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fantasydaydreamers · 3 years

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Aphrodisiac Chocolates Pt.2

Summary: Continuation of Part 1

Words: 2,504

Warnings: Lemon Headcanons/Mini Scenarios

Author’s Note: I copied and pasted the beginning from part one so this can be technically read on it’s own~ Happy Valentine’s Day, dreamers~ I love youuuu😩💕💕💕

~*~*~*~*

Valentine’s was here and you were running around last minute to find a gift for your man. You knew he would find something like that so trivial, but you wanted to get him something. Besides, not like he had any room to say that when you had a feeling he’s going to buy you flowers. The last-minute gift idea probably wasn’t the best move on your end, but you can’t go wrong with some chocolates.

Right?

Quickly scanning up and down the isles of the grocery store had you panicking at the empty shelves. Ahh yes…my luck in a nutshell. Sighing, you leave the store realizing this was the third one you came too. Running your hands through your hair, you walk back out into the shopping district and rack your brain for ideas on what to buy him.

The sudden whiff of chocolate had your head whipping up sharply. Your eyes immediately find the source and you quickly send a prayer of thanks before skipping over to the small pop-up stand.

“Hello!” Smiling widely, you look to the girl running the booth as she returns your smile cheekily.

“Hi! Last-minute shopping?” She asks knowingly, a teasing glint in her eye. You nod shamefully and the girl laughs in understanding. “It’s totally fine! That’s why I thought this would be a good idea to set up my own stand today. Not to brag or anything, but I make the best chocolates around.” In the last part, she lifts her hand to her mouth and whispers to you, winking when she finished talking.

“Well, thankfully I found you! I was just about to panic because I already know he got me flowers and I would love to do the same, but what can I say, I like to try and compete with him at this kind of stuff…ah…” You clear your throat noticing that you were rambling. “Anyway, how much for a box of chocolates?”

The girl giggles softly and hands you a wrapped black heart package of chocolates. “Oh, love. You can take these for free. On the house.” Looking up at her in disbelief and reaching for your pocket, she shakes her head and motions for you not to bother.

“Please take it! I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!” She offers you a wide smile and blows you a kiss once you finish thanking her. Sighing in relief that you finally got him a present, you begin to head home to prepare for your romantic evening.

~*~*~*~*

“Happy Valentine’s Day!” You scream, running into your man’s arms as soon as he walks through the door. He catches you easily, hugging you close to his body, the familiar warmth making you sigh in content.

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” He echos, placing a gentle kiss on your forehead. Pulling back slightly, he pulls his free hand closer to his body and it was then you noticed the bouquet of flowers he was holding. “I knew it!” You laugh and take them from him gently, smelling the petals.

He blushes slightly and scratches the back of his head. “Do you like them?”

You lean up and peck his lips softly. “Of course I do!” Looking into his eyes so he knows your being serious, you peck his lips again and pull back. “Time for your gift!” You exclaim, running over to the wrapped box of chocolates on the table.

He follows behind and holds out his hands as you place the box in them. “Mystery chocolates? Do not eat more than one?” He reads questionably, eyeing you for confirmation.

“Huh?” Looking down to where he was reading you furrow your eyebrows not noticing that before. “Oh! They probably have different fillings! Go on try one!” You say, not processing the last part, bouncing excitedly on your toes as he unwraps the package, a confused look on his face.

“If you say so.”

Dabi

You weren't surprised to see Dabi pick the darkest piece of chocolate out of the entire box. His turquoise eyes held yours as he slipped the candy past his lips, his tongue peeking out to lick the smeared chocolate on his thumb from his body heat.

The sight had you shifting your feet, your body heat also rising in degree. Dabi saw your reaction, of course, and smirked, making another show of sticking his thumb in his mouth and hollowing his cheeks.

"Dabi..." You whine softly, breaking his teasing. Dabi releases his thumb and chuckles, reaching out to cup your cheeks. Your hands reach up to hold his wrists to keep his warm hands on your face as you gaze into his soft eyes.

It was one of those rare moments you got to see of him when the two of you were alone. It made your heart flutter with happiness. "Are you going to kiss me?" You ask breathlessly, wetting your lips in anticipation.

"Does my good girl deserve it?"

The dominant shift in his voice had your heart skipping a beat as you felt the space between your legs clench. "Dabi?"

"That's Daddy to you, slut."

You gasp, feeling a hand wrap around your throat, Dabi's eyes darkening significantly. "Looks like my good girl needs to learn some manners first."

→ Type of Chocolate: Daddy Dom - This solid 72% dark cacao chocolate is a bittersweet flavor that's sure to satisfy your tastebuds. This chocolate enhances a person's primal instincts, their true dominant nature shining through. If already a Dom, it may make things more emotionally satisfying. If not, it's more sexually satisfying. It's rare to receive both from a partner, but if you do, good luck. The effect will last for a few hours depending on a person's libido.

→ Dabi: *is thrusting deep inside of you while pulling your hair* "So pretty for me, (Y/n)~ clenching down on me when I pull your hair. You like that?"

→ You: *drool escaping your mouth as your eyes roll back into your head* "Y-yes...daddy~"

Shinsou

A white chocolate piece topped with pink sugar sprinkles caught Shinsou's eye. Popping the whole thing in his mouth, he chews slowly savoring the flavor. "That was good. The inside kinda tasted like oranges?"

Shugging, he pulls you into a hug again, sighing into your hair as he finally gets to relax at home. "Long day...I'm happy I get to come home to you." Shinsou mumbles into your hair.

Or more like...he was nuzzling you.

"Shinsou?" You pull back and almost jump seeing his eyes have changed into slits, widening when you started to pull away. From there, your eyes landed on the purple cat ears emerging from his head, your hand coming up to touch them hesitantly. "Did you get hit by a quirk today?"

Shinsou cocks his head to the side, his cat ears twitching cutely making you coo despite your fear. You pull him into the bathroom, and for the first time in your life, you've never seen Shinsou's eyes get so wide with shock.

"Oh my God. I'm a furry."

You burst out laughing and touch the tip of his ear, a loud purr, similar to a moan left his lips, his face turning red "Don't do that."

The sound made you bite your lip, itching to do it again as heat filled your belly.

"Or what?"

→ Type of Chocolate: Pretty Kitty - A playful white chocolate topped with pink sugared sprinkles is the purrfect combination of a sweet treat. The effect will last until the person develops a strong appetite. For best results: use after eating a full meal for a lasting effect.

→ Shinsou: *is thrusting into you lazily, his tail swishing back and forth as he stares at you with cunning eyes* "Hah~ I wish I knew what this one would do so you could've eaten it-fuck-you'd be so precious as my little kitten~"

→ You: *whining as you tried to get him to go faster, the annoying cat-like grin on his face pissing you off* "God-fucking- speed up Shinsou!"

→ Shinsou: *stops completely* "And develop an appetite so soon? After you teased me? No, no, kitten...I'm taking my time with you tonight."

Aizawa

Aizawa hums and picks up a glossy dark chocolate piece with streaks of red marbling in it, his tired eyes widening when he bites into it. "There's a coffee ganache in the middle, hm." He looks surprisingly satisfied by the taste which made you laugh and roll your eyes.

"You sir," you point your finger into his chest, "need to appreciate the fine art of chocolate more often." Aizawa just rolls his eyes in response and begins to take off his scarves, ready to settle in for the night.

"Wait, did you want to go out or something? Take out?" Aizawa shoots a questioning glance at you making you swoon that he wanted to treat you to dinner. You think about it, realizing you haven't thought that far ahead into the evening.

You turn away for a quick second to go look in the refrigerator to see if there was anything at home. Just because going out seemed like a pain and you really wanted to spend it inside with Aizawa. "Well...it looks like we have enough food here. How about we stay home?"

Silence.

The lack of response had you turning around only to see Aizawa standing there with a glare on his face, a rope wrapped around his mouth, and his wrists tied together in front. As hilarious as it was, it was also equally as confusing. "What did you just do?"

Trying to hold back your laughter, Aizawa shakes his head in disapproval and manages to point at the chocolates with a finger. Your eyes widen as you read the back of the box and the different chocolates that were inside.

"Ohh..." You softly place the box back down and stare into Aizawa's annoyed gaze. Your embarrassment quickly turns into deviousness as you reach out to grab his bound wrists, pulling him into the bedroom.

"I know what you can eat for dinner."

→ Type of Chocolate: Wrapped Up - This elegant dark chocolate with its hidden coffee flavor will have you tongue-tied in shock. The effect will only last 45 minutes depending on a person's resistance. Use responsibly although this isn't strong enough to have full control. If a person is definite in resisting, it'll wear off immediately.

→ You: *removing the rope around Aizawa's mouth, you place your legs on either side of his head, lowering yourself* "Happy Valentine's Day, Daddy~"

→ Aizawa: *chuckles darkly* "Naughty girl...wait until I have my hands free. You're not going to be able to-nnf!"

Tamaki

Tamaki's delighted eyes landed on a milk chocolate piece with a white chocolate swirl on the top. Picking it up, he bites into it cutely and sighs happily. "Mnf! It has marshmallow inside," he mumbles around the chewy texture.

You laugh at his chubby cheeks, still flustered from you running into his arms earlier, reaching up to poke it. He flushes even more and you giggle at his cute expression. "Awhhh, you look like a little bunny, Tamaki~"

Tamaki swallows the candy and holds you're palm against his warm cheek nuzzling against it. The adoring gaze he was giving you only made you coo even more until you saw something big appear on top of Tamaki's head.

"Oh my God, you look like a bunny," you repeat again, stepping back to look at the purple bunny ears sprouting from the same purple fluffy hair. The seriousness in your voice had Tamaki reaching up to touch his head, eyes widening.

"I-I swear it's not my q-quirk!" Tamaki looks panicked and your eyes shift to the box of chocolates, realization dawning on you. "I can't change it, (Y/n)! What happened?!"

In the middle of Tamaki's panic, you pull him back in and kiss him, your hands coming up to bury in his hair, stroking the base of the soft ears. He whimpered against your mouth and you smiled. "Don't worry Tamaki. It looks like there's something in these chocolates~" Pulling him back for another peck, you feel his arms tighten around you and squeeze, making you sigh.

"Sorry...I actually had no idea what kind of chocolates these were since I was in a rush...but since we have this opportunity...let me see you're tail, bunny~"

→ Type of Chocolate: Fluffy Bunny - What looks like a simple milk chocolate truffle, is actually covering a soft, chewy marshmallow on the inside. The effect will last for a few hours depending on a person's libido.

→ You: *arches your back in a gasp* "S-so good for me, bunny~" *reaches down to brush against his tail*

→ Tamaki: *hic* "S-stop p-playing with my t-tail, (Y/n)...'ts sensitive..." *his hips stutter and shake as he humps into you*

Gang Orca

Sakamata immediately goes for a milk chocolate piece with gold flakes on top. He wastes no time plopping it into his mouth, closing his eyes happily. "The hazelnut spread is divine!" He chuckles and leans back in, placing a kiss on your forehead.

You closed your eyes to savor the feeling only to feel him move away. When you opened your eyes to pout and demand another, you gasp at the man in front of you.

Man.

"...Sakamata?" The man standing in front of you was breathtakingly gorgeous. He looked like a Greek god the way he stood there in his tall, muscular glory, his vitiligo skin making him seem even more ethereal.

His hair was long and silky black, and his red eyes bore into yours filled with absolute love and adoration. "Yes?"

You wordlessly hold out your hand, motioning for him to take it as you lead him into the bathroom. The two of you stood staring into the mirror, mouths agape that this was actually happening.

"Oh my God?" You break the silence and place a hand on Sakamata's large shoulder, feeling the human skin texture under your palm. Your hand trails lower and lower without you realizing, your mind drifting into dangerous territory. ...Is that different too?

"If you keep making me watch you feel me up like that...I won't be able to hold back." The silky voice washed over you making you shiver.

"...Then don't."

→ Type of Chocolate: Monster Fucker (yes i named this after that meme) - An innocent milk chocolate piece with hazelnut spread inside holds a surprise no one sees coming. Depending on who eats this, if you're not already human, this effect will have its reverse. The effect is strong and lasts for about 4 hours.

→ Gang Orca: *is catching his breath next to you while holding you close* "...Do you still love me as I am...or do you prefer this?"

→ You: *you gasp, whipping up to hold his face close to yours, seeing it slowly change back to the man you came to love* "I love the same orca I fell in love with. I love you for you. Always and forever."

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harryhandstan · 3 years

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so..I hate that this is so late but happy to finally have this done and be posting it for y’all! hope you enjoy! thank you to my betas @tbslenthusiast, @serendipitystyles, and @summertimestyles you’re all angels!! also sham was so kind to help me create a playlist for this fic which you can find here!

this is for @taintedwonder‘s Styles Valentine’s Day fic challenge and most of the photos from the header were my inspo along with prompts 3. Can you just hold my hand? and 6. Let’s run away together.

as always any likes, rbs, replies, and feedback is welcome and very much appreciated!

word count: 4.1k

writing tag | masterlist

You can read his face before he even opens his mouth to speak.

“You have to leave again, don’t you?”

He doesn’t answer at first, just joins you where you sit on the bed, an arm around your waist to urge you closer to him. He presses a kiss to your shoulder, as if that will soothe the sting of what he’s about to say. He buries his face into your neck before he speaks.

“Only for a little while, angel.”

You don’t respond by returning the kiss like you normally would, narrowing your eyes down to where he’s hiding his face, “How long is a ‘little while’?”

“You could always come with me, y’know..”

He’s avoiding the answer and he knows it, eyes darting up only briefly to look at your face.

“How long, Harry?”

He’s fiddling with the hem of your t-shirt now, focusing on the loose thread hanging instead.

You nudge him lightly, pulling his attention back up to you, “Just say it! How long?”

He sucks in a big breath before releasing it and then the words come out in a rush, “A few weeks, possibly a month.”

You have to take your own deep breath before asking, “When do you have to leave?”

“Promise you won’t be mad?”

“Promise.”

“My flight’s on the 14th.”

“February 14th? As in we don’t get to spend Valentine’s Day together?”

“M’so sorry, love, I really thought we were gonna get to spend the day together.”

He’s pulled back from where he was hiding his face, studying yours now. It hurts him to see the disappointment written there; the pinch in your brow, the downturned corners of your mouth, the way your eyes have temporarily lost their shine and fallen misty.

“Ya really could come with me, y’know. Take a bit of time off, would do you some good to take a break.”

He knows better, knows it’s just a fantasy that you would ever be able to get that much time off from work to be able to travel with him.

“C’mon, love, let’s run away together.”

The way he’s looking at you know, it really wouldn’t take much more convincing to turn his fantasy into a reality.

“What am I gonna do when I’m cold and don’t have you as my personal heater to help me get warm?”

“S’why I left you my pillow to snuggle with. There’s a ton of extra blankets too, use as many of those as ya need.”

How could you explain that no amount of warmth from any blanket would ever compare to his? A blanket wasn’t capable of softly brushing your hair back from your face or tenderly pressing it’s lips to yours as you drift off to sleep. You open your mouth to try to illustrate such facts, but you close your mouth just as quick. You aren’t trying to be difficult or clingy, and you don’t want your last bit of time together to be filled with your complaints.

That thought only lasts for a moment, your anxiety building with each mile closer to the airport, “Well what do I do when your pillow doesn’t smell like you anymore?”

“I’ll try to be back before that happens, deal? Besides, you’ve got a whole drawer of my t-shirts to sleep in too. They all smell like me, right?”

“They do, but, Harry..what if..”

“Shh, hey, we’ve been through this before, right? S’gonna be hard for me to be away from you too, but I promise we’ll be alright. You can call me anytime you’re missin’ me, remember?”

His voice is that of someone trying to pacify a small child just before a tantrum, and you feel as though you’re being whiny and unreasonable. Missing him when he was away was almost unbearable though; everything seemed heavy and dimmer and you know it would feel like an eternity before you were together again.

“Promise we’ll make up today the second I come home. You plan the whole day and just tell me when and where to show up, okay?’

The fact that it was Valentine’s Day didn’t matter so much to you. You and Harry made it a point throughout your days spent together to express your love to one another whenever you could, so today was really just..another day to spend together. So it’s missing him that has tears forming in your eyes again, just as they had the night before.

“Can you just hold my hand? Until..” You don’t finish the sentence, letting your voice trail off so he won’t hear it break.

“‘Course I can, baby.” He offers his hand, never taking his eyes off the road even as he lifts your hand to his mouth to place a kiss to the back of it.

Though you know he would never admit to it, you swear you feel the speed of the car slow just the tiniest bit, Harry wanting to add as much to your limited time together as he can.

Despite it still being light outside, coming home to the space you normally share together alone makes you want to do nothing but crawl right back in bed. It’s mid-afternoon and with Harry not home to motivate you to do something more productive, that’s exactly what you aim to do.

After dropping your purse and keys near the door and double checking the locks, you’re startled by the sight of a bouquet of bright pink roses adorning your dining room table. They definitely weren’t there when you left, and you pluck the small card nestled between the flowers with your name scrawled across the front. It’s Harry’s almost illegible handwriting and the sight of it makes your heart soar with excitement before you flip it open to read the message.

It’s simple and small, more of his writing scratched across the cream colored paper in bold, black ink. Love, love, love, H. There’s a badly drawn heart underneath the note, and that makes you giggle out loud, filling the silence. If Harry were here, he’d have some cheeky comment about how adorable your laughter is, how he loved the sound of it.

“Don’t want you moping around the whole time m’gone, yeah? Promise me y’ll do more than just sulk around the place until I get back?” This reminder was given just before he’d had to rush off to catch his plane, giving you no time to offer him much more than a quick peck and a sad smile as an agreement.

So technically what you plan to do would not be considered breaking a promise, just..catching up on the sleep you would’ve gotten if you hadn't had to wake up so early to ride with Harry to the airport. Normally that was something you would decline to do, preferring to sleep in, which Harry usually was fine with; but this time he had insisted on you accompanying him on his drive, wanting to get as much time with you on this day as he could.

Just as you're about to venture down the hallway to the bedroom, you spot another item you’re sure hadn’t been on your coffee table earlier that morning when you’d left. It’s a medium sized box, messily wrapped with red paper and tied with purple ribbon and a bow. It’s quite heavy when you lift it, so you sit on the nearby couch to avoid dropping it. You waste no time tearing the paper away, lifting the lid to reveal a candle surrounded by tissue paper.

There’s a pack of two lighters wedged next to the candle, and you curiously pull it from the box first to see more of Harry’s handwriting on a red sticky note.

Baby you light up my world like nobody else...

That pulls another laugh from you, this one is bigger and echoes through the dimly lit space. The candle itself is a scent he knows you love, and you bring it closer to your face and inhale deeply. The smell of it helps ease even more of the unease and sadness of him being gone. You dig your phone out of your pocket to check the time and try to calculate whether his plane has landed and he would be able to answer a call from you.

You ultimately decide to nap first and give him a chance to get settled. He would most likely be calling you later anyway, missing you just as much as you missed him and wanting to hear your voice. You could thank him then for the flowers, candle, and the laugh. So you continue your journey to the bedroom, slipping out of your clothes and sliding open the drawer of Harry’s t-shirts. He’s right, they do all smell like him and you run your fingers along the soft fabrics before selecting one.

It’s plain white, one of his undershirts normally tucked beneath his expensive button ups and ruffles, but today it’s perfect and comforting attire to doze off in. It’s loose and just long enough on you that you don’t feel the need to put on a pair of your pj shorts with it, The bed is still messy from the morning, and you swear you can still see the outline of where Harry’s body normally tucks next to you on his side. You pull the blanket back and crawl into your usual spot, but it doesn’t feel right; it’s too empty and quiet without Harry.

You grab his pillow from his side and try your best to replicate the way you would curl yourself around him if he was here. It takes a bit of time to adjust, but eventually you give up and just try to relax into the mattress as much as possible, covering your head slightly with the blanket to surround yourself with warmth.

You peek through the space uncovered to the alarm clock on the bedside table on Harry’s side, the bright red letters read 12:32 p.m. and you let out a deep sigh before drifting off to sleep. If you weren’t so tired, the thought that crosses your mind might just make you laugh again.

Alone in bed in the afternoon on Valentine’s Day. What a shame.

You wake with a start, bolting upwards at the sound of your phone ringing loudly from somewhere near the bed. You don’t even bother to open your eyes to see who it is, just following the motions to answer and plop back down onto your spot as you let out an almost breathless and groggy “hello?”

“Not missin’ me too much, I see, took you a whole minute to answer,'' You know he’s joking by the hint of amusement in his voice and relief floods through your chest before any other feeling at the idea of him making it safely to his destination, “You alright, love? Sound a bit outta breath. Having some fun in our bed without me?”

“I..no, I was napping, promise, your call just scared me awake..how did you know I’m in bed?”

“I’m only teasing. Just a guess, figured you’d find your way back to the bed not long after you got home.”

“Found the flowers and the candle. Your note on the lighters made me laugh, thank you. How’d you do that though? They weren’t there when we left for the airport and you didn’t come back in.”

“Had one of my assistants drop the flowers off, and the candle’s been stashed in the closet for a week so she set it out for me while she was there. Wish I could’ve been there to see your face and hear that laugh,” He giggles at the thought of it, “S’that all you found? The flowers and the candle? I assume you found the one in the bathroom too, right?”

You’re more alert now, sitting up again to try to process what he’s saying more easily, “What do you mean? There’s more? The bathroom?”

“A few more, yeah. Hid here and there for you to find.”

“You left me a scavenger hunt? Do I at least get clues to help me find them all?”

“I’ve just given you one, haven’t I? Might be persuaded to give you a few more later.”

You’re up off the bed now, making your way to the bathroom where another surprise awaits. You hesitate for only a moment, stopping just as you reach the door.

“What’s in the bathroom? More flowers? One of those big, fluffy teddy bears?”

“M’not gonna tell you! You gotta go in to find out!”

Flipping on the light switch has you gasping at what you see. A heart, entirely made from more red sticky notes, each one embellished with reminders of his love for you. You stumble over words, trying to form a coherent response.

He senses your shock even through the phone and graciously gives you a moment before asking, “S’the heart all wonky or does it look nice? Told them to make it as straight as possible.”

“H..it’s beautiful! How did you have time to write all these before you left?”

“Finished up most of them last night after you fell asleep. They came to me a lot easier with my muse snoring next to me.”

You truly don’t know what to say to that. You’ve never had someone be so bright and loud with their love for you and just this simple expression makes you feel so incredibly special and loved.

You know that emotion is flowing through the phone when he speaks again, softer and lower, “Y’sure you won’t let me fly you out here to be with me?”

There’s the sound of another voice before Harry barks out another laugh, “Jeff says m’proper miserable without you. He said he’d pay you whatever your salary would be for the next month just to have you here.”

“Tempting, but..” Harry knows how much you love your job and how such a long absence would jeopardize the career you’ve built, so you know he probably won’t mention it again.

“Technically it was gonna be part of my present for you, so..I’ll give you another clue.”

“How very generous of you, H. Will this one make me cry too?”

“Maybe. Knowing you, probably,” You roll your eyes but listen for further instructions, “Just remember I had to rush and there’s still a few I didn’t get to add but, go get your laptop.”

“What’d you do to my laptop?”

“Would ya just go get it? C’mon I’ve gotta hang up soon and I wanna hear your reaction before I hafta go.”

“Alright, I got it. What now?”

“Go to your music library.” He gives you a moment to navigate through your programs, “Should be a playlist there with your name on it, lovie. Wait, are you already crying?”

“Shut up! Yes!” You wipe at your eyes with the hem of his t-shirt you’re still wearing as you try to read over the list of songs, “This is so sweet! The flowers, the candle, the heart and now this. Harry..I didn’t get you anything and you did all this for me. Thank you, I love you.”

“Love you more,” You can just picture the smug smile on his face, pleased that he’s done a good job of surprising you, “You can make it up to me later.”

“Don’t push your luck there, H. You’ve just been forgiven, I still have time to change my mind, you know.”

“I know. I wouldn’t blame you if you did.” You hear what you assume to be Jeff’s voice again in the background, “I gotta go, babe. I’ll try to call again later, alright?”

“Wait! I don’t get any more clues? Can you at least tell me how many more are left?”

“S’no fun for me if I give away all my secrets now, is it?”

It’s only a day later when you find yourself in the kitchen, uncertain about what to make for dinner, eyes scanning over the ingredients in your pantry. Your laptop sits on the counter nearby, and you hum along to My Girl playing through the speakers, a song selected for you by Harry for the playlist he recently made for you.

You’re about to give up and heat up your leftovers from the Italian take-out you had treated yourself to the night before, when you spot the pack of Haribo gummy bears wedged in the corner. You almost have to stand on your tip-toes to reach it, and when you run your hand along the shelf you find another bag of sweets not far from the gummy bears. You smile down at the two bags, his favorite candy and yours sitting side by side.

There’s another of Harry’s red sticky notes on the pack of gummy bears: Being away from you is unBEARable. More of his cheesy jokes you’re sure he thought of himself. Your candy is void of any words, just another messily drawn heart, this time with your name in the middle.

You decide to FaceTime him this time, wanting to see his face. It only takes 3 rings for him to answer, a tender “Hi, baby.” falling from his lips. The room he’s in is dimly lit, but you can still see him well enough to notice his hair is damp. His curls are more pronounced than usual, which was a sign he’d been too tired to much more than probably run his fingers through after his shower.

“Found another of your surprises.” You hold the candy up for him to see and he smiles.

“Better save me some of those Haribo, and not just all the colors ya don’t like either.”

You tear open the bag, sticking your tongue out at him before popping a few into your mouth, “I might, if you tell me where all the other surprises are.”

You can see him temporarily consider it, biting his bottom lip and meeting your gaze before he shakes his head, “Nah. I will tell you there’s only one more though..well, depends on how you look at it, but to me they only count as one.”

“They?”

He mimics locking his lips, and you decide to drop it for now, knowing you would most likely have to trick or beg him to tell you later. You’d let him think he won. For now.

You roll the top of the bag of candy down, opening the cabinet to tuck them back into the same corner you found them in. They just didn’t taste the same without him there to enjoy them with you. Plus you still had a still had leftover garlic knots and mushroom ravioli you planned to dig into later.

“S’that the playlist I made for you? Sounds like it.”

The song has changed to At Last, Etta James’ voice filling the small kitchen, “Yeah. I love this song.”

“Me too. Reminds me of you now..my love,” You sway a bit to the music before stopping, leaning forward to where your phone is propped on the counter, “Wish I was there t’dance with you.”

You try your best to hold back your emotions of missing him, but you imagine how he would rest his hands on your hips if was here. How he would spin you to face him and move his hands to rest on your back while he led you around in a slow circle across the floor. It wasn’t just his hands you longed for, it was the way he would bend to your ear to sing along to whatever song you were dancing to, especially one like this he knew you loved. You missed his voice in person, the way it would surround you with a comfort and peace you’d never be able to replicate with anything else.

No matter what you do you can’t stop your thoughts from trailing to how when the song was over, he would lift you to sit on the counter and kiss your forehead. You’re wearing one of his hoodies tonight, and you pull the sleeve down over your hands to use to try to quickly wipe away any tears before he sees them. Once you feel you’ve reined in your emotions to the best of your abilities, you clear your throat before speaking again.

“I miss you, H.”

“I miss you too, angel.”

The music has changed again, Don’t Worry Baby by The Beach Boys lifting the mood enough you don’t feel so heavy and overwhelming with your yearning for him. You take a deep breath, planning to ask him about his day, but before you have a chance he says, “Go to your bedside table. The top drawer.”

“What?”

“M’tryin’ to tell you where your last surprise is. Go to our bedroom and look in the drawer. I’ll wait.”

You flash him a smile before turning to make your way out of the kitchen, through your living room and down the hall to your bedroom. It takes a bit of searching before you uncover a stack of bright, pastel colored envelopes tied together with the same purple ribbon as the candle from the day before. You work quickly to untie the knot and turn the lamp on so you can read the front of each one. There’s 4 total; open when you need a laugh, open when you miss my hugs, open when you need a reminder of my love, open when you miss me.

You tear into the final one immediately, setting the others aside for later. It’s not very long, the perfect length to boost your spirit even further. Just the thought of him taking time to sit down and write his expression of love for you makes you grin, and has that same feeling of being loved spreading through you as it did the previous day when you saw the heart on the bathroom mirror.

You had almost forgotten leaving him on hold in the kitchen until you hear, even from 3 rooms away, the sound of him singing along to whatever song is playing now. You close your eyes, picturing for a moment that it’s a typical night when he’s home, darting around the kitchen while he makes dinner or puts dishes away.

You make your way back through the house to him, envelope in hand. Each one had been a different color so the second he sees which one you have his eyes brighten, his smile growing bigger the closer you get.

“Of course you opened that one first. Did y’like it?”

You shake your head no, breaking into a laugh when you see the look of disappointment on his face, “I loved it. Very charming of you to do all this just for me, H.”

“Yeah? I did a good job surprising you then?”

You roll your eyes. This man and his need for praise was too much, but he was yours, and you were his and you would do anything to assure him that you loved him just as much as he loved you.

“You did an amazing job, really, Harry. I never expected you to be able to do so much so last minute.”

His mouth drops open in mock dismay, looking down and shaking his head, “I can’t believe you would ever doubt me!”

You don’t say anything, just shake your own head at his teasing, sharing a look of adoration before you look away.

“Hey, did I leave my lip balm there? The coconut kind I use before bed? Thought I had it in my duffel but I couldn’t find it when I got here.”

“Yep. I used it earlier when I got out of the shower. Want me to send it to you?”

“Nah, you don’t have to, but..you could bring it to me in person if you wanted.”

“I would if I could, Harry.”

The tone of a new text from your phone startles you, and you try to suppress your elation as best you can at who it’s from. It’s Jeff, confirming the time of your flight he’d helped you schedule for the following day. Harry knows you too well, would instantly be able to read your face and be suspicious of what you were up to. You step away from his line of sight to let the thrill run through you, to let it fully wash over you so he wouldn’t see. You return as quickly as you can, brushing it off as if you’d just gotten a text from your boss or a friend. He was oblivious, none the wiser at what you were planning.

It was your turn to surprise him.

#stylesvdaychallenge #harry styles imagine #harry x reader #my writing

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lordabovehelpme · 3 years

Text

Spooky Day- Din Djarin x Reader

(Lovely moodboard by the amazing @jedi-jesi !!!)

Request: For dfwl, what if one of the kids ask din and reader about their childhood. Like this is gonna be a little sad bust fluffy, also I just wanna know more about tiny din and tiny paz adventures in dumbas*erry or even dins happiest memories back when his parents were alive? Thankyou!! Its probably gonna be a lil sad but hopefully not TOO sad yknow. Thankyou so much!!I love your writing

A/n: Yess, tiny Din and tiny Paz are my favroite little bros! I love writing for them. Hope you enjoy!

This is the next part of my Days Filled with Love Series, you can find the first part here. :)

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

“Mommy?” Myles hushed voice wakes you from your slumber.

“Hmm?” Opening your eyes, you look over to the side of your bed.

“I had a bad dream. Can I snuggle?” He doesn’t even wait for your response before he lifts the blanket and crawls under it. Lifting his fathers hand from where it drapes across your waist, and tucking himself into your side.

You wrap your arm around him and slowly comb through his curls. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He shakes his head and turns around to face your body, then places his own arm where your husbands had just been.

“Okay, just try to go to sleep then.”

A groan falls from the mandalorian as he stirs. His head lifts from where it was tucked into your chest. One of his eyes lazily opens and finds your son at your hip.

“What’s wrong bud?”

“He had a bad dream.” Using your other hand, you pull him back into his spot and silently beg for the two of them to just go back to sleep.

He murmurs out a “oh” but you can tell it hadn’t really processed in his tired brain.

“Mommy, can you hold me?” Myles voice is quiet and uneasy, whatever was in his dream obviously has shaken him.

“Of course.” Pushing your husband over onto his back, much to his dismay which he signifies with a loud groan, you roll and wrap both arms around Myles, pulling him close into your arms. He sighs happily and squirms a little, trying to find the perfect comfortable position.

You press a kiss to his shaggy curls and give him one last squeeze before settling down and trying to fall back into your slumber.

A loud sigh comes from the man behind you. When you give no response, he sighs again, this time making it louder. Waiting a few minutes, he does it a third time.

“Oh my goodness, you big baby.” Smiling, you giggle, “Did you know that your father could be so annoying?” Myles grins and shakes his head. “We better give him some love of his own before he sighs away all his breath.”

Myles crawls over your body and plops down in between you both, rolling over yet again, you grab him and settle in just as you were, expect this time facing the brooding mandalorian.

“Daddy come snuggle.” A soft smile works its way onto his face and he shuffles over. Pulling not only Myles, but you into his own chest and wrapping his arms around you both. He rests his head on top of your own and this time gives a content exhale.

“Everyone happy now?” Two murmurs of yes grace you and you can’t help but grin. “Good, now let's all go back to sleep.”

***

Pans and dishes clank together, signifying someone moving around in the kitchen. The faint scent of pancakes waft into the open door of your room.

Opening your eyes, you try and place where you are and what is happening. The sun shines in and dances off of the snow. Myles is still tucked into your side, a small spot of drool on your shirt, and his hair tousled and messy.

The spot where you husband usually lies is empty, but still slightly warm. He must have just got up. Slowly, you shift away from your son, making sure to not wake him. Little snores fall from his lips and it’s almost like someone had shrunk the mandalorian in his sleep. You pull the blanket back up over him and leave the room.

Walking down the stairs, you lean against the doorframe in the kitchen. There Din stands, flipping pancakes while grumbling to himself. Those godforsaken grey sweatpants hang low on his hips and the muscles in his back ripple everytime he flips one.

“Hello handsome.” Biting your lip, you try to hide your smile.

He turns around and immediately walks over to you, pulling you into his arms and pressing a kiss to your lips.

“Dad! Are you making pancakes?” Reeza stomps down the stairs and if no one was awake, they sure are now.

He gives you one last peck before breaking away. “Yeah, wanna help me?”

“Yeah!” He picks her up and holds her on his hip, letting her flip the pancakes when they are ready.

Myles walks down the stairs and behind him, Grogu follows. “Good morning you two.” Picking Grogu up, you press a kiss to his forehead before letting him walk off to the table. You lean down and take Myles into your arms, letting him rest his head on your shoulder. “Do you feel better today?”

He nods, but doesn’t let go of you. “Thank you for letting me sleep with you.”

“Oh baby, you don’t need to thank me. What kind of mother would I be if I wasn’t there for my strong boy?” He stays clutching the back of your shirt for a little over a minute before releasing you and sitting down at his seat.

Walking up the stairs and into the nursery, you are met with the soft breaths of Tobbi and Isabet. It’s almost like she knows you’re here because one of her eyes opens and peers up at you before her arms reach up. Her legs kick out and a little grunt falls from her lips.

“Good morning little girl.” Picking her up and placing her in your arms, she smiles up at you. “Aren’t you just a ray of sunshine today?”

“Mama!” Giggling, you tickle her stomach before going to change her diaper.

“There we go, feel better?”

“Mama!” Her little arms lift and her hand reaches out to you. Smiling, you press kiss after kiss to her face, basking in the loud laughs she gives you.

***

After feeding both the twins, you take them in your arms and walk back down to the kitchen. The three kids as well as your husband sit at the table, stuffing ungodly amounts of pancake into their mouths.

“Mommy! You’re back!” Reeza exclaims with her mouth full of the breakfast food.

“Hey! Don’t speak with food in your mouth.” Din glares at her. “And you, stop playing with your food.” He says while pointing at Grogu. The child only coos while dropping the piece of fruit he was levitating in the air. Smiling, you shake your head.

“Daddy can you tell us a story?” Reeza asks, this time without food in her mouth.

“Yeah one with Uncle Paz!” Myles adds on.

“Hmmm. Let me think.” He reaches out to you and practically begs with his eyes for you to hand him one of the twins. Smiling, you give him both and sit down to eat your own breakfast.

“Oh, I know. One time, Paz and I were about fourteen and we had stayed out late one night wrestling. The walk back to the covert was not far, but it was a little bit of a trek. However, it was now super late and they weren’t any lights.”

“I thought you said you guys had curfew?”

He looks at you and quietly says, “We did.” Looking down at his children he continues on with his story, “Anyway, we started walking back and I have no idea how this came about, but we started joking about how we were escaping zombies.”

Now you really start to laugh. “Zombies?” Reeza asks. Myles snickers as he looks down at his fruit bowl.

“Again, I have no idea where this came from. But as we were walking and the longer we were joking about these zombies who were chasing us, the more we started to believe it. So now we are becoming more anxious and we start picking up our pace. It comes to the point where we are running back to the covert. We’re looking back and forth expecting to see these zombies around every bush and tree.”

He breaks off to laugh himself, eyes crinkling in his joy. “We were almost to the covert, in fact we could see the lights from inside. But one of the leaders was waiting outside for us, because we were going to get in trouble. However, in our panicked minds we saw him as a zombie. So when he walked out from behind a tree to yell at us. We jumped and Paz screamed. We held onto each other and we both started to square up. When the leader tried to ask us what was wrong, he moved closer to us. Paz, in his fright, punched him right across the helmet.”

All of you break out into hard uncontrollable laughter at the thought. “Wait so what happened?”

“Let’s just say that we both can agree that we never want to clean a covert bathroom again.”

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

Next Part: Valentines Day

I hope you guys liked it!!! As always, feedback is mega appreciated!

Love you all, Lordy :)

Masterlist

Taglist: @ficthots @along-the-lines-of-space @jedi-jesi @coldlilheart @remmysbounty

If you want to be added/removed from my taglist- just give me a holler and I’d be happy to do it! :)

#din djarin #paz viszla #din djarin x you #din djarin x reader #mando #mando x reader #mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x reader #pedro pascal #days filled with love #pedro pascal x reader

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mandoalorian · 3 years

Text

Sugar and Spice [Max Lord x F!Reader] — Chapter 12

Summary: When you are evicted from your apartment by your toxic ex boyfriend and have no place to go, who do you turn to? Alone in the city as the countdown to Christmas begins, you find yourself applying for a job as the assistant of the world’s biggest entrepreneur; Maxwell Lord. Little do you know, he has other intentions for you. No doubt about it, this Christmas will truly be like no other.

Word count: 2.3k

Warnings: Smut, mentions of a previous verbally abusive relationship, typical 80s misogyny (but very little of it), mentions of food and drink, alcohol consumption. This is a sugardaddy x sugarbaby fic soooo… a daddy k!nk too oops.

But in this chapter: food mention, tooth rotting fluff. Our story comes full circle.

Author’s note: Here it is. The final chapter of Sugar and Spice. The Epilogue should be coming soon. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did, and I'd like to thank you all for supporting me and my writing. This was my first ever series and the love I got for it was unlike anything I had ever felt before. I love you all so much. (PS— i’m still sick with COVID so I am really really sorry if this is a poor chapter. I tried my hardest. Happy valentines day.)

MASTERLIST

PREVIOUS - CHAPTER TWELVE - EPILOGUE [coming soon!]

The second Maxwell engulfed himself amongst the soft satin blankets of his bed, he knew he was glad to be home. You climbed in beside him, and his eyes raked your body as he took in the sight of your baby pink slip on silk nightgown that you were wearing. He swallowed, and reached over to grab your waist and pull you on top of him. So there you were, straddling your sugar daddy after not seeing him for over a month. You pressed your palms against his bare chest and looked him in the eyes.

"There's something I need to tell you." Maxwell announced, knowing it had to be now or never. He couldn't keep hiding it. After the month in London and Alistair being brought back into his life, a lot had changed for him. He wasn't the same man he was back in December.

"About Ali?" you asked, tracing circles into his skin.

"Well, yeah. But— something else." Maxwell replied, shuffling around slightly. You sensed it was serious due to his tone of voice and your movements paused as you stared dead into his eyes.

"You don't have another secret child, do you?" you deadpanned.

"No!" Maxwell said defensively and you smiled softly. "It's about us."

You braced yourself. He'd been gone for a month, come back with a kid, and you were certain he was going to break the arrangement off with you. You pulled your hands off him and went to crawl off his lap, but his large hands landed on your thighs to hold you down.

"That night after the annual Black Gold Christmas gala… I saw you with Bruce and I got drunk and— my mom— and… I told you… I told you everything. About my father and having absent parents and. I said— I said— I said I was in love with you," Maxwell gulped and it took him every ounce of strength to not break his eye contact with you. He wanted to remain strong. You remembered the night like it was yesterday; clear as day. Of course, how could you forget the moment he said those words? And he hadn't spoken of it since, until now. Between you being held hostage by Tristan and Maxwell being whisked away to London, there'd hardly been an appropriate time to bring it up. "I swore that once I returned from the UK we would talk about this. So, Y/N, I have to tell you that my feelings haven't changed. It's been months, we've been together and apart. We've argued and fought but we've laughed and made love too. We've had distance— hell, I've been on the other side of the world for the past month but not a second has gone by where I haven't thought about you. About loving you, and kissing you, and even if you don't feel the same way, I hope you can forgive me."

"Forgive you?" You asked after a brief silence. You'd been waiting for what felt like a lifetime to hear these words, and yet you were struggling to comprehend them. It didn't feel real.

"For not doing anything or saying anything sooner. I should've said something sooner. I wish I had. I wish… I wish…" Maxwell rambled but you placed a finger to his lips, silencing him.

"No," you told him sternly. "No wishing. You don't need to make a wish because— everything is fine just the way it is," Maxwell's heart sank at your words and you watched as his chest deflated. "No!" you cried before trying to clarify. You didn't want him to get the wrong idea. "You have a successful business, and a son, and Max, you have me. You'll always have me. Because I love you too. I'm in love with you Maxwell Lord."

Max's chocolate coloured eyes widened at your confession as disbelief bolted through his body. Never in a million years would Maxwell expect that you would truly love him back. How could he expect anyone to love a man like him? Kitty hadn't. His mother hadn't. But you…

"I love you so much Max," you sighed before pressing a kiss into his lips. You caught a tear slip down his cheek and you quickly wiped it away. "Don't ever apologise for being you. Our story has been a whirlwind so far but it's not over. It's not over Max. I love you."

"I love you too." he whispered, wrapping his arms tight around your body when you kissed him again.

By the time Valentines Day rolled around, you swore it was like Maxwell and Alistair had never spent any time apart. The six year old boy was the spitting double of his father— personality and all.

He dived into your bed and jumped up and down.

"I got a card! Look daddy! I got a card!" Alistair beamed. Maxwell groaned and rolled over, holding a pillow over his head. You smiled tiredly and pulled the little boy into your arms.

"Good morning Ali, where did you get that?" you asked.

"It was on the kitchen table! Look mama, it's for me!" He squealed, pointing at the name that was inked in perfect calligraphy. Your perfect calligraphy. Your heart melted slightly at the little name he'd given you. "Mama". You figured it was something Maxwell had pushed, but he swore he hadn't, and that Alistair had decided that you'd be his mama from now on anyway. Kitty was out of the picture for good now, and you were nicer to him in the past two weeks than Kitty had been to him his whole life. That was the sad truth.

"Oh, so it is." you giggled, pressing a kiss into Alistair's forehead. You rolled over slightly and pat the middle of the bed, gesturing for Alistair to come and lay down in between you and his father.

"I only ever get cards like this on my birthday and Christmas. And today is neither of those days." Alistair pondered out loud, tapping his index finger against his chin as he thought. Just like his daddy.

"Do you know what day it is, Ali?" you beckoned.

You realised Maxwell must've finally woken himself up when his hand reached over to hold yours, his thumb circling your skin. You glanced over to him and saw that his big brown eyes were watching his son.

"Ummm…"

"It's the only day of the year where I can do this," Maxwell interrupted, pressing his lips against yours and kissing you. His sudden action was enough to take your breath away and Alistair went to make a noise of disgust. But Maxwell pulled away from your lips and placed a hand over his son's mouth. "And you, mister, can't do that!" he chastised, wiggling his finger with a chuckle.

"But daddy, kissing is yucky!" Alistair frowned, sticking his tongue out in dismay. You rolled your eyes, pulled the little boy on top of you and pressed another kiss into his forehead. Since you had a hold of him, Maxwell took the opportunity to tickle Alistair, erupting a scream of laughter. "Dad-daddy! Aaah daddy please!" Alistair laughed, kicking his legs and flailing his arms around.

"Have you worked out what day it is yet?" you asked the little boy once he'd settled back down. A small blush crept upon his cheeks.

"Va-valentines day?" Alistair asked, his voice timid.

"Are you telling me that my son Alistair has a valentine?" Maxwell gasped jokingly and Alistair's grin only grew wider with excitement.

"Can I open it?" Alistair giggled happily.

"Go on!" you laughed, giving him a small nudge.

You and Max both watched intently as Alistair opened the card. Of course, you had purchased the card and wrote it out. But seeing the excitement on Alistair's face when he read ‘love from your secret admirer’ was undefeatable. It was magical, and it filled your heart with so much love and joy. Alistair was new to your life, just as new as he was to Maxwell's, but if one thing was for sure, it was that you loved him just as much as you'd love your own child. And that wasn't lost on Maxwell.

He honestly expected you might have left him. Or grown distant upon learning that he had a son. But once again, you had proven Maxwell Lord IV wrong. You were unlike any other woman he'd ever met, and now that he had the two most important people in his life, he felt like he could accomplish anything. Nothing else mattered anymore. Just you and Alistair.

"My son, only six years old and already has a secret admirer!" Maxwell chuckled, shaking his head and wrapping his arms around Alistair. "But you'll always be my boy, won't you Ali?"

"Yes daddy." Alistair smiled a toothy grin.

"Us Lord men… we always get the ladies." Maxwell told his son, causing you to belly laugh. Maxwell shot you a joking glare and you tried to stifle any more of your giggles.

"On that note," you rolled your eyes and slid out of bed. "How does pancakes for breakfast sound?"

Both Maxwell and his son cheered with joy at the thought of pancakes. You remembered you even had some strawberries and cream left over from the night before which would go well with it. You pulled your silk robe over you and padded to the kitchen.

"Do you remember the plan?" Maxwell whispered quietly once you'd left the room, cradling his son.

"I do." Alistair beamed snuggling into his father's chest. Maxwell smiled a little.

"Tonight, yeah? After dinner." Maxwell reminded his son.

"Do you love her?" Alistair quizzed further, and Max's smile grew even more.

"I do," Max confessed. "More than anything."

"I think she loves you too." Alistair said softly.

"Yeah?"

"I see the way she looks at you," Alistair mumbled. "Like how Ariel looks at Prince Eric."

"Wh-who?" Max furrowed his eyebrows together and Alistair's jaw dropped slightly.

"Okay daddy. We're all watching The Little Mermaid after dinner." Alistair decided in that moment, his tone of voice leaving no room for question.

Maxwell quirked an eyebrow. "Really? And who put you in charge?"

"I'm a Lord," Alistair said proudly. "Besides, someone has to watch over you two lovebirds. Make sure you don't get yourself in trouble."

Maxwell couldn't believe the six year old boy. Alistair was definitely Maxwell's son, that's for sure.

Just as you were finishing up frying the last pancake, the kitchen phone began to ring. You answered it, surprised to hear the voice of your lawyer— or more accurately, Maxwell's lawyer. You had been using him to defend yourself on the case between you and Tristan. He had told you that Tristan was going to be locked away for a very long time, and that you'd won the case. A wash of relief flooded over you, and finally, things were beginning to look up for you and your little family.

You called down Alistair and Maxwell once breakfast was ready, and you served the heart shaped pancakes at the table. Maxwell came down a few minutes later than Alistair and he was holding on envelope. When he sat down opposite you, he passed you the envelope with a smug grin on his face.

"What's this?" you asked curiously, and Maxwell shrugged his shoulders casually as he sipped on his black coffee. He hadn't stopped smirking though. "Maxie, we agreed on no gifts this year?" you sighed, already feeling bad for not getting him anything.

"Baby, it's not exactly a gift. I mean, it's something for both of us. Something that's important to you and well… just open it, please." he urged.

You hesitated, exchanging a glance between Max and Alistair (who was already neck deep in pancakes), before sighing and opening the envelope. Inside was a letter from a retail agent? As you read the letter, your heart began to slam against your chest. No way.

"Max… you bought my old apartment building? The whole building?" you gasped, slamming your hand over your mouth in disbelief. "You bought it in both of our names?"

"Because I knew how much it meant to you. And how much your neighbours meant to you. They were all mistreated by Tristan, and that isn't okay. I bought the property from the council so we're the rightful owners now. And we won't overcharge rent like Tristan did. We don't need to. We'll refurbish the whole place. We'll give the families who live there a safe place that they can call home, and they won't have to worry about any abuse from Tristan, or their utilities falling apart, or bills… it'll be wonderful."

"Maxwell I- I don't know what to say I…" you were utterly speechless, tears filling your eyes. Obviously this was going to cost him a lot of money and a lot to upkeep, but for the first time, it felt like it wasn't even about money. It was a grand gesture, sure, but it was also the most thoughtful and unexpected thing he'd ever done for you.

"I love you." Max revelled and you smiled.

"I love you too." you replied, leaning over the table and pressing a kiss into his lips. You glanced back down at the letter, admiring the way your surname and Max's surname looked together on the sheet of paper.

At the start of December you didn't even own a car. You couldn't even pay rent. Now you were living in a suburban manor with your perfect little family. Amongst a little bit of sugar and a little bit of spice, you had found love, meaning and purpose. You'd found your soulmate.

Just as you thought your life was good and couldn't get any better, you didn't realise what Maxwell Lord had in store for you this evening. Your whole world was about to change.

---

Sugar and Spice taglist: @100layersofdaddyissues @mrschiltoncat @honeymandos @thisisthe-wayson @this-cat-is-dea @blonde2bomshell @maiyaaaa0130 @autumnleaves1991-blog @justanotherblonde23 @softly-sad @laaadygisbooornex3 @kaelyn-lobrutto24 @drinkingwhileblogging @kesskirata @honestlystop @promiscuoussatan

Permanent taglist: @paintballkid711 @supernaturalgirl @phoenixhalliwell @ah-callie @luvzoria @stardust-galaxies @wickedfrsgrl @goth-topic @nerdypinupcrystal @wonderfulfluffer @kiwi-the-first @pedroepascal @castiel-barnes @honeymandos @rocketqueen @ladycumberbatchofcamelot @dybalalover10 @girl-obsessed-with-things @elena-myth @moth-guillotine @pedro-pascal-love @hayley-the-comet @pinkninja190 @maxiarapamaya @autumnleaves1991-blog @artsymaddie @harrys-stan @kennedywxlsh @cripplingmoon @cheekygeek05 @mrschiltoncat @martellthemandalor

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal x reader #maxwell lord #max lord #maxwell lord x reader #max lord x reader #ww84 #pedro pascal smut #jose pedro balmaceda pascal

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terrm9 · 3 years

Text

after all that i’ve done (Tatum x Lina)

This is officially part 2 of you give it to me anyway; however it’s perfectly readable as a one-shot, too.

WC: 4.4k, Rating: M (mature)

Warnings: swearing, mentions of army injury, alcohol & drug consumption, sex - only talking about these things, nothing graphic.

Author’s note: As expected, this doesn’t meet my writing goals at all. I got tired of looking at it, though, so here it is. Thank you so so much for reading and leaving a feedback, it means the whole world to me <3

Five weeks.

Five weeks of separation, five weeks filled with texts and phone calls and face-times and there was also a letter waiting on Lina’s bed one day – for old times‘ sake, Tatum joked.

And Lina has never been a patient woman, no. She hated those five weeks, in all her honesty.

(We managed five years, I can handle five weeks, she has been telling herself on repeat.)

The five weeks have passes. Lina’s year at Vancross was over. Election has been won.

She is home, at last. Home in Rutherland. Home in Mendozas‘ living room, Tatum’s arm wrapped around her shoulders and her own around his waist.

Leaning into his side and blushing under the attention she is getting from Mr. Mendoza, she is home.

(At last.)

„Lina!“ Tatum’s dad beams at her, a smile so wide she is sure his cheeks hurt. Where is all that Tatum’s stoicism coming from, she wonders (and then she remembers, those damn five years. Tatum used to be a perfect picture of his father – huge smiles and carefree laughters; there is nothing inherited in who he is now. He has become who he is in those five years.)

„It’s so amazing to see you again,“ Mr. Mendoza – Jerome, he insists – breaks her out of own mind. „Tatum couldn’t stop talking about you these past few weeks. It’s been Lina here and Lina there and ‚I wonder what Lina is doing‘ and-„

„Okay, dad, I am sure she gets it,“ Tatum interrupts, his voice carrying tracks of annoyance, but Lina knows it’s not really there. She has never seen a relationship more beautiful, more pure than the one between Tatum and his dad.

When Lina looks up at him, expression amused and an eyebrow raised, Tatum simply shrugs – he will not deny that he missed her. He will not support his dad’s teasing, either.

„Thank you, Jerome,“ she smiles back, probably just as widely. „I am more than happy to be back home.“

Tatum picked her up at the airport and Lina didn’t even consider going to her mother’s house. Without any conversation, they both knew she would be staying at Mendozas for some time.

She would be staying home.

„Well, I will leave you kids to it,“ Jerome winks at them and this time, Tatum does look slightly uncomfortable. „I promised Victoria I would help Josh with the nursery for the little one. Don’t wait for me with the dinner!“ He winks again and the suggestion behind his words is more than clear. Tatum’s hand twitches at Lina’s shoulder as he mutters under his breath.

„For the love of God, just go, dad.“

Lina is trying very hard not to think about what is happening. About how she is taking the stairs to walk into Tatum’s room – the room she hasn’t been to in six years. About how Tatum’s shoulders are tense under his tight black t-shirt, even though he is smiling softly at her as he opens the door.

About how this is all so well-known to her and yet so fucking different.

About the conversation they are inevitably having today. She is trying very, very hard not to think about that.

It takes several seconds for Lina to take the room in – to compare her memories to the present moment, to remember if the walls have always been this shade of gray and that there was definitely not a king-sized bed in teenage Tatum’s room.

"Ah," she can't help but grin as she spots the blank space above the bed.

"Where has the Emma Watson poster gone?"

Even though Tatum's face remains stoic, Lina catches a glimpse of amusement in his eyes.

"Dad turned this room into the one for visitors while I was gone," he replies shrugging. "I didn't think it would be, uh, appropriate to have the poster here."

Nodding, Lina takes the room further in and her breath hitches in her throat as she notices things that haven't changed, haven't been removed. The photo of the two of them from Tatum's eighteenth birthday party on a bedside table. The Valentine's Day card Lina made for him in the kindergarten pinned above his writing desk. The elegant black box sitting on the desk and she knows it's filled with the cinema tickets and concert tickets and the little notes Lina left from him in the books he has borrowed her. The ugliest mug ever made proudly displayed on a windowsill - Lina promised to bring him the ugliest souvenire from her trip to Prague and she came back with the mug. Photo of Lina in a long summer dress taken only a few days before Tatum left Rutherland, on a dresser (although it looks slightly rumpled and with a swell of her heart Lina wonders if maybe he had had this photo in his wallet while he was away, close to him at all times?)

"And these," she gestures around the room, "are not inappropriate?"

"Never," he doesn't miss a beat.

In two long strides, he closes the gap between them and taker her face into his hands, eyes full of that tenderness that scares her, full of affection and also, she notices, full of need.

„Lina,“ he whispers as he scans her face and Lina is not sure what he is trying to say – his eyes, God, those eyes, so beautiful, so breathtaking, screaming many things at once and Lina can only guess.

I missed you. I am so happy you are finally with me. I am, at last, at peace. I love you with my whole being and then some more.

All the things she feels within herself. All the things she is, just like him, not capable of saying. Neither of them has ever been a master of words. Of course, it has always been easy to talk to Tatum about others, about life, about nothing in particular.

But to talk to Tatum about Tatum?

(To talk to Lina about Lina?)

That’s... hard. Difficult. So easy to fuck up.

So she kisses him. Pulls him closer and covers his mouth with hers, pouring all that is unspoken into that kiss, hoping it could be enough.

(It is. It always is.)

Five weeks is a long time for everyone. It’s been fucking long time for Lina and Tatum.

The kisses are hungry, desperate, full of need and catching up, making up for the lost time – it would be so easy, so damn easy to just take his clothes off, to let him take hers off and then just have him take her.

So damn easy.

Lina knows he would do it, his higher principles be damned because the heat radiating from his body, the low rumble coming from the back of his throat, his hands caressing her torso – all a proof that he is just a man, that he wants her.

Tatum would do everything – anything – for Lina. He once told her he would die for her – and what a cliché, used by many, sung by rockstars and written down by poets, I would die for you, a confession or perhaps a promise, whispered freely by millions but meant scarcely by dozens.

Lina knows he means it. He would give up all his breaths for her.

(As she would for him. She decided to live for him, after all, and maybe that’s even more severe.)

And it’s so tempting she almost takes it, takes him-

It's the first time with you. (Spoken five weeks ago and still echoing in her head, those gentle words of his, for fuck’s sake)

- she can’t.

God, how she wants to forget what has been and what will be and just let them enjoy the moment of all that is physical and beautiful and easy - nothing that is their reality, has been for years, hard and ugly.

“We need to talk,” she whispers and she hates how her voice trembles already, trembles with all those wrong, dreadful emotions.

A long exhale leaves Tatum and he closes his eyes before nodding – and if he was tense before, he is statue-like now, the only movement are his hands, hugging Lina more tightly.

“Yes,” he says quietly and leads her to his bed, a habit older than Lina can remember – serious talks need to be taken to bed, they used to joke. Sitting next to each other, backs leaned against the wall behind them (knee to knee, shoulder to shoulder), Lina looks into his eyes briefly and murmurs: “Could you go first, please?”

There is no need to particularize what is this talk going to be about – two people that shared everything, two people who have been through most of that everything together, being separated for five years, well, that’s a lot of catching up to do.

And while they have gotten to the talks about Lina’s school and Tatum’s time in army already, while she already knows about the injury that made him leave and he already knows about all the fights she has had with her mother and how it all led to her year at Vancross, they have successfully avoided talking about the people they met in those years apart, until now.

There has been no talk about the relationships and as curious as Lina has been, she never dared to ask about Tatum’s sex life. He is her best friend, though. First and foremost, he is her best friend and she knows about the first girl he kissed and the first girl he has bought flowers for and the first one he invited for a date.

“It was not long after I joined army that I met Cara,” Tatum speaks, taking Lina’s hand into his own, fingers intertwined. “She was a cousin of a fellow soldier and lived in a town nearest to our base. She came to visit him fairly often and she was impossible not to notice,” he chuckles quietly. “So loud and cheery and full of joy. Everyone was excited to see her after some time. She brought life to the people that mostly talked about death. She never hesitated to show me that she likes me. And you know, at army, dating is anything but easy – but Cara was understanding. So we started dating after five months.”

His voice is soft when he tells her all of it (so freely, so naturally, and Lina wishes her story – her stories – could be that easy to tell, too), as is his smile. No matter what has gone down between Tatum and Cara, there is no grudge he is holding, not a sign of hatred. And maybe Lina should feel jealous, maybe there should be a pang of something inside her ribs, something uncomfortable. There’s nothing.

If anything, she is grateful that Tatum had someone he could rely on for all those years. Grateful that Cara had been there to look after him at times Lina couldn’t.

„She was always so,“ he hums for a moment. „So happy. It didn’t take long for me to understand that the happy face, the loud laughter, that those things were her cover up for something terrible, something that was making her miserable. But she never wanted to talk about it and so I didn’t ask. As she didn’t ask in return.“

Tatum’s head bumps into the wall softly, too and his gaze is on a ceiling when he speaks again.

„She was a good girl. And the relationship was... nice. Easy. We made sure it would stay easy. And in that easiness, it lacked depth. I have never gotten to know her better and she has never gotten to know me.“

A long silence follows and Lina wonders if she should ask more, if she should interrupt his thread of thoughts. Before she can say anything, Tatum speaks again and this time, his voice is filled with regret.

„She had your hair.“

She reminded me of you, is what he is not saying.

„How long did the relationship last?“ Lina asks when the silence gets too thick, too uncomfortable.

„Three years and something.“

„You broke up when you had to leave army?“ she prompts softly, curiosity getting the best of her.

Tatum shakes his head before looking down at Lina and responding.

„No, we ended it before the injury happened. She found the photo of you in my wallet one day, after the discussion about my driving license – she needed to see the thing herself and as she opened the wallet, the first thing she saw was, well... you. She asked me ‚So this is the girl you are trying to forget?‘. After my initial surprise, I only said that you are my best friend.“

Breaking the eye contact, he looks ahead before finishing the story.

„‘The best friend you are in love with?‘, she asked again and it was the first time someone said that aloud. I couldn’t lie to her, not when she asked so directly. She said she understood and you know what Lina? I think she really did. I never found out who was she trying to forget, but she did understand me.“

„And after Cara?“ Lina asks, even though she is afraid she knows her answer.

„After Cara, there was nobody.“

„Are you-,“ she takes a deep breath to calm down her rapidly beating heart. „Do you really mean that you only slept with Cara? Ever?“

Tatum laughs at that, squeezing Lina’s hand. „Life in army – or healing after the injury you have gotten there – do not exactly give you opportunities to get laid, galyetas.“

„Oh,“ is all Lina manages to breathe out. „Oh.“

Oh, shit. Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

This is her worst nightmare. This is worse than anything she feared.

Lina feels Tatum’s gaze on her, an unspoken ‚It’s your turn‘ hanging between them but she cannot, she cannot.

She feels like throwing up and crying at the same time and she cannot do this, she must run and run and run until she cannot catch her breath and never return because Tatum, her Tatum, deserves everything and she can give him nothing.

Not daring to look at Tatum, Lina tries to take a deep breath – to take any breath (and it feels like she has done the running already, she ran away and yet here she is, next to the man she loves, next to the man she is going to destroy.)

"You know you don't have to tell me anything, Lina," Tatum whispers, his knuckles caressing Lina's colarbone softly - a touch featherlight, almost too tender to bear.

And she needs to take another deep breath, the fire inside her blazing sedulously (painfully. It hurts to burn for Tatum, it pains as much as it pleases).

It all feels too much – his touch, his presence too good, too terrific; it feels like a dream.

(One she will soon turn into a nightmare)

„No, I do,“ she chokes out at last and finally looks into his eyes, forcing her memory to capture them fully – the chocolate brown of his irises with the specks of deep green in them, the dilated pupils and that damn warmth seeping from them, all those emotions. His eyes are smiling at her, eyes loving and caring and once she tells him everything, all of that love and care and smile will be gone and she begs her memory to remember Tatum’s eyes.

She begs her memory to forget everything but Tatum’s eyes (beautiful and breathtaking)

„I missed you,“ she begins. „I missed you like hell, Tatum, From the moment you were gone, it hurt. And I needed to find some kind of distraction, something to fill my mind with. The letters were not enough sometimes.“

Her voice is so apologetic, cracking after every other word and she hates it, hates how it sounds, hates how it is certainly telling Tatum where this is going, already.

“It was…” she stops and shrugs, trying so desperately to find the right words - which is ironic, really, as there are hardly any right words for this. “Manageable, that first year. I got drunk or high - sometimes both - went home, reread your latest letter and cried myself to sleep.”

Determined to look straight ahead of herself, Lina doesn’t see Tatum’s intense gaze on her. She feels it, however. (She always feels him, no matter her senses.)

She also hears his faint scoff.

Manageable has probably not been the most right choice of a word, then.

Then again, she has never done this before. Has never spoken about those years without Tatum to anyone.

Years of loneliness she decided to fill.

(Needed to fill, so desperately.)

Years of self-hatred that still lingers.

„The letters stopped coming, then,“ she whispers and even though she knows now why, she knows about her mother contacting Tatum only to ask him to stop sending them because it’s ‚too hurtful‘ for Lina; even though she knows all of it, she cannot keep the hurt from her voice.

„It was maybe three or four months after the last letter that it began to dawn on me, that another one is not coming. I was at this party and the first time, it was not planned, not intentional. It just... happened. I was getting drunk and ready to go home to reread the letter when it hit me, you know?“ she gulps and blinks several times to keep the tears from falling. „It hit me that I do not have anything to reread. And the guy was there, buying me drinks the whole night and he told me about his hotel room. So I went.“

Now, she needs to squeeze her eyes shut and the tears do fall and she hates them, hates herself, hates the past. But the dam has been broken and words are flowing out of her and she needs to tell Tatum everything, even if it is the last thing she will ever tell him.

„I do not remember his name and I do not remember what he looked like. I only remember that I hated every second of the sex, but the feeling of hating something else than the emptiness in me was strong enough for me to keep doing this. The second time, I planned it. And the third and every single one after that. I do not know who those people were, Tatum,“ she whispers and it scares her how still Tatum is, his hand still in hers but unmoving. There’s no reassuring squeezing.

(It’s what she deserves.)

„I never asked about their names and I never gave away mine. It happened every other week – I went to the city, got drunk, got fucked, went home. One time, paparazzi caught me kissing a woman in a bar and of course, the next day the picture was all over the magazines. My mother took a flight back home, then and I thought that maybe she would ask me what was going on, that maybe she would care. She tossed a bag my way, filled with wigs and contact lenses and told me that if I want to ruin my life, I need to make sure it doesn’t ruin her career, too. Then she left.“

Annie – Lina’s only female friend before Dionne – always used to say that what Lina is doing is a perfect example of post-breakup behavior. It never made sense to Lina. There was never a relationship. There was no breakup. She was just lonely and wanted some company.

It makes sense to her, now. She knows now that she loves Tatum in a way that is far from friendly and she knows now that she felt that way all those years ago, too. Back then, she would never admit that.

But Lina knows now. Her best friend, the closest person she has ever had, the person she’s been in love with left and Christ, that hurt more than a breakup.

„I do not know how many men I slept with, how many women. I never counted. The only thing I know that I never enjoyed the sex, not once,“ Lina scoffs and then muses, more to herself than Tatum. „Sometimes I wonder if I am even capable of that. Enjoying sex. Not that it matters,“ she adds in a rushed voice, because truly, her selfish wonder about her selfish sex life is not something that matters at the moment.

„I hate that it was that way, Tatum, I hate everything about those years you were gone. Most of all, I hate myself. But I cannot take that back. Those things are part of me now, no matter how hideous that part is.“

Silence. Long, terrible silence.

„What was the last time?“ Tatum asks suddenly and his voice is hollow, emotionless, so awfully neutral.

„Three weeks before Vancross? Maybe a month?“

This time when Tatum speaks, the emotions are clear in his voice – surprise, most of them all.

„And nobody after that? Nobody at Vancross?“

„Of course not!“ Lina exclaims, more loudly than intended – she still doesn’t look at him, though. „I was... There was no need-„ she bites her lower lip, trying to find the right words. She decides on the truth, in the end. „You were there with me. I was not lonely anymore. Not empty.“

There is a long silence, thick and suffocating and Lina feels like choking, drowning, this is the end, she thinks. She cannot meet Tatum's eyes, the fear of what she might find in them too tremendous - hate, disgust or perhaps resentment?

(All the things she would find in her own eyes, did she look in the mirror now)

And she deserves that look - the look that will crush her and destroy everything that is (was) between them; she deserves so much worse, she knows, but it doesn't make it any easier to open her damn eyes and look at him.

Taking a deep breath through her nose, Lina braces herself to face the reality, squeezing her eyes shut even more tightly, as if the counter movement of the one that is her goal could miraculously encourage her to do it and-

"I am sorry I was not there," she hears Tatum's whisper, the sound full of pain and regret and her eyes snap open without any forcible impulse sent by her brain.

What the fuck is the first reaction she manages to get out of herself.

„I should’ve fought harder for us,“ he adds and tugs her hand, forcing her to – fucking finally – look at him. „I should have been there, one way or another.“

„For fuck‘s sake, Tatum,“ Lina snaps and stands up, not able to sit calmly. „Stop this. Just...just stop this, okay? You cannot be sorry. You need to hate me, resent me. I screwed everything up. Be angry or something.“

„Lina,“ he whispers softly for what must be the eighth time that day and stands up too, cupping her cheek softly, gently enough for her to break free if that’s what she wants. „As if I could ever hate you.“

Lina’s heart breaks at those words. She is sure it does, she can feel the sharp pain in her chest and it must be that, right? Tears are threatening to fall once again and her hands are trembling and Tatum just stands there, thumb tracing her cheekbone tenderly, looking at her, waiting.

Patiently, calmly. Waiting. As he always is.

„You should,“ she whispers at the very same moment the first tear fall down, at the very moment a sob leaves her mouth. „You need to. I am not the Lina I used to be, Tatum. I am not a good person. I am all those terrible things that you are not and I can only cause you hurt. Please, Tatum, for your own sake just... please, just hate me.“

Tatum bows his head down, his lips – warm, soft, gentle – touching her cheek, kissing the tears away.

Lina’s heart keeps breaking.

„I know who you are, Lina girl. I see you as you are.“

Another kiss on the other cheek.

„It’s the past. Past that has not been easy for either of us. But it’s gone. We have each other now and I will have you for as long as you will have me.“

„But-„ she protests, only for Tatum’s thumb on her lips to stop her.

„You are not what you have done. You are not what happened to you. You are my best friend. My Lina. My galyetas. You are still the very same Lina that created the Valentine’s Day card for me at the age of five because you were worried I wouldn’t get a card from anyone else.“

They both chuckle at the memory – the bastard got eight – eight! – Valentine’s Day cards that year.

„You are still the Lina that alarmed her mother and all the assistants on the President tour because you needed to get back to Rutherland immediately – because it was the first Mother’s Day without my mom and you knew I would be miserable.“

Well, yeah, her mother was not overly happy when she had to pay for the private jet that took Lina back home. Immediately.

Tatum’s hand traces her jawline, falling down on her neck, her shoulder, her exposed collarbone until it lands on her chest, until Lina’s heart beats under it.

„You are the Lina I grew up with. You are my best friend. You are the most important person in my life and that cannot be changed. I know who you are. I see you as you are, I see you as the beautiful, loving, compassionate Lina you are and it hurts me to know that you cannot see yourself that way.“

Another sobs escapes Lina and she feels dizzy, heart beating rapidly, head underwater.

(How is she supposed to deal with this? With him and with herself?)

„I will make sure to remind you,“ Tatum whispers into her ear, kissing her earlobe there and again, Lina has no idea what to say. Again, she acts instead.

She kisses him, a deep, slow kiss and here it is again, that hope that it’s enough.

(It is. It always is.)

*** ***

Thank you so much for reading, again! I am already working on the third part in which these two finally get to the banging so I hope you won't get tired of them just yet

#l & t #foreign affairs #tatum mendoza #tatum x mc #tatum x lina #lina monroe

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stydiaeverafter · 3 years

Text

Will you be my Valentine?

Summary: Everyone knows that Evan Buckley is not a fan of Valentine's Day, but with the help of his buddy Christopher, Buck has a change of heart.

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day to all the Buddie fans out there! This fluffy fic is for all of you. ♥

Read on ao3

***

It had been an ordinary day; nothing special, nothing unique as the team sat upstairs watching TV on a day that might've been a holiday. The one that Hallmark makes bank from. Yeah, Valentine's Day. Again, nothing special. And no, Buck wasn't bitter about it.

He had recently tried to get back in the field, the dating field, and it had been explosive...not in a good way. The kind where someone screamed, "Bomb!" and you went running in the other direction.

Not good.

Buck had recollected for days why on earth it had been such a disaster. The date itself hadn't gone poorly, but he realized he hadn't been ready. Dealing with himself and family drama was one thing, but his heart had felt icy.

However, as he saw Eddie walk into the room, he knew that wasn't exactly true, especially when Buck felt like he was melting.

See, this man had become the axis to every point on Buck’s scattered map of a life.

Buck wanted to ignore the feelings knowing damn well his best friend would never see him in that light, but the emotions were something he could never entirely ignore. The truth of the matter was this: Buck had had these feelings for Eddie Diaz for as long as he could remember, and it took almost dying in the building, talking to his therapist, a comment by firefighter TK, and going on a date for them to surface to realization.

What was a single, not so straight, firefighter to do in this situation?

Instead of figuring out that million-dollar question, he shot a shit-eating grin towards the guy, unable to control it even if he had wanted to, "Hey there, Eddie, you sure look chipper today."

"Well, of course," Eddie replied as he fixed his suspenders, not that Buck was looking, "it's Valentine's Day!"

Buck's eyes narrowed, "Since when did you become such a fan of this gruesome holiday?"

Hen glared at Buck and then smiled at Eddie, "Ooo! Are things going that well with Ana?"

Great. The question Buck really didn't want to have asked by the guy. Could they just not go there? Because honestly, that was another reason Buck had decided to go on a damn date in the first place.

After he had found out Eddie had felt a spark or whatever Chimney had told him after their encounter with Christopher's former teacher, Eddie had asked her out. Not that Buck had been jealous or anything, but he had decided maybe he too should get out and see what fishies were still swimming in the waters, even during a pandemic.

It had nothing to do with jealousy. Not in the slightest.

Buck realized while being lost in his thoughts that he hadn't heard Eddie's reply. Buck looked up at that ruggedly handsome man and waited for the response that would probably slice him into tiny pieces.

Eddie cleared his throat, "Um no. That didn't work out." When Hen and Chimney started to say, "aww..." Eddie shook his head, "No, no, it's fine. Truly. Miss Flores is a wonderful woman, just not the one for me." Buck's heart started fluttering in his chest, and was he mistaken in noticing that Eddie looked right towards him when he had said, not the one for me?

Was this Buck's hopeful heart playing games with him? Cue the Backstreet Boys: Quit Playing Games with my Heart.

"So then enlighten us, firefighter Diaz, why so cheerful on this day?" Chimney asked. "I mean, I have a wonderful love of my life and a baby on the way, but you don't see me jumping for joy because it's Valentine's Day."

"Which is a surprise," Hen replied, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong with you, Chim?"

"Nothing! I just think this holiday is a corporate holiday that makes singles feel bad about themselves. Then the chocolate and card company make a fortune," Chimney responded, rubbing his head, "I believe love, true love, should be shown for 365 days."

Hen patted his back, "You're a good one, my friend. I'll give you that. Maddie is lucky to have you."

"Karen, too," Chimney said with a smile, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Okay, as much as I love what's happening with this bromance here, can we get back to the matter at hands, aka Eddie, and why he's so cheerful on this most hollow of days?" Buck exclaimed, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, yes," Chimney acknowledged, "do carry on, Edmundo."

"Right," Eddie smirked, "Well, Christopher wanted it to be a surprise, but he made each of you a special Valentine last night. He got so creative. Our house looked like what I can only imagine the inside of Hallmark cards to look." He shook his head, smiling again, "Chris has been working hard on handwriting, building that strength in his hand and all. So he's bringing them by soon."

Buck's heart filled with so much joy he stood up quickly, "Seriously? Why didn't you say so sooner? Oh, my little buddy! That's too sweet."

"Yeah, so he should be around soon," Eddie looked around and frowned. "However, it's not decorated around here. Usually, Cap' goes all out."

Hen just shrugged sheepishly, "He and Athena took a few days off to be all lovey-dovey with each other."

"Okay, okay," Buck said, pretending to gag, "that's like my father you're talking about—let's not get into the details about their love life."

"I'm just saying that Cap' is usually the one who organizes the decorations," Hen replied, waving her hands. "You've seen how he goes all out for other holidays."

"Well, all I know is that Chris will be mildly disappointed when he sees it," Eddie sighed. "I'm going to run out and get some balloons and maybe some desserts real quick."

"I'll go with you," Buck instantly said. When all eyes went on him, he just smiled, "What, I can adapt to the holiday, okay?" They all knew he hated Valentine's Day, so Buck just laughed. "Well, if it's for my favorite little buddy, I can adapt. How about that?"

Everyone joined in, and Eddie nodded, giving Buck one of those rare smiles of his, "C'mon then, Buck. Let's try our best, but probably sad attempt, to make it lovey-dovey in here."

With Eddie smiling at him that way, that wouldn't be too hard to manage.

***

After two bags of decorations, treats, and an armful of heart balloons, Buck and Eddie made their way back to the station. They were laughing about this-and-that, as they always did, but Buck could feel the air around them changing. But perhaps Buck was the one who had changed, not them.

As Eddie drove, Buck couldn't help but look at his best friend's beautiful features; it took his breath away, not for the first time, nor would it be the last.

"So, I'm sorry it didn't work out with the teacher," Buck said, unable to stop the words from coming out of his mouth.

"What do you have to be sorry about?"

"Isn't that what people say when something goes wrong?" Buck shrugged, feeling slightly stupid.

"Nah, man, it's cool. Nothing went wrong," Eddie looked over at Buck. "But like I said back at the 118, she wasn't the one."

Buck took a deep breath, "I just know you felt a spark for her and all..." Why was he pushing this further? Did he want to stab his own heart?

"Yeah, I think I was mistaken about who I was feeling that spark for..."

Eddie was smiling at him and then looked back at the road.

Okay, was this all in Buck's mind, or was Eddie talking about him?

"Besides, I heard your date didn't go too well," Eddie smirked as he gripped the wheel. "So should I be saying sorry?"

"You could say that, but nah, I'm not sorry about it," Buck replied, rolling his eyes. "Guess I'm not ready to get back out there. Not in the way I used to be." Because now all he wanted was his best friend—he was ready for that, Buck knew it. Eddie was different. He wasn't like anyone else. In some ways, in most, Eddie was Buck's other half. And as cheesy as it sounded, he completed Buck.

"Oh." The way Eddie had said the word turned Buck's head in his direction. Eddie looked slightly disappointed. "Well," Eddie added, clearing his throat, "you need to do what's best for you."

You're what's best for me, Buck thought, wanting to scream from the rooftops. After all, Buck had promised his therapist he wouldn't hide his feelings away, and the last thing he wanted to do was hide from Eddie. Still, fear of ruining their relationship held him back.

The outcome was like a box of chocolates, and to quote Forrest Gump, "You never know what you're gonna get."

***

After some decorating by the 118, Carla and Christopher finally made their way to the station.

Buck, luckily being in the Diaz family bubble, was able to give Chris a big hug. "Hey, buddy!"

"Happy Valentine's Day, Buck!" Chris said with a wide grin full of braces. Buck still couldn't believe how big the kid had gotten; he wanted to slow time down. "It looks perfect in here!"

"Very beautiful and festive," Carla said, blowing a kiss towards Buck and the others. "You all did well!"

Eddie smiled at Buck and nodded in appreciation.

"Looks a bit like a Pepto Bismo explosion," Chimney muttered, which brought laughter all around.

"You know you love it," Buck said as he put an arm around Chimney.

Chimney grinned, "You're right. I do. Just don't tell Maddie."

"The secret is safe with me." Chimney's eyes widened at the word secret, "Relax, Chim. No more secrets for you to keep." His friend blew out the breath he had been holding.

"Anyway," Eddie said, with a shake of his head, "Chris, why don't you show them why you came down here."

"Okay, dad," Christopher said, reaching into a large decorated Valentine's bag. "I brought you each a special Valentine." As everyone said a collective, "Awee," in response, Christopher looked pleased, which was all they wanted in the first place.

Christopher made his way to each person. Buck was last. Everyone was now talking and eating treats, so Buck took Christopher over to where it was a bit quieter.

"You're last because you're my favorite," Chris said, warming Buck's heart up, not for the first time.

"You're my favorite, too, buddy. Thank you!"

"Here's your Valentine," the little boy said, handing Buck a big pink, purple, and blue, wobbly-shaped heart. It was perfect.

Buck kneeled and opened it up and read, "To my Buck. I love you so much. You're my best friend in the whole wide world. Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Christopher."

This message meant the world to Buck, more than the kid would ever understand. Blinking away tears, Buck smiled, "Thank you, Christopher. I love it, and you." He looked down at the picture. "Tell me who's in the drawing here."

"Oh, that's you, me, and daddy, of course." He looked up and grinned at Buck, "My family."

In the drawing, they were all holding hands with a giant colorful heart above them. This drawing touched Buck in another way. They were his family, too—the one he had created. After all the crap with Buck's own family recently, this was the family that mattered. They were more real to him than his biological family would ever be.

There was also the fact he was in love with his best friend, but he would save those thoughts for himself. But his heart would always remain theirs and theirs alone, just like the picture captured.

"This means so much to me, Chris. Thank you."

"One more for you," the little boy added, reaching into his bag.

"Oh? From who?"

"From dad, even though it's a secret."

Buck's eyes widened as Christopher handed him another Valentine.

"Dad was showing me how to cut out the hearts, and then I told him he should make one," Christopher said. "He had already given me my Valentine, so I told him to make it for someone else that he loves, someone who's very special to him. So he made it for you."

Buck swallowed, and his hands began trembling as he held it. "Does he know you're giving it to me?"

Christopher shook his head, "Nope! But Valentine's is a time to spread love, so that's what I'm doing." He looked over at the celebration, "Why you look at it, I'm going to join the party, okay?"

"Ah, yeah," Buck said, lost in thought. "Go for it, kid! I can see a cupcake that's calling your name!"

As Christopher hurried over to the sweets, Buck sat there by himself, looking at the heart in his hand. Finally, he opened the Valentine, and with a deep breath, Buck read:

Dear Buck,

Happy Valentine's Day! I know you don't care for this holiday any more than I do, but I'm sitting here with Chris while he makes his Valentine's and he told me to write it to someone special in my life. Well, you're someone special, you always have been. I wanted to say thank you for all that you do for us. You're not just my best friend; you're so much more. You are our family. We love you. Also, thank you for being an anchor in my life and never, ever giving up. I admire you more than you'll ever know.

With love always,

Eddie

Buck didn't realize he was crying until he saw a droplet fall onto the Valentine. In one hand, he had Christopher's card, and in the other, Eddie's. Both their hearts in his two hands.

Quickly wiping his eyes, Buck stood up and looked over at his best friend and the focal point of his life.

Eddie was holding Christopher, and his son was smashing a cupcake into his face. Everyone was laughing and clapping, clearly enjoying the moment. Buck couldn't help but smile, too.

And right when Buck felt that immense love for the guy, Eddie glanced over at him and beamed. It was the smile that took your breath away.

Eddie took his breath away, always, and Buck wouldn't have it any other way.

***

Buck didn't know what he was doing, but hours upon hours staring at Eddie's Valentine brought him to the Diaz doorstep.

Before his nerves took him running in the other direction, Buck knocked lightly on the door.

Eddie opened the door wearing a green hoodie and black workout pants, his hair wet and tousled. He looked so beautiful that Buck's brain went on overload, short-circuiting out completely.

"Hey Buck, I wasn't expecting you tonight," Eddie said in surprise but still looking happy.

"Yeah, sorry, it's kinda late. I just wanted to say thank you for the Valentine."

Eddie frowned slightly, "What Valentine?" Buck held up the paper heart that Christopher had given him, and Eddie's eyes widened, "Oh, that one. Chris gave it to you?"

"He sure did," Buck said, and trying to lighten the mood, "I'm guessing you were waiting for that perfect opportunity to give it to me?"

Eddie smiled softly, "Well, yeah..."

"Who knew you felt this way for me?" Buck smirked, but he felt his heartbeat quicken in his chest when Eddie didn't add anything further. He swallowed before asking, aka jumping off the ledge, "Do you feel this way for me?"

Biting his lip, Eddie said, "Remember how I said I felt a spark, but it wasn't for Ana?"

Yes, Buck remembered; he couldn't get the thought off his mind. "Yes."

"Well, I realized the spark I felt was for someone else," Eddie breathed out in a whisper. He then looked up to meet Buck's gaze, "You."

"You feel it with me?"

Eddie nodded, "Yeah, Buck, I do, every day." He ran a hand through his hair nervously, "I've known it for a while, I just didn't realize I was ready to move forward. However, a talk with Bobby helped me a lot. But then I also didn't think you were ready to date, let alone with a guy...me, so I tried with someone else, and it went exactly as I thought it would, nowhere."

Buck took a step closer on the porch towards Eddie, "Well, I'm not ready to date just anybody. But you're not anybody, Eddie."

"So...you feel the same?"

Nodding with a smile, Buck said, "Yes, I do." Then he admitted the truth, "I got jealous when you went on a date with Miss Flores, and I didn't understand why. It pushed me to try and date some random, but the whole time I wanted to be with you."

"I wish you would've told me that—I would have never agreed on a date with her."

Buck trembled, "I'm working on not hiding my feelings, but this is huge. I mean, how do you tell your best friend you're in love with him?" The declaration had come before even Buck had realized.

"You're in love with me?"

"I am, yes."

"Am I the first guy you've..."

"Felt this towards?" Buck asked. Eddie nodded. "Yes, that would be a yes. I didn't even realize...."

"That's okay, Buck, it's more than okay," Eddie smiled reassuringly, taking Buck's hands into his own, supporting him. "I realized it too, with you. You helped me through an awakening of my own, and I don't want to look back."

Buck felt as if he were floating, "Really?"

"Yes, Evan. I'm in love with you, too."

"So, where do we go from here?" Buck asked, holding on tightly to Eddie's hands, never wanting to let go.

"How about we start with the obvious," Eddie responded, gazing into Buck's eyes. "Evan Buckley, will you be my Valentine?"

Buck laughed, but his heart felt warm and light, "Yes, Eddie Diaz, I'll be your Valentine."

And as they sealed the first moments of their future together with a kiss, Buck realized Valentine's Day wasn't so bad after all.

#buddie #buddie fic #buck x eddie #911 fox #911 fic #evan buckley #eddie diaz #buckley-diaz family #*my fic

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asphalt-cocktail · 3 years

Note

hii!! happy valentine’s day, sorry i’m so late lol. but earlier i was imagining this scenario: like the reader is out on a valentine’s date and her date never shows. so the reader is maybe feeling shitty about themselves,, but then one of the beatles boys (maybe john?? idk i’ve been loving him lately lol) comes and sits with the reader and they end up having a date together!! then i feel like when they’re taking the reader home it could either end up with some smut👀 or just them being all shy about seeing each other again lol. i hope you had a great valentine’s day!!! <3

Oh god this is like a whole two weeks late! But here we go friends!

Warnings: Some illusions to seamier things, angst, fluff, wine, language.

The restaurant was dimly lit creating a romantic atmosphere that was so in character for the well-known holiday. The man you’d been talking to for a few weeks had asked you on a date for Valentine’s day and naturally you jumped at the opportunity, excited for finally having a date and not spending the night alone.

You swirled the ice in your glass of water and sighed before checking your watch and glancing at the empty chair in front of you; forty-five minutes had passed since your date was allegedly supposed to begin.

Once you watch your watch tick to the one hour mark you felt your stomach nauseous which only increased as the waiter uncomfortably approached, “I’m sorry Ma’am but we have to give your table to our next reservation.” He began.

Your face felt hot with embarrassment, “Please just give me fifteen more minutes, he’ll be here soon.” You pleaded.

A look of annoyance flashed across the waiter’s face before it was quickly replaced with sympathy. You didn’t know which one made you feel more embarrassed, “Look miss, I’m sorry your date didn’t show up, but we are extremely busy today.” He tried to sound kind, but there was a desperate urgent tone of voice.

Your throat felt tight and your eyes began to sting as you picked up the coat you had borrowed from your mom and the purse you had picked out specially for the date. You brought your hand up and wiped away the tears that had begun to freely roll down your cheeks and sniffed as you pushed the chair in and turned to leave.

“I’m so sorry I’m late, love.” You felt a hand lightly touch the small of your back and stubble scratch at your cheek as someone placed a chaste kiss on the tear stained skin.

You turned and looked in shock, “John?” You asked in confusion.

John smiled down at you and kept his hand in place as he turned towards the waiter, “So sorry I’m late, I got holed up in the studio. You know how it is.” He joked and the waiter turned pale as a ghost.

“Of course, Mr. Lennon,” He stuttered out.

“Would you mind holding the table a bit longer? Just enough for us to eat?” John asked as he moved behind you and slid your jacket off and hung it on the back of the chair and pulled it out before motioning for you to sit.

You stared wide eyed at him and sat down with caution, “Of course, you can feel free to stay as long as you need.” The waiters voice echoed in the background, “Can I start you off with any beverages?”

John looked at you, “You like white wines, right darling?” He asked

You nodded your head, how did John know that?

“I suppose we’ll start off with a bottle of Riesling first and two waters.” John spoke casually as he moved around the table and took his jacket off before sitting down.

“Of course, I’ll bring that by right away along with menus.” The waiter scribbled down notes before quickly turning and walking back to the kitchen.

“What are you doing here?” You harshly whispered to John.

John shrugged his shoulders, “I was in the area I suppose.”

You let out a small scoff, “I thought you said you were spending the evening at a bar because you didn’t have use for corporate holidays?” You said quoting him from the earlier recording session.

John tried to hide the smile that threatened to break on his face “I was at the bar and then I moved to go to this bar and I saw you,” He looked away and cleared his throat, “Well, you know being asked to leave.” You looked away bashfully, “What happened to your date anyways?” He asked.

You shifted uncomfortably as he looked back up at you, “I don’t know, he didn’t come. Probably had better plans come up.” You sighed and leaned back in the chair.

John scoffed, “Well, what could be better than spending the evening with a lovely bird.” His tone was comforting and made your face heat up.

You used the cloth napkin to busy your hands and wipe the sticky remainder of tears from your face. John had a knack for saying flirtatious things since you’d started as a sound engineer for Abbey Road Studios and worked closely with George Martin. “I don’t know, I thought things were going well but then he just doesn’t show up on Valentine’s Day of all days.” You trailed off and felt your throat tighten up again with emotion.

John reached across the table and grabbed your hand where it rested, “Come on, let’s not worry about him right now. Just enjoy the dinner I’ll buy.” He smiled at you and rubbed the back of your hand with his thumb.

You moved your hand and laced with fingers with his and returned his soft smile, “You’re right, he was an ass anyways.” You managed a small laugh.

Within a few minutes the waiter had arrived with the bottle of wine John had suggested. The waiter popped open the cork and poured two glasses before handing them to you and John respectively.

John tutted his face in a snobbish manor before swirling the glass and sniffing it, “Hmmm,” He said mimicking a wine taster, “Smells like… Wine?” You grinned and let out a small laugh as John made a face at you and winked. John reached across the table and grabbed the bottle of wine before topping off the two glasses, “I always think they pour too little in the glasses,” John pointed out as he filled yours to the rim.

By the time your dinner was finished the two of you had finished the entire bottle. You wouldn’t go as far as saying you were drunk, but you felt the pleasant buzz of alcohol warm your skin. As you got up from your chair and readied yourself to leave John snatched your jacket as you reached for it and helped you put it on.

John wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you close as the two of you walked down the street. You hadn’t realized how late it was until you saw the emptiness outside. You shivered and laid your head on his shoulder briefly before catching yourself and pulling away. John’s hand slipped from your waist to your hand.

The two of you walked around with no destination and the cold February air stung your cheeks and you shivered, “It’s late, I should get home.” You said with a sad smile.

John looked down at you through narrow eyes, “Do you need me to call a cab?”

You looked around at your familiar surroundings, “I’m just a few blocks away actually, I can make the walk by myself.” You gave a nervous laugh, “I don’t want to take up any more of your time.”

“I’d be a bad date if I didn’t walk you home.” John teased.

You rolled your eyes, “You weren’t even supposed to be my date.” You paused and realized how it sounded, “Not that I’m not thankful, you really saved my ass.” You smiled bashfully.

John shrugged, “Come on love, let’s get you home.” He said and grabbed your hand once again.

As the two of you approached the lobby door to your flat you waited for a beat and stood chest to chest with John, “Thank you again.” You said looking down and playing with the lapels of John’s jacket before you looked back up at him, “Do you want to come up for a cup of tea?” you tried to sound coy as you spoke.

John matched your smile and nodded his head, “I could use a cuppa.” He answered and followed you back up.

You busied yourself in the kitchen, putting water in the kettle when John wrapped his arms around your midsection causing you to lose balance and teeter a bit. “How is that cuppa going?” He asked, nuzzling his nose into the side of your neck.

Your breath hitched in the back of your throat for a moment, “It’s going well,” You said trying to calm your voice. John kissed the side of your neck and smiled hearing you gasp.

You turned your head to the side and saw John waiting for you, your noses bumped together, and you could feel the small hum of laughter in John’s chest against your back. As John kissed you his hands rubbed your lower stomach before you turned and wrapped your arms around his neck and ran your fingers through his hair.

He smiled as your mouths moved together and his hands kneaded the soft flesh on your thighs. You pulled away, just enough for the tips of your noses to touch “Do you want to go to my room?” You asked trying to catch your breath.

John swallowed thickly and nodded his head before pulling back slightly. You laced your fingers with his and pulled him down the hallway until you reached the bedroom and shut the door behind him. You paused for a moment and felt as though all your bravery had been expended in that short sentence you spoke just a few moments earlier.

John rubbed his hands along your arms, “I don’t want you to think that I only stepped in for a quick lay.” He broke the silence.

You looked away bashfully, “I’m sorry, I just am nervous is all.” Truth be told John hadn’t stopped his flirtatious remarks since you’d started as a sound engineer in the studio several months ago and it made you confused. A piece of you said it was because maybe he had feelings and another piece of you said it was because John could have any woman he wanted, and he knew it.

And now here you were, confronted with your internal debate.

John cupped your face and lightly moved you to face him, your room was only dimly lit with your bedside lamp, but you could see the silhouette of his lovely features. You reached up and placed your hand over his, “We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.” He reassured you.

You closed your eyes and deeply inhaled through your nose before letting it out steadily, “Just go slow.” You said and gave his hand a little squeeze.

#ac asks #anon #john lennon x reader

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ussgallifrey · 4 years

Text

Change of Plans

✦ Summary: Bucky really wants to give you a good Valentine's day, but sometimes even the best thought plans don't work out the way you thought they would. ✦ Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader ✦ Warnings: Mentions of menstruating and periods ✦ Word Count: 3.3k

There was something about the girl, who made his heart thud with a continuous home home home, that made Bucky desperately want to get this right.

At the admission that you'd never celebrated the holiday with a partner before, which was said nonchalantly over a shared pizza, he was absolutely determined to change that. Sure, you'd only been together seven months - give or take a few days - but there was just something about you that made all the little signals in his head go off all at once and his tongue would tie up and he felt hopelessly dumbstruck at the sight of your smile like all the time.

He was crazy about you. That's all.

And because of that, he wanted to do something for the 14th. Nothing overly insane, like dinner in Paris with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. Though, if you asked, he would have no qualms about absconding a quinjet and flying you there on the spot. But that is definitely not your taste - not even close.

But you deserve flowers and chocolates and a card and probably one of those giant pink teddy bears with the heart that says XO-XO that you were cooing and awwing over in CVS last week. And, God help him, he might even attempt to make dinner.

Yeah, he's got it bad for you.

And waking up in the same bed this morning, with the knowledge that my place or your place? had finally ended at long last and that this was how he got to wake up almost every day. Well, it just about made his heart thump out of his chest and wouldn't that be a messy cleanup?

So, he's pleased as punch with himself when he can hear the happy little aww coming from the bedroom later that morning. He's obviously been up for hours already, attempting to throw together something edible in the kitchen while you slept away unawares.

You're a sight to see, as he leans against the bedroom door frame. Still under the covers, but sitting up enough to smell the vase of fresh flowers on your nightstand.

"You devil," you chide with a tired smile and a beckoning hand.

Bucky's more than happy to thread his fingers through yours as you pull him down next to you.

"When did you do this?"

He wants to kiss you.

"Had some time," he says instead, cupping a hand to your flushed cheek.

You hum happily, eyes fluttering closed as you lean into the simple touch. Warm lips feather-light against his palm.

"Keep it up, mister. See where it gets you."

Bucky chuckles, leaning his weight over you as his lips ghost against your own.

"Mmm, that's the plan," he murmurs before dropping a kiss to your waiting lips as you tug him ever closer.

Bucky likes to think he's pretty flexible. More of a flying by the seat of his pants type of person than a strict schedule follower. That's why he was going to let the day kind of flow on its own natural path. Breakfast in bed, maybe more in bed. Then a shower obviously, and maybe if things were to happen in there then that would be fine because you could still get the box of chocolates and the teddy bear whenever. And lunch and dinner didn't really have to fall on a set time either, so long as there was plenty of time left over for other activities later that night.

But even those simple plans are easily changed.

"Well, this sucks," you announce, emerging from the bathroom with a towel around you, hair damp against your skin.

He's already changed the sheets in hope of sparing you further embarrassment.

"I'm sorry."

Dropping down onto the edge of the bed, Bucky folds himself around you to massage your warm shoulders.

"No, I'm sorry," you sigh, leaning back into his welcomed touch.

A kiss to your neck, fingers digging into the muscles of your back, "Hush. It's not like you can control it."

You nod slowly, head down and hands folded in your lap. He doesn't like the change one bit. But he lets the silence stretch at your discretion. Focusing all his skill into alleviating any and all pain he can with his impromptu massage.

After a moment, you admit, "It wasn't supposed to happen for three more days."

He gives a little hum of acknowledgment as he works his thumbs along your spine.

"It's bullshit, Buck."

That gets you a kiss to your cheek.

"I know, baby."

Leaving the comfort of the bed for only a moment to pad across the room, in your comfiest clothes and newly gifted heart-eyed taco-patterned socks, you return with an assorted box of chocolate and a small bag that had been hidden in the closet.

His heart, honest to god, wants to burst. He can't even remember the last time someone got him something for Valentine's.

Bucky holds up the covers for you to slip back in next to him, cuddling up against the large purple teddy bear wedged in between you both.

Handing over the red gift bag with silver ribbon tassels, "You're going to love this."

A raised eyebrow and a wary voice responds, "That sounds ominous."

You just smile, watching him untie the ribbon.

"Oh my god," he groans. "Why?"

All you can do is laugh as he pulls out the small Falcon plushie with a disgusted touch, as though the toy is actually burning him.

"I think this actually constitutes as a form of abuse."

You can't stop laughing, but you grab the bag from him while trying to fight back tears and pull out another stuffed animal.

It's a sloth.

And then he sees the heart and he just shoots you a strange look and it sends you into another round of hysterics.

Snatching it from your hands as you collapse back against the pillow with howls of laughter, Bucky stares at the large red heart that says Damn Shawty You Fine.

As you continue to scroll through your phone, Bucky holds out one of the chocolates for you. Opening your mouth enough to let him slide the cream-filled piece into your mouth.

You were trading off all the coconut and walnut and pecan clusters his way, and in return, he was giving you all your favorites - despite his personal tastes.

"Mmm," you coo around the candy as you eagerly hold up your phone for him to see. "Look at this one - he's so cute."

Bucky stares at the curly-haired poodle wearing a heart headband.

"His name is Cupid. How cute is that?"

"Super cute," he responds with absolutely no disinterest whatsoever as he tries to catch up on the last few Dodgers' games before they were moved to California. The bastards.

You're not even bothered by it as you scroll through the adoption app and show him a tiny dachshund with a Free Kisses bandana.

"His name is Cupcake, Bucky. Cupcake."

He nods, "I can see that, yeah."

"Can you imagine if we got a dog? Oh my god, I haven't had a dog since I was a kid. We should get a dog."

Bucky shoves another piece of chocolate into your mouth as you laugh weakly around it, the protests dying on your lips.

It's absolutely freezing outside, but he insisted on going out to the store instead of using one of those delivery apps you were so crazy about. It was giving you a chance to sleep anyway, so if he was out for a while, then all the better.

- Midol

- Half-baked ice cream

- Gummy bears (not sour)

- A dog

- Rubbing alcohol & medical tape - ur fault

- We're almost out of dish soap too

- ♡

Is what the text reads.

Pulling his hood up and his coat closer, Bucky walks down the recently snowed-over sidewalk towards the store.

And you know what, it was all going just fine. He found everything you ask for - well, almost everything - and was at the register. And it was fine.

But the universe intervened and a pink poster caught his eye for the local animal shelter's Paws and Claws event. And he got a really stupid idea in his head. Because clearly, some higher power was trying to get him to check off everything on your list.

Which is how he finds himself inside the FurEver Home animal rescue, almost forty minutes away from the apartment. Like an idiot. A lovesick idiot.

There's an older woman behind the counter that a white cat is walking across and dangling red heart banners wrap around the back wall. Small cat condos are in the one corner with a Kitty Haven sign above a room. And on the opposite side, it's not that difficult to miss the distinct sound of several dogs barking.

"Hi, how can I help you today?" she smiles warmly.

And that's when he realizes what he's actually doing.

"Uhm, yeah, I actually wanted to look at the dogs, if you - "

She's already moving around the counter, "Yeah, of course."

Why did this seem like a good idea again?

"You can put that over here if you want?" she shows him a little shelf, pointing at his shopping bag.

"Oh, uh, yeah."

What the actual fuck was he doing?

"Okay, hands to yourself. If there's one you want to really meet, I'll get them leashed up and everything. Was there a certain one or a breed you were interested in?"

Bucky shakes his head dumbly, "No, just wanted to look around, I guess."

The barking is insanely louder once the soundproofed door is opened. Everything smells of wet dog and he's actually kind of overwhelmed, unsure of where to look as she guides him down the first row of kennels.

"These guys here are some of our newer arrivals," her voice is raised to be heard over the barking.

"Rocco here is a mixed pit, two years old. He's better with a quieter home right now. And Jessie was brought in from the same place. Little skittish, but she's a real sweetie."

He looks down at the large pitbull that's standing up on its hind legs to see him. And the nearly identical female in the kennel next to him. His heart squeezes.

"We have Cookie over here. She's a Collie mix, about five years is what our vet estimates. Domino is our oldest pup, she's ten, but she is so good with kids."

The little graying dog wags her tail when he walks in front of her kennel.

Oh, this was such a bad idea. He wants to take them all. Could he take them all?

They round the corner and another row of kennels. Max, Coco, Puff, Pebbles, Sascha, Twix, and Kit all bark and wag their tails and excitedly hop up as he walks by. And he is hit by the fact that this was a really really stupid idea.

A final row of kennels.

He passes by Margo and Finn, but pauses at last before a Golden Retriever - the only dog actually laying on a bed instead of right at the door.

"This is Lottie - hi, sweetheart."

The dog hops up and walks over to them, nuzzling her nose against the kennel as the woman stops in front of her.

"She's three, very well behaved. Housebroken, knows your basic commands."

The dog isn't even looking his way, just sniffing against the door, trying to get to the woman.

"Her last owners couldn't afford the vet bills; had to give her up. But we got you all taken care of, baby, didn't we?"

It's only then that the dog turns her head and Bucky realizes, "She's blind?"

"Yes. She got SARDS and her previous family couldn't afford the treatment and surgery."

"Is she on medication or…?"

"No, not anymore. Antibiotics post-surgery and some pain relievers, but she's all healed up now."

He stares at the healed-over scars where her eyes used to be and his chest aches.

The woman seems to pause, taking in his expression.

"Would you like me to grab a leash?"

He nods wordlessly, struck by the dog in front of him, sniffing around the edge of her kennel.

She opens the door and the dog backs up with an excited little tail wag. With the command, she sits and the woman is able to get the purple leash attached to her collar. And then she hands it to him and oh, hey. This is happening.

"Free to walk in here or right out on the main sidewalk. When you're done, just bring her back over to me or one of the other volunteers. These guys are microchipped, just so you know."

Oh, darn. Looks like opening all the kennels and stealing the dogs wasn't going to work out then.

"Oh, okay," Bucky says instead.

The woman moves on to the other kennels, before disappearing around the corner, giving him room with the dog. Bucky looks down at her waiting patiently in front of him. Slowly, he kneels down, offering out his hand.

She sniffs it, once, twice, before inching her face a little closer.

He's awestruck.

Hesitantly, he touches her muzzle with gentle little strokes. She leans right into it.

"Hey, sweetheart. Wow, hey, hey."

Her tail thumps happily against the concrete floor.

"Yeah, you're coming home with me, aren't ya, baby?"

Distantly, he thinks he's being a touch insane. But Bucky just stands up and slowly starts to walk her down the back row. Watching how Lottie stays right along his left side, her head occasionally bumping against him. When they reach the end of the row, he guides her with the leash to turn around and she does it perfectly.

"Good girl," he rubs a hand between her ears as she pants.

The woman doesn't seem the least bit surprised when he meets her up front only a minute later.

He signs the adoption paper and the license registration. Gets coupons for a pet store and a vet visit. Is given several pamphlets about bringing a new dog home. And one very specific paper about blind dogs which he spends far more time reading over than the other ones.

The volunteer recommends getting a harness or collar that signals her disability to others and something called a Halo? It all just kind of keeps hitting him in waves with that underlying what the hell did I just do?

And then he's standing in the middle of the icy sidewalk with his dog. His Dog.

Ooh, boy. That's a crazy thought, ain't it?

He looks down at Lottie who's just patiently sitting on his left side, panting lightly.

"Come on, girl. Let's get you home."

The apartment is still dark when he walks in. Lottie remains on her leash - he'll have to lead her around the place first. Opening the contents of the shopping bag, he grimaces as he hurries to put the very warm ice cream into the freezer.

And then he hears a tired groan from the bedroom, "That you out there, handsome?"

His breath catches as he looks down at Lottie and back at the bedroom door.

"Uh…" he stalls. "I'm not sure if I'd go that far?"

"I'll be the judge of that," you call back playfully. "You got the goods?"

He nods with a silent laugh, unbagging the last few items as Lottie sits at his feet, sniffing the kitchen counter. Bucky pets her head affectionately.

"Yeah, I knew a guy. He cut me a deal."

Your laugh brings warmth to his chest, "That's my man. I hope it was a good deal?"

There's a rustle of sheets and then your very distinct footsteps. And then a gasp.

"I think so," Bucky says with a shy smile.

"You didn't," your voice is adorably high pitched as you stare.

"I did."

You continue staring with a gaped mouth.

There's a jolt of nerves that hits him then. The realization that maybe this wasn't actually a good idea. And, hey, maybe you should have been there to pick a dog you actually wanted. And he should have at least told you or hinted at the possibility instead of just running out and literally adopting a dog.

But then you're crossing the room and crouching down next to Lottie.

"Hey there, pupper. Hi - awww!"

She leans right into your waiting arms as you rub down her sides and scratch behind her ears.

"You got a name, sweetie?"

Your eyes are glued right to her, a lovestruck look on your face.

"Lottie," Bucky says. "But we could change it if - "

"No," you stare up at him with admiration. "No, I like Lottie." And then you turn your attention back to the dog, "Yes, I do! Yes, I do. Oh, you are an angel, aren't you? What a pretty girl!"

He loves the way you wrap yourself around the dog, emitting all your affection onto her. Not even bothered by the obvious scars on her face. Seeing a dog in need of love and giving her all you've got.

And then you're standing up and squaring him with a lopsided smile.

"You're an idiot, you know that right?"

Bucky tries to look offended, but he just smiles. "Yeah. But I'm your idiot."

"Ah, ah, ah!" You chastise, a hand reaching down to rest on Lottie's head, "Our idiot."

He can't help but roll his eyes as you lean down and continue petting the dog.

"Yeah, I hope you're ready for the full force of this guy's stupidity, Lottie. He comes home looking like a mess almost weekly. Can't even take off his boots at the door like a normal person."

Bucky coughs loudly, "Anyway, dinner?"

You don't even pay him a bit of attention. "And the smell. Doesn't even take a shower after a long mission. I hope your little doggy nose can handle it or maybe we'll just hose him down."

"Italian?"

Fixing him with a pointed look, "Could you get anymore cliched for Valentine's Day?"

He grumbles, feeling oddly left out now that you've placed all your attention on Lottie.

"Chinese?"

You smile, standing once again to press a kiss to his nose, "A man after my own heart."

Circling his arms around your waist, he tugs you against his chest, "All it took was the promise of takeout?"

"And a dog."

He nods, "And a dog."

You press a kiss to his lips.

"Oh! And taco socks," you wiggle your foot happily.

Another kiss, and then a longer one, and then a peck. He stares into your eyes, cupping your cheek with everything he has about to burst from his chest with love love love.

"I love you."

Your smile is sweeter than candy as you lean into his hand, "Love you too."

Lottie makes a little whining sound and you break away. Bucky ruffles her fur a bit, already planning a list out for all the things he would need to buy her.

Moving around him, you eye the goods on the counter - snatching the Midol up quickly.

"You got my ice cream?"

He winces, keeping his face focused on Lottie, "Uh… it might have melted?"

You gasp.

"Way to go, Bucky. Just ruin my whole day, why don't you?"

Bucky gaps for a moment, then points at Lottie, "Look, sweetheart! I got you a dog!"

Another gasp of surprise as you move down next to him.

"Well, would you look at that! Guess I'll just have to forgive you then, won't I?"

Lottie thumps her tail against the floor, a smile seemingly on her face as she pants. Bucky pulls you in with one arm and kisses you soundly on the lips.

The day might not have gone as planned, but he thinks everything might have worked out the way it was supposed to after all.

Permanent Bucky Tag List: @livvy-barnes

Want to be added? Send me an ask ❤

#bucky barnes x female reader #bucky x female reader #bucky barnes one shot #marvel fan fic #my fic

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nose-bandaid · 4 years

Text

bloom ✿ pt.3 — lilacs

Kino (Hyunggu) x (female) Reader | flower shop AU

february 11th lilacs — first love, love, passion

=====

The next time you met Hyunngu, you weren’t even aware of his presence until he moved up to the front of the line and greeted you with that cheerful smile of his. In his hands was a large bouquet of a whole variety of flowers that came together to create a gradient of blue to pink to purple, much different from the other flowers he’s bought so far.

“Hello, y/n!”

You returned his sweet smile as you took the bouquet from him. “Chose something all on your own this time?” You teased. “What’s the occasion?”

He let out an exasperated sigh. “The occasion is that my roommates saw the honeysuckles and then demanded that I get more flowers to liven the dorms because they were jealous.”

You laughed at his reasoning as you fiddled with the flowers to freshen them up. “Well I hope they like it then, this is one of our more popular bouquets — don’t forget to give it some water!” You smirked, handing it back to him and accepting the payment. “The honeysuckles are doing fine right?”

“Hey, don’t go around insulting me because of that one mistake I made” He retorted in a childish tone. “The honeysuckles are happy and well. They say hi by the way.”

“That’s good to hear! Please tell them I say hi back." You smiled.

Thinking that he would take his leave, you started to wish him a nice day, but he held his hand out to stop you.

“Wait, y/n,” He took a peek behind him to make sure there weren’t any customers waiting in line. “I was actually wondering if I could maybe... get your number?”

Your heart fluttered at his question and you had to will yourself to stop blushing or else your embarrassment would be far too clear. “And why would you need that?”

Probably just realizing how his advancement might’ve come out as, Hyunggu stepped back and blurted out his reasoning. “Oh! I was just hoping that we could become friends or something like that. I know we haven’t had the chance to talk much but you seem like a really fun person to be around so it would be nice if we got closer.” His eyes looked down at your expression. “Only if you want to!! I’m sorry did that sound weird?” He continued, panicked. “Of course you don’t have to give me your number that’s alright too.”

You silently gushed at his cute reaction and slid your phone across the counter. “Here, add yourself on my phone and give me yours.”

He beamed at that, putting his embarrassment aside, and the two of you proceed to exchange numbers.

“Maybe we can finally talk about something that’s not about me being stupid with flowers.” He laughed as you said your goodbyes. When he left, you noticed through the large windows that snow had begun to fall once again. The tiny snowflakes fell gently to the ground, and though that meant the next few days were bound to be chilly, the peaceful atmosphere kept you in a sunny attitude. It was nice to see the city decorated in white.

With the free time that you had, you decided to clean the counter which was lightly dusted in dirt after the numerous orders and checkouts you made throughout the day. One of the downsides of working at a flower shop is that everything was just bound to get covered in dirt at some point. And you unfortunately learned to never wear white shoes to work the hard way. As you wiped it down, your hands stopped when they came across a small purple flower that sat alone in the mess of dirt.

A lilac.

More specifically, it was most likely a lilac that came loose from Hyunggu’s bouquet and you recalled the dangling stalks that formerly sat on the table. You played with its petals absentmindedly, thinking about the boy. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the faint dimples that came along with it, the ring of his laughter, the soft tufts of hair that peeked out of his hats. Why was everything about him so endearing?

Your mind began to wander off, creating scenarios of you and him together, and you let yourself dream, too much in a bliss of happiness to even care. You didn’t know how long you were dozing off for, but you were suddenly brought out of your thoughts when you heard the door jingle, signalling the arrival of what you thought was another customer.

Instead, however, it was just your coworker, Joshua. which wasn’t the most exciting thing

“Shua!” You perked up and looked at the clock on the wall, which only read 4:30 — a whole hour before he was supposed to come. “You came here early, what’s up with that?”

“Boss said that we’re closing the shop a few hours early today for some maintenance, didn’t you see the chat?”

“Ah, no I didn’t, I guess I was a little too busy and didn’t get to check the chat.” Too busy thinking about a certain someone. You admitted to yourself.

“Well, that’s what’s going on, so I thought I’d come in a bit early myself, get some of my orders done.” Joshua cocked his eyebrow, but didn’t say anything about how your excuse didn’t match with the fact that you were doing absolutely nothing at the counter just now.

“I see...”

There was a short moment of silence as you watched him put on his apron, completing the simple uniform. “You can leave early if you want, I know that’s what you’re thinking about right now.”

You gasped in excitement, not even bothering to hide the fact that he read you like an open book, and ran up to hug him. “Thanks, man!” You rushed to the back to grab your bag, tucking the small lilac in your hand into one of its pockets. When you returned to the storefront, Joshua was giving you an odd look.

“Weird, I’ve never seen you this happy to leave work before, what’s got you so excited?”

You stopped in your tracks, not even knowing the reason why yourself. Your heart skipped a beat as your thoughts drifted back to the lilac and Hyunggu.

Was it really all because of him?

“It’s nothing.” You let out an awkward laugh. “I guess I’m just really happy today.”

“Wait, let me guess, you got a date or something? You didn’t tell me you were getting some action, y/n.” He covered the wide smile spreading on his face with his hand. “I’m so proud of you omg, it’s about time.”

“And how are you so sure of that?”

“So you DO have a date!” He concluded. “I know that look on your face, my girl has the exact same face whenever we go out on dates.”

“What? No! Josh I don’t have a date. All that happened was that I got this guy’s number but it was all just to get closer and be friends okay? Just friends.” You shot back, desperately trying to defend yourself.

“Mhm that’s what they all say.” He replied nonchalantly, grabbing a watering can to fill up.

“I’m being serious! I don’t even know if he’s taken or anything! We just shared our numbers because we’re always seeing each other in the shop. That’s it.” Your tone ended up a bit harsher than you intended for it to be, but it was too late.

“Woah, y/n you know I’m just teasing you right? Whatever happens — it’s all cool.” He paused to test the waters before continuing. ‘But if I could just say something, based on my experience, maybe think about why you’re so adamant on saying you’ll just be friends? Are your feelings for him actually just that?”

You simply sighed at his words. Why were you trying so hard to deny the feelings that were becoming painfully obvious to you? You definitely had some sort of attraction towards Hyunggu, despite only knowing him through a handful of visits. But as evident as the emotions were, you were still in the process of figuring out what exactly you wanted to do with them. The former excitement that filled you had suddenly dissipated and your gaze dropped to the ground in defeat.

Joshua came up to you and gave you a light pat on the head. “Hey, cheer up. Don’t think too hard about it yet, just go with the flow to see what happens.” From the look in his eyes, you could tell he felt a little bit guilty for making you overthink.

“Yeah... thanks, Shua. I’ll see you tomorrow okay?” You gave him a small smile and then left, the crisp February wind nipping at your cheeks as you walked to your car. The stores around you were decorated from head to toe with various decorations in preparation for Valentine’s Day, and all the pink and red hearts around you put you in an oddly bitter mood.

Though you admitted some sort of infatuation towards Hyunggu was blooming within you, another part of you wanted to calm down. Your mind had jumped to conclusions far too quickly, and you’d gotten too hopeful about what could happen. What if his intentions were really just to be friends? You would still be happy, but it would definitely be quite disappointing as well.

When you arrived home, you immediately tossed yourself onto your couch, exhausted from the conflicting thoughts in your head. You scrolled on your phone for a while to take your mind off of the boy, but it didn’t help much. There were far too many ads for Valentine’s Day gifts being thrown at your face. Life was really laughing at you now.

Plopping the phone on your stomach, you rubbed your face in you hands, trying to muster up some sort of reasoning within you. Feeling the phone buzz a couple times, interrupting your thoughts, you picked it up curiously.

[ unknown contact ]: hello!

[ unknown contact ]: this is hyunggu:)

Energy seeped back into you and you tossed aside your previous worries as you unlocked your phone to type back a response.

y/n: hi!

hyunggu: i wanted to send you a picture of the honeysuckles to prove that they were still alive but shinwon keeps on stealing them:(

hyunggu: ah sorry that’s my roommate^^

y/n: it’s ok! i know they’re actually dead

y/n: and that you can’t send a picture because of that:P

hyunggu: what

hyunggu: HEY

hyunggu: i’ll let you know that they’re all thriving beautifully

hyunggu: and that i live in a dorm full of thieves

y/n: mhmm. yep, i believe you.

y/n: anyways... what are you up to right now?

hyunggu: currently getting yelled at for not participating in movie night even though we’ve all watched this movie at least 5 times before

y/n: your friends sure sound like a lively bunch

hyunggu: they are, but not always in the best way 😒

hyunggu: also

hyunggu: i wanted to ask you a question

y/n: yeah? shoot

hyunggu: hmm how do i say this...

hyunggu: i was wondering

hyunggu: if

hyunggu: oop i gtg sorry y/n now they’re threatening to confiscastesjg my phokjheskjg

hyunggu: let’s talk later !1j

y/n: huh?

y/n: ok then

y/n: good luck with your friends!:)

“What an interesting guy...” you muttered as you reread the short conversation you just had. His sudden (albeit sketchy) exit left you hanging, and you speculated on what his question could’ve been. Would it have been something flower related? Probably not, considering the fact that he wanted your number to talk about anything but flowers. Maybe he wanted to get to know you better? But it sounded like he was going for a more serious question just now...

After finding that you were unable to come up with any reasonable ideas at this point, you decided to put your curiosity aside. You’ll just ask him about it sometime later. Somehow, even the most mundane interactions with him were able to put you in a happy mood, and as of this moment, that was enough for you. Putting your phone away, you looked at your tired reflection in the mirror and let out a quiet laugh.

“Hyunggu, I hope you know just how badly you’re messing with my mind right now.”

=====

please look out for part 4 which will come out sometime soon! :0

~ tiny

#pentagon #pentagon kino #kino x reader #kino #kang hyunggu #hyunggu #pentagon fanfic #kino fanfic #flowershop au #bloom series #✿#nose-bandaid

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bangtan-dreamland · 4 years

Text

The Set-Up Date

Pairing: jhs x reader

Word Count: 10.4K

Warnings: none!! :DD

Genre: fluff, some angst (but it ends happy!), office!au, friends to lovers!au, mutual pining idiots (a.k.a. my two favorite aus)

Summary: With the annual company anniversary party coming (which just so happens to coincide so closely with Valentine's Day, a day you despise), you find yourself unable to get a date, until the very person you’d been hoping would ask you, Hoseok, sets you up for a date with someone else instead. But it’s fine, everything’s fine…

A/N: This was supposed to only be a short one-shot wtf happened @me. Still, I can’t find myself regretting writing so much (even when I wasn’t supposed to lol) aiudjjasdnkasd I hope it makes whoever decides to read this smile uwu (also finally, finally I finished writing this I have something for Hobi!!!! *happy noises*)

This is in part dedicated to 191026 Hoseok, he will never be forgotten in my heart XDDD

Masterlist

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

"The anniversary is just a week away, isn't it? [Name], who are you coming with to the event?"

Seokjin's voice brings you out of your daze, and you stare blankly at him as his question sinks into your mind.

"Huh?"

"The company anniversary dinner, [Name]. Aren't you going?"

Ah. The anniversary dinner. The CEO of the company you worked in had a love for parties that was shared by her husband, so they never failed to go all out with celebrations, and the anniversary dinner was no exception. It was an event where the whole company organized a fancy party in some upscale venue, complete with a buffet, dancing, and- in a complete insistence of their daughters, games. Complete with prizes. All of which you normally adored, to be honest. You’d won a pair of Chanel shoes last year that you were shaken, but ecstatic to realize were genuine goods.

This wouldn’t be your first time coming to the event, really. However, it would be the first time you’d be going alone. You chew on your food slowly, going over how to relay your answer in your head so that Seokjin asks the least amount of questions on the topic.

"Probably not," you eventually admit when the silence stretches too long. "I don't really have anyone to go with."

Seokjin frowns and you prepare yourself. "You? No one's asking you? But I thought Sungmin-"

“Yeah, well, I guess he changed his mind. He asked Mikyong yesterday, not that I care.”

The last words come out sharp, memories from yesterday filtering into your mind. Sungmin is a fellow co-worker of the two of you who had been flirting with you for the past few weeks- or, you think he did. Now you’re not so sure. If he is, he wouldn’t have been asking someone else to be his date, now would he? It��s not like you would have turned him down if he asked you, even if you already like someone else.

Someone I’m trying to get over, you gloomily remind yourself. With that, your bruised ego backs down for your hurt to come through.

Seokjin it seems notices the sharp downfall of your mood, because he stops asking about Sungmin. “So... you're not going,” he says, more an affirmation than a question.

“No, I'm not.”

He scoops another mouthful of food into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully for a while before he speaks again. “You know it doesn't have to be about just dates right? There's still the food and the dancing, not to mention the games.”

There’s a pause, before he starts to speak again. “Besides, Hoseok is the one organizing this year's anniversary dinner slash party, so you know it's going to be amazing.“

You shrug and make a face at him. “Maybe, but you know it's going to be filled with couples and I'm just not about that- not to mention the games will probably be mostly by partners since it's so close to Valentine’s day.”

The sulk in your voice does not miss him and Seokjin raises an eyebrow at you again, a teasing smirk slowly alighting his face. “Is the real reason you don't want to go-“

You start at the expression on his voice, and interrupt him hurriedly, unwilling to go down that line of discussion. The trash gets quickly swept into the bin as you stand up and quickly walk away. “Oh look at that, it's time to get back to work! I'll see you later!”

Seokjin’s voice calls out after you, laughter evident in his tone and you curse him out in your head. “We're not done talking about this missy!”

You turn around, look him in the eye and (discreetly) flip him off.

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

When you get back to your cubicle that day, you find yourself with an unopened email. It’s not exactly uncommon- it’s much easier to send a message than it is to leave your cubicle if you want to talk to anyone not near you. That said, you scrunch your nose at the email you receive.

Seokjin: since you won't do anything about it I've decided you need an intervention

[Name]: WHY ARE YOU EVEN SO INVESTED IN MY LOVE LIFE YOU WEIRDO

Seokjin: well what are friends for

You scowl at the message, preparing yourself to type out a rebuttal.

[Name]: not meddling in their friends-

But then Jin’s next message makes you stop short, a heavy sigh of exasperation leaving you.

Seokjin: and since you clearly won't help yourself, I've brought in reinforcements too

Seokjin: you’re welcome

“You've got to be kidding me,” you murmur to yourself, groaning afterwards. “All because I don't have a date?! I'm going to kill him, I swear…”

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Hours later finds you stare at the dim setting of the club, idly wondering how long you are supposed to ‘go clubbing’ before you’re allowed to go home. While clubbing was never your favorite activity (too noisy, too chaotic, too many people, just too much), today you aren’t in the mood for it…. at all.

Still, a part of you is happy for your friends, who seem to be making a headway in making the most of the night. Jungkook, in particular, who’s soaking up the crowd’s attention on the dance floor. One of them though breaks away from the crowd and (you assume) challenges him. Really. If there’s anything your time with him has taught you though, it’s that Jungkook is one of the most competitive people you know, a fact of which this person challenging him doesn’t know. They will soon though. Too bad you can’t see their face- as you’re facing Jungkook instead, who smirks and then leans closer.

You look away, disinterested and wonder if you should get another drink. Or sleep. If that was possible in a club.

“Noona.”

You idly look up, eyebrows raised and you meet Jimin’s eyes, his cherubic face completely and yet at the same time perfectly complementing his sinfully hot attire. You sip your drink, eyebrows still raised in a silent question and he grins at you.

“So you need a date for the anniversary party?”

You choke on your drink, some of the liquid going down the wrong pipe and you hack and cough. For a moment your throat burns and you consider throwing your glass at Jimin, but then someone hands you some water, while another begins rubbing your back soothingly and the sting eases up. You glare at Jimin, who, while wearing an apologetic smile on his face has amusement all but visible in his eyes. Then you look at Taehyung, who’s wearing a similar expression.

“Jin told you, didn’t he?” You grumble, your leisurely mood gone. Taehyung chuckles as he sits down beside you, and Jimin on the other.

“Yeah, but we volunteered to help on our own, noona, don’t worry,” Jimin says, smiling softly at you.

“That’s what friends do,” Taehyung adds. You sigh at their words, though you feel the tension on your shoulders lighten up.

“What did Jin tell you anyway?”

Jimin and Taehyung share a look over your head that you decidedly ignore at the moment, before a new voice speaks up. “Not much! Really, I just told them basic facts. For one, that Sungmin’s a jerkwad-”

You instantly reach out behind you to pinch whoever it is (though you’re pretty sure you know who it is), to be rewarded by a familiar yelp. You sink into the sofa and grin.

Seokjin’s wounded pout is prominent on his face- yet again another member of the ‘angelic faces and devilish looks’ club. He plops down on the couch, directly opposite to yours and continues his sentence. “... and that you don’t have a date to the party anymore.”

“Aren’t there other people in your department without a date?” You soon hear Namjoon’s voice pipe up, only for the man to appear a second later and sit on Seokjin’s side.

“There is.” At this point, you wonder if they’ve premeditated your current situation- you wouldn’t put it past them, really. Yoongi’s ever present smirk makes itself visible as he sinks down on the other side of Seokjin, a drink in his hand as well. “But she’s not exactly close to them.”

“You think you guys are so smooth,” you deadpan at them. “Were you able to successfully deliver your lines? Who’s left? Jungkook?”

“Oh no,” Seokjin says, delight evident in his tone and you consider, for the second time the pros and cons of throwing your drink at Seokjin. Pros, it’d get him to shut up. Cons, he’d come up with a more embarrassing way to, well, embarrass you. “We tasked Jungkook with bringing Hobi here.”

You choke, for the second time, on your drink. “You what.”

“Well,” Seokjin innocently smiles. “It can’t be a group discussion without all eight of us, right?”

“Kim Seokjin, one of these days I’m going to string you up by your entrails,” you hiss at him, Seokjin only giving you a beam as if instead of cursing, you’ve burst into applause for his brand of mischief. You turn to the others, a pout on your lips. “And you guys! I thought you’d be on my side for this,” you whine.

“We are, [Name],” Taehyung grins. “You’ll see, you’ll be thanking us after this,” he promises, winking at you and you send him a withering look.

“What Taehyung means to say is,” Namjoon intervenes. “I know you’re nervous right now, but trust us. We wouldn’t do this just to make fun of you.”

You sigh and lean back on the couch. “Even so, I don’t know how having a-” you pause to make quotation marks in the air, “‘group discussion’ is going to solve my problem. I think, at this point… it’s better not to go to the anniversary party at all.”

“You aren’t attending, [Name]? Why not?” The surprised tone isn’t what sets off your nerves- it’s the owner of that voice that has you suddenly fumbling with your drink as your hands tremble.

“Hobi!”

“Hey there [Name]! Sorry it took me a while- I got you some of that drink you like from the bar on the way though.”

And there he is- your bestfriend… and, dare you admit, your crush, in the flesh. Heart-shaped lips set into a familiar, sunny smile that has your pulse racing a little too fast- Hoseok leans in to hand over your order, and you tilt up to thank him, when without a thought he brushes off a few strands of hair stuck on your forehead from sweat, tucking them behind your ear and you hold his hand in yours.

“Your hands are cold,” you mutter, nose scrunched up. “Did you forget to bring gloves or something? It’s still February, you know,” you chidingly tell him. Hoseok smiles sheepishly.

“Sorry, I was trying to get here as fast as I could and I forgot.”

You frown at that, before relenting- and then opening up your purse to get out another pair of gloves. “I had a feeling you would. Seriously, how many times does this make now?”

“Sorry! But you always carry a pair for me anyway.”

“Doesn’t mean it’s okay to just forget them,” you mutter.

You hear someone clear their throat- the two of you jerk away from each other, red instantly blooming across both of your features. You whip around with a glare on your face- Seokjin only snickers at you.

“Did you two forget about us again?” Yoongi drawls. Jimin and Taehyung are giggling- Namjoon looking away a little, though you still see the small smile he’s trying to hide. Seokjin and Yoongi both smirking. A rush of embarrassment floods you when you realize that almost everyone has seen your little moment.

Which, if by the way that Hoseok himself jerks away too, a blush on his face, is something that just occurred to him as well. You clear your throat and straighten in your seat.

“Um. Hey Hobi,” you nod at him, before internally yelling at yourself because you already greeted him why do it again you dumbass. “We were just- talking? Uh… why don’t you take a seat first? You’re the only standing, you know.”

Inwardly, you can’t help but groan at how affected Hoseok seems to be by the guys’ teasing.

Three years of being bestfriends, and while you were content with that, the others just had to start making things awkward by pointing out and teasing you two (you ignore the voice in your head that says it’s always been hard for you, because you’ve always been attracted to Hoseok, they just made it awkward for him and you hate that because you miss being casually intimate with him… even if it’s just as friends).

“Um- yeah, I should.” Hoseok nods back, seemingly almost as nervous as you- you take a sip of your drink (it never fails to make your heart warm, how Hoseok remembers your alcohol just the way you like it, even when it involves five steps with very specific methods and measurements- sue you, you liked your drinks a very certain way) before setting it down. You’re aware that with Hoseok here, the guys will be… well, you don’t know what exactly they’re planning yet, but you know they have something going on. Still, you can’t help but stiffen at Hoseok, who… sits down right next to you, where Jimin was sitting.

Your eyes widen and you look at Jimin- who’s apparently relocated, sending him a betrayed look. He giggles at you, eyes forming a crescent moon with the way he smiles.

“So,” Seokjin starts as the silence stretches a little too long, a wide, mischievous smile on his lips. “We were just talking about [Name] and her problem.”

“About the party?” Hoseok furrows his eyebrows in puzzlement. “But I thought you already had a date. I mean… you’re you, [Name].”

Your hands shoot up to cover your face instantly as you feel yourself redden from his words.

“Sungmin asked Mikyong,” Taehyung nonchalantly says, no grin on his face, but you can still see the amusement in his eyes anyway. It was annoying how good your friend was at acting, on more than one occasion you’d jokingly told him he should have been an actor instead, especially when he uses it against you. “It was for the greater good anyway. He wouldn’t have been a good partner for [Name].”

“And what, pray tell, is a ‘good partner’ for me?” You grumble, finally lowering your hand.

“Someone who can make you laugh anytime,” Seokjin instantly states. Unbidden, a memory of Hoseok and his resounding laughter never failing to draw you in appears in your mind, but you will it away.

“Someone who takes notes and remembers even the littles details about you!” Jimin says with a grin. Your eyes flicker over to the drink on the table, your complicated drinks and how Hoseok never fails to remember every part of it, the very fact that he bothered to get you a drink at all.

“Someone who comforts you even when you’re trying not to let it show.” Taehyung gives you two his boxy smile. The moment from before flits into your mind- the casual way Hoseok gingerly brushed your hair away, and even before that, how he somehow always manages to be there to lend you a hand.

“Someone who makes you grow as a person,” Namjoon adds. Your eyes land on your friends- and you remember how Hoseok had been the one to introduce you to your now close friends.

Truthfully speaking, Hoseok is your first friend at the office- and your most important one, too. When you had just moved to the city, and into the office as well, Hoseok was the one who helped draw you out of your shell, just by being himself. It didn’t matter that he was another department away, or that there really wasn’t any reason to approach you, he did anyway, because he wanted to help. You hadn’t expected to find a close friend in him, but his smile and the way Hoseok always seems to be, well, so happy and loud complemented your quiet and shy nature. He’s the one who you go to first, no matter what, if you have a problem or if you just want to share good news with. Two years later finds you nicely settled into the office hive.

You avert your eyes from everyone’s gazes and stare at the table instead.

“And finally, someone who will put you as their top priority, no matter what,” a sudden voice finishes- you turn around to see Jungkook behind you, bunny smile in place.

Someone who puts you as their top priority- that, you wish you could say for certain that Hoseok does, but does he really? You want to believe it- there is so much evidence, but at the same time, you’re not confident enough. You don’t think you ever will be, to be honest.

“You guys have really high standards for my future partner, huh,” you dryly say. Yoongi merely offers you two a smirk, as Jungkook sits on Taehyung’s side- the round couch becoming quite cramped with eight people sitting on it. You squirm a little, feeling the lack of space keenly before someone tugs you closer to him- you look up, startled. For a moment, you’ve forgotten that Hoseok is right beside you, and when you turn to him, you find him sporting a worried frown, but it’s as if he doesn’t even register what he’s done.

“Only the best for our [Name],” Yoongi says, before tilting his head. “Though seriously there’s already a candidate that fits all the criteria, so it’s only right that we don’t lower them.”

“There is?”

“Who?” You, who else? You stare determinedly at the table and pretend that you don’t know what the guys are talking about.

“Who indeed,” Seokjin smirks. You kick him under the table- and are rewarded with a yelp. Nope. You can’t do this. You can’t let them go through with their plan at all, good god.

“Unless you’re talking about my idols then I don’t think you’re talking about anyone,” you scoff, before reaching over and squeezing Hoseok’s hand. “Don’t listen to them Hobi, they’re just teasing me. Honestly, all this talk about getting a date is making me feel tired.”

You shoot the other boys a glare- one that says there will be severe consequences if they don’t follow your lead. Seokjin sighs- but then he nods slightly, and the other boys either pout or shrug.

“Don’t worry [Name],” Hoseok smiles at you. “You’re a great person. Someone will ask you to be their date for the party, I’m sure of it.”

You scrunch up your nose, even as you huff. Inwardly you sigh in relief as the topic leads back into something lighter, easier to banter with. “Easy for you guys to say, I've never seen you have trouble getting dates.”

“Oh, remember last year?” Jungkook swoops in to help you, leading on from your words with a mischievous grin. Seokjin begins cackling.

“You mean that client that was obsessed with Taehyung? How could I not forget? That was-”

“-traumatizing as hell,” Taehyung cuts in with a grimace.

“On some level for you, definitely,” Yoongi snickers. “Not for us, though.”

“Still, you have to admit it was a little hilarious, she really thought she could get his attention by acting like a child who couldn't take no for an answer…”

You lean back into your seat, feeling ten times more tired and stressed than you had been when the night first started- the only reprieve being the feel of Hoseok’s hands in yours.

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

The next day, you wake up with a massive headache- one alleviated by Seokjin’s special ‘hangover cure’ that even to this day, you still don’t know the contents of. Still, it works wonders, and by the time lunch rolls by, your headache is gone, and by the end of your shift, you feel the effects of the previous night fully dissipate.

Only one final trip before you can go home. You cheer yourself up with that thought and determinedly move along, when-

“[Name]!”

You startle, whirling around in surprise as someone takes a desperate hold of your arm- the other you raise to whack the offender, but then the voice sinks into your mind as familiar and-

“Hobi?” You stare at him in surprise, lowering the hand you were about to hit him with- that you just now notice is still holding the last few paperwork you’re to deliver to another department. “Um- hi, what brings you here?” You internally wince at the way you word your sentence. ‘What brings you here’? That just sounded really old, you scold yourself. “Not that I’m not happy to see you!”

“Oh, well-” Hoseok starts before he clears his throat and fidgets a little in place, though his hold on you remains. You furrow your brows. The nervous energy radiating from Hoseok makes you, well, nervous too, and you wonder just what he’s going to ask you. Finally it seems as if he gathers his thoughts again and he speaks.

“I was just thinking, about the party tomorrow night, last night you said-”

The papers in your hand crease instantly from the sudden tight hold you have on them. When your voice comes out, you’re completely aware of how it is a few decibels higher, as embarrassment floods your veins.

“Oh, that- yeah, um, please don't tell me you're here to tell me it's okay to go-”

“I could set you up with a date,” he blurts out- then winces. Still, he holds his ground.

You pause. “You- you could?”

“... Um, yeah. I could- I'd love to. Besides, I'm your best friend, remember? I want you to have a great time… and, well, if that’s not enough, I’m the organizer too. I'm putting in a lot of hard work to make the party great, so- I'd love it if you could come.” He smiles at you hopefully, and you deflate. Of course. Of course he’d be setting up a date for you, not asking you to go with him. Of course. It’s not like he’s interested in you that way, in any way really, other than a friend. Of course.

It’s hard being reminded of how painfully one-sided your crush is, but you need it sometimes, you tell yourself. Otherwise your imagination would only get worse.

Your eyes flicker back up to him, from the papers you’d unknowingly been staring at, and slowly give what you hope is a relieved smile.

You pause deliberately, trying to think of a good response that doesn’t give away the current state of your heart.

“Hmmm… I don’t know, they better not be anything like Myungdae,” you finally tease him, memories of a previous group date suggested by Jungkook with you and your co-workers, encouraged by Hoseok turning into a disaster coming up.

“That was just a one time thing!” He protests. “And I got you out of there fast, didn’t I?”

Your heart clenches a little. “I guess you did. Points to you for that, then.”

You take a deep breath- there isn’t a way to get out of your current situation, is there?

“Alright then,” you sigh. “Only if it’s okay with you. And, um, whoever you're setting me up with.”

Hoseok beams, the smile radiant and dare you say, victorious and that only sends your mood spiraling even further. Though you’re struggling not to let it show. “He’s definitely okay with it- I mean, if he knew!” He corrects himself with a sheepish grin, before continuing. “He'd definitely be okay with it when I tell him, so don't worry about that. And I wouldn’t set you up with anyone who wouldn’t treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”

And as much as his words make your heart warm, you can’t look at the person you’ve liked for so long personally trying to set you up with someone else right now. You just can’t. You avert your eyes, trying to think of how to leave immediately, when the ticking of the clock reminds you- you’re only a trip away to freedom. “Right, okay- I’ll trust your judgement then. Um- thank you, and, um, sorry, Hobi, I need to pass these papers, the other department will get on my-”

Hoseok instantly releases you with an apologetic look on his face, and you inwardly sigh in relief even as you already miss his touch. “No, no, it's okay. Sorry for holding you back-”

You wince. “No, it's okay! I like talking with you, it's just-”

“-I mean, I should get back to prepping the party myself-”

“-I really have to go-” You pause at his words. “Wait, isn't the party in a week?”

Hoseok shrugs a little, a tight smile on his face. “Yeah, but there was an accident with the venue... we had to reschedule and start all over again yesterday. I've been working with the party organizers about the schedule and how we're setting up the venue, checklisting which supplies we already have and don't have yet, and, uh, stuff like that.”

Your mouth drops open in surprise. “All that by yourself?”

Hoseok’s smile turns a touch more genuine at the worry and concern in your eyes. “Well, yeah. But don’t worry! I know it sounds a lot, but I can handle it.”

You bite your lip, unsure what to say. The anniversary party has always been a huge deal in the company, and messing it up, no matter whose fault it really was, would reflect poorly on everyone involved, the planner getting the worst of it.

“Still,” you eventually say, your voice small, and Hoseok looks at you in surprise.You continue on regardless of the blush on your face. “If you want- I could, um, I could help? Just- you sound really stressed, and I thought, the company always lets up easy on us this time of the year since anniversary, so.”

“That's not-” Hoseok hesitates, a hesitant type of hope appearing on his face. “I mean, are you sure?”

You clear your throat, finally smiling a little. “Yeah, I'm sure.”

Hoseok’s eyes crinkle in relief, and he scoops you up in a hug, complete with celebratory noises. “Wah, thank you, [Name]! I won’t overwork you, I promise!”

You burst into soft laughter, your arms instantly coming to grip him just as tight. Your head is spinning a little, not just because he’s definitely spinning you around just now, but maybe also because Jung Hoseok is embracing you completely and oh god, you could definitely smell his cologne- just a tilt of your head and you could bury your head in the crook of his neck. This isn’t the first time he’s hugged you like this, but every time feels like the first anyway with how fast your heart is beating.

The two of you are breathless when he stops, close enough in each other’s space that you wonder if he can hear how fast your heart is beating. You tilt your head to the side as you stare at him, and he at you, and-

“Hobi. The supervisor's asking for you.”

Min Yoongi’s voice rings through the hallway, and the silence is instantly broken.

The two of you both jump back, and if this was any other time you’d laugh at the startled, embarrassed (for Hoseok, Yoongi just looks like he’s one step away from cackling) look both Hoseok and Yoongi is wearing, though for different reasons. As it is, you’re wearing one yourself and you don’t feel like making fun of yourself too.

A silence of another kind descends on the three of you, before Hoseok clears his throat.

“Ah, right. See you, [Name].”

You will away the lingering blush on your face as you say goodbye to him .”Mhm... see you too, Hobi.”

You let the tension seep out of your body as you hear Hoseok’s footsteps fade away, a sigh leaving your lips. Yoongi strolls over to you, with amusement on his face now that the situation is over- you send him a sharp glare.

“Not a word, Yoongi. Not a word,” you warn him. Yoongi only gives you a smirk.

“If you really like him, you should make a move,” he advises you, ignoring your earlier words.. “The girls on my side of the office are already drawing sticks on who gets to ask him first.”

“And you’re involved in this how?” You snipe back, unwilling to touch on the implications of his words. “You’ve never liked going to the anniversary dinner. I even doubt if you’ll be going this year.

He shrugs. “Maybe, maybe not. But if I was, I'd rather go there and see you with Hobi rather than Hobi and some random girl.”

You sigh at his advice. “Thanks Yoongi.” If there is sarcasm in your voice as you speak, well, who’s there to hear it?

“Anytime!” He calls out cheerfully as he leaves, and you (again, discreetly) flip him the finger too.

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

When you get home that evening, you throw yourself on the couch and contemplate breaking out your tub of ice cream. You’d been planning to limit yourself to eat only at most a scoop a day since pay day was still two weeks away and there was only one container left, but…

You groan and text Seokjin instead.

‘Cancel the intervention’

Seokjin’s reply is instant. ‘???’

‘Hobi told me he'd set me up with a date…’

‘wait what’

You scowl. And as if that wasn’t enough, he adds another line.

‘are you sure he didn't just ask you?’

‘YES I’M SURE and no he didn't’ you angrily text back, before sulking again.

‘why would he even though’

‘uhhh because he's had the biggest crush on you since you started working here?’

You roll your eyes. ‘not this again istg Jin’

‘yeah, yeah, it's not that way, he's just being friendly, you’re just best friends etc.’

You stop typing at his reply and the frustration you can sense in it, long enough that Jin sends you another text before you finish your reply. ‘but just to be clear, I think you're both idiots if you can't see how much the two of you blush and stutter and basically act like two stereotypical idiots in love pining after each other’

You grumble, erase what you had been typing and send a short rebuttal his way to end the conversation. ‘whatever you say Jin’

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

The only thing worse than agreeing to have Hoseok set you up on a date, you think to yourself, is how you volunteered to help him with his work.

Which, you guess, you would’ve done anyway even if time was re-winded. You would’ve signed up for this- late afternoons and early evenings spent together, only the two of you in the room because everyone else had left to go home. The absence of silence between the two of you because even while working, you’ve always found it easy to talk to Hoseok and the same goes for him too. Though you try not to let it affect your workload too much (you offered to help cut down his work, not add more to it after all), you rationalize it to yourself- really, you’re only helping keep the stress down! A little bit of chatting and having fun is allowed, right?

During the years you’ve been friends with him, you’ve never spent as much one-on-one time with Hoseok like this- as at work, you were in different departments. And with a different time schedule (his started halfway into your own shift), the two of you rarely had time to spend time with each other outside of texting and messages and lunch and dinner breaks.

So this- hours spent just between the two of you, even if it’s only for a week, until the party, it makes you feel- well.

If there are moments when Hoseok smiles a little too warmly at you (when you’ve made him laugh, or the two of you resolve a particularly troubling part of the party), moments when your hands brush each other (because, how can you hear each other if you’re working far away from each other? Clearly the only way to work through the party together is to sit close to each other too), or moments when he looks at you with- dare you hope- something more in his eyes (that you don’t dare look too deeply into, lest you make a fool of yourself, if not more than you have already), well.

You still would have chosen the same in the end.

Because he’s your best friend, and unfortunately, you like him (you ignore the little voice in your head- which sounds a lot like Jin- that scoffs and says that you wouldn’t go this far if this was only for a friend, or just a crush. No, you won’t entertain listening to it at all).

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

“Namjoon?”

You cautiously call out, the stack of papers on your hand heavy enough that you shift its weight every few seconds or so, just to alleviate the strain on your arms, though there still remains a small smile on your face, remnant of when Hoseok drew you close into another hug as the two of you successfully took off another part of the checklist. With only three days left until the party itself, you’re relieved and happy to see that there’s only a little bit left to work on.

Namjoon looks up from the paperwork he’s been reading- his famous dimpled smile coming to his lips as he sees you.

“Ah, [Name]. Thanks, can you just place them here on my desk?” He begins stacking several folders over another to make space- you wince and hope that they don’t fall and scatter around into a mess- until there’s barely enough clear room for the papers. You nod in reply and place the papers down, making your way out of the room when Namjoon looks back up at you with a confused look on his face.

“Wait, aren’t you supposed to be off the clock now?”

You shuffle in place, a nervous tic you have, before you bite your lip and speak. “Oh, no. I was, but, um, I’m currently helping Hoseok with the, um, event.”

“Oh... I see.” You can all but see him raise his eyebrow in intrigue, and you make a face. It’s not exactly a secret between you and your friends- your crush on Hoseok. However, while most of them are insistent that your feelings for each other are mutual (complete with explanations and pointed out moments), you point out, just as insistent, that if he really liked you, Hoseok would have made a move long ago. However he hasn’t and so you don’t dare hope.

“Please don't make that face, I'm just helping him and that's it,” you clarify in a- what you hope- is a firm voice.

“Sure,” he says, the skepticism barely hidden and you pout.

“That said, you're not going with Hoseok to the anniversary this year?” He adds, and your mood falls even more. You sigh.

“I'm not, besides, it's Hoseok himself who's setting me up with a date to the event, so…”

Namjoon startles, eyes widening in surprise. “Wait, he is?”

Instead of giving a verbal response, you nod glumly.

Namjoon pauses, and when he speaks again, the layered tone in his voice makes you frown. “That, uh, hm. I see.”

“What do you mean, I see?” You parrot back, narrowing your eyes at him. “That sounded suspicious.”

Namjoon fake-coughs immediately, waving a hand in the air, his words falling out fast. “It's nothing! You should probably go to Hoseok now. You were going to help him, right? He probably hasn't had anything to eat since lunch- you could get him food.”

“Right…” At the mention of Hoseok, you relent, giving him a stink-eye instead. Namjoon busies himself in his paperwork, but not before you catch a glimpse of the smile on his face, the ‘I-know-a-secret-that-you-don’t-but-I-won’t-say-anything’ smile.

You huff and let it be. Whatever it is, you’ll find out soon anyway, right?

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

‘what's the color of your dress going to be?’

You pause, staring at the message on your phone for a few seconds. Right. You’d almost forgotten.

For a moment, you debate telling Hoseok that you’ve changed your mind, you’re not going to the party since you’re sick, your cousin visited, you need to visit someone in the hospital-

Hoseok wouldn’t fault you, you know. He’d understand your situation, tell you that he’d tell the other side, so you wouldn’t have to worry about rejecting them- but you also know he’s going to be disappointed since he’s put in so much effort in matching you up with this ‘mystery’ person.

You sigh. And in the short time that you’ve mulled over your thoughts, you find that he’s sent another text.

‘so you're matching with each other’

What color would you pick, anyway? You start to text him with your favorite color, when you pause.

Hoseok had always looked amazing in that red suit you once saw him wear to one of the company’s formal events, and if he planned to wear that...

‘red, probably’ you find yourself texting instead, before you add. ‘definitely red’

‘I'll let them know them’

Your fingers move on their own accord to type out another message, but in the end, you send the message into the draft box. Nothing good would come out of sending that message.

‘You're the one I want to match with, though’

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Your life has been recently going pretty well, so it stands to reason that it was only a matter of time before your next minor breakdown.

At this point, you had accepted it. You were going to the party in a few days with a complete stranger recommended to you by Jung Hoseok, your best friend and your crush. But, you reasoned with yourself, at least you got to spend time with him, just the two of you working together alone. Not just that, you became closer too. And also, Hoseok was going alone, and therefore it didn’t matter if he set you up with someone because it would only be a one time thing and you could gently let the other person down after the party and go back to, well, getting over Hoseok.

“... probably the first time I've seen Hobi-hyung so determined to get just the perfect suit, he asked me for advice too. I told him to just wear that one suit she really liked- the all-red one…”

Or not. You stop in your tracks, a strand of paper falling from your arms that you hastily pick up even as you backstep into a room to avoid detection. From outside, you can hear Jimin, Jungkook and Taehyung speaking, the contents of which you are very much interested in, no matter if it’s hard to hear over how hard your heart is beating.

“Hyung really bought a corsage too?” Jimin’s laughter echoes through the hallway. A corsage…? You stiffen in disappointment as their words hit, and yet you stay in your hiding spot.

“Yeah… they were insistent about him buying it since he wants to ‘impress his lady’.” You can almost hear Jungkook’s amused smirk in his voice, followed by Taehyung and Jimin’s resounding laughter- you release a shaky breath and drop to your knees.

The papers fall from your hands as the pieces of your heart do so too.

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

When you come up to him to officially finish all the preparations for the event scheduled in 24 hours, you’re silent, and you won’t meet his gaze- Hoseok frowns, worry in his eyes. You resolutely stay quiet anyway, interrupting every moment he starts to speak with a shuffle of the papers in your hand, or suddenly frowning.

You don’t see him nervously fidgeting too, your tense mood affecting him in turn.

It’s only when the two of you pack up and leave, all the work done- and hadn’t that been an awkward moment, when the checklist had been fully completed, that his first instinct was to draw you into a hug and you almost delved into it? Of course, you didn’t in the end anyway, aware of the still broken pieces of your heart- that he timidly speaks up.

“[Name],” he mumbles your name with an unsure tone in his voice. “Are you- is there something wrong?”

Your grip on your skirt tightens and you don’t mean to reply, really, you don’t, much less in a bitter tone of voice, but when you look up at him and see the confused but concerned look on his face you do anyway. “I thought you said you were going alone to the event?”

His eyes widen in surprise, all but confirming your words. “I, uh, I asked someone- pretty recently.” You feel yourself wilt at his words. How did you miss something like that? How could the boys not tell you about that?

More than that, it hurts to think that Hoseok would have kept this mystery girl from you, even going so far as to ask her to be his date without a mention of it to you, his best friend.

Though when the silence goes too long, you take in a deep breath and decide to be mature about it. Okay, fine, Hoseok has got a date, whatever. Whatever, you repeat to yourself. You will not be a sore loser and be bitter about the fact that some person you don’t know about has gotten Hoseok’s attention enough for him to ask them to be his date. You will not. “I see.”

“[Name]-” Hoseok reaches out for you- something that, had it happened a week ago you would have been stammering about, and, if only a few days ago you would have happily, if not shyly been happy about, but now not anymore- and you shrug him off, forcing a smile on your face.

“It's nothing- I'm happy for you, Hoseok! Your date must be lucky to have you. I hope they appreciate all the work we put into the event. That said, we should probably get home quick so we can rest earlier for the event, huh?” You say with as much fake cheer as you can, struggling to keep a normal facade, though the way his face falls at how you call him by his name now instead of his nickname doesn’t escape you. “I should go home too. I can’t-” your smile tightens but you continue,” wait to meet this mystery person you set me up with, Hoseok. So much, I’m just going to go, okay?” And if there is a moment in your mini-speech slash rant that is tinged with bitterness, if your eyes are starting to water and well up with tears, well. You walk away too fast for Hoseok to catch up and ask you about it.

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

“Noona?” You startle at the sound of Jungkook’s voice near you, having been mindlessly staring off into the distance. When you turn your head to the side- you find him standing near you, a worried look on his face, a frown on his lips. “What are you doing here?”

For a moment you consider telling him that’s everything’s fine, but then you remember just why you are sitting on a swing at eight in the evening, crying to yourself, and when you speak your tone is sharp. “What? Am I not allowed to be here?”

Jungkook’s eyes, if it’s possible, gets even wider and he immediately takes a step closer. “No, it's just- wait, are you crying?”

You look down at your feet and, even though it’s painfully obvious just from your voice, say otherwise. “‘'m not… just, just a sore throat.”

You hear him shuffle in place, and if you look at him you know you’ll see him chew on his lips nervously, bunny tooth visible. “Um- okay.”

A moment passes- the playground is silent, and you wonder if Jungkook has left, when you hear another voice.

“Jungkook! Get back here, you impet!”

You let out a silent groan at Seokjin’s voice, loud and clear and annoyed. For a moment you consider just ignoring the two of them, or leaving, but then Seokjin runs over to the two of you and your second choice is lost.

You can see the moment Seokjin notices your less-than-stellar state as he quiets down. The only sound you hear is his footsteps, and whispering from the two- you close your eyes and pretend you’re alone.

A few minutes pass before you hear the other swing suddenly move, the indication that someone is now sitting on it. “If you want us to go, we can leave,” he quietly says.

You open your eyes and shoot him a bland look, knowing just as much as he did that the words were only for courtesy. They wouldn’t leave you alone now that they’ve seen you cry.

“You can stay,” you finally tell him with a grumble. On your other side, Jungkook sits down on the other swing too. Seokjin swings a little- Jungkook, turning everything into a competition and not wanting to lose does the same, only a little higher- you hear them urge you to join and you let out a bark of laughter as the two try to out-swing each other.

When the two are done- Jungkook beating Seokjin, as the latter almost catapulted out of his seat with a shriek and a yield, making you laugh, but then again, what did you expect?- the three of you are silent. For a while, no one speaks, you basking in the comfort of their presence with a small smile on your face at their attempts to cheer you up.

“I was content with going on that date he set me up with, because I thought he’d be going alone... but then I find out he's going with a date…”

“Finally, I thought he’d never-” you barely hear Jungkook mutter, the latter of his sentence you fail to hear, as Seokjin looks at you, confused.

“Isn't he talking about you?”

“No, he's not!” You explode, lips twisting into a harsh grimace. “How would he be if he's the one suggesting I go with someone I don't-”

You cut yourself off and angrily huff, unwilling to delve into a rant. A beat passes and Seokjin raises an eyebrow at you, a curious look in his eyes.

“Well, but do you know who he's going with?”

You deflate. “No, I don't.” You pause. “Why?”

“Because it sounds really suspicious. [Name], if you see it from any of our point of views, there isn't any other girl close with hyung, or we'd have heard about them,” Seokjin explains.

“So it's either she isn't that close with him yet, or she's only friends with him, or... he's a really good actor. You still have a chance, [Name]. What do you have to lose if you confess?”

“If it helps,” Jungkook adds, a mysterious, cheeky smile on his face. “You’re the only one I’ve seen Hobi-hyung be so happy with, noona. I don’t see hyung smiling so much with anybody else.”

“Still,” you mumble in a low voice.

“We’ll help you every way,” Seokjin reassures you. “Besides, this isn’t just about you. It’s for Hobi too. We just want the two of you to be happy.”

You stay silent at his response, thinking over his words, before you make a decision.

“When you say it like that... I guess there’s not to much to lose, is there?” You wryly say, making Seokjin and Jungkook yell triumphantly.

“Go for it, [Name]-noona! We'll cheer you on,” Jungkook cheerfully tells you. Jin, on your other side, pulls up his phone- though you fail to see what he’s typing.

You bury your head in your knees when you realize you’re going to do the cliche- confessing to your best friend, on a day so near to Valentine’s day too.

You can do this, you tell yourself. You can do this.

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Twenty hours later, and four hours before the event, and you find yourself staring at your dresses with a frown on your face.

You hadn’t meant to put it off, really. But after your crying slash comfort session last night, you were admittedly a bit absent minded, and then you forgot to set your alarm clock… which then led to you oversleeping into late noon. You had to rush to get your dress, and even then, when you tried calling around for walk-in appointments at salons near you, all you’d gotten was that they were all booked.

Which meant you would probably have to do your hair and makeup yourself.

… You weren’t a total beginner, but you wanted to look your best… and you doing your own makeup was not you looking your best.

Too lost in your thoughts, you fail to notice your front door slamming open, as well as your bedroom door.

“[Name]!”

You whirl around in surprise, eyes wide. “Jimin? Tae? What are you- Jin? Yoongi... even Jungkook?”

“Hi, noona.”

The man in question offers you a bunny grin, though all of them are smiling at you, even Yoongi. You let your eyes trail downward- all of them already ready for the party, too.

You scrunch your eyebrows in confusion at Jungkook’s greeting. “What do you mean, ‘hi’, what are you all even doing here? The only people missing are-”

“Namjoon will be here soon, he just got held up back at the company. And Hobi's doing last minute preparations with the party. We're here for you, though,” Seokjin interrupts you neatly, a hand on his chin as he assesses your chosen outfits for the night.

“Me?” You parrot, still surprised.

Jimin tugs you closer and you let him, though you’re unsure of what he wants. He only tugs you into sitting down near your vanity though, instantly looking over your makeu collection. “Yep! Jin-hyung told us you'd need help getting ready,” he says with an angelic smile.

“We're all done ourselves anyway,” Taehyung casually tells you, as you see him come closer and, taking a comb, start rearranging your hair. “So the least we could do is help you get ready too.”

Your eyes flit over to Yoongi, who seems to be the only one left not doing anything. “They dragged me here, there's still a few hours left so I'm going to take a nap in a bit,” he declares instead, though you see him look over your jewelry box (that you’ve only told him about since he’s the one who’s bought you more than a few of your rings and earrings as gifts), coordinating with Seokjin.

“I'll get everyone drinks!” You hear Jungkook exclaim, before the sound of his footsteps echo from the hallway.

You stay in your seat, stunned.

“[Name].” Slowly, you look at Seokjin through the mirror, who looks at you with a soft smile on his face.

“You said it last night. You wanted to confess. We aren't letting you back away from your words, and especially from a chance for happiness just because you were scared,” he gently tells you.

“Yeah, [Name]. Let us help you, okay?”

“We'll make you look and feel great,” Taehyung reassures you, and you feel your eyes well up with tears- this time, out of appreciation for the friends that you have.

“Sheesh... you guys…”

“Ahhh, hey, don’t move- I just finished tying up parts of your hair!”

“Well, good thing you didn’t cry before I started putting on your makeup.”

… It’s going to be a long four hours, you think.

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Half an hour before the event, and you find yourself twirling around in your dress- still amazed by what the boys have done for you- looking back at the mirror then, you almost found it hard to believe that that woman was you.

‘6 P.M. at the entrance’

You bite your lip at Hoseok’s message, a twinge of guilt inside to both him and whoever he set you up with. You had already planned to turn the other party down.

“Hey [Name], do you have a plan for how you’re going to confess to Hobi later?”

You stiffen from where you’d been sitting, a surprised look on your face.

“Don’t tell me you were just planning on going there and telling him straight,” Seokjin says, a frown slowly forming on his face.

“No!” You exclaim, stammering a little. “I do have a plan.”

“Huh, so let’s hear it,” Yoongi drawls out, an amused smile on his face. You shoot him a glare, but wince a little when you meet Seokjin’s gaze.

“I, um. I was planning to first tell the guy he set me up with that, um, I can’t go with him to the event?” Even as you say it, you sound unsure- you clear your throat and say in a much more (you hope) confident voice. “Although I know that there’s a chance they might be disappointed- but, I don’t want to lead them on with anything, not when I’m planning to confess to Hobi.”

The boys share a look- you fidget in place, though you know better than to move too much and mess up Jimin and Taehyung’s work.

“Alright then, we’ll be behind you if you need backup,” Seokjin declares, Jungkook flexing his muscle for you to see in the mirror comedically. The moment falls away as you laugh.

You bite your lip, feeling, not for the first time, jittery.

‘He's wearing a red suit with a bow at the side, you'll know who he is at first glance ^^’

For a moment you wonder if you should tell him right now, listen, I can't go with whoever you set me up with-

But that wouldn’t be fair. You have to tell them face to face- so instead, you sigh and text him otherwise.

‘I'll be there on time’

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈๑⋅⋯ ୨˚୧ ⋯⋅๑┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Five minutes before the appointed time finds you on the block after the venue, the place just the next corner away. You grip your dress a little tightly- then force yourself to let go. Creasing your dress needlessly is not something you should do if you want to look your best at least for when Hoseok first sees you.

“Are you sure you want us to go ahead?” Seokjin’s voice is reassuring as he stands beside you. Taehyung and the others have gone ahead to park the car- you asked them to drop you off at your current position, and Seokjin came with you to talk you down in case you have second thoughts.

“Yeah, I'll be fine. I won't run away.” Seokjin must hear the determination in your voice for real this time, because he relents and, after squeezing your hand, lets go and walks ahead.

“We'll be nearby just in case you need help,” he repeats, and you laugh a little, feeling some of your nervousness ease.

You check your phone. 3 minutes until showtime. You can do this, you tell yourself, forcing your feet to walk forward even though a part of you wants to just stop and go home. You turn the corner- feeling a little shaky, and your hands starting to sweat a little- seeing someone in, as Hoseok told you, a red suit, standing by the door. The dim light prevents you from seeing much about them other than their brightly colored suit that stands out, but considering that there’s only one person dressed in red standing by the venue, you’re pretty sure that’s him.

You take another deep breath- rehearse your lines, and determinedly take a step forward.

‘Um- are you my date for the night? Listen, I'm sorry to tell you this, but... I can't go to the event with you. I'm sure you're a lovely person, but... my heart, there's someone else I want to ask. Hoseok only had the best intentions, but he's the one I wanted to ask-’

You stop in your tracks as the other person turns around.

“Hobi?”

You look at him, stunned.

In front of you, Jung Hoseok is smiling- excitement, worry, a multitude of emotions on his face, a corsage of your favorite flowers in his hands, in that red suit you love so much- you can’t help but just stare at him.

“[Name]!” He stares back at you for a moment, looking awestruck, before a soft smile appears on his face. “You look gorgeous. I mean amazing, you look amazing. Pretty. Not that you don’t always!” The way he almost trips over his words at the latter part of his sentence brings a rush of heat to your cheeks, even as you can’t help but smile. Still, though, you find yourself confused.

“... You're my date? But I thought-”

“That- um.” Hoseok pauses, looking anxious himself- it makes a part of you laugh because really, that’s what you had been- are still- feeling. Finally, it seems as if he grounds himself enough to speak. “[Name], I know we’ve always been just friends- but, I really, really like you. When I heard about you being without a date I was going to ask you the other day, but... I lost the nerve to go through with it. But I brought it up already, and I wanted to ask you, but I couldn't gather up the courage to say I wanted to ask you, so…”

Here he trails off, looking more and more sheepish by the moment that it makes you bite your lip just to suppress your grin.

“So you told me you were setting me up with someone?”

He huffs, a relieved sigh leaving him at the amusement on your face, rather than the anger or disgust he’d been dreading. “Yeah.”

“So when you texted me about my dress and everything…”

Hoseok finishes your sentence. “... that was for me.” He glances away from you, cheeks reddening again. “Sorry. I really do want to go with you though.”

“Jung Hoseok,” you start, your cheeks starting to hurt with how wide your smile is, “are you telling me, you approached me that day with the intent to ask me out, only to somehow promise to set me up, with me unknowing that it was you I was going with? When you could have just told me in the first place?”

‘When you say it like that... I lost my chance, didn’t I?” He furrows his eyebrows, shoulders drooping down- you take a step forward and cup his face in your hands, forcing him to see the smile on your face.

“No, I was actually going to confess to you tonight,” you tell him, even as you feel your own cheeks redden. He looks at you in surprise.

“... You were?”

You giggle at him, at the way his eyes are shining and the grin you love so so much appearing on his face at your words. “I was! … I am,” you correct yourself, before you let your hands fall away to hold his own. “Do you-”

Hoseok’s eyes widen at your words, and he quickly interrupts you. “Wait! Wait, I want to confess to you, let me, please?”

This is it. You’re really going to just- for a moment, you don’t understand how you can still be standing, seemingly so calm, when every part of you is just- screaming, and you’re so, so happy right now? Your breath is admittedly a little shaky, but now it’s from joy- excitement, the feel of pure elation running through your veins instead. “Okay,” you mumble.

Hoseok clears his throat- there’s a giddy smile on his face that you don’t doubt matches your own. He intertwines your hands with his, looking at you with hopeful, warm eyes that are filled with you, only you-

“Will you be my date to the anniversary party? And, after… I mean… I really like you, so-��

“Really like me?” You interrupt with a breathy chuckle. Hoseok pouts, a stammer in his voice when he next speaks.

“Well- I mean, I can’t just outright tell you I’m in love with you already, can I?” The admission- even if he doesn’t realize it himself makes you feel like soaring.

“I love you,” you tell him straightforwardly, to be rewarded by the sight of Hoseok seemingly getting shocked, just staring at you, reddening even more with every second passing by.

“What? That- that’s not- fair-”

“Just kiss already!”

Oh my god. The two of you still at the familiar voice, and at the accompanying yell of pain afterwards-

Then Hoseok bursts into laughter, so loud and happy and you can’t help but join in too. When the two of you stop laughing, giggling- you lean in close and smile at him, wholeheartedly baring your emotions to him.

“Yes, I accept your invitation. Both for the date, and for- after, if you want me,” you softly say, before smirking. “I can hear the music starting… should we head on in now?”

Hoseok snickers at your mischievous expression, catching on to the implications behind your words. “Sounds like a great idea. I can dance with you- something I’ve always wanted to do- and show everyone we’re together. But before that...”

He presses a quick, intimate kiss to your lips that feels as if it last forever, yet ending all too soon, leaving you aching to have a longer, proper taste of his lips- you gasp and stare at him after, blush coming back to your cheeks as he grins at you.

You cover your face with one hand. “Unfair,” you grumble. “I’ll get you back for that.”

“I’ve been waiting a long time to do that,” he admits. “But I can wait until we’re really alone for the real thing.”

You pout. “You think you’ve been waiting a long time, I assure you- I’ve been waiting even longer.”

Hoseok giggles at your words- you feel your heart melt, even as you hear the sound of hooting and triumphant yelling behind you two.

“Well then, shall we?” Hoseok tugs you, fingers still laced with yours, and you smile.

The night has just begun, after all, and while a week ago you dreaded it, tonight… you are determined to make the most out of it.

“Okay,” you agree.

#bangtanscenery #jung hoseok x reader #hoseok x reader #bts x reader

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temilyrights · 4 years

Text

in conclusion (jack sloane x reader)

Summary: In which jumping to conclusions is never a good idea. (Valentine's day fic)

Word Count: 4122

A/N: Eh I have really mixed feelings about this fic and I'm editing it with a headache which definitely is a stupid idea but I promised @jpncis09 It’d be upload when she woke up and it's already been over a month since valentine's...oops. (Be prepared for angst btw ahah)

Read on AO3

You weren’t bitter. Not even a little. It didn’t matter that everyone seemed to have a valentine apart from you.

It didn’t matter one bit.

And Valentine’s was a stupid day anyway.

But come on. The universe was being an asshole because even Gibbs had had a red rose and a card sitting on his desk when you’d arrived this morning. (It was just a gift from Abby, but still).

Your desk remained empty of anything pink, red or fluffy. It was just kind of embarrassing, especially considering Nick had this massive teddy currently sitting next to his desk. It was facing you and you could swear it was actually smirking.

“Y/N can you please stop glaring at Mr Lovin’.” Your eyes snap away from the teddy and to Nick who sits opposite you.

“Mr Lovin’...” your face scrunches up in disgust. You can hear Ellie sniggering from her desk, Nick sits up straighter.

“Amanda named him,” Nick says defensively, the tips of his ears tingeing pink. You roll your eyes “Just ‘cause you’re jealous Jack hasn’t gotten you anything.” The snide comment is said quietly but you still catch it. Your face goes bright red, the smirk disappearing from your face as you shuffle in your chair and duck your head.

So...that actually might have been the main reason you weren’t in the best mood. You and Jack weren’t together, so you didn’t have a reason to be upset. It was just the way Jack had spent the week going on about being excited for valentine’s day...it had made you a little hopeful.

You’d sent her a bouquet of flowers. You didn’t leave a card but you knew if she wanted to know who they were from it wouldn’t be hard to work out.

“Sorry.” Nick’s sheepish voice breaks you from your thoughts. He actually looks somewhat ashamed at his comment.

“Don’t be,” You laugh. “It’s true.”

“Gibbs isn’t here. Go see her!” You contemplate refusing but she always managed to lighten your mood, and you wanted to see her reaction to your flowers. A smile graces your features as you head up the stairs to her office.

Her office door is closed. You frown, her office door is never closed. Knocking lightly, Jack’s panicked voice quickly calls “Who is it?” from the other side.

“It’s Y/N. Are you ok?”

“I’m good, just in the middle of something.” You think you hear a laugh that's definitely not Jack’s and your frown deepens. The door opens slightly, Jack was wearing red lipstick (which was unusual in itself) but it was also a little messy. You gulp stepping back as dread fills your stomach. “Is this for a case?”

“Uh..” Your head is swarming. Jack raises her eyebrows prompting you to continue. “No. I was just coming to say hi.”

Jack smiles warmly. “Could you come back in a bit then?”

“Yeah, yeah of course.” You step back and Jack closes the door. Your eyes water against your best efforts and you try to clear the lump in your throat.

Closed office door.

A man’s laugh.

Messy lipstick.

You head back down to the bullpen in a trance. Stopping suddenly when you catch sight of Gibbs’ empty desk. NO. You think you’re going to be sick. Your eyes are burning and everything is too much. Jack and Gibbs? Jack and Gibbs. You’d actually thought there had been a slight hope...You’d sent her flowers and now she was making out with Gibbs in her office. A strangled laugh escapes your throat.

“Y/N?” A hand rests lightly on your arm causing you to jump. Your head spins round and a concerned Ellie is looking back at you. Ellie’s eyes widen and you realise you must look like a mess. “What’s happened?”

Your head is still swarming. You couldn’t respond, every emotion was rushing through your body. Shame, anger, embarrassment, disappointment, sadness, regret.

“Y/N?” Ellie’s voice is slightly panicked now. She looks at Tim and Nick who are watching from their desks.

“I told her to go see Jack.” Everyone turns back to stare at you with wide eyes. Jack had caused this?

“Ok. We’re moving.” Ellie grabs your arm, pulling you along as Nick and Tim quickly get up from their desk and follow. You don’t pay attention to where you are going. It’s not until you’re sat down in a chair you notice you’re in one of the conference rooms.

“Y/N what has happened?” You start laughing, one of those manic laughs that would quickly turn into sobs if you didn’t control it. The others all look at you like you’ve grown a second head.

“Can you believe I actually thought that she liked me?” You finally speak after your laughter has subsided. You shake your head, rolling your eyes at yourself.

“Jack does like you”

You shake your head. “She’s currently in her office making out with Gibbs so I-”

“WHAT?” Three voices shout in unison and you wince.

“There is no way! I mean the woman is pretty much in love with you!” Ellie and Tim nod along to Nick’s words.

Your laugh is a little more broken this time and you have to fight back the tears that threaten to drip from your eyes. “Did you see them?” Tim asks and you shake your head. “Then how do you know-”

“Jack’s office door was shut. A man’s laugh. Messy lipstick. No Gibbs.”

“Maybe they’re just having lunch together?”

“She asked me to come back later. I’ve walked in on them having lunch before - a couple of times she’s even invited me to join! Today she barely opened the door enough to poke her head through!” Tim and Nick shoot each other uneasy looks.

“This still doesn’t mean she was making out with Gibbs!” You roll your eyes at Ellie’s words and then take a deep breath in an attempt to calm your swirling emotions. It was time to return back to work.

“It’s fine. This is good really right? I know now and Jack and I wouldn’t have worked anyway, let’s be honest. It was just a nice fantasy.” A fantasy. Imagining Jack and you wrapped up together watching tv, imaging her in your bed, messy hair and dazed smiles. Imagining kissing her and always being able to put that wide smile on her face and bringing out the adorable laugh she had. A fantasy. You didn’t need any of that, you could go back to before.

Before what though? Before she became the one thing in your life that could always make you smile? Before she became your best friend? Before you guys started hanging out together just the two of you? Before lunch dates, Before evenings working in her office together for no reason other than you wanted too?

You’d zoned out completely, and quickly wipe away the tear rolling down your face when you notice the team's worried looks. You clear your throat. “Let’s get back to work.” You don’t wait for an answer, getting up and walking out of the room. You head back to the bullpen and to your desk. When Gibbs walks down the stairs less than 10 minutes later, a happy smirk on his face you snap your pencil.

You try to focus back on your work but your mind won’t stop wondering. Nick actually throws a rubber at you at one point because you’d been staring at Gibbs (who only rolled his eyes before getting up and leaving the room). Your eyes bore into his back as you watch him walk the familiar route to Jack’s office.

You spend the rest of the day avoiding her which gratefully isn’t hard as there is no case. The only time you even get close to running into her is when you head to the break room to get a snack and hear her laughing with someone. You freeze before turning the corner and quickly rush away before she can notice you, ignoring the rumble of your stomach.

Tim’s out of the door the second the clock strikes 5. Determined to give Delilah a good valentines day while the twins stay with his sister for the night. You’re just getting ready to pack up and head home when Jack enters. You duck your head, suppressing a groan.

However, Jack either doesn’t seem to notice or doesn’t care as she walks right over to your desk and perches on the side. “Hey.” You don’t look up at her, focusing on packing your bag and steadily avoiding her gaze.

“Hi” You offer. You see Nick shuffling uncomfortably in his chair and can tell he’s about to leg it. You glare at him and he sinks back into his chair, sighing.

Jack’s now watching you curiously. “I wanted to thank you for my flowers.” Your hand stills and tightens around your water bottle.

You continue packing, trying to sound casual. “I’m glad you like them.” Jack’s hand reaches out to grasp your wrist lightly. Your whole body freezes as you swallow loudly and just stare at her hand. Jack frowns from beside you.

“Are you ok?” She asks quietly, leaning in closer, her thumb rubbing soothing circles on your wrist. You have to bite your lip hard to stop yourself from whimpering. When you don’t respond, she grabs your chin turning it to face her. She looks so concerned as her eyes flutter over your face.

You see someone move out of the corner of your eye and are reminded of where you are. Your eyes find Ellie, who's sitting at her desk subtly watching the both of you, before landing on Gibbs. He looks back at you with an unreadable expression and you instantly feel sick.

You quickly step away from Jack’s gasp, slinging your bag on your back. “I’m fine. I’ve got to be going though.” You offer Jack a weak smile and ignore the stab of pain in your chest at her hurt expression.

“Wait!” Jack reaches out again to grab your arm as you go to walk past her. You instantly still, your eyes going to the hand holding your arm but she doesn’t let go. “I was thinking...Did you wanna get dinner tonight?”

“Dinner?” You choke...On Valentine’s day? Was she really trying to break your heart further?

“Or just drinks? I don’t mind. If you don’t want to go out we-”

“I can’t,” You cut her off. You don’t understand why she’s doing this. Shouldn’t she have plans with Gibbs? You bite the inside of your mouth hard. “I uh, have plans.”

“Plans?” Jack’s voice croaks, her hand finally flies from your arm, as if burnt.

“Yeah. I have a date.” Your face heats up at the lie and you duck your head. Tears ghost Jack’s eye as she releases a breath. You miss it though, too busy trying to calm your own swirling emotions. “...So, I should be going.”

“I just didn’t know you were seeing anyone…”

“It’s pretty new.” Your eyes go to Gibbs and you swallow roughly.

“Right...You just never mentioned anything...”

“Yeah well, I didn’t know I needed to tell you everything.” It comes out a lot more mean and bitter than you meant and Jack rears back in surprise. You want to apologise but then the image of her and Gibbs making out pops back into your head and you involuntarily tighten your fist. You clear your throat “Well. I don’t want to be late.” You say goodnight to everyone, avoiding Jack’s eyes as you make your way out of the bullpen and to the elevator.

Jack watches you go. “Right. Ok.” She whispers to herself, clearing her throat and blinking away tears. She quickly puts on a fake smile, pushing her emotions down as she focuses back on the people around her. Ellie and Nick are watching her, both with a mix of surprise and pity.

“Jack?” Her head spins towards Gibbs’ concerned voice. But before he can say anything Jack’s speaking again.

“Well, I’ll see you all tomorrow. Have a good evening.” Jack quickly turns and walks off to her office, the other three staring after her in shock.

You cry a lot that evening. It was like you were mourning something you never had. The two of you had gotten so close, and that bright smile she had always directed your way? God, you’d really thought…Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

When you get to work the next morning, Ellie tries to convince you to talk to Jack, but you ignore her and start work. When Gibbs arrives he glares at you. You sink into your chair and bury your head in your computer.

“Dead Marine.” Gibbs barks and everyone quickly grabs their bags. You’re just putting yours on your back when Gibbs turns to face you. “Not you Y/N.”

“What?” You ask in surprise. Tim, Nick and Ellie all watch Gibbs and you uneasily. He doesn’t say anything else, just turns and walks to the elevator, the other three trailing behind him. They shoot you pitying looks as you just stand still mouth blubbering like a fish.

Gibbs treats you like that the rest of the day. Barely speaks to you, only around enough to get the information you’ve collected on the case before he’s glaring at you again. It only pisses you off because how dare he. You didn’t understand what you’d done to piss him off, turned down Jack’s dinner invitation? Surely he’d appreciate that…

You’re standing in the observation room now, watching Ellie and Nick as they interrogate the latest suspect. The door opens, and you turn expecting Tim but are surprised to see Jack. She freezes the second she sees you, looking back to the door deciding if she should just leave. She doesn’t though. Sighing, she avoids your eyes and walks over to watch the interrogation, you hate the amount of space she leaves between you.

You both watch silently, you begin to twitch uncomfortably as the tension in the room builds. “How was your date?” You jolt in surprise, eyes swinging to hers. She’s already watching you a pained expression on her face, and you quickly look away.

“Yeah.” You clear your throat. “It was good..” Jack just nods her head, turning back to watch the interrogation.

“Did you do anything nice?” It’s Jack's turn to still now, chuckling hollowly.

“Nope.” There’s an odd tone to her voice and you want to ask more, why Gibbs hadn’t done anything for her? But then Tim enters and Jack’s quickly muttering something about profiles and then disappears from the room.

“What is your problem with me?”

Gibbs sighs, turning around to face you again. You’re both standing behind the stairs. He just directs his signature stare at you so you continue. “You’ve been glaring at me all day, begrudgingly letting me do my actual job!” You’re getting heated, your voice rising and despite how much ‘bad idea, stop!’ is running through your head you can’t seem to. “What is it because I didn’t spend the evening with Jack?” Gibbs’ jaw tightens and you rear back in surprise. “That doesn’t even make sense! You should be happy!”

You laugh incredulously as you stare at Gibbs in shock. “Happy?” Disbelief masks his face and you’re so confused.

“What do you think I don’t know? I mean you both did pretty well at hiding it, I’ll give you credit for that. But now I’ve worked it out it makes sense! I mean everyone always said you two had a ‘thing’ or something, so really I shouldn’t have been surprised right?” Your voice cracks, as frustrated tears make their way down your face, you completely miss when understanding finally crosses Gibbs’ face. You don’t even really see him anymore as you rant. “I was the idiot who fell for her! Y’know when I first realised my feelings, I tried so hard to make them go away because I knew it would only end badly. But all she has to do is enter a room and I'm weak in the knees and now I’ve gone and fucked up our whole friendship because I’m so fucking disappointed that she chose you!”

“Agent Y/N! That’s enough!” Vance’s voice booms from the stairs above you. You jump back suddenly reminded of where you are and look around to see half the office has stopped to watch your meltdown. Your cheeks flame red, and you hastily wipe away the tears rolling down your face. Gibbs has an unreadable expression on his face and the realisation of what you've just done hits you like a ton of bricks.

Your instincts kick in and you run. Barely pausing to grab your bag from your desk (and steadily avoiding the looks from everyone else in the room). The elevator doors are opening just as you’re rushing away and you’re about to thank your luck...when Jack exits. She gasps in shock when she sees you “Y/N?”. The concern in her voice makes it so much worse. You know you must look an absolute mess but you don’t stop, instead, you jump onto the elevator and whack the button to close the door.

When Jack turns away from the elevator to face the room everyone is watching her. “What?” Her arms come to cross her chest and people suddenly start back to work. Vance and Gibbs are now talking on the stairs and Jack can tell something bad just happened.

You were definitely going to get fired right? And even if you didn’t, you couldn’t return now. Your insides squirm and you frustratedly brush tears from your face. You were going to lose your job, your family...Jack. All because you’d lost control of your emotions and shouted at Gibbs! Gibbs, of all people, you really knew how to fuck everything up, didn’t you!

You just crawl into bed when you get home, hiding under your covers and from the world. You must cry yourself to sleep because when you wake up a few hours later the sun is setting. You get out of your rumbled clothes from the day and change into pyjamas before heading to your bathroom to remove the remnants of your makeup and splash cold water against your face.

You’re making yourself a cup of tea when the doorbell rings. You’re going to ignore it but seconds later it’s rung again and then someone is loudly knocking on your door. You sigh, putting down your mug and heading to the door.

You throw the door open, ready to tell whoever it was to politely fuck off but stop when you realise who it is.

“Jack...” You swallow roughly. She looks pissed and you feel your heart drop into your stomach. “Right...Well...Come on in.” You step back to allow her to enter.

“Now you’re worried about people hearing your conversations,” Jack snarks, as she walks past you and into your home. You don’t say anything. Just shut the door and turn around to face her.

She doesn’t say anything else just watches you as you fidget nervously. “I guess they told you…” You finally say, unable to deal with the silence. Jack rolls her eyes at that, because duh. “I uh...I’m sorry. It was super unprofessional, I don’t even really know what happened, one minute I was frustrated at Gibbs for ignoring me and the next I was screaming at him for…” You cut yourself off, clearing your throat.

“For?”

Your eyes narrow as you turn finally meet her eyes. “Really? What you want me to tell you so you can bask in the glory of how pathetic I am.”

“Y/N-”

“I’m sorry ok? I’m the one who was obviously seeing something that wasn’t there! God, I’m such an idiot.” You groan as frustrated tears make their way down your face again. You were so bloody sick of crying. “I’m not going to be able to return to NCIS ever so really you don’t have to worry about any of this, I’ll be gone and you can live happily ever after with Gibbs.”

“Your plan is to leave?” Jack’s eyes narrow and the annoyance is back in her tone.

“Well, what else am I meant to do Jack?” You snap. “I can’t return. The pitying stares would be constant and…” You swallow roughly, your voice quieting “and I can’t watch you two together Jack...It hurts.” Your voice trembles as your eyes ghost with tears. Your hand goes to your chest in an attempt to calm your thumping heart.

You’re taking deep breaths in an attempt to ward off the breakdown you can sense coming. You wanted to escape this conversation with whatever dignity you have left. Jack starts to slowly walk towards you, hand reaching out to touch you but you jump back before she can. “Don’t” You beg, your eyes pleading with her to understand.

She drops her hand, arms hugging around herself. “Gibbs and I aren’t together”

Your gaze snaps up to hers, voice snapping. “Don’t toy with me...Yesterday. In your office, your door was shut, his laugh and,” Your eyes fall to her lips as you think about the way her lipstick had been smudged. You avert your gaze, taking a shaky breath. “messy lipstick.”

Jack lets out a long sigh, her voice softening. “We had lunch. The door was shut because well, I was telling him about the evening I had planned for us. I panicked when you knocked because the dress I was planning on wearing and these chocolates I brought were sitting in plain view and I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

“Surprise?” You swallow roughly, unsure of exactly what she was saying.

“The date I had planned, I didn’t want you to catch on until the last second.” Jack’s avoiding your eyes now, and your jaw drops at her confession.

“When you asked me to dinner…” Understanding finally dawns on you.

“Yeah I didn’t take into account you’d probably have a date.”

“I didn’t. I uh, just needed an excuse, I couldn’t, not when I thought…” You swallow roughly.

Jack’s still standing in front of you, just out of reach and you take a step forward amazed by the way her breath catches. Her eyes flutter over your face and you’ve not sure what she’s looking for but she must find it as a small smile tugs at her lips.

Jack takes a step closer to you, linking your hands together. Your eyes water at the softness of her touch and when your eyes meet hers you see the same watery eyes reflected back at you. “I’m really sorry.” You blow out a breath “God, I really messed everything up.”

“I guess we know I shouldn’t try and surprise you again,” Jack smirks, her eyes lighting up as she takes another step towards you, you were centimetres apart now. You can tell she’s about to throw in another quip but you don’t let her, instead, leaning over and pressing a soft kiss against her lips.

You pull back to gauge her reaction and she’s smiling. Her hand snakes up to your neck and she pulls you back in, the kiss is hard this time and your arms automatically go around her waist to pull her closer to you. You both stumble backwards until your back hits a wall. You stoke the exposed skin on her waist and she releases a soft moan. You struggle to hold back the smirk that tugs at your lips knowing you can pull that sound out of her.

Jack slowly pulls away from your lips. You’re both breathing deeply and you can’t open your eyes scared this is all going to disappear.

“Y/N?” Jack soothes, wiping away a tear that rolls down your cheek. You shiver.

“What happens now?” It comes out so breathlessly, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Whatever we want.” Jack’s hand is still rubbing at your cheek and when you finally open your eyes again a smile fills her face. Jack’s eyes go to your lips and she leans over to kiss you again, it’s soft and sweet and almost feels like a promise.

Your foreheads rest against each other. You’re just about to lean back in and kiss her again when a realisation of an earlier comment comes back to your brain. “Wait, did you say you brought me chocolates?”

Jack breaks into laughter, rolling her eyes as she pulls you into a kiss, a wide smile still on her face. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring and you try not to think about it. Tonight was just about you and Jack.

#jack sloane x reader #ncis #jack sloane #jacqueline sloane #maria bello #fanfic #writing #reader insert #angst #valentine's day

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cowboisadness · 3 years

Text

Hang Em’ High {FemOC x Arthur Morgan} Chapter 7

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x FemOC

Summary: Belle Hawthorne is high society looking to escape her mean husband. A robbery by the Van Der Linde gang could be her chance. Can she escape his cluches and possibly discover what love should feel like?

. . . . .

Bear hide, a deer and deer hides along with a few rabbits and many herbs thanks to Charles means we will all be eating well for the next week or so. It was a successful hunt, given what happened.

This morning had been slow, helping Pearson prepare today's meals, reading, and laundry. I was trying to think of other ways I could contribute, to prevent myself from going mad doing the same things every day, I don't know how the other girls do it.

Doing laundry with the other girls, Tilly and Mary-Beth, helped the time go by a bit quicker than a snail's pace.

They reminded me a lot of my childhood friends that I grew up with, daughters of the neighbouring farm.

I missed them terribly and hoped wherever they were, they would be safe and happy. I miss our conversations, talking about boys, the latest clothing that was in fashion in New York, Paris and London, politics, women's rights, you know, the usual girl talk. Conversations with the girls at camp were not much different, just a bit more impure and harsh than I was used to. It was all fun and games until they started asking if I had my eye on anyone in camp.

“Don't be shy, Bella. Must be someone you find easy on the eyes here.” Mary Beth giggled

“After my experience, I wouldn't say no to never involving myself with a man again.”

“There are good men out there, finding the right one just takes time. If only it was as simple as it is in the books. Bumping into them one evening and then riding off into the night together.”

Me and Tilly share a humorous look, stifling our laughter.

“Anyway, life ain't just about finding the one and settling down. You can always have fun...and rob them after.” Tilly says, causing the three of us to burst into laughter. “What’re you three gigglin’ about?” Arthur interjects from behind us, causing all of us to jump in surprise.

“Just lady things Mr Morgan” Tilly replies, Arthur letting out a doubtful huff before turning his attention to me.

“You still wantin’ that shootin’ lesson Miss Bella?”

“Of course. Now?”

“If you're free” I looked over to the other girls, silently asking for permission to leave them with the rest of my chores. Thankfully they did.

“Yeah, I’m free now” I smiled up at him.

“Get sorted and I'll meet you at the horses.” He smiled back and walked off towards his tent.

Turning my attention to finish off washing the shirt in my hands as quickly as possible, I could feel eyes boring into the back of my skull, waiting for me to look over to them. I couldn't, I just hoped they couldn't see the sudden blush forming on my cheeks.

“Don't get any ideas. He's just teaching me how to shoot.” Keeping my eyes on the shirt I was working on with haste and earning myself more doubtful hums and giggles.

I changed into pants and holstered my gun before making my way over to Arthur and his horse. He helped me up in one swift motion before mounting himself.

As we were leaving camp we passed Tilly and Mary-Beth, now working on the few garments I had left. Both watching us as I shook my head at them.

“Don't forget to have fun Bella” Tilly shouted over as we left, shaking my head again, thankful to be sat behind Arthur but hoping he wouldn't look back as I was blushing once again.

“What she talking about?”

“Oh, i don't really know.”

. . . . .

We stopped off in Valentine to buy more ammo before heading towards the heartlands, finding a hilled area away from any roads. Arthur had brought along loads of empty beer and whiskey bottles and set them up in a line on a large rock. He handed me his carbine repeater and pushed me forward slightly, starting a few feet away from the bottles.

“Let’s see what you know then.”

I held the gun up, placing the butt onto my shoulder and tilting my head down the sight, gripping with both hands.

Taking a few breaths and aiming for a large whiskey bottle, I pulled back on the trigger quickly as I let out a breath.

The repeater shot back into my shoulder abruptly, pain shooting through my arm and neck, knocking back a few steps. No shattering of glass was heard, just my gasps of pain and Arthur's laugh at my spectacular failure.

“You ain’t standing right or holding it right.” he starts walking over, positioning the gun to sit snugly against my shoulder, away from my collarbone, then moving my hand further down the forestock, telling me not to grip too tightly and to rest my cheek on the stock naturally.

He then moves to stand behind me placing his hands on my shoulders, gently turning me to the right a few degrees. He barely removes his hands as he trails them down to my hips, tightening and turning me slightly to the left, then kicking my feet further apart, placing them in a more steady position.

My eyes are focusing on the bottles down the sight, my mind on his hands, still gripping onto my hips.

“Steady your breathing, pull the trigger with empty lungs.”

Steady my breathing? Impossible when I can feel his breath on my neck. But I will try. Try to focus on my breathing, to keep my feet planted firmly. All while taking in how warm his hands are through my clothing, his grip not faltering. Inhale… Exhale… Shoot…

Glass shatters ahead of me. The Whiskey bottle now no more.

Lowering the gun I looked over to the rock to confirm I did actually hit it, grinning from ear to ear.

“Well done. Now the others.” He finally releases his hands but remains right behind me.

We carry on till no bottles are left, which took a while, missing more than I hit with each round but getting better each time. Arthur would correct my stance whenever needed, his hands seemingly calling themselves at home on my waist each time he did so.

Before long there were no more bottles left to be shattered. It was harder than I originally imagined with having to focus on more things than just aiming and pulling the trigger. I’d need to practice more, that's for sure. Thanking Arthur for his help, returning his gun to him we decided to relax beneath a large tree nearby to escape the afternoon sun, sharing a chocolate bar between us as we talked.

“Ya still planning on leaving since you're all healed now?”

“I don't know. Not sure where i would go anyway.” He hummed in response and took another piece of chocolate, handing the last two pieces to me. “I do have a brother in New York somewhere. If he's even still there i wouldn't know where to find him.” I took the last piece of chocolate into my mouth, letting it melt on my tongue to savour the sweetness. “Ya could always stay with us. Sure ya won't always have a soft bed or grand meals but we can keep you safe.”

“It's funny...i feel safer with a gang of outlaws than i did in a grand house with personal security.” I said as I gave a hollow laugh.

It was true I did feel much safer. I didn't need to sleep with one eye open or feel like I was always walking on eggshells, waiting for the inevitable crack. I don't care about having a soft bed, given that recently has been the best I've slept in months, apart from the odd nightmare that wakes me. They have always been the same. I’m standing out in a lush valley, the sun is shining, the breeze is cool and the birds are singing. The camp behind me filled with the now-familiar chatter and laughter from little Jack. It's peaceful for a moment until the clouds turn black and the sun seems to die. Fog across the once heavenly horizon growing bigger with a familiar silhouette drawing closer. They call my name like venom in my ears. Voices from the camp change from laughter to shouts of my name too, urging me to get to them but I can't move. No matter how much I try I can't turn and run, feet stuck like they are encased by hardened mortar, my eyes fixed on the one ahead. It's Frank, his face distorted and covered in blood, his eyes burning with rage. He lunges towards me, his hands constricting around my throat like a Python that hasn't eaten in months. Then I wake, jolting upright and my breathing staggered till I realise where I am. Arthur moves to his satchel, pulling out a worn book and a pencil, flicking absentmindedly through the pages for a moment. I watch with curiosity as he brings the pencil to the page, making quick strokes, his brow furrowed in concentration. Watching him for a few moments I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of serenity and wanting to bask in it’s feeling forever. His gaze on the page does not falter, determined to convey whatever he intended to perfection. “What are you doing?” He keeps his eyes on the task in hand.

“Nothin’ really. Just ramblings and drawings I do to pass the time.”

“Can i see some?”

He looks hesitant and at that moment I regret asking him to share something that is obviously meant to be private. But he nods his head to beckon me closer and murmurs a quiet “Sure”

I sit beside him, shoulder to shoulder as he flicks through the pages, a blur of white and charcoal grey. He stops to show me a few pages, they are littered with small drawings of plants and animals, telling me what each of them are if they don't come with an already written name.

Other pages include strange buildings and stranger people he has encountered, each of them so detailed and beautiful I could imagine what they looked like as if each subject was placed right in front of me. He returns to the previous page he was working on, a half-finished drawing of a woman, her back turned but holding up a gun, aiming at a row of bottles perched on a rock in the distance. I look up to him once I realise but he doesn't look back. He opened his mouth to speak, probably to explain or apologise for not seeking my permission but before he could say a word I look at him again.

“I’ve never had someone draw me before.” I smile, hoping to ease any worry or embarrassment he may have.

His eyes finally meet mine as he turns, those blues i swear i could still drown in if i look for too long. My heart starts racing and I can feel the blood pulsing through my veins when I realise how close to each other we are, our faces mere inches away. His scent filling my nose, warm and inviting. My eyes dart down instinctively to his lips then back up in the hopes he didn't notice but it's evident when his pupils flare that he did. He saw. I don’t know what's happening, don't understand what i am doing until i start leaning in towards him and he follows. I can almost feel him against my lips, I can almost taste him as a shot rings out in the air not far in the distance, accompanied by shouting. We both jerk backwards instantly, our eyes tore away from each other as we scan the area around us. He stands to look around, hand on his holstered gun, telling me to stay put as he goes to check it out, hoping for no danger. As he leaves I feel like I can finally breathe, no longer drowning and I try to think about what just happened, what was about to happen. Was I trying to recreate what happens in them god awful romance novels? I'm not a child anymore, I can't be getting myself involved with bad men in that way. I needed to get a hold of myself. A voice in my head telling me I can't deny he's the first man to show me this sort of kindness in a long time. He's gone out of his way multiple times to help me and to make sure I'm safe. But he does that for the other girls at camp, he cares about them too and does everything in his power to make sure the whole gang can sleep safely. He does it all and denies himself the right to gratitude. Frank isn't a fraction of a man that Arthur is. I was still lost in thought when Arthur came back into view but he wasn't alone. Accompanied by a horse, a beautiful Chestnut Kentucky Saddler.

The creature was visibly shaken, it’s body tense, ears pinned back and tail swishing from side to side, Arthur offering constant words of encouragement and pats on the neck to help calm it.

“Robbery gone bad, fella is dead.” He handed the reins over to me delicately “Here.”

I took the reins in my hand, looking to him with obvious confusion.

“Didn't want to leave her there.”

I extend my free hand out towards her nose to show I'm no threat as I study her overall form, ears not forward. She seems fit and strong, obviously cared for and loved. She presses her whiskered nose to my palm tenderly as I look into her eyes, hoping she knows she can trust us. She can trust me.

#hang em high #hang em high fic #arthur morgan #arthur morgan fic #red dead redemtion 2 #rdr2 #fanfic

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gayferatu · 4 years

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I hope it's okay if I request a Hobbit imagine real quick! My birthday's coming up relatively soon, on February 14th (Valentine's Day), so I'd really love to know how Fili, Kili, Thorin, Bilbo, Bofur, Ori and Dwalin (if that's not too much) would celebrate their s/o's birthday. I love your imagines, so this'd be a wonderful early birthday present! Thanks so much!

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY LOVELY!!!! I hope you like it

Fíli :

Fíli would subtly be trying to figure it out weeks beforehand. Asking around in your friend group or even family members and making them swear to secrecy. He wouldn't settle on 1 gift, he would want to make the day special for you, filled with smiles and small gifts hidden for you throughout your chambers. Small trinkets throughout your day.

Waking up to him kissing you awake, whispering all the sweetest words to you, a happy birthday between pecks to your lips. You'd find small wrapped gifts by your washbasin, new soaps and hair oils in your favourite scents. Breakfast in bed after you come back from washing up, all your favourite foods arranged on small platters and as you slither back under the sheets, he'll feed them to you, kissing your hair and cheeks and shoulders as you chat about the day ahead. He won't be working today, knowing the best gift would be his presence and time with how busy a Durin heir is but that doesn't stop him from spoiling you with all your favourites today! You will spend a long time in bed before setting off around lunch time, a small picknick outside of the mountain by a herb garden.

Later, you will have celebrations with your friends and family, and of course the company. Even Thorin takes time from his schedule to make an appearance. Fíli takes your to your chambers beforehand, a new beautiful black velvet gown set with silver lace waits for you there. This gift is more for him, he realises as you wear it, looking resplendent but he hopes you like it anyway. He'll braid new silver beads into your hair, made them for you himself, exactly to your liking and style. You wonder where he found the time, not knowing he's been planning this day for weeks.

Your celebration takes deep into the night, ale and wine flowing, and you dance with Fíli for hours until everyone is tired and slinks off, the music tapering down and when you find yourself back in your bedroom, he'll help you from your gown, rubbing your tired body gently as your two relax back into the bed for your last present.

Kíli :

Kíli would be less subtle. He'd have been asking months in advance, accumulating your likes and dislikes from the source. He'd do anything to get the gift you wanted, work tirelessly for it or pay a fortune. But of course, he'd also want to spend the day with you, probably take you out of the mountain early in the morning, perhaps to the woods and soak up the fresh air and sunlight on goatback. He wouldn't be returning you to the mountain until evening, having planned a nice long ride to a hotspring at the other side of the mountain.

Once there he'll lay out blankets, take out the food he's brought and you'll eat together, joking and laughing, and he'll give you your gift while trading stories and catching up on eachother's lives and jobs, finally having the time for it. He'll have brought cards and games and you play until noon when the sun is high and warm in the sky and you both make way to the hotsprings. Of course it doesn't take long until there's splashing and messing around and competitions of who can hold their breath the longest. You let him win. And then you let him do other things.

When you return to the mountain you'll celebrate with your loved ones and enjoy the rest of the day, retiring to your rooms with Kíli later, snuggling up and sleeping in late the next morning.

Thorin :

Thorin would probably make you something with his own hands, a black leather belt with ornate throwing knives encrusted with aquamarine cabochons set in silver.

He'd have a feast planned for you, half the mountain in attendance. A king throws a party in style, of course. Your favourite flowers decorating the tables, Durin colors replaced with your own likings for the day. There'll be music and he'll commandeer a harp to play you sweet love songs after getting egged on by Fíli and Kíli but he doesn't mind, really. The smile on your face worth the slight embarrassment of having to perform in front of everyone.

He'll take you back to your chambers earlier when he notices you tire of the festivities and you two make your leave quietly and he'll give you his gifts there, in private. He'll probably serenade your quietly, his own harp sounding better, his low rumbling tones relaxing you as he sings you to sleep.

Bilbo :

Oh, he'd be so sweet about it. Planning a more than one party for the day, one for just the two of you, the other later, the whole of Hobbiton will likely be in attendance.

He'll decorate Bag End after first breakfast and you go out for a walk with some encouragement from Bilbo. Garlands and colorful and nicely scented candles placed everywhere in the dining room, a surprise second breakfast upon it, cooked up in a storm as he doesn't have much time. But he secretly prepared a lot of it already, the night before. Small pastries with jam fillings, sugar cookies and biscuits, decorated with your name and small "Happy birthdays!" in the icing. Lovely tea with rosepetals and lavender and honey. And a pretty bracelet that he slips on your wrist after you've indulged yourselves with the food, sweet tooth satisfied. Gold and silver chain with a cute carved onyx charm on it shaped like a flower.

Later, a grand party in the field. Gandalf is there, plenty of fireworks in tow. There's music and dancing and drinking and it's so much fun you actually go to bed exhausted that night, wrapped up in your favourite Hobbit's arms.

Bofur :

Bofur's a romantic. Not everyone knows it, but he is. He loves to hold your hands and kiss every finger in private moments. Likes to nuzzle your cheek and press kisses to the corner of your mouth, mustache and beard tickling you. He also loves to take you on dates to Dale, walk with you hand in hand from stall to stall, pointing out deals to eachother and shopping. That's how you'd spend this day too, I think. Together, doing mundane things but he's so sweet it will feel like a special occasion. You eat small savory snacks wrapped in tiny parcels in the streets of Dale, drink sweet cherry wine in a small inn, sitting at a table in the back, fingers interlocked on top of the table, just spending quiet, loving time together until later.

He'll give you his gift upon returning to the mountain, in your chambers. He mined it himself, he proudly proclaims. A beautiful, football sized geode in the shape of a heart, with sparkling amethysts. He explains that when he found it he knew he had to give it to you, that it was the mountain's gift as well. It's beautiful and you place it on your bedside table, the firelight catching it and making it refract the light on the stone around it.

There's a party that night, your closest friends and family, the company all there. Dancing, singing, joking and reminiscing. Many tall tales told this night from the mouths of Kíli and Fíli. You all may drink a bit too much. Way too much. It may end with a King snoring on the table, a Dwalin draped over him, nearly crushing him, just as unconscious. You'll remember this night forever.

Ori :

Oh, Ori. So sweet. Library dates? Library dates. But not today, he'll drag himself from the darkness for you, take you out walking with him, shyly holding your hand. He'll have knit you things. Fingerless gloves with delicate stitches in black yarn. A matching hat and scarf. He'll blush at the sight of you wearing it, happy to have given you things to keep warm with.

A small leather bound book finds its way into your hands as well, put there hastily by him, declaring you should read it later, when you're alone. They'll contain little poems about you, haikus and notes, sweet thoughts that he has about you accumulated here in his neat penmanship. Dried and pressed flowers and herbs between some of the pages, sketches of other plants. It's sweet and must've taken a long time to make.

He probably won't plan a party, but his brothers will pick up the slack. A rented small pub packed with all your favorite people. Ori will stay by your side all night, even shedding some of his shyness after a couple ales, fingers locked with yours as you dance on a merry tune late that night. Giving you small kisses when he thinks no one is looking. Bigger kisses when he's sure about it. And more later, when you drag him back to your room.

Dwalin :

Dwalin is practical. He doesn't really ask about your birthday preferences beforehand. Instead when you wake in his arms in the morning, he's already awake and gruffly congratulates you on turning a year older. He'll congratulate you a lot. If you get my drift.

His gifts are practical as well, things you needed, and have mentioned to him in the past. Nice to know he cares and listens, right? He wordlessly slips a silver ring with a small white gem onto one of your fingers after, this one a little less practical and more like a promise but he knows the significance of rings to humans and his cheeks feel warm under his beard as though he'd just slipped a marriage bead onto a braid in your hair. It's cute.

I don't think he'd want to part with you a single moment or share you with anyone today. Celebrations will wait until tomorrow, he had decided and spends all day catering to your whims. No request denied even if you get cheeky with them. He'll just huff a small laugh and do it anyway. Rub your feet, kiss you once, twice, thrice, twenty times. Fetch that quill, and regretting it when you set upon him with it, tickling him. His only weakness that only you know. But he won't mind, loving your laughter and grins and he'll get his revenge later anyway.

I HOPE YOU LIKED IT! It got a bit long lol

Requests still open!

#hobbit #the hobbit #the hobbit fic #hobbit fic #hobbit imagines #hobbit imagine #thorin #thorin oakenshield #fili #fili durin #kili #kili durin #bofur #bilbo #bilbo baggins #ori #dwalin #dwalin fundin

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itsblissfuloblivion · 4 years

Text

Torch - Chapter 6: February

writing block isn't fun when you're supposed to publish on a schedule, that much i can tell you.

please enjoy - we've listened to you all and sprinkled in some good ol' fluff :)

find it on AO3 and FFnet as well

He only wants to talk to her. He wants it so badly, can’t they see how much he needs it?

Can’t they move out of his way? There are so many of them flooding the corridors, all of Hogwarts at once, keeping him away from her.

And Ginny’s calling him from the other end of the corridor, and Harry tries so very hard to remember the ‘three Ds’ of Apparition and magically transport himself to her, so hard that his scar prickles and Hermione tuts and tells him he should have paid better attention to Twycross the day before.

But Hermione turns into Ginny in the time it takes him to blink and now they are in the Common Room, lounging on the couch, blissfully alone. She is maddeningly close to him and Harry wants to kiss her like he’s never wanted anything in his life.

His lips are nearly onto hers, their arms and legs tangled together, her robes disappearing on their own -

“Harry James Potter, what are you doing to my daughter?” Mrs Weasley screams from the fireplace, her face screwed with rage.

Harry wants to say he did nothing, they were doing nothing, but Ron Apparates over them, making himself cosy on the couch between Harry and Ginny.

“How’s your three Ds, mate? Mine are bloody brilliant! You’ll never Apparate until you accept the D,” Ron is telling him smugly.

“Yes, how is your D, Harry?” Ginny’s giggling, now irritatingly overdressed, a pair of Hagrid’s fluffy earmuffs on her head and what looks like Ron’s Yule Ball ensemble of frilly robes on her.

“You’ll never see my daughter naked!” Mrs Weasley wags her finger in Harry’s face, shouting at him with a hand on Ginny’s shoulder, as Ron keeps talking about Apparition and Ginny laughs so hard she starts crying.

“Your D, Harry, your D,” Ginny dissolves into another fit of laughter, pointing a finger at his lap.

Before Harry could look down and feel even more mortified, if that’s even possible, something hard hits his head.

Suddenly and confusingly, Harry wakes up, his eyes losing focus as he rubs at the side of his rumpled head.

“Mate, you keep waking me up,” Ron grumbles, leaning over him to retrieve his pillow and plopping right back into his bed.

Harry swallows hard and privately wonders whether he’d let anyone in on what his dream was about, then turns on his side and concentrates on drifting back to sleep - sans mad dreams this time if anyone cares even remotely for his sanity.

____

To Harry, it feels like the month drags on without ever ending. Quite frankly, he feels personally attacked by all the dating invitations flying about, people confessing their love to each other, holding hands and playing footsie under the breakfast table. Ugh, gross.

It’s hard enough that no one believes him yet whenever he’s bringing up Malfoy and his evilness, not even after Harry’d told them what that sleazeball was bragging about to Crabe, for crying out loud. Not even the Prince, who seemed to have an answer to anything and was definitely Harry’s mental and emotional comfort lately, held a solution to Harry’s small not-being-taken-seriously problem.

And then there’s Ginny: walking out of the locker room shower only wrapped in a towel, stretching in her Quidditch gear, playing with her hair while she studies. It’s like she knows what she’s doing to him but pretends she doesn’t.

But how can she not know? It’s a miracle Ron hasn’t noticed yet, the little flirty jokes swapped between Harry and Ginny during practice, his eyes glued to her as she laughs loudly and shows off her prowess on the broom, his intense, burning blush when they have to change back into their robes and he tries incredibly hard not to peek over at her.

Harry actually feels like a lascivious old man most of the times or whenever he catches himself staring intently at her bum when she flies or walks or simply exists.

Is this really a life worth living?

Harry’s really tired of self-pity, but then again what else can a bloke in his place do? He’s stuck in limbo with his feelings as long as Ginny’s still with Dean. And who knows if she’ll still like him when she’ll stop being with Dean anyway?

Perhaps it’s better to keep living in limbo with the small amounts he gets from her.

Harry rolls his eyes at himself, takes one last look over his shoulder at Ginny and Demelza giggling together, and speeds up towards the castle. It’s cold and windy and he hates everything.

____

The fluff and tooth-rotting sweetness that fills the air all day gives Harry enough of a headache and a new, unhealthy dose of self-loathing to determine him to hide in a deserted classroom in a desperate attempt to escape.

Hermione, clever as always, had disappeared from the very first hours of the morning, Harry noticed earlier with a twinge of envy. He should’ve done the same, absolutely.

Because, you see, everywhere Harry looked today he could only see cuddly couples, see them crowding the Common Room and quite frankly cavorting all over the castle. It drove him mad.

And, to top it all off, his best mate had joined in the whole frisky business. Harry had spent his entire day feeling nothing but disdain for Ron and his fickle ways so he has a mind to communicate the feeling to his friend as soon as the opportunity arises. Just he waits, it’ll be McGonagall level brutal, Harry reckons.

Now Harry hides, alone, counting down the final hours of Valentine’s Day. He figures he’d be safe once the clock strikes midnight and the nasty spells fades away (because no doubt it’s a spell, some kind of enchantment; normal people don’t kiss all day, do they?) and then he can walk back into the world without the fear of stumbling upon a certain someone, her face glued to the face of an absolute prick.

Harry growls a bit at the thought.

“Ron told me you went hiding.”

Harry’s head snaps so fast he definitely hears something crack.

“I’m doing a very good job at it, I see.” He molds his voice into a dry tone, but can’t hold back the grin that spreads across his face as his heartbeat picks up. He wasn’t expecting this certain someone to come looking for him, especially since his current pastime activity involved pain-inducing scenarios of varying degrees where Ginny and Dean were - erm, couple-y and Harry pretended he’s unaffected.

So unaffected he feels he might just jump and kiss her simply because she isn’t with Dean at the moment, because she’s thinking about him, Harry - at least enough to come looking.

Still, he keeps his head and holds still, back pressed to the stone wall, knees to his chest on the cold, hard floor.

“Nah, it’s just me who’s very clever,” Ginny grins widely as she crouches next to him, pressing her back to the wall and her shoulder into his. “So what’s up with you, sad face?”

Harry scoffs playfully, flicks her shoulder.

“Aren’t you supposed to be doing couple-y stuff?”

“Would you rather I did?” Ginny immediately bites back, her eyes fixed on his, a deep frown on her freckled forehead.

Harry feels stupid, sheepish as he opens his mouth and lets out a timid no .

Much like a displeased cat, Ginny breathes out a puff of air and turns her head fast enough to lightly smack Harry over the face with her long, red ponytail.

He wants to apologise, but then decides against it. Somehow, he’s sure it’s not his apology she came after - he doesn’t know what this is about, but it’s not that.

If he’d learned anything over the years of playing Quidditch it’s that the Snitch will eventually turn up if the Seeker stands still and keeps an open eye and their mind alert.

A tense silence falls between them until slowly, gently, Ginny sighs and slides a bit further, lowers her head onto his shoulder. She doesn’t say a word, just sits still, the deep red crown of her hair close to Harry’s blushing cheek.

Harry finds he can’t do much but swallow. There’s a great many things he’d like to do right now, that much is already clear to him, but she’s Ginny, and she’s got someone, and she’s Ron’s sister, and she might slap him anyway if he tried.

He holds his breath and, with a trembling hand, musters enough courage to touch her hair. Then he waits, completely and terribly afraid she’s about to hex him.

But when Ginny doesn’t, when she simply keeps her head on his shoulder and slides her body so close to his that their thighs touch by their sides, Harry knows he’s living some kind of dream. So he goes on to stroke her hair because he might as well enjoy it before it’s over and he wakes up next to a snoring Ron.

“Harry?” Ginny calls him quietly.

Harry hopes very much she’s not about to shout at him. He keeps softly stroking her hair.

“Hmm?”

Her tone is as soft as her flowery scented hair and Harry feels a bit dizzy.

“Do you still think about Cho?”

“No. Why?”

At first, Harry surprises himself with the answer. He really never thinks about her anymore, does he?

But then again, why would he? The honest truth is they’ve drifted apart before they could ever fall together. Cho was never in his every thought, never possessed every one of his dreams the way Ginny did.

No, he didn’t think about her anymore.

“No reason,” Ginny responds and he can feel her smile. Something warm spreads throughout his chest, melting away his anxiety, calming his troubling thoughts.

From there on the conversation lulls pleasantly to a safer ground as they laugh and comment on Ginny’s childhood stories from the Burrow to Harry’s first year at Hogwarts adventures she’s heard a million times before, but still finds everything funny enough to laugh, giggle, and lightly smack Harry’s thigh.

Even though he understands nothing else can be shared between them now, Harry feels calm, happy even: her head still rested on his shoulder, their backs pressed against the stone wall, their knees tucked to their chests.

“Hey, Gin?”

“Yeah?”

“Could you,” Harry draws a breath and smirks, “Could you talk me through the process behind the ‘his eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad’ verse?”

Ginny splutters, pouts and playfully smacks his knees - although, Harry privately notices, her hand lingers there a bit longer.

“Don’t mock my sentiment!”

“Not mocking, promise,” Harry laughs, pressing his cheek atop her head, “I’m actually a great admirer of it.”

“Oh, are you?” She says, dry, and with a great, big harrumph jumps headfirst into a tickling match, mercilessly tickling at Harry’s sides, her flowery scent filling his lungs as they’d laugh and laugh and laugh.

Soon after, another voice tangles with their joyous shrieks: Luna, strolling down the corridors, politely engaged in conversation with the castle’s ghosts.

“Luna,” Ginny lifts herself from him and calls her friend, much to Harry’s dissatisfaction as he’d been having quite the time of his life with her lounging all over his body in her attempt to win the battle by tickling everywhere.

Harry slaps invisible dust away from his clothes rather to give himself something to do and his mind something else to think about than the feeling of Ginny’s chest over his, her warm thighs, her bum touching his lap.

All feelings hard to forget, indeed.

Harry senses the irony on his own use of the word ‘hard’ and really wants to kick himself.

“Hello,” Luna says brightly.

“Yeah, hi, Luna,” says Harry, trying as much as he can not to sound too bitter.

Luna’s round blue eyes fix each of them for awhile and Harry feels like his mind is being scanned. It makes him very uncomfortable; right now, his thoughts are strictly for him to know and judge.

“You alright, Harry?”

“Oh, yeah,” Ginny answers before he can even think of opening his mouth, a devious grin on her face. “He was a bit under the weather, weren’t you, Harry? But I cheered him up.”

Ginny looks entirely too pleased with herself, her expression daring him to deny what she’d just said.

So Harry simply shakes his head and chuckles, his fingertips brushing unconsciously over her small hand; she gasps, surprised.

Harry knows he’s blushing but takes pride in the fact that her cheeks are tinged pink too.

Pleasantly their conversation spikes up and drifts towards Luna, her plans, her strange adventures. They spend an hour listening to her eerily describe the quests her father and her have to undertake to find the next fantastic creature. She talks and they listen and it’s all very nice.

From time to time, Ginny’d catch his eye and they’d grin at each other, cosy on the floor of a chilly, empty classroom.

Maybe Valentine’s Day isn’t so bad after all, Harry thinks as they wave goodbye to Luna and saunter side by side to the Gryffindor Common Room.

Harry’s about to ask her if she’d like to go over their new Quidditch strategy before they call it a night and his hand’s shooting to the back of his head in a kind of nervous gesture he’s lately come to associate with anything that has to do with Ginny.

“Hey, Ginny! Ginny!”

Harry’s mood is irredeemably shattered by Dean’s annoying voice. He’s completely forgotten about him, the stupid git.

“Ginny,” Dean tries again, waving enthusiastically from the other side of the Common Room, face to face with Seamus at a small table. “Here, hey!”

Forlorn and sighing, Ginny makes a gesture that Harry decides to interpret as being sorry that she has to go. So he sighs and watches her start towards Dean and reluctantly sit next to him.

As for him, Harry plops onto the couch, startling a couple of second year girls. They throw him disgusted glances but Harry has none of it; he shrugs and covers his face with a pillow, one leg stretched out on the stringy old couch and the other dangling loose.

He concentrates on the cracking, sizzling sounds of the fire, allows its warmth to comfort him.

He’d been having such a nice couple of hours…

“I’m off to bed, long day,” he hears her speak close to his ear and forgets himself enough to find that the pillow’s been thrown directly into the middle of the hearth.

Immediately, Harry swears loudly and nearly burns his fingers as he retrieves the singed pillow.

“Accio doesn’t work for you anymore?” Ginny laughs.

“Oh, ha ha,” Harry sticks out his tongue and she laughs even harder.

As she calms down, Ginny lightly pats his shoulder and steps away to her dorm room, her giggles sounding beautifully in her wake.

Harry shakes his head, a little dumbfounded, a little bemused and drops into a nearby armchair, once again disturbing the pair of second year girls. He shoots them a small sorry as they walk away muttering.

“Well, that was something.”

Harry’s green eyes follow the dancing flames, their burning lick, and remembers an evening spent talking to Sirius. His heart twists; the memory seems to have been retrieved from such a faraway place, from a different time, like its contains happened to someone else in another life.

The hard truth is, Harry muses and feels his eyes prickling behind closed eyelids, the truth is that he wants to talk to Sirius so, so much. So painfully much. But that’s sadly not possible now, is it, Harry?

“Quick, mate, you need to cover me,” Ron interrupts him as he runs inside, looking exasperated and completely disheveled.

Harry can do only so much not to snort as he takes notice of his best mate’s rumpled hair, the undone buttons of his shirt, half of it hanging out of his trousers, half still smartly tucked in, the lipstick marks on his neck.

“Running from your girlfriend, eh?”

“Shut up and hide me,” Ron barks, plunging under the couch as a sweet, girly shriek rings throughout the Common Room.

Lavender runs in, looks around excitedly and dashes right back out when she can’t spot Ron. Bullet dodged.

“Aha, alright, I hide you but what’s in it for me?” Harry crouches down and asks when the coast is once again clear.

Ron looks at him like he’s suddenly turned insane.

“Fuckin’ hell, Harry, I’m about to get massacred!”

Harry can’t lie, he’s enjoying it more than he should.

“Well, I just don’t see how that’s my problem,” he says, adopting something close to Percy’s pompous tone as he pushes his glasses back up his nose.

“Hello, we’re best mates, remember?”

Harry tries not to break character as Ron’s face becomes a beautiful display of all the stages of horror and desperation.

“Yeah, but you have to understand I’m risking Hermione’s wrath to help you. She might whack me with Hogwarts, A History .”

“I’ll whack you with my own fist right here if you don’t - look, there’s no time for bloody negotiations!”

“Is that right? Then how about I get one free pass where I do something and you can’t get mad or question it?”

“What are you on about?”

“Just nod and be done with it,” Harry says as he crosses his arms, fully knowing he’s on dangerous ground.

“Alright, alright, now will you give me that damn Cloak?”

“No need, she’s already gone,” Harry shrugs, smug and finally bursts into laughter at Ron’s harassed expression.

He helps Ron get up and quickly checks that Lavender is indeed still out of sight.

As much as he wants to ask Ron why in the name of all things holy he doesn’t break things off with her, Harry decides to keep it to himself this time. When he draws the line, he can’t find any good reason why he doesn’t just tell Ginny how he feels either.

“Hey, mate?” Ron quietly asks as they’re climbing the stairs to the sixth year boys’ dorm and Harry doesn’t miss the blush creeping up his neck to the tips of his ears. “Have you - erm, have you seen Hermione today?”

In his heart, Harry’s content to acknowledge once again that, at the very least, he’s not the only dumb, besotted fool.

#itsblissfuloblivion writes #itsblissfuloblivion writes torch #hinny #hbp fic #canon compliant #hinny fic #missing moments #harry x ginny #harry potter #ginny weasley #ron weasley #gryffindormischief #fightfortherightsofhouseelves #WE GOT YOU THE FLUFF #OF COURSE WE WANT MORE FLUFF #BUT ITS JUST NOT POSSIBLE RIGHT NOW FOR HARRY OKAY #LET HIM LIVE

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