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#and everything I've seen and heard about it since has just seemed so promising

myuminji · 1 year

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Just a comic about two people catching up again [Angel AU]

[ID: A Trigun comic of Wolfwood after his death in Trigun Maximum.

Abbreviated ID: Wolfwood is now an angel with wings and a halo tied to his grave. He cannot be seen or heard by others, but Livio visited his grave and mostly filled him in on the finale, and Wolfwood waits for Vash to show up. When he does, Wolfwood is stunned and worried by his black hair, though he deems Vash fine when he pulls out drinks for them both.

Vash pours the drinks and talks. He confesses that he killed someone and calls himself a coward and the worst, apologizing for being selfish and not saving Wolfwood. Wolfwood angrily shouts that everything was his decision, and Vash is an idiot for blaming himself.

He says that Vash has done so much for Wolfwood and for others, and he calls Vash brave. Vash falls asleep with tears in his eyes, but he seems lighter when he wakes up. Vash leaves, promising to return, and Wolfwood says that he'll "watch him from afar... again." The title is "#1 'What happened to your hair?'". Full ID below readmore in 21 paragraphs.

The comic starts with a dark, noise-filter panel of the Punisher being used as Wolfwood's gravestone, with the quote "Nicholas D. Wolfwood has died" written over it.

Below that is Wolfwood, who has wings and a halo. He sits pensively and narrates, "At least, that's what everyone has come to believe, including me. Yet here I am, still roaming on this damn barren planet... But I wouldn't say I'm quite alive anymore. Since I couldn't feel hunger or thirst like I used to." He thinks, "'Ghost,' like those horror stories was it?"

He narrates over sketchy panels of himself frowning while floating next to his grave and yelling at Livio. "There, are other things I found that fits the term, like how I can't bring myself to far too far from my grave, or how others can't see me at all." We see Livio tearing up and saying "Nico-nii..." while Wolfwood furiously waves his arms and shouts, "I am!! Here!!!!"

Livio is shown speaking with a teary smile while Wolfwood leans against Punisher and listens. Wolfwood says, "Livio is the first and only person I've met so far. And luckily, he was quite a storyteller. I was able to get a grasp of the situation, and its aftermath. And what happened to him in the end."

Livio smiles and says, "It's been three months ever since... But even if we couldn't get ahold of him now, I'm sure he'll come back to you someday." Wolfwood narrates, "—And knowing that idiot, he probably would."

A close-up of Vash's coat in the wind as Wolfwood narrates, "So it didn't come as a surprise to me when he visited my grave. I'd even thought up of things to say when we meet again. Everything was thrown out of the window when he appears, of course. I could vividly remember the one question that burns in my head..."

Wolfwood looks shocked as Vash, hair fully black, waves cheerfully, "Yo! It's been a while, hasn't it? Wolfwood." Below the two floats the question: "#1 'What happened to your hair?'"

Wolfwood sweats, "Spikey, your hair. Doesn't it mean... Are you okay???" Vash smiles sheepishly, "Ah, I hope you're not mad I didn't come sooner, don't haunt me please..." Wolfwood shouts, "That's not the problem right now!!" Vash pulls something out and exclaims, "But look what I got for you!! Alcohol!!!" Wolfwood shouts, "What sort of person do you see me as!?"

Vash excitedly pulls out a bottle and two shot glasses. "It's not the only reason why I'm late, but it did took me a month to hunt this down... I recall you said you wanted to try them, right?" Wolfwood buries his face in his hands and says, "Where the hell are your priorities... You know what, yeah. I'm not gonna ask anymore since you look fine."

Vash smiles a bit tiredly and says, "Hmm,, I'm glad this place hasn't turn to ruins yet~ I've still got lots I need to tell you that's happened out there! And I thought it's better to talk about it with drinks on the side…" He clinks two glasses together. "So, cheers! ..."

He and Wolfwood are both awkwardly silent, and Vash sweats and frowns nervously. Then he pours a glass onto the ground, and Wolfwood furiously shouts, "D'ya really expect me to drink off the ground!? Stupid needle noggin!!!!!"

Vash laughs sheepishly, and he speaks via empty speech bubbles while Wolfwood listens, drinking with a small smile. Vash says, "... And when that happened I..." He drops his gaze and says between long pauses, "I..... When that happened......" Wolfwood watches him seriously as he says, "... Say. Wolfwood, is this how you've felt all the time?"

Vash looks down sadly. "You I see, I... killed someone in the end." He laughs, eyebrows drawn in. "I guess you're right. I am bound to choose someday." He takes another sip, then downs it and falls backwards. "Isn't it funny? That I've called you a coward once for killing... But guess who's the coward now~? It's always been me, isn't it?"

Vash lies on his back and laughs. "... Haha. I wonder if you're laughing too. I really am the worst, aren't I?" Wolfwood looks down as Vash continues, "You've done so much for me, but all I've caused you are troubles. I was selfish, always chasing after my own goals... That you couldn't ask for my help. That I couldn't save you. Just what kind of friend am I?"

Vash scrubs his eyes with an arm and says shakily, "Sorry... Wolfwood... I'm so sorry..." A close-up panel of his mouth shows Wolfwood saying, "... Just so you know--" Expression unimpressed, he exclaims, "There's no way in hell I'm accepting that lousy apology! You drunkard!"

He stands up and seems to kick Vash, who's still on the ground and mostly out of sight. Wolfwood demands, "Why are you even sorry for something like that, huh?? I chose my own path. It was all my decision! How many times do I say it to get it stick in that thick head of yours? Stop. Blaming. Yourself. For the things. You've not done. Idiot! Stupid spikey hair!!"

Vash's face is cut off, but a tear in his eye can be seen as he weakly says, "... oof.. wood..." Wolfwood looks tired and sighs, "... Ha... Don't feel bad about me. Until when will you realise just how much you've done for us? You've done more than enough for me, Needle Noggin."

The perspective zooms out to focus on the sky and two moons, including the fifth moon. Wolfwood's wings and the Punisher can just be seen at the bottom. Wolfwood says, "And you're brave, to go against what you've been taught your whole life. You're not a coward. You faced them until the end. So don't sell yourself short like that next time, okay?" We see Vash's face, smiling with tears in his closed eyes. Wolfwood concludes: "I'll get mad."

Wolfwood narrates, "—He passed out right after for the whole night on the cold ground. I realised how little I could help in the situation." He tries to drape his coat over Vash, sweating, and wonders, "Wouldn't it just pass through ...?"

Time passes, and Vash gets up with a sneeze and rubs his eyes. Wolfwood watches him with his eyebrows raised, and Vash laughs quietly and a bit nervously. Wolfwood narrates, "As if he'd heard my voice, a burden seems to be lifted off his shoulder when he woke up. That, or maybe he'd forgotten what happened last night. He was quick to take his leave right after.

"And so, Vash the Stampede went on a journey with a promise." Vash waves goodbye, turning to leave with his bag in hand. "I'll be sure to bring back more stuff next time!! See you later!" Wolfwood concludes, "While I watch him from afar... again." Wolfwood sits below the Punisher and waves back, saying with bemusement, "Has he never heard the phrase 'do not disturb the death?' He really throws me off..." The title is named, and it says "/ END." End ID]

[link to Image ID reblog post!]

#''if you can't go to see the world I'll bring the world to you instead'' post trimax vash who often comes back to ww bringing things he foun #and it piles up. alot.#i have up to 8 chp of these tho idt i can draw them all haha #vash the stampede #nicholas d wolfwood #trigun #trigun maximum #trimax spoilers #trigun maximum spoilers #vashwood #centric #/p

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j0hnj4ej3n · 6 months

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08:02 p.m.

note: was being so delusional after mark came onto bubble & then did an instagram live to spend mark o'clock with us, and after declaring that he misses us and wants us to know AAAAAAKKK he's so crazy for that!!!! this man has me soooo delusional. so i thought of this little something because he looks so gorgeous today and i've been really busy these few weeks due to submissions~~ hope yall enjoy <3

(not proofread, i wrote this impulsively in less than an hour)

mark: are we still meeting to study at the cafe after your lecture tmr? y/n: yes! my lecture ends at 730~ mark: alright, i’ll wait for you so we can walk to the cafe tgt? y/n: okayy sounds good

That was the texts you had with Mark last night. And as promised, once your lecture was done, Mark was already outside your lecture hall waiting for you.

To be very honest, the two of you haven’t been friends for very long, having only met through a writing class last semester. But two weeks ago, you bumped into Mark at this newly opened 24-hour cafe just off campus.

It’s crunch time now that finals are around the corner so the library is always packed. And the corner seat you love so much on the third floor is always occupied by this one freshman and his group of friends. So you were hoping this cafe was new and quiet enough to be your place to study for this time of the semester.

When you got there, you found Mark, nose deep in his lecture notes studying with his wired earphones plugged in. You decided to greet him merely out of being polite, since you haven’t seen him around recently. But Mark seemed excited to see you and even invited you to study with him.

So here you two are again, routinely studying your Tuesday (and Friday) nights away together since that fateful day two weeks ago.

Well, at least Mark is studying.

To be fair, you’ve always found Mark cute. Since he asked if he could share your table in class last semester, you took note of how attractive your classmate is. His round, starry eyes and high cheekbones. His sweet smile that appears oh, so often. Better yet, he has one of the cutest and most contagious laughters you’ve ever heard. But you never took it as anything too serious. Mark has always been cute, but you didn’t really know the guy outside of class.

These two weeks however, have made you acutely aware of how wonderful Mark really is as a person. He was diligent and intelligent, yet so humble about it all, refusing to slack just because he’s already getting good grades. Mark is attentive, if he notices you struggling, he takes the initiative to ask if you need help. And doesn’t mock you or make you feel small for not understanding something.

He’s also just really sweet. You firmly believe Mark could befriend anyone and everyone. There’s just something about him that makes those around him feel comfortable. Like, you don’t have to put up a front when you’re with Mark because he won’t judge you. Instead he embraces all of you and is genuinely interested in everything you say, even if he has differing opinions.

Being around Mark is easy. And the longer you stare at him, the more you realise that Mark isn’t just cute. He’s gorgeous.

And you hate to admit it to yourself, but you’re definitely falling for Mark Lee.

“Hello? Earth to y/n…?”

You can only bring yourself to blink back at Mark, who’s waving his hand in front of your face. Have you been staring at him all this time?

“Oh, I’m sorry… were you saying something?”

Mark chuckles, shaking his head. He looks down almost shyly, then lifts his head up to look at you again.

“You’ve just been staring at me for a while, I was starting to wonder if I had something on my face.”

You want the ground to swallow you up. To be honest, you have not been getting any revision done tonight because the only real studying you’ve been doing is of Mark’s pretty face. And it’s embarrassing because he caught you.

You can’t help but feel the embarrassment creep up on you, feeling the blood rush to your head. You cover your face with your hands and all Mark does is let out a quiet laugh. He really isn’t laughing at you though, he simply thinks you’re really endearing.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to stare.” You pause, thinking of an excuse as you lift your head, “The lecture really butchered my brain, I was just daydreaming for a bit.”

“It’s okay, you just seemed so happily deep in thought. It was kinda cute,” Mark says, so casually as he returns his attention back to his notes, you almost miss his subtle compliment at the end. Did he just call you cute?

He looks up at you again, smiling sweetly. “We don’t have to stay too late tonight if you’re tired.”

You shake your head, “It’s fine, I’m good now.”

You really are not, because your heart is thumping so loudly against your chest over a simple smile from Mark. And your mind doesn’t focus on anything that isn’t Mark. But if you pretend well enough, if you control your urge to just stare at Mark for way too long… maybe you’ll get to spend a few more hours alone with Mark right here in this cosy, quiet cafe.

#nct mark #mark lee #mark fluff #mark lee scenarios #j0hnj4ej3n

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torterracotta · 9 months

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When I heard Gerry Duggan get asked on Cerebro, white boy to white boy, about the unfortunate optics of announcing and then immediately murdering the least white team of X-Men in years, I knew we'd be in for some shit. Man, did he deliver - after some evasive waffling about how ORCHIS is meant to be fascist, and how the story's point is to put the collective back of mutantkind even more against the wall than it was any of the last six times something like this has happened.

And, honestly? That's fair! This year's Hellfire Gala is ultimately the first part of a larger story, and history shows it's not going to last forever — hell, does anyone remember what the status quo was immediately before HoXPoX? At least this time most of the characters have implicitly just been sucked into Mother Righteous's magical Poké Ball, rather than outright killed; if anything, that's an improvement. I was fully content to just think "hey, not for me," and get back to ignoring everything beyond Immortal and Sabertooth, secure in the knowledge that certain topics are bound to be handled poorly when almost everyone in the room is white, when Duggan said three words that stopped me in my tracks:

"Keep the faith."

See, that struck me, because for a lot of us, this entire era of comics has been about nothing but faith. I've been reading X-Men, and engaging with fans since I was eight, and I've never seen the kind of collective buy-in from other marginalized readers that I have with Krakoa. X-Twitter (or, I suppose, X-X) has been Blacker, queerer, more disabled, less homogeneous than the fandom has ever been, all of us buying in to the implicit promise that this time things would be different. Sure, the line was headed by a presumably straight white guy, but there were other voices in the room for a change, and it really felt like they were going to be listened to. We thought we'd moved past clunky metaphor, past queerbaitimg and awkward racial gaffes. Storm and Kwannon were getting to do stuff, Arakko was full of amazing characters of color, Cyclops and Wolverine were probably fucking, we were hooked, and we turned out.

It's hard to overemphasize just how wild this was to see in real time. X-Men has always been allegory, sure, but it's traditionally allegory by and for the majority. For years, the readers who might really feel that resonance, those of us who have been hated and feared for the unforgivable crime of being who we are, we were afterthoughts, tolerated at best. We got scraps, "representation" from creators who seemed to be offended by the implication that we would ever want something other than being fetishized tokens. We were, as Hickman so succinctly put it, told that we were less when we knew we were more. And then, out of nowhere, Krakoa made us inescapable.

The two biggest X-Men podcasts, X-Plain the X-Men and Cerebro, are hosted by queer people. X of Words has been rocking the Black, queer experience like no one's business, Mutant Watch has been a joy to listen to and to be on. Not just podcasts, either, in everything from criticism to fanart to cosplay, voices have been elevated that were previously silent. I mean, hell, I've gotten paid to talk about comics, that shit never would have happened four years ago.

All of that was based on faith.

Faith that we were being celebrated, for once, instead of just used. Faith that for whatever growing pains there might be, things were going to be better.

And let's not fuck around here, there were growing pains. In the first year alone we dealt with everything from blatant whitewashing, to queerbaiting — any Sunspot fan can go into detail there, assuming you can get one of us to stop crying for long enough. While that was going on, we watched Bryan Edward Hill (the only non-white writer in that initial wave) put out a book that was, let's face it, at worst aggressively mid, only to be excoriated by certain portions of the fandom, and dropped by the office, while significantly worse books managed to hold fast — er, hold on. Not to say that Fallen Angels was without sin, mind you, the book was packed with enough orientalism to make Chris Claremont blush. But, at the same time, Wolverine's first year ended with him doing what he does best: trying so hard to be Japanese that I had to check to make sure he wasn't Marvel's editor in chief.

Through all of that, we kept the faith.

Things didn't really get much better, of course. Arakko was a fascinating concept, and felt like it damn near doubled Marvel's characters of color. And yeah, the ending of X-Factor was one of the most poorly handled racist messes I've seen this side of… well, any given day on Twitter. Sure, the whitewashing has never stopped, to the point where everything from X-Corp to this week's Hellfire Gala has had to be hastily edited between previews and release. Maybe we keep dealing with stuff like butchered AAVE, even more queerbaiting, Kate Pryde's funeral, the genocide of almost all of those Arraki characters, and whatever the hell was going on with Lost in Way of X. Maybe there's a very real argument to be made that there's something insidious about three straight years of voting to determine if characters like Monet (who, by the by, has been retooled from "basically Superman" to "Black woman with anger powers") deserve the honor of being written by a white man who's stayed writing with his foot in his mouth. I mean, hey! All my white friends in the scene say he's nice, just like Williams, or Howard, or any number of other crusty crackers who are still proud of tripping over the bar Claremont left on the floor in the 80's!

And dammit, we kept the faith!

Even before the issue dropped, the Fall of X has had a lot of us wary. After all, all of the promotion leading up to it has been white guys saying the minority allegory has had it too good for too long, which, whatever, press copy. We all know they've gotta sell books — they, in this case, being the almost exclusively white, almost exclusively male creative teams attached to all of the books in the line. Sure, as Duggan said, the 616 has a fascism problem, but it’s hard not to see this as a deliberate step back from the almost double digit number of non-white creators these past few years — almost as if Marvel has realized they can make space for a fourth ongoing by their favorite white boy if they just throw out a Voices special every couple of months as a containment zone for the darkies. And, hey, considering how good ol’ C.B. got his foot in the door, I can’t even fake surprise. At this point, it’s a minor miracle any time a person of color is tapped for anything that’s expected to last beyond one issue.

In this issue, as a reward for keeping the faith, we got to see something astounding, something that'd bring a tear to the eye of even the most cynical reader — a team that was only half white. My god. And sure, their brutal murder in favor of a team with Kate "Hard-Arrr" Pryde and the Kingpin(????) was only a pit-stop between the resurrection of the suddenly ashy Ms. Marvel and Lourdes Chantel being killed off for the sake of a white woman's angst yet afuckinggain, but ain't that the dream that Malcolm Ten or whoever died for?

The Krakoan era, ultimately, has been the same as every other. Empty promises by white men who show us time and again that there was never any point in expecting anything better. Any meaning we've found, everything of worth, has been what we've made for ourselves.

We've spent years keeping the faith, Gerry, while you and yours have continued to let us down. What the hell do we have to show for it?

#xspoilers #Hellfire Gala 2023 #X-Men

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scekrex · 19 days

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Could you write abt reader trying to get Adam to wear a maid outfit "as a joke" but really he just wants to see Adam in ANY revealing outfit because that man has hella ass and he hides it in his robes? Ur writing absolutely fucks btw

I fucking love the thought of Adam in a maid dress that's just a little too short to hide his juicy ass like the fanart I've seen- fuck it's good.

I got myself a fuckin' life dressed up in evening wear

pairing: Adam x male!reader

warnings: language

note: not beta read bc fuck you I don't have beta readers

“C’mon Adam, it’s for my fucking birthday, just once,” you begged the first man as you snuggled up against his side and placed a soft kiss on his neck and while the first man absolutely enjoyed your kisses, he was not enjoying the request you had. “Fucking no, the fuck do I look like? Some shit-ass doll you can dress the fuck up however you want? Nuh-fucking-uh,” he shook his head lightly to underline his words and theír seriousness, there was really no use to fight it though, not when your next move was to climb into his lap and gently leave a trail of soft kisses alongside his jaw. You felt how his body relaxed underneath you, felt his sigh more than you heard it and it was then and there that the both of you knew you had won, even if Adam would keep up the act of denying your request a little longer. “No one else is gonna see ya, c’mon hun,” you leaned in closer, your hands were on his chest, softly massaging his slightly chubby tits in the most teasing way God had ever seen. Your lips brushed against his ear as you continued to speak, “Do it for me, Adam.” The shudder that went through his body at your words felt so violent. The leader of the exorcists grabbed you by your hips, effortlessly lifted you off of his lap and placed you back onto the couch as he got up, muttering in a very unpleased sounding voice, “Fucking fine.” And you had won. Again.

The reason why you wanted him to wear that stupid outfit for you was pretty simple: You wanted to see and slap his ass. Ever since you had first seen this man in underwear, you had known that his ass was a handful, like the first man not only had a fucking amazing dick, no, of course he also had the most perfect ass humanity had ever seen. But Adam didn’t really care about that, he knew he looked glorious and that was it, that was enough knowledge to hide his perfect body underneath that gigantic robe of his that left everything to your imagination. He rarely wore anything else than his robe, at home it was mainly a band shirt that was way too fucking big on him and therefore covered his juicy ass, and boxershorts, but even that wasn’t satisfying enough to you, you wanted to dress him up to make him realize how wonderful his body was - you wanted him to see what you were seeing and while the brunette might not like the thought of wearing a maid dress, you had made sure to get him one that fit his figure’perfectly fine. He would look absolutely angelic wearing the dress you had picked out for him.

So when you opened your eyes because of soft kisses that were placed up your chest, over your neck and all the way up to your lips, you couldn’t hide the massive grin that stretched across your lips. “Mornin’,” you mumbled sleepily against the warm pair of lips that belonged to your boyfriend. Adam wasn’t the romantic type of guy, yes, the both of you were going on dates, but at home in his normal daily life, the most romantic thing he could do without seeming suspicious was to kiss you awake. And that mainly happened on special occasions like birthdays. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy kissing you awake, he did very much, but he wanted it to be something special, why you didn’t fully understand but you accepted it. “Morning, old fuckhead,” the first man greeted you, on his lips an equally large grin. He seemed excited for the day, he had most likely already forgotten about the little promise he had made you, otherwise he surely wouldn’t be as excited. At least that was your guess.

You pulled away from the warm body on top of yours and stretched your tired bones as you pushed yourself off the bed to sit up before you gave him a glance, followed by a very important reminder, “Someone’s quite excited to spend the day in a maid dress, huh?” Oh and the look on his face as he heard you speaking those words, it was priceless. The grin he had been holding up so pridefully fell quickly and his expression turned into a mix between annoyance and excitement, though you were sure the annoyance in his eyes was just a cover-up, otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to wearing that silly outfit so quickly. If he wanted to, Adam could argue pretty well and the fact that there had been basically no resistance on his side, had told you everything you needed to know - he thought of your wish as something silly, yet respected it - mainly because it was coming from his boyfriend. “Don’t fucking remind me,” he groaned with a roll of his eyes and turned around, his back was now facing you. Oh but you couldn’t wait to see his sexy ass in that dress that was just a little too short and would expose just a little too much.

So you pushed the sleepiness aside and got up from the bed to walk over to your shared closet, you took the still closed package that was waiting inside and tossed it in Adam’s direction. The brunette was quick to roll over and dodge getting hit by it while he grumbled, “It’s too fucking early, babes.” No, no it really wasn’t. It wasn’t ever ‘too early’ to see your boyfriend in the most revealing piece of clothing he’d ever own. “Pull that stick outta your ass and get dressed bitch, it’s my fucking birthday,” you responded in a sing-song voice as you grabbed one of Adam’s band shirts to wear yourself. The sleepily annoyed boyfriend of yours raised his head a little, eyeing you up and down, “So I have to wear this,” he nudged the package away from his body with his left wing, “And you get to wear my shit that basically covers all of you? Fucking unfair.” You just chuckled as you headed for the door, “Get a taste of your own fucking medicine, hun. I’m gonna go and make breakfast, you’re gonna move your ass and you better be dressed when I’m done.” You were almost able to hear the brunette’s annoyed eye roll as he responded sarcastically, “Yes dad,” while he dropped his head face down into the pillows. A cheeky, “That’s daddy for you,” left your lips before you closed the door behind you, yet you heard how the first man choked on his spit because of your words.

“Y/N,” Adam mumbled as he entered the kitchen and walked past you, giving you the most angelic view of his ass you’ve ever seen. The brunette yelped in surprise as you slapped said ass firmly and playfully hit on him, “Hey Sexy.” You heard him grumble something underneath his breath, however you didn’t catch what he had just said and you definitely weren’t gonna ask him, if it was important, he’d tell you sooner or later. “You should wear this more often, makes your ass look absolutely amazing,” you hummed in delight as you flipped the pancakes that you were preparing for breakfast. “Fuck you,” Adam mumbled and while he was trying to sound annoyed, maybe even embarrassed, you saw how prideful his body language was. Oh this man was all act, no truth, full of insecurities. Yet he seemed to like the dress better than expected.

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel adam #adam x male reader #male reader #adam x y/n #adam x reader #adam x you

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harrysmimi · 10 months

Text

CEOrry Pt.5

Synopsis: YN and Harry attend her friends wedding. A lot of things said and confessed

Ps. This is the last part.

Series Masterlist | More of my work

It was time for the twenty week prenatal check up and the ultra sound of course.

He was nervous. He haven't seen YN in about two weeks and half. He had to go back and forth Los Angeles and New York City for business last minute. But he had Jeremy drive YN to and from work, he has Lizzie check on her every other day or so. He didn't get to talk to her much.

Just to make sure she's doing alright.

The image of her in pain and misery is still hard to shake from his brain. He just wants to do everything possible to make sure YN isn't in any discomfort.

As new as it sounds. He cares for her. In more ways now. That is new.

She's sweet and caring. She is fiesty when she has to be, which is understandable. Being a woman is hard enough itself, though she's agree it's not an excuse for being an asshole to him.

He's seen her check up on her family as much as she could. Text her brother and dad as much as she could, especially when they're waiting for their turn at the doctors and she's got nothing better to do.

But today, it was something else.

She was going to see him at his place before they went to the doctors. He had an urgent meeting and he's been at office si ce last night, working overnight on this project with his team. He needed a nice hot shower and a change of clothes. And some food of course.

Just when he was coming downstairs, he heard YN's angry whispers from the patio. The door qas closed as she walked back and forth, bare foot, furiously yelling at someone over a phone call. He couldn't understand a word even though he could hear her clearly. She was saying something in her native language, except a few English words she used here and there.

"No, you listen to me you little bastard, you're going to give your phone to Papa at six every night. No going out, no drinking with friends, no seeing all these girls you see every other week." She was yelling at her brother she reckoned, "you're grounded until I see that degree of yours." She paused talking for a moment.

"Then I told you, do what you're interested in, you dumbo! I never forced you to study Business. I worked two jobs here just so you can go to the best college and study, I never expected this from you Veeraj! No! You're going to go take the re-exam, I want you to at least pass, my love! Then you can go ahead and do whatever you want. At least you'd try something."

Harry could see YN was on verged of breakdown. She looked so hurt and exhausted. Mentally exhausted. But she seemed to be calming herself there.

"That's okay! Everyone is not same, Vee, you gotta understand. I understand that. No one is really pressuring you to do anything you don't like. Rebelling is not going to be a answer to anything. I'm trying my best to help you out here. Just so you don't end up drowning in student loans. Now is really not the time for this. You've got to stop drinking, stop hanging out with friends who just take away from your energy. Set up boundaries for yourself. I'm not asking for you to grow up, I'm asking you to learn to take up your responsibilities. I'm going to be here to help every step of the way, whatever it is you want to do I'll find a way to support you, okay? Do you understand me?" She paused for a moment, "That's what I thought. Now I'll ask my friend to take you in for a few lessons. I want you to promise me that you'll do something to get yourself to be a better person, okay? Yeah. That's what I thought. Now go to sleep, and start fresh from tomorrow."

He found her very attractive. He kept staring up until after a few byes and I love yous YN hung up her call and sat down on the step of the patio, crying.

That's when Harry decided to step out and talk to her. "Hey, what's wrong?" He sat down next to her.

"It's nothing. I've been crying since last night." She said.

Lie!

He talked to her last night and she was laughing and joking, having the time of her life making fun of him over the voice call.

"That's not true, YN. You know you can talk to me, right?" He suggested.

"I know." She nodded, "it's just my little brother. He's got weird circle friends and drinking problems. I mean he's barely twenty. It's going since he was seventeen. It got worse when I moved here for my dissertation. Our dad can look after just so much, he's sick and his work took so much toll on him. He failed three of his classes last semester. Which is a lot given his last two year record. If he fails he's got to start all over again."

"It's all my fault. I never asked him what he wanted to study before I gave my own suggestions. I shouldn't have moved here." She mumbled as she sobbed.

"Hey, no, no!" He pulled her closer to his side with his arm around her back, "you try your best, don't you? And that's what matters."

"I don't know. He's like my own baby, I've been taking care of him since I was six. I can't see him doing things which are going to make his life miserable in long run. He's not like this." She finally chose to confide in Harry there.

She isn't a saint, she got drunk too. But that was the first time. That made her more guilty for yelling at her brother like that.

"We'll get him the help he needs, yeah?" He assured her, "you don't have to beat yourself up for something you can't have control over."

"You've done enough for me, Harry, I can't bother you more." She sniffled, "he'll get throught it, he's done it once when our dad found out."

"If you think so." He sighed, "did you had your lunch?"

"Mhmm." She nod her head, "I was hungry so I ate before I came here."

"Good." He smiled, "now do you want to come inside?"

"Just five minutes?" She asked, "and did you eat?"

"I'm going to do that now." He tried to hold back his stupid grin the best he could. She cares about him enough to check up on him even though she's an emotional mess in that moment.

"Okay."

......................................................................

Another hour of wait for the monthly check up (twenty four weeks). YN was already over it today. She'd call it a day off she didn't had to go run some errands after at the bank and pick up a few things from the post office and things like those. Julia was going with her, so she didn't had to take cabs and tube and such.

She was just sat there, slumped and dazed off. Not noticing that Harry had quietly slid his hand into hers on his lap. She didn't realise until she heard another couple comment something along the lines of 'they're so adorable' now maybe it was for something else, but it caught her attention. Warmth in her hand grew slowly closing towards her heart there.

YN had so much going on in her mind, especially in that moment when she could feel the baby move.

They started moving just a week before she went to appointment solo. She couldn't bring herself to share that with Harry. She can control not sharing that. Even though she knows she shouldn't.

She can't have a say in the baby's life but she can at least have a control over this. Of course he won't touch her without her permission, or she'll kick his ass. But he won't.

YN have picked up on the baby's pattern. They were active mostly when she's feeling tired. Not to mention, the heartburn. She just wishes they're not as hairy as she was a baby. Her mum used to tell her how she couldn't even lie down when she had her. She was five and she remembered, she was just lying on her mum's lap as she asked her stupid toddler questions, her mum would answer to her the best way her five hear old self could understand. But with her brother, she could lie down and eat because her brother was a bald baby. But adorable none the less. She missed her mum.

Also she didn't wanted to share too much, before the baby was taken away from her. Well, it isn't her technically. She never wanted to give up her own child, but she did so she wasn't parentless. That was to save ber dad, who's perfectly fine and healthy.

And even though they're on time, they still have to wait at least two and half to three hours for their turn. Which is annoying on many levels.

"Hey, you're tired?" She heard Harry whisper in her ear to which she nodded. "C'mere." He draped his arm behind her on the chair, "just relax, yeah? Everything is going to be fine, I'm here."

She wanted to punch him in the face, but she understood what he was trying to say. Everything is going to be fine, she's going to be fine. So she leaned to his side just to be hit by the fragrance of his cologne in the face. But it was comforting. Weirdly enough.

"We've still got an hour and half." His voice was nothing more than a whisper, "you can take a nap, I'll wake you up, yeah?"

"I'll try." She agreed.

She could really use a nap. But in her own bed. Under her fluffy blanket, and AC on blast. Not at her place here. Back home. She's got a huge bed with comfiest mattress and bedding, she missed it now more than anything. She can cry to go back home and hug her dad.

She tried to sit there as still as she could with a baby inside her having a rave party. She watched Harry check few of his emails, they were from a same person with lists of products for a baby and a nursery. She doesn't mean to peep, she wouldn't have looked into his phone if it were related to his business. But it's not.

Now Harry thought she was fast asleep when he checked his emails until he heard a few soft sniffles from her. He peeped down to find her crying. "Hey, why you crying, darling?"

"It's nothing." She shook her head, "I just don't feel well, that's all."

"Just a few more minutes, yeah? Then we'll ask Doctor Wilson if we can do something for it. Hmm?" He suggested.

"Yeah."

"It's okay." He hugged her close to his chest.

......................................................................

"Baby's got a lot of hair on their head." Dr. Wilson shared, "this sort of explains the heartburn." Harry looked back and forth between YN and the screen in front of them. "You can still feel the baby move?" To which YN nodded.

"You can?" He whispered looking at her with puppy eyes.

"Mhmm." She nodded.

"You want to know the sex of your baby, Mr. Styles?" Doctor Wilson asked.

Now that made YN's heart sink to her tummy. But was the truth. She signed up for this. Doctor Wilson was the one who have helped her with everything from day one. She knew everything about the IVF and her being the surrogate and everything. But she noticed Harry glance at her for last minute approval. She didn't know what to say.

"We'd like to wait, thank you." He smiled.

He said we.

The appointment went smooth as always, doctor Wilson gave YN some advices to help her heartburn. She then had a little bit of time with just YN because she wanted to ask her some questions, which given if both the parties were couple she wouldn't mind asking with the partner in the room.

Doctor Wilson is very thoughtful, especially when she knew YN had personally asked for a female doctor, and that YN was a bit uncomfortable with Harry in the room at the beginning of the screening to see if she can carry a fetus to full term in a healthy manner. But her one question only directed towards Harry had her puzzled with her emotions that day.

She should just really talk to Harry. Right? Or at least try? He'll understand, right?

......................................................................

She held off.

More so that more weeks went by, her health wasn't getting any better (the baby is very healthy) plus she's got a wedding to get through with. YN passed out three times in her bathroom, lucky she sustained no injury. She lied down on the floor carefully when she felt it coming. Her friends almost rushed her to the Emergency department the fourth time. But it was controllable. She went to see her doctor the very next day.

Harry wasn't in town again. He'd gone on another last minute call, this time it was for award ceremony for entrepreneurs and such. He was awarded with couple of awards there, it was just going to go to his every growing college in his office. YN had to go to her monthly checkup alone this time. And it was going to be only time she has to go alone.

But when he came back it was just time for Josh and Kayla's wedding. Harry was actually late, so Jeremy ended driving YN to the wedding venue two days before. He had no idea what went on.

It was the time when the bride and everyone was done getting ready, and they were taking pictures.

YN's dress was loose, she wasn't showing much even though the baby weighed half a pound more than it should be at twenty-one week. It was easier hide her belly.

Now she doesn't want to draw attention to her belly and take away from her best friend's special day. But she did snuck off to the bathroom in her own room next door to take a few of pictures on her phone, posed as where her belly is visible.

"YN you're being dramatic and extra. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it." She scolded herself as she looked through the pictures, just as she was about to delete those, she heard the bride calling for her.

"YN, your alright in there?" Kayla asked, "talk to me so I know you did not pass out in there, babe."

"Yeah, I'm fine." She called out. But not until she heard, the door knob being violently being shaken from the outside.

"Unlock the bloody door YN!" He banged on the door, "open rhe fucking door damn it!"

It was Harry knocking on the door, hard. She hoped he didn't bruise his knuckles when she quickly opened the door worried. "Why are you knocking so hard? Is your hand okay?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" He glared at her ignoring her concerning questions. There was a hint of worry behind his anger.

YN looked at her friend. She just threw her hands up in defence, "I didn't tell him anything. He over heard it." Kayla explained, "I'll give you two a moment." With that she fled the room. YN sighed and walked to the bed in her hotel room so she could put on her shoes.

"Why didn't you tell me YN?" He followed her.

"You were away for work. I didn't wanted to burden you with my problems." She answered and picked up her left shoe. She was going to wear her sneakers because she can't walk properly even when barefoot. She trips and falls, especially at weddings.

"I expect you to share things like with me, YN." He sighs in frustration and kneels down in front of her to help her with her shoes. "How many time have I told you that, hmm? This is ridiculous. You, you think that stupid award function is what I cared about more?" She didn't say anything. He just looked up at her when he was done putting her shoes on for her and found her looking at him with puppy eyes.

Honestly, she can fight with him right there. But it's her friend's special day she doesn't wanna ruin it.

"You wanna talk later?" He asked to which she nodded. "Yes or no?"

"Yes!" She huffed getting up and walking towards the bathroom where she left her phone.

"Hey, YN, I'm sorry. Shouldn't have talk to you like that." He tailed her around as she gathered her stuff. She grabbed a lipstick, and stuff it in the pocket of her dress.

"You tied my shoe lace too tight." She ignored him like he did not yell at her even five minutes ago. Without a question he knelt down again to retie her shoes for her.

For the rest of the ceremony, leading upto the reception party none of them talked to one another but yet managed to savour and enjoy every minute, for her friends at least.

First it was the dinner then the reception according the bride and groom's plans. It was emotional, funny and sarcastic with all of the speeches. And the drinking and dancing began again.

YN was getting overwhelmed already. Especially after her little speech. She could still see Harry there, he looked pissed. She went to get herself a glass of water by the bar.

"Hello there." Someone went to sit on the stool right next to hers. It was Doctor Micheal Jones.

"Hi..." YN was confused seeing him there.

"Been waiting to talk to ya whole night actually. How have you been?" He asked.

"I've been good, what about you?" Oh how she hated the small talk.

"I'm great." He smiled. She noticed he's got dimples too, a blond stubble and both his arms were covered in random tattoos, she could see from the rolled up sleeves.

Wait, has she got a type?

"You're from the bride or groom's side?" She asked him before he could say anything further.

"I am Heidi, Joshua's step sisters cousin." The blue eyed man explained.

"Oh, that sweet."

"And you're from bride's side I believe?" He asked.

"Oh no, I'm technically from both of their sides." She giggled, "they're both my best mates."

"YN, darling can I talk to you?" It was Harry interrupting Micheal before he could even utter a word. "Come on darling it's urgent please." He grabbed a gentle hold her hand as he helped her down the stool making sure to take her water bottle from the counter. He guided her out.

YN didn't get to take in the venue when the sun was up. But the wedding was at the Stourhead House and Gardens in the county of Wiltshire, near the Apollo Temple.

It's the exact place where Kiera Knightley's Pride and Prejudice was filmed. Kayla's a huge nerd for books, hence her PhD in English literature. YN never understood how that girl can read three to four hundred page book in a day to a day and half max. The venue was also something Kayla and Josh had little arguments over until they booked the place for the day.

"What?" YN slipped her hand out of Harry's, the metal of his rings was warm and cosy but she's mad at him for talking to her like that. They're out of the party now.

"Let's go there, it's a little loud here." He grabbed her hand again and walked towards the Apollo Temple which was barely fifteen feet away from the party. Which didn't make sense because it was still loud. They sat by the edge of the temple there. "You're feeling any better now?" He asked. Watching her lean into the pole next to her.

She looks tired and sleep deprived there. Her phone placed in between him and her with the lockscreen lit up, it was half part ten then and the the background was of the first ultrasound picture he sent her. It was the phone he gifted her, she's really using it. And the bracelet, she was wearing it. The piece of jewelry went so well with her baby blue dress, a stretchy bodice and off shoulder opaque sleeves ending just by her wrists. She wore a silver necklace with a little gold charm on it.

"Hey, come on, I'm really sorry darling." He scooted a bit closer to her, "why didn't you tell me, hmm?" He tucked the loose strand of hair behind her ear gently and she finally looked at him.

"I told you, I didn't wanted to tell you because you were away for work." She shared, "you said you have important meeting. I went to the appointment so I'm fine now."

"You also said, and I quote, I don't want to burden you with my problems, care to tell me what that means?" For the first time they're having a conversation without yelling at one another, "because I never said you're burden, did I now? I apologise if at any point I made you feel that way, I never intended to."

"You didn't, I, I, I just didn't wanted to disturb you that's all." She shook her head.

"I was done with my meeting on day one, should have told me YN." He insisted, his thumb caressing the apple on her cheek tenderly, "don't want it to happen again, but you'll tell me when it does, no matter how busy I am, yeah?"

"Yeah." She agreed.

"Have you been sleeping well?" He enquired.

"No, I can't lie down without feeling like my esophagus is burning." She shared. Truthfully. "Doctor said the baby's got way too many hair on their head. I'll give you the picture when we're back in Hampstead."

He cracked a smile, "about that..."

"What?"

"I, I actually forgot what I was about to ask you." He covered up for himself. He wanted to tell her that she can be in the babies life, he can get the agreement terminated and all. But it felt weird.

He knows she wants her own kids, that's why she was hesitant at first. But telling her now would sound wrong. He doesn't know if she wants to be a parent just yet. He'll tell her when he finds a better way to approach this subject.

He also so badly wanted to tell her how he felt. He really, really liked her. Hell and heavens he thought he's borderline already in love with her there. But he just held off. At least for now. It'll be too much for both of them. He actually really wanted her to be around the baby, he's seen how she always tries to look away from the screen at the ultrasound or talk less about the bahy with the doctor. How she asked for him to send pictures of the ultra sound print they got, and now it's her lockscreen.

"do you wanna go back inside?"

"Not really, I don't like weddings." She shrugged, "I told Kayla, 'if I got MIA for after a bit, don't worry'. Do you want to go in?"

He chuckled softly. "No, I don't like weddings either."

"Awh! Why?" She cooed, "sorry, I forgot no questions."

"You've asked me way too many questions, we're way past that." He pointed out.

"And I got no answers to those questions." She added immediately.

"Touché." He looked down sheepishly. "I found out my Fiancé and partner of six years was cheating on me, the morning of the wedding."

"No, that's so fucked up!" She gasped, "I don't get it why people cheat? Like what the hell?"

Harry giggled at her very honest and blunt reaction, "it's alright, I'm over it now." He shrugged. "It was the second time actually. Being cheated on. Wanted to adopt a kid at first but a single man with a busy schedule is not anyone's first choice. Tried for about three years."

"Understandable. I'm so sorry that happened to you."

"Why do you hate weddings?" He diverted the subject to her now.

"My reason is a bit more depressing." She said with her hand into a pinch to say how much more sas her reason is with a slight wink of her eye.

"I'm sure, but I'm here to listen."

"Trauma bonding, are we now?" She nodded her head squinting her eyes, "my mother died when I was six and my little brother was just two-three weeks old. Of course there was a wedding in our house so everyone was away except me, my dad and my mum with my brother, well 'cause she was sick."

"I'm sorry." He mumbled.

"It's fine, I've had twenty years to learn and grow." She shrugged.

"Do you mind me asking what happened?"

"She had a c-section with my brother and the internal stitches ripped open because she was throwing up and coughing so much. I was there when she, uhhh, you know... My dad was out getting us dinner when all of that happened." She moved back a little bit to sit comfortably with her legs criss cross, using the pole as a back rest, her hand resting on her bump as if on autopilot.

Harry just sat there looking at her as he processed all of what she said. She was six. Watched her mother die. That explains her fear of throwing up.

"Don't look at me like that, your green eyes scary." She laughed.

"I'm just trying to process." Harry shared, "What was her name? Your mum's name, I mean."

"Sofia." YN shared.

"That's a beautiful name." Harry cooed and took a moment to mirror how she sat. "Why don't you tell me about her?"

"You want me to talk about my Mummy?" She looked at him puzzled to which he just nodded, "well I've only known her for six years. But she was a doctor like me. A little crazier 'cause my dad told me once she was going for another doctorate. I never want to touch that ever again!"

"So you come from a family of a geniuses." He commented joining her laugh.

"You can say that. She had like three cats, only one of them is still alive. He's old man now. I brought him home on my way back from school he was about three months old, so he's technically my cat. My dad was furious, but who can go against mum's. I mean who's got that kind of audacity, right?"

"Exactly!" He agreed with his own dramatics, "Mum's are the best!"

"Not all of them, my step mother is a total witch. Witch not a bitch. Can't swear like that." She shared. "My mum was the principal of my school. And everyone loved her, obviously. As they all should. That's pretty much it. What else you want to know?"

"She sounds like an amazing person." Harry said. "I'm trying to figure out something though. I wasn't a hairy baby, nor my sister or my mother or dad. How is this baby so hairy? How did doctor Wilson even see that?"

YN looked at him in disbelief, "you failed your science classes by any chance?"

"Yeah, twice but what does that have to with--" he paused, "oh, oh. I'm sorry I didn't to say it like that. I also didn't want to assume. Just looking out for you that's all as you said you can't lie down and--"

"Okay, okay calm down." She stopped him, "it's okay, it's okay."

"Did she tell you what you can do to help with the heartburn?" He asked.

"Nope. Can just hope for the best." She shook her head.

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. F.Y.I. sir, I was a very fussy baby as well. Good luck with that."

"You're joking?"

"Nope."

"You're joking!"

"I am not."

"Yes you are, you cheeky, you're laughing."

Now she was laughing, "you saw how much I still cry, right?"

He sighed, "yeah."

"We should go back in, they're about to play my favourite song." YN suggested. Harry was up on his feet immediately ready to help her up.

"Yeah? How do you know that?"

"I made the playlist, duh!"

They walked to the wedding party back. Or more like, Harry followed YN like a little smitten little kitten. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran started playing.

"Would you like to dance with me, ma'am?" Harry offered his hand with extra add on of his charm.

"I'd love to." YN placed her hand in his. Harry took the opportunity to lace his fingers through her in a delicate hold, and slid his other hand around her waist. The baby in between wasn't enough to keep a modest distance.

"This alright?" He whispered as he swayed both of them to the soft tune.

"Mhmm." She nodded.

"What is with you and that doctor?" He asked all of a sudden looking behind her.

"Who? Doctor Jones?" She asked.

"Mhmm."

"Nothing. He's just a nice dude. Why did you ask that?"

"He's been oogling at ya the whole day!" Harry scoffed.

"By the way this is my favourite song." YN tried to change the subject and it worked.

"Is that Ed Sheeran?"

"Yeah!"

"He's one of my best mates." He casually bragged.

"You're kidding?"

"Nope."

"You are kidding!" She gasped.

"I am not. I have his number."

"You have Ed Sheeran's number?" She sounded gobsmacked.

"Yeah."

"Oh my god! Can you get me his signed record?" And she gasped again at her own idea.

"He's on tour right now, but I'll try." He couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, he place her hand in his on his shoulder as he reached to tuck her hair behind her ear again. "You look very pretty tonight, have I told you that?"

"I don't know." She shrugged nonchalantly, but she's screaming inside.

YN tried her best to keep her feelings in check. Like, it's not right. Today though, she did took time to really just take all the feelings in.

Oh boy, did he looked extra, extra dreamy today!

His hair grown out a tiny bit. He now styled his hair in a middle part, his stubble ever so slightly showing. His eyes looked so vibrant and relax, like there were no worries about anything behind them.

And today is about celebrating love too!

He wore a baby blue suit, with his staple white dress shirt. Which is always see through and top three buttons undone. His classic cross necklace, he switched it out to a gold one few weeks ago. And the tattoos on his pecks peeking through as always, which she believed are some kind of birds surrounded by little hairs on his chest.

It was touch of his soft thumb just under her lip which brought her back on earth. His face was just so close to her. That's when someone screamed her name.

"Oh god!" She was spooked.

"It's alright, who is that?" Harry asked looking behind her. It was one of Kayla's childhood friend, Hadleigh.

"YN!" The girl exclaimed as she approached her.

Now, Hadleigh and YN hardly talk to one another. But when they first met, they were really good friends. Until Hadleigh went ahead and shot her shot, telling YN that she had started to like her.

Well, it isn't like YN's not into girls, but she's confused if she's in girls like that in the first place. But most importantly, she wasn't looking for a partner that time (nor is she now unless it's Harry). YN's always been so focused on her career, she never gave going out or being in a relationship a shot ever. It just haven't been her cup of tea to begin with.

Plus, she didn't want to be vulnerable and open to someone.

Hadleigh of course was very understanding and respected her feelings. She got busy with her job as real estate developer. And life went on.

"Hadleigh, so nice to see you!" YN exclaimed.

"Same here," the blue eyed girl smiled as she took YN in for a hug, "I know I missed the ceremony but gosh this is amazing!"

"It is." YN had to agree, the party was lit.

"Oh, you're pregnant!" Hadleigh almost squealed.

"I, uhhh..." YN stuttered, "yeah."

"Congratulations!" She gave YN another hug.

"Thank you." YN smiled not knowing what to say, "this is Harry by the way." YN turned to Harry was stood just half a step behind her. "And Harry, this is Hadleigh. Kayla's kindergarten friend."

"Oh, nice to meet you Hadleigh." Harry approached her with a handshake.

"Nice to meet you too, Harry." Hadleigh shook hands with him. "Oh, looks like the bride is finally free. I'm gonna go talk to her before she gets busy again."

"Yeah sure." YN nodded.

"You want to go back to the hotel?" Harry asked once Hadleigh was gone, YN looked exhausted.

"No, I'll just go sit somewhere." She shared.

"Come." He grabbed her hand and guided her to the now empty dining tables set to a side, he pulled a chair for her to sit facing the dance floor, he pulled a chair like he did at the ice cream place on her birthday that night. His knee touching hers.

"Is it really that obvious, I'm pregnant?" She asked, her hand on her swollen belly now really showing she is in fact very pregnant. But she's been feeling insecure lately. She had to run last minute to the tailor to get her dress readjusted, even though it was made keeping in mind she'd grow by the time of the wedding.

Well, she's almost in her third trimester (twenty eight weeks). It was obviously going to show. YN just doesn't want to admit that this time is going way too fast.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, confused of her sudden change in mood.

"I-- she knew just by looking at me?" She wondered.

"She hugged you, darling." Harry defended her from herself, "I mean it's not a bad thing, is it?"

"No," she shook her head.

"Are they moving now?" He asked.

"Yeah, like crazy!" She sighed, "see!"

Harry carefully kept his hand where her's was, she placed hers on his. He felt a jolt which made him almost jump. "That was strong!" He commented laughing.

"Yeah." YN nodded.

It warmed her heart how he already adored the baby, they aren't even born yet.

And it also makes her heart sore thinking this is the only time she'll get with the baby. She's been contemplating to ask him if she could still see them from time to time. She would be fine if he never told them she's their mother. But it felt wrong.

After all he's just a complete stranger she met through a surrogacy agency website online, got pregnant via IVF, failed one time but worked the second, he paid her for carrying the baby. She's already grown to love the baby so much that it also felt wrong that she did it all for money at first.

She doesn't want him to think she's in with wrong intentions if she asks to see the baby in future.

Though, she's already paid one of the installments to the remaining amount he had lent her. He doesn't know about it, but his accountant and Personal Assistant does.

"You good?" Harry sounded concerned. That's when YN realised her eyes were getting watery as she thought about everything.

"Yeah. Just a little sleepy." She made an excuse, which he surprisingly belived.

"Do you really want to go back to the hotel, YN? You know we can." He suggested.

"No, I'm fine. I promise." She assured him.

They sat there in corner watching the party go on. Until Kayla came and approached YN herself, she was little tipsy but she pulled a chair next to her.

"You look tired." She spoke, "I think should really go and rest."

Harry jumped in too, "that's what I said."

"See, he agrees too." Kayla pointed out. "You need to rest!"

"I know, but I'm having fun just sitting here." YN shared. And she is indeed having fun there.

The party eventually came, newly weds were off to their honeymoon. This was all new to YN, as everything was over in merely three days.

Harry drove YN back to the hotel room. His was booked right next tk hers. They walked as it was just to the walking distance.

"This ended very quickly." She commented.

"Quickly?" Harry got confused.

"The wedding." YN shared, "it went on barely three days, it was just a bachelorette party, then going over some things the next day, then the wedding, this happened really quickly."

"That's a long time."

"No, it's not. Wedding functions usually last for weeks. Not that I like or enjoy any of those, but it was still significantly different experience." She explained.

"Yeah?" Harry sounded in amusement. They reached her room there, it was too quick for Harry's liking.

"Hmm, Indian wedding usually last for about two weeks to a month." YN shared as she opened up the door to her room.

"Have to attend an Indian wedding myself then, eh." He beamed, "I'm just next door to you, call me if you need anything, hmm?"

"I will, thank you." She nodded. "Wait... This is not my room." She checked the card key.

"Got you stuff moved here. It's a lot more comfortable." He explained.

"This is a freaking suite Harry, who's going to pay for it?!" She opened the door and was shocked to see the room.

It had light blocking curtains, a massive bed she doesn't have to now share with Julia. It had it's own sofa and coffee table by what she reckoned is a floor to ceiling glass window.

"I did." He said, "try to get some sleep now darling."

......................................................................

It was middle of the night and YN was craving chocolates.

Now, she can hold herself off till she can get something to eat which she is craving. It was a different kind of urge now. Especially when she couldn't eat the chocolate desserts as they had Rum in it. Kayla almost killed off the caterers for not having a Alcohol free dessert as she asked for specially for her best friend.

YN could go down to the hotel gift shop and buy a very expensive bar of chocolate but she just want to get out of her room. The bed is awfully comfy. And she couldn't sleep because every time she goes to lie down, her stomach acids want to gush out of esophagus. So she called Harry. Sent the man out to get her chocolates. And he did so. The gift shop was closed off he messaged her so he drove to a nearest shop to get her what she wanted. It looked like he bought the whole store when he got back with just more than just chocolates she asked for.

"Is this enough, darling?" He set everything on the little coffee table by the floor to ceiling window which was now closed off by light blocking curtains.

"That's too much Harry!" She walked upto him. "Just asked for a few chocolates."

"Well, I figured you might be hungry as you didn't eat much tonight." He pulled out a few bags of crisps, "usually don't condone eating junk food, but this is the best we can do at two in the morning."

"Thank you!" She cooed and hugged him tight.

Harry was taken back. Not by her hugging him but by the butterflies in his tummy. He hugged her back though. Her hugs are always warm and welcoming.

"Of course, my love." He rubbed her back gently, "why didn't you sleep?"

And she got to opening a bar of chocolate as she sat down on the sofa chair, right next to him. "I can't sleep. Everytime I try, my stomach acids want just gush out." She munched on the chocolate and yawned.

She really needs sleep, but she can't sleep sitting up. It's very dangerous. She might fall off her bed, or sleep in a position which might hurt the baby.

"Oh look," she grabbed a hold on his wrist and place it on her stomach for Harry to feel the punches. "And there goes the jab!"

"Ouch!" Harry almost felt that under his skin, "they're being a trouble maker, aren't they! Go to sleep now, will you little wrestler!"

"What the hell!" YN stopped feeling them move out of nowhere. "Did they just stopped moving?"

Harry chuckled, "they already listen to their Papa, don't they?" His thumb ran gentle strokes over the oversized shirt she wore.

"Yeah." She's in awe again. But took advantage and moved back to relax maybe take in a nap before long car ride back home the next day. Harry got up quickly and got the blanket from the bed.

"C'mere." He sat next to her again with his arm draped onto the back rest of the sofa. YN hesitantly leaned in resting her head on his shoulder as she tried to sleep.

......................................................................

Next morning was chaos.

YN was throwing up so their drive back was delayed. Julia was accompanying them as Harry offered. He saved her the hassle of taking a train back home. So it was now Julia and YN play arguing over some snacks they bought just before getting in the car.

Harry had a great time watching them bicker back and forth without offending one another. He'd act as if he's not paying attention when either of them tried to bring him in their pretend argument, not wanting to be the bad guy.

That was pretty much it for the day.

......................................................................

The very next day was when Harry resumed his duty of taking her to and from work.

He wants to make sure she's safe and sound himself. Sure he trust Jeremy with his own life. But he gets more time to spend with YN.

"Hi!" She greeted him with a warm smile on her in morning when he picked her up.

Harry took to this very lovely breakfast place, one because Lizzie is on a vacation, and two he can't cook to even save his life without burning down his kitchen. He's hungry and he knows she might have not eaten well either.

"I can't believe you out of all people are eating out today!" YN pointed out sipping on her smoothie.

"Lizzie is on a vacation." He shared.

"You didn't cook?" Harry just glanced at her sheepishly, "so you're going to eat out till she comes back?"

"I guess, or maybe I'll crash at my mum's."

She giggled, "come over tonight, I'll make you something to eat."

"You don't have to darling, you're already tired enough." He found her glaring at him, enough to be intimidating. "Alright!"

And that's what they did. Harry picked her up from work and they went straight to grocery shopping, because she didn't had much left at home and they went back to her place.

Julia was home, watching TV.

Harry had figured the blondie is fun to hang out with, she just hated him for reasons he doesn't know. Well, maybe for treating her best friend like crap that night at his bar.

"Hello mamas, how was your day?" She spoke looking behind, "oh look mister grumpy pants is here too!"

"Hello to you too, blondie." Harry waved at her.

"You're staying in tonight, J?" YN asked to which Julia nodded, "I'm making dinner."

"I was just going to order us Pizza!" Blondie gasped in excitement and followed the pair into the kitchen. Harry noticed a few boxes in the kitchen. Like someone was moving out.

"Who's moving out?" He asked.

"The newly weds." Julia shared as YN made a run to the loo. "They got their own place now."

"Awh!" Harry cooed. Both of them took out the ingredients from the bags mean while YN came back, in a civil manner. Civil manner from Julia mostly.

"Can I please have the kitchen to myself?" YN asked as she stepped back in the kitchen. She doesn't like the clutter in kitchen when she's cooking, and knowing her best friend, Blondie would definitely pick a fight with Harry.

"I'll leave." Julia saw herself out to continue watching whatever animal documentary she was watching.

"I'm staying to help." Harry announced as he rolled up sleeves of his white dress shirt. YN said nothing as she handed him an apron, knowing his short costs as much as a month worth of rent.

She started off by chopping onions and tomatoes. Harry's eyes almost started tearing up as he stood there waiting for her instructions to do something.

"Oh my god those onions!" He hissing covering his eyes and making YN laugh.

"Go sit out, I can do this." She told him.

"No, I'm fine. I'm fine." He sniffled. "What are we having though?"

"Okra, which is Bhindee, Roti, rice and Daal." She shared the menu with him.

"Never had that before." He sounded intrigued to try new food, "the most I've had is Biryani, Jeremy's wife made."

"You're missing out." She sighed dramatically.

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Guess we'll have to ask Lizzie to make new foods then." He announced. And he for sure is going to ask his cook to make some new foods.

Harry had a few things to share with her, but given her friend is in other room he figured he'll do that the next day.

Barely two and half months till baby is here, the appointments were now every other week instead of every month. He wanted to know when was she planning to put in her maternity leave.

He just wants her to be comfortable, standing for hours on hours teaching is very fucking tiring. And dealing with teenagers? That's whole new level of difficult in his opinion. Though the summer vacation have already begun, she still went to work.

The cat, Noodle just walked past his legs to YN and lingered around the kitchen as she cooked.

"Can you stir this a few times in between?" YN asked him.

"Yes!" He's been waiting for this, he took on the work. The dinner was done in no time. Even the cat was given it's dinner around the same time.

Harry had a quiet night watching a Dinasaur documentary. YN seemed very interested in that as they all sat on the floor with coffee table as their dining table.

......................................................................

The very next week. Kayla and Josh were back from their honeymoon as they got ready to move out.

Even Julia had found herself a place to move to so she can afford the rent. YN was going to live at Harry's place, as per the contract as she's nearing the due date.

Like promised, Harry took days off to help YN pack up her stuff. She just clothes and a few things to move, like her bed which she sold as she'd have nowhere to keep it. And that was it.

It was pretty emotional leaving the place she called home from past five years. She hoped she'd finally get to go see her dad this summer but maybe she can go during winter break.

Back at Harry's, she got the room she spent a night at once. The closet was empty for her to fill it up.

YN didn't know what was upstairs, maybe Harry didn't used that floor. His bedroom was downstairs, maybe the floor above had guest bedrooms. She remembered Lizzie saying it is a six bedroom house. There were few people working in the other spare room that day. Maybe he's getting the nursery ready.

That thought made YN's heart sink again.

She spent a couple of hours just putting her clothes away from the boxes. She didn't know she had that many clothes, and none of those fit her anyway now. So she placed all of the clothes which don't fit her and she doesn't want to wear in a separate box to donate.

She was just on her last box when Harry came in with tea and a few snacks. He knew she needed to take her vitamins and few other medications doctor have prescribed to her, she needed to eat something for that. They had a very early lunch.

"You want me to help you with those?" He asked as he placed the tray on the ottoman in the closet.

"I'm almost done. Those are for donation." YN explained.

"That's like half of your closet." He pointed out, she just sighed and continued to place last few closed in their shelves. "We'll go shopping tomorrow, yeah?"

"It's fine, I am fine with these for now." She gesture at the clothes she had.

It looked like the closet was empty. She never had a walk in closet before, it was very new to her. She had very limited space at her last place anyway.

"Come on now I got Chai and snacks. Made it just the way you showed me yesterday." He grabbed a gentle hold of her hand as he walked her out. "You want to make any modifications to this room? We should add a study table so you can work comfortably."

"I just have a week and half of work left, don't need a study table. But thank you." She tried her best to smile but all she could think about was the baby she will never see again.

"You alright?" Harry could sense she is in deep thoughts but he let her decide if she wants to share it.

"Yeah, I just need a nap." Maybe she can sleep and her worries would go away. Yeah, she can try that whilst the baby is not moving.

"Okay, but at least eat something, yeah?" He suggested, "I'll be just outside."

"Mhmm." She picked up the mug of chai. She is going to eat before she sleep though.

......................................................................

YN couldn't sleep. So she decided to take a warm shower, got everything ready but she got a call from her dad. She just sat there talking to him for a while.

She hadn't told her dad that the baby was her's too, and she wasn't just carrying it for a couple. Not that he would be mad, but she just wanted someone to share it with. Someone who she shared that close bond with.

They talked about her little brother's latest behaviours, how he's getting back on track and getting the help he needs. Her dad shared that he went upto him to talk about it. YN was relieved from that worry of her. Her dad also shared how her brother was interested in modeling and that he's gone to a few casting too and all that stuff. He also shared that the doctors gave him a pass that he can go work in person in a next few months given his very fast recovery.

YN was over the moon hearing that. That was the reason she took that very big decision.

She had a nice cry and stayed in her designated room all night, sulking in her bed.

At least she got some sleep.

Harry didn't bother her until the next morning when she had breakfast in her room. He went to check in on her and take her shopping like he said last night. He managed to convince her to with him. But that was it.

......................................................................

Harry had managed to get YN's input on the nursery, which was very slowly coming together. He didn't mind if it was finished before the baby is here, because they won't be sleeping alone for a long time. She helped him build the cot, the dresser and changing table after the room was painted.

It was all wholesome and animal themed, on her suggestion. The room was already filled with a load of sensory toys, stuffed animals and loads of story books. The half of the room was already being planned to be padded with crash pads and a pretty soft rug on top and a small play fence. Everything was baby proof in the entire house already.

He was working from home now so he could do rest of work himself. Of course he encouraged YN to help him because all she did was sulk in her room after she was done working. But now she's not working. Her summer break as teacher had begun and she'd miss the next semester due to her maternity leave.

Just two weeks and half to the due date. It was rhe thirty-ninth week, almost fortieth.

"I don't know mum." YN overhead Harry talking to his mother about something. He was on his laptop looking for something, "yup that's great idea, I'll ask the doctor." She reckoned it must be about the baby so she waddled carefully towards him.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"I don't know which diapers to get. What if little bean has sensitive skin?" He whined in concern.

YN tried to hold back her laugh but failed, "get the reusable cotton ones. But yeah, you'll have to wash like a fifty of them at least twice a day."

"Is that really a good choice then?" He asked, now intrigued.

"Hmm." YN nodded. "I've usually seen grandma's making cloth diapers from used cotton clothes for babies. It's not harsh on their skin. I looked after my brother when he was a baby and my dad and grandma prohibited the use of single use diapers, unless we were going out or something. I've heard from a few friends back home that now you can buy those online too."

"Yeah?" He was impressed, "how many do you think will the baby need?"

"The more the merrier." She shrugged and started waddling back in kitchen.

There was a lot of left over noodles left in the fridge from lunch, which Lizzie left because she had leave early due to some emergencies. Or that all would go to the homeless in the community. The lady hated seeing the food go to waste.

Harry followed after her. He found her new waddle adorable. "You having dinner?"

"Yeah, you want me to heat up some for you too?" She asked as she took out the container.

"Yeah," he nodded, "do you want to watch a movie or something?" To which she surprisingly agreed.

He's been worried about her lately spending all her days in her room. Making up excuses so she can be in her room. They ate and sat watching The Witcher together on the sofa.

Harry had her tucked closer to him with his hand on the bump. Both were getting comfortable with one another. It was getting harder and harder for Harry to find a way fast enough to confess his feelings for her. He doesn't want it to be too late, but he barely knows how to. With a baby in mix.

He is in a complicated situation.

So is YN. She's grown comfortable around him. It's difficult when he's got to go for in person meeting last minute. She's gotten used to his antiques and how he bugs her every other hour to eat something or just do something with him. He's also managed to get her out for a nice walk, luring her with promises of ice cream. Which worked all the time.

She knows she's way past her infatuation, crush, and like phases with him. She's halfway sure she's in love with him. It was new.

She's only been with one person before but it only lasted for barely three months. She's been through the first few stages, but not this.

And there is a baby in the mix. Everything is happening backwards or out of order to confuse her even more.

But she's sleepy because has stopped moving for a few minutes now, or at least they've stopped kicking and punching her insides. She's learned to. She snuggled closer to Harry as her eyelids got heavier and heavier, until she was fast asleep.

......................................................................

It was the forty-first week. Harry and YN were out on a walk to go get ice cream. He had just gotten home from his last minute meeting. Lizzie so nicely offered to stay with her until he's back home. He hadn't even got to change as he directly to serving YN the dinner before he took her out to ice cream place.

They met his elderly neighbours who thought that he's got a wife now, they congratulated the couple as they walked past after a few minutes of talking. It was awkward, but made YN feel silly and giddy inside.

Turned out they know Harry very well, but the elderly couple seemed to be in hurry before either them could say anything. The walk to and from ice cream shop was slightly awkward. But they had to hurry back as YN was felt a sharp contraction.

Highly likely, it wasn't a Braxton Hicks thing, given the baby could arrive anytime.

YN wanted to be back in comfort of her bed in case anything happens. And Harry said he wanted to talk about something to her, maybe share something.

Maybe it was about how she'll have to leave the baby now. Maybe there were a few legal obligations. She had so many maybe's running through her mind in that moment. And Harry forgot about it in worries of what was happening.

Her contractions kept getting closer and closer rapidly every hour and half. It wasn't until her water broke. She was in bathroom luckily.

YN started panicking inside. She's not the one to scream when in pain, but she is wincing. It felt like her period cramps were on some heavy drugs and steroids.

"Hey, hey look at me." Harry tried to get her attention, "breathe with me, darling, it's okay." He did the rapid breathing exercises with her a few times before he got to getting the hospital bag. Even stuffed a spare outfit managed to get in the bag.

The drive to the car was painful and slow. There was no traffic given it was four in the morning. Harry had to drive carefully. He just hated seeing her cry in pain like that, getting flashbacks. This time the baby is healthy, YN is healthy. He parked closee to the entrance.

"Help me out please." YN mumbled.

"Yeah, yeah," Harry hurried out, but another contraction hit her. "It's okay, breathe baby." He held her hand tightly.

"It hurts, it hurts so bad!" She is crying, tears falling down her cheeks and all.

"It is going to hurt more if you keep holding your breath, darling." He rubbed his hand on her back.

She sighed, "I'm good, I'm good." Announcing she carefully stepped out of the car.

Harry followed her behind closely because she said she can walk just fine. Or waddle just fine enough. They were just halfway through the maternity department when another contraction hit her.

She stopped mumbling, grabbing onto Harry for support.

YN knew she can't handle this pain, she can only imagine how it would be pushing a heavy ass baby out through her vagina. It was going to hurt even more. A lot more. She can't do that now. Can she back off?

"We're so close love, you think you can walk?" Harry asked.

"Yes." She nodded and walked to the reception where they were checked in.

YN was asked to change into a hospital gown immediately and checked on. She was dilating on a good pace, and she was advised to move around to speed up the process even faster. She paced back and forth in the room but her pain was getting worse every passing contraction.

"You, you want to call your family and tell them?" YN suggested as she sped walked up and down in the labour and delivery room.

"I will do that later, YN," he shared, "you can ask for the epidural, you know?"

"I know, I know, just not now." She sniffled on her tears, but she broke down crying sat on the edge of hospital bed.

"Hey, c'mere." He hugged her, "everything is going just fine."

"I don't know, I don't know if I can do this." She sobbed, "I want to have a C-section. I can't do this."

"It's more risky, darling." Harry was surprised, "you can do this."

"Just talk to the doctor for me, please--" another contraction hit her right in the crotch.

And Harry did. After all it's her body, she can decide whatever. Given she's in agony and her decisions might not be right. He wouldn't invalidate her feelings like that. But Doctor Wilson adviced against her idea, unless there is an emergency, because honestly it had more risks to her. That made her real upset.

"Hey, you know there are cons to it." Harry cooed as he sat next to her, "the recovery time is longer, it's more painful, there are more chances of hemorrhage. I know you can do it."

"I don't care, I just want them to healthy."

"They're healthy, love, look you can see and hear their heartbeats there." He pointed at the heart monitor which was keeping track of the baby's heartbeat.

It was half past six in the morning, when YN finally gave in and asked for an epidural at eight centimetres dilation. Harry was asked to step out just so the room is clear and the procedure is done without any interruptions. It took them a whole hour to call him back in. Meanwhile he called his mother and asked her to come over if she could, he honestly didn't know what he could do. YN was in so much pain and it was getting just as hard on him to watch. He cried on the phone call with his mum.

But just a few minutes later YN seemed less stressed. "How are you feeling now?"

"Can't feel much waist down." She chuckled slightly, "this is why I waited so long to get the epidural."

"At the pain is less now, right?"

"Mhmm."

"You want anything?" He sniffled.

"You were crying?" She realised, "no, why are you crying Harry, the baby is fine."

"I know, I know." He nodded, "I'll get you more ice chips, yeah, just five minutes?"

"Okay."

Harry so badly wanted to tell her that he cares about her as well there. He is crying of two reasons, the baby is going to be here today and he just can't see her suffer like that. His mum was there by that time. She brought him coffee and said Gemma was on the way with breakfast for everyone.

Harry just couldn't bring himself to eat until way after the baby is here. But it was nice of his sister. His mum went out to get more bottles of water whilst he brought the ice chips to YN. He noticed the contraction were way harder than he last checked but she wasn't hissing in pain like before rather she lied there with her eyes closed.

"Hey YN, you want anything?" He asked again handing her cup.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you for this." She smiled.

"Those are higher than the last time I checked." He looked at the monitor again.

"It's feels like period cramps now." She shared, "it's bearable."

"That great!" He flashed his dimply smile finally. "Now, I, I-- to be honest I don't know what to do or say, so I just asked my mum to come over. She can be a great help, I, I can just call her in if you need to talk to her about anything which she can help with."

"No, you didn't had to bother her. I'm fine." A crease formed between her brows, a look of worry. He should asked his family to come visit after the baby was here, especially his mother. She bet the lady has more important work to do than be there to help her.

"It's alright, love." It was his mother. Pretty evident as Harry looks like a copy of her. "You're not a bother." She placed the water bottles on the side table. "I'm Anne, Harry's mum."

"Hello, I'm YN," she greeted her with a smile, "I feel bad now."

"It's okay, you can tell me what you need. I had two kids of my own, so I bet I can be pretty good help." Anne smiled.

She waited around the back as nurse checked on YN twice already. Harry sat next to her on the edge of her bed. His mum of course knew everything, he told her before he even told YN about it. In hope she might have a way to help him. She tried but he is just too anxious for that.

"What are you going name them?" She asked.

"Have a few names picked out, you want to help me?" He pulled out his phone and opened his notes app before she could say anything. "Let me know if you have any suggestions too." He handed her his phone. He had a list of ten names each for boy and girl and some just neutral names.

"You sure you want me to have a look?"

"Of course!" He shrugged.

Another good few hours went by, YN was starting to feel more pain but it was not something crazy. She was finally given a green flag for pushing. It wasn't as painful as she thought it would be due to the epidural she got, though she's sure it's gonna kick once it wears off. She didn't know how long she has been pushing for or now many were needed, all she thought about the baby's health. A nurse placed a clean towel over her chest.

YN panicked as the baby didn't started crying immediately, but they did once their back was rubbed. It was a loud high pitched scream cry.

"It's a girl!" Doctor Wilson announced as she placed the girl on her chest and YN stopped breathing in that moment.

That shouldn't have happened. They should have taken the baby away immediately. Now she was holding onto her, she doesn't want to let go. She started sobbing too.

"She does have a lot of hair." Harry commented, that's when YN realised she wasn't alone in the room with the new baby girl, her crying had gotten down to just few whimpers.

"Yeah!" YN cooed.

"Alright, YN a few more pushes for the afterbirth." Doctor Wilson caught her attention and someone was picking up the girl off her chest.

"No, no don't take her please." YN panicked, "please!"

"Can we please hold her longer?" Harry asked the nurse who of course agreed to it. YN held onto the girl the entire time until the pediatrician said they really have to weigh and check on the baby.

Harry stayed by her side as his mum was there whilst they checked the baby girl. YN looked at him confused. "You want some water?" He fetched her the bottle of water, "you did so amazing, she's here. It's a girl!"

"Like you wanted." YN nodded.

......................................................................

YN was all changed up into a clean hospital gown. She was given a very hearty meal.

The baby girl weighed nine pounds and eight ounces, no wonder why YN couldn't walk by the very end. She's definitely got a lot of hair on her head.

YN wasn't asked to feed her, hell, she haven't even got to see her again even though they're in the same room. She have been bleeding very bad so her stay at the hospital will be by the next evening. It was way past afternoon now. Harry has been going back and forth between her and the baby girl. She had asked him to talk to the pediatrician saying she's fine there as the nurse checked on her.

She doesn't even know what's her name is going to be.

"Ms. YLN, do you have family or friends we can call up for your discharge next day?" A nurse asked YN, everyone knows it's just a surrogacy case. By the talk of nurse, looked like Harry could take the baby home by tonight or even by early evening.

"Yeah, I, I'll call my friend." She nodded. The lady then proceeded to ask her questions on her pain levels, how she was feeling.

"Alright, we'll move you to the recovery room but you are advised to walk around every hour or so, for as much as you physically can." The nurse explained, "please don't push yourself to do more than you can."

"I will." YN nodded again. She tried to get off her bed and go find her phone in the mess which was the sofa chair now. It was painful, every step but she has to move around anyway, it wasn't certainly her first time out of bed after giving birth. She can say it was teeny bit less pain. She found her phone to text Julia to come over toni to the hospital. "Hello."

"Hey sexy, what's up?" Julia spoke.

"Just had the baby few hours ago." YN shared, talking as low as she could, "can I please ask you for a favour?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"I want you to come pick me up tomorrow, they want to keep me here overnight so I don't bleed out." YN shared, "and uhhhh... I'll also be needing help to get, ummm... my clothes and stuff the next morning. I, I promise I'll be out as soon as I find a flat."

"Are you kidding me?" Is the first thing Julia yelled, "isn't Harry going to be taking care of the afterbirth thing too?"

"I don't know. I forgot. I'm just feeling so alone right now. I don't want to bother him, he's with the baby and his mum." YN was trying hard not to cry. "Please come and see me?"

"I, I will as soon as I get off work, yeah?" Julia now sounded worried, "I'll ask if I can clock out early."

"Thank you!"

"Don't mention it, I'll be there. I promise!"

"Okay." She hung up the call.

"Hey, what are you doing out of bed love?" She heard Harry, "you feeling better now?"

"Yeah." She sounded walking back to the bed, "nurse said I'll be moved to the recovery room. They want to keep here for the night."

"No, what's wrong?" He followed her, baby in his arms. YN watched Anne leave whilst on a phone call, "what did they say?"

"It's nothing, I, I am bleeding too much." She shared, "I, I should probably go to the bathroom now."

"You want me to call the nurse?"

"No, I'll be fine." YN walked to the loo as fast as she could. When she came out the baby was crying and whining. The nurses were in and out of the room since they got there, she is already overwhelmed enough.

"Do you know how to swaddle her?" Harry sounded terrified, "changed her nappy, I don't know what's going on!"

"Let me see." She went ahead and put the new baby in a warm cosy swaddle.

"That's incredible!" Harry gasped, "look at her, all cosy now."

"Yeah." Baby girl is still whining. She's defin hungry. "Did she eat anything?"

"No, I wanted to ask if, if you wanted to breastfeed her. Only if you're fine." Harry shared, "the nurse is gone to bring the formula just incase."

"You'd be fine with that?"

"You sound surprised. Of course I'd be fine with that." He doesn't know what is going on. "I mean it's your choice at the end."

"I, I know--" before she could say anything further the nurse was back. But she rather ended up showing YN now to feed the baby.

That made her feel like dying now as she watched the baby nurse from her breast. She's in an awful state in that moment. But the baby had a full tummy, was burped and lied on her cot. It's exhausting being born, isn't it!

"Hey, what is going on YN?" Harry asked, finally.

"Nothing, I told you."

"It's not nothing. You're spacing out, come on talk to me darling." He cooed as he sat on the edge of her bed, "what did you mean they're going to move you to the recovery room? I don't know what is going on."

"You're not going home with her?"

"Not without you, no." He seemed more confused, "I'm more confused, YN."

"The nurse told me to call family or friends so they can take me home the next day." She shared, "I, I guess you can take her home in a few hours."

"You're coming home. Can't leave you like this here." He is now getting mad, "I told you I'm going to take care of you after the baby is here as well, didn't I? Not going to leave you alone. Little bean needs you, I need you."

"Why did she said it like that then?" She looked at him with eyes pooled up with tears.

"I'll talk to them," he assured her, "I know why she said it like that. I promise you I'm not going to leave you here. Why didn't you tell me before, hmm?"

"You were with you mother and baby, didn't wanted to bother you."

"I'm sorry you felt that way, but you're never a bother. Especially to me." He pushed her baby hair out of her face, "we'll go to the recovery room, have something to tell you."

"Okay." YN nodded, "I, I need to tell Julia, I, I called as I panicked. I'm sorry."

"It's alright." He assured her again, "you can ask your friends to come see her when we're out of here so it's more comfortable."

Harry made sure to make it clear that the baby and the mother are going to stay until she is discharged too, and that she is to be treated kindly there. He's seen a few nurses there being mean to her. Just because they knew little bean is related to her too and she was just giving away her child like that. Those nurses had a shift change anyway.

Gemma came over to see the baby too, she came with warm and healthy lunch. It was from a restaurant as she burnt the lasagna she was making on accident, hence why Anne hurried out. Least to say Gemma cried holding little bean.

"Is that hair underneath the hat?" She slightly pushed the hat back to check, "oh my god, yeah!"

"Yeah, got that from her mum." Harry bragged, YN almost choked on the water she was drinking hearing him say that.

Both of the ladies stayed till the last visiting hours. Finally there was quietness. Little bean had yet another meal, and is now laying on YN's shoulder. She's also been already holding up her head, and opening her eyes. She got those from Harry. Her fluffy cheeks had the slightest of the dimples.

It was a Styles trademark now, the dimples.

"When we get back," Harry spoke catching YN's attention, "I wanted to ask you a few things, make sure you're fine with them."

"Mhmm."

"I don't quite know how to help, this is obviously new. So I looked into it, found out about the Doula, they come in and help with the postpartum period, help take care of the baby. It'll be healthy for you and her." He tried his best to explain it in a best way possible, "I, I also know it's a huge part of the culture where you're from. We can or not go with the confinement thing, however you prefer it. So if you're fine with that, or we can figure it out as we go."

"No, no, I'd really like that." YN agreed, "frankly I don't know what to do either, I'm more tired now."

"We can stay in our little bubble until you recover and she's a bit older then, yeah?" He suggested, "and also, I've been wanting to ask you this for a while."

"Hmm, what?"

"I, I know you did not sign up for this. Was thinking of terminating the agreement you signed." He was holding onto his breath tightly, readying himself for her reaction, "I, I think she'd be more happier to have her second parent around."

"Really?" She's now crying again. The baby can call her Mumma now.

"Mhmm, I've already told my lawyer to get on it." He explained and a few more things, "we'll just have to sign the discharge papers and her birth certificate tomorrow before we take her home."

It warmed his heart to see how much little bean is loved already. The first time he got to hold her, all of the air was sucked out of his lungs. So tiny, and she felt warm against him, just how she moved her head to find a comfortable position to sleep on in his arms, hopefully feeling safe and sound.

It was a rainbows and unicorns moment for him. He thought he wouldn't be able to feel that connection with her, though she's a whole new person. He needs time to get to know her. It was all unexplainable.

It made him furious seeing how she's been treated by some of the nurses today, but it all sorted now. He dropped a quick message to his assistant to get the Doula on board. He found someone just perfect. It was an Indian lady around his mum's age with decades and decades worth of experience. It would also make YN feel at home.

Even though he stayed away from making his own conclusions, he could tell YN was slipping away in her thoughts with the baby. He's seen how bonded she already was and he'd hear her randomly talking to bump, or taking pictures in the mirrors around the house. Her initial decision of declining his offer has always been enough to remind him. She held back on so many of her opinions.

He wanted to hear them all. He figured it would be very unfair for both baby girl and YN to be away from one another.

"Is it going to be me visiting her every weekend? Or how, how do you want it to go?" YN asked.

"About that..." Harry shuffled in his seat, which has been the same since they got to the hospital, right on the edge of her bed. "Can I hold your hand for this?" And he grabbed a hold of her hand which didn't had a IV needle in it. "Don't want you slapping me across the face."

"I would never!" She gasped making him chuckle sheepishly.

"Just kidding." He took in a deep breath. "I want to make that everyday. I'm going to be so bad at this, at least for a while. But I've grown fond of you. So, so, so fond of you, couldn't realise when I fell in love with you. I want to be with you if you want that. Things are not planned but they can be figured on the way. We can do this together." He doesn't even want to think about her rejecting him.

"Wait," a blank look on her face made him more and more anxious. She's just processing he reckoned. "You're saying you like me?"

"Yeah..." He tried to process her question too, "well, it's more than that actually."

"You like me?" She asked again, emphasising the first and last word of her question.

"Let's switch that like for love, then yes. Most definitely, yes!" He said, little firmly. She just looked so flabbergasted.

"So you don't like me?" She spoke overwhelmed of everything in that moment, "wait, what? My brain just... What?" That made Harry giggle.

"Is it that hard to believe I'd ever say that?" He asked.

"Never imagined you'd say that, to me." She scoffed in disbelief, she still doubts he might be pranking her.

"And why would you say that?"

"I don't know," she sighed almost on the edge of crying, "I've been nothing but mean to you all this time, even though I didn't mean to. I'm sorry I don't mean to cry either, I don't know what is going on!" And the water works started.

"Awh, darling it's alright!" Harry cooed and immediately pulled her in a hug, he recieved one right back, "today have been so overwhelming for you, I know that but couldn't wait till tomorrow. We have to sign up the paper work and I reckoned it would be bad idea to put you in spot on the last moment, in case you have changed your mind about anything."

"No, I, I will not." She shook her head now sniffling. "Did you really mean what you said?"

"Every single word." He placed a feathery kiss on top of her head. He would be contained if she doesn't feel the same way, he at least tried. "I love you. More than a friend, more than just being mum of our new girl."

YN squeezed him tighter. Would be too awkward to tell him she loves him too? Why would it be awkward? She would sound stupid, wouldn't she?

"I love you." She mumbled.

"I love you!" He chuckled softly squeezing her right back.

"Oh, my back hurts." She shared pulling away from their hug. Her back really did hurt, every bone in her body hurt in that moment.

"Oops, sorry," he helped her with the pillows behind her back.

The baby girl softly sighing in her sleep right next to YN's hospital bed caught his attention. Her small mouth curled up in a O as she let out a long breath.

"It's tiring being born, isn't it?" Harry pulled the cot closer so he can place a kiss on his baby's head. She squirmed raising her swaddled legs kicking him right in the face, earning a gasp from him. "Oh, now I know how your Mummy felt."

"Hey she's just a baby!" He heard YN from behind.

"Yeah you two are going to team up against me." He surrendered in defeat already. "Just want to hold her for hours."

"She'll get used to it and won't let you sleep." YN shared. He agrees. She needs space to grow, he can be smothering all the time.

"A little smothering can be excused." He shrugged giving his full attention to her now. "This is going all backwards, isn't it?" He moved closer, holding her hand close to his heart after he placed a kiss on her knuckles.

"Doesn't matter though."

"No it doesn't." He smiled at her. "It's nearly dinner time, the Doula will be here anytime now."

"You already called her?" She looked rather shocked, "whem did you do that?"

"Texted my PA, and I got a text from her when you were feeding Bean, firmly warning me from giving you anything other than water." He shared.

"She's going to be the ultimate mama bear." YN giggled.

She's seen her Nani, her mum's mum looking after her daughters and her grand daughters during their postpartum confinement. It seems to be brutal that she has to give up icecream for the next six weeks, and burgers, and pizza, and every one of her favourite junk food, nothing but warm healthy food she'll be eating. It's going to be tough, but she signed up for it when she agreed.

Of course it isn't her Nani so it's going to be different she reckoned.

"Are we going to keep calling her Bean?" She asked.

"Not quite settled on any names you picked out." He said, "which one do you like the most? You chose, Starla, Evara and Juniper."

"I don't know." She shrugged.

"Come on, help me out here." He affirmed, "you know we're in this together."

"Okay, how about you pick from Juniper or Starla?" She shortened the list for him.

"Hmm, lets see." He looked at the baby for a second and back to YN. "Looks like she's meant to be named..." She looked at him eagerly, so hoping he'd pick her favourite name, "...Juniper?"

"Yeah!" She exclaimed, beaming at him now. "Is she going to have a middle name? It's a thing here right?"

"Don't you have a middle name?"

"I don't. We use our dads, or most recently either one of our parents name on the legal documents and stuff, otherwise no middle name." She explained.

"Shes definitely going to have a middle name." He nodded, "I have it picked out already."

"You do?"

"Mhmm, it's going to be a surprise for you till the morning." He leaned in closer, hoping he could steal a kiss finally.

"Okay--" before she could say anything there was a knock on the door. It was the Doula.

"Hello, I'm Mrs. Nimrit Singh." The lady introduced herself. Right off the bat, she had a very homely vibe to her, "I am the doula you contacted."

"Oh yes, I am Harry." Harry introduce himself, "and this is YN."

"Hello beta." She greeted YN with a bright smile and a warm hug.

"Hello," YN smiled back, all of a sudden feeling her anxiety and stress about how she'd deal with everything related to her postpartum. "This is Juniper."

"She's absolutely precious!" Mrs. Singh awed at the chubby baby sleeping in her cot.

"She is." Harry agreed.

"I brought you two dinner." She said, "and I also be wanting to know when you two will be going home so I can prepare accordingly."

"Doctor Wilson said we'll be discharged by tomorrow evening." YN shared and few more things Mrs. Singh asked for.

"Okay then, I'll bring breakfast in the morning." Mrs. Singh announced, "and Harry I want you to make sure she gets enough sleep and she doesn't drink or eat anything cold, it's not healthy for her or the baby."

"I will do that." Harry nodded, "no ice cream for you then Missy."

"No!" YN whined.

"Just six weeks and you can eat whatever you want." Mrs. Singh assured her, it melted YN's heart.

"Okay." She made a puppy face.

They all ate dinner together, getting to know one another as they'll be spending next month and half to two months together. Mrs. Singh is a very lovely lady, calm and bubbly at the same time. She stood shorter, graying hair at her hairline, pretty gray eyes held so much motherly love behind them. She also wanted to in and check herself jf the house was ready enough for the baby and the mother, ready a warm bath and stuff. It was all new to Harry but YN seemed to know what she was talking about there.

Mrs. Singh bonded well with YN and Harry. Apparently fathers go through a lot too during the postpartum, so she had asked him to tell her anything which is bothering him like she's his mother.

"Mrs. Singh, our house keeper and chef Lizzie will be there by five-thirty to six tomorrow if you needed anything." Harry shared as the lady was getting ready to leave for the night. "I'll let the guard know you'll be there."

"Thank you." She smiled again. She stayed for well over three hours before she left.

"She reminded me of my Mumma." YN shared, "she talks like her. She's even got gray eyes like my Mumma."

"Yeah? That's nice, isn't it?" Harey went and sat back on his place next to her, "I quite like her too, love her jokes."

YN moved to a side to make space for him, she patted the pillow, "come on."

"You sure?"

"Mhmm." And he got in, as he pulled her closer with his arm around her shoulder.

"You know this is probably the best day of my life." He shared.

"Is it?"

"Hmm." He sounded in agreement, "just took me too long to tell you how I feel. You've been anxious all day today."

"It's nothing, I forgot about it."

"Hope you at least could experience this to the fullest." He looked down to find him already looking at him, "you know the birth and all."

"Well, it was too enjoyable getting ripped open down there, but once doctor Wilson placed her on my chest it was everything!" And she'd give everything to experience that moment over and over again.

"Felt the same way when I held her for the first time." He shared too, "she was still whimpering, but calmed down as soon as I held her."

"You're her favourite."

"Oh come on, don't be jealous." He rolled his eyes jokingly.

"Don't roll your eyes at me." She scoffed.

"Bean's mummy is my favourite too." He gave her a cheeky smile making her blush, she hugged him tight in response. "Hey, look at me please?"

"Yes?" She raised her head yet again to look at him action nonchalant, that earned a laugh from him.

"Promise me we'll give everything to make this work?" He intertwined his fingers with hers over his tummy, "if this, for any reason doesn't work out, we'd work together for Bean?"

Harry's anxiety about this has been all time high, since he came to terms with his feelings. He's been cheated on twice, went through messiest breakups, he wants Juniper to have the best life as possible. Regardless of what happens to him.

"Don't want to jinx anything. You know I've stayed away from all this for long now." He continued, "just to give this a try with you. Hopefully it works out."

"Why won't it?" She said, "I know I'm not in place to say this, but everything works out at the end and if doesn't it's fine. Well, I just need a moment to freak out a little before, you know that's just how I function. We can make this work."

"Don't know how you do this." He just shook his head in disbelief, not even twelve hours ago she has been freaking out, wanting be cut open thinking it'll be easier way out. "We can make this work, yeah."

"Yeah, that's the attitude!" She hyped him up. He knows it's her teacher side coming out.

"I didn't want it to be this way, but will you be my girlfriend, YN?" He leaned in closer to just feel her warmth.

"Mhmm." She rested her forehead on his. It was enough for him to make the first move, place his lips on hers. Butterflies made their way upto her head from her tummy making her brain grow fuzzy for a moment.

"Waited so long for this too." He mumbled before he was kissing her again, feeling her hand rest over his cheek. He eventually pulled away to let her breathe. "Think we should try and get some sleep?" He placed a delicate kiss on the tip of her nose.

"Yep."

......................................................................

Harry and YN slept all fine the entire night. In fact YN was still asleep when Bean woke up. She was given her vaccines and checked on once again. She's all healthy and fit to go to her home. They were being discharged just before breakfast.

Harry forgot the car seat at home, so he asked Jeremy to get it who so kindly agreed too. Harry got all the paper work done, his lawyer had already had the previous agreement terminated first thing this morning.

"And what will be her full name?" The nurse asked. YN looked at Harry because she doesn't know her middle name yet.

"It will be Juniper Sophia Styles." Harry spoke, "or it can be YLN-Styles, YN?"

"Oh, I," she was flabbergasted again, "I, I don't mind."

"It'll be YLN-Styles please." Harry told the nurse, even spelled out the name. Just a few signatures later they were walking out with the baby and their stuff. Harry held the bag with his arm around YN's waist as she had Bean in her arms.

They're just gonna call her Bean. It suits her more. She is a bean.

"You picked my mum's name to be her middle name?" YN asked and she waddled next to him.

It is still painful to walk okay!

"Of course I did, darling." Her agreed.

"Is that the new baby!" Jeremy gasped.

"She is!" YN cooed walking over to him.

"Oh she's precious!" Who knew Bean would melt a tough looking six and half feet bulky guy awing like a little person, but she did. "Can I hold her?"

"Of course you can!" YN handed Bean to him carefully as she helped Harry with the bags. Yep, they came with one bag but are leaving with two as the hospital gave YN some stuff which she needs, like medications, sanitary products, there was a pump and jar or formula just in case. There was a lot of stuff.

The car ride home was peaceful and calm, Bean was awake just staring at her mum sitting next to her, but she's mostly sleepy. She's all bundled up even though it's a little warmer on Mrs. Singh's advice. She needs time to adjust because it has always been warm in her mummy's belly. Her tiny hands were in tiny mittens and there was tiny beanie on her head which her Aunty Gemma knitted just for her by hand.

Jeremy drove as Harry was sat in the passenger seat.

They're going home.

YN is both anxious and excited to see what life has in store in future. At least she wouldn't have to leave her baby and act like she doesn't exist for the rest of her life. That was like the universe worth of weight lifted off her back.

......................................................................

N O T E :

Phewwww! It took longer than I expected to finish!

If you kept up with this story, this is the last part. There won't be more parts of these.

I might do little check-ins with them, if I get enough requests and responses. If not then I won't. I left it on an open ending.

......................................................................

Tag list:

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sturniolowhore · 4 months

Text

☁️ BROTHER'S BEST FRIEND #3

summary ⎯ venus has had her eyes on her brother's best friend chris for as long as she can remember but she is far too scared that's all she is to him, his best friend's little sister. what happens when she realises he sees her in a different light and how will she and chris keep it hidden from her brother who has always told his friends never to meddle about with his sister.

part one! ♯ part two! ♯ part four! ♯ part five! ♯

part six!

warnings ⎯ suggestive and sexual, eventual smut, chris x fem!oc, fluff, cursing, kind of angst (?)

A/N ⎯ finally working on something with parts to it so i'm excited!! as a reminder, leo and venus do not exist irl, i just chose any random names for the sake of the story.

i hope you enjoy <3

❛ ━━･❪ ִ ࣪𖤐 ❫ ･━━ ❜

it's been almost a week since whatever happened on leo's birthday and venus has been unable to get chris out of her head. she's always been unable to get him out of her head but ever since that interaction and his words to her brother, it's gotten so much worse. she thinks about him all the time. she doesn't even know how to act to the point whenever he comes over to their house or she goes over to his, she tries her best to avoid him so she doesn't make a mess out of everything.

she's well aware he's currently at her house because she heard him laugh with leo as they walked to his room a while ago. she chose not to greet him like she usually does and waited until he was fully away in leo's room before she did anything. it's been a few hours since he's been here and she's getting a little hungry so she begins to head to the kitchen. the lights are all shut and there isn't much light coming in from outside so she doesn't even see chris in the kitchen until she flickers the switch.

she curses at the sudden presence and of course he laughs loudly, "sorry saturn, i would have turned the light on if i knew you'd get scared but i thought you were still hibernating in your room."

"i'm not hibernating in my room, whatever the fuck that means," she laughs at his words and shakes her head, moving to lean against the counter.

"really? i feel like i haven't seen you in forever, you're always in your room whenever i come over. are you okay?" his voice shift to one that is laced with concern and it honestly makes her melt; he's just so sweet when he needs to be and it never fails to amaze her just how in tune he is with the emotions of his loved ones.

she gives him a soft smile, "i'm fine, i've just been feeling lazy the past few days."

okay so she's lying but she has no idea what else she can say without revealing her feelings. it's not as though she can confess how she's been avoiding him because his words and everything about him is driving her insane. she starts to think again and doesn't realise the way she zones out or even hear whatever chris' response is.

"venus?" it's her actual name that snaps her out of it.

not many people close to her call her by her name, they all have some nickname of some sort that has always stuck, but there's just something about the way it sounds coming from chris. it sounds soft and beautiful and even though he rarely ever calls her venus, it sounds normal. when other people say it, it sounds foreign to her ears and she doesn't quite register it but with chris it seems so natural.

"sorry what?" she looks at him and notices he's a lot closer now, only a few steps away with worry engulfing his eyes and clouding his expression.

"hey, what's wrong? something's off," his voice is so soft, she almost wants to reach out and pluck the sound from the air despite how impossible that is.

"i'm just thinking," she shrugs and the frown on his face expands and she instantly regrets it; she hates seeing him upset more than anything.

and then he shatters her heart entirely, "did i do something wrong?"

"what? no chris of course not, you've done nothing i promise," she shakes her head as quick as she can, hating the fact that her overthinking has caused him to doubt his actions for even a minute.

"i just feel like you've been avoiding me or some shit," he almost whispers and she regrets everything.

she feels so selfish for letting a small moment come between them when she doesn't even know what the moment means in the first place. chris has noticed her avoiding him and he thinks it's his fault. god she needs to get a hold of herself.

he doesn't even stop there, brushing a hand through his hair and continuing, "you can tell me if i did something saturn, i'm not going to flip out or anything. i just want to make sure you're okay."

and she knows he would never do anything like that but the fact that chris believes she thinks otherwise is completely breaking her heart. he's a fucking angel in her eyes and that's putting it lightly.

how gentle he's being with her makes her want to tell him everything. it's stupid she finds herself thinking but he sounds so welcoming and trusting, her heart instantly wants to hand itself to him.

"you said something the other night..." she starts and he raises his brows but she gets too scared to say anything so she takes it back within seconds, "nevermind i'm just being paranoid."

his hand brushes her shoulder and she feels a surge of electricity flow through her body at the brief contact, "tell me what i said. i never meant to hurt you."

"you never hurt me chris i promise, you just made me think," she continues, running in circles because she's terrified he won't react in the way she wants.

now he's really confused, racking his brain for anything he could have said that would have made her think and act differently towards him. his outcome is nothing, if anything she's the one who said something that made his head spin both in the moment and in the days following.

"think? saturn i can't make sense of this if you don't tell me what happened," he points out and she knows it's true but does she even want him to make sense of it?

"when leo walked in on us, you- look you said something about you flirting with me and me just cutting you off. this is going to be so embarrassing if i'm reading too much into it," she breathes in lightly and chris suddenly puts two and two together in his head.

"are you asking me if i want you to flirt with me? if i'm actually flirting with you?" he tries and she nods so slowly, he almost misses it but not quite because of how trained his eyes are on her.

"saturn..." there's a pause and venus mentally scolds herself because she thinks it's all over and she's ruined everything by letting her mind play tricks on her, by foolishly forcing herself to think there's something between them when there isn't.

but then he steps closer and reaches a tentative hand out to touch her face and she swears her world goes thoroughly still and the only presence she recalls is the two of them stood in the middle of the kitchen. his hand fits her face so perfectly, almost as though it was made to rest there. he allows it to linger there for a few moments before he leans forward and presses his lips to hers.

it takes a few seconds for her to process what's going on and come to the realisation that this isn't happening inside her head like one of her many late night fantasies, that it's as real as day. when she does register the feeling, she kisses back with ease.

their lips fit together like two adjacent puzzle pieces and the feeling they get when they move against each other is like one they have never experienced before. time feels frozen around them and nothing else matters. it's just them and the brush of skin on skin with no other cares in the world. they'll cross other bridges when they get to them like leo but all they care about right now and when they pull apart is one another.

"does that answer your questions?" he smiles at her and god, she feels like she's floating.

"more than answers them," she responds with a grin and he moves his hand to place loose strands of her hair behind her ear before his hand remains on her face, brushing against it gently.

"god, you're so pretty ma," he tells her and her inner child and current self is on cloud nine from both the kiss and his words.

but then her mind travels to leo and the way all of this even started. he seemed annoyed with them when they weren't even kissing so how would he react if he knew they actually did? how would he react if he could see them right now?

"chris we can't do this, leo will kill us, especially you," she whispers but he doesn't move his hand or stop the delicate circling against her skin.

"he doesn't have to know," he smirks in response and how on earth can she say no to that?

"okay," she breathes out but then there's still a little something bothering her that she can't ignore no matter how much she wants to.

chris picks up on it immediately, "you don't want this? you're still wary about something."

she shakes her head at him, of course she wants this, she would be a fool not to. it's the opposite actually, "that's the problem. i do want you. i just don't want this to be something where we don't kiss and tell and leave it at that. i actually really like you and i don't want either of us to get hurt."

she's genuinely surprising herself with the way she's communicating right now; she's not usually one to talk about her problems but the soft reassurance chris provides her makes it so easy to do so.

he laughs at her lightly, a smile playing at his lips, "you think i don't like you? i've been hung up on you for fucking years. why do you think i'm always flirting with you or finding an excuse to touch you?"

"because you're a horny fuck?" she jokes and he rolls his eyes at her.

before he can scold her for her reply, she connects their lips again. his hand instantaneously finds her waist whilst his other rests on her neck. she could get lost in the sensation and he isn't far behind, craving the rush even as he experiences it. he wants more and more and he's sure he's never going to get over this, any of it.

he smiles into the kiss at the thought of being able to feel this as many times as he wants, "i'm never going to stop now that i have you."

"tough, i'm going back to my room and you better go back to lee before he wonders why you're taking too long," she pulls away from him with a teasing grin.

"no goodbye kiss?" he pouts adorably and oh god, she was already down so fucking bad for him but this is going to take it to another extreme.

she pulls him into a short yet very sweet kiss and he smirks, "i knew you couldn't resist me."

"keep it in your pants darling," she laughs and he fucking groans.

and then she walks away, sauntering away and making sure to sway her body more than usual. sue her if you will but now that she knows the feelings are mutual, she's going to make the most of every little thing.

❛ ━━･❪ ִ ࣪𖤐 ❫ ･━━ ❜

tags: @mattslolita

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magoapple · 9 months

Text

Work-out Buddies

Changbin x Neutral Reader

Word count: 1,138

Genre: Friends to lovers

Warnings: Suggestive language and actions, liking of sweaty changbin.

Summary: Changbin can't get enough of you and being just friends isn't cutting anymore. Little does he know you feel the same way.

Changbin and you have known each other for a few years, meeting mutually through Chan. When you first laid eyes on Changbin you were sold. What were you buying? Didn't know, but you were down bad for that man. You met Changbin when Chan offered to show you his gym he co-owned with Changbin. You had spoken about an interest in wanting to start working out, and he was there to help.

Fast-forward a few years and coming to the gym was a daily thing for you three, sometimes even just you and Changbin. When those days arose, you could not take your eyes off him. Every weight lifted, pull up pulled, and dribble of sweat was implanted in your brain. It probably would seem creepy if someone kept eyeing him down as he worked out, but Changbin did the same thing to you, just more discreetly.

He would look over and see you in the middle of your set of squats, watch a few and quickly look away. If Changbin watched any longer, he swore he'd cross the friendship line. Little did he know you wanted to cross that line ages ago. For the past few days, Changbin hasn't seen you at the gym, and he started to worry. After helping a few people with training, Changbin grabbed his phone and began dialing your number. “Come on Y/N, pick up pick up...”

Your apartment was a mess, and you weren't feeling up to cleaning it, either. Nor were you feeling like answering your phone that kept going off. These past few days, you came down with a cold, and it was hitting you hard. Therefore, you haven't been going to the gym, but you didn't let Changbin know. Chan was out of town, and that meant Changbin had to cover the gym by himself. You figured if you told him you were sick, that would just distract him from what he needed to do.

As you reached over to grab your phone from the dresser, you saw six missed calls and a few texts from Changbin and one call from Chan. You felt bad for having missed them, but we're still too tired to answer back. You knew you had to answer him soon, but five more minutes of sleep was needed. Changbin on the other hand was anxious after still not hearing from you. He cared a lot about you, and knowing that something could be wrong worried him. Even though he was worried, Changbin knew he shouldn't blow your phone up.

You literally have yourself five more minutes of sleep before getting up and taking more medicine. Since you were up, you figured you'd call your friends informing them you were still alive. When Changbin saw your name pop up, he was quick to answer. “Oh my god, Y/N! I was worried sick! Is everything okay?”

“Woah calm down cowboy, I've just been sick with a little cold and I actually think I'm doing better, just tired.” Changbin let out a sigh of relief. “You really had me scared, I was tempted to come over and call it an early day… I can still do that if you need me to, Y/N.” You were thankful for his gesture, but you also knew work was important. “Come over after work, and we can watch a movie or two.”

After a bit more of talking, you both hung up. You started cleaning up your apartment some before taking a shower. Both should have been done a couple of days ago, but now is better than never. You called in some take out from Changbins favorite place and occupied yourself with a movie until he came. Half-way through the film, you heard a knock on your door. “Y/N I'm here!” You chuckled, of course you knew he was here. As you opened the door, Changbin could see the dark circles under your eyes and felt his smile falter. “Y/N have you been eating enough and getting enough sleep?”

“huh? Oh, yeah, I promise, just been exhausted and sleep has taken over my whole life.” You laughed it off, but Changbin still seemed worried, so you grabbed his hand in yours. “Binnie I promise I'm fine now I ordered us food so let get our grub on!” Changbin could never say no to food, especially when it involved you. You could feel his eyes on you as you ate and wondered what he was thinking. “So how's the gym been? Missing me?”

“Yes… Actually, I have missed you Y/N. Why didn't you tell me you were sick? I could have helped.” You sighed and set your chopsticks down. “Because I didn't want you to worry, you had so much on your plate already, and I didn't want to add more.” Changbin understood where you were coming from, but that still didn't change how he felt. “Look I get it, but you should have told me.”

“Why should I have, we're just friends, and I was looking out for you." Changbin rubbed his face. “Because you're not just my friend Y/N and I care a shit ton about you!” In your years of being friends with Changbin he's never raised his voice at you. So hearing him do it was now shocking just as much as his words. “What do you mean, I'm not just your friend?”

“I mean, you're not just my friend and I thought it was obvious that I like you Y/N…" Changbin liked you. So you weren't dreaming when he would more than subtlety flirt with you or lay his hand on your thigh on occasions. “You like me?” Changbin turned towards you on the couch and held your face in his hands. “Y/N L/N, I Seo Changbin do indeed like you… Actually, I think I'm in love with you and have been, so can I kiss you to prove it and get the message through your cute little head.” You nodded quickly, too shy to even speak.

As Changbin pressed his soft lips to yours, fireworks went off in your mind. You don't know what took you so long to get to this point, but you didn't want to stop. Changbin deepened the kiss while pulling you into his lap. The feeling of his thick and muscular thighs against yours had your heart racing. You pulled away, resting your forehead against his. “Binnie?” He moved some of your hair out of your face and pressed kisses along your neck. “Yes love?” You giggled, gently pushing him back. “I think we should continue this somewhere more comfortable, don't you?” Changbin didn't even answer as he swept you up in his arms and began walking to your bedroom. “I'm definitely calling in sick tomorrow~”

◄Tumblrs system works on reblogs so if you'd like to support my content please reblog but do NOT feel obligated to►

#stray kids #fanfic #changbin x reader #kpop #changbin x y/n #skz ot8 #fluff #suggestive

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bird-slayer-brainrot · 2 months

Text

Soldier On, Come Down - Chpt. 3. - - Ineffable Husbands WW2 au human!Crowley angel!Aziraphale angst multi-chapter

1941

Angel,

I would like to apologise for not writing sooner. If things went according to plan, which, they rarely do, I shall like to compose a note to you each day. Nothing grim, of course. I would fill pages of sonnets for you on the most mundane things.

For instance, today I was completing a task and I stopped for a moment two miles north of the camp to watch the sun set. My first thought was of how beautiful it was. My second thought was of you. I confess, I think of the night you told me you loved me often, and how the next morning you stirred beside me. I thought how there was no sky to match the beauty of the blue in your eyes in the early morning sun.

I wish you had seen it, angel. It brings me comfort to know you may now be looking at the same sky as me, and in the miles and miles between us, we are still connected underneath the sky.

I hope that you think of me too

Yours,

A.J. Crowley

Angel,

It has been too long since I last heard from you. Longer since I saw you or held you in my arms. Do not believe for a second that the time has made me forget your touch. Or your face. Or your scent. You are as clear in my mind as they day we met. I do not believe I could forget you if I tried.

I will not go into detail about the front, as I have limited time and space to tell you everything I wish to say. And, I do not think you would like it. So instead I should tell you now that I am well, angel.

Please write me. I love you. I ache for you.

A.J. Crowley

Aziraphale,

I am sure by now that you have heard news of what is happening on the front. I made quick to write you this, trading duties with the Staff Sergeant for pen and paper. I hope this letter finds you even if you do not reply. I do not expect anything of you, angel, and I suspect there is a good reason you cannot return my letters. Nonetheless, I write to you because I want to. Because I love you. I love you.

I hope you are well. We hear news of England in pieces. I will not begin to lecture you on your safety because I do not believe you would find it funny, but I do hope you are staying safe. Are safe.

I have hesitated writing this because I did not want to fill you with empty promises. But we have been apart for too long and the weight of not giving you a promise to hold on to weighs to heavy on me. This war will end, sooner or later, and I will come back to you, angel. I will come back to you.

Your Crowley

1939

Angels were. as a rule, quite adept at sensing positive intentions. Crowley had sent Aziraphale a note asking him to meet for dinner at the pub they regularly patronized that evening. When he entered in, slightly out of breath from the walk, he could tell almost immediately that something was off.

Anathema and Crowley were engaged in what seemed to be a heated debate. Aziraphale decided to wait near the bar, hoping he hadn't been spotted yet. But as he sat down, Anathema appeared beside him.

"Hello Aziraphale." she said politely. Aziraphale noticed that her cheeks were flushed.

"Anathema, hello." Aziraphale tried to say cheerfully. Anathema just nodded in response, which was unlike her. Then, she spun on her wall and walked out of the bar.

Crowley was still seated at the table. Aziraphale took a seat hesitantly, not quite sure if he was welcome to. Crowley looked up at him then, tiredly. He didn't say anything, but smiled slightly at Aziraphale. Aziraphale knew Crowley would talk about what happened in his own time, so he didn't say anything.

Short update this week but i've been swamped with uni and getting over a bad cold so i haven't been writing as much. i will likely write another half chapter to post sometimes this week but i'll see. thank you for reading <3 i promise this is going somewhere

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sednonamoris · 7 months

Text

good, honest thieves

Pairing: John Marston x gn!reader

Summary: A fight with Micah leads to a lecture from Dutch. Loyalty is exactly what you've been raised on, but to what? To whom? The answer seems to be John every time.

Warnings: Knife violence, canon-typical violence, fish guts, strong language, Micah Bell's whole existence, sexist language/insults, Dutch being our fav little manipulator, blink-and-you'll-miss-it mild angst

Word count: 1,465

A/N: I've been waiting to write this altercation since I first started ghost story, so I hope you all enjoy it for this nice, short chapter 💕

Series masterlist • AO3

—

You miss out on a hell of a firefight. A lot of law dead. A lot of townsfolk dead. A run-in with Mr. Leviticus Cornwall himself.

You’re surprised that he deigned to show his face in the mud and the muck of Valentine, but if there’s one thing rich folk are good for it’s greed. From the sound of it, he’s none too pleased to have been robbed.

From the sound of it, it’s a lucky thing John and Arthur and Dutch and Strauss ain’t dead after all that.

The gang was quick to make a hasty retreat.

Now you’re camped outside a little town called Rhodes, farther south than you’ve settled in years. Arthur teases that you and Javier must be happy to be in warmer climes, but personally? You hate it. New Austin is dry heat and desert for miles. The air there bites, sharp and clean. Here it’s thick as molasses and wet with humidity. Sweat and condensation cling to everything. The very ground beneath you is mucky and muddy and lush with overgrowth, like the vegetation can’t stand it here, either. It claws and climbs its way out and onto everything. You’ve never seen undergrowth like this, swallowing trees and homesteads whole without discrimination.

Out of everyone, you figured Dutch would hate it most - you can’t count how many times he’s told stories about the Southern scum that put his daddy in the ground. But he seems in his element out here. The town is divided into factions he and Hosea have wasted no time playing against one another, and rumors of confederate gold have lit his eyes with that same gleam you saw before Blackwater. You know you won’t leave until he has it - he’s even got Bill and Arthur playing deputy while working leads.

Today they’re off with the sheriff chasing ‘shine in the hills, so camp is mostly quiet. Or it would be, if Micah wasn’t hanging around.

“Ghost,” he calls out, uncomfortably familiar. He approaches Pearson’s chuckwagon with open arms that are greeted only with a flat stare when you look up from the fish you’re gutting. You promised Pearson you’d take care of them while he does the shopping.

“Micah.” His name grits past the teeth you’re doing your utmost not to bare in warning; already he’s closer than you’d like.

“Haven’t seen much of you since I got back from Strawberry,” he says.

“I keep busy.”

“Not too busy for Marston.” He rocks back on his heels and raises his brows like he’s caught you out. Something about the way he says John’s name makes your hackles raise.

“Me an’ him are friends,” you chop off a trout head aggressively while making even more aggressive eye contact. “You and me, on the other hand, ain’t.”

“Aw, don’t be like that,” he wheedles. “I’m a real friendly fella. We oughta go drinking sometime and I’ll show you.”

It takes everything in you not to cringe at the thought. It’s one thing to work a job with him, when you have to, but spending quality time with Micah? It sounds like just about the worst thing you can think of. He has this slimy quality about him, and the way he talks about some of the others is enough to solidify your poor opinion.

Dutch can make nice with him all he likes. You won’t.

“We all heard what happened when you went drinking in Strawberry,” is what you say aloud. “Rhodes might not survive.”

He laughs through the fact that the joke was meant to be at his expense and leans closer. “You’re funny, Ghost. Real funny. I can see why John likes you so much. It’s too bad he’s so… Well, you know.”

“He’s so what?” If looks could kill, Micah would be stone dead.

“Useless,” he shrugs. “I mean, first he gets hisself half eaten, then he’s fleeced rustlin’ sheep— almost got his brains blown out in Valentine. Not to mention he let Morgan steal a two dollar whore right out from between his—”

All of the sudden you can’t hear past the ringing in your ears or see past the blood red of your vision. He’s snickering, leaning closer still, leering, and faster even than you can register you’ve grabbed him by the hair and smashed his face against the fish guts and the wooden table before you.

He cries out, somewhere between alarmed and disgusted and enraged.

Your filleting knife rests against his pulse point.

“Say it again,” you snarl.

Stark, killing hate reflects back on your knife blade with the whites of his eyes. “Goddamn you!”

“Not so funny now, huh?” He struggles in your grip. “Say it again.”

He opens his mouth and bares his teeth, likely to spit more profanities, when approaching footsteps stop you both in your tracks. You glare up at the intrusion to find Ms. Grimshaw. Her face is even more severe than usual.

“What exactly is going on in my camp?” she demands, hands on her hips.

“Micah was just apologizing,” you say. Your smile is a feral show of teeth.

He squirms in your grip, claws at your hands. “Get this goddamn lunatic off me!”

She purses her lips, unimpressed. “Ghost, unhand Mr. Bell.”

You let him go reluctantly, pressing the knife to his skin just a little harder before shoving him back. He staggers away and you wipe your hands down your pants and grimace.

Micah’s hands fly to his throat, like he’s checking it’s all still intact. His cheek shines slimy red with fish blood.

“You’re crazy!” he accuses.

“Ghost is plenty of things,” Ms. Grimshaw says before you can cut in, “but crazy ain’t one of ‘em. I suggest you learn from this particular mistake, Mr. Bell. Now go on, the both of you. Get! Before you make another mess for me to clean up.”

You murmur a chastised yes, ma’am under your breath.

Micah stalks away, glaring over his shoulder without another word.

All that’s left is the thunk, thunk, thunk, of your knife against the wooden table. You let yourself imagine each unfortunate fish is Micah, instead.

—

Dutch finds you later. You’re sat on a log overlooking the lake, glaring out across the water like it’s somehow responsible for everything that’s happened up until now. He sits beside you and lights a cigar.

“Ms. Grimshaw tells me someone tried to kill Micah today.”

His tone is neutral, but a quick glance out of the corner of your eye reveals a tightness in his posture that’s never a good sign. He lets out a puff of smoke and watches it fade into the horizon with squinted eyes.

“She tell you he had it coming?”

“Now, Ghost—” he starts to chastise, but you cut him off.

“I never pretended to see what you do in him.” His eyes widen and flash with wounded pride, but your face is set in defiance. “Maybe we’re all nasty killers and degenerates, but he’s worse. I ain’t gonna stand by while he runs his mouth about any one of us.”

His face is all severity and rough-cut gemstone. “Any one of us, or just John?”

Outrage flares your nostrils and twists your mouth into something ugly. “That ain’t fair! And it certainly ain’t the point.”

“Isn’t it?” His hand on your shoulder, so often a comfort through the years, rests heavy and threatening. Your pulse jumps. Your mouth feels dry. “We don’t have the luxury of doubt - not between any of us. Haven’t I taught you loyalty? Don’t I deserve your trust?”

That’s all it takes for you to deflate. “You have it. You’ve always done right by us, but—”

“There is no but,” he says. “Faith, Ghost! Faith.”

“Faith, then. Fine. Faith.”

The words taste bitter on your tongue, but his eyes soften all at once into that familiar, sparkling brown. “I knew I could depend on you.”

“Sure. Always.”

He leaves with one last squeeze of your shoulder and orders to look into the Braithwaite family - something to do with prize horses. After all, who better than the infamous Ghost Rider? The Van der Linde Ghost?

—

You stay on that log for a long time. Thinking. Smoking. Stewing in the not-quite-anger left in Dutch’s wake.

—

That night around the fire you and John gravitate to one another like always. He brings you a plate of fish and sits beside you; a little too close for friends, a little too friendly to be anything but.

Somehow it aches more than usual.

He chatters on about his day, but all you can hear is the sneer of Micah’s voice, and all you can feel is the burn of Dutch’s knowing stare. The sweat on your brow has little to do with Lemoyne’s oppressive heat anymore.

#john marston x reader #rdr x reader #rdr2 x reader #ghost story #fran writes #ch. 21

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itsgxsly · 1 year

Text

MICHAEL’S VICTORY

Summary: When Heidi's sister attends the Australian GP with her, the drivers get into a fight to see who gets the girl's attention. What no one knows is that her heart already belongs to a certain performance coach.

Pairing: michael italiano x reader

Warnings: none

Word Count: 1760

"are you excited?" your sister Heidi asked you.

“yes, I want to see the race. I haven't been close to the f1 environment for a long time. I miss it” you replied.

“You're going to love it, I promise. We will be comfortable in the Mclaren garage and you can see everything you want this weekend and catch up"

"Of course. I also want to see Daniel, I hope he does well on Sunday” you and the Australian had hit it off when your sister introduced you to him as her boyfriend, quickly becoming friends.

Everyone noticed the new face that was walking through the Paddock towards the Mclaren garage. And the new and beautiful girl who was next to Heidi also did not go unnoticed by the group of drivers who had stopped talking the moment they saw her walk laughing so happily next to her sister, ignoring the group of men who looked dumbfounded for her.

"Who is her?" Charles was curious about the girl.

"she's Heidi's sister, y/n, Daniel has invited them over for the weekend" Lando seemed the only one relaxed with the girl's presence. He had met her once when Daniel invited him to a dinner with friends at his house.

"I didn't know that Heidi had a sister," Carlos's Spanish voice sounded.

“Well, she's hot," Pierre said.

"Is she single?" This time it was George's voice that was heard.

“I guess so. I'm not so sure. Since I met her a year ago she has never given any indication of any relationship” Lando told them.

There were a few minutes of silence as the boys thought to themselves.

"I'm going to talk to her" Pierre was the first to take the initiative.

“No way. I saw her first,” George argued with him.

"You know that she is not the last piece of a pizza, right?" Lando defended the girl amused by the behavior of her friends.

After some discussion and some complaints from Pierre, they agreed that George and Pierre would talk to her and let her decide who she wanted to go out with. Carlos, Charles and Lando laughed at the stupidity of their two friends. If only they knew the surprise that awaited them.

You were on the outside of the Mclaren garage carefully observing everything that was happening with the cars and seeing many fans swarming through the stands. You had wanted to leave Daniel and Heidi alone, not wanting to be the third wheel. You had been looking for a certain performance coach, but Daniel told you that he would arrive around the time of the second practice, so you gave up. As you enjoyed your moment of solitude, your trance was broken by a throat clearing from your side. You turned to look, spotting a tall man wearing a Mercedes T-shirt.

“Hello” you greeted him first.

“Hi, sorry to bother you, I'm George. It's just that I've seen that you're alone and I didn't recognize your face. Have you ever been to a race?” you were surprise for the question.

"Don’t worry, you don't bother me. I've been to a few races but it was years ago. I'm y/n, by the way.” You politely held out your hand for him to shake.

"It's a pleasure" George saw Pierre in the distance motioning to his wrist, indicating that his conversation time was up "Again I'm sorry if I bothered you, now I'm going to have to leave, my team will need me soon. It has been a pleasure meeting you, y/n, I hope to see you again” he reluctantly said goodbye to you.

“It has also been a pleasure George. Don't worry, you haven't bothered me, thanks for the conversation.” With a nod, the Brit trotted off to where the rest were, giving Pierre a shove for hurrying him up.

Later that morning you were sitting on the terrace of Mclaren's hospitality having a drink while checking your social media. Suddenly, something covered the light sun that hit your face, making you look at that obstacle. You were met by the sight of a muscular man looking at you with bright blue eyes, a charming smile playing on his face when you looked at him.

“Sorry if I bother you, do you mind if I sit down?” He pointed to the chair across from you.

That confused you a bit, considering he didn't seem to have anything to do with Mclaren and there were more empty seats, but you didn't mean to be rude, so you nodded with a soft smile.

“I'm Pierre, I drive for Alpha Tauri” he introduced himself. Then you recognized the logo on his white polo shirt.

"I’m y/n" your answer seemed a little dry, but you were still confused and a little amused as to what he might want.

“It’s a pleasure y/n. What is a beautiful woman like you doing here alone?” You wanted to laugh at his horrible attempt at flirting, but you kept your composure a bit and just smirked a little.

“I have come with my sister, Daniel has invited us. I wanted to leave them alone for a while so I came here”

"I could keep you company while you wait for them if you want." The French accent echoed in hi voice as he spoke. Even though you had to admit he was handsome, you weren't looking for anything from anyone.

Before you could reply, a voice sounded from behind you.

“y/n” you recognized Daniel's voice. “I finally found you. The first practice will start soon, Heidi is looking for you to see it together” you looked at your watch to see that it was true that P1 would start soon.

You got up and gave Pierre a smile and a quick goodbye, and followed Daniel on his way to where you would see your sister. Pierre got up with a disgusted face going to where George, along with Lando, Carlos and Charles laughed at his failed attempt.

The first test was over a while ago, and you had enjoyed it like a little girl. Now you were getting impatient. You were expecting Michael to arrive before second practice as Daniel had told you, when the same two men who showed up this morning, George and Pierre, you remembered, approached you. You smiled politely, having already been warned by Lando of the two drivers' intention to ask you out. You had found their arrogance amusing to think that you would say yes to any of them. But you still didn't tell them anything.

"Hello again" you spoke when you were facing them.

"Hello, beautiful," George spoke before Pierre could. You wanted to laugh at both of them so much for their stupid fight.

"We have a proposition for you," George continued.

"Oh yeah?" You acted surprised.

"Yes. You are beautiful and we wanted to know if you would like to have a date with any of us, totally at your choice” a giggle escaped from your throat at the arrogance and confidence of the two, knowing that it would not last long.

“Look guys, I'm really honored, but-” You had to cut the sentence short when you noticed two strong arms and a warm body hugging you from behind. You recognized Michael's colony at the moment. You saw Pierre and George turn a little pale and watched how Lando and Daniel laughed quietly in a corner of the garage.

You dropped your weight a little on your boyfriend's body watching the conversation continue.

"Hi baby. I missed you.” You knew that Michael had ignored the two boys on purpose, his tone innocent but jealous of him telling him off. You turned your head to look at him and Michael took the opportunity to gently kiss your lips. All under the watchful eye of the two Alpha Tauri and Mercedes drivers, who had their jaws almost on the ground.

"Guys, I had not seen you there. You were already leaving, right? The second practice is about to start, you don't want to be late” his voice sounded rhetorical and a bit threatening although his face show a friendly smile.

Pierre and George only nodded before leaving the garage, in the background the laughter of Daniel and Lando with the fright of their friends.

"Hey baby" you turned completely to look at Michael's face, having to raise your head.

"Hello my love" his tone was much sweeter when he talked to you. You moved closer to kiss properly this time, Michael's hands squeezing your waist and yours caressing the back of his neck. When you parted ways, you couldn't help but comment.

"You were jealous" you were clear and concise.

"I wasn't," he refuted you.

“Yes you were. Recognize it”

“I wasn't jealous. I just don't like it when those two kids look at you like that."

“It's nonsense. You know I'm not interested in anyone but you” you calmed him down. You were both aware of what you meant to each other.

"I know, I know. I love you so much” you loved the sound of those words coming out of his mouth.

When you went to kiss him again, Daniel had to interrupt as usual.

"Lovebirds, I'm sorry to break your lovely moment, but practice is starting and I need my performance coach with me."

Michael sighed letting his head fall on your shoulder.

"I'm going to kill him" he said.

"Don’t do it. Remember that we met thanks to him”

“I hope that gives me the strength not to kill him if he interrupts us again”

You gave each other one last sweet peak before he ran off to where Daniel was, giving his friend a smack in the head. You shook your head smiling before going to look for your sister.

Meanwhile, George, Carlos, Pierre and Charles had seen the entire scene from afar.

"They make a cute couple," Charles commented.

"yes, I did not imagine Michael like this for a woman" Carlos agreed with his teammate.

"I'm going to kill Lando for not telling us before" Pierre was still a little pale.

"Look on the bright side, at least he hasn't beaten us up for hitting on his girlfriend." George wanted to be positive.

"I guess we can call that a small victory for us," Pierre agreed. "Although the real victory belongs to Michael with that woman by his side" everyone agreed with the Frenchman's words. They ended the conversation with that comment before everyone split up to get ready.

#michael italiano x reader #formula 1 #f1 weekend #australian gp 2022 #daniel ricciardo #heidi berger #michael italiano #lando norris #carlos sainz #charles leclerc #pierre gasly #pierre gasly x reader #george russell #george russell x reader

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inkblot22 · 1 year

Note

Crazy sickening thought but what if there’s a scenario where azul takes advantage of reader? Like imagine reader not having anywhere to after four years and crowley giving up/deciding reader is too expensive and a burden to take care of since they are a grownup and haven’t been useful. They decide to desperate to find a way so they and grim dont end up on the streets look for azul for a place to stay and azul agrees only if they agree to be azuls spouse and meet conditions of his like never leaving him, cooking for him, kissing him times throughout the day. Whats your thoughts on this? Do you think azul would add more terms?

Hello! This is excellent and you caught me on an Azul day. I apologize in advance because this is honestly a bit long.

TW controlling behavior, abuse, captivity, coerced marriage, Crowley being a deadbeat, non-consensual kissing/touch, isolation and being in the ocean at night, my best attempt at legalese, Jade and Floyd because these three are the scariest package deal ever conceived. Misogyny, if you squint, as well as house-spousification. That is a word now.

Grim is way too calm about this. It's not that you could really resent him for being oblivious, but sometimes you indulge your irritation with one thought, "Grim is lucky that I love him."

And he is. He's lucky that you're here, lucky that you're willing to sell your body to a certain silver-haired asshole just so he can indulge on various seafoods, including fresh-caught tuna.

Well, that's not really fair. Azul hasn't gotten more physical than a few hugs and kisses, sharing the same bed, that type of thing. You can tell he's considered doing more, you see it in his eyes when you lay down to go to sleep or wear certain colors, usually dark blues and violets. Not that you've worn much else in...

Seven, how long has it been? Let's see... On your fourth year at NRC, Dire Crowley invited you to his office for tea. Not in so many words, he said that your time at NRC was reaching the end of it's stay. He'd send for you upon discovering a way for you to return home, but until then, you and Grim needed to begin your internship within the week. You hid your unease as best as you could, but when you got back to Ramshackle, you could barely breathe. Grim wasn't present for the meeting, so when he saw your obvious despair he immediately threatened to burn whoever had hurt you. You had laughed it off, promising him that everything would be okay.

You should have known, honestly. You sent messages to both Ace and Deuce, letting them know what happened, and they both felt awful, but were in no position to have you come stay with them. Although any of your former upperclassmen would have probably accepted you, but right when you were wondering how you were supposed to get a job without any form of identification past your very own person, much less a place to stay, you received a message in a group chat you had long forgotten about.

Underneath the all caps title of the chat, "THE FISH MAFIA," Jade had simply invited you to the Coral Sea with Grim for a dinner. Of course you had accepted. Perhaps you could ask Azul for a job in his mother's restaurant, and subsequently, move to whatever land mass was near the Coral Sea. That way you and Grim wouldn't be homeless.

You let Crowley know and he set up the mirror for your departure, even going so far as to give you a pair of potions so you wouldn't drown and wishing you well. You tried not to dislike him even more for that, tried being the key word.

Jade and Floyd were waiting for you on the other side. They looked about the same as the last time you'd seen them, perhaps a little longer than before. Floyd grabbed both you and Grim and darted through the water, stopping in front of an elegant building that seemed to be made out of shells. You were guided in, all the way to the back, where Azul was waiting, in human form.

"Hello, Prefect... or shall I just use your name? From what I've heard, you won't be living in Ramshackle for much longer."

You had forgotten about that. Your memories, up until that point, were relatively positive when it came to Azul, so of course you overlooked his harsh comments, forgotten by the haze of happy memories you had with him. But Azul had always been somewhat mean.

"Regardless, take a seat. We have all the foods you like on the land, and then some." He offered you a somewhat wan smile, "No drinks, though. Sorry. Perhaps we can go to a cafe after this business is finished."

You took a seat and one of the servers placed a large, flat rock on your lap.

"It's to keep you from floating away." Azul had said.

You thought that was kind of fun. That was probably the last time you had that thought connected to Azul. Grim didn't bat an eye and began scarfing down the contents of the table, and you met Azul's staring eye.

"Business?"

"Yes, my darling, business. I take it that you don't have a large window of opportunity, so please believe me when I say I want the best for you and your familiar. I am offering you a place to stay, food, drinks, and clothing. All you have to do is sign this teensy little document."

"Wait, what's goin' on?" Grim paused his eating to give you a confused look.

"Oh... It'll all work out, Grim," You began.

"Dire Crowley has given our little human here a week to move out of Ramshackle house." Azul interrupted.

"Good! That place was run-down anyway!" He went back to eating.

You couldn't blame him for his shortsightedness then. You simply sighed and Azul addressed you again.

"So, my dear, knowing that I will provide for you and your familiar, and knowing that you'll be homeless in a week's time with no real way to regain a home, I believe you can understand how signing this is in your best interest."

You nod, once, slightly hesitantly, and Azul smiles, passing a document to you. It's dry to the touch, but a quick scan and you decided it was better to just sign and get it over with.

Presently, tucked neatly under Azul's arm as dawn breaks over the beachside, you really wish that you'd read the entire contract earlier.

It wasn't so bad at first, he set you and Grim up on the top floor of one of the land-based establishments that his mother owned and had passed down to him. He said it was something of a side hobby, but you read it more as a front for his other business. Regardless, for a long while, things were fine. What little you had was already in the room he'd set up for you and Grim. But then the stipulations of the contract began coming into effect.

Within three months of the signing date, the signor will be legally wed to the signee.

That wasn't so bad. The wedding was ridiculously extravagant, but you managed to wrangle Grim into a bow tie and that was cute enough. Azul was all smiles, but every time you wanted to run, you remembered that it was all for your and Grim's wellbeing.

The first night you went home as spouses, Azul talked at length about a possible honeymoon. You nodded along, too tired from the day's events, and went to open the door to the room you'd been sharing until now with Grim. Azul grabbed you by your arm, hard enough to leave a mark, and pulled you into the master suite.

"Married couples should sleep together, shouldn't they?"

2. Both parties are required to show the other affection, physical and otherwise. The consequence of withholding such results in a loss of privileges.

This was a bit less okay. Azul wasn't overly touchy, but you found that he didn't care who saw what. You weren't opposed to most of it, seeing as his hand was usually on your shoulder or back, somewhere not at all concerning, but he also would occasionally turn and kiss you without warning or permission.

It made your head spin. In every other way, he was very reserved, but every time he kissed you was so random. It wasn't that he smelled bad or tasted bad, unless he had just returned from a meeting, wherein he would generally smell like alcohol-free bourbon or something adjacent. You'd always try harder than usual to pull away when he smelled like that.

"It's just a gentleman's drink, my angel... My goodness, I didn't know you were this shy!"

3. If the signatory is otherwise unoccupied around noon, they will prepare lunch for their spouse and bring it to him. A breach of this term will result in the signatory's familiar being put outside for a night. *See addendum A.

Every day, for the last year, you have walked in, regardless of Azul being in the middle of a meeting or not, and served him a lunch that you threw together.

At this point, you're pretty certain that you could bring him a banana peel coated in mayo and ketchup on a dirty plate and he'd eat it like it was the best thing in the world. Every time you put lunch in front of him, he wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you close, pressing a kiss against your ribs and looking up at you as if you've hung the moon.

"This looks delicious, my angel. Thank you."

4. Privileges such as allowance, certain articles of clothing, certain food items, will be withheld in the case of a breach of contract.

This one wasn't really observed by Azul. As far as you could recall, every time you messed up, he would become inconsolable, then really cold.

If you did something he really, really didn't like, he'd "invite" you for a midnight swim, then lock you in the bathroom while you were still wet. This is why an addendum was added, since getting sopping wet and locked in a cold bathroom resulted in you getting sick and unable to make lunch.

"I'm doing this because I love you so much."

5. The signatory shall adopt the moniker of a stay-at-home spouse. They will be allowed days to go out and shop for both necessary groceries and personal effects.

Your "going out" days were Wednesdays and Saturdays, partially because that gave Azul an excuse to tag along on at least one of those days and also because he could send one of his lackeys to follow you and Grim around.

Everything you purchased was looked over by him, and when you got home, he'd ask you about various items you purchased while trying to coax you to sit with him.

"Angel, why in the world do you need... five packages of... 'dino gro capsules'?"

6. Azul Ashengrotto may exercise his discretion to determine whether or not his spouse is following the contract to the best of their ability.

Azul was not a fair or reliable judge. At best, he wanted you to be by his side as often as possible, but at worst, he'd be irritated by Grim's very presence in the house. You weren't afforded much mercy. If the twins were visiting on land, which they did way more often than you liked, and you happened to have really done it that day, they'd sneak in and drape blankets over you.

Azul didn't care if he noticed, and it felt like every day it got worse. Every day you'd find out about another rule of the contract, every day you'd have to lie and tell Grim that everything was okay.

But you could feel it, this pressure, building up within you. One of these days, you'd snap, and hopefully Grim wouldn't be there to see it.

Because you didn't want him to think you resented him.

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jeonjungkookenthusiast1997 · 8 months

Text

Echoes of the Past (2) - The Demon's Lost Love

Summary: As Bang Chan uses his magic to search Y/N's memories hidden secrets are revealed. How will Y/N handle all this new information?

This is my own work not a reblog! Please do not repost or translate.

Series Masterlist Navigation

Content Warnings- light angst, Y/N's memory has been altered w/out consent (not Chan!), Park Jimin mentioned

Word Count: 2,043

Tag list ✍️: @hehe-24-hehe

Y/N and Chan sit across from each other on the floor, Chan takes Y/N's small hands into his larger ones as he explains what he's about to do "I'll need to place my hands here" he moves his hands up to rest gently against her jaw "then I'll use my magic to search your memories, you'll be able to feel my presence in your thoughts but I promise I won't look into anything… intimate" he looks away from her face as her cheeks turn pink at the implication. Y/N nods her head "will it hurt?" She asks as she closes her eyes to help steady her breathing "won't hurt I promise, might be a little uncomfortable and if you need to take a break just tap my arms and we will stop for as long as you need, yeah?" He confirms with her as his dark eyes search her face for any signs of fear or hesitation.

Y/N lifts her hands to rest them at his elbows giving her something to hold and ground her thoughts, Chan takes a deep breath a blue crackles flit through the air bouncing off the walls Y/N's eyes follow the crackles with a small smile on her face "ready?" He asks giving her time to back out if she needs to, his thumbs rub small circles across her cheeks to help calm her nerves as he begins. It's a strange feeling having a demon root through your thoughts and memories "I'll work backwards from now to the last time I remember you summoning me" he informs her, prompting Y/N to hum softly in response letting the demon know she had heard him.

A sad smile graces Chan's lips as he watches all the moments Y/N has lived since he'd last seen her "I've missed a lot" he laughs softly but she can hear the sadness that lines his words, it hurts her heart in a way she didn't expect and makes her squeeze his thick arms reassuringly. The room is eerily quiet as more minutes pass until a low growl fills the space "Park… fucking… Jimin" his sharp teeth bare as anger ripples through his chest "should've known" he mutters clearly seething as his hands drop from her jaw, confusion makes her brow furrow as she tilts her head slightly "who?" She questions softly not wanting to push the demon too hard when he looked so irritated "Park Jimin is an upper level warlock, very strong… charges a hefty price too. Your mother went to him to block your memories of me and my family, to keep you away from me" he sighs deeply and stands moving away from the girl he was once sat across from.

Her eyes follow his form as he retreats to her kitchen, his hands are splayed across her kitchen countertop and his head is lowered as shallow breaths leave his body. Y/N lifts herself off the floor to join him and puts her hand on his back as gently as she can making his head snap to the side, she jumps a little from the intensity shining in his eyes but she doesn't back away "can he undo what he's done to my memories?" She asks in a quiet voice "maybe but the real question is even if he can do it, will he" Chan tuts as he straightens his back "he's not the most helpful warlock I've ever met" Y/N nods her head at his words "it's still worth a shot though right? Or maybe there's something we can do" Chan seems to think over her words "I'm sure we'll figure out something… my presence seems to be helping somewhat I can tell you trust me more now than you did when I first arrived" a blush rises up her neck to her cheeks as she simply nods.

His gaze lingers on her flushed cheeks before meeting her eyes once more "I'm glad your starting to trust me Y/N, there's still so many things I need to tell you, and I will tell you everything, but I think telling you right now could be overwhelming" his words worry her, how much more could there be to learn "I suppose we have missed a couple decades of each other's lives, might not be a lot to a demon but it is for me. If this Jimin is as difficult as you describe maybe managing on our own is the better option" he shakes his head at her words surprising her "Y/N, Jimin might be difficult, but we may need to at least try reaching out to him he's incredibly powerful and knowledgeable and it was his spell that did this," Chan explains softly, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Y/N's breath catches in her throat at his gentle touch "whatever you think is best Chan, that's what we will do" she smiles to him "I want to know why my mother was so against us being around each other as children" the demon sighs slightly but nods his head "I understand your curiosity, Y/N. I promise all will be revealed about our past, including your mother's feelings when the time is right with or without Jimin's help. For now, let's focus on what we can achieve without magic" Chan assures her, returning her smile with warmth in his eyes "what is the last memory you have of me?" Y/N thinks for a moment as she tries to think back to her childhood "my memories of you aren't really memories they're all fuzzy so it's hard to remember" her face shows her growing frustration, Chan takes her hands into his own "I know it's frustrating but please try to think back" she bites her lip as she tries her best to concentrate "I think the last time I remember anything to do with the book or you... We were sitting together on the porch swing and you were telling me about... how the royal family knows who their future wives are. I think" a headache is starting to form at her temples from digging through repressed memories "do you remember that? or was that planted by my mother and Jimin" she doesn't know what she can believe anymore given all the information laid at her feet.

Chan's eyes soften at her struggle, his grip on her hands gentle yet firm "I remember it, Y/N. That day, before you'd summoned me, I was sat down by my mother and father. They explained that most demons have a soulmate they're linked to for life... I didn't really understand it back then though" he looks at her face from under his eyelashes watching her expressions carefully. For some reason that information makes her chest squeeze uncomfortably causing her to ramble on as her thoughts tumble out unfiltered "oh? you have a predetermined soul mate? did you ever find out who they were? sorry I probably shouldn't ask that we're getting off topic anyway" she looks down at her hands feeling embarrassed by her questioning him on this personal matter.

Bang Chan chuckles slightly at her outburst "no need to apologise Y/N" he clears his throat before speaking again "to answer your other questions, actually it's not off topic for you to ask since we're trying to access your memories of me. I didn't know then but I do now..." he trails off as he looks at her intently. She nods her head slowly, not sure what to say to him "are you allowed to tell me?" she tries to giggle attempting to diffuse the tension that was starting to build between them "I'm sure we probably told each other everything as children, if what you've said about us is true'' he gulps harshly as he seems to think something over "I am allowed," he assures her, his voice deep and resonant "but I don't want to scare you or make you think it means something it doesn't" she looks at him in a sceptical manner which prompts him to continue "your mother must have found out long before I did somehow because when you stopped summoning me, a deep pain lingered in my chest and never left... After a while I realised it meant that my soulmate was… you" he looks at her with such worried looking eyes.

Y/N blinks her eyes at him a few times trying to digest the information "m-me?" she asks pointing a finger at herself, a shuddering breath leaves her lips as a thought hits her "I didn't summon you again for over 20 years" his eyes drop to the floor as he nods "you've been in pain for that long? and because neither of us knew what my mother had done you've spent all this time thinking your soulmate just... stopping wanting you around" her eyes shine as tears threaten to spill over her lashes as she imagines what he's gone through. Bang Chan's heart clenched painfully hearing her words. He reached out his hand to gently wipe away the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes, his touch warm and reassuring "I survived it," he tells her softly, his voice barely above a whisper "I held onto the hope that one day you'd summon me again, that we'd be reunited and here we are" a few tears roll down his cheeks as he rests his forehead against her own.

Y/N reaches her hand up to wipe his tears away as he had done with hers "you shouldn't have had to survive the pain, if my grandma hadn't held onto that book I may never have..." a lump forms in her throat as she thinks of the demons fate had that happened "I'm so sorry" she whispers closing her eyes. Bang Chan's breath hitched as he felt her soft fingers brush away his tears. He looked into her eyes, filled with such deep regret "there's no need for that, it wasn't your fault" he reluctantly pulls away from her body to look her in the eyes "just because you're my soulmate I don't want you to think your stuck with me, if we're going to move forward I want it to be because that's what you choose not because of some feeling of duty. I want you to know you aren't chained to me or anything like that" he finishes his words retracting his hands from her cheeks.

She frowns at his words but nods "we don't have to rush into anything, it's been a long night, maybe we should get some res- wait if I go to sleep will you disappear back to Hell?" she asks hurriedly, a soft chuckle escapes Chan at her worried expression and questions "No, I won't disappear just because you sleep. Our bond transcends time and space, I can choose whether to stay in this realm or return home. Rest assured, I'll be here when you wake up" he takes her hand into his own and closes his eyes allowing his demonic magic to fill the space until they're teleported to her room. A look of awe fills her features as she looks around at her surroundings "that..." she wiggles her finger to point around her room "is really cool" she smiles as she looks at him.

He lets out a soft giggle at her reaction before taking her hand and leading her to her bed "it's fine for you to rest, yeah? I'll get myself settled downstairs" as a frown crosses her features he bends and places a soft kiss to her forehead "don't worry about me Y/N, we'll talk more in the morning" she's about to protest his words when a yawn escapes her lips making him smirk "fine fine I'm going to sleep" she smiles as she grabs some pj's to change into once he leaves the room "good night pumpkin" he waves as he leaves the room "... pumpkin?" for a reason she's unsure of the name rests comfortably on her chest making a giddy feeling spread across her body, sleep coming to her quickly as she changes and lays down in bed.

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sastiel-is-my-serotonin · 4 months

Text

Reading Is Fundamental

The entire drive, there had been one thing on Sam's mind, the only thing that has been plaguing him since it happened, Castiel.

Now in the cabin, Sam sat next to the angel, his gaze kept going back to the angel who's attention was elsewhere and everywhere. They kept picking up things, rattling off facts or their ponders to seemingly no one. Sam listened to every single one though.

He couldn't even begin to mask his worries that we're sketched onto his face, and as Castiel picked up another random object to observe close to their face, they told Sam, "You seem troubled," Sam looked away, "Of course, that's a primary aspect of your personality, so I sometimes ignore it."

The hunter turned his full attention to at Castiel, unsure how to even begin, letting go of a deep breath, "Okay. Um..." Pressing his lips tightly together, "Right now I'm just wondering about you."

Castiel frowned, placing down the object in hand, "What about me?" Sam didn't even know how that was a question, "You're worried about the burden I lifted from you."

Sam nodded, of course he was. There were so many questions that wanted to push out, he was torn. While grateful for what Castiel did, even if Castiel is what pushed him over the edge by breaking his wall, he couldn't help but worry about what's rattling in the angel's brain.

No one should be stuck with what Lucifer did to him, not even the one who broke his sanity. "I think I was done for," Sam admitted, Castiel's face held serenity, and peace which Sam didn't get.

"Do you see Lucifer?" Sam asked.

Castiel looked at him, with a sigh, "I did at first," nodding, "But that was... It was a projection of yours, I think," Scrunching up their face, it had been horrors beyond what Castiel had seen, only heard about, "sort of an aftertaste. Now I more see..." They trailed off with a peaceful smile, "well, everything."

"It's funny. I was – I was done for, too." Castiel said, in the beginning, it had been horrifying and Castiel understood why Sam couldn't sleep. They couldn't even think at that time.

That portioned with what everything that happened leading up, "The weight of all my mistakes, all those lives and souls lost, I... I couldn't take it, either." Castiel admitted, looking Sam in the eyes, "I was… I was lost until I took on your pain. It's strange to think that that helped, but –"

"I know you never did anything but try to help. I realize that, Cas, and I'm grateful." Sam said, cutting them off, "We're all grateful. And we're gonna help you get better, okay? No matter what it takes." Sam promised, being the one under that weight before, it's no good. It buries you in ways unimaginable, Sam would take that pain back if he could, even if it crushed him in the process.

Castiel looked at Sam with such sincerity and confusion," What do you mean, "better"?" With a smile Sam wished had been under different circumstances. For the longest time he'd wished to see the angel smile more, wished the angel to be happy and content, but it looked wrong like this.

Unable to answer, the angel stood up with that blissful expression, walking to Sam, tilting their head at Sam's painful expression, "Would a kiss ease your troubles?"

Out of all the things he had thought the angel would've said, it wasn't that and sputtered, "I what-- Uh, Cas, what?"

The angel picked up Sam's hand, carefully, opening it to a flat palm, turning it over to place a chocolate treat into his hand, "A kiss. I've learned humans like to indulge when they're troubled."

Sam sighed a breath of relief, nodding, his lips pressed in a tight line, relieved that it hadn't been something else. He'd assumed it was something they'd picked up from Meg, but that was just Cas, "Thanks, buddy." Accepting the treat, tucking it into his pocket. Trying to give the angel a smile even though he failed terribly, Castiel nodded and wandered back to their original seat.

Sam's guilt only festered further as watched the angel, Castiel, oh how far he'd pushed the angel to fall. It wasn't right. Not one bit.

#So sane about them #Yep #So sane #sam winchester #castiel #sastiel #samstiel #samcas

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twoidiotwriters1 · 6 months

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Daughter of Olympus (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Yes it took 30 chapters but most times it takes BOOKS, only veterans know how much I'm spoiling you with Leara -Danny Words: 2,401 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter / Next Chapter Listen to: 'this is what falling in love feels like' -by Marina Lin

XXXI: In My Defense, I Was Left Unsupervised

After our fiasco with the bronze dragon, Percy gets a date with Annabeth, and Beck gets one with Silena, so they win in the end. Wonderful.

Since Lily's never going to ask Connor and Connor's never going to ask Lily, Travis and I make sure that they end up sitting together anyway. Travis shares his blanket with Katie and I'm sharing mine with... no one. But I'm content this way.

Lily and Connor look at us with panic without realizing that the other is doing the same. "Good job, Birdy!" Travis murmurs as he walks past me. We high-five.

A couple of minutes before the fireworks start, everyone is in their place looking happy. Except me. I had to give up my dragon, it doesn't seem fair. I could bring him back to normal, I just hope Beck keeps his promise.

"Hi," Michael sits down beside me, I move so he can fit better. "I heard you had a crazy adventure as soon I left you unsupervised."

"Yeah, yeah," I sigh. "I could've gotten someone hurt, I was foolish..."

"I want to know if you're okay," he frowns. "I'm not always a jerk, Ara."

"Sorry—it's just... if I don't go back for it, the myrmekes will take it. And you wanna know the worst part? Percy, Annabeth, Charles, and Silena are acting like it doesn't matter!"

Mike laughs. "They can't help it, bug. Love makes you stupid."

"Have you ever fallen in love?

I realize too late I don't want to hear his answer, but Mike responds to my question right away.

"Nah," he rubs the back of his neck and scrunches up his nose. "I'm always thinking about you and your training, leaves me no time for romance."

"What?" I yelp. "Are you saying it's my fault you're single?"

"No!" Mike laughs again, hugging me sideways. A green glow coats his skin. "Look, crushes are weird, but one day you'll understand. You know, it's odd that it hasn't happened yet—you're a weird Aphrodite... a good weird, though."

Our soul lights don't match, but I'm sure I like him, so I'm confused. Am I wrong for feeling this way about him? Maybe. I never cared much about romance until now. Love is one of the best things in the world, obviously, but falling in love? It makes you witless... And yet, I'm looking at Michael like he's the nicest sunset I've ever seen.

I get this feeling that just screams "To Hades with it!" and I give my friend a fleeting peck on the lips. Mike's face turns bright red and I look away, feeling like you could boil an egg over my cheeks.

After a long moment of silence, I gather enough courage and glance at Michael: he's looking at the fireworks with a dreamy smile on his face.

"Ara..." He speaks after a minute.

I answer quietly, trying not to flinch. "Yes?"

"Happy Birthday."

He plants a kiss on my temple and places one arm around my shoulders. I forget all the bad things happening around us. I'm blissfully happy, and fourteen years old.

Before she can celebrate Lily's birthday, Ara has to make sure everything's under control. She tells Jason to gather the Hephaestus kids so they can stabilize the engine, then look for Chiron so he can take away the crazy nymphs.

The girl is thinking of leaving when Jake lets her know Leo is awake. She blushes so much that Jake thinks she's coming down with some kind of fever, but she lies saying Hephaestus's blessing is draining her.

Ara's no coward... but she is a coward. She stays away from Leo, he's too tired to be looking for her anyway. Chiron and Argus arrive a few minutes later to take away the cage Leo built.

"Oh, them again," the centaur scowls. "Hello, Babette."

"We will destroy you! We will dance with you, feed you yummy appetizers, party with you until the wee hours, and rip you to pieces!"

"Uh-huh," Chiron turns to Ara and her friends. "Well done, you four. The last time these girls came looking for Dionysus, they caused quite a nuisance. You caught them before they could get out of hand. Dionysus will be pleased they've been captured."

"So they do annoy him?" Leo asks.

"Absolutely. Mr. D despises his fan club almost as much as he despises demigods."

"We are not a fan club! We are his followers, his chosen, his special ones!"

"Uh-huh."

"So... Dionysus wouldn't have minded if we had to destroy them?" Piper asks.

"Oh, no, he would mind! They're still his followers, even if he hates them. If you hurt them, Dionysus would be forced to drive you insane or kill you. Probably both. So well done. Same plan as last time?"

Argus nods and signals a camper to get closer with a forklift, so they can carry the cage away.

"What will you do with them?" Jason asks.

"We'll send them to a place where they feel at home. We'll load them on a bus to Atlantic City."

"Doesn't that place have enough problems?"

"Not to worry. The Maenads will get the partying out of their systems very quickly. They'll wear themselves out and fade away until next year. They always seem to show up around the holidays. Quite annoying."

Ara may be imagining things, but Leo seems to be getting closer every time she gets distracted. She turns around as Chiron and Argus walk away, barely reaching the entrance when a hand wraps around her wrist and stops her.

"You know," Leo says, "sometimes I hallucinate when I'm sleep-deprived, but I'm pretty sure you kissed me right before I fainted."

Ara scowls at the hand that's holding her in place. "Can we talk outside?"

"Only if you promise not to run away while I'm not looking."

"I promise."

Lily Saggio runs into them. Travis and Connor are right behind her.

"What the Tartarus happened?! You were supposed to just take a walk!"

"I took a walk," Ara replies calmly. "I also ran a bit."

Lily raises a brow. Leo moves his hand away from Ara's wrist fearing Lily will cut it off. "Are you really okay, Ara?"

"Yeah," she replies, trying to look as relaxed as possible.

"We can still celebrate, then?"

Ara glances at Leo, but she nods. "Right. Yes."

She joins her friends and waves at Leo, their eyes linger on each other before Ara turns and follows Lily back to camp. "So... talking in percentages," Lily continues once it's safe. "How much of your delay was Valdez's fault?"

Ara rolls her eyes. "I'd say maybe five percent. We would've finished in less than an hour if the nymphs hadn't shown up..."

"What were you doing?"

Ara knows Leo can't manage Lily's distrust, she's not the best at making people feel good after they've made a mistake under her watchful eye. "The nymphs stole the syncopators, we had to trap them to get them back," Ara lies. "Pollo was a great help. Where is he?"

"Nico took him away," Connor explains. "To feed him."

"And who told him he's allowed to take Pollo just like that?"

"Stop it, Ara," Lily scolds her. "He gave back your T-Rex."

Ara mumbles a couple of insults but she gives in. She considers telling Lily about the kiss, but she needs to clear things up with Leo first, this cannot be another Mike situation.

Lily's birthdays are always fun. It's the one night they're allowed to stay up way after curfew. Ara's got no curfew nowadays, but she still goes to bed at the same time as the others... most days, anyway.

The whole time the campfire is taking place, she wishes she could just talk to Leo. Every time she looks at him, he's looking back. Once she's had enough of this stupid longing, she gives Lily one last hug and says goodnight to the rest of the group.

Ara has barely gotten to the porch when she hears someone approaching. The girl immediately starts glowing, and she feels the silly urge to fix her clothes and brush her hair. Leo climbs up the steps with a strange look in his eyes, almost like he's scared. Ara decides to wait for him to reach her and then guides him to the swing at the very end of the porch.

"I just noticed," Leo clears his throat. "You got a haircut."

Ara glows brighter. "Yeah, cut it to shoulder length so it's easier to handle."

"Makes you look taller," he sits down next to her. "So... call me crazy, but when someone rejects you—"

"I didn't reject you."

"Oh, my bad," Leo replies sarcastically. "That's obviously the key to our misunderstanding."

Ara sighs. "I should explain..."

"Por favor y gracias," he leans back on the swing.

"I got Hephaestus's blessing thanks to you," Ara has to be brave, her mothers would hate it if she threw away her chance to be happy. "I felt like kissing you, so I did it. It was wrong."

Leo's soul light goes out instantly. "What?"

"That's not how I wanted it to happen," Ara makes a face. "I always act on impulse. I hate it."

"What are you—"

"I like you, okay? And I..." Ara blushes. "Oh gods, should I be telling you this? You're confused and I don't want you to—"

"If I ask you out right now, will you say yes?" He interrupts her, his gaze eager and attentive.

"Leo, that's not the point. You don't understand—I... I don't..." she covers her face in mortification. "I don't like what love does to me."

He gently places a hand on her knee. "I know you've had a... rough life, to put it lightly. But I'm not going to hurt you..." He pauses. "That's what scares you, right?"

Ara shakes my head, still not looking up. "It's the other way around. Being excellent at what I've decided to do doesn't come naturally to me—I thought it would get easier with time, but the challenges keep growing... and this is just another thing I'll fail to do properly."

The Fates know that if there is someone on Earth who's done his best to stay away from people, that's Leo, but he can't do that with Ara. It's like a loose screw that he keeps turning, thinking it'll eventually slip out, but it's only tightening more in place.

"So what if you can't be perfect at it?" It annoys him that a person as loving as her can't get any comfort in life, he wants to make it better. "It doesn't mean you can't have it with someone who truly cares about you."

Ara looks up pouting. "You're being so serious it's scary."

"I can be serious when I want to," he smiles a little. "But I could try and make the truth sound funny so it doesn't scare you. I really want you to like me as much as I like you, Ara."

"I like you," she admits bashfully, looking at her feet. "I'm crazy about you... it's so uncomfortable."

"Really?" Leo's heart is pounding on his chest, he's making a huge effort not to set the swing on fire. "Was it my amazing personality?"

"And your eyes," Ara speaks quieter, eyes fixed on her shoes.

"What about my hair?"

"Could look better without all the grease," she teases him.

"Hey!" He pouts. "A good mechanic gets dirty, sorry if that makes me unattractive."

"I never said that," Ara chuckles and looks up at last. One of her hands reaches up and gently brushes his curls back. "Don't put words in my mouth, Valdez."

Leo leans into her palm beaming. Finally, he's on the receiving end of her loving touch.

Ara's gaze fills with worry after a second. "I really don't know what I'm doing most of the time, Leo. I'm not being humble."

"And what makes you think I've got a clue?" He raises a brow. "I just got here half a month ago... by comparison, you're pretty much the high-level expert."

"And yet it feels like you've always been around," she hums, cupping his cheek. "You won't take a no for an answer, right?"

Her voice has an encouraging tone, like she wants him to reject this idea... So he does. "Sorry, doll, I'm irritating like that." He shows her a crooked smile. "But if you say yes, I promise I'll wash up for our date."

"You gotta shower for all of our dates, not just the first," she replies. In Ara's eyes, they're like two little suns illuminating the porch.

"I'd be stupid if I didn't," Leo smirks. "Gotta keep my girl happy."

His girl, he says, like it's all settled. Maybe it is. Ara has zero practice, but Leo makes it easy. He gives her the biggest butterflies she's ever felt, everything is telling her to keep him, so why not? Maybe he's the person she's been looking for her whole life.

Perhaps the boy moves first, perhaps it's her, but their noses are touching now. "Leo..." she stops. "Leo!"

"Hmm?"

"You're on fire."

"Thanks, doll," Leo grins, still leaning forward.

Ara moves away. "You're scorching the swing."

"Dang it!" The boy gets up and kills the flames. "It's all the stress from today—gets harder to control..."

Ara stands up with her hands behind her back. "Yeah, that's the only reason."

It's getting late and the campers will leave the campfire soon, so their moment is over. "I'm sorry, I'll try not to set us on fire next time."

Ara nods and slowly makes her way to the house's front door. "But if you do... the blessing keeps me safe from accidental burns, so that's lucky, right?"

"Man, gotta love my dad," he pauses and scowls. "But not for real. I mean—"

Ara laughs. Leo's starting to love the sound of it. "I get it."

The boy stops on the porch's steps and looks back at her. "So... I'd love to take you on a date."

"Tomorrow after dinner. Don't be late and take a shower."

"I did that already," he tugs on his shirt. "This is barely two days old."

Ara holds back her laugh and wrinkles her nose. "You're disgusting. I'm taking it back, I don't—"

Leo runs down the old steps. "Too late! You can't cancel if I can't hear you!"

The girl watches him run away, giggling at his antics. Ara can feel her anxiety gather in the pit of her stomach, and that irksome voice at the back of her mind asks "Are you sure?" and "Remember Mike?" but she ignores it.

This is different, Leo's soul light matches hers. They're meant to be together, and that's all she needs to know.

Ara enters her room and finds her T-Rex tucked into bed with a pacifier tied to its claw. She gets under the covers, hugging the dino close to her chest, and listens to her own heartbeat thumping against the plushie.

Next Chapter ->

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14 notes · View notes

buttermynutter · 2 years

Text

Signed, Viktor | 11/18

Transcript:

Resident impromptu marine biologist,

The flowers are thriving, you can see them from even the sidewalk below your balcony! I didn’t doubt you could grow them from just cuttings, but I’m still a bit relieved because, to be honest, I picked the types solely on their names. Fuchsia is simply too interesting of a word for me to dismiss.

Speaking of thriving, I’m sure the “mermaid” is doing just as well. Perhaps you shouldn’t have convinced that child the manatee was really a lost species, but I suppose that’s what he deserves for pounding on the glass so much - he should prototype inventions of the Talis family.

As you know, I lived near a river in the Undercity, but our visit was the first time I had seen anything larger than a minnow or crawfish. It was simply magical, though we probably shouldn’t have gotten candy floss before the whale show - after the splash, it seemed more like a disappearing act. I wasn’t aware creatures could grow that large! Rio was already a spectacle to me, though it was most likely because of how small I was at the time.

I’m sorry for cutting this reflection short - I realize our visit was already a week ago anyway, yet that doesn’t stop it from rebounding around my head like you did from glass pane to glass pane. I understand you were excited, but that won’t stop me from reminding you that you identified staff members inside the tanks cleaning as different species of fish twice.

Instead, I wanted to speak of last night, hopefully while seeming as much as like I am directly talking to you as I can. Ironic when I could quite literally do so by simply knocking on the door to your quarters, I know, but I thought it would be the most fitting in a letter - at least, the most sentimental. (Not to mention that I am tremendously anxious, but I’d rather not think of it at the moment.)

Speaking of sentimental, did you know that the café - the one we had our first meeting off school grounds at - has closed down? I could hardly believe it when I saw it this morning since I wanted to surprise you with a drink, but I've heard they're merely moving, so it should still be nearby.

Also, do you happen to remember the sachet of herbs you gave me? I know you told me it was only an old wive's tale that it helps with allergies, but I genuinely feel that my sinuses are clearer. If only all ailments could be cured so easily.

Wait, I'm getting off track - I can't believe I've had not one but two tangents in writing. I promise these notes aren’t usually this nerve-wracking, but this letter carries considerable weight; so much so that I am delivering it myself (again, a bit redundant, but I like to think it adds to the charm).

If there is one thing I may ask of you, it would be to please not think of me any differently.

Because of last night, an internal cauldron that I have been carrying for quite a while has finally boiled over. It had been brewing ever since you shook my hand across the library table, but the last evening simply pushed it over the edge. Everything about it seemed tailored to pull me to that realization; from our journey in continuing to find out which key belonged where to chasing those discoveries to the water wheel outside.

We didn't trade many words sitting on that ledge, but I'd never felt closer to somebody. I know I've told you I’m not one for physical affection, even avoiding an embrace or two from you, but I regret it immensely. Goodness, I think that plant from so long ago had held you longer than I ever have.

However, I have reason to believed that has all changed. Because of you, I've found out why people hug, why friends link arms, why a single pat on the hand can be important, why a brush on the shoulder can linger for hours. Yesterday, and so many days before, I felt, well... received, I suppose. I couldn't play with the Zaun children, I couldn't travel with the academy students, but I don't have to with you - because there's nothing else I want to see.

I felt like with my arms around you, I never had to leave that spot, never had to pick up my cane again, like I could merely drink in your happiness and live forever.

Above all, you've stirred the heated coals of my lost faith in myself and my scientific proficiency into a renewed smolder; that aspect heated the cauldron before I even saw your face. A little drop of dreams can only go so far, but you've turned both yours and mine into a river.

And I don't plan on building a dam anytime soon. Like we have all these months, I still want to dodge flashlights in the dark with you, to formulate increasingly outrageous excuses when they inevitably land on us, to ensure that you get more from this academy than an assistant job and a metal brace. To put it simply, I'm sure you've heard of the term "Cupid's arrow". In my case, he must've used a rifle - and he's a terribly good shot.

Perhaps this is all a bit forward. I hope you are not uncomfortable or feel obliged to be mutual in this, anything but that. I just felt it was only right to tell you. After all, are we not for progress?

By botanical (though maybe not scientific) terms, the tree of my life had become barren, and I could barely remember when my potential was a promise instead of a regret. When you came to sit under its branches they not only bore fruit, but also more types than I could ever imagine. I’m not certain of much in this world, but I know indefinitely that you are beautiful and that I want us to pick every fruit on that tree until the only thing left for us is to touch the stars.

I don't know, I may be overcomplicating this. In the end, I only have to use a few words to describe how I feel.

I love you.

♥ Viktor

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