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kooksbliss · 4 years

Text

– finishing line || jjk

→ pairing: racer!jungkook x reader

→ genre: strangers to lovers / smut (future) / fluff (future) / street racer au!

→ word count: 6.1k

→ summary: it was a normal, ordinary night out with your best friend, or so you thought. that was before she invited you to a street race, to which you caved into and went. there you met the oh so famous, jeon jungkook.

→ warnings: hoseok makes an appearance / explicit language / mutual pinning / jungkook makes oc a hot, shy mess / pet names / teasing / this chapter is pretty sfw

a/n: hi hi hi! hope everyone is having an amazing day <3 this will be more than one part but i don’t think this will be a very long series (i’m thinking around five chapters max) leave me suggestions or any ideas you would like me to write in my ask box! i’m down to do drabbles anytime, hope you all enjoy part one!!

— posted 04.15.2020

masterlist new masterlists | 01 | sneak peek of part 02 |

You were tired; no, you were drained. Working black friday was no easy task, especially when you work in retail. You stretched your arms as you exited the employee break room after a long awaited break. Once you got back to the sales floor you went up to the cash register to clock back in from your break that’s when you heard someone scoff beside you.

“It’s about time.” Hyuna stated.

Hyuna is a co-worker of yours that well, happens to hate you for no reason, no reason you're aware of. She had been working with the company a little over a year before you got employed over the summer and ironically was placed to be your supervisor, meaning you had to be nice to her if you wanted to keep your job.

“Sorry, Jaehyun needed some help with the stock.” You said as you punched your employee number into the system.

Jaehyun was also a supervisor but for the men’s department, he has been a close friend of yours since you started working here and knows about how Hyuna tends to treat you, unfortunately there's not much any of the two of you can do about it.

“Well next time come straight out, Jaehyun is a big boy he can take care of himself. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ll be going on my break.” She said as she walked past you making sure to hit your right shoulder in the process. You looked up at the clock, thirty more minutes just thirty more minutes, you had been working for who knows how long and your feet had been begging for a rest.

Luckily since it was five in the morning there weren't too many people left in the store, but one thing you did know was that your sleeping schedule is fucked after tonight. Suddenly the chime sound from the bell that hung above the door rang out, you looked away from the clock about to greet the person who walked in, well that was until you saw who it was - to which you responded with a roll of your eyes.

“Come on don’t give me that look, y/n! You know you love me~”

“Jennie left about an hour ago, Hoseok.”

Jennie is your best friend, you two have been friends since middle school and once her family moved next door, there was no separating the two of you. When you both graduated high school you both thought that it would be good for the both of you to have a change of scenery from the small town you lived in, that’s when you made the comment of moving out into the city, which Jennie happily agreed to.

Jennie is from a wealthier family compared to your own she could afford going to university straight out of high school you on the other hand, didn’t have the financial support so you got this job and plan to work for another year or two before deciding on whether or not you are financially well off to go to university. She decided to move into an on-campus dorm while you found a decently well priced house, that was near your workplace and not too far from everything else, it’s been a year since you two decided to move into the city and you have loved every second of it, life was good.

“Actually I’m here for you, Jennie felt bad not being able to take you home after your shift so she asked me if I could.” Hoseok said as he walked to the side opposite of you at the checkout table.

Hoseok is Jennie’s boyfriend, they’ve been together for about eight months now and met in one of her classes freshman year. You're so glad she met him, you've never seen her happier and you know he’s good for her. As for you not being able to drive, well - a month ago some dickhead rear ended you and you’ve been waiting to see how much his insurance will cover, so you’ve been taking the bus a lot and thankfully your friends - well Jennie, has been taking you to work which is really the only place you go to outside of your house.

“Oh, okay. Thanks Hoseok, you didn’t have to.” You said feeling bad about him having to be up at five am to take you home.

“It’s no problem, y/n! You know I’m someone you can count on.” Hoseok said as he walked around the store. “You still have thirty mintues right?”

“Yeah, sorry for making you wait.”

“Y/n. I already said it wasn't a problem. Anyways I wanted to start my Christmas shopping early.”

As you were about to respond a lady came to the cash register.

Your shift was finally over, you clocked out and grabbed your coat from the back thankfully you didn't run into Hyuna, which is a win in your book. You caught up with Hoseok, who was waiting for you near the entrance.

“You ready?” Hoseok asked as he looked up from his phone.

“Yep!” You exclaimed as you two left the store, looking down at his hands you noticed that he did in fact buy some things.

Walking across the parking lot you held your coat closer to your body, the crisp November air was chilly especially in the morning. “Thank you again Hoseok.”

“Of course, y/n. Do you want anything before we head back?”

You were hungry but, you were just too tired to put that before your sleep. “No, that’s okay I’m super tired from tonight.” Hoseok just nodded as you two reached his car, he clicked the door open and the two of you got in. It felt really nice to sit down, your legs were aching and you wanted nothing more than to lay in your bed and sleep the rest of the day away.

The ride to your house was nice the two of you caught up and made small talk, soon you were arriving at your house. “Well, thanks for the ride! Be sure to have a safe drive back home.”

“Of course y/n, I’ll be sure to text Jennie to tell her you made it back home safely and that I didn’t kill you.” He joked. You smiled back as you wished him a good night - well morning. Unlocking the door to your house you quickly took your shoes off and entered your bathroom where you took a quick shower, changing into your sweats and t-shirt entering your bedroom. Charging your phone you placed it on your bedside table as you laid down, sleep slowly consuming your thoughts.

Feeling the sunlight pour into your bedroom you slowly began to wake up. Sitting up you stretch your arms up into the air and reach over to check your phone as the time reads “3:00”. You moan and groan but finally got up to do something productive for the rest of the Friday you had left. You were looking forward to the relaxing weekend you had planned ahead since you got a bit of a break from work as you didn’t have to go until Monday.

Doing your typical morning routine you went to the kitchen to make an omelet, grabbing your phone off the counter you put your music on shuffle and started making your dish while dancing and singing along to the song.

Once you were done cooking you gave yourself a pat-on-the-back for not burning the house down. Pouring yourself a glass of juice while sitting down on the barstool you started eating your meal while scrolling down your feed liking some memes.

Ping.

You then got a message from Jennie.

You did say you wanted to be productive but really, now all you wanted to do is binge watch your show and wait for your outing with jennie.

Looking at your phone the time read “6:23” you finished the last few minutes of your show and turned off your tv and went to get ready. After you had dressed casually in booties, jeans, sweater, coat and your purse you topped your look off with light makeup. Opening the the bus app you see when the next bus would be coming and headed towards the stop near your house.

The sun was already setting making you feel uneasy, you weren’t normally out at this time in the dark and definitely not alone. You sped up and felt your nerves calm once you reached the crowded area of the city.

Waiting for the bus you sat on the bench and got your phone out of your pocket to check where the bus was, saying it was three minutes away.

Once the bus stopped, you got on, paid the amount and walked towards the back and sat down waiting for the stop that was closest to the restaurant.

You arrived at the restaurant after walking about ten minutes from where the bus had left you at. You called Jennie to ask if she was already there since it was 7:15. She said that she got caught up in traffic and would be there soon and to go ahead and get a table.

You went inside feeling your once cold cheeks warm up with the heat of the atmosphere, sounds filled your ears and the restaurant's signature dish scent reached your nose. It was busy as usual, you walked up to the main table to get a table for two, the hostess seated you in a booth towards the back.

“WHAT?” You shouted in the middle of the restaurant causing many bystanders to give you the side eye. “Shush! Lower your voice, y/n!” Jennie whispered loudly.

Jennie had arrived around thirty minutes ago and the two of you had been chatting it up and she suddenly dropped a huge bomb on you.

“...Wait, so Hoseok is a-”

“A street racer, yeah.” She started, “I know it sounds totally crazy and I know how you steer away from those sorts of things but, you know he’s a good guy a-and it’s been killing me not telling you.”

You stayed silent, never did you ever think that Hoseok was a racer and your mind was still trying to comprehend everything your friend was telling you.

“And the reason why I’m telling you is because - now y/n don’t freak out or close yourself out but,” biting her bottom lip she continued, “ I wanted you to go to one of the races with me. It’s been killing me having this secret from you, and that’s only if you want to go! I’m not trying to force you either...”

You were not expecting this at all. Your friend was dating a street racer… and now she’s inviting you to one of their very much illegal races. What should you say? You want to say no you really do, it’s not your scene, plus you really just wanted to relax this weekend.

“When is it?” You finally spoke after a good minute of silence.

“Tomorrow night.” Jennie responded, “Y/n, I just wanted to tell you about Hoseok, and he told me I should ask you if you wanted to go with us. You don’t have to say yes, and there's many more races anyways if you do decide to want to come to one.”

You thought about what she said, and were happy that they would even think to invite you. “I’ll - I’ll think about and let you know for tomorrow if that’s alright.”

“Yes of course y/n! Take your time. Anyways did I tell you about what my chemistry professor said yesterday? He totally was like-”

You got lost into your thoughts as you thought about what she said, normally if someone were to ask you to go to a street race you would’ve said no on the spot but for some strange reason you did want to go but you know you shouldn’t.

“Like, that’s just so rude to say and I don’t even understand why he would bring that up in the first place!” Jennie sighed.

The two of you spent the rest of the night gossiping about each of your co-workers as well as the show you were watching, but in the back of your mind you kept thinking about what she said.

Jennie took you back home and you two wished each other goodnight.

Walking into your house you went to your bathroom and did your nighttime routine, changed into some pjs and you promised yourself you were just going to watch two more episodes of your show. Did that happen? No, of course not. What you did however is manage to fall asleep on the couch.

Waking up with an awful cramp in your neck you arose from the couch with a groan. “Gosh I really shouldn’t have slept on the couch.” You spoke to yourself. Today you weren’t feeling up to cook so you just had your favorite cereal and texted Jennie.

Looking down at your phone you sighed. Should you go? A part of you really wants to know about the racing scene and to see. You needed some thrill in your life and maybe this is it, this is your chance.

You may have seemed cool, calm, and collected over text but in reality you were freaking out. You just agreed you were going to a street race in less than thirteen hours when your previous plans were to binge watch the show you’ve been watching for another season, a lot more tame for what you're now signing yourself onto. But for some reason you did want to go - it's been a long time since you've gone out anywhere else outside of your work.

Your thoughts were racing, maybe it won't be as bad as you think it is, maybe the media just exaggerates what the reality is, maybe it’s actually super lame. You tried to make yourself feel better about your decision but you can’t help the anxious feeling inside your lower stomach.

It’s 9:49 pm and you've been staring at your closet for the last two hours, at least that’s what it felt like - it was really more like ten minutes, but still! What were you supposed to wear to these kind of things?

You supposed wearing black is the most common thing, at least you hoped. You digged into your closet and found a pair of high waisted black joggers with vertical lines on the sides of them, a black halter, some all white sneakers and a large oversized jean jacket. You then went to your bathroom and tried to make yourself somewhat presentable, with some light makeup and styled your hair to your liking.

You checked your phone for the time “10:42” you felt your heart accelerate, you were excited, nervous, and anxious all at once.

One minute soon became two, then three, and soon it was already 11:00. Your nerves were on edge. Suddenly your phone rang and you flew up three feet in the air, with shaky hands you picked up your phone Jennie’s contact lit up the screen and you answered.

“Hey Jennie!” You said trying to sound excited to hide your nerves.

“Hey! I’m outside! Oh, and make sure to bring your ID.”

“O-okay sure thing!” You said as you began to awkwardly laugh. You grabbed your phone and your small wallet that you slipped into the front pocket of your joggers since you didn’t want to take a purse.

Well here goes nothing.

After driving for what seemed like 20 minutes from your house you arrived in a secluded area where there was a pay toll like entrance and a huge line of cars wanting to go in.

“Uh, Jennie? How many people actually come to these things?” You said being genuinely surprised by how many people are lined up behind the entrance.

“Hm. I don’t really know the exact numbers but it varies to who actually races, if they’re a fan favorite, a newbie, stuff like that.”

You supposed that made sense but still you didn’t think that there would be so many people, you’re assuming that Hoseok and his friends are fan favorite racers.

It took 15 minutes from you two to make it to the pay toll.

“IDs?” A deep voice rang out.

Jennie waited for you to get yours out of your wallet and then handed the man both IDs. He checked the two and looked back up at the both of you, then handed Jennie two white bands, as well as the IDs.

“Thank you.” Jennie said as the toll’s gate rose up and drove off,

“This is so exciting! How are you feeling y/n?”

How are you feeling? You really didn’t know, it was a strange feeling that’s for sure.

“Good, just… nervous.” You softly chuckled as you looked down at your hands that you curled on your lap.

“That’s totally understandable, I was too when I came to see the first race. I wanted to be a supportive girlfriend but I actually ended up liking it.” Jennie said as the two of you arrived at a graveled parking lot, there were cars parked everywhere and you could hear the distant sound of people talking and the car's engines.

“Here you’ll need to put this on.” Jennie said as she put the white band on your wrist and you did the same for her.

“Thanks.” You said as the two of you got out of the car.

The cold crisp air nipped at your cheeks as soon as you got out. You hugged the jacket closer to your body and met up with Jennie on the other side of the car.

“Okay! Let’s go!” Jennie said as she looped her arm around yours.

After walking for about four minutes you reached a huge crowd of people, once you two had successfully made it past the crowd you could now see the large narrow street that disappeared into the distance.

Jennie then started walking towards the left where there were a lot less people, and stood two large men in front of a pathway.

“Uh, Jennie?” You said as you cuddled closer to her - what is she doing?

“I’m with Hoseok.” Jennie ignored your questioning and spoke to the men.

“What’s the code?” Said the man on the right. Jennie then whispered what you assumed to be the code to one of the men, they both looked at each other and spread apart making room for the two of you to continue walking on the pathway.

“Uh, what was that about? Where are we even going?” You asked Jennie once you two were a good distance from the men.

“Sorry if that freaked you out, but basically where we are going is like the VIP area for the racers and those are the bodyguards, the racers are the only ones that know the code but they can tell people too, which is why I know it because of Hoseok.” Jennie said as you two approahed two buildings, one was like an open pit stop area for the cars and the other was like a clubhouse - they really take this street racing seriously huh?

“Oh, I see. So do all the racers hang out over here?” You said as you started hearing the sounds of people getting louder and louder.

“Yep! Hoseok is probably in his car now, getting ready for his race against Jungkook.”

Jungkook? That name was unfamiliar to you.

“Who’s Jungkook?” You said a bit confused.

“Oh! That’s right I forget that you don't know him, well you can meet him after the race,” She said pulling her phone out checking the time, “It’s already 12:27? The race starts in three minutes!” Jennie exclaimed and grabbed your arm taking you to the pit stop area.

Entering the pit stop area there were a lot of people inside making the once quiet outdoors loud with excitement. You then noticed that each of the racers had their own separate rooms and the people inside were either the guests or the actual pit crew of the racer, well it’s good to know they actually have proper protection and safety.

The racers had a gold plaque above the open room that they were in, Hoseok’s was the fourth room and you happened to notice that Jungkook’s was right next to Hoseok’s.

“Come on y/n it’s about to start, I’m so excited!!” Jennie pulled your arm onto a couch that was placed in Hoseok’s room. A loud engine sound rang out making you jump up in your seat, it sounded so close you didn’t realise how close you actually were to the street.

The cars were not in your view of distance yet but you could hear just how close they were, then you saw two cars one red and one black stop right in front of the room you were in.

Out of nowhere a very slim, tall girl dressed in basically swimwear and heels holding two flags stood in the middle of the two cars, just seeing what she was dressed in made you shiver. An abrupt voice from an intercom then broke the silence.

“Welcome, welcome ladies and gentlemen, hope everyone is doing well on this cool November night. Tonight’s race is a treat for all of you, we got two of our hottest, favorite racers but I’m sure the lot of you already know that. These two don’t need any sort of introduction, of course I’m talking about Jung Hoseok-” the crowd roared out, cheers and screams rang, you felt your eardrums were going to burst. “And Jeon Jungkook.” If possible you heard the crowd scream even louder.

“Now, let’s get this race started shall we?” The intercomer’s voice faded out and the girl lifted the two flags, “three, two, one!” She said as she lowered the flags.

The two cars then accelerated passed her, you got up from the couch and moved to the opening of the room and saw the two cars faintly in the distance.

“They go super fast don’t they? I think Hoseok said something about going 130 mph.” That actually scared you - the fast you’ve ever gone was like 90.

“Dang, and how long does it take for them to come back?” You said as you looked down at the black and white checkered finish line that was a couple feet away from you.

“Hm, it depends really but it usually takes eight to ten minutes. But in the meantime I like getting some snacks while I wait.” She said turning around to go to the popcorn machine that was next to the couch.

You were still looking towards the distance when you happened to look over to Jungkook’s room, there were at least five girls inside, one of which made eye contact with you and flipped you off, you quickly looked away and met up with Jennie again on the couch.

“So uh, this Jungkook guy? He seems to be a ladies man.” You said while reaching over to steal some of her popcorn.

“Hey! Well yeah, he most definitely is. Why do you ask?” Jennie’s eyes suddenly lit up as she smirked, “Y/n are you trying to get laid? I mean I thought you would be one to wait but I mean Jungkook probably wouldn’t mind fucking a virg-”

“Woah, woah Jennie!” You say as your cheeks and ears start getting red. “N-no well I - well for one I’m not a virgin! And two I asked because when I happened to look over to his room there were a lot of girls but also this one girl gave me her middle finger!” You said in almost a pouty matter.

“Wait, you’re not a virgin? Not that it’s a bad thing if you are but, you never told me that you lost your virginity.” Jennie said a bit surprised and honestly you don’t blame her. Anyone who knows you probably thinks you haven't got a freaky bone in your body. “But as far as the girl who flipped you off - that was probably Lisa for some reason she thinks that her and Jungkook are together when he himself has made it clear that he’s not into her in that way. She even got jealous of me before she found out I was with Hoseok and not Jungkook.”

“Oh, then maybe that’s why she flipped me off, but I don’t even know him. A-and about that I uh, lost it the night of junior prom with my date.” You said looking anywhere but her, for some reason you always get shy talking about sexual things, also you didn’t see the hype around it your first time wasn’t as magical as you thought it would have been and people hyped sex up so much you just thought it would be different, you didn’t even climax!

“Oh well maybe you can tell me about it at a better time-” The sound cars’ engines could be heard again and Jennie jumped up.

“Come on! Let’s see who’s in the lead!” Grabbing your arm the two of you stepped into the open area of the room to where you can see the cars in the distance but on the opposite of which they started. The black car seemed to be the one in the lead but not by much.

In a matter of seconds it seemed, the two cars then passed the finish line, but it was so close that neither you or Jennie could tell who won.

“Well, well, well ladies and gentlemen it seems that this race was indeed a close one, but winning by three seconds more, Jeon Jungkook won tonight’s race. Be sure to stick around to see your favorite racers, that’s all for tonight folks have a good night.” The intercomer wished his goodnights and what was left was the cheers from the crowd.

The sound of the car door opening reverted your attention to the two racers, Hoseok was the first one to come out of the red one, that meant that Jungkook’s was the black one. You and Jennie waved over to Hoseok as he smiled and waved back.

You looked over to the black car once again only to see the girls you saw in the room along with Lisa were swarming him before he even got a chance to get out. Then you heard the car door opening and you felt the world stop.

Jungkook removed his helmet as he flashed a smile and one of the girls, the one you were told was Lisa then wrapped her arms around him. Then you felt your heart in your throat, he looked at you at least you think he looked at you, regardless you blushed and looked away from what seemed to be his stare directed towards you.

Hoseok then came up to Jennie and kissed her, “Honey, that was a close good race, but you did good.” Jennie said with a smile.

“Thank you, baby.” He said as he leaned back down to plant another kiss on her lips. You felt so awkward, it was like you were third wheeling, you just looked at the ground trying not to make eye contact with your best friend’s makeout session.

“Okay, okay we get it lovebirds.” An unfamiliar voice said, causing you to look up.

And there he was. Jungkook was absolutely breathtaking, you never thought that someone could look this good close up. You were so mesmerized that you didn’t realize you were staring.

“Didn’t your parents ever tell you it was rude to stare, sweetheart?” Jungkook said to you to which you didn’t even reply until you felt Jennie’s and Hoseok’s eyes on you too.

“O-oh I’m sorry.” You said looking down, this is why you don’t go out, you just don’t fit in. You were jizzing your pants just looking at the man who doesn’t want anything to do with you, or even knows your name as a matter of fact.

“Aw, sweetie that’s alright. No need to get all shy on me, I don’t bite unless-”

“Jungkooookie!~” Lisa ran up to the group cutting off whatever Jungkook was going to say and hung onto him, “That was such a good race! I knew you would win, no offense Hoseok.”

“Yeah, none take-” Hoseok started but Lisa, you supposed has a habit of cutting people off.

“So Jungkookie, do you want to go out for dinner with me? It can be a celebratory thing, I even have dessert for you whenever we get to your place.” She said as she sent a wink his way. You could only imagine what she meant making your face red with the thought.

“Actually I might have to cancel-” He answered, removing her arms around his torso. “I was thinking about going with Hoseok, Jennie and-” He paused looking to you. “What’s your name sweetheart, I’ve never seen you around here?”

You felt your heart stuck in your throat anytime he would even breathe in your direction, the more seconds passed the more you felt yourself grow hot.

“I-it’s y/n.” You said as you mentally slapped yourself for stuttering. “And uh, it’s my first time to a race.”

Jungkook hummed. “Ah, I see. What a pretty name for such a pretty girl.” He said with such sincerity, looking straight into your eyes. You really thought you were going to faint, was he really saying this to you?

“You're joking. Jungkook, there’s no way you would rather go with them, her, rather than going with me?” He didn’t answer but instead kept staring at you, while you just stared back with wide eyes.

“Jungkook!” He finally tugged his eyes away from you as Lisa exclaimed and pulled onto his arm.

“Actually I think I would, and I will. Maybe another time hm?” Jungkook said as he looked over to Hoseok. “What do you say? Want to treat me to a celebratory dinner, loser.” He said in a joking matter directed to Hoseok.

“Since you won and I’m such a good friend, I’ll treat you for tonight.” Hoseok said.

“Great-” Jungkook started, “You’re coming right y/n?”

“O-oh I don’t - it’s late a-and-”

“She’d love to, Jungkook.” Jennie jumped in, you gave her “the look” to which she ignored. “What? Come on, you were taking some of my popcorn earlier, surely you're hungry.”

She was right you were hungry but just thinking about being in a room with Jungkook made you already want to die in a hole from embarrassment, you don't even know the guy and he has such an impact on you.

“Fine, fine. I’ll go too.” You said still looking at Jennie missing the way Jungkook’s eyes lit up.

“Uh, what about me Jungkookie? I thoug-” Lisa started,

“Actually Lisa, can we have a rain check? I want to spend some time with my friends.”

“Ugh, whatever. You know where to find me when reality hits you.” Lisa said looking at you as she rolled her eyes and walked away with a huff.

“Sounds good, let’s all meet at the restaurant. Jungkook you drove here right?” Jennie asked.

“I did, I drove Hoseok here as well.” Jungkook answered.

“Hm, well Hoseok can come with me and, y/n, why don’t you go with Jungkook?”

Your eyes almost just shot out of your eyes, was she serious? You’d rather go with them and feel like a third-wheel rather than go in a vehicle alone, with him. You could already see it, you making a fool of yourself.

You felt everyone’s eyes on you as they awaited your response. But you didn’t want to be rude and it’s just a 20 minute car ride, it won’t be that bad, at least you hoped.

“Uh, yeah sure, if he doesn’t mind.” You said looking over to him only finding him already looking at you. You felt your heart rate increase, something about how he looks at you makes you feel strange, and you couldn’t tell if that was a good or bad thing.

“Of course I don’t mind babygirl.” He saids with a slight smirk walking towards you whereas you felt yourself heat up with the pet name. “Now, shall we?”

The walk to Jungkook’s car was short and quiet, maybe he came to the earth revolving revelation that you really weren’t that special and that he’s wasting his time. Being captivated in your thoughts you didn’t even notice that Jungkook, who was beside you, stopped walking.

“Woah, woah babygirl, are you already trying to escape?” Jungkook said with a chuckle.

“Huh?” You turned around with a confused expression painted onto your face. You then noticed that he stopped at a parked car with keys in his hands. “W-well how was I supposed to know this was your car!” You said walk towards his car.

Jungkook put his hands up against his chest as a surrender, “Yes, you’re right, my fault.” Walking to the other side of the car you open the door still very nervous due to the fact that you’re about to be in a confined space with him.

Whipping around to put your seatbelt on, you felt your phone vibrate, causing you to accidentally drop it in the cup holder between the two of you. Reaching over to get your phone, Jungkook did the same thing causing the two of you to rub your hands against each other. “S-sorry.” You said as you pulled your hand away, still feeling his hand lingering next to yours, it’s almost scary how your body reacts towards him. Man you really needed to get laid again.

“No worries it is your phone after all.” Jungkook said as he held your phone up, he didn’t mean to look down at your phone but he just happened to, “Hm, who’s Kyle?” Kyle… Kyle??! Why is he messaging you, you grabbed the phone out of his hand and looked down at the message. Just a simple “Hey” was displayed on your screen, why is he messaging you after all these years?

“Oh, he’s nobody just someone I went to high school prom with, I really don’t know why he’s messaging me.” You said as you looked down confused at your phone, but decided not to respond.

“So do you know where we’re going?” Jungkook rang out, “Oh! Not yet but let me text Jennie.” You responded. As you waited for her response you felt this awkward tension as you looked at the plain grassy field in front of you. “So, uh Jungkook?” You said turning to look towards him, “What got you into racing?”

“Hm, we haven’t even gone out and you’re already asking for my life’s story?” You suddenly felt super invasive, “Sorry I didn’t mean to seem nosy.” You said as you look away, staring back towards the field. You felt cold fingertips graze the side of your right cheek as Jungkook turned you to look towards him. “You didn’t babygirl, I just- don’t really like to talk about it.” He said as he stares at you, you begin to blush, surely he could feel it as his hands are gripping your face. You felt electric, you never met someone that had such an effect on you and you didn’t really know why. You knew you really have, but you just couldn’t resist as your eyes moved down from his eyes and onto his lips, he must have seen this as he then began to move towards you.

“J-jungkook…” He stops moving and just stares into you, removing his hands away. Jungkook cleared his throat looking straight on as you stayed in the same position, shocked. You almost just kissed a man you didn’t even know, it’s strange - you don’t even know him yet it feels so right being with him. Maybe it was only you that felt this way but you could have sworn you could see a rosy hue on his cheeks.

Ping.

You felt your phone vibrate as you got another message, this time from Jennie.

You choked on your own spit as you read the message in your head, you were going to kill her.

“Woah, what’s wrong are you okay?” Jungkook said as he looked over to you, “Y-yeah uh, Jennie said that something came up so it’s just us two, y-you can just drop me off if you like. We don’t have to do anything-”

“Y/n. It’s fine, I don’t mind, really.” He said as he put the car in reverse, “Now, let’s go get something to eat babygirl.”

taglist: @krystle1990, @lurkerarmy, @olivialovemason88 @eclivpses @hinawariinoue97 @chimshoe95 — (let me know if you would like to be added!)

#bts smut #bts fanfic #bts ff #racer au #strangers to lovers #jungkook smut #racer jungkook #jungkook ff #jeon jungkook #bts #jungkook #bts series #jungkook series #jungkook x reader #jungkook x y/n #bangtan smut #kooksbliss

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cryo-bucky · 3 years

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Black Friday sale happening now on my Etsy store!!

I’ve added more drawings, as well as the remaining copies of my zine. If there’s something you want that’s not up there, just let me know!

Enjoy 10% off all items and free shipping on orders over $20! The sale will go through the weekend!

✨Check it out!!✨

#fanart #stucky #hankcon #zine #marvel #Detroit become human #Etsy

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sturdy-nerdy-stitchery · 3 years

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Another order went out to the post today! I actually don't mind taking the time to specialize each order because it means I get to spend quality time by myself in my office. Because with the chaos of raising a 3-year-old, sometimes you just need a little break.

I really hope they enjoy it when they receive it!

And it has been decided! Be on the lookout. I will be running another Christmas sale similar to my Black Friday sale! 🎄The entire weekend will be 50% off on all cross stitch patterns on the sturdy nerdy stitchery Etsy store!🎄 https://www.etsy.com/shop/SturdyNerdyStitchery

I just have to remind myself to set up the sale when I get home.

#cross stitch #cross stitching #etsy #cross stitch pattern #etsy store #crafting #needle minders

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7team7 · 4 years

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Making his list

Summary: The holidays are a busy time, so when Sakura is out of commission due to her pregnancy, Sasuke takes matters into his own hands. Modern AU, pregnant Sakura, good househusband Sasuke. [2.3k words]

A/N: sorry this is late, but happy holidays everyone!! This was the most voted option on twitter, but office au coming soon enough I guess!! Stream The Carol by Haseul and Christmas Tree Farm by TS

Sakura adored the holiday season. The chilly weather gave her the perfect excuse to cozy up near a fire with a mug of hot cocoa. She loved finding the perfect gifts for her friends and family, finally spending some of her hard earned money. She always marveled at all the decorations and loved taking the time to bake the sweetest confections. The hospital was busy as usual, but it was honestly fun to treat kids who had maybe eaten a bit too much sugar.

But as a pregnant woman, she just couldn’t keep up as well this time around. The normally welcome weather seemed to be more biting than usual and her pregnancy made her more tired. She was so busy getting things for the baby, she had less time to shop for other gifts. Being on maternity leave meant she had both nothing and everything to do. The thought of decorating and baking for hours on end made her feet ache.

Sasuke hated the holidays. It usually served as a reminder that his family was dead and he was all alone. People seemed to forget how to drive when it rained or snowed and lines were always too long everywhere.

But when he married Sakura and got her pregnant soon after, he found himself changing his mind. He couldn’t wait to watch her in action around their home. They’d been friends long enough that he’d received some of her incredibly thoughtful gifts and seen all the traditions she liked partaking in, but it was different now that they shared a home together. When they were just dating, he couldn’t hog her as much as he did now. He used to think Black Friday was ridiculous, but he had a feeling he’d be clambering over all the other parents for the toys his child would want next year. Why pass up a good sale?

[continued under the cut]

The night of December 1st, Sakura gave him a gift, claiming she just couldn’t help it. Sasuke unwrapped the shiny paper and opened the box to be faced with the ugliest ugly holiday sweater he had ever seen. It was red with white stripes and had a huge picture of the Grinch in the middle. “It’s funny, right? Because you’re kind of grumpy like him, but you just need a little holiday spirit to make your heart grow!” Oh yes, being likened to the Grinch did not make him very happy, but his wife did make his heart grow three sizes.

He pulled it on immediately over his t-shirt. Sakura’s eyes were practically sparkling. “Thanks for buying one that’s not itchy. Where’s yours?”

“Oh,” she bit her lip softly, like she hadn’t even considered matching like she usually wanted. She disappeared into their closet and pulled hers out—covered in candy canes and jingle bells.

“Um,” she said as she stuck her head through the collar, “I don’t think it fits me right now.” Her eyes immediately welled with tears. She loved this sweater and the hormones were not helping. She’d had it forever, so it was a little tight now that she was older and taller, but she couldn’t even get it past her belly.

“Uh,” Sasuke grappled with his words in an attempt to make her feel better. He hated seeing her cry, especially over something so menial. Sakura normally loved the holidays, and he had seen her wear that sweater at least once every year since he’d known her. “You can just wear it like this, right? With a shirt underneath or something? It’s just kind of a crop top now.”

Sakura looked up at him, more tears coming, “But then the baby will be cold!” Sasuke immediately yanked his sweater off and put it back in the box. “It’s okay, I just won’t wear mine until next year. We can match with the baby next year or something,” he said as he started helping Sakura out of her sweater. That easily helped cheer her up.

“Oh, Sasuke, we’re going to have a baby by this time next year! We’re going to buy so many toys I can’t wait!” She started babbling excitedly about the stages of development and what kinds of learning and playing kids did at what age and Sasuke decided this was much better than crying over an ugly sweater.

“We’d better get our tree soon before all the good ones get taken. I want to have it up all month so we can enjoy it,” Sakura mentioned to Sasuke the next day. She had started sorting through decorations after breakfast. “It smells so good and makes the house feel so much more festive. Hanging up ornaments is always fun, I even got a new star to put on top this year.” Sasuke simply nodded and started clearing their plates while she continued digging through boxes.

“I’m going out,” Sasuke announced after he finished washing the dishes. It was the weekend and they normally enjoyed reading the newspaper on the couch together after cleaning up, so Sakura was a bit confused. “Do you need anything?” he asked as he gathered his coat and scarf.

“Yeah, the perfect Christmas tree,” she joked. “No, I’m just going to be unboxing decorations here. Ever since we moved into this house I keep forgetting where I put everything so it’ll take me a while.”

Sakura had only managed to hang a wreath and put on some holiday music when Sasuke returned home.

“I brought you something,” he said gruffly as he propped the door open.

“Ooh, an early present? But why not just wait a little longer, darling?” Of course, Sakura loved receiving gifts from Sasuke because they were always things only he would think to give her, but she could wait.

“You said you wanted it now,” he said as he hauled in a huge evergreen tree. It wasn’t in a net like the ones they had at lots and it even had snow dropping off the branches. The thick trunk looked like it had taken a real beating.

“Sasuke,” she asked slowly, “did you chop this down yourself?”

“Of course I did,” he said matter of factly. “You said you wanted the perfect one and I found it for you. I just strapped it to the top of the car and brought it back. This one is way better than anything at those overpriced lots. It’s fresh,” he added, as if she didn’t notice. The snow was beginning to melt all over their floor.

“You’re not really allowed to do that, but thank you.” She didn’t even want to ask where he chose to cut it down because no matter the location, it probably wasn’t legal if he returned so quickly. She pressed a kiss to his cheek, still a bit cold from spending time outside. “It really is perfect,” she praised after she got over the shock. It seriously was a lovely tree. Sasuke was just the type of person who did things his own way, she supposed.

“If I put it in the corner, you’ll decorate it, right? Just call me when you need to put the star on top. I don’t want you falling.” She gave him another kiss and let him be on his way to read the paper they missed that morning. He didn’t end up going far, though, preferring to observe the way she danced around the tree and got excited every time she opened up an ornament she had forgotten about.

“Damn it, I completely forgot that I have Ino’s holiday brunch tomorrow. I promised to bring my usual cookies, but I’m beat.” Sakura had just finished eating dinner and decorating the house when she realized there was still more to do. She had already purchased all the ingredients from the store but there just wasn’t enough time in the day. She sighed, “I guess I’ll have to go pick something up on my way tomorrow. I’m sad, they’re such a tradition at this point.”

Sasuke knew which cookies she was talking about because he liked them too. She made them spiced enough for him to enjoy, so he found himself a little disappointed by the thought that they might not happen this year. “Why don’t you just go to bed early? No use in stressing over cookies. I’ll be there soon.” Normally Sakura preferred to fall asleep with her husband there to keep her warm, but she was too tired to argue or even think. Sasuke kept the heater on high and made sure she had an extra blanket before he tiptoed back into the kitchen.

If she wanted the cookies, he would give her the cookies. Surely he could make cookies. How hard could they be?

It turned out, cookies that tasted the way Sakura made them were very difficult to pull off. He even managed to pull out the original recipe, but it seemed like so many tweaks were made that he had to make several test batches before he got anywhere close.

At some point in the middle of the night, he baked himself into a frenzy and produced some damn good cookies. At least the oven made the house warmer, and the kitchen smelled divine. He crawled into bed beside his wife, not caring if he was covered in flour and sugar. As long as she was happy.

Sasuke was normally a heavy sleeper, but he was roused by Sakura’s shrieking in the kitchen. Fearing that something was wrong, he bolted out of their cozy bed with his eyes still half closed.

“Look, Sasuke, my cookies! Who made these?” He had even taken the time to arrange them into a neat pyramid on one of Sakura’s fancy platters. He hoped they would taste good, but even if they didn’t, at least they looked presentable.

Sasuke rubbed his bleary eyes, glad nothing was wrong. “Dunno. Maybe Santa was feeling generous and gave us cookies instead of eating everyone else’s.” Sakura beamed at him and took one off the top to bite into.

“Mm, they’re perfect! You did such a good job Sasuke! What a perfect surprise. Here, try,” she broke off a piece and handed it to Sasuke.

“Breakfast of champions,” he muttered after he finished chewing. He gathered his excited wife into his arms and planted a kiss on the crown of her head. He was tired, but it didn’t really matter because she was happy. He absentmindedly rubbed her pregnant stomach, wondering if their baby would like these cookies too.

“Thank you, you’re the best. Now go back to sleep while I get ready to go,” Sakura said to him.

After changing and finishing her hair and makeup, Sakura walked back to their bed to pull the covers up towards Sasuke’s chin. He kept his eyes closed but mumbled, “drive carefully, please. The roads are supposed to be a bit icy today.”

He was still in bed when he received Sakura’s text that she made it to Ino’s safely. She also sent him a picture of Ino’s house covered in lights, telling him to remind her that they need to put lights outside. It looked tasteful, but Sasuke had a feeling Sakura wanted something a little more over the top and festive. He tossed his blankets to the side and started getting ready for the day. If she wanted lights, he would put some lights up. And it would look better than everyone else’s in their neighborhood.

When Sakura returned home, she honestly didn’t notice. She was too exhausted from all the talking and eating she did at Ino’s. She walked into the house feeling ready to spend the rest of the day with Sasuke. She’d have to give him extra kisses to thank him again for the cookies. And the beautiful tree sitting in the corner of their living room.

“How was it?” he asked as he welcomed her in. One simple question got her talking for a while; she filled him in on anything and everything, from Ino’s decorations to the food to how her girlfriends were doing. “Oh and did you see the picture I sent? Her lights looked really nice, I’ll have to remember to put our lights up soon too.”

“Mhm. Do you notice anything different about the house?” “We have to turn some lights on in here, it gets dark so early in the winter,” she mused as she got up to switch the light on. Sasuke followed her and prevented her from doing so. “No, look outside.” Sakura moved away from the light switch, expecting to see fresh snow that had started falling after she had gotten home and only Sasuke noticed. When she got to their front window, she gasped.

Their lawn was decked out with bright lights, from a snowman to a reindeer to their front pathway lined with lights. She looked up and noticed the roof covered in lights too. She hadn’t noticed partially because they weren’t on when she got home during the day. Her eyes welled with tears as she opened the front door to step outside and get a closer look.

She surveyed their house, lined perfectly with twinkling lights. Their house looked much more festive and cheerful than anyone else on their block. “Did you do this?” she asked Sasuke who followed her out to bring her a coat.

“Glad you finally noticed,” he teased. “You said you wanted lights, but I wasn’t going to let you climb on a ladder while pregnant. So I put up the lights. I bought a few more because I figured you’d like them.”

“They’re perfect!” she exclaimed, giving him a big hug. She looked up at his handsome face, softly illuminated by all their new lights. “You’ll have to do this next year too. And make the cookies. And get the tree.”

He rolled his eyes. He’d gotten sucked into the holiday madness because of this dynamo of a woman standing before him. He was really in it for life. “I’ll have to put it on my list, I guess.”

“I promise I’ll be really nice to you,” she giggled as she pulled him back inside where it was warm.

“I won’t mind if you’re a little naughty,” he murmured as he pinched her hip playfully.

She stuck her tongue out at him, “Hey! The baby can hear you!”

A/N: I just love writing ss as same-same-but different in the intros, if you read a lot of my works you’ll notice that, but they’re just so easy to write like that lmao it makes me happy when people tell me they like the way I portray them because sometimes I do fear I’m just writing them as these not complex, static characters but. It be like that as a writer :-)

#sasusaku #fan fiction #happy holidays #my writing #one shot #my formatting is the most inconsistent thing in the world lmao

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imagine-docx · 5 years

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bras and bets

Summary: You own this small lingerie shop in Davenport. One day near closing this man comes in, shopping around. Little did you know, he was shopping because he lost a bet between him and his best friends.

Warnings: None pals.

A/N: Alright, so this is my first time dabbling into WWE writing. Also, I’m using my knowledge as a lingerie sales associate to write this. I hope you guys enjoy this! - Amanda

Owning a lingerie shop was the best thing you’ve done. You were able to be surrounded by things you love and were able to make money off of it. After rushes, you were typically left to clean it up before another tidal wave of customers.

Fridays were semi busy. People came in prior to closing just to get a nice set before their lucky night out or because they are heading out of town that weekend and forgot to get some bra and panties. The racks near the fitting rooms were trashed. You had two racks worth of bras and panties that were to be rehung, as well as two baskets of mix matched bras and panties that belonged in the boxes.

Typically near closing no one came in, leaving you the chance to try and clean as much as you can before leaving for the night and coming in to deal with it the next morning. You were humming along to the music that coursed through the speakers.

You were organizing the rack based off of what goes to each spot of the store. The bell rang, signalling someone walked into the store, “Hi! Welcome to Avec Amour. Let me know if you need any help.”

He let out a soft, “Alright,” before going and looking around the store.

His eyes glanced over the displays and his fingers occasionally ran across some of the lace. His eyes were fixated on a mesh bralette with red roses covering the nipples. “This one looks great on make different body types and skin tones! There’s a set to this one. Let me know the sizes and I can definitely grab them for you.”

He turned around, “Oh about that…” He trailed off.

“Yes?”

“It’s for me,” he said shyly.

“That’s not an issue,” you said offering him a reassuring smile.

“Not like that,” he rushed out, “I lost this football bet to two of my friends, and now I have to wear a bra for them.”

You chuckled, “That’s not a problem,” you flipped the sign on the door from open to closed. “Just head to the back near the fitting rooms and I can definitely do the fitting for you.”

“You don’t have to do all of this,” he said, “I can come back tomorrow, you’re closed for today.”

“No don’t worry about it sweetheart,” you said grabbing the navy blue measuring tape off of the desk.

“Isn’t the owner going to be mad that you closed early?” He asked, taking off his denim jacket and placing it in one of the empty rooms.

“Nope, I’m the owner, so I don’t mind,” you said offering him a smile.

“I never got your name, I’m Seth,” he said reaching out to shake your hand. You shook it and told him your name.

“Shirt on or off?” He asked.

“On for now. Once we get trying, definitely off,” you responded wrapping the tape around your fingers.

“How do you want me to stand?” He said, standing up straighter than he usually did.

“Just your normal posture is fine.” You said pushing a piece of hair behind your ear.

“How do you want my arms?”

“To your side please.”

He let out a big exhale, “Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing. Stand in your normal posture and it would be done in a blink.” He nodded and you gave him a reassuring smile.

You took the measuring tape and reached around him, once under his bust, and a second time over his bust, taking mental note of the two measurements. “That’s it,” you concluded.

“That’s it?” He asked.

“Yeah, you’re a 45DDD,” you said wrapping the tape around the back of your neck. “So many brands don’t make a size 45, they make them in a 44 or a 46. If you want it tighter, go to a size 44 and if you want a loose fit go to a size 46.”

He nodded along, pretending he knew what was happening. “So is that it?”

“Not yet, there are still many styles you we have to look into.” You grabbed a black pen and lavender sticky note. “Wirefree or do you want wire?”

“What?”

You grabbed two different bras that had to be put back. You showed him the difference, “This one has a wire underneath, this one doesn’t.”

He looked shocked, “You guys wear wires underneath your clothes?”

“Depends on the person. Either they wear it or despise it.” You said, putting them back on the rack.

“I don’t know about the wire,” he said, pushing up his black glasses.

“Alright, I’ll put that as a both until you try it on.” You took note of it on the tiny paper. “Push up or no push up?”

“Not at the moment, but if I see something I like I wouldn’t mind,” he said.

“Strapless?”

“I need the support, so straps.” he joked.

You let out a laugh before taking him around the store and showing him the different options and sizes that would fit him.

Eventually the two of you made it back to the dressing rooms, with handfuls of bras that were of different colours, styles and sizes. You rolled out a third rack and put his options on them. “So I’m assuming you don’t know how to put on of these on.”

“I don’t know how to put them on, but I sure do know how to take them off,” he said wiggling his eyebrows, which resulted in a laugh from you.

“Alright comedian, this is the time you’ve been waiting for, strip.” You said chuckling.

He pulled the black shirt from his body and the matching black beanie from his head, “You know I do crossfit?”

“You know, everyone who I’ve ever talked to, they always say that they do cross fit,” you said, fixing the straps to fit Seth’s shoulders.

“Yeah, it makes you seem cooler,” Seth said. You chuckled and buckled the back. “Ow, this underwire hurts.”

“Beauty is pain,” you said, before helping him out of it.

You helped Seth through all of his choices. Eventually he settled on a red pushup bra and a military green lace bra with no padding.

“Sorry to keep you an hour after your shift ended,” he said fishing his wallet out of his pocket.

“It’s not a problem, if I can help you, that makes my day a thousand times better,” you said offering him a smile. “Alright so it’s $163.85”

“Jesus, who knew two bras would be this expensive.” He said, “Credit,” he said before inserting his card into the machine.

“Anyone who wears a bra,” you said, giggling. You wrapped up his two bras and placed it in a white bag with navy blue wrapping paper sticking out.

“Thank you so much for helping me,” he responding putting his credit card back in his wallet which then went back into the jeans of his pants.

“That’s not a problem,” you said walking him to the door, “See you around?”

“Of course,” he responded before exiting your store. You flipped the lock and walked to the back.

You let a smile sit on your face while you were grabbing your stuff and getting ready to go home.

- - -

Roman, Dean and Seth had the habit of walking around the street after getting coffee on Sundays. The three of them passed by before stopping, “So did you ever ask her out?” Roman asked.

“Nope, I panicked.” Seth said, taking a sip from his cup of coffee.

“So you went in and bolted out? I would pay to see that,” Dean said, laughing and earning a chuckle from Roman.

“Nope, I got her to help me for an hour because I was buying bras,” Seth said.

“You bought bras instead of asking her out?” Roman laughed.

“Yeah, almost $170 dollars worth of bras,” Seth said.

“How did you buy $170 dollars worth of bras? Jesus Christ.” Dean said, shocked.

“Told her that I lost a bet to you guys, and needed to wear a bra.” Seth responded nonchalantly before he looked into the shop. Upon looking in, he saw you and your coworker Maya laughing and putting away bras and panties.

At that exact moment, you looked out of the window and saw him. You let out a million dollar smile and waved at him. Seth waved back and you went back to work.

“So you ever going to ask her out?” Dean asked.

“Maybe if I don’t wuss out and buy another set of bras.” Seth said before the three of them started their walk again.

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rap1993 · 3 years

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It’s time to announce something big! I finally got my store up and running and as a kick off for the grand opening, I’m holding a Black Friday sale all weekend!! 🤩 . Use “BLACKFRIDAY2020” to get 20% off your order! If you spend more than $35, you’ll receive a free mystery gift! And enjoy free shipping if you spend more than $50! These deals are good until Cyber Monday (11/30)! 💕 . Certain items are very limited in stock so don’t miss out! Link is on my profile! . (NOT: this is sale is NOT for dolls and no dolls will be in stock) . #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssupport #blackownedbusiness #blackfriday #cybermonday #cute #kawaii https://www.instagram.com/p/CIGoAqvJAlf/?igshid=1d0zahznbeo9a

#artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssupport #blackownedbusiness #blackfriday #cybermonday #cute #kawaii

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thebarsondaily · 4 years

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Yes, Noah, There is a Santa Claus

Written For: @untapdtreasure

Title: Yes, Noah, There is a Santa Claus Author: motherbearof03 Rating: Teen and up Summary: Noah asks for something special for Christmas and his mother has no idea what it is. A/N:

“Mom?”

“Yes, Noah?” Olivia asked absently.

It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the SVU Captain was enjoying the last day of her four day weekend, grateful nothing had happened over the holiday that warranted her squad calling her. Dinner was in the oven, laundry had been finished, folded and put away, and she was trying to finish the book she started on Friday. It was the first long weekend they’d had in a long time with no interruptions.

“Those red mailboxes we saw in the store. Do the letters kids put in them actually get to Santa?”

She and Noah had braved the stores for some Black Friday shopping and she had to stop for a moment, taking her focus off the page in front of her and think about what he was asking.

“Mailboxes? Oh, in Macy’s you mean?”

He nodded. Her son had turned seven less than two weeks before and she wondered if he was trying to ask whether Santa was real or if he wanted to send a letter to the Jolly Old Elf.

“Why? Did you want to write one?”

He nodded again.

“Yeah, but I want to make sure it actually gets to him,” Noah explained and she breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

He was too young to stop believing in the magic of Christmas. Fortunately, she had been able to get him just about everything he’d asked Santa for since he started writing letters. Last year and the year before he asked for a puppy and Santa had to reply explaining how their apartment and his mom’s work schedule didn’t really make for a good time for them to have a dog, but promised he could play with Frannie whenever he wanted; the promise made with Amanda’s blessing.

“Why don’t you write your letter and I’ll find out about the Macy’s mailboxes. Otherwise, I can get the address for you,” Olivia suggested.

“How can you get Santa’s address?” Noah’s blue eyes narrowed.

“I may be Captain now, but I’m still a detective, remember?” She winked at him.

“Oh, yeah! Can I have some paper?”

“May I?” His mother corrected and pointed toward the computer printer on the shelf. “You can use that.”

Noah got up and took several sheets of paper and settled at the coffee table with a pencil. Olivia returned to her book and his letter was forgotten until he asked for an envelope after dinner. She got him one, helped him fold the pages and put it on the refrigerator until the Macy’s mailbox was verified or she tracked down Santa’s address. He didn’t have school the next day and so she was running behind, having allowed herself the luxury of a couple extra minutes in bed.

“Don’t forget my letter,” her son reminded her as she pulled on her winter coat by the door.

Olivia spun on her heel and walked back to the kitchen reaching for the envelope. It was held in place by a magnet with a photo of a bird flying across an intersection with the words “Is it still jaywalking if you fly?”

She paused, and for a moment was transported back to that day two years ago when her family not by blood but by choice had come to the apartment in the days after Noah’s kidnapping by his grandmother, Sheila Porter. Carisi, Amanda and Jesse had shown up first, with casseroles of homemade food from Sonny’s mother and cookies and cannoli from his favorite bakery. Fin was next, with a large box of Legos that the kids dove into while the adults opened a bottle of wine. The last knock at her door was the one she’d secretly most hoped for and when she opened it to see Rafael Barba standing there, her heart skipped a beat.

Olivia always thought nothing was more attractive than him in one of his coordinated suit, tie and suspenders combinations but to see him on her threshold in dark jeans, a casual pullover shirt and wool coat, asking how she was with a look of concerned sincerity made her want to throw herself into his arms and feel them around her again like she had in her office. Time stood still as they spoke and drank each other in and he finally had to prompt her to let him enter the apartment. That was when Noah told him about the deer that crossed the road in front of the on the way home from New Hampshire and he made the silly dad joke about how in New York he’d be arrested for jaywalking that made Noah laugh. That was the first thing that the then ADA did that day that surprised her. The other was that he knelt down at the table and immediately began to play with the children. At one point he’d glanced up at her and caught her watching, her expression soft. Before she could allow herself to think about where Barba was or what he was doing now, her son broke the moment.

“Mom? Did you hear me?”

Pulling the envelope free, Olivia turned to face Noah.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, what did you say?”

“I said, it’s snowing!”

She glanced at the window and frowned. Just what she needed when she was already running late. Then she moved to kiss the top of Noah’s curls.

“Be good for Lucy today. I love you.”

“Love you too. And I’m always good.”

He gave her a lopsided smile that was so familiar to the one she used to get from the former ADA who left her standing outside the courthouse that her breath caught. Shaking her head to rid it of any more thoughts of the man, she tightened her belt and left the apartment. It wasn’t snowing, Olivia discovered when she got out of the building, but sleeting. Fine pellets of ice that stung against her face. Punishment for allowing herself to think about Barba, she thought wryly, and pulled her collar higher, falling in with the crowds on the sidewalk. She’d trained herself not to think about him; or at least to only think about him when she chose to and could control her emotions. But lately everywhere she turned there were reminders. When they were decorating for Carisi’s party to celebrate his move to the DA’s office, the bartender had been playing a black and white western. The outfit Noah chose to wear to Billie’s christening included suspenders. And now the jaywalking magnet.

Olivia was surprised when, after writing his letter to Santa, Noah announced he wanted to see him as well.

“I just want to make sure he got my letter and understood what I told him,” the boy said.

She tried to assure him that Santa got his letter and that of course he understood, but there was no dissuading the boy. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought he’d been taking lessons in courtroom arguments from Rafael Barba. He parried back at every statement she presented to him, and was accepting none of it. He needed to talk to Santa in person.

That was how Olivia found herself standing in line at Macy’s one evening after work in December. For some reason she thought the crowds would be smaller than on the weekend. She was wrong. She was reminded of the scene in “A Christmas Story” when Ralphie and his brother arrive to see Santa and are told the line starts “back there”, because the man in the red suit wasn’t even in sight when they took their place in the lane of candy cane striped poles, between which were strung ropes of sparkling tinsel. As they made their way slowly through the serpentine, Noah was content to take in the festive surroundings and try and figure which fairy tale each tree was decorated to represent. This freed his mother up to check her personal email, deleting numerous ads for holiday sales, cookie recipes and DIY decorating tips. She paused when she saw the one from Noah’s teacher.

“Noah, why did Ms. Tatum send me an email?”

He was standing on one foot, arms over his head, imitating the pirouette of one of the ballerinas on the Nutcracker tree.

“Probably because I told her I was bored at school,” he replied nonchalantly, raising up on the toe of his high tops and attempting to spin around; the rubber sole on the thin carpeted walkway preventing him from being successful.

“Bored? Since when? I thought you liked school?”

Noah shrugged, and took a step forward as the line moved, reassumed his position and tried again and was again foiled by his footwear.

“Stupid sneakers. If I had my dance shoes on, I could do it,” he muttered.

“Don’t say stupid, honey, and answer my question,” Olivia told him.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged again and she bit her lip to keep from telling him not to shrug. “It’s all easy. I get bored when Ms. Tatum has to stop and help someone else because I’ve already finished my work.”

“It’s her job to make sure everyone learns the lesson.”

“I know, so I just read or draw a picture or something. I’m not disruptive, Mom,” Noah said with a hint of disdain and slight eye roll and again she felt the ghost of a former ADA in the room.

“You’re next,” she said, deciding to see what the teacher had to say while he spoke to Santa.

Not surprisingly, the email echoed what Noah had said. His teacher asked Olivia to let her know when she had time to meet to discuss some options, because she didn’t want the boy to lose his passion for learning. The SVU Captain liked the young woman and was glad to see she had picked up on the issue and was bringing it to her attention. She replied with a few days and times and looked up to see if Noah had finished. He was still sitting on the lap of the man in the red suit and speaking intently, as if making sure he got his point across. Olivia walked up to the pair.

“Noah, there are other children who want to talk to Santa. I think your turn is up,” she said with a smile.

“It’s all right, officer,” Santa told her, spotting her badge. “Noah and I were just finishing up.”

“My mom is the Captain,” Noah informed him proudly. “But she’s still a detective.”

Santa, who sported his own whiskers, grinned from behind them and his eyes twinkled at her. They were blue, but reminded her a lot of a pair of green ones the way they lit up with amusement.

“Is she now? Well that’s an important job and I’m sure your mom works hard,” he told the boy. “You need to be an extra good boy for her.”

“He’s always good,” Olivia assured Santa, holding her hand out. “Come on, Noah, let’s go.”

“Noah, go get your treat from one of my elves. I want to ask your mom what she wants for Christmas.”

The boy hopped off his lap and went obediently a few yards away where he could choose from a pile of small wrapped packages that were being watched over by pointed eared elves wearing curled toed shoes.

“Noah was telling me he’s bored at school and that’s a terrible thing for a child at his age. He seems extremely bright,” the man said when the child was out of earshot.

Olivia nodded.

“He is. I’ve just gotten a letter from his teacher wanting to talk about it.”

“Santa has a lot of friends in education, as you can imagine, working with so many children. There’s a wonderful charter school run by a friend of mine.”

He reached into the pocket of his red trousers and pulled out a card.

“Maybe go visit it first without Noah and see what you think.”

The woman took it from his white gloved fingers with another nod.

“Thank you. I’ve been wondering if a charter school might be a good option for him.”

Olivia turned to leave.

“And Captain?”

She turned back.

“I hope you and your brother are able to mend fences for the holidays.”

Shocked and confused, Olivia simply nodded and walked to Noah as the next child approached Santa. Her brother? What had Noah told the man? When Simon died, she told Noah about it only because he had met his uncle. Of course, she hadn’t explained that the man overdosed, but simply that he had an accident. Maybe someday she would explain more. She was still working out her own guilt that her phone message had pushed the former addict to seek solace in drugs again and resulted in his death. Beside her, Noah was telling her about the coloring book and crayons he’d opened and asking if he could eat the candy cane that had been attached to the package.

Later that night, once Noah was in bed, Olivia called Amanda Rollins. At work, the two women maintained their commanding officer/detective relationship, but outside, they had become fast friends and spoke often about everything non-SVU related, including parenting and their relationships. Although those conversations were mostly one-sided, with Amanda sometimes complaining, but often telling her about the sweet things that Sonny Carisi did. Olivia was never surprised; she knew the new ADA had a romantic streak a mile wide. Tonight, she filled her friend in on the visit with Santa.

“So you have no idea what he said or what he wants?” Amanda asked.

“Not a clue.”

“Didn’t you read the letter before you put it in the mailbox at the store?”

“No, dammit. I took it after he wrote it and then made the mistake of admitting I hadn’t dropped it off, so then we had to actually mail it,” she explained.

“Rookie mistake, Liv,” Amanda laughed. “Always read the letter.”

“I know. I usually do. But this year he wrote it himself without any help and sealed it up. Maybe he didn’t want me to see it.”

“Is he testing to see if Santa is real?”

“I don’t think so,” said Olivia. “Otherwise why would he insist on seeing him in the store? Who, by the way, is the only Santa, according to Noah, because he comes in the parade. He said all the others are just elves that dress up like Santa and report back to him.”

The two women laughed, then Olivia added,

“I just hope this isn’t something I can’t figure out or fulfill. And why would he say something about Simon? He only met him that one time.”

“I don’t know. Maybe he’s picking up on your unresolved feelings about Simon’s death,” Amanda suggested.

“Now you sound like Dr. Lindstrom.”

“You were the one who said I should try therapy,” her detective shot back. “Must be working.”

On her end, Olivia just smiled and shook her head.

Noah appeared to be satisfied after his visit with Santa, and didn’t bring it up again as the days grew shorter and his mother tried to balance work and final holiday preparations, along with fitting in a meeting with his teacher. The conference went well, with both parent and teacher in agreement that the boy needed additional enrichment and stimulation and that a charter school might be a good option, validating the opinion of the Santa from Macy’s, who, Olivia thought had looked like a retired schoolteacher himself. Noah’s teacher provided two recommendations; one of which was the same as the school on the card that had been in the SVU Captain’s coat pocket since the night at the department store.

Olivia stood in the office of the school recommended by both Noah’s teacher and Santa, waiting for the principal. It didn’t look much different than his current school but there was a different vibe. As she walked through the hallway, she’d heard music coming from one classroom, and a glimpse through the window in the door of another saw children at various stations around the room. Even the ones she passed where students were seated and listening to the teacher, they all had engaged expressions on their faces. None of them looked bored or uninterested in the lesson. Instinctively, Olivia felt like this might be a better fit for Noah.

“Ms. Benson?”

Olivia turned in the direction of the voice to see a familiar figure but one she hadn’t seen in several years.

“Mrs. Barba?”

“Lieutenant Benson!”

The older woman came closer and embraced her, then stepped back and held onto her arms, looking Olivia over.

“You’re looking well, Lieutenant,” Lucia said.

“It’s Captain now, actually. And so are you, Mrs. Barba.”

“Captain? That’s quite a feather in your cap, isn’t it?” Then she waved her hand at the return compliment. “Ah, you’re kind for saying so. But years are catching up with me.”

Olivia couldn’t have disagreed more. Other than a few more lines around her kind brown eyes, Lucia Barba didn’t look much different than she did the first time they’d met in the courthouse and the woman had told her she drove Rafael “a little crazy”.

“So what can I do for you, Captain? I hope you’re not here on police business?”

“Please, call me Olivia. And no, I’m here to look at possibly sending my son, Noah, to school here.”

“He’s in school? He can’t be old enough to be in school!” Lucia exclaimed. “I remember when Rafi told me you adopted him.”

“He’s seven years old and in second grade,” Olivia confirmed with a smile. “But he’s complaining of being bored at school, so his teacher suggested I look into a charter school and this one was recommended by both her and a friend of yours.”

The older woman linked her arm through Olivia’s and led her into the hallway.

“Let me give you a tour. Who was this friend of mine?” she asked.

Olivia laughed.

“I don’t actually know his name. He’s playing Santa at Macy’s right now. Blue eyes, real white beard. He gave me your card.”

Lucia shook her head.

“I can’t think of who that might be off the top of my head, but I give my cards to a lot of people.”

Olivia nodded. She did the same thing.

Lucia gave Olivia the full tour of the school, just as she did with every prospective parent and the captain couldn’t deny it seemed like a better fit for Noah. She was ready to ask if she could bring the boy for a visit as they returned to the main office when the words stuck in her throat. Bent over a desk was a man wearing jeans, a white shirt with the sleeves turned back to his elbows and a vest. Olivia knew immediately who it was. She had looked at the stripes on the back of that vest so many times, admiring the broad shoulders beneath it and wondering if they were maroon and dark brown or maroon and charcoal gray. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest as her eyes lingered over his form.

“Rafi! What are you doing here?” exclaimed Lucia.

The man straightened and spun gracefully on his heel, speaking as his did.

“Five days before Christmas and your Civics teacher breaks his ankle trying out snowshoes. On carpet. So I’m here to sub. Didn’t anyone……”

Rafael Barba’s voice trailed off when he saw the woman standing beside his mother. He recovered, although his voice cracked slightly on the last word.

“Tell you?”

“Yes, yes, that’s right. I’d forgotten you were coming in today.”

Lucia Barba looked between her son and his former coworker; the woman he hadn’t seen in 683 days, if the small number he wrote on his desk blotter calendar was to be believed. For the longest time she didn’t realize what those little consecutive numbers were that appeared every day. Then in February, when he made an off handed comment about how long it had been since he left the District Attorney’s office, his mother put the two things together.

Barba couldn’t take his eyes off of Olivia.

Over her arm she held the same winter coat he’d seen her in more times than he could remember and she wore her usual work attire: black pants and blazer, although beneath the blazer she had on a soft looking green sweater. In the v neck a pendant lay against her skin he hadn’t seen before and he wondered fleetingly if someone gave it to her or she bought it for herself. The badge at her waist caught his eye. It was different.

“Captain Benson was just getting the tour,” Lucia told him with a smile, since neither one of them seemed to be able to speak. “She’s considering sending her son here.”

Captain? She finally did it, he thought, meeting her eyes. Then he smiled before wetting his lips and finding his voice again.

“Congratulations, Liv.”

He got no return smile. Her brown eyes were burning with controlled anger although it wasn’t reflected anywhere on her face. Olivia’s gaze traveled from his shoes up over the jeans she had rarely seen him wear in the years they worked together, the familiar vest and shirtsleeves, skimming over the bare forearms she’d looked at so many times, to the beard and mustache he now sported and more casual hairstyle, all of which held more gray than she expected, but was surprised to find it suited him.

“Nice to see you’re still getting some use out of your suits, Barba.”

Then she looked at the woman beside her, her voice softening.

“Thank you very much for the tour, Lucia. I’ll be in touch about bringing Noah to visit,“ Olivia said.

She turned and left the room, leaving the two Barbas looking at each other. Olivia’s heels echoed as she strode quickly toward the exit, the sound matching the pounding of her heart. Pushing the door open, she stepped out into the cold air and paused, taking gulping breaths. Back in the school office, Lucia looked her son, who had taken a step backward at Olivia’s sharp words and was leaning limply against the desk he’d been bent over minutes before. Olivia Benson was the last person he expected to see at the school at which he occasionally taught and where he had served on the board of directors for the last year and helped with funding efforts.

“I’m guessing that means she didn’t know you were still in the city?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No, we haven’t spoken –”

“In 683 days. Yes, I finally figured out what you were keeping track of on your desk calendar. So are you really going to let her walk away?”

He said nothing. Lucia folded her arms across her chest and fixed her son with a look.

“Rafael Barba, do you think I don’t know how you feel about Olivia – have felt about her for years? I know you did what you needed to do; quitting the DA’s office, but you didn’t have to leave her behind too.”

Then she reached out and took the papers he’d been holding.

“Go. She can’t have gotten very far. I’ll take the class.”

Rafael found his voice for the second time and kissed his mother on the cheek.

“You’re right. Thank you.”

“I know. And you’re welcome.”

He grabbed his coat from the nearby coat rack and sprinted down the hall toward the same exit Olivia had gone out, and burst through the doors, coming to an abrupt halt when he didn’t see her there. Barba mentally kicked himself. Had he really expected her to be standing on the other side of the doors, waiting for him? But part of him had. His gaze swept the small fenced area outside the school where the children played in good weather and his heart stuttered when he saw a familiar figure on a bench. Olivia was hunched over her arms crossed in front of her, still holding her coat. He saw her shoulders move; from either cold or because she was crying he couldn’t tell. Before he could think twice, Rafael was down the stairs and across the playground. He didn’t speak until he was standing in front of her.

“Liv.”

If she heard him, Olivia gave no indication, so he crouched down in front of her, like he would one of the children.

“Liv,” he said again, reaching out to gently touch her arm.

She pulled away and raised her head.

“You’ve been here the whole time?” she asked hoarsely, her voice thick with unshed tears.

He nodded guiltily.

“Almost two years,” she said fiercely. “Almost two fucking years, Rafa! I thought you had dropped off the face of the earth and you were here all along?”

Her use of the nickname that only she used brought a lump to his own throat.

“Mostly, anyway. I went away for a little while,” Rafael replied. He shrugged and spoke again. “But this is my home. I couldn’t leave it.”

“You left me.”

The three words were said so quietly he almost missed them. But he didn’t miss her violent shiver.

“Liv, you must be freezing. Put your coat on.”

She let him tug it from her grasp and stand up to hold it out for her to slip her arms into. It bunched up behind her on the bench and she stood to button and belt it. Face to face for the first time since that fateful February day, Rafael reached out and took her hands in his. She didn’t pull away.

“I’m sorry.”

Before she could reply her phone rang. Removing one hand from his grasp, she took it out and answered.

“Benson. Yes, I’m done. I’ll be right there. Thanks, Fin.”

Pocketing the device, she met his eyes. They weren’t as angry as earlier, but were still serious.

“Work,” he said. It wasn’t a question.

“Yes. Trying to get things wrapped up before the holidays.”

She didn’t offer him any details and he didn’t ask. That wasn’t his life anymore.

“We need to talk,” he said, not wanting to let her leave, but knowing he had to.

Olivia nodded. She had more than a few things she wanted to say to the former ADA. She thought for a moment and then said,

“Carisi is taking the kids Christmas shopping tonight, so Noah won’t be around if you want to stop over.”

She didn’t want the boy to see him again until the two of them had ironed out their differences. His questions about his Uncle Rafa had dwindled to once a month or so, when something reminded him of the man. At first, he asked at least once a week where he had gone and when he was coming back.

“What time?” Rafael tried not to sound too eager. But if she had said 2 a.m. at the top of the Empire State Building he’d have agreed.

“He’s picking Noah up around 5:00. I might not be home by then. Is six okay?”

“I’ll be there.”

She didn’t say, so he presumed they were in the same apartment.

Olivia looked down where he was still holding her other hand and then offered him a small smile.

“I’ll see you later, then.”

He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles and released her.

“Later.”

It was 5:45 when Olivia rushed through her apartment door. She had hoped to leave the precinct by at least 5:15 but it was pushing half past by the time she finally closed her office door and wished Fin and Kat Merry Christmas. Amanda had already gone with Carisi when he showed up and went with him to her place to get her girls before picking up Noah. She was going to dinner with him and the kids before returning home to wrap presents while he took them to choose gifts for their respective mothers. Amanda told her he had volunteered and she wasn’t going to say no to any time alone before Christmas.

Olivia had had a hard time concentrating after returning to work. Rafael Barba was the last person she expected to encounter at a prospective school for Noah, and a chance encounter wasn’t the way she had envisioned finally seeing him again. She’d hoped for some advance notice. Like Carisi telling her Barba had returned to the DA’s office, or getting a phone call or an email. Something to give her a chance to emotionally prepare herself. She shrugged out of her blazer, unzipped and kicked off her boots, and shimmied out of her work pants. She liked the sweater she’d put on that morning, so she left that on and pulled on a pair of comfortable jeans. A quick tooth brushing and freshening of makeup and Olivia was pulling a brush through her hair when she heard a knock at the door. She pressed a hand to her stomach to quell the sudden flight of butterflies and took a breath before walking down the hall.

Rafael was feeling the same nerves on the other side of her door. He’d stood there so many times before, but this was different. All those other times he was welcome; he’d been there as a colleague and then as a friend. Now he was there to see if he had burned all the bridges between them. The door swung open and for a moment they took each other in, just as they had after Noah’s rescue from Sheila. His coat was open, revealing he still wore the clothes she’d seen him in earlier, less the tie. Olivia spoke first, stepping back to let him in.

“Hi.”

He walked past her to the kitchen bar where he put the takeout bag he carried.

“I brought dinner.”

Olivia smiled as she closed the door. That was the Rafael she remembered. Thinking with his stomach. She joined him to inspect the containers he was unpacking. He remembered all her favorites from the Cuban place he’d introduced her to years before. She put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze before moving to get plates and utensils. It felt like old times. Only it wasn’t. Before, they would have settled on the couch, each in their own corner, sharing bites from the other’s plate as they ate and talked. Now, Olivia sat down on one of the tall stools and Rafael perched stiffly on another. He popped a plantain chip in his mouth but it felt like he was chewing cardboard. She picked at the rice and beans on her plate with her fork.

“Liv.”

“Rafa.”

They spoke simultaneously. Then she continued after he inclined his head for her to go first.

“Why?”

He chuckled.

“That’s a broad question. But I owe you a few answers.”

As he talked, their familiarity returned, along with their appetites. Before long, they had moved to the couch. Rafael explained that when he was found not guilty of the charges brought against him by Jack McCoy, he felt like he had been given a second chance. That day outside the courthouse when he told her she’d changed him, he was trying to tell her that. So when he said he needed to move on, he meant from law, not her.

“Why didn’t you say so?” Olivia asked.

“I thought you knew,” he admitted. “But then you didn’t say anything, so I thought –”

Rafael paused, putting his food on the coffee table while he chose his words carefully.

“I thought I had let you down.”

“Let me down? Why? Because you needed a breather from a career that was sucking the joy from your life?”

Olivia put her own plate down grasped his forearm with both hands at the quizzical look on his face.

“Yes, I saw it. How could I not? I saw what those last few months – those cases – were doing to you. I could see it in your eyes, your body language. You were carrying a huge weight on you. You weren’t happy.”

He closed his eyes then, for a moment, and reopened them to meet hers.

“I was happy when I was with you. But because you didn’t try and stop me from leaving, I thought if you couldn’t have me as an ADA, you didn’t want me,” Rafael said softly.

“Stop you? You were the one who walked away from me, remember? As for wanting you, I’ve always wanted you, Rafael. When you said you were quitting the DA’s office I thought we could finally admit our feelings for each other, because we wouldn’t be working together. Because we wouldn’t have to worry about a conflict of interest. What did you think I wanted you to say when I said ‘And?’ I wanted you to tell me how you felt!”

Olivia had been leaning closer to him as she spoke and almost shouted the last two sentences, her brown eyes flashing with emotion.

Rafael quickly moved the arm she didn’t have hold of, put his hand at the back of her neck did what he’d wanted to do for years: kissed her. She was surprised at first, her eyes opening wide, but then they slid closed and she gave herself up to the sensation of his lips against hers for the first time. They were warm and firm and his mustache tickled just enough to make her shiver with delight. He ended the kiss and began to pull away but Olivia moved one of her hands to cup his jaw and initiated a second one. Rafael wanted to put his arms around her but they were seated awkwardly on the couch. He began to shift so he could pull her against him when she suddenly pulled away.

“What’s wrong?”

Before the words were out, he heard the apartment door open and Noah call,

“Mom, we’re home!”

Olivia sprang to her feet, hoping her lips didn’t look as thoroughly kissed as they felt. Rafael stood as well, discreetly adjusting his jeans. A few more minutes and he’d have needed to stay seated. Then he reached out and gently brushed a thumb over her bottom lip. That and the heated look in his eyes confirmed her suspicions and never had she been less happy to see her son, she thought, smiling at the man beside her before stepping toward the hallway to greet Noah and her former detective. The boy came running into the main room, the tall ADA following, carrying a shopping bag containing wrapped packages. Noah skidded to a halt when he saw Rafael and his eyes lit up.

“Uncle Rafa!” he cried and flung himself at the man, throwing his arms around his waist for an exuberant hug. Then he turned around and spoke to the other man who was looking between Olivia and Rafael with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

“Uncle Sonny, Santa was right! He told me he was sure I’d get what I wanted for Christmas!”

Then he looked at his mother with a huge smile on his face.

“We went to see Santa again because Jesse didn’t see the real Santa and he told me he was sure I was going to get what I wanted for Christmas as long as I was good. But I thought I’d have to wait until Christmas or maybe after.”

“I’m just gonna’ see myself out,” said Carisi, putting the bag on a nearby chair. “Good to see you, counselor.”

Rafael lifted his chin and smiled at the other man.

“Thanks, but I think I’m the one who should be calling you counselor now.”

“You’ll always be counselor to me, Rafael,” he replied. “See ya’ later, Liv.”

“Bye, Carisi. Thanks again.”

Once the apartment door closed, Olivia turned to Noah, who had removed his arms from around Rafael’s waist but was still gazing at the man with a mixture of happiness and awe.

“Noah, what do you mean you got what you wanted for Christmas? Christmas is still a few days away,” she said.

“I told Santa I wanted to see Uncle Rafa again. I missed him and I know you did too,” the boy explained. “Your face got sad when you talked about him.”

Then he addressed Rafael.

“Are you back now? Where have you been? Will we get to see you more?”

As she listened to her son talk, something that had puzzled her finally made sense. If he told Santa in the store that he wanted to see his Uncle again, the man would have naturally assumed he was talking about her brother. Olivia glanced at Rafael who looked slightly panicked about answering Noah’s questions. She rescued him momentarily by sending the boy to put on his pajamas.

“He won’t take too long,” she said. “Do you want to answer him or should I and you can jump in where you want?”

She picked up their plates and carried them to the kitchen. Rafael followed her. After a quick glance down the hall to make sure Noah wasn’t returning yet, he put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Olivia’s eyes fluttered closed at the feel of his strong embrace and slid her own hands around his back.

“As long as you tell him he’s going to be seeing me a lot more, I don’t care what else you tell him,” Rafael said softly in her ear.

Then he pressed his lips to hers in a lingering kiss and she opened her eyes to gaze into his green ones.

“How about if I just tell him that there really is a Santa Claus?”

#barson #olivia benson #rafael barba #Secret Santa Exchange 2019 #& secret santa exchange #from motherbearof03 #to untapdtreasure #gift 1 of 1 #submission

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foldback · 4 years

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Pearl Jam - MTV Unplugged

Today was my first official day of vacation (not counting the weekend), so I spent it getting a lot of crap done: a few loads of laundry, cleaning the house, dishes, wrapping presents, etc.

The reward I dangled in front of myself all day was this. I missed the Record Store Day release of it (because I’m not going out on Black Friday, ever), but the band wound up having a few copies for sale on their site, and I got one before they disappeared again. So here I am, sitting in the music room, listening to this and enjoying every minute of it. I just flipped over to side two, too. To just call this one essential would be an understatement.

#Pearl Jam #mtv unplugged #music #records #album art #vinyl

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jamielea81 · 5 years

Text

A Walk in the Park

Chapter 2

Description: When your husband dies in an accident, you try to move on with your life. When the memories of your shared home become too much even after two years, you make a drastic change and move to California. A new career, a new way of life, and an attractive new friend help you move on to find the happiness you need. *This will be a slow burn*

Pairings: Chris Evans x Reader

Warnings for this chapter: A curse word or two, an annoying boss, fluff.

Unbeta’d, so all mistakes are my own. This is purely for fun. Comments and reblogs are always appreciated. Tagging those who wanted to see a second chapter. @flamencodiva @the--blackdahlia @angelus320 @deanwinchesterswitch @thefandomzoneisdangerous

Read Chapter 1 Here

“Y/N!” A shrill voice called from two rooms away. You groaned inwardly but sighed outwardly and plastered a tight smile on your face. You excused yourself from the kitchen staff and walked quickly to the ballroom passing staff carrying various sized flower arrangements, many of which would be sent back once Colleen saw them. Everything was always over ordered and then returned for one reason or another. Your flats pounded the ground with urgency. You learned by day two that heels would not do. While you rather be wearing sneakers or at least a pair of Keds, fancy flats were the most you could get away with. Your two pairs of black heels would be reserved for event nights where dresses and the occasional skirt and blouse were acceptable. If you were being honest, you truly were a barefoot or sandal girl. Feet curled up on the couch with a book in your hand, that was the life. That was your former life back in Minnesota when you worked Monday through Friday and were off work by 5. Now most nights you were busy and forget about weekends.

“Yes, Colleen? How may I help you?” You asked with that same tight smile on your face. Colleen was your boss’s boss. Your actual boss, Victoria, who you adored was extremely busy so you rarely saw her. She was sweet and loved your ideas. Often encouraging you to come up with idea boards to help you with future events that she was confident you would be taking the lead on in no time. Colleen should really be behind a desk making sales and the rare appearance for approvals, but that’s not how she operates. She likes to take a hands-on role which is good in some aspects but, she’s too much.

“Ah, Y/N, there you are. I’ve been calling you for an hour.” It was not an hour. You just saw her 15 minutes ago. “I need to see the menus again for the Mayor’s Ball on Thursday”

“I was just meeting with the chef going over the changes you suggested.” Grabbing your phone out of your crossbody bag, you opened an e-mail, typed in Colleen’s address, and attached the updated menu, all before she had a moment to respond. “Just sent you the updated menu.” You looked up to see a questionable look on her face. She didn’t know what to say; you had beat her to the punch after only working for her for a little over two months.

“Ah, wonderful, Y/N. Now, where are those new flower arrangements I ordered?”

You gestured to the hall with your hand and followed her out. It was going to be a long two days before the event.

It had been a week and a half since you met Chris. He hadn’t sent a text but neither had you since your response that first night. You had typed out maybe 20 responses, several included dog emojis. You settled on a smiling emoji. Ugh, why are you so awkward?

You continued with your nightly walks, often heading in different directions. Always keeping an eye peeled for an adorable dog on the loose. Victoria had suggested hiking in Runyon Canyon with her on Sundays, but you just frankly haven’t had the energy. Working 6 days a week most weeks and various hours of the day and night, walking in your neighborhood was all you could handle at the moment.

Finishing off your walk, you jogged to the back of the house seeing the Smiths enjoying a glass of wine on the patio. “You two look cozy.”

“How was your walk? James asked. Arm stretched around Connie’s shoulder as they sat on the patio loveseat.

“It was really nice. I’m loving this weather.” They both nodded. “I’m heading up. Have a goodnight.” Your head tilting up towards the staircase.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” Connie said.

Unlocking your door, you quickly changed into your pjs which consisted of an old pair of gray sweats and a white V-neck t-shirt. It was already after 8, more like closer to 9, as you worked later tonight running errands for Colleen. Tomorrow would be last minute prep for the next night’s Ball. You were exhausted. Falling asleep while on Facebook reading, about the adventures of friends and family back home. You’d finish commenting tomorrow when you weren’t dead to the world.

It was 11 in the morning and you still haven’t had your coffee. The people here don’t seem to understand that you can’t do life without coffee. Cursing the Colleens and interns of the world for causing you to run around like there’s no tomorrow, you took a deep breath, plastered on a smile and ran to the fabric store once more. You’d hit up the Starbucks drive thru on the way back, yeah, that’s what you would do. Exchanging the Royal Blue fabric for the True Blue fabric because the color had more “umph” you were on your way back to your car. Your phone dinged, most likely Victoria or Colleen checking in. Most likely Colleen asking for lunch even though the interns are at her disposal. Dropping the bundles in the back seat and plopping yourself in the front seat of your sedan, you pulled your phone out of your purse. “Oh, it’s from Chris.” Clicking on the message you were both excited and nervous. Part of you didn’t think he would actually message you again.

“Hey, Y/N. Checking to see if you’re free Friday for game night. It’ll be low key, maybe 7 of us.” Friday, you could do Friday. You’d be off early with only the cleanup from the Ball and dropping off the items that are kept for the next event in the storage unit. You would be tired and maybe not the best of company, but you weren’t working Saturday.

“Hey Chris! Yeah, Friday works. Let me know what time and where. Say hi to Dodger for me.” Hi to Dodger? Really Y/N? At least you didn’t add a dog emoji. Waiting a few minutes with no response from Chris, you put your phone away and set your course for the nearest Starbucks.

You were at the park again after walking a little more than a mile. Since you started the day at 6 in the morning, Victoria told you to go home at 5. Victoria said she would handle Colleen if she asked for you. This is why you love Victoria. The park wasn’t as empty today as it normally was. You sat on the grass listening to the chatter from other people in the distance who sat around the fountain. You had slipped off your shoes and enjoyed the feel of the green grass on your toes. Your phone dinged and saw that it was a message from Chris with an address and telling you to come around 7. You replied back with a picture of the fountain and told him that you’d see him Friday. He sent a reply asking if you’d be at the park much longer. You said you’d hang around for a bit and waited for his reply. After about 15 minutes, enough time to reply to those Facebook posts and pictures, you were being attacked with slobbery kisses from Dodger. Laughing and using your hands to shield your face you looked up to see Chris in front of you. Sans hat this time. God he is beautiful. Wearing a pair of beat up jeans and a gray graphic tee that fit in all the right places. Is everyone this pretty in LA? “Dodger, that’s enough. Come on boy.” He said while gently tugging the leash and flashing a smile.

“It’s OK. I had a dog when I was kid so I am totally used to it.”

Chris plopped himself on the ground next to you. Dodger doing the same. “No dog now?”

“No, I’m renting a studio.”

“Why a studio? The market’s slowed down, it would be a great time to buy.” He asked.

“Well, Mr. Evans, moving across the country and not really knowing what area of the city I wanted to reside in permanently, buying didn’t seem like the smart choice at the time.”

“So, you do know who I am.” Smirk resting on his face.

“Guilty.” You blushed. “Kind of got into the Marvel movies a few years back. That Robert Downey Jr. is pretty wonderful.”

Chris scoffed, placing a hand on his chest pretending to be mortally wounded with your words. “I see how it is.” He said with a wide smile.

You let of a small laugh and nodded. “I like this area though. Not sure I can afford it, but I am thinking about it. I’m going to wait a bit to decide. The ocean calls to me, but that would put a damper on my commute.”

“Beach houses are great. Kind of a pain to keep up, but I know the appeal. How does the ocean call to a Midwesterner?”

“Grew up around boats. Land of 10,000 lakes dontcha know.” You said adding in that fake Fargo accent that is often mistaken for Minnesotan.

“That’s right, that’s right. Well, will have to make a trip to the ocean some time. A buddy of mine has a good-sized boat. We usually go out in the summer once or twice.”

Um, am I making future plans with my new best friend already? Play it cool, play it cool Y/N. “Yeah, that would be fun, I might have to take you up on that.” You replied. “So, what kind of games are we playing Friday?”

“We usually start with the easy ones like Life or Sorry. After a few adult beverages we switch to card games like Presidents and Assholes.”

“No way! You know that game too? I used to play that in college.”

“We have ringer? I know who’s on my team.” He said pulling you into a side hug. You laughed and started to play with the blades of grass.

“Well, I’m looking forward to it then. I do have to warn you that I may be a little tired. We have a big event tomorrow night and I have been running raged all week.”

“Noted.” He replied making a mock check mark with his finger. He started to get up and you started to put your sneakers back on. “I’ll let you get back home since you have a busy day tomorrow.”

“Thanks for stopping out. It was great to see Dodger again.” You said with a wink.

“You wound me again! I’m starting to regret this game night invite.”

“Okay, okay, I take it back. Scouts honor.” You replied with a little bit of a salute. Chris gave another smile.

“Good luck tomorrow Y/N.”

“Thanks, Chris. Bye Dodger.” With that you headed out of the park towards home.

You just needed to get through tomorrow and then you could finally breath this weekend.

Chapter 3

#chris evans x reader #chris evans x you #chris evans x y/n #cevans #chris evans #rpf

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prorevenge · 5 years

Text

Don't lie to up-sell and scam me out of my rims.

I apologize for the length, but the story was convoluted, as all good stories are. Not so much revenge, but more getting treated fairly after being mistreated by a scummy store manager. I've changed a few details and rounded $$$ values.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I had a minor accident driving to visit family in Podunk Town, TX. Not Small Town, TX, but big enough to have most large chains, but not much else. Anyway, I hit a pothole about 5 miles from my destination, and noticed a significant wobble in the car. It was night time, so I just parked at my grandma's place and decided to inspect the damage the next day.

Next day, I get out and look under the car and see the rim is bent. I drive a less common Japanese make, and one of their less common models. For this particular model, there is a lot of value attached to the wheels. The car is the last of it's model type, and the wheels are particularly valuable/expensive, so I'm pretty frustrated. New OEM wheels will be $400 from the dealer, used rims will be $300 and questionable, and I'm unsure about the repairability of a bent rim at this point in the story. If I don't have a matching set of original rims, the car's value is significantly diminished. However, even if I wanted to, there was no way I could find a dealer for my make within 100 miles. I'd either have to get it repaired, or get a temporary replacement. Usually in situations like this, I'd call my mechanic buddy and get his opinion. However, he works a 10 day on, 4 day off schedule, and worked his butt off to get the shift with holiday weekend off, since he never sees his kids. I didn't want to interrupt his family time, so I figured I'd call on the last day of his break, as he was heading back to work.

So, I leave the car in the driveway for Thanksgiving, and spend time with family. First thing in the morning on Friday, I wake up and go to Chain Tire Store. I've had good luck with Chain Tire Store in the past, so I figure they will be honest with me and give me a fair diagnosis. I roll into the shop first thing, and the manager immediately comes to greet me, saying he really likes my car and wishes there was a dealer nearby so he could have one of his own. Classic salesman tactic, but whatever. I show him what's wrong, he pulls the car into the shop, and a mechanic pulls the wheel off.

After looking at the wheel, the manager comes out and tells me he's sorry, but the wheel is not safe to repair. He shows me the bend, which to my eye is very slight, but he assures me they put the wheel underwater, and bubbles came out from under the tire, indicating the tire wouldn't hold air pressure. I thought this was weird, because my tire pressure gauge didn't come on, and the tire had held up fine after hitting the pothole. Still, I trusted Chain Tire Store, so whatever, I'd just need to buy a new rim.

The manager asks if I'd like to get a replacement, and I say I'm not sure, I'll need to think about it. He offers to ring me up for an estimate while I wait. So, I go outside and consider my options: buy one mismatched wheel and replace it immediately when I get home, or buy a matching set and replace the damaged wheel when I eventually sell the car.

Store manager comes out and tells me the cheapest estimate he has to get me out of the shop safely is $550. This is insane, and I'm taken aback. I ask for the write-up of the estimate, and he complies. 4 x $100 wheels and $150 in labor. I told him the cheapest option was just one wheel and labor (~$140), and his response was that clearly I drove a nice car and I'd want a full set of matching rims. He said, look I know it looks a little expensive, but I'm a nice guy and I'll personally buy your old wheels from you for $50 a piece, bringing the net price down to $350 for a whole set of matching rims. This set off warning bells, so I told him I'd need to think it over some more. After a few minutes of thinking, I realized this guy is trying to scam me out of my rims and get sales commission on a huge sale. Truly in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

He also shows me that for Black Friday, they are having a special 20% mail-in rebate if I go with 6 month financing. Considering that the price of one new wheel for my car is $400, and I could get a full new set of matching wheels for $440 after the rebate, I figured I'd get the matching set and figure out how to get back on the original rims later. I didn't really care at this point, I just wanted to be done with the scummy store manager. So I told him I'd take the full set, and I'd be doing the financing for the 20% rebate. He offered to write me a check for $200 on the wheels, but I told him I'd prefer to keep the old ones. He was visibly disappointed, but he still made a big sale and would make a lot on commission.

So I drive many hours home, fill out the form for the rebate, and enjoy my weekend off. I send a pic of the bent wheel to my mechanic buddy, and say I'm upset that I'm not driving on the original rims. He immediately responds with why not? I tell him what happened at Chain Tire Store, and he calls me immediately. He says based on the pictures I sent, the wheel was fully repairable, and it should only cost $100-$150 to do. The store manager didnt just try a sales tactic to get me to make a big purchase, he lied to me.

So I go online to find a customer service number for the company. Immediately, on the front of their web page is their guarantee:

"30 DAY 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH YOUR PURCHASE, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A REFUND AT ANY OF OUR NATIONWIDE LOCATIONS"

I'm not one to take advantage of a company's guarantee, but this is a special circumstance, so I decided it would be worth it to get refunded. I go and take my bent rim to a wheel repair specialty shop, and get it back later that day. Meanwhile, I call up the Chain Tire Store and speak with the manager who sold me the wheels.

I say I'm unhappy with my wheels, and would like to work out a return. I tell him I got a second opinion on the wheel, and it turns out it was repairable. I would like to use their guarantee and receive my money back because of his negligence or dishonesty, whichever he decided to pick. He picked negligence, and then told me since I was doing financing, a large rebate, and a non-local return he would only refund me $250 of the $550 purchase price (supposedly to cover shipping and re-install of old wheels), and that the initial labor on installation was non-refundable. My options were either to accept the offer he made, or hope corporate would understand and help me iron out the details. I told him to begin the process of getting the $250 while I found a local location to have the work done. I didn't tell him I'd be sending that estimate up to corporate.

I call up corporate Chain Tire Store the next day, after receiving an email saying I'd be receiving a check for $250, assuming I could bring the wheels to a local location. I explained the situation to the person on the phone, forwarded them the email from the manager for the $250 offer, and sent them photos of the bent and subsequently repaired wheel, along with the receipt for the repair and safety tests done by the repair shop. They immediately apologized for what had happened, and said the manager did not have authority to issue a check for the partial value of a refund. They read me a policy which stated that "all refunds must be for the full purchase value", meaning the manager was not allowed to make a partial refund at all. He either had to completely deny the refund, or refund the full $550 in full. Agreeing to a partial refund had violated company policy. He was also required to issue the refund through the same means of payment, instead of writing a check, meaning I was completely off the hook for the whole $550 purchase. So on the phone, they set me up with a complimentary appointment to swap out the wheels, refunded the $550 in full, and confirmed that the manager who sold me the wheels would be reprimanded.

And for the cherry on top, I received confirmation that I will still be getting the 20% rebate in the mail later next week. It just about covers the cost of repair to my wheel.

TL;DR: After hitting a pothole, a tire store manager lied to me to up-sell me and scam me out of valuable rims. He agreed to a partial refund, which is against company policy, and I end up getting a full refund, plus 20% rebate on a $550 purchase.

(source) (story by whenyesterdaywemet)

#prorevenge #by whenyesterdaywemet #pro revenge #revenge stories #pro revenge stories #pro #revenge #revenge story #last10

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lovemesomesurveys · 4 years

Text

How are you today? I’m alright.

Do you have mean comments that replay in your head and haunt you? Yeah, like the ones I tell myself that play on a continuous loop. And comments from other people, but it’s the stuff I tell myself that are the loudest.

^If so, do you know why that is? That’s how my mind works.

What are you currently worried about, if anything? Health stuff as always.

Did you go Black Friday shopping this past Black Friday? Yeah, online. Websites have been having pre-Black Friday sales since the beginning of November and then when Black Friday came around a lot of websites had them through the weekend. Then Cyber Monday happened and that’s still going on for some websites. So, there’s plenty of sales going on online all the time and it’s so much better than dealing with the crowds and chaos.

^If so, what was the best deal you got? There’s been a lot of great sales. It also helps using apps like Rakuten and Retailmenot where it finds you sales, coupon codes, and cash back offers.

Have you ever been Black Friday shopping? I’ve never gone out on Black Friday, no. I’ve been doing mine online for years.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? The mashed potatoes with gravy and the stuffing.

Do you wear a watch every day? I never wear a watch.

Pineapple or pepperoni? Definitely no to pineapple, I’ve never liked that. I don’t get pepperoni anymore either.

What food makes you feel nauseous? I just feel nauseous sometimes. I have stomach issues.

Have you ever seen a spirit? No.

When you have your own house someday, what color Christmas tree do you want and how will you decorate it? We always get a real tree, which I love, so that would never change. We change up the color theme for the decorations each year and I would continue to do that as well.

Name 3 youtube channels you’ve been loving lately. There’s several.

Do you have a youtube channel? I have a YouTube account so I can subscribe and whatnot, but I don’t upload videos.

^If so, does your family approve?

What do you think about the new “for kids” or “not for kids” rules? I’ve heard a couple YouTubers talk about it and it sounds like there needs to be more clarification.

^ Do they affect you? Well, no. I don’t upload videos.

What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten? Wasabi and sushi. BLECH. Wasabi tastes how like shoe cleaner or nail polish remover smells.

What food is so disgusting you could absolutely never eat it? I truly don’t think I’d be able to stomach any kind of organ meat, especially tongue. <<< GAH, same. Or any insect. Or any seafood. I’m very picky, so there’s a lot of things, honestly.

Do you like sushi? Noo.

What color was the last sweater you wore? Red.

Name 3 material items on your wish list right now. New Beats earphones, a pair of Adidas, and clothes.

Are you planning on doing Vlogmas (for youtube) this year? I’m not a vlogger.

Have you ever done Vlogmas before? No. I don’t vlog or upload any kind of videos.

Have you ever made money off of youtube? Sigh.

Are you happy that the year is coming to an end? It’s pretty crazy to think it’s an end of a decade. Otherwise, January 1, 2020 will come and it’ll be just another day. Nothing will change just cause the year is over.

Have you ever bought a designer purse? No.

Do people tell you that you look sick when you wear a certain color? No. They tell me I look sick cause of my face and appearance, ha.

^If yes, what color?

Do you consider yourself creative? No.

….outgoing? Nope.

….free-spirited? No.

….shy? Very.

….socially awkward? Extremely.

Do you often feel alone? Yes.

What could be the theme song to your life? I don’t know.

List three new songs you’ve discovered this year that you like a lot. Nah.

If you could win a shopping spree in any store, what would it be? Perhaps BoxLunch.

Do you wear jewelry often? Nope.

List 10 of your favorite girl names. Nah.

List 10 of your favorite boy names. Nah.

List 10 girl names (or up to 10) that you don’t really care for. Nah.

List up to 10 boy names that you don’t really care for. Nah.

How old were you when you found out Santa wasn’t real? I think like 7 or 8.

Do you own a Polaroid camera? No.

^If so, what color is it?

List one past regret. I have so many to choose from; though, how could I choose just one?

Do you own Converse, and if so, what color? I have the classic black and white pair.

What color was your senior prom dress? Like a creme color with gold specks.

Are you colorblind? No.

Name the people you know who are colorblind. I don’t think I know anyone that is colorblind.

What’s one pet peeve of yours? Eating sounds.

Would you ever consider a career in writing? I took an entertainment journalist class as an elective and I quite enjoyed it. I kinda thought at the time that I maybe should have pursued something in that. I don’t want to do anything in writing now, though.

What was the first thing you wanted to be when you grew up? Teacher.

What was your first favorite color? Red.

What is your favorite color now? I have several: pastels, dusty rose, coral, mint green, and yellow.

Do you know a lot of people with the same middle name as you? Yeah.

Do you like the name Brynn? Sure.

List five names you hate the spelling of. Blah.

Do you watch Niki and Gabi on youtube? Nope.

Do you watch Brooklyn and Bailey? No.

….Bethany Mota? I’ve heard of her, but no.

……Gillian Bower? No.

….LaurDIY? No.

…..Family Fizz? Nope.

….Chronically Jaquie? No.

Have you ever purchased a youtuber’s merch? Yes.

^If so, what did you buy? A couple shirts. I’ve also bought a few books from a couple YouTubers.

#personal #text #survey #surveys

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writeforself · 5 years

Text

Takekawa x M!Reader

A/N: So yeah, that Ossan’s Love fic I was talking about, is nowhere near finish. (So are every other fics) but here is the first part, hope you enjoy it :))

Deep into the night, only a number of shadows still lingered along the street; the neon light shed its radiant glow on the passing drunkards, who shouted unintelligible phrases into the thick night. Behind a dusty window, on the second floor of an insignificant building by the street, a man folded up clothes and placed them neatly on the stained bedside table. With his elegant fingers, he brushed across the well-placed clothes to get rid of the slight hint of dirt on its surface, then over the business suit on himself to make sure everything was settled. As he looked around for a final examination, he frowned at the strand of hair dangling by the bed; he collected it gently, almost in slow motion, and threw it inside the bin not far away from the bed. He picked up his shoes to have the carpet smother his steps. Before finally leaving this room which is packed with a scent of mould, he took a final glance at the person who seemed to be having a pleasant dream.

After he stepped out of that nameless building, he lowered his gaze and adjusted his black rim glasses, and eventually faded into the dark of the night.

By tomorrow morning, he would no longer remember that sweet face of the pretty man sleeping on the bed. All he would remember were the clash of flesh and swift breathes echoed inside his head. By tomorrow morning, he would be alone once more, for another weekend that felt like it would last forever. The office he works in is always bustling with energy, leaving it on a Friday night has been so far proved dreadful. After attending the wedding not long ago, Monday has become his favourite day of a week. It is always a delight to talk nonsense with his colleagues on a busy day, to observe the happiness spilling out from their contagious smile, to picture himself luxuriate in the same jubilation simply by observing them.

Striding up the street he stopped in front of a photography store and stared at the countless smiling faces that reminded of him the yearning.

“I want to love.”

He remembered how he said this to Mr. Kurosawa, his boss that tumbled twice in the name of love; how Kurosawa only replied with a confident smile, tapping his knees with self-assurance, before jumping into the crowd and retrieve the wedding bouquet from the newly wed; how Kurosawa seemed to obtain a new pair of wings and radiated with a gracious glow. He thought to himself, that one day he would like to be like Kurosawa.

To love without restraint, to fight without reservation, to never regret and resent failure—for Takekawa Masamune, a real estate agent marching toward his fifty, he has yet mastered the lesson of love.

CLICK

Amid the silence, he heard a sudden noise that resembles the sound of a shutter. When he raised his gaze, he saw a stranger facing him with a camera in hand, who stared into the dark camera with a smile on his face.

“Hey!” He called for the stranger.

“Uh… Yes?” He seemed to be startled by the sudden interaction, which made him look like a schoolboy who was just caught pranking. He straightened his torso but hesitated to meet Takekawa’s gaze.

Takekawa frowned and stared at the strangers. At the moment, he was free from the responsibility of being a proper polite salesman. He continued in an unpleasant tone. “I thought asking before taking a stranger’s photo should be common sense.”

“Oh…” The stranger seemed to be left speechless. After a closer inspection, Takekawa had found this stranger to be quite handsome—the perfectly fit shirt brought out his slim figure; and apart from all the packages he’s carrying, he seemed to have a tidy personality. Yet his expression showed something different. “Ah, yes… um, may I take your photo?”

“You should’ve asked that earlier!” Despite his sharp remark, an awkward smile emerged on the stranger’s face.

“Indeed… Sorry to bother you,” He bowed while he spoke.

Before Takekawa could react, the strangers was already running toward the opposite direction.

He stood and saw the stranger rushing further away from him. The image of him running out of breaths came vivid inside Takekawa’s mind, as he watches the heavy backpack bounces up and down while the stranger sprinted away.

It was only till the next day, he would remember his confusion, “Did he just smiled?”

***

“Good morning!” With a bright smile hanging upon his face, Haruta walked into the office with his usual enthusiasm and the volume that would wake the deepest sleeper. Weeks has passed since Maki was transferred to Singapore. For the first few weeks, Haruta had been absent-minded. However, as time passed, living by himself seemed to become easier and easier.

After all that had happened, Takekawa had already let go his obsession with Maki. Now he truly wishes nothing but happiness for these two friends of his. Yet, maybe it was because of some sort of immaturity which was sparked by loneliness, he still could not help but feel the jealousy rose from deep within, when he heard Haruta calling Maki “Ryota” on the phone.

“Good morning Haruta,” He stares at Haruta who is beaming, “Something good happened?” “Hmm? Is it that obvious?”

Hands on his cheeks, Haruta makes his usual shocked-face with his eyes wide open. That expression disappears soon though, as he returns to the smile earlier. He takes out his phone, and lays it in front of Takekawa. On the phone, there seems to be nothing but a photo of fried chicken, which doesn’t seem particularly delicious. Receiving no reactions from Takekawa, Haruta continues with his hands gesturing wildly in the air.

“Hehe, believe it or not, after a thousand times of experiment… Finally, I finally made some edible fried chicken yesterday!” Haruta retrieves his phone and falls back onto his seat. “On top of that, it’s pretty good! When I showed my success to Maki, he replied, ‘Not bad! looking forward to it.’” He speaks with his arms high up, as if he is stretching. “Can you believe that? Maki complimenting me? THAT MAKI? Well, time to work harder to make more tasty fried chicken!” “That is good news. Congrats to you! But if you are improving cooking, you should try some healthier dishes.”

Luxuriating in his excitement, Haruta hadn’t noticed how flat of a tone Takekawa spoke with, nor had he prepared for such sharp remark from Takekawa.

“Haha, that is true. You’re right.” To that Haruta can only reply with a couple of hollow laughters. All of a sudden, he straightens up on his seat, like he just remember something he’s not supposed to forget. He takes a quick glimpse at his watch and at the calendar laying flatly on the table, before jumping from his seat like a stream of electricity just running across his veins.

“I just remember I have an appointment with a customer. I will leave you to take care of here, Takekawa!” Halfway through the sentence, he is already at the door. Takekawa takes a final glance at Haruta who’s busy rushing out the office, before returning to the pile of files lying on his desk.

Today the sales department seems especially busy, even the assistant who usually stays in the office is nowhere to be found. After lunch time, Takekawa is the only one left in the office. He sits by the front desk, checking his calendar to make plans for the week, having no clue with the emptiness of the office.

#takekawa x reader #ossan’s love #ossans love #takekawa masamune #ossan's love imagine

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