#meanwhile Gil: what if I ask her to marry me at graduation?

[softquietsteadylove]

heyyy 🫶🏼🫶🏼

can we have some more spicy ten things I hate abt you AU?? I really loved the last one!!! And can we also have Thena being vulnerable to Gil? I love your writing so so sooooo much 🫶🏼🫶🏼

—- Eternalfanatic (I forgot my account password lmao) 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

"Hey."

Thena furrowed her brows, determined to keep on kissing him as their hips moved together. She tangled her tongue with his, trying to dissuade him from interrupting things.

"Thena?"

She huffed, pulling away and bracing herself on his shoulders to glare at him. "You keep saying how much you enjoy our intimacy, yet you insist on interrupting it!"

Gil wore a sheepish expression, despite literally being buried inside of her. His fingers tapped on her bare back. "I do!"

"Then why," she growled, leaning forward and forcing him completely under her again. Not that she enjoyed the thought of his eyes having a full on feast of her naked body. But she enjoyed being on top--it gave her the control she so desperately needed, especially at times like this. She dug her nails into his shoulder, "are you?"

He sighed, glancing away as if they were having a light, normal conversation, and not in the middle of having sex. "Well...is something on your mind?"

"Now?!" she barked at him. Neither were close to the point of no return, obviously, but she wasn't exactly ready to call things off and have a little heart to heart, either. "You're asking this now!"

"Sorry," he whined faintly, holding her hips still as she tried to resume their pleasure. He gave her a distinctly concerned look. "I'm happy you came over and all. But I dunno--you seem kind of...angry."

She was.

"If you wanna angry fuck, then fine," Gil amended, holding her hips more firmly. "But I'm not some exercise bike you can use to blow off steam and then ignore."

Her brows raised. It was the first time he had expressed his qualms about their relationship so clearly. He had a right to, of course, and she knew he was right, too. She was using all the benefits of their closeness without offering any return on his emotional investment.

Gil made room for her as she lifted herself off of his completely erect hardness and flopped onto the bed beside him. "Y'know how they say 'don't go to bed angry'? Well, I'm pretty sure they would say don't have spite-sex, either."

She shook her head, staring up at his ceiling with her arms wrapped around herself futilely. "Sorry."

He shook his head as well, also staring up instead of at her. It did make things feel a little easier. "I'm sorry--I should have asked before we got into things."

In all fairness to Gil, she had positively pounced on him as soon as they were in his room. He wouldn't have had much time to voice his concerns before she was undoing his belt and asking if that box of condoms still had anything in it.

"So?" he prompted, slipping his hands under the covers and over the tent in his sheets. "What pissed you off?"

At the moment, he was at the very top of that list. But that also wasn't fair, and she knew what he was asking and how he meant it.

They had met at the party, as promised. And things had been fine. Sersi had found Dane immediately and Thena had happily left the young lovebirds to flirt and giggle through the evening. She and Gil were talking, relaxing a little out of the thick of the crowd. It had been fine.

"Ikaris," she began. Part of her almost wished the solitary statement would have been enough, but she knew it wasn't. She tugged his sheets up more firmly around her. "When I went to find the recycling."

Which there wasn't one, much to her frustration.

Gil nodded, both of them still flat on their backs. "What did he say?"

Thena gulped. Looking up at the white painted ceiling of Gil's room was easier. The spots hastily plastering over something exposed, the edge where ceiling met the brick walls. "He asked me what we were."

"Oh."

She sighed through her nose. She hadn't had much intention of telling him this. Truly, the desire to tell anyone at all any of this was completely absent. But she owed Gil this much. "I told him to fuck off and mind his own business."

Gil snorted.

But the story wasn't nearly so simple. "But he guessed we were together in at least some capacity. He asked...he asked if I was finally ready to get off my high horse and just fuck--in his own words."

Gil sat up partially, his face drawing in and suddenly radiating a righteous indignity on her behalf.

She reached over, pressing on his chest and making him resume looking up at the ceiling with her. It was the only way she was going to get through this.

"His pursuit of me...he did earnestly try to date me. At least, I thought it had been earnest," she dragged out of herself. It was her least favourite thing to remember of all her life, it wasn't coming out easy. "He had wanted to advance rather quickly. I told him I hadn't done anything with anyone and I doubted I was ready for it with him."

Gil waited through her heavy pause.

She sighed, "he laughed, and laughed, and laughed."

"I'll kill him."

She shrugged, "even that would be more attention than he deserves to be paid. I sent him away and he's thought derisively of me ever since. That's why my contempt for him runs deeper than simply him being a prick, and him thinking he has some right to my sister."

"Wow," Gil scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain, "I thought he was a creep but I didn't know he was a disgusting bastard."

Thena inhaled slowly, running her hands over the sheets. "Sersi doesn't even know. I've only told her that she is not to even so much as speak to him."

Gil had the wisdom not to offer his opinion on things, as least just yet. But he reached over under the sheets until he could grasp her hand.

She let him. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

She shook her head again, her hair a hopeless mess on Gil's pillow (and he only had one, so of course he saved it for her). "It's not fair to you."

He sat up, apparently - unfortunately - done with the anonymity of avoiding eye contact. He leaned on his knees, "I guess not."

She had been the one to state it, but his quick and firm agreement still made her stomach clench. "I-"

"But it's not fair to you either."

"Hm?" she blinked up at him. She expected some lecture but he leaned down again, stretching his body out against hers and scooping her waist into the grasp of his strong arm. She sighed as he kissed her.

"I hope I don't have to tell you I'm not like that asshole."

No, he didn't.

He pulled away, looking at her so tenderly that she wondered how she could ever muster the effort to be cold with him. "But I shouldn't have to tell you. You should just...feel it, or something."

He had his own eloquence, and she found it unwittingly charming.

"Thena," Gil frowned, holding her against him, both of them on their sides. "Were you ready--when you first came over, I mean? 'Cause if you weren't, I can't-"

She leaned in, kissing him again to divert the trajectory of that thought. "I came over, I initiated the kiss, I told you I was ready. Is that not enough?"

But he didn't rise to her bait. He stared at her like he would never see her again if he blinked. "I...I...I really like you, Thena."

It certainly wasn't what he had initially started saying, but it still made her freeze like a deer in headlights. Excitement and dread flooded through her in equal amounts.

"I'm not asking you to feel the same," he whispered, and she had to admire that he was strong enough to say that, while she was too afraid to even tell him she liked him in the first place. "But I'd rather you know. And it has nothing to do with, uh, this. I liked you before. I liked you as soon as I saw you glaring at me at the theatre beside Sersi."

She rolled her eyes, because there was no way that was true.

"So, even if you don't wanna hang out anymore, or come over like this," Gil trailed off into a mumble, his eyes drifting downward. "Then, that's okay. But I'll still like you--unless you tell me not to, I guess."

She smiled--even laughed. There was just something so earnest and sweet and charming about this delinquent. She kissed him again, just for the enjoyment of it. It was actually rather dangerous, how much she liked kissing him.

Gil laid his head down again. She really needed to get him another pillow (such a boy thing, to have only one). "Sorry, but I guess I'm glad I interrupted."

She supposed it was out of concern for her. Although there was still a faint ache within her, and the insides of her thighs were quite sticky. "Was angry sex so bad?"

He grinned, satisfied that she seemed in better spirits. He ran his hands over her back again, "not that it's bad. But I prefer making love."

Thena let him lure her into making out again. It was a great excuse not to look at him as he expounded such romantic nonsense. "I've never met a boy who called it that."

"Well, I'd call myself a young man, at best," he protested with a faint pout (before kissing her again). "And I think it's only fitting, if I'm gonna worship you like the princess you are."

She didn't have a clever comeback for that, gasping as he latched onto her neck. "Do you still have that condom on?"

"Yeah, but let me do something."

She half expected him to pick up the firm and nearly frenzied pace she'd had before. To roll them over and start absolutely ravaging her. But all he did was move her onto her back and lie himself over her. He stayed close, his head always hovering within kissing distance.

"This okay?" he whispered as he pushed into her again, much more slowly and gently this time. "If I wanna get romantic with the girl I like?"

It was so juvenile, so trivial sounding. And yet when he said it, her heart and her brain screamed in joy. She never felt so elated, despite her fighting against this very thing.

"Gil," she gasped, her hands on his chest as he thrusted slowly but steadily. They had actually never been in this specific position before. It felt intimate, even fore the act of physical relations. Her legs splayed out on either side of him, but her foot was pressed to his calf muscle, as if scared he would slither away from her. Her hands were on his warm skin, she could feel his rapid heartbeat.

"Thena," he moaned as he picked up speed.

Looking into his eyes was too much. She didn't know where he ended and she began. She was being too vocal and the longer she looked into his eyes the more red spread through her cheeks and down her neck. She clung to him. "Fuck, Gil."

"Thena," he groaned again, panting and grunting and meeting her lips in hasty, open kisses.

"Gil, please," she whimpered, her voice thin and high like the last note on a violin. She didn't want to, but she slung to him desperately. "Please, please come with me."

"I'm there, I'm so there," he confirmed. Neither of them had the stamina of seasoned experts, but she felt so much more acutely than usual every movement and breath he took.

Making unfathomable sounds while rutting her naked body together with a boy she liked: she was no princess. She was just Thena, and she was unfortunately quite in love with the boy in bed with her.

And the boy was quite a fine man, she purred as she felt him come first, within the condom, his muscles twitching as he held himself over her. He stayed close but made an effort not to put his full weight on her.

She accepted it eagerly, lifting her hips as she came around him. Her thighs gripped either sides of him, soft flesh to soft flesh. She had no control over her body, or her voice, although he helped absorb some of the sounds of her ecstasy directly against his waiting lips.

They laid like that, both catching their breath. Gil moved first, but her legs tightened around him, unwilling to part with him just yet, even in his softened state.

"You feel good?" he asked aloud (needlessly). He kissed her cheek.

"Hm," she purred, still languishing in the feeling of his skin against hers. She ran her hands over the sheen on his skin and the hair there, fine as it was. "Don't make me move yet."

"Okay," he chuckled, kissing her forehead and only moving enough to lie himself down not quite on top of her. "Whatever her ladyship wants."

It was a teasing nickname, but she didn't even have it in her to scold him for it.

"Does this mean you'll stay?" he whispered, the light touch of his fingertips on her cheek tempting her deeper into sleep.

"Hm, I shouldn't," she sighed, curling against him on her side, even as her energy left her. That was all she got out on the matter. It was simply too tempting to remain all snuggled up with him. He certainly had no complaints, even as she felt him moving around to clean up or some such.

If he wanted to be her boyfriend, then he could be her boyfriend. And that meant letting her sleep as long as she wanted.

#Thenamesh 10 Things AU #I'm so glad to see you!!!! #we've all forgotten a password or two before #Thenamesh 18+ #these two!!! #poor Gil he's so head over heels for this girl #and Thena is like I am not going to get emotionally involved #Thena said I'm in my friends with benefits era #also Thena: thinks about him constantly day and night #This is somewhat from the movie but I also did want to further explore Thena's hate for Ikaris #this feels like something he'd do #so when she finally gets together with Gil she's like careful #now that he has what he's after if you get involved it's all downhill from here #meanwhile Gil: what if I ask her to marry me at graduation? #Karun upstairs has the tv on and is cooking in the kitchen #he's just glad Gil has come out of his shell a little #he still wants to meet Thena #but the poor thing doesn't want to meet Gil's basically dad after a hasty fuck session in his basement #thank you so much for the ask truly #please send more for as long as you want to read them!

[keepingupwithfundies]

Bringing Up Bates Season 8 Episode 7: A Bride, A Groom, and a Love That's True!

Josie & Kelton get married! Thanks for your patience for the delayed formal recap this week. 

-T 

We are three days out from the wedding, and Renee comes to the Bates home with the finished wedding dress. Kelly says to Josie this is the #1 detail.  Callie is excited to see the dress, but sad Josie is getting married and moving out. Josie comes out in the dress and the little girls love her. Josie is worried it makes her hips look big, but is reassured by her mom and Renee. Kelly says guys like hourglass shapes. Gil says it is a girl thing to question anything. Josie finally admits that she just can’t see it; she needs her glasses. When she has her glasses, she really likes the dress. Josie says it is so perfect and thanks Renee.

The little girls are helping with the decorations by painting white lanterns used at Tori’s wedding gold. Callie says their mom said she might pay them for doing this; Ellie says she’ll change her mind when she sees them. Callie says the whole family pitches in for the weddings. Ellie says they should have been taught how to use spray paint before starting this. Addee arrives and Ellie sprays her arm.  Carlin says the little ones feel special when they have a little part in it.

Tim, a friend, has made a giant wrought iron circle with they will cover with flowers for the wedding. Lawson and Gil go to pick it up. Erin says the last three weddings have had big items: Michal had logs, and Tori had trees. Erin and Whitney let them off easy, she says. They get the metal circle into the truck, but Gil is worried about securing it. He decides Lawson riding in the back of the truck with the hoop. Both Gil and Lawson express that the hoop's safety is the top priority- she can get married without Lawson but not without the hoop. Gil is driving Lawson back with the hoop, Lawson standing in the back of the truck holding the hoop. UpTV has included a "Do Not Attempt" but they make it home

It is rehearsal dinner night, and the Balka family plans the event as is traditional, even though Mrs. Balka has passed away. Mr. Balka is assisted by his mother-in-law, his sister-in-law and his children, especially Ariana. The family arrives and Josie is impressed with how gorgeous it is. Like Tori, Josie and Kelton begin with dinner since rehearsals tend to go long in their family.  My. Balka opens up with a speech, thanking his family for helping. Alyssa goes next and talks about how Josie was her partner growing up and they did everything together. Gil says they were always a little team and it was so sweet and her speech really took him back. Alyssa says she can’t believe Josie is old enough to get married and Gil chimes in with “Me either!” and tells Kelton he is a very lucky guy.  Bobby, the best man, is next. Bobby says he was warned against living with one of his best friends in college but Kelton became his brother. Bobby recalls when Josie & Kelton first got close and then decided to call it off since she was so young at the time,  Kelton called Bobby distraught but said that “this hurts as bad as anything I’ve ever felt in my life, but if God made me get close to Josie just so you could meet Tori, that’s ok with me.” Bobby says that has always stuck with him, because Kelton was so supportive of him. Bobby is glad it came around and he was able to tell this story and not matter what he is on his team and they are so excited to be in the same stage of life again. Kelton said that meant a ton to him.  

They move outside for the rehearsal, and Josie is happy to see it coming together. Josie wants to keep her rehearsal short and so Josie and Kim the Coordinator move throught the ceremony quickly. Kelton says it was smooth.  The rehearsal goes off without a hitch and tomorrow, two people will get hitched, Gil says.

The guys all go to Frank’s Barbershop, which Bobby says is the coolest place in town. There was pool and rootbeer as well as barbers, so it is a little bachelor party. Kelton gets shaved, but not his hair cut, since Josie has it how she wants it. Evan goes back. The barber has decided to wax Evan's nose hair, and Bobby and Kelton get to pull the wax out of her nose. They do it at the same time, and Evan doesn't really flinch, he makes a joke of it and the three guys enjoy their bonding experience.  Honestly, I admire how chill Evan is with this and how down to try something new. Looking good, they head off.

Meanwhile, the girls are heading to a salon to get their nails done. Erin has a little game planned at the salon where the bridesmaids were guessing if it was the bride or the groom. It is hard to write while getting their nails done so the girls have fun doing it together. It is based on Josie’s answers, so they decide to call Kelton for his opinion. Kelly calls Kelton, and asks him “who is the most romantic?” Kelton asks her to explain it, and then says “we haven’t gotten to experience that yet.” Eventually, Kelton says its him. Josie says she isn’t sure there was a winner but it was a blast. Josie tells the bridesmaids that pictures start at 12 so they need to be ready. Josie says she is starting the feel the stress.

The next day, the bridesmaids are getting ready at a vacation rental Alyssa booked for the morning. Josie says she is starting to get nervous and Carlin says she looks beautiful. Sarah the photographer is taking detail shots and the girls all in their robes all getting ready. Meanwhile, at Josie & Kelton’s apartment, the guys are putting on ties and preparing for the day. Kelton shows them he will be wearing the watch Josie gave him for his graduation. Back at the house, Josie is ready and showing the final look to her also ready bridesmaids. She comes down the stairs all ready and her bridesmaids ooh and ahh over her. Back at the apartment, the guys are about to head out and Kelton gets a call informing him that there was a major wreck on the interstate and traffic is on a standstill.  The guys are facing a half hour to an hour delay; the girls will be delayed an hour at least. The wedding party makes it to the venue, people are starting to arrive but a significant number of people are delayed in traffic. They decide to postpone, and Josie is stressed.  

After an hour passes, the guests take their seats, and it is time for the ceremony. The family lines up and Trace comes up to Josie and tells her she is so beautiful and she’s got this. Mr. Balka makes his way down the aisle alone, and Kelton really misses his mom. Bobby pulls him aside and prays with him and got him back and focused. The wedding party makes their way down the aisle, and then it is time for Josie and Gil to walk down the aisle. The guest rise, and Kelton says Josie is more beautiful than he’s ever seen her before. Kelton says he has never cried that hard in his life; Josie says to have a guy look at you like that is the sweetest moment. Gil gives Josie away on the behalf of the family and the first preacher talks about how special this is for their parents, and how parents never feel like they are finished with you. Gil takes his place to officiate the remainder of the ceremony. Josie and Kelton then take hands and make their vows- they are traditional vows. After the vows, they exchange rings and Gil notes how nice it is outside to delay the ceremony. Next, they light the unity candle and Lawson sings the song he wrote for them. After a bit of struggle getting the candle to light, they make their way back to Gil. Gil then pronounces them husband and wife, and Kelton can kiss his bride, after Gil does. Gil kisses her on the cheek, and then Josie and Kelton have their first kiss. They share a kiss and they say it was perfect. Josie and Kelton make their way up the aisle, followed by their wedding party. Josie says it all felt like a whirlwind and they cannot stop grinning as they walk away.

It is picture time and the Bates are struggling in the heat- which no one expected in October. After pictures, they go inside for the reception to spend time with their guests and to thank them for coming. Josie and Kelton cut the cake, and he is nice to her, but she shoves a big chunk into his face. They both laugh and Josie says she just could not resist, and he couldn’t be upset since she just married him. They exit the reception surrounded by sparklers and make their way to the car. The little girls will miss her but are excited to go to her house. Several siblings offer their best wishes, and Gil says they have had a fairy tale relationship and they got to have a day that was over the top.

#BuB season 8 #recap