything just takes the paper and pulls out a red pen to start grading. Jude squirms in her chair, this vision of him and a red pen shouldn’t be as sexy as she finds it. She pushes it aside; she can analyze her peculiar proclivities later.

The silence lingers until he finishes.

“Not bad, but not flawless,” Cardan says. “An eighty. Though I suspect you can do better. I’ll fix that later, homework seems appropriate.”

Each word pushes her deeper into this world they’ve created.

“I’ll do better, I can,” Jude says, she’s looking at him, to him now for more.

“I know,” he takes her hand in his and gives it a squeeze. “You did well for your first time. You still get your reward. Clothes off, on the table now.”

Cardan sets the test aside, while Jude slides out of her pants and underwear, pulls off the shirt that’s a bit stuck to her from the cum, before climbing onto the glass table. He takes his position in front of her. He sets a timer and places it down.

“Eight minutes Jude. That’s what you get and not a second more, understand?” Cardan says his thumb stroking her thigh softly.

Jude nods, “Yes, sir.”

Cardan moves in to devour her. It starts with him spreading her with one hand and licking a stripe up her core. That’s enough to make her warm body shiver against the cool glass. He doesn’t stop there, mouth latching onto her clit to tease. Her breathes come quicker, but that’s all the sound she’s making.

He pulls back just enough to talk, but his fingers caress her lips, “This is a reward sweet Jude, don’t hold back. I want to hear you.”

Cardan returns to her. Jude’s mouth parts letting out a moan she had been keeping in. The release adds to her mounting pleasure. She wonders how much time has passed, but she can’t focus on that for long as he uses both hands to pull her closer to him, her legs now over his shoulders.

“Holy-” she starts to say before it cuts off with a gasp.

He’s dipped his tongue inside of her now, thumb rubbing her clit in circles. Her hands slip against the glass trying to find purchase before she buries them in Cardan’s thick black locks. He does not stop his work and everything builds. She knows the rules and even as far gone as she is, she’s going to do this right.

“Please,” she says, voice breathy and quieter than she’s used to. “Please can I, sir?”

He’s only off of her for a second to tell her his approval before he’s back at it. He told her not to hold back, so she doesn’t. She pulls his hair and screams as she cums. His fingers and tongue are still working at her all the way through it and after they continue. Her body is more sensitive in the aftermath, making her squirm, but he holds her firm. She doesn’t know how much time has passed but she’s cumming again without even asking. Her toes curl and her eyes are firmly shut, and she doesn’t think she can take another minute more when the timer goes off.

Cardan pulls back from Jude careful to gently set her legs down. The timer stops it’s annoying ringing and she can only assume he turned it off. She lays there in the blissful silence until she’s ready to open her eyes. When they do open, he is right there watching over her.

“You did marvelous, Jude” Cardan says, dark eyes locked on her brown ones.

“Yeah?” she asks, not quite all the way back yet.

“Yeah,” he nods, “Are you comfortable there or do you want to move?”

She holds up a hand, “One minute.”

He waits then giving her time and when she starts to move, he offers his hand to steady her and Jude doesn’t hesitate to take it. He moves her to one of the chairs to sit and suddenly there’s a blanket around her shoulders. She’s about to question where he even pulled it from when she looks at the table. All over the once crystal-clear glass she can see the marks of her hands and body, some clear and some smudged. It’s kind of erotic in a weird artistic way.

“Do you think they’d display this in the sex museum?” Jude questions.

“What the table?” he asks, and she nods in answer. “Maybe, though a canvas would probably be better. I’d love to have a personal piece for my collection.”

He winks and Jude scoffs coming back to earth.

“This,” she gestures to the table, “is your personal piece and I expect it to be gone with some Windex before I leave,” she says.

“Of course,” Cardan sighs wistful. “I could eat with that memory here for the rest of my life, but I suppose it is unfair to force that on guests.”

“Don’t act so deprived, you got the real thing,” she pulls the blanket closer around her, relaxed.

Cardan watches her again. He does that a lot, or maybe Jude has just started to watch him more too.

“I did, and there’s nothing better I can think of,” he grins.

Jude’s heart beats faster in her chest at that dazzling smile— she’s in deep.

#jurdan #jude x cardan #tfota #the cruel prince #my fic #a matter of trust #the folk of the air #please heed the rating

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slapshot-to-the-heart · 4 years

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Breakable Heaven (pt. III) - p.l. dubois

Part I II

Here’s part III! One more part after this, then we’re going to be finishing up our time with Laurel and Pierre-Luc. It’s seriously been so so much fun writing this over the past few weeks, and I’m excited to get to keep the story going. Many many thanks to @hockeyboysiguess for being a great sounding board for Breakable Heaven so far, my favorite response of hers to anything I’ve sent has got to be “that’s rude.” So, enjoy! Reblog if you enjoy it, come scream into my inbox, and I still read every tag!

Part III

July 10 (sat)

Laurel was exhausted. Two hours after the wedding, her and her meager bridal party had shown up to her house, piling everything she hadn’t yet brought over to Pierre’s apartment into her SUV and Madeline’s white sedan. She left her old apartment with the keys at the front office and one last wistful look into the place that had once been her own. She’d miss it, she thought, as she and Pierre drove down the Ville-Marie Expressway towards his apartment, her fingers still trying to get used to the feeling of having rings on it. She’d only lived in the space for a year, but it was in that building that she started her dream job, that space that she adopted her dog, that apartment where she met one of her best friends and that place where she got married.

They had spent a few hours half-heartedly unpacking her boxes; Laurel was excited to get settled in, but she was also the world’s worst procrastinator and even at 6 PM, all that she had managed to get done was folding some clothes and adding her book collection to the shelves in the living room. Pierre poked his head into the spare room — her room? — rolling his eyes when he saw her “progress.” “I was going to order in, what do you feel like?”

Laurel hung up a blazer in the closet. “Pizza?” she asked hopefully. “Though I’m really going to have to teach you to cook one of these days. We can’t survive off of take-out and pasta alone.”

“If that’s how you want to be,” he responded good-naturedly. “I’ll have you know that I can cook more than pasta, though.”

“Really?” Laurel asked, raising her eyebrows. “What’s the Chef Dubois specialty?”

“I make a mean salmon,” he replied, before returning to the living room. That was another thing she had to get used to quickly as soon as they started going through the marriage process: Québec didn’t allow for women to take their husbands’ names at marriage. It wasn’t something she’d ever thought too deeply about, but Laurel supposed she’d always assumed that she’d take her husband’s name when she got married. But then again, she always assumed she’d get married under normal circumstances. Her parents aside, Cloquet wasn’t an absurdly conservative town, but it was still certainly something of an anomaly for a married woman to still have her maiden name. Which is what she was now. A married woman. Oh God.

Pizza with white wine may not have been the most conventional choice, but it got the job done, Laurel thought as she lay in bed at half past midnight, the birds outside her door insisting on making her efforts to fall asleep as futile as her efforts to ignore them. She’d already been in bed for an hour; after dinner, her and Pierre watched a few episodes of Black Mirror — also probably not the best choice to do before bed, but oh well — before he wished her a good night’s sleep. She had taken a melatonin and drank a cup of tea before bed, put on a playlist full of rain noises, but nothing seemed to be working. Maybe it was because it was the first night in a new place, or the birds outside, or just the craziness and excitement of the day catching up to her.

Laurel felt like a child again as she padded over to Pierre’s room, like she was five and back in Minnesota, crawling into her parents’ bed after hearing a wolf howl somewhere on the property. But really, she didn’t really care what she had to do if it meant she could get a good night’s rest. She knocked lightly on his door, careful not to wake up the dogs, who had long since fallen asleep in a corner of the living room. “Mmm?” he answered. She turned the doorknob. God, I hope I didn’t wake him up. She didn’t, as it would turn out; Pierre was propped up on his headboard, scrolling through his phone as he moved his eyes from his screen to her figure in the doorway. “You good? Everything okay?”

Laurel shrugged, wiggling her hand. “I don’t know what it is, I tried everything but I’m just not able to get to sleep. I’d try and wait it out, but my sleep cycle will be thrown off for a week if I’m not able to get to bed tonight.”

He moved over from the middle, reaching over to the side of his bed and getting another pillow before throwing back the covers and patting the spot next to him. “C’mere.”

“Are you sure?” Laurel said, furrowing her brow, suddenly very aware of the fact that she was wearing an old t-shirt and panties, leaving very little to the imagination.

He nodded, putting his phone down on the nightstand, smiling softly at her. “Of course. What’s mine is yours, eh?” That was all it took for Laurel to climb into the right side, claiming it as her own, and throw the duvet over her body. She fell asleep almost instantly.

---

Laurel woke up to the unmistakable smell of bacon frying and the other side of the bed devoid of Pierre’s sleeping form. She straightened the bed before walking out, where she was greeted by two plates on the breakfast bar, a pot of coffee brewing, and her husband at the stove.

“I thought you said you couldn’t cook?” Laurel teased, leaning up against the granite countertop.

“Good morning to you too.” Pierre shrugged. “I hardly think being able to fry an egg and not burn toast qualifies as cooking, but I’ll take what I can get.”

Laurel stepped further into the kitchen, lightly dragging her fingers over his back in a silent thank you as she opened the cupboard. “Let me get the coffee, at least,” she said, grabbing two mugs off the shelf and the creamer out of the fridge. “How do you take yours?” Laurel asked, glancing at Pierre from the side as he buttered the toast.

“A little bit of cream, more sugar,” he replied, sliding the plates onto the bar as she handed him his mug. “Perfect,” he said, smiling. A few minutes into breakfast, with Laurel just about to crunch into her second piece of toast, he spoke again. “So, I was thinking…”

She nodded. “I should hope so?”

Pierre laughed, ducking his head. “I was going to post something about the wedding today, online and stuff, but wanted to check with you first.” They had spoken about it once or twice before the wedding, both of them knew that it wasn’t practical nor honest to think that they’d be able to keep the news from everyone over the entire duration of their temporary marriage. And part of the “sell,” part of what she needed to prove, was that their relationship was real. And real would mean posting about each other online, real would mean flying down a few times a month — thank God her schedule gave her a long weekend, and thank God the flight wasn’t too long — for games and galas and real would mean meeting his friends and him meeting her family and Laurel had to stop thinking about it all before her head exploded.

“Go for it,” she said. “I don’t like having to hide from it any more than you do, so it’ll be a relief to let everyone know, give a heads-up to the four people on my Instagram page who actually care about my life.

Pierre poked her arm. “Five, now.” He opened his phone, scrolling through the pictures Madeline had sent from yesterday. She had run a small side business doing photography in university, and insisted on taking their photos as a wedding present. “You deserve something beautiful to look back on,” she had said. The final book wouldn’t be done for a few weeks, but she had sent over the raw shots the night before. “What about this one?” He leaned over to show her. Their foreheads were touching, his arms wrapped around her waist as they stood in the middle of one of Vieux Port’s cobblestone side streets. Laurel’s fingers brushed the back of his neck, her other hand loosely holding her bouquet. If you didn’t know, they looked like a real couple. They looked like they were in love.

“It’s gorgeous,” Laurel murmured softly. “I knew Madeline was talented, but wow. She outdid herself.”

Pierre nodded in agreement. “She did. I know I already told you, but you really did look incredible.” Laurel’s cheeks burned; she raised her mug to her lips, hopeful the oversized ceramic would cover enough of her face that he couldn’t see the effect his words had had on her. Laurel opened her own phone, scrolling through to find the matching photo. A few minutes later, he handed her his phone and she passed hers, giving their captions one last once-over before giving up their secret. Her eyes flitted across the screen.

Yesterday, I had the incredible fortune of marrying @laurel.klerken, the best person I’ve ever had the fortune of loving. I know it might come as a shock, and that we’ve kept our relationship under wraps since realizing after years of being friends that friendship just wasn’t enough any more, but this wasn’t a decision that either of us made lightly. Laurel, you’re an amazing woman, and even though it’s only been a day, an amazing wife. Whether it’s for your patients, your friends, or me, you make everyone around you feel warm, safe, and cared for beyond measure. You have a sharp wit and an even sharper mind, and I have endless admiration for how committed you are for standing up for what’s right, even when it’s not popular and even if it’s gotten you in trouble once or twice. Marriage is a partnership and a journey, and I’ve never been so excited to start a new adventure.

Laurel sniffed, not even noticing the tears pricking her eyes until Pierre handed her a tissue. “Thanks,” she murmured. “You don’t think you’re laying it on a little thick, though?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Not at all.” One tap later, and it was posted. Three minutes later, his phone rang as they were doing the breakfast dishes. Cap ❤️ flashed across the screen. Pierre grimaced. “It’s the captain. I should probably answer this one,” he said, pressing the speaker button as he dried his hands on a spare towel.

“You’re married,” Nick Foligno said, wasting no time. “Is this a fucking joke?” Laurel more than understood his apprehension, but the words still stung.

“Yes I am,” Pierre said slowly, “and no, it’s not a joke. Laurel and I are legally married in the province of Québec.”

She could hear a labored breath from the other line, followed by an airy laugh. “What the hell, man?”

Nick was ultimately happy for them, and after being introduced to Laurel after they switched the call over to FaceTime he apologized for his reaction, but Laurel waved him off. “You’re just looking out for your boy is all. I’d do the same.”

Nick nodded. “Take care of him for us, Laurel. Your address still the same?” He looked over towards Pierre, who hummed his assent. “Janelle and I will send you something. Something useful.”

---

July 28 (wed)

“Something useful” turned out to be a gorgeous set of Wüsthof knives and a stand mixer, the latter of which Laurel was nearly jumping out of her socks with excitement to try. Baking had long since been one of her favorite hobbies and her go-to method of stress relief; while she was grateful for the arm muscles her years of having to hand mix everything had given her, she wasn’t going to miss the extra effort. So Laurel Klerken was taking full advantage of her new toy. She had gone down to the Jean-Talon market in the morning, which was quickly becoming one of her favorite weekly activities. Especially with Pierre around to help her, she was learning to shift her speaking into the Québecois dialect, and her French was good enough to order from the vendors in their language and be understood. In her book, that was a win. The peak of summer meant it was berry season in Montréal, which meant it was time for Laurel to break out her nana’s blueberry oatmeal muffin recipe. And chocolate chip walnut cookies. And a French apple tart. Okay, so maybe she went a little bit overboard, but they had their desserts for the week and it made the kitchen smell so good.

Pierre opened the door just as Laurel was pulling out the last pan of cookies, walking around the corner into the kitchen and raising his eyebrows at the view. She looked over at him. “You going to complain about your wife’s baking when you’re the primary beneficiary?” she asked, challenging him with a playful smile on his face.

Pierre held his hands up in surrender, holding the mail between two fingers. “No.” He picked one of the cookies off of the cooling rack, taking a bite. “Definitely not.”

Laurel nodded towards the mail, walking over to the sink to wash her hands. “What came in the mail?”

“Nothing much,” he said, shrugging. “Just a little letter from IRCC.”

Her eyes lit up. “Immigration finally got back? Did they send my card?”

Pierre nodded, handing her the envelope. It barely took five seconds for her to rip it open. “You, Laurel Elizabeth Klerken, are now officially a permanent resident of Canada. Congrats, babe.”

Laurel squeaked in excitement, dancing around in the kitchen , the holographic detailing on the card catching the glow of the late-afternoon light. She threw her arms around Pierre, giving him a kiss on the cheek that was just barely off to the side of his lips. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said breathlessly.

“Don’t mention it.”

She pulled back, still smiling. “No, ‘don’t mention it’ is for when you bring home dinner without being asked, or take a drunk friend home from the bar. Not for things like this,” she said, wiggling her card. “This is everything to me, P. I get to stay in the city that I love, I get to stay at the job that I love. I get to —” She looked down, eyes widening. “I can finally get a health card!”

Pierre let out a laugh. “Out of everything, you’re most excited about that?” Being a dual citizen who lived in the U.S. for the better part of the year, Pierre understood the absolute chasm of accessibility that separated the American and Canadian health insurance systems better than most, but he still looked at his wife’s choice with incredulity.

“Of course it is,” Laurel said, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. She still had insurance purchased through her work, but the fact that now it was so much easier and official and came out of her taxes instead of having to try and navigate the bureaucratic system of forms and checks and private insurance companies made it so much easier. “It’s just nice to finally be a part of a system that acknowledges healthcare as the human right it is. That’s another thing about how it works in the U.S., it’s tied to employment a lot of the time so it’s not always a guarantee.”

She gave a tense smile, leaning back against the counter. “I might seem a little worked up about it, but that’s because I am. Uh,” she paused, eyes flickering up towards the chrome-plated track lighting, “my dad lost his job when I was a kid. He was a foreman at a construction company, but then the recession hit in ‘08 and he was laid off. We lost our insurance. Maggie and I were able to get on MinnesotaCare, which is the state insurance for low-income families, but our parents didn’t get approved. Not enough money to go around, I guess,” she scoffed. “Unemployment wasn’t paying enough and mom’s job isn’t full-time, so she doesn’t get benefits. Apparently they think healthcare is a benefit.” Laurel took another pause. “And then Dad had a stroke. It wasn’t serious, thank God, but the bills...Maggie was almost graduating high school and headed off to college, and money was tight even before the layoffs. We were able to come up with the money, but only because the community really came together, in a way I had never seen before. I still haven’t seen anything like it since. Bake sales, church fundraisers, garage sales.” The tiniest of smiles played on Laurel’s lips as she looked back up at her husband. “Do you know how much pasta Minnesotans can eat at a spaghetti dinner?”

“A lot?”

“A whole hell of a lot,” Laurel confirmed. “But anyways. That’s when it became personal to me, and I think it’s why healthcare and access to quality care is still something that I’m still so passionate about and invested in. It’s why I became a nurse.”

Pierre walked over to her carefully, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. “It makes absolute sense, Laurel. I know that probably wasn’t easy for you, so thank you for sharing. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to let me in like that.” Laurel wasn’t a cold person by any means; she was one of the kindest and most giving people Pierre had ever met, even in the few months that they’d known each other. But she was someone that could be guarded at times — for very good reason — and it meant the world to him that she was willing to let him chip away her hardened exterior little by little to see the brilliance that lay within.

She pressed against his side, her head resting on his arm. “You’re my husband. Why wouldn’t I?”

---

Laurel was in the ensuite of her and Pierre’s room, washing her face before going to bed, when she heard her phone vibrate with a text. After that first night, Laurel had made it a habit of sharing a bed; she’d never slept better in her life than the past two and a half weeks, and even though she may have been loath to admit it, waking up to an incredibly attractive man — who was shirtless half of the time — wasn’t something she was about to complain about. “Can you get that for me?” She was expecting a text from her mom, something about confirming her and her dad’s flight times for their visit next week.

“Laurel?” Pierre called cautiously.

She turned towards him, patting her face dry. “What? Did their gate get changed or something?”

He shook his head, walking towards her and holding the phone out like it was a bomb. “It’s Maggie.”

Laurel’s mouth immediately went dry. “M-Maggie?” She took the phone, staring at the screen, open to the text.

“Do you want to talk to her? You don’t have to if you’re not feeling up to it,” Pierre said, searching her face for any semblance of apprehension. As far as he knew, she hadn’t talked to her sister in years, and he didn’t know why that was suddenly about to change.

She shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I just...I have no idea what she wants. Why, after three years, is she finally deciding that she wants to be a part of my life again?” She looked down at her phone.

So, I had to hear it through the Cloquet grapevine that you got married?? What’s that about, L? Maggie wrote. Laurel pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. The gossip train in her hometown was second to none; to be honest, she was a little bit surprised it even took her older sister this long to hear about it. She was already enough of an anomaly. Less than a quarter of her city had a college degree, even fewer left the state to do it, so her going to Toronto for university was practically unfathomable — even if it was closer than Texas, where her second-choice school was. So, needless to say, she was a frequent headline in the Cloquet rumor mill. She had heard it all. That she had run off to Canada to escape a high school sweetheart turned sour, that she had cut off all ties with her family, that she had shaved half of her head and dyed her eyebrows bright pink. The last one actually had some truth to it, but it was just the eyebrows and she was a drunk 20-year-old, and at least she didn’t get a tattoo of the Maple Leafs logo on her thigh like her friend Ethan.

But this one wasn’t a rumor, and if nothing else, Maggie deserved to know that much. Not much to say. It’s true, if that’s what you were wondering.

Why didn’t you tell me? Why did I have to find out third-hand?

Laurel rolled her eyes, sitting down with a huff on the edge of their bed. Not to be harsh, Maggie, but it’s not like you’ve wanted to be that invested in my life since you left home. How was I supposed to know if this was even your number any more? I don’t even know what country you’re in right now.

Her response was almost immediate. I’m working at a hostel in Tokyo. But seriously? I know we haven’t been super close the past few years, but I’m still your sister, and I would have thought you’d tell me about something like this. Getting married is big. You don’t think you’re still a little young? Have you even finished school yet?

I graduated last year, I’ve been working at a hospital in Montréal for over a year, Maggie. And I know it’s a little early, but Pierre-Luc and I are happy. I love him, and he’s a good man and respects the hell out of me. I don’t really need anything else.

It was a few minutes before her next text came through, this time in all caps. YOU MARRIED A FUCKING NHLER? Laurel grew up knowing hockey, obviously; you couldn’t really live in Minnesota and not, and she wasn’t even a half-bad skater herself, but Maggie had always been the more dedicated of the sisters. She’d been the one who was always begging their dad to make the two-hour drive to St. Paul for a Wild game. Even when money was tight, Doug always found a way to scrape up enough for the tickets as her birthday present in January.

Denise from church didn’t tell you?

All she said was that it was some hot French-Canadian guy, and mom said you moved to Quebec, so I thought it could be any number. Fair enough.

Denise seriously called him hot?

Laurel could imagine her sister rolling her eyes all the way in Japan. Okay, fine, she didn’t say hot. But like...am I wrong?

For the first time in a long time, her sister made her laugh. Yeah, okay. He’s hot. I’m very aware that my husband is a class-A babe.

“You think I’m hot?” Pierre said, peeking over her shoulder and wiggling his eyebrows.

Laurel’s cheeks heated. “Yes, okay. I think you’re very attractive. Happy?”

“Very,” he responded. “I’m glad my wife thinks I’m hot. The feeling’s mutual,” he said before walking into the bathroom to brush his teeth, leaving her even more flustered than before. She turned back to her conversation with Maggie. My shift is about to start, so I’ve got to go. But I’m happy for you, L. I really am. You’ve done exactly what you want with your life, and I couldn’t be more proud.

Laurel’s finger traced the words on the screen, a small smile on her face as Pierre came back into the room, throwing back the sheets. She plugged her phone into its charger, turning it face-down onto the nightstand. Things weren’t perfect between her and Maggie; far from it. One conversation over text wasn’t going to change that. But maybe, just maybe, there was still something there that was worth saving. After flicking off the lights, the last thing she remembered before falling asleep was the feeling of Pierre snaking his arm around her waist, pulling her to rest her back up against his chest. And Laurel let him.

August 17 (tues

It had been one of the worst days of Laurel’s life, and she wasn’t one for dramatics. Certainly the worst shift of her career. She knew when she chose to work in a pediatric intensive care unit, that it wasn’t going to be all sunshine and rainbows. If she wanted sunshine and rainbows, she would have gone with something less taxing. Something like dermatology, or working in a pediatrician’s office, or being a school nurse. God knows she could hand out ice packs and tampons. But no, she had to pick critical care, and critical care with children, one of the most emotionally and mentally taxing areas in the entire healthcare field. She saw the highest highs, the incredible moments when a three-year-old girl with a brain hemorrhage was able to get home, or a twelve-year-old boy finally got a kidney transplant after having been waiting for years. She saw the highest highs, but on days like today, she also saw the lowest lows.

Laurel carried her scrub top in one hand, her backpack slung over one shoulder, and tried desperately to regulate her breathing as she turned her key in the lock, pushing the door open. No matter how many times she had helped her patients breathe, she never seemed to be able to take her own advice.

Pierre stood in the kitchen, making a smoothie, but immediately turned off the blender when he saw her face. “What happened?” he asked, gently taking her bag from her and placing it on the floor.

Laurel collapsed into his arms almost instantly. “T-there was a little girl who c-came in yesterday from a car crash, and it was pretty b-bad, but she made it through the night and everyone thought she’d b-be fine,” she hiccuped, “but then right at the end of m-my shift she started coughing up b-blood and she was crashing, so I tried to do CPR until the t-team got there, but it didn’t work and we…” Laurel trailed off, sobbing, gripping the back of Pierre’s shirt like a lifeline. “We lost her, P. And the doctor on call was tied up with another patient, so I had to notify the family, and God, it was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do. She was only seven.” She looked down at her scrub top. “I have to go throw this in the washing machine before the stain sets.”

Pierre pulled back slightly, gently taking the navy shirt from her, giving a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll do it. You need to rest. Take a shower, or a bath, get into some comfortable clothes. I’ll take care of dinner.”

It was almost forty-five minutes later when Laurel finally emerged from the bathroom, clad in high school sweats and a faded Blue Jackets t-shirt. “I hope you didn’t mind that I took this one,” she said, picking at a loose thread on the bottom hem, “I hadn’t gotten to laundry yet this week.”

“It’s fine, Laur,” Pierre said, plating chicken stir-fry and rice. Cooking together had become one of their things; Pierre certainly wasn’t as hopeless as some people she had met, and he was right that he made an excellent salmon. But they couldn’t eat fish every day of the week, so Laurel broke out one of her few cookbooks and they had been making their way through the recipes together. They had finished breakfast and were making their way through poultry. Hence, chicken stir-fry. “You look better in it anyways.”

They ate in silence, her half-heartedly picking up forkfuls of rice only to put them down again. She smiled weakly at Pierre. “The food’s good, I swear. I just don’t have much of an appetite tonight.”

“I get that,” he said. “How about I put this in away in the fridge and you can get a yogurt or something? You don’t have to have a full meal, but you should eat something. We can watch something after, or you can go to bed if you’re not feeling up to it. Your call.”

“TV sounds nice, do you still have the old Parks & Rec recorded?” Laurel needed something she didn’t need to pay attention to, something that could just be background noise as she tried to sift through the emotions of her day and try to make sense of it all.

He nodded. “Wouldn’t get rid of it before asking, I know how much you love it.”

They were curled up on the couch together a few minutes later, a striped blanket thrown over Laurel’s lap despite the weather outside still lingering in the mid 70s. It wasn’t for warmth, not really; it was for comfort. Pierre’s arm was slung over her back, his thumb absentmindedly moving across her upper arm. She leaned into his touch, hardly paying attention to the show. “Do you want to talk about it?” Pierre murmured, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. “You don’t have to, but it might help.” He wasn’t an expert by any means, but Pierre obviously knew that people died in hospitals, in intensive care units even more so. Which meant that there was an almost surefire chance that she had had people die on her watch, die on her shift. Had children die on her watch. And that didn’t mean she was a bad nurse or a bad person, but just that sometimes there were illnesses and injuries so severe that even the best medical care in the province couldn’t save them. So why was this one impacting her so intensely? Had she reacted this way before, with Madeline or her coworkers, and he just hadn’t seen it before? Or was there something different about this case, about that girl that made it hit closer to home for some reason?

Laurel took a shaky breath. “I know you’re right, that it’s not healthy to keep it all bottled up inside. But that’s what I’m used to, you know? I love my job, I do, but you have to compartmentalize sometimes. With this one, it’s just…” She searched for the right words. “It was so immediate, so in front of me, that I didn’t have any time to reach beyond trying to save her life. I didn’t think, I just went based on instinct and training. And she still died.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Laurel,” Pierre said firmly. “You did everything you could, you did everything right.”

“I know that,” she sniffed, “but it’s so hard to believe sometimes. That if I had gotten there a few seconds sooner, or if the crash team had been a little earlier, she might have survived. And I wouldn’t have had to tell a mother and father that their daughter was dead.” Pierre felt terrible, like there was nothing he could do, because there was nothing he could do, not apart from sit and listen. “I think it was different this time because I finally saw myself in their shoes, I obviously don’t have kids, not yet, but I imagined what it was like to have to be on the receiving end of that news, and it tore me apart, P.” Her voice cracked, and his heart broke. “Being the mom to a beautiful child and then all of the sudden having them all of the sudden stripped away? No longer living? I know that life’s not fair, but fuck, I thought I thought it would be a little better than this.”

Her voice went silent, and Pierre took the opportunity to speak. “It’s not fair, and I think part of what makes you so good at what you do is the fact that you recognize that. You’re so dedicated to giving everyone that comes through those doors the best care, because you genuinely believe that they deserve it. And that’s incredible. You don’t get complacent, you’re never satisfied with just doing things adequately and just enough to get by. You give everything 110%, and that’s how I know the kind of incredible person you are.” He paused. “And I think every parent worries about their kid getting sick, or getting hurt. I know mine did, and I’d be willing to bet yours were the same way. Worrying means you care. And you care the most deeply, the most genuinely, out of anyone I’ve ever met. And I know, when the time comes, that you’ll make an amazing mother. Whoever gets to do that with you will be a lucky man.”

“You really think so?”

Pierre slipped his hand into hers. “Positive.”

September 10 (fri)

Laurel’s fingers tapped nervously on the counter as she waited for Pierre to bring the last of his bags from the bedroom. He didn’t usually schlep a ton of things back-and-forth from Montréal to Columbus every time he needed to travel, but his ticket came with two free checked bags and if there was one thing Pierre-Luc Dubois was, it was efficient. It was the middle of September, and that meant training camps. That meant leaving Québec. That meant Ohio. That meant not seeing Pierre for weeks at a time, when the longest they had been apart since July was a two-day trip to Québec City Laurel took with her parents when they visited in August. Over the past two months, they had settled into a routine, and that routine was about to be broken. Grocery shopping, him washing the dishes while she dried, falling asleep together and waking up with legs tangled in the middle of the bed. She knew that he liked his coffee with a little bit of cream and more sugar, that Georgia got fussy if she wasn’t let out in the morning but Paul was more of a night owl, that dessert wasn’t supposed to be on his meal plan every day but that she could always get him to break for a slice of peach pie. He knew that she needed two Advil on the first day of her period because one just wouldn’t cut it, that her favorite Disney princess was Jasmine because of her independence, and that she liked to light lavender candles when she was stressed.

Pierre wheeled a bag out of the doorway. “That the last one?” Laurel asked, passing Phil’s leash to him as she held Georgia’s. He nodded. She spun her keys around on her finger. “Got both of your passports?”

Pierre patted his jacket pocket. “Right here.” It was easier for him; he could skip the wait in both countries. Exit Canada with the Canadian, enter the U.S. with the American.

It was 2 and his flight wasn’t until 4:15, but Laurel didn’t trust the traffic and she didn’t trust the wait times at the airport. “Guess we should get going then.”

“Guess we should.” Laurel grabbed one bag and he got the other, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and wheeling it out the door. It only took twenty minutes to get to the airport. Laurel pulled up next to the curb, double-checking the signs to make sure she wasn’t about to get fined for stopping, and put the car into park. Pierre was the first to open his door, grabbing both the dogs; Laurel followed suit a moment later.

“You’ve got to pop the trunk, babe,” Pierre murmured. He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Oh, right,” she said, pressing the button on her key. It popped open with a telltale click; Pierre hefted out the black bag, she got the silver one. “Do you know how many people are going to have this exact bag? It’s going to be a nightmare at baggage claim, P” Laurel tried to joke. She always coped with humor.

Pierre laughed, this time a real one. “Fair enough. Guess I’ve got a lot riding on my luggage tags,” he said, flicking one of the offending objects around the handle of the bag, the black one. Laurel handed him the other handle, their fingers brushing as he gripped the metal. He put a finger under her chin, tilting her head to look up at him. He could see the apprehension in her eyes. There were a lot of things that Laurel Klerken did well, really well, but lying was never one of them. She was always an open book. “Hey, don’t look so down, Laur,” he said softly. “I know you’ll be missing your personal space heater and Piper will miss her siblings, but you’re coming to visit in two weeks and it’s going to be amazing. I’ll introduce you to the boys and the other wives, you’ll get to catch one of the preseason games, finally see my place in Columbus. It might be weird being alone for a while, but —” He cut himself off. “Scratch that, it will be weird for a while, for both of us, but we’ll get through it. You’re a great person, and not a terrible wife either. People have done long-distance relationships that were longer distances for more time, and they made it through just fine. You’ll be okay, Laur. We’ll be okay.”

Laurel took an unsteady breath, trying her best to put on a brave face. “Not a terrible wife, huh? Well, you’re not half a bad husband either.” As she spoke, she was thinking over his words. How normal they sounded, but how abnormal that was for them. They weren’t a normal couple, all they really were were friends who got married — right? So why was he saying those things, things that made him seem like a real husband talking to his real wife, things that were making her feel that maybe, just maybe, this marriage wasn’t as much of a hoax as the thought it was? And it was only because of that, only because she was either reading way too much into a situation that wasn’t even there or was the premier of reading people’s body language and being able to parse out their unsaid words, that she did what she did next. She threw her arms around her husband, and she kissed him.

#hockey imagine #hockey writing #pierre-luc dubois #hockey #hockey smut #hockey imagines #nhl imagine #nhl writing #nhl smut #nhl #nhl imagines #pierre luc dubois

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craniumhurricane · 3 years

Text

call me, baby, if you need a friend

Cleaning up some old WIPs. This has been in my drafts since end of season 2/around season 3.

Basically 4 times Clarke calls Bellamy and 1 time that Bellamy calls Clarke.

Thank you @casleyislove and @sushigirlali for always reading things before I post them!

[ On AO3! ]

___

(i)

It's a quiet night in at the Blake apartment. Or, at least, for Bellamy it is. He's having a nice Friday night by himself after surviving a truly grueling week of finals. Octavia tried to convince him to go out and celebrate the end of the semester the "right way," but he turned her down… he's still not quite sure how he managed to do that.

His feet are currently propped up on the coffee table with a large bowl of store brand cocoa puffs in his lap. Bellamy may be an adult but damn if he isn’t going to celebrate the end of the term with sugary cereal… nevermind that he didn’t actually make time to grocery shop this week. The TV was queued and ready for the marathon of Ancient Aliens episodes he’d missed due to studying, and he was just about to press play when he hears a short but insistent buzzing sound.

Glancing around, his eyes land on Octavia’s phone sitting on the corner of the coffee table. She must have left it in her hurry to leave since she was running late to meet up with her boyfriend.

Bellamy keeps his eyes on it for a second before deciding to ignore it, and once again his finger hovers over the play button on the remote. Then the phone lights up again, this time with a phone call; a picture of Octavia and a curly haired blonde that he recognizes, the name CLARKE THE GRIFFIN flashing across the screen. He considers ignoring it for a second time but... if she’s resorting to actually calling instead of texting again then something could be seriously wrong.

Bellamy swipes his thumb across the screen to answer and brings the phone to his ear but before he can even say anything a voice on the other side interjects immediately.

“Men are dicks,” the woman says without preamble. “No! Worse than that. They're weird tumors that grow on dicks," she pauses, seems to think about it, and then adds, "Preferably life threatening.”

Bellamy blinks a few times before he answers, “I'm sure you're right, but don't you think that's a bit harsh?”

The line is quiet. He can hear her shifting the phone, no doubt checking the screen to make sure she called the right person.

“Octavia?”

“Bellamy.”

Clarke huffs. “Where's Octavia?” she snaps. He can hear the annoyance seeping into her tone, which in turn just makes him feel his own frustrations start to rise.

He tamps it down though. “On a date,” he answers.

She deflates at that, “Oh right. One month anniversary with Lincoln.”

He hums a confirmation and then they’re silent for a few minutes. So long that it’s Bellamy’s turn to look at the phone and make sure she’s still there. “Did you need something?” he asks once he sees that the call is still, in fact, in progress.

She takes a deep breath before answering, “I ended things with Finn tonight.”

Bellamy had only met Finn Collins a handful of times; the guy was fine except for a little cocky… and he always seemed to want to show off in front of pretty girls. His hair was too long and always styled like he was some kind of frat boy that came from big money even though Bellamy's 100% sure he never so much as pledged.

And then there was that one time he flirted with Octavia.

Ok, so Bellamy didn’t like the guy. But a break up is still a shitty thing to go through which is why he says, “I’m sorry,” and finds that he means it.

“Not your fault,” Clarke says immediately, “But I was kind of looking for someone to watch me binge drink and listen to me vent.”

He understands that, having gone through the same thing when he broke up with Roma at the start of the term. If you could really call them “hooking up occasionally” the same thing as dating, but still, getting drunk with Miller had been essential in the whole moving on process.

“You want to come over here anyway?” he offers carefully, casually. He doesn’t mind Clarke. She’s younger than him, around Octavia’s age. They aren’t exactly friends, but he would consider them a little more than acquaintances. Enough that it shouldn’t be too weird for him to invite her over even without his sister present. Plus, her getting drunk here is a better alternative than her getting drunk by herself in some bar.

“You don’t mind?” she asks and he thinks he hears relief in her voice, “I was kind of already on my way over to your guy’s place... I don’t really feel like going out and I really don't feel like being depressed and alone in my dorm right now.”

“Nah,” he says and then tries a joke to brighten her spirits, “Sounds like something fun to watch. I’ll order food.”

“Chinese would be great,” and he swears he can hear a smile in her voice so he’ll count his dumb joke as a victory. “Thanks, Bellamy, see you soon.”

He's not even a little bit mad about dumping out his now soggy cereal.

(ii)

“So, you’ve been in school for basically forever. Is it normal for a person to experience this amount of stress?”

Bellamy’s lips twitch as he holds his phone to his ear. After Clarke crashed his Friday night in, and spilled on the whole cheating Finn debacle while they did shots, Bellamy figured he should give her his own cell phone number. As much as he hated to admit it, and honestly he never will, his sister and her boyfriend were getting serious, so who knows how much Octavia would be available for late night bitchfests about significant others, fellow students, and the human population in general. Which were just a few of the topics they discussed that night. Hanging out with Clarke ended up being kind of fun, a better night than he originally planned. She even let him watch a little of his marathon and offered her own commentary. Bellamy would do it again… which is something else he would never admit.

It's not like they suddenly talk every day, but it’s a near thing. They would send each other the occasional text when one of them sees something that the other absolutely has to know about. Mostly, he gets pictures of old dogs she sees at the park, asking if this will be him in 20 years. Bellamy responds in kind with memes about college life and rubbing it in her face that they no longer apply to him since he graduated last semester.

But sometimes she reaches out to him if there is something particularly bothering her. Such as dealing with egotistical dickwads that consider themselves professors and shutting down female students in a male dominated class.

Clarke’s probably the only person that ever calls him and can never start the conversation with a simple ‘Hello’. Actually, she’s probably the only person that actually still calls him.

“I just got a job teaching so that insult isn't going to work anymore since I literally will be in a school as part of my job,” is his first response before he turns to one of concern, “Midterms got ya down?”

“It’s just,” she gives an exasperated sigh before continuing, “I want to do something that helps people, I know I want to help people… But maybe I don't want to help people the way my mom wants me to help people...ya know?”

“You’re going to have to give me more to go on here, Princess-”

“I’m thinking about switching my major,” she says abruptly, like she’s ripping off a band aid.

He’s silent, waiting to see if she’s going to say anything else. When it becomes clear she’s waiting for him to say something he responds honestly, “If being a doctor isn’t something you want to do, then you shouldn’t do it.”

“But-”

“What your mom wants you to do shouldn’t overrule what you want to do, Clarke,” he interrupts her. Due to the increasing amount of time he’s been spending with Clarke, he’s learned that the Griffins have always had a capital “P” Plan and he knows that Clarke has a hard time knowing when she can push the boundaries of said Plan.

She’s silent again and Bellamy’s starting to think he’s going to have to prod her a second time. He’s got the beginnings of his big speech all prepared when finally she speaks up. “I’m thinking about going into Art Therapy,” She says thoughtfully, “Or maybe teaching? Helping out underprivileged kids...or hell, even underprivileged adults. Or maybe something for the community?”

His lips twitch on another smile at hearing the beginnings of a hint of passion in her voice. “Teaching can be very rewarding,” he says magnanimously.

She snorts and it turns into a full laugh, “You haven't even started yet! It could be the worst thing you’ve ever done and a total waste of your degree.”

“Your confidence in me really is touching,” he deadpans and then adds simply, “You’re an amazing artist, Clarke. I think doing something with that could be something you'd enjoy and be really really good at.”

She’s quiet when she asks, “You think I’m amazing? You’ve never told me that.” And Bellamy swears he can hear that smile in her voice again. The one he always looks forward to. The one he tries to coax out of her without realizing he’s doing it.

He feels his cheeks start to heat up and even though she can't see him, he feels the need to brush it off. “Yeah, well, I generally try to be as dickish as possible so…”

She snorts again and damn if he didn’t feel a slight flutter in his chest.

“For the record, I think you’re going to be an amazing teacher,” she says it so matter-of-factly but he’ll have to dwell on it later because she sobers and then asks softly, “So, you think I should do it?”

It’s not hard for him to build her up. She spends so much time being there for the rest of their slowly merging friend groups that she rarely takes time to see the greatness in herself. He doesn’t mind helping.

“I think you should do whatever the hell you want.”

(iii)

“Women are worse than men.”

Bellamy rubs the sleep from his eyes and glances at the clock; it was almost 3 in the morning. “I thought men were tumors?” he asks around a yawn.

“Yeah, well, women can be tumors too,” Clarke huffs, but she just sounds tired, “Comparing people to tumors is equal opportunity. Strides in feminism are being made, didn’t you know?”

Bellamy pushes himself into a sitting position, suddenly more alert as he picks up the trace of tears in her voice. “You ok?” he asks.

Clarke is silent at first, but he waits her out, he knows that she’ll tell him. “Lexa broke up with me,” she says quietly and then adds in confusion, “Or we broke up with each other? I’m a little unsure. We spent the whole night arguing and then suddenly she was packing up her stuff.” She pauses before taking a shaky breath, “It’s over. We’re over.”

“I’m so sorry, Clarke.”

“She was leaving anyway,” she continues, bitterly, “Some new job. She was leaving in a few weeks and didn’t even bother to tell me. I told her we could make it work long distance, I was willing to try and make it work. That’s when the arguing started. Not just about that but about-,” Clarke abruptly cuts herself off and hesitates, “about... other things. Things I didn’t even know were an issue.” She’s quiet again before she adds, “She didn’t say it but I think she was disappointed that I never suggested going with her...”

The thought makes a quick flash of irritation run through him. “She wanted you to uproot your entire life and go with her,” he summarizes as he tries to adjust the pillows on his bed by beating them, maybe a little too roughly at the thought of her doing just that, before leaning back against them.

“Which is completely crazy, I know,” she hurries to say, “but I wish we could have talked about it.”

“I am sorry, Clarke,” he says again, “I know Lexa seemed like she was it for you.”

“But maybe she wasn’t?” Clarke counters as if trying to reason with herself. “I don’t know. We were both committed to each other, but maybe this was a sign that we weren’t going to be able to make it work long term?” She pauses and Bellamy can hear the gears in her head turning as she processes a way for her to handle this, too explain it to herself. “When we were together,” she hesitates before continuing, and he can imagine her biting her lip, “I was happy... but I felt like a separate version of myself, ya know? Still me, but not completely me?”

Bellamy chews on the words he wants to say and goes with, “Sometimes the person you're with can change you; it's not always a bad thing.” He gets quiet as he adds thoughtfully, “I like to think Gina made me a better person...and she probably did,” he pauses, this time unsure if he should keep going, but Clarke hasn't said anything, so she must be waiting for him to continue, “We tried, tried really hard, to make it work, but eventually you just realize that maybe the relationship isn't going anywhere and what’s best for everyone is just to call it.”

“Wait, you and Gina broke up?” Clarke asks in surprise, “When did that happen!?”

“That's what you got from that?” He rubs a hand over his face as he thinks about it, “About two weeks ago?”

“Shit,” she says and is quiet before asking in a small voice, “Why didn't you tell me?”

“Honestly, I haven't seen a whole lot of you these last few months,” he hears what he said and corrects himself, “We haven’t seen a whole lot of you.” He’s surprised at his ability to keep the bite out of his voice; because the truth was this last year has sucked since Clarke started dating Lexa.

They met at one of Clarke's art gigs. Lexa was cool; fun when she wanted to be, but also a little hard to be around. Most of the time, she seemed to prefer doing things without any of Clarke’s friends.

“I’m sorry,” Clarke says.

“It’s fine,” he answers her and means it. “Gina and I are still good friends.”

“I wasn’t talking about you and Gina,” she says, voice soft.

He realizes what she’s actually apologizing for and he doesn’t know what to say. Because of course he forgives her, he will always forgive her.

The silence lasts too long so he clears his throat and prompts, “Want to come over and get drunk?”

Her laugh through the phone breaks the tension, “It’s like 3 o'clock in the morning.”

“My bar is always open.”

She chuckles. “I really want to hit something,” she says with a determined edge to her voice, “Then maybe get drunk.”

“How about this, we get a few more hours of sleep, wake up at a normal time, and go hit something,” he offers and then adds as if it's an afterthought, “And then get drunk, of course.”

She laughs again, “Oh, of course.” There’s that smile. “I forgot what being single with you was like.”

Bellamy sobers at the thought. It has been awhile since the two of them were single at the same time. “Always here to help, Princess.”

(iv)

“Why did I agree to this trip again?”

He’s packing up the essays that are scattered across his desk when she calls, 4 o’clock on the dot. Bellamy tries to suppress a laugh but he’s pretty sure she can at least hear the teasing smile in his voice.

“Just getting back to the hotel?” he asks in lieu of his own greeting.

“Yes!” she exclaims in exasperation. “And if it were up to Josephine, we probably would have walked all of damn Paris tonight,” her voice gets muffled at the end and he can only assume she’s thrown herself face first onto the nearest bed. “I cannot wait for a shower- No! A bath, definitely taking a long, hot bath.”

And now the image of Clarke Griffin in the bath, with just enough bubbles to cover up to her chest, has entered his mind. He shoves it away before anymore thoughts can accompany it.

This used to never be a problem. Sure, he’s always known that Clarke is attractive, but he has never been attracted to her. But ever since he broke up with Gina and she broke up with Lexa, Bellamy has been exceedingly aware of the fact that they have both remained single.

The last time this happened was right after Finn.

Bellamy shakes his head for good measure before responding. “You’re going to fall asleep in the tub and your roommate will find your prune-y, wrinkled body in the morning.” He cringes. Apparently he wasn’t able to get the image of her completely out of his head.

Clarke scoffs, but he can tell that it’s in an exasperated but fond kind of way. “How is it that you manage to be a buzzkill from over 4,000 miles away?” she asks drily and then pauses before adding, “Actually, Josie would probably just leave me in there for the entire trip and never let on that something was up.”

He turns the key to lock his office behind him and heads for the staff lot. “Don’t worry, if you don’t call to check in, I’ll call the National Guard,” he teases.

“I know you would,” she says simply, like it’s a known fact.

Things have been a little weird after he became aware that they were both single. Mostly because, he’s pretty sure that Clarke has also come to realize it. When he turns to look at her, he often finds her already looking. Their innocent touches are now more frequent and linger just a bit longer.

Bellamy has come to realize that he doesn’t want to be single and the reason he doesn’t want to be single is because he wants his best friend to not be single with him.

There’s just never a right time to tell her.

“So, what did you do today?” he asks.

Despite the exhaustion and jetlag that’s surly setting in, Clarke jumps into an animated retelling of the flight and arriving at their hotel room just in time to change clothes and head back out to walk the streets of Paris to get their bearings before their tours officially start tomorrow.

“I’m a little disappointed that we’re doing the Louvre first thing tomorrow. I was hoping to be a little more alert for that.”

“Your coffee addiction hasn’t stopped just because you’re in another country,” he points out as he gets in his car.

She laughs, “Jeez, you are such an ass.”

He starts the car but doesn’t leave just yet; afraid the long distance call will drop out.

“What are you doing now?” he asks into the comfortable silence.

“Admiring the view,” she admits softly. “It really is gorgeous all lit up. Makes me want to dig out my sketchbook.”

“You have a week, Princess,” he chuckles. “Don’t screw up your jetlag even more by losing track of time in your drawings on the first night.”

She’s quiet again before confessing softer somehow, “It also makes me wish you were here.”

His heart clenches in his chest and he wills himself to sound normal. “Maybe next time,” he tries for teasing but it comes out almost wistful.

“Next time, hmmm?” Clarke hums. “You’d come to Paris with me?” And he’s sure she’s flirting with him.

“Well, maybe not for our first date,” he says, “But maybe, like, our fifth or something.”

Clarke’s quiet for a long time and he’s afraid he’s overstepped, misread the room. He’s about to take it back, play it off as a joke when she finally speaks.

“And what would a first date look like?” she asks with what he thinks is hope in her voice.

He swallows a couple of times. “Well,” he starts, “Since you’re already getting some of the best museum experiences, I’d probably settle for dinner and a movie. Something cheesy that’s playing at the dollar theater; where we’re the only ones there and can yell at the screen.”

She chuckles and his heart flutters, “We already do that, Bell. Quite frequently, actually.”

“Yeah, but if it’s a date then I’d get to kiss you at the end of it.”

“What? No making out during the movie?” she asks and he can picture how cute her face gets when she pouts.

A grin spreads across his face and he’s grateful no one can see how goofy he must look.

“We’ll have to make sure it’s a really bad movie.”

(+i)

Clarke rubs some moisturizer on her face before capping the tube and tossing it into her bag on the bed. After ensuring that everything she’s going to need for tomorrow is packed, she zips it up and grabs one of Bellamy’s hoodies to slip on over her clothes.

Ever since he picked her up from the airport when she got back from her trip to Paris, and she ran directly into his arms, giving the other people waiting quite a show, there always seems to be one laying around, waiting for her to find it. She assumes that he gets as much of a thrill out of her wearing them as she does.

She heads down the stairs of their townhouse, passing various pictures and artwork, and shoots Raven one more text not to forget to bring her dress to the venue tomorrow. She’s supposed to help her get ready in the morning along with her mother. In the meantime, Abby has sent a car to pick her up and take her to the hotel. Easier to get ready if she’s already there for the stylist… something else her mother insisted on paying for. No matter how many times Clarke told her she didn’t care what her hair looked like because she was marrying the love of her life.

Clarke locks up the house and greets the driver, slipping into the backseat. She intends to spend the ride lost in thought, going through the checklists that were running through her head.

Their engagement had been on the short side but she didn’t mind. They were both ready to get on with this next chapter in their lives.

Her phone is resting loosely in her hand, face down on her knee, when it starts to vibrate with an incoming call. She holds her breath for a second, praying it isn’t the florist or the caterers. But when she sees the photo of her and Bellamy from New Year’s flash on the screen, she can’t help but smile.

She taps the button and greets him with a sultry, “Hi, handsome.”

“Hey,” he says and she can tell he has a soft smile on his face, the one just for her. “You just leave the house?”

“Yep. On my way to the hotel now, so hopefully you haven’t forgotten anything because it’s too late now.”

“The most important thing is already on its way,” he responds with a teasing lilt.

Clarke can’t help the sharp laugh that escapes her lips, “Oh my god! You are such a sap!”

“I was referring to the ring, obviously, Princess.”

“Oh, obviously,” she says, mock serious.

They chuckle to themselves for a few minutes and she honestly can’t tell if the driver is rolling his eyes or thinks they’re being cute from hearing one side of the conversation.

Bellamy sobers up first only to let out a groan. “I hate whose ever idea this is,” he whines.

“Aren’t you the history professor? Shouldn’t you know where common traditions and such come from?”

He scoffs, “No, I mean I hate whichever of our friends is making us do this.”

The two of them haven’t seen each other since yesterday morning, him having been spirited off by his groomsmen while she was left to spend last night alone in their bed. And now they’re meant to go one more night without seeing each other.

To Bellamy’s point, Clarke isn’t altogether sure why this is a tradition anymore, nor why they are choosing to follow this particular one. She and Bellamy aren’t even that superstitious! And yet somehow they were talked into spending the days leading up to their wedding apart.

“Ah,” she answers him now, “That would be Raven and Miller. Although, I’m pretty sure it had nothing to do with marriage traditions and has everything to do with getting back at us for making out in front of them so much.”

Bellamy scoffs again, “Well, jokes on them, because after tomorrow, I don’t ever have to stop kissing you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she says, “We’ll have to come up to eat at some point.”

The driver pulls up under the awning of the hotel and Clarke gets out and grabs her bag before he’s able to get out and grab it for her. She gives him a wave and a simple thank you before heading through the sliding doors.

“How’s your room?” she asks into the phone as she bypasses the check in desk, her mother having already checked her in and given her the key card to her room this morning when they were getting their nails done.

He heaves a deep sigh. “Lonely,” he answers as she steps into the elevator. From what Clarke knows from his texts, Miller dropped him off here last night and left him to his own devices. Apparently, the best man gets to sleep next to his husband but Bellamy wasn’t allowed to sleep next to his soon-to-be wife.

She makes a split second decision and presses a different button, jolting the elevator to stop sooner than intended. When she steps off she casually offers, “I could help with that.”

“Oh yeah?” He chuckles. “You going to describe for me what you’re wearing?”

“Hmm,” she hums as if she’s considering it. “I could do that… but I was more thinking that I could show you.”

Clarke stops in front of a door and gives it a nice rhythmic knock.

She doesn’t have to wait long before it’s opening and Bellamy is standing in front of her with his phone against his ear and a huge grin on his face.

She lowers her own phone from her ear, pressing the end button without looking.

“Hi, handsome,” she manages before he’s pulling her into his room.

#no one cares ashleigh #bellarke fanfiction #bellamy blake x clarke griffin #my fanfiction #i'm going to post this and run away because omg #i feel like this is long and i rambled #and i had some unresolved issues regarding clarke's relationships #anyway #enjoy!

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atlafan · 4 years

Text

Take it Slow - Part Sixty-Nine

a/n: okay this is my first shot at a harry:y/n fic, and it will be multiple parts. y/n had a bad experience with an ex over a year ago, and finally accepts her coworker and good friend Niall’s invitation to go on a blind date with his friend Harry.

Warnings: Fluff, smut, and angst. Long part, whoops!

Masterpost (all previous parts can be found in the masterpost)

The next morning, you get up at 4:30 to take Buster out. You wanted him to get used to you taking him out in the morning. He was still asleep when you picked him up out of his crate. You take him down to the street, and walk him a bit. Once he’s tired out you bring him back up. You get his breakfast and some fresh water ready. He plops on the floor and watches you do a quick home work out. He thinks you want to play when you start jumping up and down. Eventually you decide to just play with him on the ground and toss a tennis ball for him to play fetch with. He was so smart already.

Harry eventually wakes up and comes out just wearing his boxers. Buster trots over to him and you smile as he crouches to pet him.

“Hey little guy, how’d yeh sleep?” The dog yips at him and Harry laughs. “Oh good, mummy and I were worried.” He looks at you. “Take him out and all that?”

“Mhm, he took the cutest little poop.” You giggle. “Fed him too. I’ll probably have to take him out again soon.”

“I’ll take him, or we could take him together.”

“Yeah!” You look at your watch. “Oh! Niall will be leaving for work soon, let me text him to wait down at the street. It’ll be good to start socializing him.” Harry nods and goes to get dressed. “You look so cute in your painting pants.” You kiss his cheek and put the leash on Buster.

Niall crosses the street and picks Buster up immediately.

“Can yeh believe it? I’m an uncle!”

“Wait, let me take your picture with him.”

“The ones you posted yesterday were so cute. Your eyes were all red and puffy.” He laughs.

“She cried like a baby at Adam’s barn.” Harry explains.

“Surprised it wasn’t you.”

“Me too.”

“You can come play with him after work if you want. Sarah can come too of course.”

“Yeah, I’ll see what’s doin’. She’s getting’ stressed from end of year stuff. I didn’t know a third grade class could be so crazy.”

“Well she doesn’t exactly teach at the easiest school.” You say.

“No kiddin’.” He puts the dob back on the ground. “Well, I’ll see you all later. Hey, you should put him in the zoom chat later today. I’m sure everyone would love to see a puppy.”

“Will do! Have a good day.” You smile. You and Harry head down the street so Buster can pee again.

“He gets tired so easily.” Harry says, cradling him to his shoulder as he carries him back up.

“He’s still a baby. Baby’s get tired.”

“Will you bring him by around lunch time?”

“Of course! Would you like that Buster?” You say as you take him back from Harry. “Would you like to visit daddy later?” Harry’s face lit up, and you scrunch your face at him. “Don’t get too excited, I’m not bringing that word into the bedroom.”

“Don’t wantcha to.” He kisses your forehead. “I gotta go, love you.”

“Love you too, have a good day. Wave bye bye to daddy Buster.” You take his paw and move it back and forth. Harry takes his phone out and takes a picture of you. You stick your tongue out at him and he takes another picture. “Oh would you just leave already?!”

“Sorry, you’re just too cute.” He blows you a kiss and leaves.

You do your work up in the loft. Buster stays in your lap for most of the day. You take him for a good walk once mid morning hits, and you show him to everyone in your zoom meeting. Once it’s a little before noon you get him in the car and head to the studio.

Harry was upstairs in his office painting when he hears you come in. He comes right down and Buster runs to him. He picks up and swings him around (gently). Buster licks his cheek and he chuckles.

“I could certainly get used to this.”

“Wanna go for a walk, it’s beautiful out.”

“Sure!” Harry grabs his keys and locks up. He holds onto the leash as Buster walks. “How’s your day with him been?”

“Really easy. He’s been sitting on my lap while I’ve been working. He only peed on the floor once, and that was in the kitchen. I took him right out after it happened. Other than that he’s been going when I take him out. He’s a baby, so he’ll have accidents.” You shrug.

“I can’t wait to be able to just bring him with me to the studio once it’s up and runnin’.”

“My supervisor said I could bring him to work with me until you’re able to start bringing him.”

“Oh that’s great! They won’t mind?”

“He barely makes a peep, plus it’ll help socialize him.”

“Right.”

“I was thinking too, we could keep his hair on the shorter side. I don’t like floppy looking dogs.”

“My hair’s floppy and yeh like me just fine.”

“Yeah, but I don’t think Buster would like using a scrunchie to keep the hair out of his face like you currently are.”

“You’re just mad because I keep stealin’ yours.”

“I’m just going to buy you your own package.”

“The more the merrier.” He flashes you his shit eating grin and you nudge him.

Over the next couple of weeks, you and Harry take the time to train Buster. He has a few accidents, but nothing serious. He’s good about sleeping in his crate, and he’s been wonderful to bring to work with you. Harry keeps making progress on the studio. The furniture has been delivered and its’ starting to look like a real place. Mariah and Isaac both put their two weeks in, and start coming in to help Harry with the equipment.

“So I’ve been thinking, we should have a grand opening for your studio.” You say over dinner one night. “We could make a big social media event out of it. I think it would be nice for people to walk around and see everything. We could put some large prints up on the walls, and then get some booklets made. Isaac could book appointments on the spot.”

“I love the way your mind works, I think that’s a great idea.”

“Yay! So what I’ll do is put an event on the Facebook page, and then we can share it everywhere. I was thinking the beginning of June.”

“Sounds good to me. Thanks again for all your help. I feel like I get notifications every day asking when it’ll be up and running.”

“It’s been so much to-“ The dog yips at you. “What is it baby? Need to go out?” He yips again. “Okay, mumma take you out.” You get up from the table. “Mind cleaning up for me?”

“Sure.”

You put the leash on Buster and take him out to pee. He really needed to go.

“Good boy, Buster!” Harry hears as you come back inside about ten minutes later. “He needed to poop too.” You take the leash off and he rushes over to Harry.

“Good boy! Want daddy to get you a treat?” Buster yips at him. “Alright.” He goes into the kitchen and gets a dog cookie. “Now, yeh gotta sit, Buster. Sit.” Harry makes a motion with his hand, and the dog does so. “Good, down.” Buster lays on the floor. “Up.” He sits back up. “Good boy!” He gives Buster the street and scratches his head.

“I can’t believe how much bigger he’s already gotten in just a few weeks.”

“I know. His coloring is really startin’ to come in too.” You start tearing up, and Harry looks at you. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s just growing up so fast.” You sniffle. “He’ll be huge before we know it.”

“He’s only gonna be like twenty-five pounds. He’s one of the smaller ones, remember?” He holds you close to his chest.

“He’s just my precious baby and I want him to stay that way.” You say against him. Buster walks over to you both and looks up at you, wagging his tail. “C’mere my doll.” Harry closes his eyes to kiss you, but you’re bending down to pick Buster up. “God, pretty soon he’ll be too big to pick up, Harry.” You sniffle again and snuggle your face into Buster’s hair. “Let’s go snuggle on the sofa.” Harry stands there and watches you walk away. You look back at him. “Why are you just standing there?”

“Sorry, I honestly couldn’t tell if you were talkin’ t’me or the dog.” He walks over and sits down with you. Buster plops into his lap. “You call us the same names.”

“Aww, Buster, I think daddy’s jealous of how much attention I give you.” You scratch the top of Buster’s head and his tail wags.

“M’not jealous. You could just be more clear of who you’re talkin’ to. Like, could you leave doll for me?” You chuckle and shake your head.

“Sure, I’ll leave doll for you.”

“S’all I ask.” He turns the TV on, and he throws an arm around you. “Hey, babe?” You hum your response. “I left my laptop upstairs and I need it for a second, do yeh mind grabbin’ it? I’d get up, but I’m afraid he’s snoozin’.”

“Sure.” You get up and Harry watches you go up the spiral staircase. There was a box on top of his laptop. You furrow your eyebrows when you see it has your name on it. You open it up and he hears you gasp from upstairs. You come running down. “What’s this?!” You say holding a watch in your hand.

“Happy nine months, love.” You come over and give Harry a big kiss.

“Thank you sweetie, you didn’t have to get me anything. I feel like shit, I didn’t get you anything.”

“You give me somethin’ every day.” You put it on and sit back down.

“What’s that?”

“A life that I love so much.”

“Put the dog in the crate.” You say, giving him your bedroom eyes.

“Yes ma’am.” He salutes you and carries the dog to the crate. You smack his butt while you race by him. “Oi! None of that tonight.” You turn to look at him and pout. “Okay…maybe some of that.” He chases you into he room and you squeal.

“Kyle, I’m gonna be super busy this weekend. I’m getting things together for the house warming in a couple weeks, and I’m planning Harry’s grand opening.”

“Please! Mum had to back out and we’re desperate. We’ll bring over everything you need. Lily doesn’t want him with Bridget or Erica, she really only trusts you.”

“Bridget is a fucking nanny what do you mean?!”

“I know it doesn’t make a lot of sense, Lily just feels more comfortable leaving him with you. I know you just got the dog and everything, but we haven’t had a weekend away in a really long time, please.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me three days before…ugh fine. We’ll watch him this weekend. But you’re picking up and dropping off.”

“Thank you! We owe you big time.”

“Yes, you do.”

You sigh and hang up the phone. You turn around to Buster who’s laying in his dog bed in your office.

“Well Buster, you’re gonna have a visit from your cousin Michael this weekend.” The dog yips and you giggle. “Yeah, it’ll be fun.” Niall comes to your office.

“Ready to take him for a walk?”

“Sure thing Uncle Niall.” You both laugh, and put the leash on Buster.

“He’s like our little office dog now.”

“I know, everyone’s been so nice about having him around.”

“He’s so well behaved, how could we not like havin’ him.” You get down to the street and he trots along a pace a head of you, looking back occasionally to make sure you’re there. “Quite the mumma’s boy, huh?”

“He takes after his father.” You say with a smirk and Niall bursts out laughing.

“Monkey see, monkey do, I suppose.” He smiles at you still laughing.

“Get this, I have to babysit my nephew all weekend.”

“You seem annoyed by that.”

“Normally I’d be over the moon, but I’m planning two parties, and we’re still training Buster. I’ve got my own baby now.”

“Well, now you’ve got two.” He nudges you. “He gettin’ jealous at all?”

“Of what?”

“How much attention you’re givin’ the dog over him.”

“Not jealous…more like a slight annoyance. But it’s cute.”

Harry gets home from the studio exhausted. Him and Mariah were hanging things on the walls all day while Isaac dictated where everything should be.

“I’m home!” He yells when he doesn’t see you. “Where the fu-“

“Good boy Buster!” You giggle as you come in through the door. “Oh hey, did you just get in?” You ask, kissing him on the cheek.

“Yeah, didn’t know where yeh were for a second.”

“Baby needed to do his business.”

Buster sniffs at Harry’s feet and looks up at him with his tongue hangin’ out.

“Hey buddy, missed yeh today.” He looks at you. “Thought you might’ve brought him by…”

“Too busy today. Niall and I took him out for a quick walk at lunch, but that was it.” You take the leash off Buster and he follows you around. “Dinner’s wrapped up in the kitchen for you.”

“Thanks.” Harry scarfs down his food and joins you and the dog on the sofa.

“So get this.”

“What?”

“We’re babysitting Michael this weekend, like overnight.” Harry blinks at you. “Shit, I thought you’d be more excited.”

“I have two weddings on Saturday, I’ll be gone all day, and most of the evening.” He runs a hand through his hair. “When are they bringin’ him?”

“Friday night…”

“Two nights? Well, at least I can help a bit Friday. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I’ll be able to handle it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” You were slightly annoyed, but there was nothing you could do.

Friday night Kyle and Lily bring Michael over with everything he’ll need.

“I just ask that he sleeps in the room with the two of you. He’ll sleep comfortably in his pack and play, but I don’t want him to get scared if he wakes up and doesn’t know where he is.” Lily explains.

“Sure, we can do that.” You smile and she helps you set up the pack and play in the bedroom.

“How’s the pup treating you guys?” Kyle asks Harry.

“Oh, he’s been great. We got lucky with an easy one.” Buster was on the floor sniffing away at Michael who was in his bouncy loving the way Buster’s hair felt on his skin.

“Okay, all set up.” Lily says.

“All the food for him is in the fridge. He’s usually good, but he’ll cry the second he’s hungry. Make him wait a few minutes though. He needs to know he can’t get what he wants the second he wants it.”

“Kyle…I’ve watched him before, I know what to do.” You laugh.

“Okay, okay. Thank you both again.”

You say goodbye to them and looks over at the two babies on the floor.

“So…he’s really sleepin’ in the room with us?”

“Yeah, Buster’s gonna be pissed.” You pat his head and then take Michael out of the bouncy. “It’s almost your bed time, dude.” You give him a little raspberry on his cheek and he giggles. You cradle him to your chest and rock him back and forth. Harry watches you lovingly. “Don’t even look at me.” He starts laughing.

“Why?”

“A dog is plenty right now.”

“I didn’t even say anything!”

“Shhh! He’s starting to doze off. It’s easier to get him into the pack and play if he’s already asleep.” You press your lips to his head. “Can you take Buster out while I put him down, he’s out.”

“Yeah.”

When Harry comes back he finds you leaning over the pack and play stroking at Michael’s head, lulling him to sleep. Harry stands in the doorway with Buster at his side.

“Stay.” He says quietly to him as he walks in. He smiles at you and you gesture to leave the room. You grab the baby monitor and close the door.

“Did he go?”

“Yup, took a massive dump for his daddy.”

“Don’t be gross.”

“You tell me about his shit all the time, why can’t I?”

“Because you say things like massive dump.” You make a disgusted face. Buster lays at your feet as you sit on the sofa.

“Wanna have a shag out here?”

“Harry, what the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Well, we can’t in there with Michael sleepin’. Surely you couldn’t keep quiet enough.” He smirks.

“I’m not fucking you out here.”

“How about in the kitchen then?”

“No.” His face falls into a pout. “Three babies. I have three babies in the house this weekend.” You sigh and rub your temples.

“S’not very nice. M’gonna be gone all day tomorrow.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you mad?”

“No.”

“Really, because yeh seem mad.”

“I’m gonna get mad in like two seconds if you don’t stop.” You grab the remote and turn the TV on. Harry stays quiet while you both watch TV. Eventually you lean your head on his shoulder and he throws an arm around you. Buster sits on both of your laps and you mindlessly pet him.

“I gotta go to bed.” Harry says around nine. “I have to be up really early.”

“Okay, I’ll join you.” You yawn. “I’m tired too actually.” You look at Buster. “Time for bed baby.”

Buster goes right for his dog bed and plops down. You and Harry quietly do your things and get into bed. He spoons you for most of the night. Luckily Michael was at a point where he was sleeping through the night. He woke up around when Harry did. You groan when you hear him cry.

“I’ll take care of it, and then I’ll put him in the bed with you.” He whispers.

“He needs to be changed and fed.”

“I’ve got it.”

Harry grabs a fresh diaper and everything else and brings Michael into the guest room.

“Oh good, you took a massive dump too.” He sighs, but takes care of it. Michael giggles when he’s all cleaned up. “Yeah, yeah, Uncle Harry’s real sweet to you, huh?” He carries him into the kitchen to get him a bubby and he feeds him.

Harry waits for Michael to burp up before changing him into some fresh pj’s, and he brings him to the bed with you.

“Auntie?” You groan your response. “Michael’s here.” You mindlessly reach out for him and Harry lays him on your chest. He smiles as he watches you cradle him to your chest.

“Do you have time to take care of Buster?”

“Uhhh, yeah I can do that.”

Harry rushes around taking Buster outside and getting him fed. He’s a little less quiet while he gets his suit on. He kisses you before he leaves, and out the door he goes. An hour or so later you hear Buster whimpering from the other side of the door. You carry Michael on your hip and open the door.

“Need to go out again baby?” The dog yips and you sigh. You slide a pair of sneakers on and go out the door in your pj’s. “Shit, how am I supposed to shower?” You look at Michael as if he would have the answer. “I could stick you in a laundry basket I suppose. Would it be weird to take you in with me?”

It’s not like Michael would remember seeing you naked, but you still felt weird about it. You pick up the phone and call the person you knew you could.

“Be over in a few minutes.”

“Are you sure? Sarah’s not with you?”

“No, her and Rachel wanted to have a roomie night last night. I’m actually free today.”

“Great!”

Niall comes over and you open the door for him.

“Thank you so much, I’m desperate for a shower. I just changed Michael and he’s had a new bubby so he shouldn’t be hungry. Buster’s just been out too.”

“Y/N, it’s fine. Go take your shower, and relax”

“Thanks.” You sneeze loudly.

“Bless you.” He laughs.

“Thanks.” You sniffle.

“Feelin’ okay?”

“Honestly, no. I have a headache and my ears hurt. I think I’m getting my seasonal sinus infection.” You groan.

“Take a very long shower then, clear all that shit out.”

“Thank you, you’re a lifer saver.”

Niall takes Michael and sits on the sofa with him. Buster sits on the on cushion next to him. You get into the shower and stand under the warm water for a while, getting all your hair wet. You blow your nose as much as can, but you’re super congested. You get out of the shower, eventually, and brush your hair out, leaving it wet, something you rarely did. You put on Harry’s grey joggers and one of his over-sized sweatshirts. Actually, it looked normal on him, it was just over-sized on you. You throw on some fuzzy socks, and head out to the living room.

“Uh oh, wet hair, that’s not a good sign.”

“I don’t have the energy to dry it.”

“You sound even worse.” He frowns. “Are you sure it’s not a cold?”

“I know it’s not. It’s the beginning of a sinus infection, I can feel it.” You plop down and Buster moves to your lap. “You can put Michael in his bouncy you know? It’s pretty cute.”

Niall drags it over and puts him in. You both watch as he entertains himself.

“Thanks for helping out. Harry has two weddings today. I don’t know how I’m supposed to watch the both of them by myself now that I don’t feel good. But I guess people do it all the time.”

“Y/N, I told you I don’t have plans today, I can hang out and help.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that. It’s a nice day out.”

“When was the last time you and I just spent a day together? Besides, you need someone to help take care of you.”

“Do you wanna binge Stranger Things from the beginning?”

“God, yes.” You both giggle and he fires up the TV. “I’m gonna make yeh some tea.”

“Thank you.” You grab his hand and squeeze it. You smile at each other and then he goes into the kitchen.

You and Niall have a great day together. He helps you with Michael and Buster so you can rest. Your head was killing you, even after having taken some Tylenol. You both also enjoy your binge of your favorite show. Harry texts to check in a couple times, but you forget to answer.

“I’m gonna go put Michael down, could you take Buster out?”

“Yup, got a spare key f’me?”

“Mhm, in the bowl by the door.” He nods and you both go to complete your tasks. “He’s so good, falls right asleep.”

“Do yeh think your brother and Lily went to go make another?” He says with a cheeky grin.

“God, I don’t even want to think about that.” You laugh and pat Buster’s tummy as he lays at your feet.

You end up putting a pillow in Niall’s lap so you can lay down. He keeps a hand on your head and plays with your frizzy hair. There were only so many people in the world that you let see you like this. It had been so long since you and Niall had a proper cuddle, you missed it so much. You eventually drift off, but he doesn’t mind. It was a long day, and he was enjoying the continued binge of the show.

Harry walks in around 8:30PM. He was exhausted and already starting to take his clothes off. He stops short when he sees Niall, who has a finger pressed to his lips to signal to be quiet. Harry looks at him extremely confused.

“She’s not feelin’ well.” He whispers. Harry walks around to the sofa and doesn’t like what he sees. Niall’s hand in your hair and your face nestled into his stomach.

“What do you mean she’s not feelin’ well? Why didn’t either of you call me? She didn’t text me back all day.”

“What would callin’ yeh do? You were workin’.” He sighs. “She called me cause she needed a shower, and I didn’t have plans. When I got here she didn’t look great, and she got worse as the day went on so I stayed to help. Baby’s sleepin’, dog went to his bed on his own. Think she’s got a sinus infection. She gets a really bad one this time of year, she was due.”

“Right, well, I’ll take her to bed now…thanks.”

“You could be less of a prick you know?”

“I’m not!” He hushes himself. “I’m not bein’ a prick.”

“Yeah, ya are.”

“Look at her, she’s all cozied up to you.” He gestures.

“News flash, mate, not the first time her head’s been in my lap.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh my god, you’re impossible. What are you, cranky? Get her off of me if you’re so bent outta shape.”

Harry huffs and gets his arms under you. You cling to Niall’s shirt at first and then you loosen your grip. Harry cradles you to his chest and you whimper.

“Shh, just me, baby girl.” He coos. You barely wake up. “Stay there, I’ll be right back.” Niall nods as Harry carries you to bed. You groan as he tucks you in. He kisses your forehead and goes back out to Niall. “Alright, set this scene for me, will you?”

“She needed to take a shower, so she called me. She said she didn’t feel comfortable being naked in the shower with Michael. She came out lookin’ worse than she did, so I helped her out. She napped when the baby did so I took the dog out a few times. I helped her feed both of ‘em. She cuddled Michael for a bit while we watched TV and then she put him to bed.”

“And then her head ended up in your lap?”

“There was a pillow there. We’ve done it plenty of times, not recently, obviously. I’ve taken care of her plenty of times while she’s been sick, and she’s done the same for me. We’re comfortable with each other. I’ve been her friend for almost three years, Harry. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“I should’ve been home with her today, not you.”

“You had to work.”

“I just don’t like that you’re her go to for every little thing.”

“You know, if Sarah had been here too you wouldn’t even have an issue.” He crosses his arms.

“Where is she anyways?”

“Roomie weekend. Her and Rach haven’t been spendin’ a lot of time together lately. We texted all day believe it or not.”

“And Y/N couldn’t text me back?”

“She was drowsy all day, and she had a terrible headache. If you hadn’t noticed all the lights are off.”

“I noticed.”

“You can be a grouch all you want, but I was a good friend today, to both of you. You could say thank you.”

“Thanks for cuddling with my girlfriend, mate, that’s a big help.” Niall pinches the bridge of his nose.

“I really can’t fuckin’ stand you sometimes. You’re jealous for no reason.”

“It’s hard to be pissed when I walk in and see the love of my life curled up with you!”

“Her head was in my lap! It’s not like my dick was pressed to her ass and we were spoonin’!”

“You might as well have been!”

“You two woke the baby up.” They both whip their heads to look at you.

When Harry put you to bed you had woken up and changed into just a t-shirt, you were sweating from the heavy clothes. Michael started crying right when you had fallen back asleep. You got him back to sleep, but you were pissed.

“Y/N, go put some clo-“

“Niall, thank you for all your help today, may I speak with Harry privately?”

“Yeah, lemme know how you’re feelin’ tomorrow, alright?”

“Mhm.”

He grabs his things and heads out. You glare at Harry. You weren’t sure where to start, so you don’t. You didn’t want to wake Michael up again, and you didn’t want Buster getting riled up.

“I’m going back to bed, please sleep on the sofa.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t feel well, and I’m so far beyond aggravated. I don’t want you near me right now.”

“I’m sleeping on our-“

“If you don’t want to sleep on the sofa then sleep in the guest room. I don’t really care where you sleep, just as long as it’s not with me. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” You turn on your heel and get back into bed.

Harry stood there and groaned. All he thought about all day was coming home to you. Now he was forced to sleep in his old bed, alone. The next morning you’re feeling a little better, but still congested. You knew you’d have to go to urgent care at some point for some antibiotics.

You get Michael out of the pack and play, and lay him on the bed to change him.

“There’s a happy boy.” You smile while he giggles.

Harry was just coming in with Buster when you come out with Michael.

“He’s, uh, fed…”

“Thank you.”

“When will Kyle and Lily be here?”

“Soon.”

“Okay.”

Harry leaves you alone until your brother comes to pick him up.

“How was he?”

“Perfect, as usual. I have a little cold, but I’m not contagious. Sinus thing I think.”

“Alright, we’ll keep an eye on him. Thanks again!”

They pack everything up and head out. You cross your arms and look at Harry. He looks at you.

“I don’t feel like I’m wrong.” He starts.

“No? Okay, present your case to me then.”

“You didn’t text me back all day, if I had known you didn’t feel well, I would’ve come home.”

“And leave those poor people without wedding photos?”

“I have a backup, I’m not an idiot.” He sighs. “No, instead you call your other boyfriend, sorry, your husband, to come over and help you.” You burst out laughing, you can’t help it, you were so angry. “This is funny?”

“It’s hilarious! Do you even listen to yourself? Who the fuck else was I going to call? Rachel or Sarah? Niall’s right across the street, he was here in two seconds.” You scoff. “Also, Rachel and Sarah are terrible with children, absolutely terrible. I wouldn’t trust either one of them with Michael. Niall, however, has been around Michael since he was born. I told him he could leave after I showered, but he insisted he stay to help. And I’m glad I let him because I didn’t feel well, I still don’t.”

“I’m sorry about that, but-“

“And then what do you do?” You ask, cutting him off. “You come home, already in a bad mood because you were probably tired, and instead of being grateful that your best friend came to help your sick your girlfriend take care of your nephew and puppy, you blew up at him! I don’t care if you don’t apologize to me, but you certainly owe Niall one.”

“My nephew?” His face softens.

“Harry for the love of god!” You feel like you want to rip your hair out. “Yes! Your nephew! He’s my nephew, he’s yours, he’s ours! You’re his fucking uncle now, don’t you think?!” Harry can’t help but smile. “Stop fucking smiling! I’m so mad at you! You get so jealous and worked up for no reason!”

“No reason! Y/N, your head was in his lap, you had your arms wrapped around him, and you face was pressed into his stomach! Totally comfortable!”

“You’re damn right I was comfortable! Niall and I used to cuddle all the fucking time!” His jaw drops. “That’s right. Never like spooning or anything, but that’s typically how we’d lay. We’ve taken care of each other a lot when the other’s been sick, and that’s usually what happens. And it’s not like my head was against his crotch, there was a fucking pillow there. Grow up, Harry.”

“Grow up? Grow up?!”

“Yeah! I am so sick of having this same fight with you! This is the last time I’m going to say this, I do not now, nor have I ever wanted to fuck Niall. He has not now, nor ever wanted to fuck with me. I do not plan on risking our entire fucking relationship to fuck your best friend.” He opens his mouth to speak and then stops himself. “Have I made myself clear?” He nods yes. “Good, because I swear to god if we fight about this again, I’m done.”

“What do you mean you’re done?”

“I mean I’m done. This is the stupidest fucking fight, and we’ve had it several times. I don’t appreciate you not trusting me, and I’m sure he doesn’t appreciate you not trusting him. So, if you find this to be worth risking our relationship over then you can just-“

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah, okay. You’re right, this is a stupid fight, and it’s not worth risking our relationship over.”

“So how do we move forward? I mean, clearly you have this like jealousy thing…I need to be able to interact with him the way that I do. I need to be able to laugh and whatever with him without worrying if it’s going to set you off.”

“I don’t know, honestly. I can’t help that I feel…ugh, how do I explain this? Um, remember when Julia made a pass at me?”

“Which time?” You scoff.

“When you walked in…and you said you didn’t anyone to think they could touch me like that. I feel the same way with you.”

“But Harry…Niall’s not into me like that. It’s platonic. I was also asleep, I didn’t know I had curled into him like that.”

“He was like playin’ with your hair and stuff.”

“And?”

“That’s super intimate!”

“It’s platonic! He was comforting me. I’ve played with his hair before too. We’re both touchy people, it’s how we show affection. I’m very affectionate with all my friends.”

“So you’re basically tellin’ me I just need to be cool with it.”

“No…but I don’t want you to think a touch or a smile means anything more than friendship between us. I mean, how many times do I need to remind you that I knew him before you? I have a whole history with him Harry.”

“I just didn’t think you two were that close because he never brought you out or around.”

“A lot of that was on me. He’d invite me to a lot of things, but I usually had plans with the girls, or I didn’t feel like going to a party where I’d only know him. He and I got into just hanging out one on one, and that worked for us.”

“And there was really never any moment between the two of you where you felt like you wanted to take it a step further?”

“Never, and I know he feels that way too. We’re just close.” You start sniffling as tears prick at your eyes. “You make me feel so guilty sometimes for loving him…and it’s not fair.”

“Please don’t cry.”

“I can’t help it.” You wipe your eyes. “I’m allowed to have friends, male friends.” You cry harder and Buster comes over to you. “When I was in high school, and even in college I had a lot of guy friends. And time and time again they would tell me they couldn’t be my friend anymore because their girlfriends didn’t trust me. I’m a very nice person, and I would never put someone in that position. I don’t know what’s so non-trusting about me, but it makes me feel like shit that my own boyfriend doesn’t even trust me.” He crosses the room and takes you in his arms.

“I do trust you.”

“Then it’s him you don’t trust.”

“I’ve known Niall a lot longer than you. He’s…a great guy, but I’ve I know what he’s capable of.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It was years ago, so it doesn’t matter. People change.”

“Harry.”

“There was a girl he dated in grad school and he cheated on her. She found out and broke up with him, obviously. I was no saint myself, but I knew I didn’t wanna be with one person. He shouldn’t have gotten into a relationship in the first place.”

“You can’t blame your own issues on something he did years ago.”

“I know.”

“So then why do you have these issues?”

“I don’t know, I just feel like you’re my girlfriend so you should come to me.”

“You were working!” You push him away.

“But if you had called me, then I could have told you to call him. At least I would’ve been in the know. You didn’t text me back all day. I walked in completely blindsided!”

“So I need to ask daddy permission in order to have my friends over, is that it?”

“Don’t be such a brat, that’s not what I meant.”

“Would you like to sleep in the guest room again tonight? Is that what you want?”

“Why, because I called you a brat?”

“No, because you’re acting like an asshole still.”

“Okay.” He nods.

“Okay what?”

“Okay, I’m actin’ like an asshole, you’re not wrong.”

“You know what?! I’m going to take the dog for a walk, a long walk. I suggest you go fix things with Niall. He’s pretty pissed.”

“How would you know?”

“I’ve been texting him all day. Wanna check my phone to make sure we haven’t been sexting or sending dirty pictures?” You put the leash on Buster and slip your sneakers on.

Harry takes a few deep breaths before going across the street. He keys right into Niall’s apartment. Him and Sarah were cuddled up on the couch.

“Jesus, Harry.” He says. “Glad we weren’t naked.”

“Sarah can I speak with Niall privately?”

“Whatever you have to say to him you can say in front of me.” She crosses her arms and Niall smirks.

“Great, so you’re mad at me too?”

“Harry, listen, I felt the same way you did months ago, remember? Y/N and Niall have a very special bond. There’s no need to be jealous or threatened.”

“I’m not threatened.”

“Then what’s your problem?” Harry’s jaw tenses.

“Babe, maybe you should go hang in my room for a bit.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, he and I need to talk one on one.”

“Alright, but if I hear yelling I’m coming out.” She gets up and goes into Niall’s bedroom. Niall gestures for Harry to sit and he does.

“I’m sorry for flippin’ out on you. I know neither of you would do anything to hurt me, I don’t know why I get like this.”

“Look, after what I did to…Molly…I would never dare do it again. I’m close with Y/N and I don’t want you messin’ that up. I really cherish the friendship I have with her. It was bad enough when Sarah made things difficult, I don’t need you makin’ it worse. You know yesterday was the first time she and I hung out alone in months. Months, Harry. That’s not right. Sarah makes time to hang out with her friends, why can’t we?”

“So if Sarah had a really close guy friend, you wouldn’t even be a little suspicious?”

“How could I be? Especially if she had a friendship before we even met. If someone new came into her life and she all of a sudden was giving all her free time to them, then okay, I’d be suspicious. It’s just me, you know me.”

“She told me if we fought over this again then she’d be done with me…” Harry starts to tear up. “She’s really mad.”

“Do you blame her? Put it to rest. You have nothin’ to worry about when it comes to the two of us. At the end of the day, I’m sure it was you who she wanted to be curled up with and comforted by. I wasn’t steppin’ in as her boyfriend for the day either. I’m her friend and I was there for her, that’s it.”

“Okay.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m not gonna risk losin’ her over this, so I just need to get over myself.”

“Just don’t jump to the worst conclusion. I have nothin’ but the purest intentions.” Harry runs a hand through his hair.

“She made me sleep in the guest room last night.”

“Good, yeh didn’t deserve to sleep next to her.” He nudges him.

“I really am sorry. I was being ungrateful. I’m happy you’re right across the street, it’s the whole reason we moved there. She wanted to be closer to you. Probably for situations like yesterday.” He sighs. “I’ve not been a good friend.”

“You know what we need. We need a boy’s weekend. The weather’s gettin’ nicer. You, me, and Lou should all go campin’ like old times.”

“Man…that actually sounds like a good idea.”

“We could go memorial day weekend. Then the girls could get together too so no one would be alone.”

“I’ll run it by Y/N, send something in the group chat to see what Lou thinks. He could probably use the weekend away too.”

The two stand up and hug.

“Awwwww.” Sarah says and they look at each other.

“Were you listenin’ the entire time?” Niall asks.

“I couldn’t help it! I didn’t know if you two were gonna try to kill each other.” She smiles. “Group hug?”

“Jesus, c’mere.” Harry opens an arm up for her.

“You better go fix things with Y/N.”

“M’gonna. She should be back from walkin’ the dog now anyways.”

You were sitting on the sofa with Buster when Harry got back. He approaches you slowly.

“Um, hi.”

“Hello.”

“I apologized to Niall.”

“And did you mean it?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“I feel really bad for makin’ you so up set. I’m-“

“Harry, is it all done now? Are we done with this entire subject?”

“Yes.” He sighs.

“Okay, then we’re good.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” He comes to sit next to you.

“You sound a lot better.”

“I took a decongestant.” You both pet the puppy. “I feel a lot better actually.” You start blushing.

“That’s good.”

“Like, a lot better.” You put Buster on the floor and crawl into his lap. You nuzzle your nose against his neck.

“Wanna make up?” You smile against him and start kissing his neck. “I’ll take that as a yes.” You bite down on his skin harshly and suck. “Ah, shit.” He holds you close to him as you suck harder. You come off him and rub your thumb over the mark.

“I don’t wanna fuck in front of the dog, bring me to the bedroom.”

Harry picks you up and brings you to the room. Buster makes his way to his dog bed. Harry lays you down, and looks at you. You caress his face.

“What is it?”

“I just…can’t believe I was doin’ somethin’ that was enough to make you leave me.” He starts to tear up and you sit up on your knees to pull his head to your chest.

“I should not have said that. I’m sorry, I won’t ever say something like that again. I just hate that we kept having the same fight, I was so frustrated. I love you so much, Harry. I’ll never leave you.” You looks up at you with red and puffy eyes.

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

He kisses you, cupping your face in his hands. You tug at him as you lay back. One of his hands moves to knead of your breasts.

“Can we just be sweet on each other tonight? I missed yeh so much last night, I wanna be as close as possible.”

“Whatever you wanna do, doll.”

You strip each other of your clothes. Harry lays down all the way and lays your body on top of his. He licks at your core while you pump him, rubbing your thumb over his slit. You wrap your lips around him just as his tongue goes up inside you. The groan from your throat causes him to buck his hips up. His tongue swirls all around you and laps up at your wetness.

“Hold on.” He says. “I don’t wanna come yet.” You pop off him and lay down next to him.

“What do you wanna do now? That was feeling really good.”

“I wanna just slip inside you and stay there.”

“Okay.”

Harry hovers over you, and slips inside. You both moan at the contact. He doesn’t move, he just stays there. You stick your tongue out slightly and he meets it with his. You wrap your legs around him as the kiss deepens. He nips at your jaw and works his way to your neck.

“Ah.” One of your hands grips at his hair, and the other finds one of his hands so you can intertwine your fingers. He licks over the spot the spot he’s sucking on to soothe it, and moves onto another area of your neck.

He was kissing all over you and you loved it. His free hand moves to rub your slit. He starts with soft, slow circles. He looks at you and sees your lips are parted and your eyes are scrunched up. His thumb keeps working your clit, agonizingly slow.

“Harry.” You moan. You start tightening around him. He grits his teeth, but he keeps doing what he’s doing. “That feels so good.”

“You’re so wet.” He kisses on your collar bone and nips at the skin.

You tighten around him again as he rubs you just right. Your toes start to curl and you clench around him the tightest you have.

“Harry, ah, I’m gonna come.” You start thrashing underneath him, but he holds you in place. You squeeze the hand of his that you’re holding.

He feels you flutter and pulsate around him, and his cock throbs and twitches inside you.

“Shit, shit, shit.” He groans.

You both moan loudly as you come at the same time.

“God, that felt so good.” You say pushing his hair out of his face.

“I didn’t mean to come, I’m sorry. I could just really feel all of you coming it was incredible.” He kisses you and pulls out.

“Harry?”

“Yeah?”

“Do that thing I like…”

He smirks at you and sticks his middle and forefinger inside you before his come can spill out. Usually he pulls out right away and sticks them right in your mouth, but he starts pumping in and out of you.

“What, what are you doing?” You start panting.

“You didn’t really think we were done did you?”

“Fuck.” Your head rolls back into your pills as he pumps faster. “Flip me over, do it from behind.”

He didn’t have to be told twice. You two were making a mess, but neither of you cared. He fingers you from behind and it feels amazing.

“Want your cock again Harry, please, need it so bad.” He pumps himself a few times, and pulls his fingers out. You look at him over your shoulder and open your mouth.

“Fuck.” He says as you suck on his fingers. “Love it when you do that.” You lick your lips when he takes his fingers away.

“Put it in, fuck me up.”

His eyes grow wild. He lines you up with his tip and he thrusts inside. He hits bottom right away.

“God, that’s it.” You moan. “Fuck me, Harry.”

He pulls in and out harder and faster. You clutch at the blankets. His fingers press brusies into your hips. You loved how you two could go from having such a sweet, intimate moment to just be absolutely rough with each other. You push back against him and he groans. He gives your bum a harsh smack and your back arches.

Harry reaches around to grab your throat and pulls you back to him, back flush with his chest. Your head rests on his shoulder, and he uses his other hand to rub your clit while he rocks in and out of you. He keeps a firm grip on your throat. The lack of oxygen to your brain just adding to the intensity of the feeling he was giving your throbbing center. He feels you start to tighten around him again.

You gasp as you come and he loosens his grip on you so you can get some air. His thrusts slow and he kisses your temple. You lean back down on your elbows as he fucks into you even harder.

“Fill me up again, please.”

“Want me to come?”

“Yes, want you to feel so good.”

You tighten around him and he loses it, filling you up for the second time tonight. He collapses next to you after he pulls out.

“Love you so fuckin’ much.” He yanks you onto his chest.

“Love you too.” You kiss him tenderly.

“I’m sorry I’m such an idiot. I’d never do somethin’ to jeopardize all this again.”

“Harry, it’s okay. Please, I don’t want you to start worrying about be going anywhere. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, no one else I’d rather be with.”

“Sweet girl.” He says, moving some hair out of your face. “I wish I could’ve been with you and the baby more this weekend.”

“Me too.”

“I would’ve taken such good care of you too. I would’ve made that noodle soup you like, and wrapped you up in a blanket, and just cuddled you all day.”

“Mm, that sounds really nice.” You nuzzle against him. “You always make things so cozy, Harry.”

His arms tighten around you, and suddenly you just don’t care about anything bad that happened. You two could get through anything as long as you kept trying. The good with Harry always outweighed the bad. Everything was worth it when you got to these moments. When he was just hold you and caress you. A proper cuddle with Niall was nice, but nothing was better than being wrapped in Harry’s strong, tattooed arms.

#harry styles #take it slow #harry styles x reader #harry styles y/n #harry styles x y/n #harry styles imagine #harry styles smut #harry styles fluff #harry styles angst #harry styles fic #harry styles fluff fic #harry styles smut fic #harry styles angst fic #i feel like i wrote this all day #its like 8k my bad yall #come hang in my inbox!

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petri808 · 4 years

Text

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

*Note, next week’s chapter will be a bonus for Halloween :)

Natsu and Lucy take two was progressing slowly, but on an upward trend. After meeting his friends at work, and a couple of days later his roommate Gray Fullbuster, Lucy had been cautiously optimistic in trusting her friend Levy’s suggestion of giving Natsu the second chance. Yes, it was his friends she was meeting, and they could have been lying to her, but her gut told her they were telling the truth about him and of Touka. The final nail in that coffin came via Mira’s sister Lisanna who met with Lucy and happily divulged her own dealings with the crazy woman.

Despite knowing all the trouble and frustration caused, Lucy felt a little bad for Touka. Natsu was a really great catch after all, handsome, smart, and fun to be around, it was easy to understand why Touka had fallen in love with him. She also just didn’t have it in her to treat the woman badly. It was irritating yes, Lucy knew she was still following them, but unless Touka gave her a solid reason to get angry, she’ll continue to just ignore the woman and go on with her own life which wasn’t revolving around Natsu anytime soon. Did she like him, okay yes, Lucy could admit her growing affinity for the man, but school still held top priority and Natsu felt the same way.

Throughout the rest of the semester, the developing couple did much of their interactions by phone or chatting online between classes and work. Once a week when Natsu had a day off, they would meet up and go on a date. Sometimes the movies or a meal as a couple, laser tag was a lot of fun, and at other times with friends to a karaoke bar for some laughs. Let’s just say his singing voice was questionable, but because Natsu wasn’t afraid of making fun of himself, it was still worth the entertainment value.

Tonight, was one of those nights and they along with Gray, Ezra, and Levy found themselves in a hidden, cozy third-floor bar that another one of his friends named Cana works at. Lucy really liked the places atmosphere because it was relaxing, plus if Cana was actually working the shift, the bar maid slipped them free drinks or extra songs to sing. They’d consumed a few drinks and settled in, to chill before the real rush of finals prep was about to kick in.

“Psst,” Gray leans in, keeping his voice low so only the group could hear him. “Did anyone see that?”

“Yeah,” Natsu rolls his eyes, “she popped her head in the door.”

“Who?” Levy asks.

“Touka,” Natsu responds. “She’s still following us.”

Lucy sighs, “if we’re with others she doesn’t approach, so she probably saw you guys and left.”

“Why,” Levy questions. “Does she bother you if you’re alone?”

“Yeah,” Lucy answers. “If she tries to talk to us, we just run away so it doesn’t turn into a problem. She hasn’t chased us, but it’s still irritating.”

Ezra frowns, “maybe you should report her to the authorities?”

“On what grounds?” Natsu chimes back. “I tried once, but because she’s never done anything criminal, they can’t do anything about it.”

“Well that sucks.” Ezra crosses her arms. “Hopefully she gives up at some point once she realizes you two are getting serious.”

“Yeah...”

When the bar closes for the night, the group leaves together and separate once they reach street level. Erza walks since she lives only a block away. Levy had plans to see her boyfriend and takes a cab, leaving just the trio. It was too late to catch a train, so Natsu and Gray decide to walk Lucy home first, then they’ll continue on to their own apartment. It’s about five blocks to her dorm building and they chat as they walk, mostly about school and the upcoming testing period.

But after just a couple of blocks, they again realized they were being followed. Lucy grips tighter to Natsu’s hand. “I don’t want her to figure out where I live,” she whispers to the group.

“Agreed.” Natsu looks around, thinking of their options. “You know what, I’ll just pay for a cab to get us all home, that’ll be safer.”

“You’re probably right,” Gray agrees with his friend. “That psycho already knows where we live, but it would be good for her to find out about Lucy.”

“Are you sure?” Lucy asks. “I don’t want to take advantage...”

“Nonsense,” Natsu squeezes her hand. “Your safety is more important.”

“Thank you,” she blushes.

They stop in a lit area and hail the first available taxi they see. As they drive away, Lucy turns back one last time to look and notices Touka standing around the corner just staring at the car. It sends a shiver down her spine. Up until now, she’d tried so hard to empathize with the woman or simply ignore the behaviors, but it really was getting creepy. How Touka always knew where they were, was still a mystery because she and Natsu both agreed not to post about their whereabouts until after the fact. Take tonight, for instance. Neither posted on social media about going to a bar nor anything while they were actually there. Lucy had planned to post pictures once she’d gone home. That left the option that Touka literally was staking out one or the other constantly and just following their movements. Or if not them, known associates.

“Good night, guys,” Lucy tells them before giving Natsu a quick kiss and exiting the cab. She was pretty sure Touka hadn’t been able to follow the cab, saw no other car following it, and there’s no wat the woman could have run fast enough to catch up.

“Good night, Lucy,” the men both respond. Natsu instructed the driver not to leave until Lucy was safely in her building. So, once that was the case, they finally drive away.

Inside her dorm, Lucy locks the door behind her for good measure. The building required access keys to get in, but it wasn’t impossible to sneak through when other residents were coming and going. She plops down onto the couch just to calm her nerves before jumping in the shower. This whole Touka business was really... Lucy groans out loud. “Maybe I should notify security to beware of her.” Deep down this had always been a concern of hers when considering to date Natsu. She’d wanted to avoid the drama yet in the beginning underestimated the headache it would bring. And now that her feelings for the man had grown, she couldn’t just walk away. Lucy sighs again and pushes off the couch towards her bedroom. ‘Let’s hope Erza’s right and Touka will give up soon.’

#nalu #nalu au #nalu fan fic #nalu fan fiction #Natsu dragnel #Lucy heartfilia #Natsu x lucy #strangers on a train #ch 13 #fairytail

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taehyungiestummy · 4 years

Text

Stuck -- Chapter Fifteen

Masterlist Previous Next

Word Count: 3243

“This game is awesome,” I squeal as Jungkook, Jimin, Taehyung, and I win yet another game of Overwatch with two random players. “We are the best!”

“You are just saying that because we are on a winning streak,” Jungkook laughs.

A few hours ago we made it home, and everything has been going great. Namjoon and Emily are hanging out at the dorms doing who know what. Seokjin and Nari went out grocery shopping, and should now be back at their apartment relaxing. Yoongi and Hoseok are at Yoongi’s place probably writing music. The four of us left over are at Taehyung and my place getting our fill of a new video game.

“Jagi, how do you have such good skills?” Taehyung looks over at me from the other end of the couch.

“Don’t you play video games all the time, cutie?” Jimin looks up at me from the floor.

As always, Jungkook and Jimin are sitting on the floor, but Jimin is near me while Jungkook is by Taehyung.

“Just Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, Mario, and some small random Nintendo games,” I pet Haipeo’s head as she is lying next to me. “Tae plays all the games like this. I’m more of a handheld and computer girl.”

“Princess, you are such a geek,” Taehyung giggles. “I love it so much.”

“I love you,” I coo, sitting up and fixing my glasses. “And I think I love two other boys in this room too.”

“I think Keyowo loves me,” Jungkook is overly cocky with the dog sleeping in his lap.

“You forced her to sit in your lap,” Jimin shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s love.”

“She didn’t run away,” I stick up for the youngest boy. “That must mean something.”

“Thank you, adorable, for sticking up for me,” Jungkook looks over at me. “You are the sweetest.”

I smile, “That’s how I am. Just wanting to be as nice as possible to every single person.”

“And that’s how we got together,” Taehyung boxy smiles. “Because I am the same way.”

“She also accepted your weirdness,” Jimin says. “Which we were seriously interested to know if she would.”

“Hey,” I pout. “What’s that supposed to mean about me?”

“That you are a lovely girl who knows her soulmate when she found him,” Jungkook gives a forced smile, batting his eyelashes. “You also proved us boys wrong because you two make each other so happy.”

“It was still hell hearing Tae-Tae talk our ears off about you,” Jimin groans. “It’s like he loved you right after the first meeting.”

I look over at my boyfriend, his cheeks reddening at the comment. “Can I let you in on a little secret, babe?”

Taehyung looks over at me, a small smile on his face. “Is it bad?”

I chuckle, “No, not at all. It’s cute, and a bit weird, but you’ll like it.”

“Go for it,” he winks.

I feel my cheeks heating up, but I don’t shy away. “After I met you, I went back to Nari’s and looked up pictures of you the second I could. I had to check if you were the real deal, and put a picture for your contact.”

“That’s unfair,” Taehyung pouts.

“What?” Jungkook, Jimin, and I look at the boy in shock.

“You could look up pictures of me, set pictures up, and remember exactly what I looked like,” Taehyung explains. “I had to remember what you looked like by memory. And I only saw you for ten minutes!”

Jungkook, Jimin, and I burst into giggles. Haipeo even lets out a small bark.

“Aw, Tae babe,” I resist the urge to crawl over and sit in his lap. “You could have just asked for a picture.”

“That would have been creepy, and you know it,” Taehyung sits up on his knees and points at me. “Jagi, I could have drawn your face after that first meeting. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

I look away, waving him off. “Whatever Tae. You’re too cute.”

“I agree,” Jungkook says. “I mean, he’s known as one of the cute ones.”

“I love how close you seven are,” I get comfortable on the couch again. “Now, can we get another game started?”

“You used to be cute, Kookie,” Jimin chuckles. “Then you hit puberty.”

“I am just able to be cute and sexy at the same time,” Taehyung boasts.

“I trump all of you in cuteness,” I giggle, looking down at my laptop. “Just deal with it, and let’s move on.”

“You are also super sexy baby,” Taehyung says. “Hot, beautiful, stunning, all those words.”

“Stop,” I wave him off, feeling my cheeks and ears heating up. “Let’s just get back to Overwatch. We can talk more after a few more rounds.”

********

A warm bath is always nice to have at the beginning of my period. It helps soothe my cramps as the painkillers take their time to kick in. Taehyung was actually the one to wake me up and tell me that I had blood on my pants. He was so sweet about the issue, kissing me all over my face to make me feel better. He carried me to the bathroom, and got me new shorts and underwear. He’s the best boyfriend I could have asked for.

I sigh as a new slow song I’ve never heard before starts up. It’s on playlist called Bubble Bath Time that Taehyung made for me in times like this. “If only I wasn’t alone,” I mumble, beginning to feel like a prune.

The song moves on, and not even a minute into ‘Butterfly’ does my phone begin to ring.

“What the fuck?” I groan, sitting up to look at my phone.

Taehyung’s dorky face is now taking over my screen as his voice telling me to pick up in many different voices fills my ears.

“What is he doing?” I giggle, drying my hand to answer the phone and put it on speaker. “Yes Tae bae?”

“Bae?” Taehyung’s deep laughter fills the air. “Was that a slip up?”

I giggle, “Did I not say babe?”

“No, you didn’t. I guess you are just too relaxed to think straight.”

“Tae bae slides right off the tongue. I like it.”

“So do I, so keep saying it.”

“Okay, now that that is out of the way. Why did you call me?”

“To check in on you, of course. How is my wifey?”

I chuckle, “That is going to be so hard to get used to.”

“Call me hubby.”

“In due time, maybe,” I sigh. “I’m doing fine, Tae. I’m in the bath right now, and my cramps are way better. It’s a good thing it happened this morning and you were there to take care of me.”

“I knew you were going to start because of last month, and because of the random stomachache. Wait, how are you taking a bath? Isn’t it getting everywhere?”

I burst into laughter, unplugging the drain so I can calm myself down. “Oh, you innocent child in some aspects of this big world.”

“The fuck was that?” Taehyung is holding in his laughs.

“Tae! I rarely hear you curse.”

“You liked it didn’t you? You curse all the time!”

I giggle, “Yeah, I do say some bad words more often then most. It’s how I let off steam. But I will admit it was hot. Don’t go crazy, though.”

“So, what am I so innocent about, hm?”

“Tampons, babe. That’s how I am able to take baths,” I stand up, grabbing a towel to wrap around my body.

“Oh,” he breaths out. “I saw those at the store.”

“Yes, that’s where they sell them.”

“I’ll Google them later. Now, what are your plans after the bath?”

“Well, I’m done with it now, so Ill get dressed and then make lunch. Oh, and let the dogs out. Then write, and maybe color to destress.”

“Are you stressed, jagiya? Do I need to come home?”

I chuckle, picking up my phone to set in on the sink counter. “No, Tae, I can take care of myself. I’ll be fine until you come home. Plus, you can’t just drop everything to come to my side when I feel bad. You have a job.”

“That I work hard at every single day. I can get a few hours off to come help you. If you are really in pain or something.”

“I a fine. Plus, you called me. It’s one thing if I called you.”

“True,” he chuckles. “I should let you go then. To get dressed and go do all the things you need to get done.”

“I love you, Taehyung. Work hard and let’s make dinner together tonight.”

“Sounds perfect, baby,” he hums. “See you later. I love you too.”

“Bye babe.”

He makes kissing noises before the line goes dead.

The slow music starts back up again. ‘Butterfly’ giving me a weird calm.

“That boy, too sweet to me. Fate is a crazy thing.” I quickly get dressed, deciding on some sweat shorts and a tight t-shirt with ‘BTS’ on the front and the boy’s names on the back. My hair ends up in a tiny bun as I exit the bathroom.

I leash Haipeo and Keyowo up to take them out for a bathroom break and a walk. The action making me feel like a grown-up, and proud of how far I have come as a person. Once back in the apartment, I fill their food and water bowls, and get to making my own lunch. The only thing I feel well enough to make is a cheesy toasty and a tall glass of milk.

“Social media time, I guess,” I take a bite of my sandwich, opening up Instagram. All kinds of pictures fill my feed, looking for something out of the ordinary. I don’t spot anything, and check my latest post. It’s a picture of the tub full, bubbles almost overflowing, and a caption are positive, asking if I am doing okay. Twitter is where I see hate almost instantly. It’s hard to just skip over it, and I close out of the app within minutes of opening it. “I think I’m going to clean,” I smile, placing my dirty dishes in the sink and turning on the faucet. “And I am going to blast music because I am a bigger person than those haters. And I always will be.”

********

“It smells so good, doesn’t it babies?” I smile as Haipeo and Keyowo play tug-of-war with a rope toy.

I’ve been quite productive on my day off, cleaning the whole apartment so I broadened my music horizon. Now getting to know so many different groups. When I had the cleaning done, I decided to rest and color for a bit. The weight of the harsh words drifting way. The dogs let me know when they needed to go out for a bathroom break and another walk. I will always be grateful that they love taking the elevator.

“Chocolate chip cookies are always good,” I slip off the barstool, walking over to the oven to check the progress of my last two batches. “And with everyone who will want some, it’s a good thing I doubled the recipe.” Cookies upon cookies on paper towels take up the counters. There has to be at least seventy cookies out right now, with around twenty ready to come out of the oven. “Too bad I didn’t plan dinner,” I turn off the oven, putting oven mitts on to take the two cookie sheets out.

Haipeo and Keyowo rush to the front door, signaling Taehyung’s return. The dogs being able to hear the key in the lock will always make me smile.

“Welcome home, Tae bae!” I shout as I hear the door close. I turn down the music, grabbing the little spatula to move the cookies.

“Princess, it smells so good,” Taehyung’s voice fills my ears. “So many cookies!”

I giggle, doing my best to transfer the cookies faster. “We have so many friends, so I had to make a lot of cookies.”

“What’s for dinner?” Taehyung wraps his arms around my middles, pressing kisses to my neck.

Haipeo lets out a bark, causing a giggle to fill the room that isn’t Taehyung or myself.

“Jimin,” I peal Taehyung’s arms off of me, turning to see Jimin on the living room floor with Haipeo and Keyowo.

“Hi cutie,” Jimin waves at me. His smile so big his face squishes up.

“What’s going on?” I walk over to the sink, getting to the dishes right away.

“Well, Seokjin is with Nari,” Taehyung picks up a dry dish towel. “And Namjoon is with Emily. Jungkook went out with some friends, and Yoongi and Hoseok stayed to do some song writing.”

“So, Chim-Chim had no where to go,” I hand a bowl to Taehyung. “Are you going to help with dinner, Chim?”

“Of course,” Jimin nods. “I will prove my worth.”

“Good,” I shuffle around on my toes, slowly feeling insecure in my outfit. “That means you two boys will start the meal and I can change.”

“What?” Taehyung pouts. “Jagi, don’t do that,” he whines. “You look so hot,” he taps my butt a few times.

“Do I make you uncomfortable, Amber?” Jimin seriously asks.

“No, no,” I shake my head. “I’m just underdressed and feel out of place.”

“You look fine. Don’t worry about it. Perfect in everything you do.”

“And I won’t let you change,” Taehyung kisses my cheek. “My beautiful princess.”

I feel the heat spread across my cheeks. “What are you going to make for dinner?”

The boys chuckle at my quick change of subject.

“Well, Tae here doesn’t cook much,” Jimin replies. “So it ahs to be a simple meal.”

“Ramen,” Taehyung cutely looks around at the both of us.

“Aw, that’s perfect,” I pat my boyfriend’s cheek. “Can we take a picture for my Instagram?”

“I want to be in the picture too!” Jimin shouts.

“Of course, Jiminie,” I giggle. “I would never leave you out.”

“Why the need for the picture?” Taehyung whispers as we begin to pack away the cookies.

“Just, reasons,” I shrug. “Nothing to worry about, I promise.”

“It was hate, wasn’t it?”

I sigh, “I’m fine now, Tae. I did a lot today, and the comments have left my mind.”

“But you want to show them wrong, right?”

“I guess.”

“What’s all the whispering about?” Jimin asks as he steps into the kitchen.

“Just, stuff,” I turn and hand the boy a cookie. “Now, are you ready to make dinner?”

********

Taehyung’s hands are on my hips as he stands behind me, chin resting on the top of my head. “So, did someone take the picture yet?”

I giggle, reaching my hands back to place them on Taehyung’s shoulders. “Namjoon does outfit posts, Tae and I can do couple posts.”

“I know ARMY will go crazy,” Hoseok laughs.

“I got some good pictures,” Yoongi grins. “So you can stop now.”

Taehyung kisses the top of my head before pulling away from me. “Break time will always be fun with you here.”

“Any time is fun with Amber,” Jungkook skips over to me. “You just bring something that no one else can.”

“Yeah, it’s because she’s a girl,” Yoongi shakes his head. “You perverts.”

I chuckle, “So that’s it, hm?”

“We just think she’s cute,” Jimin rushes up to me, tickling my sides before picking me up like a bride. “She’s so much fun to be around, and always makes us smile.”

“She’s sweet like that,” Seokjin smiles. “Always wanting the best for others, and then thinking of herself.”

“Give her to me, hyung,” Taehyung pouts, holding out his arms for me.

“As you wish,” Jimin taps his nose to my forehead before handing me over to Taehyung.

“What is she, a doll?” Namjoon rolls his eyes. “Put her down.”

“She’s a princess,” Taehyung rubs his nose across mine. “Do you want down, jagi?”

“Well, breaks almost over, and I need to do something with those pictures,” I run my hand over his cheek.

“Oh yeah, we took pictures for a reason,” he giggles, placing my feet on the ground. “A kiss?”

I press my lips to his, smiling as his fingers sneak under my shirt to pinch my sides. “Okay, don’t go too crazy, Tae.”

“No bae?” Jimin teases.

“But you’re my bae, Chim,” I smirk.

“Ah, well, you little,” Jimin pokes my cheek. “Cute.”

“All of you guys are my before anyone else. I love all of you!” I skip over to Yoongi, sitting down as close to him as possible. “Thanks for taking pictures.”

“My sister asked, so I delivered,” Yoongi places his arm around my shoulders. “I’m not always a cold hard ass.” He hands me my phone.

“Thank you,” I rest my head on his shoulder. “You like taking pictures, don’t you?”

“I do. It’s a bit of a hobby.”

“Like Emily, but not as deep into it. So, do you ever snap pictures of me when I’m not looking? Moments where I look cute, or you just have to take a picture to remember the moment.”

“As does Tae. We can’t help but want to take pictures of you.”

I have a tight lipped grin as I select a picture to post on Instagram. “Is it my looks? My cheeks?”

“Your puffy cheeks?” Yoongi gently pinches my cheek. “Maybe that’s what it is.”

“Maybe it’s the hair,” I sigh, posting the picture. “Or the eyes.”

“It’s just you.”

I look up, catching Taehyung on his phone as his thumbs type away. Jimin is next to him, watching over whatever he is doing on his phone.

“Okay, is everyone ready?” Mr. Son asks as he enters the room, a group of back-up dancers behind him.

“Are we practicing ‘Fire’ now?” Seokjin asks.

“Yes, for Amber’s sake. She has only done it a few times with the whole group.”

I place my phone down next to my jacket and water bottle. “I was actually going to ask if we could do a few run throughs for myself.” I slowly stand up, giving a few quick stretches. “Okay, I am ready to do some dancing.”

For the song ‘Fire’ I am placed in the middle so no one can spot me and cause a shit storm. When the boys walk through the middle at the end, I am able to reach out and high-five them. Though I would never do that in front of hundreds of ARMYs.

“It’s so cool to have you here with us,” a girl next to me pats my shoulder. “A great dancer, dating Taehyung, and such a kind soul.”

I giggle, “Thank you. I’m just doing the best I can.”

“Some of us talk about inviting you to hang out, but know you are busy with so much. Probably school, and then being a girlfriend.”

“Well, I have no school, so I don’t have to study. Being a girlfriend and taking care of two dogs takes a lot. I do have friends, and go out. I’m still kind of a kind.”

“Well, next time we go out to lunch, we might invite you.”

I give a small smile to the girl, “I’d like that. Can’t say I would go, but I would always give it thought. You guys are more than co-workers. You are a family, and I want to be a good member.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hope you enjoyed reading! About 2/3′s of the way through now! :D

#BTS #BTS fan fiction #BTS x OC #BTS imagine #Jungkook x OC #Jungkook imagine #Taehyung x OC #Taehyung imagine #Jimin x OC #Jimin imagine #Namjoon x OC #Namjoon imagine #Hoseok x OC #Hoseok imagine #Yoongi x OC #Yoongi imagine #Seokjin x OC #Seokjin imagine #My OCs

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thepaperdollsseries · 4 years

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SNEAK PEEK - Love Like Crazy

Our new novel Love Like Crazy is the story of Charli and Laura, two girls that become roommates at the exclusive all girls boarding school, Hanover. Charli is a perfect Hanover girl; pretty, soccer star, and never breaks the rules. Laura is an accidental bad girl that’s sent to Hanover by her disapproving parents. I saw Laura up in the stands and I kept looking up. She’d come down on her own. I was surprised when I first saw her. It was more fuel for the rumors that had started. It didn’t bother me, quite the opposite.

I didn’t examine how I felt about it. I just let it go. I liked Laura and the mystery of her past was intriguing. I wanted to know why she was here but letting her tell me in her own time was important. I could tell.

When coach dismissed us I ran up in the bleachers and sat down next to her. I was tired but energized from the exercise. She was adorable up here all on her own with empty bleachers surrounding her.

“Hey, watcha reading?” I asked.

“One of the assignments for Ms. Rosewell’s class,” she said. “I kinda love it. Makes the last book I was reading really look like crap.” She set her reader down beside her and turned to examine me. “You’re really good. You never told me that.”

“Ah, I’m pretty good,” I corrected. “Good enough for a scholarship hopefully but it’s not remarkable.”

I put my hands between my knees. The cold was setting in now that I wasn’t moving. I saw Abby walking up the bleachers towards us and glanced over at Laura.

"You want this?” Laura asked, taking my hoodie from off of her arms. The fabric slid off of her easily as she moved to hand it over to me, it was warm.

“No, you keep it. I’m gonna shower soon and head back to dinner. I just wanted to say hi,” I told her.

Abby stopped on the stairs and waved.

“Hey Laura, how’s it going?” Abby asked.

“Hey Abby. It’s good. You guys looked really great down there.” Laura was always nice to everyone but she tended to keep to herself whenever possible.

“Thanks, I just wanted to say hi and apologize for my girlfriend’s ridiculousness. Honestly, she didn’t mean to start any drama. She just has that too much gene and it gets the better of her. You’re always welcome to eat or hang out with us.”

"Ahh, it’s fine,” Laura laughed it off.

“I’ll see you guys later. I’m all icky. I can’t wait to shower,” Abby said.

I just sat there smiling and being grateful that I had Abby around.

“I need a shower too so I’ll go with,” I said and stood up. I looked back at Laura. “I’ll see you at dinner?"

Abby was already down at the bottom of the bleachers and out of earshot so I reached out and put my hand on Laura’s arm.

"We can find a quiet place to sit by ourselves if you want.”

I felt her hand touch on mine. "Aw, I don’t wanna take you from your friends. I’ll just go and grab something now,” she said honestly. “Are you gonna be busy after?”

“Okay,” I said.

I kept my face even and tried not to show anything. I’d rather have just had dinner with her but I knew she probably wanted to go alone.

“No,” I said. “No plans. I was just going to go back to the room after.”

"Nice,” Laura smiled softly. “Go on. You’re cold,” she nudged me. “I’ll see you soon.”

It was windy and it would probably storm tonight. I laughed and jogged down the bleachers, hurrying along to warm up.

We had plans for tomorrow and that was what I was looking forward to most. Hanging out tonight would be fun though. We could talk and chill in the room. The hall wouldn’t get too rowdy since Serena was in all weekend.

I liked the quiet nights. Occasionally, I liked to let off the tension with my friends but I was a bit of a loner after all the forced socialization of school, meetings, and practice. Rarely, could you be alone at Hanover.

I finished up my shower quickly and changed back to my uniform. I’d beat everyone out of the locker room so I knew I might have a chance to catch Laura at the dining hall.

At first, when I didn’t see her, I was a little bummed but then I felt my phone vibrate. Laura had sent me a picture of her meal at a table tucked away just outside near one of the large decorative outdoor fireplaces. She’d gone full out for once, getting the hot food which she never did. My portable speaker sat nearby and she had her thermos with her which I knew was filled with instant coffee that she probably doctored up to be tolerable.

It said in a text beneath the picture: surviving the night. It was already pretty dark out and her food shone brightly beneath the flash from her camera. The yellowing lamp posts that sparsely lined our walkways at night could hardly compete.

I rushed into the dining hall and got in line. It was the normal line but it seemed to take forever to get down to the end. I took the pasta dish and a bottle of water.

It wasn’t hard to find her. She was sitting exactly where the picture showed me. She was smiling at me and I just stood there, like a dork, smiling back.

“This is awesome,” I said.

“I know, you came,” she laughed, pulling a chair out close to her so I could sit right next to her and be closer to the heat. “Come on, sit. I made you coffee to warm you up.”

“You’re awesome. Thank you!” I sat down and slid my tray into the table beside me. “Coffee sounds great and this is perfect.”

“It’s nice,” Laura said. “They don’t usually light these fires. I’d never seen it before.”

“Yeah, they should do it more often. They’re always lit around Christmas but for some reason they don’t keep it up.”

"There’s gonna be a storm soon. I just got a weather update. Vic wants to go to the beach and watch the lightning,” Laura said. “I think I’d rather stay in with you tonight. Watch a movie or read or something. If you have plans though that’s cool.”

“My plan is to do whatever you want to do. We could watch some movies or something. You pick one and I’ll pick one. We could just hang out and read too. I’m down for anything,” I said.

It sounded perfect. It was all that I wanted.

Laura laughed and blushed. I think I surprised her. “What do you usually do?”

She opened the coffee and drank some before putting it over in front of me to get me to drink.

I took the coffee and took a sip.

“You made this so much better. You’re like a coffee genius,” I said before having another drink.

I handed the coffee back and reached for some of the garlic bread on my plate.

“Usually, I just read or go for a walk. Sometimes I binge Netflix,” I said.

“Alone?” She asked, curious.

“Yeah, usually. Once Abby and Lindsey started dating they spend time by themselves. I got used to being alone,” I explained.

“Were you sad,” she asked honestly.

“Not really. I like hanging out with them how we do now. It’s been nice to have time to read and chill. My friends like going out and doing things when they can. That’s nice. It’s hard to be the third wheel with a couple sometimes.”

I took a bite of my pasta and nudged her with my elbow.

"What about you? What do you do in your downtime at home?”

“Uhh, I leave,” she smiled. “Or Vic sneaks in. Or we text and call if I’m trapped but that hardly ever happens,” she sighed. “Or I lay there and feel anxious and hate myself. Hanover is really extreme for me,” she ate her food sadly. “There wasn’t exactly a warning for this. No progression leading up to it. I used to be pretty free.”

“So, you and Vic went out a lot?” I asked.

“We were always out,” Laura said. “Even if it was just to be alone together in her car. Away from our families. Away from everyone… Couldn’t exactly breathe anywhere else.”

“You don’t like being at home?” I asked.

“It’s okay if no one else is there. Me and Vic locked up in my room. But someone else is usually home so no. I sneak out, mostly.”

“You and Vic are really close,” I observed.

I brought my bowl closer and ate some more.

“Closer than anyone,” Laura said.

“Like sisters?” I asked.

It sounded like more to me, like something more than friends. That thought made me sad for no reason.

“I’ve never had a sister,” she shrugged. “But I dunno. I have a brother and we’re closer than that. My family doesn’t understand me. Only Vic does.”

She leaned back in her chair and drank some more of her coffee. “Or maybe she doesn’t and I just choose her,” she zoned out.

“I’m sure she does. It’s hard to get close to someone without understanding them. At least on some levels.”

Laura stared off into the night. When she snapped out of it she smiled at me. "She at least tries,” she confessed. “No one else does that.”

“That sucks, It has to make you feel so isolated and alone.”

"I am isolated and alone,” she smirked up at me and looked around to tease me. “They literally sent me away, Charli. This school doesn’t mean the same thing for you as it does for me.”

“No, I’m sure it’s very different,” I agreed.

She seemed so sad about it and all I wanted was to make it easier for her. It was an impossible situation and I couldn’t help much.

“I hope you don’t hate it all though,” I said.

“I don’t,” she said, watching me. “I like you.” Her eye contact was insane sometimes, it was so direct and kind.

I blushed and bit my bottom lip to calm my smile.

“I like you too,” I replied. I always blushed too much and I could always feel it climbing up my face like a wave.

I looked at her and got caught by her eyes. The way she looked at me was so warm and piercing. I moved a little closer without realizing. I broke the moment and looked down at my pasta.

“You’re different and I also like that,” I revealed.

“Different,” she nodded, trying to decide how to take it. “Yeah,” she nodded. “Guess so…”

“No,” I groaned. “I mean, different, in that, I’ve never made friends with someone this quick. I feel like I can actually talk to you and be real. I don’t have to have a face on. You make me comfortable. That’s the different thing about you,” I explained.

“It’s okay, you can say it,” Laura said. “Everybody says it. There’s something wrong with me. I do stupid things.”

“That’s not what I meant at all,” I said, worried. “There’s nothing wrong with you. You just draw me in and make me feel good.”

I wanted to hide my face. Talking like this made me feel naked. I just hoped she would hear me.

"I know you didn’t mean it like that,” she comforted. I felt her hand slip onto my thigh beneath the table. “Forget I said it,” she asked. “I’m really bad at this stuff.” A lock of her hair flew into her pink lip gloss and she slipped it away from her lips.

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I said.

I put my hand on top of hers and let it rest there. It felt right. Her feelings about how people saw her made me sad. She didn’t deserve that.

She laughed and tears sprang to her eyes but she shrugged them off and smiled through them. “Okay,” she said, obviously not believing it but ready to let it go anyway.

I ate a little more and then gave up on my dinner. Everyone has flaws but from my perspective I hadn’t found any in her. Laura’s self-esteem might need a little work but most of us were guilty of that.

She ate a lot more of her food than usual and kept on relaxing by the heat of the fire with her coffee in hand, taking slow sips. “Wish we had one of these.”

“One of what?” I asked.

“The fire,” she said, getting all warm and sleepy.

“Oh, yeah. It’s nice,” I replied. “If we could transport it to our room, it would be even better.”

“I’d sleep too much,” Laura smiled.

"I’d wake you up,” I said.

“Rude,” Laura smiled more.

The wind rushed and took a couple of napkins from us, blowing them out onto the floor near a couple of other people down the way. “Oh shit,” Laura said, getting up and rushing to gather the trash. Once she got the napkins, she walked them to a bin and came back. “Guess that’s our sign,” she chuckled, the stress of the day was coming back to her face. In the night, her eyes stunned when hit by light.

"Yeah, I guess,“ I sighed and pursed my lips. "I’ll take this inside and we can go back to the dorm.” The awkward feelings were coming on, how to act, how to be.

I stood and picked up my tray. Barely half of my pasta was gone. It wasn’t enough and I’d get hungry later. I took the fork and shoveled more pasta into my mouth. It was cold and tasted so much worse now but I made myself chew and swallow it.

Laura followed me inside and waited to put her tray up. The little conveyer belt that took away our dirty dishes zoomed around making our trays disappear.

“Maybe you should get something for later,” Laura said. “You exercise hard.” She touched my hip bone with her fingers, grabbing the nonexistent love handle I could have.

I jumped a little and laughed. I was way too ticklish to handle that.

“I’ve got stuff in the room that I snatched yesterday at dinner,” I said.

She was sweet. It made me melt a little and smile.

“Okay fine,” she said, amused.

“You gotta stop being cute and sweet. I’m not used to it,” I teased.

“Uh-oh. Okay, I’ll work on it,” she blushed. I could tell it made her happy to know I liked her.

“Maybe I’ll take you to my favorite breakfast place in the morning,” I suggested.

“Oh my god, please,” Laura groaned, hugging herself into my back and holding my upper arms. When she decided to touch me it was always effortless. Right now she was leading us out.

It felt good and a certain kind of special that was unfamiliar. She made me smile when I didn’t even realize.

“They have really good quiche but the best pancakes,” I said.

“Love pancakes,” Laura mentioned.

“Then you’ll love this place,” I said.

I took one of her hands and led the way. We fit and I loved the feeling of being like this, carefree and focused on the warm feeling.

I pulled her into our dorm and past all the open doors. A few of the girls looked out and greeted us. I saw that sharp consideration in their eyes.

Fuck ‘em.

This was the best feeling and I wouldn’t let anyone ruin it with assumptions.

We closed our door and I immediately started changing.

“PJ time,” I declared.

Laura laughed.

Taking my tip, she moved to the closet beside me and slowly started to change.

I turned and saw her bare back facing me. Looking away would have been polite but I stared, entranced. Her skin was so smooth. I didn’t snap out of it till she turned around.

I quickly put my shirt on and looked in my closet, pulling out some Hanover joggers and putting them on.

I grabbed a shirt and threw it towards her.

“Try this,” I suggested.

She took the shirt and looked at it. It was a US soccer shirt I’d gotten at one of the development academies freshman year.

“Thanks,” she smiled over at me. She slipped her bra off and put my shirt on. We danced around each other quietly. Soft breathing and careful hands. “Did you ever have a roommate before me?” She walked to her desk and pulled out her makeup wipes to start in on her skin routine. Step one was to take it all off. No matter what she did, she always made it look second-nature and easy.

“Nope. There was some kind of fluke. The girl I roomed with freshman year dropped out and they never put anyone else in here.”

“That’s so weird,” Laura said, confused about it. She went along with her routine, getting ready to relax.

"Maybe,” I said. “I’m glad it was you though.”

The flat screen was between the closets in a little alcove. I retrieved the remote from my nightstand.

"What do you want to watch?” I asked.

“Uh… I dunno,” Laura said. “What do you think?”

“Something fun, maybe Love Island. What do you think?” I asked.

“Love Island?” Laura laughed. “Yeah, okay,” she smiled to herself. “Lets watch Love Island.”

“Hmm, maybe we should push the beds together? Then we can both have a good view of the TV.”

“Yes please,” Laura said. “It’s kinda bad but I’m not used to having a small bed like this. It’s totally lame. They really diminish your quality of life.”

"I know. I have a queen bed at home and this kills me. I’ve literally fallen off of it a lot, in my sleep. Especially, the first year.”

We moved the few things blocking the space between the beds and pushed them together. They were light.

Once the beds were touching I nodded and got in my side. I still had the remote in one of my hands.

"That’s better,” I said.

The middle of the combined beds was inviting and that’s where I ended up. I was still on my side but there was enough space on the outside that I was in no danger of falling off now. Laura crawled up her bed and pulled a pillow down for her head. She didn’t try to be far from me, she was really close. The shirt I’d given her was a little long and she never put on pants, instead she pulled her blanket up over her body and laid on her side facing me, cuddling up in the blanket like she was cold. “Oh shit. The light,” she said, realizing she’d forgotten it.

“I’ll get it.” I slid off the bed and walked around to turn it off. “Do you need anything while I’m up. Water or something to eat?”

“I’m good,” she said, resting. Her phone lit up and she ignored it.

I got some water for myself and got back in bed, laying closer to her than before. When I lay back on my pillow my arm brushed her hand.

“You’re cold. Here,” she said, pulling the blanket up so I could get under it.

I took the invitation and then leaned my head over to rest on her shoulder. I turned on the TV and found the episodes I wanted, pressing play on the first one.

“Better?” Laura asked, touching my arm beneath the blanket. She let her fingers trail down to find my hand and she played with my fingers sweetly.

“Much, thank you,” I said.

I moved my fingers against hers, playing back.

She smiled at me and held my hand, shutting her eyes and breathing normally like she might fall asleep.

“You’re tired. We can sleep if you want,” I offered.

“I’m okay,” she said. “Feels good to lay down.”

“It does,” I agreed.

It was especially nice to lay with her though. I focused on the TV and tuned into the ridiculousness.

I fell asleep after two episodes and Laura checked out even earlier than that. When I woke up in the middle of the night the TV screen saver was flashing on the screen.

We were cuddled together, much closer than we were before I fell asleep. I turned off the TV with the remote that was sitting by my hand.

I tried not to move much because I didn’t want to wake her. Laura’s forehead was pushed in against my collarbone and her fingers clutched at my shirt near my side. She was cute and I didn’t want to ruin this feeling of being so close.

I lay my head close to the top of hers and took in the smell of my shirt mixed with her hair. It made me smile as I closed my eyes to go back to sleep.

The next morning I woke first and found myself underneath most of her body. My arms were surrounding her and her nose was now pressed close to my neck.

It was a little warm and sweaty like anytime two people sleep together but not in a bad way. I closed my eyes again and enjoyed the feeling of her body on mine. She felt so small curled up against my body. Her smell surrounded me and I took it in like a drug.

I’d rarely cuddled with anyone. After my best friends got together any intimacy there greatly decreased. I didn’t want to get in the middle of anything and Lindsey was a little touchy about it.

Laura was the perfect size to fit with me. If I didn’t need to use the bathroom, I would have stayed like that and drifted back to sleep.

I opened my eyes and looked at the time on the clock that sat on my desk. It was already nine. We needed to get going so we could get breakfast. I sighed. Breaking the spell was a sad but necessary thing.

I untangled myself and got out of bed.

Laura groaned and cuddled into the blanket, burying her face in my pillow as she deeply breathed. “What time is it,” she mumbled.

“Just past nine. I’ll be right back.”

I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste and glanced at her one more time before I left. She was stretching with her eyes closed. I smiled, suppressing the urge to go back and watch her wake. My brain was kind of weird these days.

“I’ll get up,” her voice ached.

"Okay,” I said, leaving finally.

I passed closed doors and stopped in the quiet hall before going into the bathroom. I used the toilet first and then brushed my teeth, returning to find her up and sitting on the bed.

“Did you sleep well?” I asked

“Way better than I usually do, yeah.” She scoffed a tired laugh. In my absence she’d quickly changed clothes and tied her hair up in a messy bun. She had her phone in her hand and she was staring down on it, scrolling through things. “Vic is pissed,” she laughed. “Guess she thought I died or something.”

“Hmm, did she expect you to call?"

I changed into black skinny jeans, tossing my joggers on the combined beds and then found a clean bra and a slim white tee.

"Uh, I think she thought I was joking when I said I was too tired to go out yesterday.” She texted something quickly. “We always go out.”

There wasn’t regret or remorse in her but perhaps some heaviness.

“I can be your witness. You passed out after one episode,” I said.

Laura laughed and smiled. “Sorry,” she said, a little stressed. “It was comfy.” She got up and gripped her bathroom bag. “I’ll be back,” she said, leaving to use the restroom for a bit.

I sat on the bed and put my worn, black Chuck’s on. I’d take them off once we got to the beach. The feeling of sand on my bare feet would be welcome. I loved that movement and softness mixed with grit.

When Laura came back I’d brushed my hair and let it hang loose. I kept it up a lot during class and practice.

She smirked a little and blushed when she saw me. “Okay I think I’m together enough,” she teased, throwing a few things into her bag. Together enough was an understatement. I tried not to stare.

“Nice. We can walk out toward the front gate and catch the bus down the street. It’s not due for fifteen minutes so we’ve got time.”

I grabbed a ball cap and put it on. My beach bag was already by the door. I went to grab it and opened the door. The bus was always how I usually got to the beach because I kinda liked the ride. It didn’t run all the time though. Sometimes I had to uber there or to the store. Today I wanted to give Laura the full experience.

"You ready for an adventure?” I asked, grinning.

“With you? Definitely,” Laura said.

On her way out she grabbed us both waters, then she walked in front of me and waited for me to lock the door. “If I don’t call Vic soon she’s gonna murder me. She’s all upset about so many things. You’d think we’d been apart a year or something.”

She dug her sunglasses out of her bag and put them on.

“Call her while we walk to the bus,” I suggested.

I locked up and we walked down the hall. By now Serena was up and policing the front door.

“Morning ladies. Where are you off to?” Serena asked.

“Oh, just the beach,” I said.

“Laura, I promised your parents I wouldn’t allow you to go off campus until I was sure you settled in,” Serena said.

“I swear we’re just going to the beach for a few hours and coming back. Just like usual,” I said.

“Uh huh, I know you’re responsible, Charlotte. I’m just-"

"Please,” I begged.

Serena frowned and looked toward the door, considering.

“Alright, but you better be back by curfew or I’ll be sending you to detention,” she threatened.

“We will. I swear,” I said.

I took Laura’s hand and rushed past Serena before she changed her mind. I pushed open the front door and held it open, letting go of Laura’s hand.

After it closed, I turned to walk towards the entrance to campus.

“That was close. I was going to riot if she didn’t let us go,” I sighed.

Laura laughed. “Yeah, I highly doubt that. That’s weird though. My parents never said they asked for that. They even pretended I could come home on the weekends if I wanted to.” She seemed bummed. “Maybe they just knew I’d say no.”

We’d only been outside for a few seconds and the world had already shit on her.

“Serena probably offered it. She’s like that,” I said.

“Why would she offer that,” Laura asked, bruised.

“Because she’s a suck up and she thinks she knows what’s best for everyone,” I said. Laura didn’t say anything, she walked along beside me and kept quiet.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Not really,” she said. “Let’s just get out of here.”

“You got it,” I said, taking her hand.

The bus came a few minutes later and we boarded, finding a seat in the back where we could sit close.

Laura kept her hand in mine but she stared listlessly outside of the window. I watched her for a second and then squeezed her hand.

“Show me a picture of Vic,” I said.

“Oh, sure,” she said, taking a deep breath in. She woke up her phone and found a picture to show me. Tan, bleached blonde, tall, and skinny. Vic was at the beach in a bikini and visibly laughing like she was really really happy. Her arm was slung around a guy, equally pretty and tan. “That’s her and Pete,” Laura said, handing her phone to me.

“She’s pretty,” I commented.

“Yeah,” Laura laughed. “It’s really frustrating.”

“Why is it frustrating?” I asked.

“I dunno,” Laura shrugged. “It’s just hard. Our friendship is weird.”

“Like it could be more?” I asked.

“I dunno,” Laura dodged it. “I mean, she’s obviously my favorite person on the planet but…”

“Friendships are different. Abby and I used to be closer and we would stay over in each other’s rooms,” I said.

“I’ve never had anyone I cared about so much,” Laura said. “Was it like that with Abby?”

“No, it wasn’t. I’ve never had anyone like that besides my family,” I said.

We were two of the few people riding the bus so we had a lot of space. We still sat close, legs touching and hands still clasped.

“I’m a little jealous of your family,” Laura said.

“They’re pretty cool. I got lucky. All my friends have always loved my mom and dad. Abby visited me for a week in the summer once and she loved it. Her house is ten times fancier than ours and she has actual servants but she didn’t want to leave. We had a good time,” I said.

“I didn’t say I was jealous of you,” Laura said. “I said I was jealous of them. You love them so much.” She slipped her hand back into mine and held it with both of her hands from the front and the back. “I envy them.”

“Oh! Well, maybe I’ll love you too,” I said.

It slipped out before I really knew what I’d said. It wasn’t bad, I just didn’t know what she would think.

“Yeah,” Laura laughed. “Maybe… Possibly…” She ruminated on that and then let my hand go. “Sorry,” she smiled. “I’m in a really shitty mood and I wish I wasn’t.” She held the back of her neck in her hands and tried to relax. The result was that she leaned forward over her knees in an uncomfortable position just to deeply breathe.

“Don’t apologize to me. I’m happy we can get out of there and maybe you’ll feel a little better after you eat and we go see the ocean. The ocean always makes me happy.”

“Yeah,” Laura said. “Maybe.”

“Hey, can I do anything?” I asked.

“No,” Laura said, feeling sad. “I think I’m at a rock bottom moment or something. It’s not you. You’re wonderful. There’s just so much stuff I don’t want to think about right now.”

“Then, let’s think about something else. What’s your favorite food?” I asked.

“I dunno,” she laughed.

“Well, mine is kind of weird. You have to promise you won’t laugh,” I said, feigning seriousness.

“I always laugh,” she reminded. “Just tell me.”

“Ah, I guess I trust you. I am addicted to gummy worms. If I could I’d eat them every day, I would,” I confessed.

Laura sat up and stared over at me. “Interesting. Iiiii, really don’t think that’s a food.”

“Oh? What is it then?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“Corn syrup,” she said, raising her eyebrows.

“And gelatin plus blue 1,” I teased.

I leaned toward her and pressed our shoulders together.

“Okay fine, chicken nuggets,” I said.

“Oh wow. Okay. I get it. You are actually five,” she laughed.

“And a half, you can’t forget the half. It’s important,” I said and stuck my tongue out at her.

Soon as I did that her fingers quickly found my sides and she tickled me until we both busted up laughing.

“Oh my god, no!” I was on my side, trying to cover my sides and protect myself. “You found my weakness. Mercy!"

I leaned back up and let my body go a little too far so that I was almost laying in her lap.

"That’s just below the belt,” I said, still grinning.

“Oh fine,” she beamed, stopping it. I felt her arms slip in around my stomach and she hugged me tight. “But you’ve been warned.”

“I’ll keep it in mind,” I said.

I hugged her back and kept her close, loving the ride and her ways.

“You smell really good,” I commented.

“Not as good as you,” she said. “Mine’s all artificial.”

She pressed her nose to my shirt sleeve and breathed me in.

“Not true. I can smell you. And mine is a mix of detergent and products. After practice I stink.”

“No you don’t,” she said.

“What? I’m all sweaty and gross. Do we need to get your sense of smell tested?” I teased.

“I’ve never seen you gross,” she laughed. “You’re like perfect.”

“No way, I’m not perfect. I have weird ears, I don’t know when to say no to people, and there’s a pimple on my nose,” I complained.

“Don’t know when to say no to people?"

"It’s just hard for me to say no when people ask for things,” I said.

“Like… Today?” Laura asked.

“Today? When?” I asked.

“The beach,” she reminded. “Your secret spot.”

“Oh! No, I wanted to show you. I just want to do stuff with you. It makes me happy,” I said.

I puzzled over that like a revelation. Something clicked in my head and I forgot to breathe for a second. I pushed it away and focused on holding her and the feeling of her solid breathing body in my arms.

“That’s really sweet,” she said, leaning back in her chair and absentmindedly rubbing my back.

I shook my head and smiled.

“You’re just as sweet. I don’t know if you know that. I bet not. You probably think you’re a badass bitch,” I teased.

“Oh wow,” she laughed. “Yeah, you’re right, that’s all I think all day long,” she teased.

“I knew it!” I raised my fist in triumph and laughed. “Little did you know that you’re super soft and gooey inside,” I pointed out.

“Are you calling me fat,” she chuckled. Her hand slipped beneath my shirt and I felt it touching my skin, her nails carefully playing and her palm rubbing methodically.

“You’re definitely not fat,” I insisted.

Her nails on my skin made me shiver and my breath caught. I tingled all over and closed my eyes. There was no mistaking what was happening to me.

Fuck.

Laura sighed and dazed. “I think you’re a miracle,” she whispered. “I don’t even want to think about how bad this week could’ve been if I wasn’t with you.”

“I’m happy I could help,” I said.

The bus was getting close to our stop. I’d be able to get a little distance and get control of myself.

“Here we go,” I said.

The bus stopped with a soft screech and I released her, scooting away and standing up. Slow to rise, Laura followed me. Fingerbeds touched down on my back as we wove our way through the corridor and made it outside.

The restaurant was visible from the bus stop and once the bus moved on we could cross over to walk down the road toward it.

It was a small place with fresh, modern decor but the prices were really good. I could even afford it with the money my parents sent me every month.

We went in and were greeted by the owner, Alma.

“Nice to see you Charli! Give me a hug,” Alma said.

I walked around the host stand and hugged Alma. All three years I’d been here, I’d come in consistently on the weekends and by now the entire staff knew me. The place was family-owned and run so the same people always worked.

“This is my friend Laura. Laura this is Alma,” I introduced.

“Nice to meet you Laura,” Alma said, opening her arms for a hug.

“Nice to meet you too,” Laura said, buried into Alma’s arms. She hugged her and stepped back to be polite.

Alma was a robust black woman in her fifties with grey wisps of hair escaping from her orderly bun.

A hug from Alma was like warm sunshine. I could never leave here without my mood being high. She and her daughter’s ran the restaurant seven days a week and their love for it showed.

“You come sit in your booth and we’ll bring out some biscuits,” Alma said.

She gave me two menus and went off to get our biscuits. The booth I always sat in was in the back, by the window overlooking the cliffs that led to the ocean.

I slid into one side of the booth and put the menus on the table.

“I found this place freshman year while I was exploring and loved it right away,” I said.

“It’s amazing,” Laura said, completely taken by the view. She perched up on the bench cushion, knees elevating her so she could look out. “Wow…”

“Pretty right?” I followed her gaze. “Alma bought it in the late 70’s and her oldest daughter is going to take over someday. I hope you like the food.”

Laura turned to gaze down on me and she shook her head. “You know I like food,” she said, adjusting her position until she was perfectly across from me in the booth.

Her eyes wandered, taking in the other people eating out together on a Saturday. She bit her bottom lip and seemed distracted. Her phone buzzed and she grumpily looked down on it and shut it off.

“Vic?” I asked.

Laura looked up at me, a little confused. “Yeah,” she said, softening.

“Do you need to call her?” I asked.

“I dunno,” Laura said. “She’s mad at me and I kinda don’t want to deal with it right now.”

“Then, don’t,” I smiled.

Alma came up and put a basket of biscuits on the table.

“Here you are girls. Now, do you know what you want to drink?” She asked.

“I’ll take coffee and water,” I said.

“Um, iced coffee please,” Laura said. Once Alma left, Laura stole a glance at me and smiled. “So, you come here a lot,” she commented.

“Every other weekend at least. I’d love to work here in the summer but there’s no way I can stay on campus,” I said.

“I thought you missed your family though,” Laura said.

“I do but I really want to pay for college myself so I’ve been working in the summer and playing club soccer too,” I said.

“Wow,” Laura said, dazed.

“I know, I’m boring,” I joked.

“You kidding?” Laura asked. “You’re insane. I could never do what you do. That stuff’s all really hard.”

“I’m sure you could. Everyone has strengths. You just have to find yours,” I commented.

“That’s the kind of thing really talented people say to not so talented people like me,” Laura teased. “My parents put all their hopes and efforts into Roger so…” Her words trailed off.

“That’s bs, you’ve got talent. Your parents just don’t give you credit.”

Alma came back with our drinks and stood with her order pad ready.

"What are you having today?” Alma asked.

“Sorry, I didn’t give you time to look. Did you need more?” I asked Laura.

“I’ll have the peachy-keen daily pancake special,” Laura said, reading the board on the wall.

“I want the everything omelette and a short stack of banana pancakes, please,” I added.

“Alright, I’ll put these in,” Alma said, walking away.

I put cream in my coffee and way too much sugar from the jar and then stirred it before taking a sip. I was gonna crash later but it tasted so good.

“What are you thinking?” I asked.

“I like being with you,” Laura said.

"That’s good cause I like being with you too,“ I replied.

“You’re really genuine,” Laura said. “I’m not used to it.”

"Thanks. That’s probably the best compliment I’ve gotten. You are too, you know. I like that you talk to me about things.”

“I don’t talk to many people like this,” Laura laughed.

"Why me then?” I wondered.

“Right place, right time,” Laura said. “Plus, you’re like adorable. It’s kind of hard not to talk to you.”

“You think I’m adorable? Hmm…” I contemplated. "I’m happy to be someone you can talk to. I really am,” I finished.

“Yeah, you’re gonna drive me nuts,” Laura laughed and groaned. “I like you too much and I can’t keep secrets from you. That’s a recipe for disaster.”

“Or it’s a recipe for amazing things. You should tell me everything. That’s what I want to know,” I said.

“You say that now,” she joked. Her iced coffee sat before her and she pulled it close to drink from the straw.

“You couldn’t have done anything to make me not want to talk to you,” I said.

“Yeah but you could not like me,” Laura said. “As a person. And that’d be worse.”

“I don’t think so but you could try me,” I suggested.

One of the other staff dropped off our food and left us to eat. I still watched Laura though, waiting to dig in.

“I could try to ruin our friendship?” She went on. “Yeah, rather not.” Her hands found her silverware and she placed her napkin on her lap and started to eat. I could tell she loved it. She made a face, rolled her eyes, and pointed at her mouth. “Mm. My god…” She mumbled. “Fuck.”

“Right!” I started on my omelette and I couldn’t stop.

There was silence for awhile as we ate. I finished my food first since I always ate too fast. My mom used to yell at me about it but I couldn’t help it. Food was so good.

“You’re a little animal,” Laura smirked. I’d gotten used to that smirk. She was constantly amused by me.

“At least I’m a cute animal according to you,” I said and grinned at her.

“Super true,” Laura said. She ate some more and took her time. “I’m not sure I can finish this. Okay, I know I can’t. Would it be a pain to carry?”

“Nope. We can put it in my bag,” I said.

I patted the beach bag beside me and smiled.

“Okay,” she nodded, overwhelmed.

“If we need to we can Uber back to campus. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to go by the grocery store on the way back,” I said.

“That’s genius actually,” Laura commented. “No pressure though if you wanna meet up with your friends.”

“No, I’d rather hang out with you,” I replied.

“Why’s that?”

“Because I like you and I’m getting addicted,” I explained.

I played with my fork and watched her.

“Addicted to me?” She laughed, surprised.

“Yeah. I like being around you. It makes me want to see you all the time, which sounds crazy probably,” I admitted, looking down and counting the crumbs there. I couldn’t think about what I’d just said.

“No, that doesn’t sound crazy at all,” Laura comforted. “It might, if I didn’t like you, but. I do, so…” Her voice trailed off.

“I’m glad you don’t think I’m a crazy stalker then,” I laughed.

“I literally follow you everywhere,” Laura teased. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve just never made a friend like this,” I told her. “I think about you and hope you’re doing well when we aren’t together.”

"What do you mean?” She smiled, uncomfortable. “You have tons of friends Charli and I can tell you worry about them too. Are you feeling okay,” she teased. “Cause I can get you some aspirin or something.”

“I have some good friends and a lot of acquaintances, which is great. I love my friends. I know I’m being weird. It’s totally cool. I’m sorry,” I babbled.

“You’re not being weird,” Laura laughed sweetly. “You’re just not making sense.”

“Oh, I don’t even know,” I said.

“It’s okay. We don’t have to make sense,” she comforted.

“Good because apparently I can’t find sense. It’s gone,” I said.

I hummed low and cleared my throat and then drank the rest of my coffee. Alma came back over to look in on us and give me the check.

I gave her the money and told her to keep the change. We still had the beach ahead of us. That would clear my head and get me out of this confusing headspace.

“You ready?” I asked.

I took the box full of her leftover food and put it in my bag.

“Mhmm,” she nodded. As we got up, a couple walked toward her. To dodge them, she scooted closer to me and clung in against my shoulder.

We walked outside and I pointed us in the direction of the beach. I didn’t say anything. I was already too scared to say what was going on in my mind.

“I think about you too,” Laura said randomly. A lot of time had gone by but she was still thinking about what I’d said.

“Oh… Really? That’s cool. I mean nice,” I said.

I wanted to sink into the ground. There were so many feelings going on. Happy that she told me that. Afraid that it wasn’t the same way I thought about her. Wondering what my thoughts about her even meant.

“Yeah well, I don’t do it to be nice,” Laura said.

I nodded and tried to find words.

“Why then?”

Were the only two that came to me.

“You make me feel safe,” Laura said. “I hardly know that feeling…”

It wasn’t what I expected.

“That’s awesome. I know that’s hard,” I said.

We made it to the steps that led down to the beach and I bent down, setting my bag on the floor. I untied my shoes and took them off before standing up again.

I was getting excited. I could hear the waves and smell the water.

“Harder than you might think,” Laura dazed.

“Hey,” I said, taking her hand. “You’ve got me.”

Laura searched me and eventually lost her seriousness. She leaned into me and half hugged me. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s touch the water.”

We walked out and stood near the water’s edge. I pulled her along, playing with our chemistry. When the water hit my feet, I grinned and looked over at her.

“Ooooo,” she shivered, gripping my arm protectively.

"You want to go in further?“ I asked.

"What do you think?” She wondered.

“I think we’ll dry out before we go back,” I said.

“Okay,” she laughed. “Wait, gimme a second.”

She hurried back to the sand and stripped out of her clothes so she’d just be in her bathing suit. Running back over to me, the wind blowing her hair away from her skin, she looked so happy.

“Sorry,” she said, taking my hand again and holding it with hers.

“Ah, don’t be,” I said.

I stared for a second and then shook my head and looked back to the water.

She was beautiful.

I watched the dark waves crest and roll in. This was my safe space.

“Come on,” she laughed. “Before I have a chance to change my mind.”

I reached down to roll my jeans up. I walked in with her and felt the water come up my legs.

When the waves splashed we jumped and Laura clung onto my body to try and handle the impact from the cold. She clung to my body and screamed a little before laughing. Her fingers clung to the fabric of my t-shirt.

“Holy crap!” My adrenaline roared and I turned, hugging her and laughing with pure joy. “You okay?”

“Uhhh, yeah,” she chuckled and stared at my lips. Her teeth chattered from the cold but she was smiling and watching me close.

Another wave crashed into us and I laughed, putting my hands on her shoulders and reading her emotions. She smiled back at me and I hugged her again, overwhelmed.

“Sealegs,” she smiled and bit her bottom lip. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

“I’m glad you like it,” I said. My eyes stared down at hers, a magnetic feeling kept me glued.

I pointed down the way.

“Do you see that big rock arch down the beach?"

It was barely visible but I knew it was pretty clear in the distance.

"Yeah,” she said, smiling. “What about it,” she asked, pulling on my shirt to get me to move a little in the water to be closer to her.

“That’s where I go to read and hang out,” I said.

“Your spot?” She asked, eyes lighting up.

A strong wave came and knocked into us. Laura clutched onto me and we both ended up falling completely into the rushing wave. Like rapids, the frothing force bowled us over and rolled us together towards the shore. We clung to each other to even survive.

“Shit,” I laughed. The wave was so strong it knocked us all the way back to the shore before pulling away. Laura had her body preseed close to mine, her arms around my waist, fingers clutching the transparent white of my t-shirt. I stared down at her, more packed with feelings than I’d probably ever been. She was practically naked and all glued to me. We both sat now, alone in the sand. My lips touched her forehead and I let a huff of a breath out against her skin, a small laugh, like: how did I even get here?

“Sorry,” she laughed. “Didn’t mean to attack you.”

“No. No. I uh, I like it,” I stuttered out. My heart beat was so intense that I could feel it pounding inside me: beat, beat, BEATing against my skin.

“Oh, um, yeah,” I laughed to get myself back on that previous thought. “I’ve got towels in the beach bag and a blanket. We can go sit on the rocks or the sand and dry out.”

“Sounds good,” Laura laughed. She stared at me for a while, I stared too. Eventually she peeled herself off of me and started to stand.

I walked toward my stuff and squeezed the water out of my hair. My shirt stuck to my torso like a second skin and my jeans felt heavy. Jogging to my bag, I took a towel out to hand it to Laura.

“There are more in there. I loaded up on beach towels.”

She took the oversized teal cloth and wrapped it around perfect body, covering up. My gaze couldn’t stop now. She’d given me so much permission to stare simply by the way she’d been staring at me, openly liking me.

"What did you think was going to happen?” Laura laughed.

"I’m over-prepared but I figured we could make a big bed of towels and the blanket.”

"Let’s do it,” she said.

“Yes ma’am,” I stared back.

Grabbing my bag by the handles and my shoes in my other hand, I walked us both toward the rock arch. It wasn’t a long way but the deep sand made it take a little while. When we got there, I put down the bag on a rock. The arch rose high above us, with a big open area where solid rock used to be. The result was an overhang like a shelter with a wall of rock on one side.

I took out the blanket, some of the towels, and my phone from the bag. I spread the blanket and put a few towels on top close together for us to lay on.

My wet shirt was tricky. I wrestled it off and pulled my soaking jeans off. Then I walked over to one of the big rocks surrounding the area. I spread my wet clothes out so that the sun would dry them out.

Laura crawled up on the blanket and watched me a little. She put her sweater in a ball and laid her head down on it, taking her hair down from its wet messy bun.

I lay beside her and covered most of myself with another towel, shivering.

"I wish we had that fireplace now,” I said.

“I know,” she laughed.

“Oh well, we can lay in the sun if we need to get warm. I just love the overhang and how sheltered you are,” I said, looking up at the rock above us.

“You are one brave girl,” Laura said. “I dunno if I’d be bold enough to come out here alone. And I love it here so… That makes me really sad.”

“I just like exploring,” I panted. “Now, you can come out here whenever you want, with or without me.”

"I don’t think I can,” Laura said. “I’d only want to come here with you.”

She seemed sleepy and a little serious.

“Then we’ll come whenever you want,” I said.

Laura softly smiled at me before looking away.

“No one can find us here,” I said.

“I love that,” Laura dazed.

“Mmm,” I hummed. I closed my eyes and stretched my arms out above my head. Though it wasn’t the season, the sun was warm enough to be felt. I fell asleep eventually but woke up when Laura got up and walked out into the sun.

I watched her from where I was, gazing through slitted eyes. I knew I could sleep here for the whole day but I was tuned into her.

“I’ve got sunblock in the bag,” I said.

“Oh shit,” she laughed. “Guess I should’ve been wearing that.”

“Sun burns are shitty. I got one last year and regretted my life choices for two weeks.”

"You and all your regret,” she teased. “You trying to mother me?”

“Not unless that’s your thing,” I joked.

“Uhhhh,” she pretended to think about that. “Verdict’s still out but I don’t think it is.”

“Then no, I’m just trying to selfishly keep you from getting burnt so I can hug you when I want to.”

"Aww, stop,” Laura smiled, all embarrassed by me. “You can always hug me. I’d suffer through the pain.”

“Come here, I’ll help you. There’s no way you can get your back.”

I rolled over and stood up. Laura came back to me and stood patiently. I opened the tube and squeezed some sunblock into my hand.

I slipped the end of the small tube into my bra strap where it met the cup to keep it safe while I started to apply the sunblock to Laura’s back.

She stood so still while I rubbed it in, all over. Her pale skin would have burned so quickly if she’d stayed outside her towel for too long.

"You’re done,” I said, stepping back and taking the tube out to give it to her. “Here’s the rest.”

When she took the tube I went back to my towel and sat down. I did have a need to protect her. Maybe I was being a mom.

I watched her until her eyes found mine and then I redirected my gaze to the ocean.

#lesfic #authors of tumblr #lgbtq fiction #wlw #paper dolls series #wlw books #bisexual characters #lesbian #bi

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sheridanfalls · 4 years

Text

1x01

“Ana, Ana,” the desperate voice of her mother shook the young teenager out of her sleep.

“What?” Her voice hoarse from hours of singing the night before with Joel Riley, she sat up, pushing her blankets away.

Her mother threw the curtains open before turning to look at her youngest daughter, “Where is your sister?”

Ana rubbed her eyes, “I don’t know, the barn.” She shrugged pulling her pillow against her and laying back down.

“She ran away.” The words came out in a growl that instantly alerted the young teenager that sleep would not be anywhere on her agenda anytime soon.

“What, how do you know that, why would she?” The questions flew from her mouth as she watched the way her mother darted around the room.

Her mother ran a hand through her strawberry blonde hair, “She left a note. Your father is talking to the police. Did Willa say anything to you about running away, about leaving?”

Ana searched her mind for anything she could think of, “No, but have you checked her diary, she was always writing in it.”

“Yes, of course,” was the last thing her mother would say to her for weeks as she left Ana alone in the room, the morning sun starting to rinse the floor.

Tazia blinked as she woke up in the back of the limo, she could feel the chill throughout her body, she got this way whenever she remembered that dreadful morning when she was fourteen. Most days she could put her runaway sister behind her, but for some reason Willa had been in her dreams far more often, in one way or another.

“Don’t tell me you’re having more nightmares.” Her agent, Fletcher Curtis sighed as he looked up from his phone, “I told you to talk to Dr. Floyd about them and they would go away.”

Tazia rolled her eyes wrapping her gray cardigan around her body, “Dr. Floyd just wants to drug me up.”

“What you need is a vacation.” He continued to tap away at his phone, “Are you ready to perform today?”

“Yes.” It was one of the few things she still felt confident in, performing. She could get out on that little stage, in front of the studio audience, the harsh afternoon talk-show lighting and the cameras beaming her into the homes of people looking for some company in the middle of the day.

“Good, we’ll get you a coffee and then you’ll be good to go.”

Her body was still chilled as she looked out the window of the city traffic. A city full of strangers. Was Willa out here, was she living the life she wants, the one she had to escape Sheridan Falls for?

Over the years her mother Rosemary had gotten mad at her for not using her celebrity to bring Willa home. The last time she’d been at the family ranch had been about a decade before, not long after Joel had left her. It was a bad time all around and she could still smell the floral scents of her mother’s garden from the porch as she recalled it. The moment she told her mother that if Willa had wanted to come home, she would’ve.

“You know what you need, a vacation. I can get your schedule cleared for a couple of weeks. We’ll go to Hawaii; I can get that great house that you liked the last time we were there.”

“That sounds great.” It didn’t though, sure going to Hawaii sounded amazing, but another vacation with Fletcher sounded suffocating. Each year since Joel left her, her circle got smaller, and now it felt as though it was only Fletcher.

***

Keaton Hughes carried the suitcase out to the car parked in front of the house steps. His wife Isabelle was behind him with her purse as she followed behind, “Just make sure you have plenty of gas, that your phone is charged, I know service is spotty where you’re going, but check in once in a while.”

She smiled at her husband, his blue eyes full of love, “I will Keaton, it’s only a couple of nights. I left a lasagna for you tonight, and a bag in the freezer for you to dump in the slow cooker tomorrow.”

“You’re the best wife.” He pulled her close, breathing in the scent of her floral perfume before kissing her goodbye, slowly, memorably, knowing that life could change in a moment.

Isabelle pulled away, a smile on her face and her eyes closed before fluttering open again, “I love you Keaton, I’ll text you when I stop for gas.” She kissed his cheek as she clutched her keys in her hand, “I’ll see you Monday morning.”

He breathed in, “I know babe, I love you, Belle.”

She blew him a kiss before getting in her car, buckling in and driving away after the quick press of a button. She could see her husband in the rearview mirror, she loved him, he loved her, soon they would start to try for a family, but first she had to do something one last time. One final weekend away, time to close the door on her past, and fully embrace her future.

He stood by the steps, watching as she pulled out of the driveway, his eyes on her car until was down the street. He turned to go back into the house, he had a few repairs he planned to do while she was gone. He wanted to get her office painted, she’d been talking about setting up a permanent backdrop for her YouTube videos.

Making a stop in the kitchen he took the lasagna out of the freezer so it would thaw a bit before he threw it in the oven. He went out to the back yard and straight to the shed. He grabbed the can of paint he’d chosen, and the tools he needed. He pulled Spotify up on his phone, rolling his eyes when he saw the suggestion that he listen to the Best of Tazia.

He found what he wanted as he moved through the house to the office. The music filled the room as he started to move somethings out of the way to create the space, he believed his wife was craving. He paused the music and flipped phone into camera mode, “Hey YouTube, Keaton here. I know you’re like where is Belle. She’s on her yearly spa trip with her friends from college. I thought this would be the perfect time to redo her office. Since she’s the youtuber, not me I forgot to start filming before I started. Oops.” He chuckled, feeling awkward. He didn’t like the spotlight, that was for Belle and his sister, not for him.

He moved around the room taking footage, “I’ve started to move some stuff out of the way, but I wanted to give her a space special for her. So, I’m going to go and paint this wall back here, rearrange the furniture and maybe decorate a little.” He shrugged as he put the phone down across the room and started back to work.

Keaton was lost in the work when the doorbell rang, so much so that he didn’t hear it until it rang again. He moved through the house, his stomach starting to drop when he saw who was on the other side of the glass. He would recognize the figure of Detective Huff for as long as he lived. His hand shook as he opened the door, “Hello Detective, what can I do for you?”

***

“Great, I want to be able to open Memorial Day weekend. I need to be able to have those cabins installed by then.” Joel Riley spoke into his phone as he moved around his living room.

“I promise it will be done Joel.” The voice told him, “We’ve got the first three in production so far. That leaves six more. We’ll get these three out as soon as possible, we know it’s not the ideal time of year for an installation, but we’ll do all we can and at the very least get you ready to have the website and promotional material.”

“Thank you so much Bill, I appreciate it. I really want to see the Riley Ranch thrive and I wouldn’t be able to do this without you.”

The voice on the other end chuckled, “Well, thankfully you had a lot of good structures to start with. We’re just helping fill in a few gaps. I’ve got to run and pick up the kids from school but call on Monday and I’ll give you a progress report.”

“Great, thanks, bye.” Joel put his phone down on his baby grand piano, letting his fingers dance over the keys. He’d been stuck on the song he was writing; it was supposed to be for some pop star. Though the label wouldn’t tell him which one. They probably didn’t even know, it would get demoed around and then someone would fall for it, while others would regret not picking it.

Joel sighed, picking the up tv remote and turning on Afternoon America. Not really paying attention to the show he started to clean up and organize the papers from his meeting. He listened as the star of a sitcom discussed the very special episode that would air later in the evening—he hadn’t even realized they did special episodes.

Moving into the kitchen he started to sift through the cabinets trying to find something to eat. He grabbed a few things to start putting together a lunch when breaking news on the TV caught his attention.

***

Tazia took a deep breath as she walked onto the sound stage, the lights were low now during the commercial break. The live audience on the other side of the rotating stage. She wore light blue jeans, a Kelly-green t-shirt, and her long golden-brown hair pulled back into an easy ponytail. Simplicity was the look she was going for with this album, this song, back to basics what her idea for the upcoming tour. She didn’t want the pyrotechnics, she didn’t want the large set pieces, she wanted to perform and enjoy the energy from her audience.

“We’ve got breaking news this afternoon.” Tazia heard just as the stage had started to revolve towards the audience and cameras, as the show host did her best to play news anchor.

“This morning in Utah, Bennett Chase, the leader of the Fire Yoga movement was killed in a car accident along with his wife Willow”

Tazia looked towards the monitor that had the graphics that the audience at home saw on screen. She felt her stomach drop as soon as the picture came up. “Willow was really Willa Hughes, a Colorado teenager who ran away from her home in 2000. Her disappearance made national headlines as her mother Rosemary begged for her to come home.”

“Bennett Chase and his wife, are survived by a teenage daughter.”

Anything else that was said, Tazia couldn’t hear. Yes, they, searched for Willa, every day for 3 years. They finally had to stop when the post card arrived from her. It was her handwriting, the front said Greetings from Oregon, but the post mark was Alabama. She begged her parents to let her go, insisted she was happy.

That was the first time Tazia felt the shadow of her sister start to lift over her.

She always held on to the thought that Willa was alive. She was happy, wherever she was.

Now though, on the television monitor in front of her, she couldn’t hold on to that anymore. She couldn’t hold onto much as her body crashed to the ground.

***

“Oh shit.” Joel watched the report, Willa had been his babysitter when he was younger, the older sister of the first woman he’d ever loved. Then his eye caught what was happening in the background.

It couldn’t be, could it? Ana, or as the world knew her Tazia on TV finding out her long missing sister, was dead.

He could see her shaking as she reached out towards her sisters face on the monitor, and then as she collapsed to the ground, and the entire feed cut away.

He knew what headlines would be trending in a matter of minutes.

They would all be wrong.

People assuming that she was high on drugs.

She had always insisted that Willa wasn’t part of her story.

She had two lives, the one where she had an older sister, and the one where it was just her and her twin brother Keaton.

He picked up his phone, her number was still the first one in his contacts. He hadn’t spoken to her in well over a decade, but he was one of the few people in the world who knew, who cared, who know Ana and Tazia.

It probably wasn’t the same number anyways. He told himself as he hit the call button and took a deep breath. It rang several times before going to voice mail, “Hi, you’ve reached the private line of Tazia, please leave a message.”

“Ana, it’s Joel. I just heard about Willa. I’m sorry. I’m here for you if you need me.” He looked back at the television, excuses were already being made for her, “If you come back to Sheridan Falls, you can stay at my place. I know it’s not easy with your family, and I promise you’ll have privacy.”

Sighing he hung up, hoping she would be the one to hear the message, no once else. Though who knows, was he even listed in her phone anymore?

***

Isabelle finished filling her car with gas, she looked at her phone sitting in the cup holder and turned it off. If Keaton couldn’t get a call through to her this weekend, then he would believe she was off with her old sorority sisters.

Not that she was ever in a sorority. Her college didn’t have a Greek system. Keaton didn’t know that though.

He didn’t need to know where she was, who she was with.

She promised herself this would be the last time she did this.

Next year at this time she and Keaton would be pregnant, they would be expecting a child.

At least that was her plan.

For now, though she had to do this one more time.

She continued down the highway, listening to a podcast, but not really. She knew this route by heart as she took the left turn towards the cabin, she would spend the weekend in. The road seemed open around her, before the forest wrapped around her, deepening with its pine and juniper trees before arriving at the Woodward cabin.

It was quiet outside as she breathed in the clean air, whatever worries she had, were now gone. This was where she was meant to be.

She grabbed her bag and jogged up the stairs, she didn’t need to knock on the door as it opened. She gasped when she saw him, as if she hadn’t expected him to be here again. “Mitch!”

“Belle” He pulled her into arms, kissing her with the hunger of a year apart.

She was breathless against him as he pulled her into the cabin. His fingers in her hair, clinging to each other.

“I missed you.” He growled as he kicked the door closed before his lips tasted her neck.

Her eyes fluttered shut, “This isn’t fair.” She confessed, “I don’t feel alive unless I’m with you.”

“I know baby.” He cupped her face in his hands, his green eyes searching hers, “This weekend is ours, let me show you how much I missed you.”

She didn’t respond, she didn’t have to as she felt him lift her up as he kissed her, carrying her to the bedroom.

***

Keaton stared out the window. He couldn’t remember ever feeling as cold as he did right now. He hadn’t expected this kind of news. He was at the family ranch. Waiting for his parents to return, to hear anything from his sister.

The sun was setting, washing everything in orange. He saw the dust of a vehicle coming up the driveway.

He didn’t recognize it. It wasn’t anyone in the family, none of the ranch hands, it wasn’t one from a family friend he recognized.

Yet as it got closer his stomach grew heavy. He realized who it was.

Kara Greene, a true crime podcaster who had been obsessed with Willa’s story. About a year or so ago she had come to Sheridan Falls to investigate. Keaton had found her bothersome at the time. One thing he agreed with Ana about was that if Willa wanted to come home, she would.

He braced himself before going out to the porch, “Do I need to get the shot gun?”

“I just wanted to drop this off for your parents.” She was taking a casserole out of her car.

He sighed, “I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.” His mother would, his father probably not.

She brought it to the steps of the porch, reaching it out to him.

“Thank you, Kara.” He looked down at black sharpie directions for reheating. “I have no comment about anything today.”

“Not even the meltdown that popstar had when the news broke.”

“What are you talking about?”

Kara shrugged, “It was the weirdest thing, Tazia was about to perform this afternoon, and the news broke and since it was a live show she’s seen in the background, gravitating to the monitor before she collapsed.”

“Weird.” He gulped, “Goodbye Kara.”

“I’m not the enemy Keaton.”

“My parents had been doing okay until you came around, pulling Willa back out from the shadows. God my sister can’t even come home because she’s been in Willa’s shadow all these years.” He snorted, knowing it was insane considering she was a star in her own right.

“I just wanted to bring her home.” She shrugged her shoulders, as if it was that simple.

“She will be soon. But Kara, stay away. If Mom wants to go on your podcast to discuss this, she can. But wait for her to call you.”

She nodded as she went back to her car, “I’m sorry it had to be this way.”

“Me to.” As the words left his lips, he wasn’t exactly sure if he meant Willa dying, being found, or something else.

***

Fletcher sat by Tazia’s bedside and looked at her missed calls. Her brother Keaton had called about two dozen times, starting before she collapsed on live television. But he wasn’t the call that worried him.

Joel Riley.

He’d been just as famous as Tazia back when they were younger. He’d been engaged to her as well. Until Fletcher did what he could to be rid of the young man. A few well placed photographers and Tazia was convinced Joel cheated on her. She left him, and Fletcher brought the ring back to the young man and told him that Tazia was with him now.

For the next two years the music world watched as the two of them battled it out with appearances, songs, concerts.

Then Joel just went away.

No new music.

No new appearances.

No new albums.

He could be the subject of a YouTube remember when video.

Tazia made no mention of him ever, and since Fletcher usually had her phone, he knew they weren’t in contact.

“Willa?” Her voice broke as she woke up.

“Tazia, it’s Fletcher, are you okay?”

“Willa is gone.” She cried, in the haze of sleep and whatever drugs she’d been given.

“Willa?” Wasn’t that the name of the woman in the breaking news report?

Her breathing was uneven, “My sister.”

Fletcher stared at her. That couldn’t be. He knew everything about Tazia. Sure, her family didn’t really seem to like him, but he’d made her a star. No way did she have a sister he didn’t know about.

#Season One #Episode 1X01

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noahsfreckles · 5 years

Text

The Skateboarder’s Heart (2/2)

NOAH'S POV :)

Another day of skateboarding home from school, boarding home isn't that hard but going is killing me, boarding to school after you just wake up is horrible. Do not recommend to anyone.

But there are a few bonuses about coming home via skateboard, I ride by her house everyday. I've only seen her a couple outside but I never have the nerve to go talk to her and she's always running by my house when her and her boyfriend go for a run.

And that's one of the negative things about her; she has a boyfriend. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for her and everything but I would love to be the one making her smile and laugh. I just wanna be her friend at this point.

I try to get home before four everyday just in case they go for a run. I sit by the window everyday and watch for them. And today is my lucky day, I see them, her in a pink tank top and black leggings with her headphones in her ears. I smile to myself when I see her. God she's beautiful.

I notice something on the street after they run by, I get off the couch and go outside to see what it is.

A keychain that says Jay. Maybe this is my shot to know her, even if it is her boyfriend's key chain it would be nice of me to return it.

I head back inside and head up to my room. I place the key chain on my bed and grab some fresh boxer briefs from the dresser. I grab my towel from the back of my bedroom door and head off to the bathroom.

Once I'm finished in the shower, I get dressed and listen to some music when I realize it's been more than an hour almost two. I grab the key chain and head downstairs, to grab a quick snack.

"Hi mom." I say when I see her in the kitchen.

"Hi baby, how was school?"

"It was okay. Did my homework already so I got nothing to do tonight. Maybe I'll binge something on Netflix."

"Sounds like a fun night."

"What's for dinner?"

"Burgers, potato salad, and chips, so don't eat too much junk before then."

"I won't mom," I open the fridge and grab a water and a mini bag of cool ranch Doritos from the bowl of chips. "I'm gonna go for a ride."

"Okay, dinner should be ready in about an hour."

"Okay mom." I turn and leave the kitchen. I grab my board from the closet and head outside. I sit on our porch and eat my Doritos. I grab my phone and look at the time; 6:30pm, I think that's enough time for her to be home already.

I toss my Doritos bag in the trash can at the end of my driveway, I start sucking my fingers to get the cool ranch off of them and start off towards her house.

I arrive at her house and I don't see her boyfriend's car, I hope she's home. I walk up her stairs and gently but firmly knock on the door. I wait and look down at my shoes.

"C can I help you?" I hear her say and I look up at her. She more beautiful than I thought.

"Um, I think you dropped this when you ran by my house," I say and hold up the keychain.

"Oh, um thanks," she says and reaches out to take it when our fingers brush, I feel an electric shock and she smiles. "Thanks again, um."

"Noah."

"Thanks Noah."

"It was my pleasure," I smile. "May I know your name?" I say and bite my lip.

"Cassie."

"Hi Cassie," I say and smile.

"Hi Noah," she says and blushes a little then she bites her bottom lip.

I turn around and notice his car pulling into her driveway and frown, "I'll see you around Cassie. It was nice meeting you."

"Bye Noah."

I turn and walk back down her stairs, I start boarding back towards my house, thinking about her. I get home and eat inside, I eat dinner with my parents then do the dishes before heading up to my room to watch Netflix all night.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A few weeks have gone by and I think I'm making some progress with her. I've actually gone over and talked to her a few times, I asked why her boyfriend hasn't been running with her as of late and she says he's been busy.

It's a Saturday and I'm heading home from my buddy Kyle's house when I turn on her street, I see her when she's walking down her stairs towards the street. I start going faster so I can catch her before she goes inside. I see she's checking the mail when I skate up by her.

"Hey Cassie." I say as I stop by her mailbox causing her to look up.

"Hey Noah. What's up?"

"Not much just bored. You?"

"Getting the mail for the parentals."

"Fun fun. Going for a run today?"

"Nope, it's my day off."

"Oh um," I start then bite my lip, "did you wanna hang out? I mean if you're not busy."

"What did you have in mind?"

"We could watch a movie, go for a walk or I could teach you how to skateboard."

"Sure," Cassie says and blushes then her phone starts ringing. She pulls it out and looks at it, "can you give me a minute?"

"Yeah sure."

"Hey Jay," She says and I frown a little.

I hope he doesn't wanna hang out with her and ruin my chances to get to know her more.

"Actually I'm gonna hang out with him," Cassie's says and I turn my attention towards her. Is she talking about me?

She whispers something in the phone I can't quite make out, she looks at me and I smile.

"Watch a movie, go for a walk, we're not sure yet," I hear her say in the phone, "Jayson!" She yells into the phone. "Sorry he's being crazy," she says to me and bites her lip.

"SHE WANTS TO HAVE YOUR CHILDREN!" I hear come from the phone and I try not to react, Cassie looks over at me and I smirk.

"And goodbye Jay," she says and hangs up the phone and looks at me, "Sorry best friends gone wild."

Wait what?

"Jay's your best friend and not your boyfriend?" I ask.

"No, best friend since birth. Our parents went to school together so once we were born it was only natural we became friends, our birthdays are one day apart. I'm older by thirteen hours."

"Oh. I just assumed since you two were always together."

"Everyone does," she says.

"So um what did you wanna do?"

"We could go for a walk around the neighborhood?" She asks.

"Sure, did you need to take in the mail?"

"No, it's just a magazine I can grab it later," she turns and put the magazine in the mailbox. "Did you need to do anything before our walk?"

"Nope, all free."

"Let's go then," she smiles.

We start waking down the sideway when I say, "Did you wanna play a game so we're not just walking in silence?"

"Sure."

"When's your birthday?"

"April twentieth."

"Yours?"

"May ninth."

"So I'm older by nineteen days," she says.

I do like older girls.

"What's your favorite animal?"

"I'd say cats, they're cute and cuddly," she says and smiles at me.

"And evil. My sister's cat is evil. One minute he'll love you then two seconds later he's plotting your death."

She laugh and asks, "What's his name?"

"Vesuvius but we call him Suvi for short. Do you have any pets?"

"Does Jay count?"

"If you want him too."

"Sure," Cassie laugh. "What's the worst thing about skateboarding?"

"Um probably learning tricks and falling on your ass until you get them."

"Sounds painful."

"Very. What's the last movie you saw in theaters?"

"Captain Marvel."

"Me too. When did you go?"

"This past Tuesday with Jay, we went at like 3:45 at Celebration."

"Oh my god! That's when I went, I was like five minutes late coming in cause someone was taking forever in the concession line."

"I think that was probably Jay," she laughs.

"Damn Jay," I say and laughs.

"What was your favorite part or parts?" she ask.

"Oh for sure when Goose was on screen. You?"

"Oh my god yes, when Goose exposed himself to Fury. I died laughing, you probably heard me."

"That was you." I stop and look at her.

"Uh yeah. Sorry," Cassie bites her lip and looks at me.

"It's cool cause I was laughing too," I say laughing.

"What's your favorite song right now?"

Cassie asks and we start walking again.

"Just one?"

"Okay maybe five."

"I can do five for sure. 'Sweet Thing' by Ylti, 'Luvsick' by Kai Wachi and Ylti, 'Hesher' by Wallpaper, 'Mine' by Bazzi, 'Beautiful' also by Bazzi, and a bonus 'Hell of a Life' by Kayne, though I don't like him personally I just like the song."

"So no more drugs for you, just pussy and religion?" She look at me, I just stop and look at her and she smirks. "What?"

"Have you been stalking my insta?"

"No," she blushes a little.

"You have!"

"No, I haven't. I just know that song."

"Mmhmm then why do you know the exact line I posted on my insta story yesterday?"

"Coincidence," she says and bites her lip.

"Oh okay," I say and rolls my eyes.

We start walking again, when I ask another question, "Do you know any of the other songs?"

"I know Bazzi's, he's my new obsession."

"No one ever knows about the music I listen to, how'd you hear about him?"

"Um, I plead the fifth."

"How are you going to plead the fifth on that?"

"Because I'll incriminate myself."

"By answering where you heard about Bazzi?"

"Yeah."

I don't say anything for a minute thinking over why she would plead the fifth on how she knows Bazzi but we continue to walk, when I stop suddenly. "You have been stalking my insta!"

"What? No!" She blushes.

"Not fair! You get to stalk me when I can't you." I pout and look at Cassie.

"Cassie.marie."

"What?"

"My insta, duh."

"Oh," I pull out my phone, opens insta and types in her username. I follow her and start liking a few pictures when I notices she never shows her birthmark until this most recent picture from a couple weeks ago.

"If you're stalking me, you suck. You're not supposed to be known."

"Oh sorry, I couldn't help myself," I say and smirk.

She pulls out her phone, I get a notification that she followed me back and puts her phone back in her pocket.

"Can I ask you something kinda personal, Cassie?" I ask her as we turn the corner back to her street.

"Sure."

"Now you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, I won't get upset if you don't."

"Ask it, please."

"Why do you hide your birthmark?"

"I um," she starts, biting her lip and stops in front of her house and she looks at me, "I don't like it and everyone used to make fun of me for it. So I grew to hate it and I thought hiding it was better for everyone. Once someone sees it they either make a face towards it or they ask about it."

"So what made you post a picture showing it the other day?"

"I was tired of hiding it and I." She says and looks down at our shoes.

"You what?"

"I kinda freaked out when Jay realized I didn't hide it from you when you brought back my key chain the other week. I didn't even realized you saw it till after you left."

"Cassie?" I says and move closer to her. I place my hand on her chin gently and raise her head so she looks at me. "So I made you show it to the world?"

She nods a little and I moves my hand to her cheek, and softly outline her birthmark with my thumb. "How could anyone tease you for something so beautiful?"

Her cheeks heat up and I smile.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," I trace it once more then removes my hand from her face. "What did you wanna do now?" I ask.

"Can you show me the basics on your board?"

"You wanna learn to ride?"

"Yeah, no tricks, I don't wanna hurt my butt."

I laugh, "sure."

We walk to the street and I put the board on the street. "Okay now find the center of the board." I say as I hold the board with my foot as she gets on it.

She puts her foot in the middle of the board and looks at me.

"And with your other foot, kick off. And just keep kicking till your comfortable with the speed then you can stop kicking and put your other foot on the board."

"Will you hold my hands so I don't fall. That's my fear right now," she asks.

"Sure." I take her hands and move my foot, and she starts to kicks off and she gasps a little causing me to laugh. I lets go of one of her hands and run beside her.

"I'm doing it!" She says excitedly and goes to kick again and kicks the board instead, she starts to fall when I slow the board down and catches her in my arms.

"Slow down speedy," I tease and looks down at Cassie.

She bites her lip and looks at me. I really wanna kiss her. I look from her eyes to her lips then back to her eyes and lips. She softly nods her head in approval as I lean down to connect our lips when her phone starts ringing, scaring us both.

She groans and pulls out her phone, "Sorry," she says softly and I help her stand up right on the street. I move away from her so I'm not intruding on her call.

"What?" I hear her say into the phone annoyed. "Yes. And I hate you."

I start messing with my board trying not pay attention to her phone call. My phone buzzes in my pocket;

Kyle: I'm on my way over for Avengers and pizza.

"Hey Cassie, I gotta head home for dinner, see you later?"

"Oh okay, bye Noah," Cassie says sounding a little sad. "Yeah, see you around."

I put my board down and start boarding back to my house. I get back as soon as Kyle pulls him.

"Hey!" He says as he gets out of his car.

"Hey," I say trying not to sound too rejected.

"I ordered our regular on the way over," Kyle says and I nod.

We head inside, I put my board away in the closet and we head up to my room.

"You cool, bro?" Kyle asks as I fall face down into my pillows.

I just groan loudly.

"I'll take that as a no. Did you see Cassie and her boyfriend or something?"

I roll over on the bed and look at him, "he's not her boyfriend but best friend, I found out earlier."

"That a good thing. You have a chance with her now."

"He cockblocked me today."

"Oh bro, what happened?"

"I was coming home from your house and I saw Cassie outside so I went over and started talking to her. He called her and they were talking, he yelled something about having my kids and Cassie hung up after that. Then we took a walk around the neighborhood asking questions back and forth, getting to know each other."

"I'm not seeing any cockblocking yet, sounds like she likes you from what her friend was yelling," Kyle says.

"I haven't got there yet. Anyways so we end up back at her house and she wants me to show her how to board. So I give her the simple instructions on how to kick and whatnot. She asks me to hold her hands so she doesn't fall so I do. I'm running along side her so she doesn't fall and she accidentally kicks the board instead of the ground and she starts to fall. I quickly stop the board and catch her before she falls, and bro I wanted to kiss her so bad. So I kept looking between her eyes and her lips and she nods so I go for it."

"You kissed her?"

"No."

"What?"

"Her stupid phone rings interrupting us. And by the sound of it she was pissed when she answered the phone, and guess who it was."

"The best friend."

I groan and nod my head.

"Sorry bro, I know how much you like her."

"I was so freaking close. We had another moment too."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, you know how I told you she has a birthmark on her cheek?"

Kyle nods.

"Well I found out she stalked my insta and she told me hers after I found out, and I followed her and liked some of her pics. I noticed in a pic," I pull out my phone to show him. "She didn't hide her birthmark like she does in other pics and I asked her why."

Kyle takes my phone and looks at her profile.

"She said that I made her show it because I didn't say anything or make a face more or less when I saw it. She said people would tease her about it in school. She was looking at our shoes, and I took her chin in my hand and made her look at me. I traced it with my thumb and said, "How could anyone tease you for something so beautiful?" causing her to blush."

"Bro! You got game, who would have thought?"

"Shut up!"

"So what's going to happen now?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead yet."

The doorbell rings and Kyle goes down to answer it and comes back up with our food and drinks. We sit on my bed and start to pig out.

"Maybe you can arrange another boarding lesson and the moment could come up again?"

"I don't have her number though."

"Slide in her DMs, bro."

"I knew you were my friend for a reason," I say and Kyle's shakes his head at me.

"Netflix?"

I turn on my tv and we start watching Avengers: Infinity War and eating our pizza.

Kyle goes home around ten after we finish the movie and play a few rounds of Smash Brothers.

I grab my phone and look through my photo roll, picking the picture I've been meaning to post and it fits with what I wanna caption.

Can't stop thinking about you. ♥

I close the app and turn my attention back to the tv. Around an hour later, my phone dings and I grab it, smiling when I see the notification; Cassie.marie. liked your photo.

I open Instagram and direct message her.

Noah: hi

Cassie: hi

Noah: whatcha doing?

Cassie: watching a movie, you?

Noah: laying in my bed, bored.

Cassie: wanna continue our game?

Noah: sure.

Cassie: when did you start skateboarding?

Noah: around 12 y/o

Cassie: Nice

Noah: do you have any hidden talents?

Cassie: I can do the splits, does that count?

Noah: Yeah I guess, not everyone can do them

I head downstairs and grab a water from the fridge when I see the banner pop up, I read the message and go to the closet to grab my board and quietly head out the front door. I board over to Cassie's before I open her DM.

Cassie: can I have your number?

Noah: 213-555-0139

Cassie: I HAVE HIS NUMBER

I start laughing in the middle of the street.

Noah: was that supposed to be to Jay? 🤣🤣

Cassie: I plead the fifth again 😎

My phone buzzes and I smile, I quickly add her number to my contacts; Cassie♥️

Cassie♥️: hi

Noah: hi 🤓

Cassie♥️: where'd you go?

Noah: I plead the fifth. 😛

Cassie♥️: that's my line 😠

Noah: look out your window

I see her curtain move and I smile.

Cassie♥️: What are you doing?

Noah: midnight lesson?

Cassie♥️: be down in five

I walk up her stairs and sit down on the top stair waiting for her to come outside. I hear the door open and smile.

"Hi," Cassie says.

"Hi."

"Isn't a little late for a lesson?"

"Yeah, but I couldn't think of anything else to get you to come outside."

"You could have just asked," she giggles a little.

"I'll have to remember that next time."

"Next time?"

"Yeah. Cassie, I like talking to you. You're not like other girls our age. You say what you're thinking. And you're not afraid to show how you're feeling."

Cassie starts to blush and I bite my lip.

"So..." I say.

"So..." Cassie mocks back.

"Do you have plans tomorrow afternoon?"

"No, why?"

"You need another lesson," I say.

"Oh yeah."

"Let's say two, I meet you here and we have the lesson, and leave your phone inside."

"No phone. Gotcha."

"But I'm gonna go back home before I get grounded and we have no lesson."

"So you asked me outside to ask if I was busy? You could have done that on the phone."

"Well I wanted to see you again before I go to sleep," I say and smirk causing her to blush.

"Goodnight Noah."

"Goodnight Cassie."

I walk down her stairs and board back to my house, I quietly open the door and see my mom standing there.

Shit!

"And where were you at this time of night, Noah Gregory?"

"Um," I bite my lip and look at her innocently. "Asking a girl to hang out tomorrow."

"Oh. You couldn't do this over the phone?"

"No, well yes but I wanted to see her one more time."

"Wait, is it that girl that runs by here all the time?"

"Maybe."

"You finally talked to her?"

"How do you know about her?"

"You and Kyle aren't that quiet when you talk."

"Oh. Yeah I talked to her. We hung out earlier and I sorta taught her how to skateboard a little. And wanted to have another lesson with her."

"Okay. I won't ground you but no more sneaking out to see her."

"Yes ma'am."

I head up to my room and get ready for bed. I get in bed and grab my phone taking a pic and sending it to Cassie.

Night

Cassie♥️: night dork 🤓

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I get up the next morning and take a shower. I come back to my room and stand in front of my closet looking for what to wear.

I grab my black baseball hat tossing it in the bed. I grab a grey shirt and some black cut off jeans, I walk over to my dresser and grab some black socks and some fresh boxer briefs.

I quickly get dressed and grab my baseball hat, going into the bathroom and start blow drying my hair. I put on my hat and walk back to my room when my phone dings.

Cassie♥️: I'm ready for my lesson whenever you are 🤓

Noah: on my way over.

I head downstairs and say bye to my mom as I grab my board from the closet.

I head outside and start boarding over to her house. I see her sitting on the stairs where I was last night and smile.

I jog up the stairs, "hi."

"Hi. I got us waters," Cassie says.

"Thanks." I take one, opening it and taking a drink. "No speeding today," I jokes and smiles.

"No speeding, got it and my phone is inside."

"I brought mine just in case but I'm gonna leave it up here with the waters."

Cassie gets up and walks down the stairs, grabbing my board, she centers herself then starts kicking as I start walking down the stairs. I watch her for a little, "looks like you're doing good. Have you secretly been practicing since yesterday?"

"I plead the fifth."

"Cassie!"

"I'm joking Noah, calm down. I'm just taking slow like you said."

I go up beside her and start running and she kicks to go faster, faster than what I'm running.

"Noah!"

I start running faster and start laughing, "stop kicking before you crash."

She puts her foot on the board as I continue to run along side her. The board finally slows down and she looks at me, "you get the workout today."

"I should have dressed differently then," I say.

She laughs and hop off the board when it comes to a stop. "Can we both ride on it?"

"Maybe, if you stay still and not move."

"I'll try."

She gets on the back of the board and I get in the front, I put one foot on and start kicking when I feel her grab the back of my shirt.

We ride around for a few minutes, "I need a drink, Cassie." We ride back to her house and we both hop off the board, I jog up the stairs, grabbing our waters and my phone.

Cassie is sitting on my board rolling back and forth a little when I hand her her water.

"Thanks."

"No problem." I move to sit on the curb, "what made you wanna try boarding?"

"Looked like it was easy, well what I'm doing, not the tricks."

"Yeah, you're nowhere near tricks."

"Yeah I'll stick to kicking."

I take a deep breath and get up from the curb and stands in front of Cassie, I stand with her legs in between mine. I look down at her, "can I tell you a secret?"

She nods and looks up at me.

"I've been dying to kiss you since yesterday."

Cassie blushes and bites her bottom lip.

I look at her eyes then her lips and back to her eyes then lips again. I bend down a little and kiss her lips softly. She pulls my shirt down and pulls me closer when I smirk in the kiss. She lets go of my shirt and I pull away.

"Whoa," I say.

"Whoa," she says and looks up at me.

"Whoa," I say again and looks at Cassie, I hold my hand out and she intertwines hers into mine and I help her up off the skateboard. I wrap my arounds around her waist and smiles, "definitely worth the wait."

"Shut up and kiss me," she says causing me to smirk.

I lean down a little and connect our lips again. She moves her arms around my waist. I bring a hand up to her cheek and trace her birthmark. I pull away slightly and looks at Cassie, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

She bites her lip and whispers, "yes."

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stevieang · 6 years

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Love Among the Little Chairs Chapter 1/?

Summary: A/U: Lia Accorsi is a preschool teacher of children with special needs, who loves what she does and loves who she is - a plus+plus size woman. Her best friend and secret crush, the kindergarten teacher next door, is James Buchanan Barnes. Little does she know, he’s crushing just as hard (maybe harder) on her and admires her as a teacher, cares for her as a person, and thinks everything about her is beautiful. Will they figure out how to find each other?

Word Count: 2090

Pairing: James “Bucky” Barnes/OFC

Warnings: For this first time around, swooning, swearing, light fluff.

A/N: My first Tumblr post! I hope you like it, and you’re kind whether you do or don’t. Enjoy and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

“Just another morning with little chairs and the little people that occupy them.” Lia whispered as she walked through the toy castles, box forts, doll houses, and river rafts created by her students. Each creator had asked her, no, begged her, to leave their structures set up on the rug so they could play with them the next day.

She was hesitant, but when her teaching assistant and the Occupational Therapist who worked with her also started begging, she caved. She knew that for her students, these were more than just playthings, they were testaments to new steps on their developmental ladder.

Lia’s first love had always been to fight for the underdog. To stand up for kids and people that weren’t considered “enough” to make the cut - smart enough, able enough, thin enough, pretty enough, rich enough. She had always been one of them, and she chose to make her career being one of their strongest allies and loudest cheerleaders. Fuck everyone else who didn’t believe in them - she did.

After graduating with a double master’s in special education and communication disorders, Lia set out in the world. She grew up in a middle-class blue collar family where hard work was required and self-sufficiency was essential for success. She was thankful that her life wasn’t a “Her family treated her terribly because she was different, and therefore she had less-than-no self-esteem” story. Her family treated her with love and respect, and helped her grow into a cautiously confident woman who knew what she wanted.

Sure, the world was full of assholes with their bullying side comments, rude stares and guffaws, and really hurtful jokes. Lia knew that her world was better if it was smaller - she started slow when meeting new people, and once they were firmly in her confidence, showed them the full-on sarcastic beauty of her personality, and by then she had a friend and ally for life. She was always going to have to watch out for the public humiliation fat girls got, but after she figured out a good mix of healthy lifestyle habits she felt “right” in her body. She vowed to try her best to ban negative self-talk and was successful, most of the time.

Lia knew today was going to be busy. All the kids had therapy which she helped to run which left her no time to write the 2 ed plans that were due before the end of the day. All her students had moderate-to-severe special needs, ranging from physical disabilities that required walkers or wheelchairs, sensory impairments that made her an expert in finding and fixing glasses and hearing aids, and cognitive and learning challenges that made the world harder to understand and navigate.

She loved every single one of them as if they were her own. She’d been blessed to be able to interview and hire an amazing team of support professionals that made her and her students’ lives better (and much more interesting) every day. There was a reason her classroom was used as a model within the district, and this team was it.

She snapped pictures of the rug-bound creations to send home and hang in the classroom later. “You are always taking pictures, lady.” Lia looked up and smiled at Madeleine, her lead OT. Her grad student Madison (who also happened to be her daughter) walked in immediately after, bringing coffee and goodies that made Lia’s mouth water.

As they all took a moment to sit and sip, they were joined in quick succession by the team physical therapist (PT), nurse, and 2 teaching assistants. The adults *almost* outnumbered the kids, but each person was essential to her classroom’s success. One look at the clock had them quickly preparing for the day and heading out to meet the students.

The day was just about as busy as she predicted, with quite a few laughs (more than tears, so that’s always good). She had no time for her paperwork, so she ran to the corner sub shop to grab dinner and coffee before settling in for a long night in her classroom.

“Hello Ms. Lia”

She startled and giggled as Luke, the night custodian, came in for his rounds.

“I’ve been telling you for 5 years that after the kids leave, please call me Lia.”

“...and I’ve been telling you for 5 years that ain’t gonna happen. You’re a teacher. My ma would slap me if she heard me call a teacher by their first name.”

She sighed, impressed with his civility but a bit frustrated with her lack of progress with his stubbornness.

“How were the kids today? They sure were happy when they showed me their mudpies.”

Lia grinned. “Sorry about the mess. We tried to clean up as much as possible, but a few of the boys got away from us.”

“Don’t you ever apologize for those kids. I’ve told you before, my son’s like them, and he is our gift from God. Wouldn’t change a single thing about him.”

“Well, Mr. Luke, you are our gift. Thank you for all you do for us - day in and day out.” He quietly completed his work and bid Lia goodnight on his way next door as she returned her eyes to her computer screen. She didn’t even turn her head when the door opened soon after.

“I knew you’d be back - you forgot to tell me you’d lock up after me.”

“Sorry, what?”

Lia shrieked as the unexpected voice broke through her single-minded focus. She turned, ready to defend herself with the prized ceramic mug her class made her for Christmas.

“Whoa! It’s me, don’t shoot!” The teacher from next door had his hands up, barely covering the big smile on his face.

“Jesus, James! You couldn’t give a girl a warning! Something? I don’t know - a knock maybe?”

His chuckle made her forget her irritation. “Sorry, I just wanted to know if you wanted anything - I was going out to grab dinner.” She and James often worked late. Not only did they have neighboring classrooms, his class was the next step for many of her students. They had first worked together on some administrative special education committee that had eventually netted some grant money for new technology and consultant time, and had gotten along very well since.

“No thanks, I knew this was gonna be a late one so I ran out right after the kids left. How come you’re here? Well, other than there aren’t nearly enough hours in a day.”

“Yeah, something like that. Three ed plans to write, and we’re doing an experiment tomorrow that I want to make sure is completely set up before I leave. Maddie and Madison helped me with it and the kids are super excited.” Lia smiled at him. He was a wonderful teacher and better, she trusted him with the kids he inherited from her.

“That sounds awesome. I’d love to hear about it, but if I don’t finish this stuff, I’ll never get home. I’d like to catch my Thursday show live for once, instead of watching it on demand two weeks later.” She snorted to herself, knowing how unlikely that was. “Thanks so much for thinking of me, James. That was very kind.”

They laughed together at the words they used with the kids all day long to foster empathy. “You’re welcome. Let me know when you’re leaving. I’ll walk you home or grab a cab with you.”

Lia had already shifted her attention back to her work, giving him a half-hearted “sure, thanks” as she tried to regain her momentum and cross at least one thing off her list. James gently closed the classroom door, and almost bumped into Luke as he made his way out.

“She take you up on dinner this time?” The older man’s eyes were smiling as he went about his routine.

“No, not tonight. She’s busy.”

“That woman is always busy. Busy isn’t a reason for you to take ‘no’ for an answer.”

“Well, it’s the answer I got tonight, Luke. I’m gonna run and get dinner, do you want anything?” As he caught Luke shaking his head, he walked down the steps into the comfortably cool night air, unable to shake a feeling that he couldn’t quite name. After he got settled back into work, the text alert sounded. Lia and he often texted room-to-room because they knew their plans would be completely derailed if they talked face-to-face.

Lia A: Thanks for the offer of dinner, that was nice. Maybe another time?

JBB: Of course. The school year is far from over, I’m sure we’ll have other opportunities.

Lia A: You ain’t kidding. Alright, I’m out for the night. My brain has officially shut down and no more work can be completed that won’t have to be redone later. Have a good night.

JBB: WAIT

James ran out of his classroom and let out an exasperated sigh as he saw Lia’s darkened room. She’d done this before - texted him as she walked out the door, not letting him walk her home, and he wondered why. They respected each other, helped each other, even leaned on each other during the inevitably sucky times, but it seemed like every time he even hinted at something outside the work arena, she kindly but firmly declined. He grabbed his phone.

JBB: Why did you do that? I told you I would’ve walked with you.

Lia A: I know, but I peeked in and you looked like you were in a groove. I didn’t want to interrupt that. Plus it’s not far and I always carry my pepper spray and whistle. I’ll be fine.

JBB: Did anyone ever tell you you’re stubborn?

Lia A: Mr. B, I am offended.

Lia A: Sigh. Yes. In fact, it’s usually you.

JBB: Can you just let me know you arrived home safely, then?

Lia A: You got it. Thanks.

James quickly packed up his messenger bag, took one last look at the room, and snapped a picture to send to Maddie and Madison, telling them how psyched he was to see what tomorrow brought. He bid Luke goodnight, and headed home, cheered by the text alert that told him Lia was safely home.

As Lia puttered in her little apartment, she thought, as usual, about her students. Oh, who the hell was she kidding, she was also thinking about James. He was so kind, so sweet, so helpful, so…smolderingly sexy. She had been successfully immunizing herself against James’ more alluring attributes for as long as she’d known him.

She knew he was a truly good person - heck, it was rare enough to find male special educators at the elementary level, but to find one as good as he was at his job? It was like catnip - she found it incredibly hard to resist. It didn’t matter - he wasn’t offering anything that she had to resist. A while back, he told her about a girlfriend back home, or something like that, which had slammed shut the gateway to any hope of him reciprocating her feelings.

Knowing this, she still needed to recite her mantra: “He’s just a friend. You’re friends and co-workers. He has a girlfriend.” The mantra didn’t help a lot, particularly when he texted her at unexpected times - sometimes they were goofy, sometimes serious, but always sweet. It was nice to know someone was looking out for you when you lived alone.

JBB: Did you catch your show in time?

Lia A: Sigh. No. looks like I’m 0 for 5 this season. S’alright. More to binge watch this weekend.

Lia A: Thanks for checking in - good luck on the lesson tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear how great it goes!

JBB: Welcome and thank you. I’ll send you some pictures. Night.

Lia finished doing all the stuff that would let her sleep as late as possible the next morning and climbed into bed. She laughed as she tagged her team in an Instagram post and sighed when she saw how soon the alarm would be going off.

James finished packing all the stuff he needed to hit the gym before work and smiled as he saw Lia’s Instagram post. She had all her materials packed up and her clothes and lunch ready to go. The caption turned the smile into something more, “The irresistible life of a preschool teacher. You know you want it.”

“You have no idea,” as he plugged in his phone and let those thoughts lull him to sleep.

Chapter 2

@star-spangled-man-with-a-plan @suz-123

#plus size #teacher crush #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes x ofc #ofc #bekind #tumblrnewb

145 notes · View notes

branlovestowrite · 6 years

Text

Complicating Factors: Chapter 1

This is my work in progress fic, which I have only been posting on FanFiction.Net. After 12 chapters, my muse has fizzled out. I hope by revising & reposting this, I can get inspired again. Your comments and suggestions (chill vibes only!) are welcome and encouraged!

Complicating Factors

Rating: M for language and smut in later chapters

Summary: Emma Swan is a single mother trying to contact her ex and father of her child, Neal Cassidy. While she expected some awkwardness when meeting Neal's mother, Milah Gold, she never expected the undeniable attraction she feels toward Milah's younger boyfriend, Killian Jones. No Magic, Modern AU. Captain Swan.

"Swan!" Emma jumped when she heard her friend Mu call out her name. She had been lost in thought as she sat at her desk, having a slow day. She had started working at Grumpy's Bail Bonds nearly two years ago, and spent most of her time doing administrative work: helping with contracts, filing, and managing the books. Working at a bail bonds agency had a lot less excitement than what was portrayed on TV.

'Mu' was short for Mulan, but she hated using her full name, thanks to her Disney counterpart. Mu liked to remind everyone that she was born a full 8 years before that movie came out and was named after the legendary Chinese warrior, not a Disney Princess. The woman was a few years older than Emma, her features reflecting her Chinese heritage, and enhanced by her purple hair and tattoos. Mu's short stature did nothing to reduce the intimidating air she gave off as she leveled her gaze at Emma now.

"I figured you were wearing earbuds by the way you ignored me," Mu said.

"Sorry," Emma replied. "I guess I got lost in thought. I was thinking about how dull this job is compared to what we see on TV shows."

"Well, that's because you haven't been out with me to chase a skip yet. But that's all about to change. You have a date tonight."

"What?" Emma asked, confused.

"This one likes hook ups. His history showed he likes blondes, so I put your pic up on Tinder. He wants to meet you tonight."

"You used my picture as bait?!"

"Relax!" Mu said. "I'll be there the whole time. You only have to go in and keep him occupied. I'll come up and cuff him from behind. Do you have anything slutty to wear?"

Emma was flabbergasted. "I don't know about this, Mu."

"Come on Emma! You need to learn how to do this sooner or later. The payout is way better than desk duty. I'll split tonight's take with you 50/50 if that will make you feel better."

Emma was uneasy with this plan, but Mu was right that she would need to learn this sooner or later. It had been hard to find a decent-paying job after her stint in jail, and she needed to start picking up skips if she ever hoped to have enough money to give her four-year-old son, Henry, the life she felt he deserved. She took a deep breath and said "okay."

"Great!" Mu said. "Do you need me to see if Aurora can watch Henry?" Aurora was Mu's girlfriend. They met in college, finding an immediate connection through their Princess-style names.

"Maybe," Emma replied. "Let me see if Regina can get him first. He's already got things over there and he and Roland are like brothers."

Emma's time in jail came after she was arrested for cocaine possession. She and her boyfriend at the time, Neal, had never done anything more extreme than some underage drinking and pot smoking, and even those cases were very rare. Emma hated the feeling of being out of control, and tended to stay away from drugs for that reason alone. She had no idea that Neal was dealing. Unknown to her, he'd hidden some of his stash inside her suitcase. He disappeared two days before the cops came to search the apartment. After their search, they'd asked Emma to identify if the suitcase was hers, and she stupidly did. They arrested her and pumped her for information about the supplier. Though she didn't know anything, she was sentenced to two years with credit for time served. She'd learned of her pregnancy shortly after her arrest. Unable to contact Neal, and having no family to speak of at the time, she'd had no choice but to let her son go into the foster system until she could finish her sentence. She was extremely reluctant for her son to be a foster child, remembering her own bad experiences, and she begged the Social Worker to find a good situation for him. He'd been placed with Regina, and lived the first two years of his life with her, until Emma was released, able to get a job, and set up a stable home.

After being reunited with her son, Emma realized she had no help. Regina offered to step in for Henry's sake. Regina was…prickly, to put it lightly, but she did truly love Henry. She and Emma were slowly starting to build a good relationship. It helped that Regina had recently married Rob, a man she met when Henry and Rob's son, Roland, were in daycare together. Rob was a widower whose wife died in childbirth. He and Regina began dating when the kids were a little older than two, and just married in a small ceremony about 6 months ago. Emma liked Rob, and though they were only a little more than 10 years older than her, in their mid-30s, Emma looked up to Regina and Rob as her surrogate parents.

Henry and Roland were very close in age and greatly enjoyed each other's company. They still attended the same daycare and had playdates nearly every weekend. It was not uncommon for Henry to spend the night at Regina's, though Emma usually did nothing with those free nights but sit around her small apartment and binge watch shows on Netflix.

She picked up the phone to call Regina and explained the situation. Regina said she was happy to help, and offered to let Henry sleep at her house and drop him off at daycare in the morning. Emma was grateful and said she would call to talk to Henry before the boys' bedtime.

With that out of the way, she returned to the situation of what to wear on her date. She didn't have anything slutty to wear, so Mu decided they needed to go shopping.

"I don't really have the money for a dress," Emma said.

"No worries," Mu replied. "I'll put it on my credit card. I'd consider this a work-related expense."

Emma knew better than to protest. She figured that whatever dress she got would definitely not be worn again unless they had another job like this one, so it was justified as work-related expense.

A few hours later, Emma stood in the back of the office, wearing a skin tight pink dress and black heels that were higher than any she'd worn before. In addition to buying the dress and shoes, Mu had dragged her to a salon for a blowout, which left her long hair hanging in soft waves down her shoulders. They'd finished the transformation by Mu dragging her to an empty office that served as a break room, saying it had the best lighting, in order to apply makeup. Emma had never worn this much makeup in her life. Her green eyes were rimmed with black liner in a cat eye shape that was just thin enough to not be garish. Her lips were accentuated with a soft pink color that emphasized their shape and made her face glow. As she looked in the mirror Mu held up, Emma couldn't help but feel pretty.

"Hot," Mu said. "I'd bang you if I were single."

Emma blushed involuntarily. "Thanks for the compliment," she said with sarcasm.

"Remind me when we get there to take a few pictures of you before we catch the guy. It will be useful if we need to pull this Tinder sting again."

They headed out to Emma's car, an old, yellow VW Beetle and the only thing Neal knowingly ever gave her. She was surprised she got to keep it once she was released from jail. She and Neal met when she was attempting to steal the Bug, which he'd already stolen. He must have gotten a clean VIN for the car, because when she got out, the keys were returned to her. Despite the bad memories from Neal, Emma loved this car. It probably wasn't the best family car, but it was reliable and had been a huge help when she was trying to rebuild her life.

Once at the restaurant, Mu and Emma reviewed the plan one final time and headed inside. Mu wore a beanie over her purple hair, and kept her distance several paces behind Emma. Emma spotted her target at the bar and walked over to him.

"Hi," she said, putting on her most charming smile. "Are you Jack?"

"Yes," he replied, returning her smile. "You must be Emma. I have to say, I'm somewhat relieved."

"What?" she said demurely. "You thought I lied on the app?"

"Well, truth be told, your profile pic doesn't do you justice."

She put her hand on his arm and leaned in a bit closer. "Same to you."

He winked at her, and Emma felt a rush of adrenaline. This was actually kind of fun. She continued to talk with Jack while they ordered drinks. The plan was for her to maneuver him to a secluded corner table that Mu picked when she scouted out the place, but Jack was proving resistant to moving from the bar. He seemed to want to show Emma off to the other men there, which made her want to scoff in disgust.

When Jack turned away to order more drinks, she let her eyes wander around. They landed on a man across the bar who was almost too good looking to be real. He had dark hair and lightly tanned skin. A scar was on his right cheek, just above the dusting of a copper-tinted beard along his jaw. Even in the dim lighting, she could see that his eyes were a brilliant blue. Though he was sitting, she could tell he was tall and muscular, and his body language exuded confidence. He met her eyes and held her gaze, raising his right eyebrow in a curious gesture. She had to stop herself from responding with a smile, remembering that she was supposed to be here with Jack. Tearing her eyes from the delicious-looking man, she refocused on Jack, who thankfully had not noticed her distraction.

Eventually she got Jack into the corner, and Mu came up and cuffed him, just as they planned. Mu told Emma that it would be better if she took Jack to the police station in the Bug and then came back for her. Emma agreed and wandered over to the bar. She was perusing the menu for something to eat when she felt someone walk up behind her.

"That was not how I expected your evening to end, love."

A shiver ran down her spine and she turned to see Captain Delicious. In addition to his amazing looks, he had one of the sexiest accents she'd ever heard. She tried her best to school her features and not give away her attraction.

"Well," she began, "I like defying expectations."

He smiled, and his whole face lit up. He gestured to the empty stool next to her. "May I?" She inclined her head and he sat down.

"So," he said, "were you in on that performance?"

"Yes. I work with the woman who took him away. She's my friend and she's training me."

"You work as a bail bondsman?"

"Bondsperson," she corrected. "It’s not official yet. Mu just started teaching me how to catch skips. Most of my days are spent at the office doing admin work."

"I see. Could you tell me your name? Or would that blow your cover?"

She smiled. "Emma. Emma Swan."

He extended his hand and she took it. As they shook hands he said, "Killian Jones, at your service."

"It's nice to meet you, Killian."

"And you, Emma."

"So, Killian, what do you do to earn a living?"

"I'm a professor. I teach History at Storybrooke U."

"Interesting," she said, dragging the word out. "How long have you been doing that?"

"Well, in my younger days, I was in the Royal Navy. But I never saw myself as a career soldier, so when my time was up, I got out. I spent some time traveling with my brother, and we went diving on shipwrecks. I started a blog about our travels, which turned into a book deal. Then I took the money from that, went back to school, and many, many years later, ended up with my PhD in History. My specialty is Maritime History, but I mostly teach World History now."

"A PhD? So you're actually Dr. Jones?"

He laughed. "Only to my students."

Their conversation continued, and Emma found herself truly enjoying the exchange. All too soon they were interrupted by Killian's phone ringing. He looked at the screen, frowned, and silenced the ringer.

"Apologies, love. I need to make my exit. I unfortunately need to go have an unpleasant conversation."

"Is everything alright?"

"Nothing dire. I just need to go talk to my sometimes girlfriend. She's been a bit hot and cold lately."

Emma's heart sank a little. Of course a gorgeous guy like him would have a girlfriend. She put on a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she extended her hand and said "It was really nice meeting you, Killian."

"You too, Emma. I hope I can see you again. Do you come to this bar often?"

She shook her head from side to side. "This is my first time here."

He fished out his wallet and placed one of his business cards on the bar in front of hers. "Well, if I can ever do anything for you, please reach out to me."

"Thanks," she said, unable to hide her disappointment at his departure. He put a hand on her shoulder and winked at her. Even that innocent touch was enough to fan the flame inside. He seemed to realize this, smirking as he walked away without another word. His arrogance helped her move beyond her attraction, and she scoffed out loud.

She put his card in her purse, finished her drink, and closed out her tab. When she stood to leave, Mu was there with a happy look on her face.

"All done!" she said. "Leroy will get you your cut tomorrow. Let's head back to the office so I can get my car. I need a hot shower."

"Sounds great," Emma said, following her friend out of the bar.

The next day started well, with Emma collecting her payout and finding herself $500 richer. She was tempted to spend it all on something frivolous, but she decided it would be better to save it. Nearly all of it went to her savings account, but she did set aside $50 to take Henry to do something fun that weekend.

After that she quickly finished the paperwork she had waiting, and gave a client a ride to court. When she got back it was lunch time and she was out of things to do. Mu wa in, so Emma decided to work on her personal project: trying to track down Neal.

Emma would be perfectly happy if she never saw Neal again, but she knew that wasn't fair to Henry. He was starting to ask questions about his father. Emma had considered lying and saving her son some pain, but Regina counseled her against it. After considering Regina's advice, Emma had told Henry that she didn't know where his father was, but that she would do everything she could to find him so they could meet.

The trouble was, Neal Cassidy was hard to find. There was no record of him in Boston. It was a somewhat common name, but every lead she tracked down was a bust. After a while, she started to lose hope. Luckily, her friend David, a police detective, offered his services to help.

Emma met David through his wife, Mary Margaret, a teacher at Henry's daycare. Mary Margaret was quite possibly the most upbeat person Emma had ever met, but she was so genuine that you couldn't help but like her. David was not quite as chipper as his wife, but still annoyingly positive. They were good people, and Emma was happy to have their help. She hadn't heard from him lately, but still felt it couldn't hurt to call.

"David Nolan," he answered when she called his cell.

"Have you still not saved my number in your phone, Dave? Or are you just messing with me?"

"Nope, still haven't saved it. I like the mystery of not knowing who's calling me."

"You're weird," Emma replied.

"I'm glad you called. I was meaning to call you. I got a lead on your project."

"You did?" Emma was cautious. She'd run into so many dead ends in this search.

"Yeah. I came across some arrest records from about 15 years ago. A kid gave the name Neal Cassidy at arrest, but his real name was Neal Gold."

"Of course!" She exclaimed. "He gave me a fake name. I'll add that to the list of lies he told me."

“Well, the trail runs cold there, but he was picked up by a woman named Milah Gold. She was listed as his mother."

"Milah Gold...I'll look her up. Maybe I can find her and get to Neal that way. Thanks Dave!"

"Happy to help. Oh, and Mary Margaret mentioned having you and Henry over for dinner Friday night. You in?"

"Sure. I'll let her know when I pick up Henry this afternoon."

"Great. See you then, Emma."

Emma hung up feeling refreshed. She began searching for more information about Milah Gold, and the search was immediately fruitful. Milah owned a small boutique in a trendy part of town that sold vintage clothes. Emma decided to pay the boutique a visit that afternoon, before she lost her nerve.

She parked a few blocks down from the boutique, in the first open spot she found. Taking a deep breath, she began to walk to the store. Unfortunately, she wasn't paying attention where she was going and ran right into a man carrying two cups of coffee, which were spilled all over her white shirt.

"Fuck!" She cried out. The coffee wasn't too hot, thankfully, but it stained her shirt and her bra was now clearly visible under the wet fabric. She looked up, ready to chew out the offender, when she recognized his blue eyes.

"Emma?" He asked before she could say anything.

"Killian...hi," she replied, giving him an awkward smile.

"I didn't expect to see you here."

"I could say the same."

"I'm here to-" he started, but was interrupted by the shop door opening and a stunningly beautiful woman with flowing brown hair stepping out. She was taller than Emma, and looked to be somewhere in her 40's.

"Killian?" The brunette asked. "Is everything alright?"

"Milah," he replied. "I'm afraid there was a bit of a mishap with our coffees." He pointed to Emma.

"Oh no!" Milah replied, taking in Emma's soaked shirt. "Come inside dear. I am sure I can find you something to replace the shirt my boyfriend so haphazardly ruined."

It took Emma a moment to connect the dots. "Milah?" She asked. "Milah Gold?"

Milah stopped and stared at Emma. "Yes...and you are…?" Her tone was wary, but not unkind.

Killian stepped in. "This is Emma Swan."

"You know each other?" Milah asked. "Are you one of Killian's students?"

"Um...no," began Emma. She remembered Killian mentioning there was some tension with his girlfriend, and she chose to take his lead on this.

"Emma and I met the other night at Tony's. She had some trouble with her date."

Milah smiled, but there was definitely some jealousy there. "Always the gentleman."

Milah pulled Emma inside and found a shirt for her. She led the younger woman to the changing room and Emma gratefully replaced her shirt with the much nicer sweater. She tried to pay Milah for the item, but Milah refused, saying she would put it on Killian's tab.

"So," she said after Emma was cleaned up. "What brings you here?"

Emma sucked in her breath. This was awkward, but she would not back down. She hated disappointing her son.

"Do you have a son, Neal?"

"Yes…" Milah said.

"He and I used to date. I haven't heard from him in almost five years, but I really need to talk to him."

"Why?"

"Well, you see, he and I have a son together. Neal doesn't know about Henry. I want my son to have the chance to meet his father."

"Neal has a son?" Milah asked. "You mean to tell me that I'm a grandmother?"

"It would appear so," Emma responded. She took out her phone and showed Milah a picture of Henry.

"Oh," Milah replied. "He looks just like Neal did as a boy."

"Do you know where I can find Neal?"

"I'm sorry, no. I haven't spoken to my son in ten years. We're not on the best terms. Maybe Robert can help.”

"Robert?"

"My ex-husband." Milah replied. "He's a lawyer, but he also teaches at Storybrooke U."

"With Killian?"

"Different department, love," Killian chimed in. "He teaches contract law."

Milah seemed to have forgotten Killian was there. She stepped closer to her boyfriend and looped her arm with his in a clearly possessive gesture.

"I don't like talking to my ex, but I agree that Neal should know he has a child. I'll reach out to Robert. Could you come by again on Saturday, maybe around 10? I should have an answer then. And maybe you could bring my grandson? I'd love to meet him."

Emma was unsure, but decided to continue on this path. Milah was obviously insecure about her relationship, but she figured it couldn't hurt for Henry to get to know another family member.

"Okay," she said. "We can do that."

"Great!" Milah said. She picked up a business card from the holder by the register and circled her cell phone number. "Call me if anything changes. I can't wait to meet Henry!"

Despite Milah's territorial behavior, Emma could see she was truly was excited about meeting Henry. She gave Milah a warm smile and said goodbye. Just then a customer came through the door, carrying a box of clothes. Milah indicated this was a client who was selling some pieces, and asked Killian if he would go get new coffees for them. They gave each other a chaste kiss and Killian followed Emma out the door.

Killian and Emma stood awkwardly looking at one another, just outside the store's entrance. He began nervously scratching behind his ear before saying "she's a good woman, Milah is. She's had a hard go of it, but she's got a good heart."

"Good to know," Emma said. Even now she couldn't shake the attraction she felt toward this man. He now had his hands in his pockets, the muscles of his forearms flexing as they peeked out from his rolled up shirt sleeves. She caught herself staring a moment too late, and looked up to see him with that damn eyebrow cocked up again.

"I have to go," she said as she felt her cheeks turn crimson. "See you around Killian."

"You too, Swan."

Emma got in her car and berated herself. What was she doing? This man was dating a woman she'd just learned was her son's grandma. Was she really lusting after a man who was, for all intents and purposes, Henry's step-grandfather?

#cs fanfics #cs fanfic #cs ff #ouat fanfiction #ouat ff #killian jones #emma swan #milah #complicating factors fanfic

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coleymari-blog · 7 years

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A War Fought at Home : Chapter 6

Corporal Natsu Dragneel has been through Hell, and unfortunately for him, the ride isn’t quite over. How will a new Rehab program at the local VA help? And will a certain blonde help make matters better?

Modern Military AU. Warnings for mentions of depression and adult language/situations. Other warnings to come as the story progresses. Cross post on AO3 and FF.net.

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

“--THE FUCK?! So you just offered up our house?!”

In all honesty, Gray had every right to be upset. It wasn't like Natsu had given away the last of their beer or something, he'd offered their spare bedroom to a seemingly random college girl! The two Marines had at one time discussed the possibility of renting out that room sometime in the future, but that plan had always been dependent on Natsu and his progress.

“If I didn't, she'd have to drop out and move back to Acalypha, Ice Dick,” Natsu replied as he wheeled himself over to the sink to drop his dishes in the sink, his voice taking on a somewhat whiny tone against his will. At least he had waited until they were home to drop the bomb. He had brought it up over dinner, initially causing the Sergeant to choke on his pasta, but eventually Gray had gathered enough rage to just let Natsu have it.

“And this is our problem how…?” Gray snapped, immediately beginning to wash the dishes, handing the dripping ones down to Natsu for drying.

“Because she's nice and deserves help?” What else was he supposed to say? Oh, she needs to move in with us so I don't have to say goodbye to the one female that doesn't look at me like a puppy in a cone collar? Natsu shook his head and sighed. “Come on. It's only for a year until she graduates.” He racked his brain for any other argument he could muster. A thought came to mind but it was the cheapest move in the book. “Maybe she has cute friends that like guys in uniform?”

Gray huffed grumpily as he continued to wash the same plate he’d be working on for the past couple minutes. Natsu could tell that his best friend was more upset by Natsu’s single minded decision making than he was by the prospect of Lucy moving in. All Natsu had to do was find the right switch to flip and Lucy would have the green light. When Gray finally handed off his plate, he looked down at Natsu and cocked his head to the side slightly, as if trying to read the other Marine like a book. A moment passed before Gray spoke again, his gaze falling in defeat. “You know we’ll have to actually keep this place clean then, right?”

YES! Natsu thanked his roommate rapidly before speeding off for his room to grab his phone. He happily shot a text off to Lucy before he heaved himself out of his chair and flopped onto his bed. Folding his sculpted arms underneath his head, the salmon-haired Marine breathed in deeply before allowing himself to sink further into his mattress, but not before his face lit up with the biggest shit eating grin he had ever donned. Lucy moving in meant that he’d get to see her every day, eat meals with her, watch movies together, everything he craved to do with her but couldn't in the capacity he really desired. But if he didn't stand a chance to be her boyfriend, at least he could be her favorite roommate. With the fantasy of Lucy running through his mind, of her hips swaying down his hallway, casting the sweetest smile over her shoulder as she shut her door for the night, Natsu let sleep overcome him.

The next morning, he woke up surprisingly refreshed. No nightmares, no cold sweats, nothing. All that awaited him were a million grateful texts from Lucy and the sounds of Gray already hard at work fixing up the spare room. Natsu could hear his best friend shuffling boxes down the hall, stopping in the living room, and back again for the next load. Maybe they could use him and his chair like a dolly. At least they’d get done quicker.

The Marine hoisted himself into his wheelchair, not bothering to change out of his standard-issue sweatpants and tanktop. He immediately rolled out into the hall and over to the doorframe in order to watch Gray work. Surprisingly there wasn’t much left to do. The furniture from when they moved in was again visible instead of being buried under duty bags and old boxes. There was a metal bookcase in the back corner that Natsu knew Lucy would appreciate, a full bed situated in the middle of the back wall beneath a large uncovered window that opened up to their spacious (and rarely occupied) backyard. The matching dresser was covered in an inch-thick layer of dust but was beautiful nonetheless. Gunny had made them himself but they’d never really been used by the boys. Gray had his own furniture from before he moved in and Natsu had to replace all his with medical grade equipment after his accident. The only time the pinket remembered the room being used at all was when his sister Wendy had come to visit shortly after he had returned home.

“Nice of you to join me, Asshole,” Gray muttered as he stripped away his t-shirt and used it to wipe the sweat from his brow. He threw a semi-empty box over by the door right next to Natsu’s feet. “We gotta start going through this bullshit. She has to move in before the First, right?”

Natsu grinned devilishly as he leaned over, grabbed the box, and dropped it in his lap. He didn’t even want to fight Gray about the teasing, reveling in the normalcy of it all. Most people would have taken offense to being called something derogatory but to Natsu and Gray, it was nothing more than pet names between brothers. Over the past couple months, as Natsu grew stronger, Gray acted more normal by the day. At first, it started off with small things like not doing every little thing for him and eventually grew to include the hurling of casual insults. If he was being honest, Natsu had to admit that it raised his spirits a bit, but not nearly as much as the prospect of Lucy moving in with them.

Looking down into his lap, he noticed the cardboard box contained the remnants of his Service days. Pictures of his teams, medals and commendations, the works. Before he knew it, another box was being added on top of the first, almost completely obstructing his sight in all directions. “Yup, she’ll have to start moving in here in about two weeks,” he replied as he carefully rolled back to his room and dropped the mementos in the corner. Natsu brushed off the dust off his sweats before heading back to the other room. “You sure you’re okay shacking up with a girl?”

Gray hopped up and sat on top of the dresser, leaning back against the wall. “Nah, it’s just a year right?” he scoffed while staring up at the white popcorn ceiling. “And having a chick around might not be such a bad thing. This place could use a serious ‘feminine touch’.” Both Marines laughed at the slight truth in Gray’s statement before he jumped down and made his way to his bedroom next door. He quickly headed for the shower, managing to lose his basketball shorts somewhere between the two, and left Natsu alone to take in the sight of the now empty room. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to imagine what Lucy’s room might look like. The empty beige walls were suddenly covered in all sorts of photos, the bed draped with her favorite starry quilt. She would probably need some kind of desk for her writing, but he still had his that was hardly ever used. The twinkling sounds of his cell phone ringing dragged the veteran out of his daydreaming and forced him back into the real world.

Wheeling into his room, Natsu groaned when he found his former teammate calling. A picture of the orange-maned, playboy wiggled over the screen before Natsu actually forced himself to pick up, mainly just to make it stop. “Yo, Leo, what’s up Brother?” he murmured, trying to sound asleep. One could only hope he’d be spared if Loke thought he’d interrupted something.

“Salamander, tonight the boys and I are going out since the Dragon Twins are back from their last Tour,” the other Marine slurred as if he’d already started ‘celebrating’. “Grab the Ice Princess and meet us at this bar downtown called Fairy Tail. No one has seen your ugly ass in ages.”

Natsu feigned amusement. “I’ll relay the message, but you guys can make complete fools of yourselves without me thanks.” While he knew he probably should go, mostly because of Gildarts’ relentless nagging in the back of his mind, that didn’t mean he necessarily wanted to go. Seeing the boys would be great if they didn’t want to go somewhere like a downtown hotspot. It’s not like they were the most handicapable places in the world.

Loke’s whining made Natsu yank the phone off his ear. “Come on man, I’m being serious.” A small huff came through the line after silence had fallen between the two brothers-in-arms. “At least think about it? Everyone would really like to see you, Boss.”

Eventually Natsu conceded to the augmented request. “I make no promises.” And that was that. Rushed goodbyes left the pinket alone once more to wallow in his thoughts.

Could it really be so bad?

Hours later, once night had fallen over Magnolia, Gray and Natsu trudged their way up to the line waiting outside the newest hub for local nightlife. After some heated debates and multiple decision changes, the two ultimately dressed and headed out to meet their Squad mates. The group of Marines wasn’t exactly difficult to spot, the four of them sticking out like well-postured thumbs. Natsu immediately made out Loke and the ‘twins’ better known as Sting and Rogue. The two riflemen had grown up together, enlisted together, and served together, earning them the familial title. Gajeel held up the rear, grinning menacingly as the two joined the group. They all shared their raucous pleasantries before they were finally admitted to the club.

At least the monstrosity had one benefit. Due to Natsu’s wheelchair, the staff of Fairy Tail bumped them up to first class so that the group could have access to the booths. There was a ramp up onto the raised platform hidden on the side of the main room and the six of them quickly found their way to their table.

“First round is on me, boys!” Loke exclaimed, trying to be heard clearly over the booming music. And before anyone could stop him, the redhead was weaving through the crowds to get to the bar. The rest of them settled down and began catching up, sharing the highlights of what had happened in the past year and a half. When Loke returned, not only was he carrying a tray full of glasses and a bottle of firewhiskey, he was also smirking in his trademark fashion.

“Check out the pack of babes by the bar,” he instructed as he directed their attention to the bar. Each of them craned their necks in order to get a glance at whoever Loke was talking about. It didn’t take their trained eyes long to find their targets and Natsu felt as if his heart was going to beat out of his chest. Luckily he didn’t have to say anything. Gray did that for him.

“Hey Natsu! Isn’t that Lucy?!” he mocked, wryly sipping his whiskey. She was surrounded by other girls, a couple he recognized from photos she had shown him. Queue the casual ribbing.

Sting, the blonder half of the Twins, soon broke up the teasing as he announced his intentions. “Well, if you guys wanna circle jerk all night, be my guest. I’m going to get to know those girls over there.” His sights turned on Natsu before he downed the rest of his drink. “Wanna introduce me to the hot one?”

Natsu’s world turned red. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance to react before Sting was already cutting through the crowd. He sat faithfully and watched as his comrade infiltrated the group, never once gesturing back to the other Marines. However, the longer he made himself watch, the sicker he became. The last thing he saw before finishing off his own drink and excusing himself from his brothers was Sting closing the gap and running his fingers through the very strands of gold that had been haunting Natsu’s dreams for weeks.

Hey y'all! Hope you enjoyed this one. It's a bit of a filler chapter but trust me, you're going to like where this is going. Thank you all for wishing me well these past couple weeks. Thankfully I'm feeling better (mostly) but the stress from normal life is no bueno. I'm thankful I get to come and write here, and that y'all are coming along on the ride with me. :)

#nalu fanfic #nalu fic #ftfanfics #a war fought at home #;awfah

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trekadvisers · 5 years

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Mommy Points: The Balancing Act of Work Travel as a Parent

Courtesy of The Points Guy by Summer Hull

“Mom, why weren’t you at my school party today? All the other moms were there.” I was hoping she wouldn’t notice. I was hoping that there wouldn’t be a critical mass of parents who came, so that my absence wouldn’t be so obvious. Or maybe I was just hoping she would forget by the time she saw me, so I could dodge this guilt bullet. But my 3-year-old was right: I wasn’t there. I was away for work. When you are a parent whose work requirements include travel, you’re going to miss things at home with your kids. Let me repeat that for the overachievers in the front: You cannot do it all. Eventually, you’re going to miss something. Something big. I haven’t only missed a school party. I’ve missed theater performances, rodeo days, themed lunches, a school play and end-of-year celebrations. Sure, I’ll never forget seeing my eldest daughter walk for the first time, but I didn’t see it happen in our backyard or in the living room or on a beach. No, I saw her first steps on a grainy, jerky cellphone video that I got by text while I was eating alone at a restaurant bar on a work trip on a cold, dark night in 2010. FaceTime may have made the picture clearer in the intervening nine years, but it hasn’t at all numbed the sting of missing important moments like that. Before my tiny violin becomes too ear-piercing, let’s clarify something: I know I’m lucky to have a job that includes travel. But you never stop questioning whether your career and the opportunities and experiences it brings will ever erase the memory of that look in your kids’ eyes when you tell them you won’t be there at the big or recital. Add in a line or two about how all the other parents were there, and you’re on the express train to I’m-a-Crappy-Parentville. So how do you manage traveling for work and being an involved parent? I’m almost 10 years into this balancing act, and there’s still not going to be a pretty bow to tie up the story, as it’s just not easy. But some things do help balance being a parent with being a work traveler.

If you can go, go

You’re going to miss some things, so don’t miss the things you don’t have to. I go to some second- and third-tier kid events because I’m going to miss some of the big ones. (I hope I don’t miss the huge things.) It really does help if I show up for things that feel optional. I’ve been the rock star of reading day at the elementary school for three years running, while most parents opt out. I may have been out of town for Donuts With Divas (aka female-caregiver appreciation day), but I read the heck out of “The Day the Crayons Quit.”

Make up new events

I recently caught wind of an early Mother’s Day brunch at my 3-year-old’s preschool that I am 98% sure is on a day I have to be out of town. My Plan B is to make up a new event. If I’m missing this special lunch at school, I’m going to instead work with the teacher for me to come and eat lunch there another day that week. It’s not going to erase my not being there, but it will create its own special memories.

Go eat lunch at school, even if it isn’t a special “parents day”

Find a surrogate

We moved to the town where I grew up just a few months after my first daughter was born because we quickly learned that, as two working parents, we needed reinforcements. We’re still there nine years later. When Josh and I can’t be at something, we call in the grandma and grandpa. It doesn’t have to be grandparents, but try and find someone to fill in at big things when you just can’t make it.

Talk every day — if they want to

I don’t care where I am, with the ease of FaceTime, I’m going to talk to my kids each day I’m gone. Other families like to record videos and send them to each other during the day, which can be handy should your travels take you to significantly different time zones. Set an alarm or reminder if you must, but step out of whatever you are doing at some point in the day and see how the day went at home. The one caveat to this is that if the kids don’t feel like talking that day, they don’t have to. They can just say a brief hello and keep doing what they’re doing.

Last in, first out

Long gone are the days when I’d tack on a weekend (or even an extra night) to weekday work trips. I’m going to arrive as late as I can and leave as early as I can. Ideally, I like to get the kids off to school and then head to the airport instead of leaving before they wake up. I also do everything I can to not miss a weekend day at home, even though that can get tricky with Monday-morning starts. Some of this can’t be entirely controlled when you’re not the boss, but 100 times out of 100, I book the absolute shortest time away possible.

Don’t overpromise

I’ve messed this one up more than once, but try not to promise the moon. Don’t mention you may get to come home early if you aren’t sure, or unless you’ve found a way to control weather, maintenance delays and air-traffic control (in which case, call me). Approximately one out of five flights in the United States is delayed, so tell your kids your travel schedule, but say things like “I’m scheduled to fly home to you tonight” instead of “I’ll be home for dinner” until you know for sure.

Put the school schedule on your calendar

You have a work calendar and you have a school calendar (and dance calendar, baseball schedule, performance schedule, etc.). Merge all the separate calendars into a single schedule early, and update this main calendar often enough that you know what is coming up and can at least be aware of potential conflicts, if not outright avoid them.

Points, points, points

Turn those work trips into family vacations by earning points. Register for every hotel promo you can find, enter that frequent flyer number on your flights, and make work pay for play. You get a gold star if you can teach your kids about the value of points and miles so that they get at least a little excited for that part of the equation.

Photo by Shelby Soblick for The Points Guy

Clear the schedule when you return

I work some nasty hours on the road because I want to have a minute or two to focus on the family when I get home. Skip that inflight movie binge on the return flight home and instead knock out a few hours of work so that you might have a little more time the next day to focus on the people who matter the most.

If all else fails …

If all this fails, consider good, old-fashioned bribery. I do not bring home gifts for my girls from every trip, but if I’ve really missed something, or if they just really missed me, I try to bring a peace offering back with me. This is not sustainable with regular travel, but it is an ace in the hole every once in a while.

Bottom Line

Work travel gets exponentially harder as a parent of a young kid — doubly so if your partner also travels for work, and even harder still if you’re a single parent. But work travel isn’t something you have to avoid as a parent, it’s just something that you manage as best you can and then pick up the pieces when best-laid plans fall apart. And I’ll be real: Right now, with multiple work trips and multiple end-of-the-school-year big events going on in my kids’ lives, this is all a work in progress, so please share your tips for balancing work travel and parenting. Featured image by Lisa Weatherbee/The Points Guy

Original Article: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/balancing-work-travel-as-a-parent/

Check out the original post here: http://www.jamcosolutionsllc.com/mommy-points-the-balancing-act-of-work-travel-as-a-parent/

#Mommy Points: The Balancing Act of Work Travel as a Parent #travel #traveler #travel addict #travel blog

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greensword101 · 7 years

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For a few months now, I was looking through BH6 fanart and I found this art depicting a younger!Hiro doing several different activities, and the last one on the bottom of the picture had him in his super-hero outfit. The first thing that came to mind was "What If Hiro Were Younger During The Story?"

And a week or so ago, I found this little post on Tumblr sharing my thoughts and thinking that it would have made the story a lot darker. I had been working on pieces of the story for almost 2 months now, just some scenes here and there, but the first chapter was the one that got the most work done on it.

So before I bore anyone, let me conclude that this will be an AU where everything stays the same except for Hiro's age. Please be warned that this story will be darker than the movie - it was pretty dark already with some of its themes - and will deal with some big issues as well as the story progresses.

I plan on avoiding the pitfalls of following every part of the story exactly the way it did because age really makes a difference. Don't expect anything to be exactly the same. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

: Hiro Hamada: Bot FighterNotes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes)

Tonight was the night.

The air was cold and crisp, his breath visible in the dark. Not unusual for a late February evening…or as late as 8:00 could be.

He walked down the street with his hood up, trying to keep his ears warm. Hands shoved into his pockets, fingers curled up in an effort to fight the cold, twitching here and there. He could barely contain himself, his entire body coursed with energy. Streetlights were slowly being turned on, the buildings becoming darker and grayer, graffiti decorating the walls. A trolley screeched past, bringing few passengers inside. Was the nearest stop close to the meeting area this time?

How much further? A quick look at the GPS said at least two more city blocks. 1800 feet. 162.2 square feet. 21600 inches. Any distance that made it seem like he was getting there. He was so close, and it still felt like a journey away.

Noises began to echo down the sidewalk. The sounds of metal grinding against metal could be heard too. Jeers and boos could be made out, though the words were incomprehensible. If he was correct, then the GPS was just trying to get him to take the long way again. But if he wasn't, would his back-up plan keep him safe? He felt around in his pockets, feeling around for the two most important things he needed tonight.

He followed the noise until it the building to his left divided into two, leaving an opening in the middle. The noise was stronger now, he had to cover his ears.

A large crowd circled in the alley. He could squeeze past them without much difficulty, they ignored him, not seeing his size as something to worry about. It was possible that the crowd didn't even realize someone was trying to push through. When he made it through the thicket of legs, he could get a better look. There were still people in front of him, holding robots in their hands of different designs. One painted with flames. Another with wheels for hands and feet.

Another looked like a beach ball, large enough that its owner, a young woman, couldn't hold it. He liked that bot the best, it was white and orange all over and had a little head on top. Whatever it could do in a bot fight, it could clearly act on its own. It made beeping sounds that the three owners seemed to understand completely, and was even able to move around on its own without a remote control visible.

But the real action was in the center of the space made by the crowd. Two robots, one standing at two feet while the other was double its height, faced each other. The foot-tall robot was stout with a small head equipped with a samurai helmet and wielding a shield in one hand and razer-claws in the other. A quick look from behind the bot, seeing its owner, over six-feet tall and fat stretching out the jacket and sweatpants he was wearing. The man looked like he belonged in a sumo ring. Maybe he was a sumo?

A giggle rumbled through his chest and escaped from his lips before a hand clamped over it. He had to be quiet. He didn't want anyone to notice him. Yet. Watching a fight happen was always good, it gave him a chance to figure out what his opponents were like.

Sumo's opponent was a teenaged girl with purple hair and wearing goggles. A smart idea, sparks could hit your eyes if you weren't careful. There wasn't much else to say. It was the bots he was focusing on, Sumo just looked more interesting, too, no offense to Goggle-Girl.

He could see her fingers jabbing rapidly at the buttons on her remote. Her robot, small and narrow with pincer hands, bobbed and weaved, striking and dodging the fat robot's blows. It struck a few times, knocking its opponent down. The fat robot picked itself and caught the pincer bot's leg, dragging it down and began spinning it around like a pinwheel.

As it poised for the killing blow, the fat robot caught the arm with one hand and struck its opponent with the other, the circular hand suddenly spiked, hacking at the helpless robot hitting it in an effortless attempt to escape. If it has a voice, he thought it might have screamed.

Only scrap metal remained where the smaller robot once stood.

A woman with an eye-patch holding a dish with money it in circled the 'arena.' She said. "And the winner by TOTAL. ANNIHILATION. …YAMA!"

Sumo, also known as Yama, but would still be called Sumo in his mind, raised a fist in triumph. He bared his teeth at the crowd, shoveling the money off the tray and into his jacket. "Anyone else want to go against Yama?"

No response.

There was a noise like something was being ripped apart for a moment. A quick look behind showed someone holding the body of a robot in one hand and the robot's head in another. It was saddening, to see someone quit before anything even happened. He saw the girl with the beach-ball robot stand in front of it protectively, as if someone would try taking it away from her.

Now was his chance!

"I-I'll try." His voice shook and came out squeaking. No one except for the Eye-Patch Lady seemed to hear him. He cleared his throat and said louder. "I'll give it a try. I have a robot."

He dug into his jacket and pulled out Megabot, made up of three parts, each with a circular center with sides extending out on each side. There was a smiley face painted on the center part of the piece on top.

Now people noticed him. Some were starting to whisper with each other, "What's a kid doing here?"

"Where are his parents?"

"That kid's crazy."

"Yama'll crush him."

Sumo bellowed a laugh, encouraging some of the audience to do so as well. The girl with the Beach Ball robot frowned and pulled out her phone. Probably sending a message onto PlaceBook about some little kid Bot-fighting. That's happened plenty of times before for the past few months, now.

Eye-Patch Lady glared at him. "Where are your parents, kid?"

"Back home." He lied. "But they know I'm here."

"Age?"

"Ten, but I look a lot younger." He had just turned eight three months after graduating high school. That got a few chuckles of disbelief.

Eye-Patch Lady continued frowning. Sumo frowned too.

"I don't deal with brats." Sumo said. "And it's a 'you pay to play' rule. No freebees. No exceptions."

"I have money." He dug into his jacket pocket and pulled out several rolled-up wads of cash. Sumo's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He could almost hear the thoughts going through the older man's head: The brat's serious?!

"What's your name, little boy?" Sumo said as his frown curved into a large smile. He shuddered, hoping that Microbot would handle him too.

"H-Hiro." He said. "Hiro Hamada."

"Gutsy kid." Eye-Patch Lady muttered. She walked over to Hiro and held out the tray, huffing as she did so. This was no different from the other times he went through this. People would laugh, they might even coo at him when he brought out Megabot, and it took a little extra admission to take a part in the action. He had burst into tears the first time he was laughed at.

"Place the money here and don't cry if you lose."

"I won't." Hiro smiled. This was it. Sumo pulled several wads of cash out of his track jacket – he could see bare skin underneath, gross! – and placed it on the outstretched tray. Hiro stood on his tippy-toes and placed the money rolls onto the tray too – Eye-Patch Lady didn't bother trying to bring the tray low enough and even nearly snapped the lid over his fingers when he was adding a few extra coins – and made his way to the center of the 'arena'. There was a circular mat in front of him as well as one in front of Sumo.

"Last chance to walk out with your money, brat." Sumo said. He still had that sneer on his face.

"I'm good." Hiro shook his head. He looked at Sumo's robot and added. "Your robot's really cool. How'd you make it?"

Sumo glared at him. "You're not mocking Yama, are you?"

Hiro frowned. "No…I think it looks nice. I saw what it did with that other bot. How'd you make it?"

Sumo's face lightened up a little. That didn't make him seem any friendlier-looking, though. "Not much of an engineer, but money can work wonders. Never saw that thing being sold anywhere before."

"Megabot?" Hiro looked down at his creation and back at Sumo. "I made him."

"Awww." Sumo sneered. "Do you sleep in bed with that thing?"

"No…"

Eye-Patch Lady walked into the arena. "Fighters, ready your Bots!"

Hiro watched Sumo sit on his own mat with his legs crisscross and imitated the action. When Sumo placed his robot in front of him, Hiro put Megabot in front of him as well. A moment later, he pulled out the controller for Megabot, just two analog sticks on the small device…at the moment.

Eye-Patch Lady pulled out an ancient-looking umbrella – the kind that didn't look like could be useful in rain – and held it between the two Bots in the arena.

Sumo cracked his neck menacingly. Hiro cracked his knuckles, trying to get the blood flowing.

Eye-Patch Lady looked at the two of them and said. "Two Bots enter, one Bot le –"

"Oh, thank God, Hiro! There you are!" The girl with the beach ball-bot came running into the center of the arena and pulled Hiro into an embrace. Hiro automatically began struggling against the contact, kicking and scratching as best as he could.

"Help! Kidnapper!" He cried. No one came to his aid.

"You know this brat?" Eye-Patch Lady asked. Other voices started muttering among themselves in confusion, like frightened sheep.

"My brother." The girl spoke quickly. The beach-ball bot started beeping, as if it would confirm her words.

"Liar, she's lying!" Hiro yelled. He tugged at the girl, but she just gripped more tightly until his arm started to hurt.

Eye-Patch Lady didn't seem to hear him and continued speaking to the girl as she started dragging Hiro away from the arena. "I don't see a resemblance."

"I'm his step-sister." The girl replied. Her voice quivered a little.

"Are we Bot-fighting or not?!" Sumo bellowed. Was this guy used to having to wait for something? The crowd was starting to look annoyed too. Some of them were even waving their fists threateningly at the girl.

"No. This match is cancelled." The girl continued dragging Hiro away until several members of the crowd intercepted, blocking the way out. Hiro silently thanked them for intervening. Eye-Patch Lady walked in front of them. Beach-ball bot started wailing threateningly.

"Wanna tell us who you really are, missy?" Eye-Patch Lady asked. She smiled viciously. "We don't appreciate liars."

"I'm telling you the truth, I'm Hiro's older sister through marriage. Our brother's been worried sick and we've been looking all over for the tyke." Brother? This was starting to sound like that boring book about the orphan that went on and on and on. The girl even had a British accent!

Sumo sounded more annoyed now. "I'm not interested in some cock-and-bull story, I want –"

"Yes, yes, we all know you want to Bot-fight, but could you please be quiet and let the grown-ups talk?" The girl said dryly.

That proved to be the wrong thing to say.

A moment later, Hiro felt himself being separated from the girl and watched as she was pushed against a wall. Sumo was right in her face and looked like he was going to hit her.

"No one mocks Yama!" He bellowed. He glanced at some of the people in the crowd, the same ones that had stopped Hiro and the girl from leaving. "Teach her a lesson."

There was a loud beeping sound and then Hiro felt something roll past him and get in-between the girl and her would-be attackers.

"BB-8, don't!" The girl pleaded. "I can handle this."

Hiro felt something yank the hood of his jacket, choking him as he was dragged back to the arena. He was pushed back onto his mat and faced a glaring Sumo, ready to commit murder.

"Bot-fight. Now. No interruptions."

Alright, that wasn't what he was hoping for, but –finally! But it didn't feel that great to get to business without interruption. Sumo was starting to scare him a bit. He took one last look at the girl and stopped. Hiro took a deep breath.

"Want to make this interesting?" Hiro smiled politely. He was thankful that his voice wasn't trembling.

Sumo said in an aggravated voice. "What?"

"If I win, you tell your friends to let her go." Hiro pointed to the girl, baring her fists out for a fight. "But if you win…um…"

There was no way Sumo would be satisfied with just his money…

"I keep the robot." Sumo sneered, clearly enjoying his attempts at intimidation.

"I can always make another one." Hiro shrugged automatically. He began calculating how long it would take to make a second Megabot after all of those trials and errors. Six months, with Dashi sometimes giving a few pointers, was only enough to make Megabot move in one direction. He was starting to forget the small, but important details, but it wasn't something that his book couldn't help him out with.

"Not that pathetic thing!" Sumo snapped. Hiro glared indignantly. Sumo pointed at the beach-ball bot. "That one."

The beach-ball bot began beeping in alarm, as if it understood what was being said.

"Please, don't!" The girl was ignored. There was sounds of scuffling, fists being thrown and more grunts of pain were coming from the thugs than the girl.

"Deal." Hiro nodded. So much for his original plan. He reached for his remote and extended it. Sumo blinked in surprise.

Eye-Patch Lady was back in the center. She was starting to look impatient. "Two Bots enter…yadayadayda. GO!"

"Prepare to feel the wrath of Little Yama!" Sumo bellowed. Hiro shuddered. He didn't know why, but that name sounded…wrong!

Megabot sat limply, waiting for a command as Little Yama marched towards it.

"Megabot." Hiro grinned menacingly. "Destroy!"

His fingers began jamming at buttons and toggles, the smiley face on Megabot probably got replaced with a more menacing expression now if he was guessing the reactions correctly. No one ever laughed when the faces changed. Little Yama slammed its blade down, but Megabot already disassembled itself and began snaking across the concrete. One piece made its way up Little Yama's body while the others followed suit. Hiro wanted to show off a little more, but…he looked back at the girl, now being physically restrained again while the beach-ball bot was backed into a corner.

All three pieces reconnected and made a noose around Little Yama's neck, spinning around and around until it popped off. The arms still swung at Megabot wildly for a few moments until stopping, being pinned down by the separate pieces of Megabot and ripped out of the body in a few seconds. Hiro smiled as Megabot reassembled and leapt off Little Yama's 'corpse', stopping in front of Hiro before bowing and becoming lifeless once more.

There was no cheering, no protests, only silence. And then there was the sound of fists colliding with flesh and several thuds!

Too bad for Little Yama. Hiro thought smugly.

"A deal's a deal, Yama." Hiro smirked. He looked at the shocked Eye-Patch Lady and cleared his throat. She quickly rushed over to him and lowed the tray to his height. As Hiro scooped up his winnings into his jacket pocket, he felt someone rush up to him, prepared to pull him into an embrace. Hiro pushed away, looking up to see the girl blushing with embarrassment. The girl's mouth was gaping open. There were groans behind her, Hiro looked back and saw several of the men restraining her on the ground, clutching injured body parts. She had a bruise on her cheek, but looked fine overall. The beach ball bot, BB-8, rolled towards the two, bumping into Hiro a few times gently like it was trying to give him a hug. He gave the robot's head a few light pats in return, giggling when BB-8 beeped in response.

The girl opened and closed her mouth a few times, several words making it out. "How – how did you – what the –"

"You're welcome." Hiro said begrudgingly. He looked the older girl in the eye as sternly as he could. "I just didn't want you to get hurt, now leave me alone before he loses it."

He pointed to Sumo, still gaping in shock at the destruction of his "Little Yama."

"And why don't you come home before Aunt Cass loses it?" A new voice spoke up in the silence.

Uh-oh!

Hiro turned in the direction of the voice and saw a tall figure; standing at least six feet tall, dressed in a light green jacket, black hair like Hiro's, brown eyes – not that Hiro could see, but he knew they were there – and wearing a frayed baseball cap on top of his head. He had just gotten off a moped with the kickstand keeping it up and made his way over to Hiro, glaring at him. Hiro shrunk back a little he didn't want Dashi to be mad at him.

"Are you okay? How did you get here? What did I tell you about Bot-fighting? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!" Dashi said angrily before taking a deep breath. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Hiro reluctantly shook his head.

The girl sighed with relief. She spoke rapidly now, her words jumbled together in her excitement. "Thank God, Tadashi, I didn't know how long it was going to take you, so I tried improvising and well, that just made things worse and then they both did the Bot-fight anyways and this is BB-8, by the way and I'm not boring you, am I?"

Dashi knew her?!

He didn't get an answer, since Dashi was starting to look uncomfortable now. His eyes widened with worry. When Dashi finally spoke, it was in a frantic whisper.

"Rey, take Hiro and run. I'll catch up with you."

Hiro turned around and saw Sumo looking at them with a hateful look in his eyes, his teeth grinding loudly against one another, his face turning a nasty shade of purple and his hands twitching like he wanted to break something.

"No one beats Yama!" Sumo whispered harshly. He turned to the crowd. "GET THEM!"

If you want to see the rest of this fanfic so far, check these links below. Be sure to comment and like when you’re done.

http://archiveofourown.org/works/10880910/chapters/24176910

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12483996/1/Child-Prodigy

#bh6 #babyhiro #hiro hamada #rey #bh6au #tadashi hamada #fanfic

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