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#okay.. who’s cooking sweets at 4 in the afternoon
c-119 · 1 year
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Do you think Maru pranks the team sometimes by giving them scented air filters
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juneandnick · 1 year
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Fanfiction - “Meeting in Toronto” - Part 3 on 4 by me
I hope that despite the errors you enjoy the story.
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Two weeks later, Nick wakes up with the smell of pancakes and good coffee. He opens the bedroom door and hears June and Nichole in the kitchen:
- So sweetie, is it okay? Nichole nods. Yes? Do you want another one? - Yes. - Oh look who it is ... It is daddy. - Hi honey, Nick says kissing his daughter. - Daddy! She is all smile. - Hi, he says kissing June. - Coffee? - Gladly. It smells very good. June pours him a cup. - Thanks. - I am going to take a shower.
The little girl looks her mother leaving the room and then her attention is on her daddy. Nick is captivated by her big blue eyes. She plays with her doll (he gave her and she had when they had to run away) and with Flopsy, her rabbit 😉.
(Wink to your fanfiction Arallute1, I loved it. ❤️❤️❤️)
When June comes out of the shower, Nick does the dishes while their daughter draws a picture. I am going to get dressed and do a briefing with the guys outside.
Around thirty minutes later, he is back:
- Sean and Kyle will stay with both of you. I have to go in town to meet Mark. - Do not go alone, June replies immediately. - Everything will be alright. - Nick! - Alright ... Kyle will stay with you.
During his absence and to occupy the time June and Nichole cook a chocolate cake. Then they make a kitten puzzle. Time passes and June begins to worry.
Various demonstrations across Canada take place regularly where supporters of Gilead, using signs, demand the return of Nichole to her native country.
This same day, on TV there is a coverage live from Gilead where some Commanders and their wifes, a row of handmaids and of aunts make a prayer.
At the end of the afternoon, Kyle receives a phone call, Nick was hit in the shoulder. A Gilead sympathizer shot him as he was walking out of his meeting with Mark.
- Oh My God! Is he okay?, June asks in tears. - I do not know. All I can say is you have to be prepare if we have to run away again.
Two days later, three Chevrolet Suburban arrive in the cottage. Behind the window with Nichole in her arms, June holds her breath. Mark gets out of the second vehicle and waits. Kyle opens the house's door and they head to the cars.
- Mrs Osborne, I beg you to follow us. - Where is Nick? - He is fine, given the circumstances. He will probably be there on the next stop.
They drive to an abandoned farmhouse near Vaughan. There are already several cars. June gets out of the vehicle taking Nichole in her arms who is holding her doll.
- Come on my sweetie ... Are you fine? Yeah? My big girl, June says kissing her.
The door opens, Sean appears in the doorway. He greets June. She hears voices inside. She sees Nick sitting with a woman leaning over him who is redoing his bandage. He has dark circles around his eyes. He seems to be in pain from his injury. The woman gives him an injection. June recognizes the woman, it is Iris.
As she is about to join him, she meets a familiar face.
- Darren!, June says while she recognizes her next-door neighbor. - Hi June ... Sorry I was undercover. I could not tell you anything. - Dukie, Nichole says, marveling at the sight of the little dog. - Do not worry, I am watching her, Darren tells to June.
Nick winces in pain and spots June first and then Nichole with Duke.
- Nick! - It is okay, I am fine. What about both of you? - We are fine, June answers. I was so worry. - Do you remember the chat we had in the kitchen? June nods. Here we go ... June do you want to go in Europe with our daughter or do you want to entrust her? - Nick, I cannot choose between my two daughters, she sobs and he nods. - They are after you and me. They want to take our daughter. We have to make the best choice for her. We have to protect her ... It will be not a definitive separation.
Nichole plays and laughs with the little dog. She walks him around the room but stops short when she sees her mother crying. June dries her eyes and smiles fake.
- Hi sweetie. Come here ... Come to say hi to daddy. - Hi honey. I missed you so much, Nick says. The little girl runs to her father.
- June, Nick, may I talk to you?, Mark asks. - Yes, they do answer together. - Sorry but ... Have you decided what to do next?
- We ..., Nick answers while taking June's hand. We decided to protect our daughter. It is the better thing to do to protect her from Gilead. - Okay. Mark signals to two people. May I introduce you Melanie and Neil. - Already?, she is stunned. - They are part of Mayday. They will welcome Nichole. I let you get to know.
While Nichole is taking a nap, the two couples have a long long chat. It is decided that the same evening, the little girl will leave her parents and have a new identity.
June writes a list of things Nichole likes and dislikes. Her habits, her activities …
She also gives Melanie her necklace. She absolutely wants that her little sweetie has something of her. She also points out the importance of the little doll.
When she wakes up from a nap, Nichole has a snack with her parents where June and Nick introduce her to Melanie and Neil. Then the little girl finds herself alone with her parents who explain to her that she is going on a trip. They tell her that Duke will stay with her. They are both touched by Darren's gesture.
- My baby. I will always be your mommy. Your mommy who loves you so so much. Daddy and I we love you so much. My sweetie. She kisses her daughter. I love you so much. I hope a day you will know your big sister. She would love you so much. - We love you. Nick adds and kisses her. Never forget how much we love you.
- June, Nick ... I am sorry ... but it is time, Mark says.
They lead their little girl to the car, kissing and cuddling her. Nichole starts to cry. Her parents try as best they can to comfort her. Melanie sits next to the little girl in the back of the car. The car starts slowly and is followed by two others cars. Mark's men will follow them halfway to make sure they are not followed.
June and Nick break down in tears. Even though they know it is the best thing to do for their daughter's safety, the pain overwhelms them. Especially since they are aware that they do not know when they will be a family again. It is so painful.
During the days following Nichole's departure, June cries all day. She is exhausted and cannot swallow anything. When Iris returns to redo Nick's bandage, she tries to talk to her, in vain. Nick feels helpless. He is himself very annihilated.
He gives to June the space she needs to overcome this ordeal. They are not angry with each other, there is no reproach. They even worry about each other, they comfort each other. But they need time "to accept" the situation.
Mark passes by with provisions that evening. It provides the couple with options to consider for the future. Before leaving he gives an envelope to June. She reads the contents and drops everything to the ground. She is in shock.
- June, what is going on?, Nick asks her.
He does not try to pick up the note that has fallen on the floor. He takes June's hand and repeats the question. She stares at him, not knowing what his reaction will be.
- June? - I am ... She looks at him shocked. I am pregnant. - What? - This morning, Iris took my blood and ... Oh My God! It is terrible, June says crying.
- No it is not, while stroking her cheek. - How can we keep this baby while we hide from Gilead? When we had to entrust our daughter to a foster family? In the aim to protect her. Tell me how? - They want Nichole because for Gilead, Nichole is the daughter of the Commander Fred Waterford. They absolutely cannot claim the same with this one ... - What life are we going to give to this child?, June says crying. - Right now ... I really do not know ... Nick answers honestly.
They wrap their arms around one another.
- Do you want to keep the baby? - Do you?, June asks in a whisper. - Whatever your choice, I will be in solidarity with your decision.
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June is grateful that she feels no pressure from Nick. She also knows he would never blame her for her decision if she decided to end the pregnancy.
Source Picture: Screenshots S1E09 (by me) Source GIF: https://splitscreen.tumblr.com
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kimmysurveyblog · 17 days
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34
1 - What have you been up to so far today? Is that a typical thing for you to do on this particular day of the week? The only "exciting" thing I've done so far today is take my daughter to the park. Very typical.
2 - Did you get a decent night’s sleep last night? How many hours sleep do you consider a decent amount?  I actually slept like absolute shit lol. 4 hours maybe? I aim for at least 7.
3 - What is one silly thing that really gets on your nerves?  Reactive dogs. Dogs that chill in their yard or house and bark like crazy when you walk by. I've never had a dog that's reactive like that and it just really grinds my gears every time it happens.
4 - Who was the last person you saw who wasn’t family? What did you guys end up doing together?  None of my friends live in my city anymore sooo... the dentist.
5 - Do you prefer hot or cold drinks overall?  Cold.
6 - Do you own a decent set of waterproofs? If so, what do you use them for the most? If not, do you think that would be something you’d find useful?  Waterproof what? I have many waterproof things.
7 - Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?  My daughter wiped out at the park, slept poorly last night and we think she's teething so I will be pampering her for the rest of the day once she's up from her nap. Very chill afternoon.
8 - How often do you get your hair cut? When hairdressers were closed due to COVID, did you try cutting it yourself at home?  I started cutting my hair during COVID and I will never be going back. It's just not worth the money or time when my hair is in a bun 99.9% of the time anyway.
9 - What did you wear the last time you left the house? Is that different to what you’re wearing at the moment? I wore black sweatpants and a green hoodie. No.
10 - Would you rather have a relaxing beach holiday or a more active holiday in the mountains?  Mountains! The beach and warm weather isn't my thing.
11 - Do you know how to tie a tie?  Nope.
12 - How old were you when you first had a sleepover at someone’s house? Did you miss home?  I don't remember. Probably around 8? I always got homesick.
13 - How often do you spend time with your extended family? Once a month, maybe.
14 - When you get up in the morning, do you have a set routine?  Exact same every day.
15 - Do you remember the last time you cried? Were they sad or happy tears?  30 minutes ago. My daughter has a goose egg from her fall and I've been sobbing on and off since it happened. She's okay thank god. I wish my mom was alive so I could call her and talk about it. Just having a really shitty day.
16 - What do you have planned once you finish this survey? Scroll on Reddit until my daughter wakes up.
17 - What was the last thing you cooked? Did you cook from scratch or just heat something up? I made toast. Not really cooking.
18 - Are you a fan of hot chocolate? Do you like it plain or do you prefer to add things like whipped cream or marshmallows?  I like marshmallows.
19 - What caused your last injury?  I'm not sure tbh.
20 - How many tattoos and piercings do you have? Do any of them have an interesting story behind them?  My ears are pierced.
21 - What kind of flowers do you like the best? When was the last time someone bought those for you?  Roses. When my mom died, one of my close friends sent over a beautiful bouquet of them.
22 - What’s the smallest thing you’ve ended a relationship over?  He was super immature.
23 - Would you rather order a starter (appetiser) or a dessert? Or would you be able to manage a full three courses? Appetizer. Not a fan of sweet things.
24 - How do you get most of your news, if you pay attention to it at all?  Reddit.
25 - Have you or a member of your family been diagnosed with COVID yet?  For sure. We've somehow avoided it so far. -knocks on wood-
26 - Are you a vegetarian? If so, what persuaded you to stop eating meat? If not, is it something you’d ever consider?  No, and I'd not really consider it. I do want to try to incorporate more meatless meals into our meal plan though.
27 - Do you prefer rice or pasta? Pasta.
28 - Is anything you’re wearing a gift? Who bought it for you?  Fitbit my mom bought me.
29 - What’s the dominant colour in the room you’re in at the moment?  Beige.
30 - Did you do laundry yet today? If not, do you need to do any before you go to bed?  No and I was going to but I've decided it can wait until tomorrow.
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survey--s · 5 months
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685.
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1 - Who was the last person to give you a gift? What was the reason for it?  Suzanne got me some chocolates as a "thank you" for looking after Charlie for a few days while they went away.
2 - Are you a good cook? If so, who taught you? What’s your favourite thing to cook?  I can cook but I don't really enjoy it. My dad actually taught me most of the basics and then I was self-taught for the rest.
3 - When was the last time something in your house broke? Did you manage to fix it or did you need to buy a replacement? The xBox stopped working a while ago but when I tried it yesterday it seemed to be okay. I think it must have just overheated or crashed or something.
4 - Is any part of your body hurting right now? What caused that pain?  Yeah, my left hip which always plays up when it's cold and snowy.
5 - Do you have anything exciting planned for the upcoming weekend?  It's Sunday now and we have a snow day. Next weekend I have work on Saturday and then it's my birthday on Sunday so we're going out for lunch.
6 - If you could spend two weeks in any city in the world, which city would you pick and why?  Tokyo, just because it's somewhere I've always wanted to go and it looks like one of those places where you'll never get bored.
7 - When was the last time you tripped or fell in public? if there was nobody around to see you, did you still feel embarrassed? I skidded on the snow this morning but it was only in the garden. I wasn't embarrassed, just glad I didn't get hurt tbh, haha.
8 - The last time you made a sandwich, what did you put in there? I have no idea, I never really eat sandwiches. I had peanut butter on toast this morning though!
9 - How many hours sleep did you get last night? Was that enough for you or could you have slept for longer? About seven? I woke up wide awake at 6am for no apparent reason.
10 - What’s your favourite time of day? What’s your favourite thing to do at that time? On workdays I love my afternoons. I finish work around 1.30pm, come home, feed the animals, shower and then I have the rest of the day to do what I want. Normally I watch TV, mess around online, play games or sometimes see friends. On weekends I love lazy mornings.
11 - Where did you go the last time you left your house?  I haven't been out properly since Friday but I've been out in the garden to play with the dog in the snow a lot.
12 - Are you tired right now? Will you be going to bed anytime soon?  I'm kinda tired but I won't be going back to sleep. It's nearly lunchtime so I'll feed the animals after this and then probably make myself something to eat.
13 - How many times a week do you get takeaway coffee, if you get it at all?  On average, none lol. It's just too expensive for me to justify on a regular basis. I buy the syrups and stuff and make it at home.
14 - What radio station do you listen to the most?  Radio One.
15 - If you eat steak, how do you like it cooked? What sauces or sides do you like to go with it?  Rare, and I like it with mushrooms, fries and onion rings. In terms of sauce, I like blue cheese.
16 - Do you prefer sweet or savoury pancakes? What toppings do you have on them?  Sweet. Normally I have blueberries, honey and bananas.
17 - Are you someone who cracks their joints a lot? Which one(s) do you tend to crack and click the most?  My joints crack whenever I move, haha. Normally my toes, knees, back and neck make the most noise.
18 - Have you ever taken medication or tablets to help you sleep? is this something you do on a regular basis? Yeah, both prescription and herbal ones, but I haven't needed either for a good six months now.
19 - For you, what’s the worst thing about getting up in the morning? What about the worst thing about going to bed tonight?  I just hate actually getting out of bed, especially in winter. I'm fine going to bed at night.
20 - Do you prefer regular or diet soft drinks?  Diet. I find the regular ones too sweet.
21 - What do you tend to wear if you’re just hanging about the house for the day?  Leggings and a hoody at this time of year. In summer normally shorts and a t-shirt.
22 - When was the last time you dyed your hair? Did you do it yourself or get it done at a hairdresser?  A couple of years ago. I always do it myself.
23 - Does having to wear a mask stop you doing things? Is this because you struggle wearing one or you just don’t like it?  I couldn't wear one because of sensory issues. I have autism and having something covering my mouth and nose makes me nauseous and panicky. I could cope for a few minutes but nothing longer.
24 - Have you ever witnessed a car accident? Or have you perhaps been involved in one yourself? Were you at fault? I've never witnessed one but been involved in a couple - neither were my fault, though.
25 - When was the last time you baked a cake? What cake was it? Years ago. I don't really like baking. I did make bread during lockdown though using one of those kits.
26 - Do you like wearing bows or accessories in your hair?  Nope.
27 - How many books do you read in a year? Do you enjoy reading or do you have to really force yourself to sit down and read?  I haven't read a book in ages. I never read anymore, I just don't seem to enjoy it in the way I used to.
28 - If you have pets, where did they come from? A breeder, a rescue or maybe a friend who bred their pet? Purrlock is a rescue, Simba and Toby are farm kittens and Archie is from a breeder.
29 - Do you make your bed every morning when you get up?  Yeah, every single day. It feels wrong not to make the bed.
30 - When was the last time you got takeaway food? Was it good? Last week, and yeah, it was pretty good.
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Sneak Peek! Chapter #5: Three of Us
Max Verstappen x Reader (Single Dad AU)
Chapter 1 + Chapter 2 + Chapter 3 + Chapter 4
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018- Monza, Italy
Italian Grand Prix, the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
“And you call yourself my friend, you bitch!” Daniel throws himself down into the chair opposite yours, grinning from ear to ear, and unceremoniously slings his bowl of oatmeal down onto the table, ignoring entirely the heavy weight of countless eyes on the two of you. 
“I’m reporting you to H.R.” You inform him glumly, poking at your yogurt parfait with little interest, whilst putting every ounce of training, experience and expertise you had incurred over the years into not looking around the space for Max.
“No, you won’t,” Daniel says cheerfully and promptly starts shoveling down his breakfast, continuing to speak around a mouthful of what looks to be lukewarm oatmeal that’s been cooked down within an inch of its life, “you know I mean it sweet.”
“I turn my back for one minute and next thing I know, I’m finding out that neither one of you tell me shit! Seriously, how long has this been going on right under my nose? Wait, no- don’t tell me- later, tell me later, we have more important matters to discuss.”
“Don’t you dare, Dan- I swear to God-“
“How is Verstappen in bed? Like what are we talking about? What are we working with?”
You’re about three seconds away from wrapping your hands around Daniel’s throat and not letting go until one of you is dead or at the very least has gone quiet- God fucking knows that right now you’re not above anything, you’d willingly commit war crimes and violate every statute of the Geneva Convention in an afternoon if it means that he would shut the hell up before someone hears him. 
“I swear to God if you don’t lower your voice right now, I will-” you don’t even know what to threaten him with because your mind has suddenly been wiped blank, the exhaustion compounded by Daniel’s inability to understand the basic concepts of inside voices or a filter- like he’s not a grown ass man- has just laid you out flat without any hesitation. 
“Come on, just tell me this one thing-”
“For the last time, Max and I have never, and more importantly- I want you to hear me when I say this- we will never fuck-”
“Like does it curve to the left or the right because-“
“I love you very much but seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you? Like what bullshit is going on inside of that den of iniquity that you call a brain for you to think to ask me something like that over breakfast? Hm?”
“But like, come on, it’s a good fucking question, even you can’t deny that-”
“Oh, absolutely not, absolutely fucking not, I am not about to sit here while you shovel oatmeal in your mouth like a feral child that’s been raised by a pack of wolves and pat you on the back for thinking to ask me which way his dick curves-”
“Which way who’s dick curves?” 
“No one-”
“Coincidentally, actually, yours!” Daniel says brightly, giving Max a cheery smile, or at least as much of one as he can around a mouthful of oatmeal, “what?” the Australian has the audacity to look confused by the expression of horrified disbelief on your face, merely shrugging a non-committal shoulder at you, “What? Why not tell him? There’s no point lying to the man, you know how much he hates being lied to-”
“I mean he is right, I do really hate being lied to,” Max concedes, nodding his head thoughtfully at Daniel, “you do have a point,” he cocks his head in your direction, “look, while his execution of it was pretty shit and I’m not sure if I’ll ever be the same after being asked that question by him, even you have to admit he did make some good points here.”
“I’m not going to even dignify that with a response because this, this,” you point back and forth between the three of you, “this is really, really weird and, honestly boys, I’m just going to pretend that none of this ever happened, okay?”
“Fine by me,” you nearly sighed in relief at Daniel’s words, at the tone of deference in his voice as he decided to follow your lead, offering you the out you’d been all but begging him for, knowing that if he yielded, Max would follow suit.
“Yeah, doesn’t matter to me,” Max looked glumly down at his breakfast, poking at his overcooked oats with his spoon with disgust, gagging dramatically and shoving the bowl away from when instead of sinking in, his plastic utensil hits the already congealed surface and bounces back.
“Drama queen,” you snort at his theatrics, rolling your eyes at the disgusted expression that twisted his features as he stared at his abandoned breakfast reproachfully, like he was waiting for it to apologize for what it had just put him through. 
“I’m not eating that,” Max defiantly, wrinkling his nose at the mere thought.
“I’m not going to make you eat it, if that’s what you’re worried about-” you cut out mid-sentence, your train of thought derailed in the blink of an eye when, without warning, without any preface, Max’s face falls slack, his skin taking on the pallor of soured milk, all the color leached out of it in instant.
“What just happened?” You ask no one in particular, hoping that one of them will have an answer, but remaining unsurprised when what you get instead is a jerk of Daniel’s head, the clipped motion directing you to turn around and look behind you.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Max repeats the expletive again and again, muttering it under his breath like a prayer that he says over and over and over, clinging to the four lettered word like it if he says it for long enough, with enough conviction, it’ll help him.
“Oh my god… we didn’t,” you breathe out as you turn in your seat, in a state of utter disbelief, 
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
“We did, we definitely did,” Daniel is on the verge of full-blown, all-out laughter, his voice already shaking with repressed mirth.
“Fuck, fuck, fuckkkk,” he drags out the last letter like it’s done him some great, personal wrong.
“Max, tell me you didn’t…” you whisper, not expecting him to respond but needing to say something, say anything, nonetheless.
“Fuck me! Oh my god... you forgot you had a girlfriend, didn’t you? We all did,” Daniel’s composure finally slips, busting out in peals of raucous laughter, the contagious sound bubbling up out of your own chest before you can stop it, “this is poetic, mate,” he claps Max on the back.
“What are you laughing at?” Cassandra Dormer-Bancroft halts half a step away from Max’s chair, her hand already curled over his shoulder possessively. The picture-perfect smile painted across her face is hollow, the imitation of warmth not quite reaching her eyes, as she looks down her nose at you and Daniel, “Seriously, can I help you? What in the hell are you laughing at?”
“Well, Cass, the thing is,” Daniel’s features light up in amusement, “we fucking forgot you exist.”
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enjennie · 3 years
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Our Little Secret [Jaemin x Reader]
summary: How you ended up dating Na Jaemin and the struggles in hiding it from your brother Jeno.
genre: smut! fluff. secret relationship! au. brother's bestfriend au lmao
warnings: contains smut and profanity
a/n: hello! I've taken a really long break in writing and ALSO this is my first try in writing smut. Please excuse my inexperienced and beginner level in writing! enjoy ♡
On a normal day, you’d wake up at 8am nice and early to attend classes. But today was a weekend, and you hadn’t gotten much sleep thanks to your brother and his friends doing God knows in your backyard. Thus, explaining the hour in which you'd just woken up in being later than usual. You were just about to go down to get your first meal of the day at quarter to 12 in the afternoon.
“Hey, idiots! Call it a night, why don’t you?” You remember yelling through the window last night, scolding the boys.
You don’t know why you weren’t used to it yet. Every end of the month there would be boys night. Their favourite place to goof around in just so happened to be yours. Your parents were away on most nights, leaving their son in charge of the house more than not.
“Ya, Y/N! Go to bed,” yells Jeno, your brother who was the host of the night. You scowled and he does the same back at you. With heavy hands, you shut the window and wished it would block the noise out.
It was around 4 when you finally fell into a deep sleep, your earphones finally drowning out their screaming. No other reason as to why it took you that long to fall asleep at all. None at all. It wasn’t like you were waiting for a particular someone to slip into your room to give you some goodnight kisses.
Totally. Yeah, totally untrue. The truth is that you were waiting for Na Jaemin. You’ve been fooling around with him for a month now and you may or may not have asked him to come up for a bit.
You and Jaemin have been friends since your brother brought him home after school one day when you were little. Since then he’d become a familiar face around the house, always hanging about.
Unlike the other friends of your brother, Jaemin was different. Aside from being your brother’s closest friend, he wasn’t as wild and rowdy but rather calm and dare I say… maternal? He had the same vibe of a Kindergarten teacher. The other boys relied on him for advice and if they needed help with anything that had to do with adulting. You even caught Jaemin separating Jeno’s white and coloured clothes once and giving your brother an earful of why he should be doing them himself.
It all started when you came home one day, face strained with tears and mascara running down your cheeks. You’ve gotten dumped. The shittiest feeling ever. Jaemin just so happened to be passing by the house to drop over some video games he borrowed from Jeno when he saw you running towards the door. Before he could ask you what was wrong, you were already sobbing into his arms.
He's always been someone you found comfort in. You knew your feeling would just never be reciprocated so you did everything in your will to forget about it. But at that moment it just felt right, and Jaemin just so happened to be there at a time you needed someone the most.
You took him inside for some water and maybe a new change of shirt since you’d stained his with mascara. You didn’t expect to kiss him. You didn’t expect the kiss to lead into sex either. But soon enough your clothes travelled to the ground and you were pushing Jaemin into the pantry, too impatient to go up to your room but at the same time wanting a little privacy.
“Is this okay?” he breathed, hands roaming around your body in the dark. “I mean- your brother-“ he stutters.
“-isn’t here. Now make me feel good, Jaemin. Please,” you cut his sentence off. The last thing you wanted to think about before hooking up was your brother.
Your plea was the only push Jaemin needed. He was just helping you feel better after a breakup. Right? It’s not like he had underlying feelings for you since the first time Jeno introduced him to you. Right? Wrong again.
Jaemin knew things wouldn’t be the same for him after this, and he didn’t know if it was good or bad. Fuck, could I have at least told her I like her first? Jaemin was having an inner conflict all the while you were getting rid of his clothes bit by bit and touching him in places that felt so heavenly.
“Y/N, I like you,” he spat out.
You giggled, but you’d be lying if you said your heart didn’t jump with joy. “Woah, I know we’re about to have sex but you don’t have to confess to me, y’know. It’s fine,” He really didn't have to make your heart flutter like that. You'd accepted it was just sex and you'd pretend nothing ever happened after this.
He took you by the shoulders and stood in front of him. He was glad the lights were off, so you wouldn’t see him all flustered. “No, Y/N. I actually like you. I like you a lot,”
The silence in the pantry was deafening and Jaemin swears he could hear his heart beating through his own ears waiting for your response. Instead, he feels your warm lips on his. Nothing could have been a better response.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I had to date so many jerks to try and get over you,” you whisper. Jaemin was grinning. He wanted the lights on now. He wanted to see you and hear what you just said to him. But he couldn’t find the switches so he just leaned in for another kiss.
The house is a mess and when you get to the living room you catch a glimpse of your brother and some of his friends laying on the couch and on the floor. Red cups and the TV playing on mute. You shake your head and sigh, knowing he’d get you to help him clean it up after. You don’t notice that the 7 boys in the living room was missing one.
When you get to the kitchen, you found the one missing boy from the group. Jaemin was up, flipping cooking up a breakfast. Compared to the living room, the kitchen was relatively clean. Only bowls, measuring cups and plates surrounded him for the pancakes he was cooking up.
He notices your presence and turns his head to face you, his smile instantly appearing on his pretty face.
“Morning, baby,” he greets, a sweet smile plastered on his face.
“Good morning,” you travel across the kitchen to get closer to him and take a peep of what he was cooking. His eyes follow you and he gets back to flipping the pancakes he had on the pan. He has to tear his eyes away from you.
You were clearly wearing his shirt. Getting braver, I see. You and him haven’t told anyone about the relationship yet. Not even Jeno. Jaemin’s been feeling horrible about it, but he wasn’t telling him only because you weren’t ready yet.
“You hungry? I made just enough for everyone,” he offers, directing his focus to the stove. The plate already had 10 steaming pancakes on it. It could probably fit 7 hungover boys and one starving you, right?
"Go set the table,” he doesn’t wait for your response because he knew without having to get one.
To your left were the plates and utensils already stacked and ready to go so you take them to set the table. The boys were still asleep so you tiptoe your way past them and quietly prepare the table. Jaemin follows suit, letting the smell of pancakes alone do the waking up for his friends. Although he wishes they take their time.
You take a seat, ready to dig in and he takes the seat beside you.
🔞 smut starts here
“Y/N, what would you say if I were to take you right now?” Jaemin’s question came out cool and easy, but it caused you to choke on the orange juice you were drinking.
You look to your right, where not too far away was your brother and his other friends in their slumber. Jaemin’s lips tug into a smirk at your reaction as he takes a bite of pancake.
“Pardon?” you ask, not quite believing what you’d just heard.
Jaemin leans closer to your ear this time before whispering, “I was asking what you’d do if I took you right now in the pantry,” his hand was reaching for the maple syrup beside you at the same time.
He sits back and uncaps it before pouring it slowly over his pancake. You watch him pour the smooth and sticky liquid and he watches as you bite down on your lip. He knew you were upset with him for not coming up to your room last night. But he simply couldn’t without being seen. He wanted to make it up to you for that.
“Your call,” he gets up and makes his way to the pantry room. You notice that the lights don’t go on from the small crack on the floor. After one last look at the living room, you take quick steps to follow him.
The moment you get through the door, Jaemin has you against the cabinet, his lips hungry and wanting.
“I’m really sorry I couldn’t do this last night,” he apologizes, biting your lips and earning a whimper from you.“They didn’t pass out until 4:30 and I figured you were asleep,” He was explaining but you were already way passed it.
You didn’t care anymore. Nothing else mattered, you just wanted him. “I don’t care,” you whisper.
Jaemin pushed through your shorts and felt you through your lace panties. You’d worn it just in case he came last night. "That’s what you missed out on,” you tell him and he chuckles.
Not wasting another second, Jaemin pushes the lace out of the way and inserts one finger. You gasp, holding onto him for support as your knees weakened at his touch.
“Let me make it up to you,” he bites on your earlobe before adding a second finger.
He starts pumping, setting his own pace and removing any tiredness you felt from having to wait for him all night. When he curls his fingers you’re sent into nirvana, and when he starts sucking on your neck on the spot he knows you like, you couldn’t help but let a moan slip.
Jaemin’s hand clamps over your mouth. His eyes had had adjusted to the dark and he could see your expression. You stare at him with wanting eyes and it’s enough for him to keep going, fastening the pace.
When the knot in your stomach tightens, you claw on Jaemin’s back and he picks up on the signal and hoists you onto the counter before lowering himself and pulling the lace down all the way. You spread yourself, awaiting him and when he presses his mouth to your heat. You're immediately thrown into a whole other world, tangling your fingers in his hair and gasping for air with each time you feel his tongue trace your folds. Soon enough, you were releasing onto him and Jaemin was lapping it up clean.
As you came down from your high he’d gotten up and was watching you with a satisfied smile on his face.
“Fuck,” you manage to say, too dumbed out to make out any other words to explain what you felt.
You feel him kiss your forehead before he whispers to you again, “We gotta go,”
You nod, gulping and try to compose yourself. You grab a box of cereal blindly in case Jeno and his friends were already awake and would be suspicious of them before following Jaemin to the door. He gives you another kiss before pulling the door open.
Just as you’d suspected, your brother had just gotten up from the couch and was walking in at the same time you’d gotten out. He looked at you both skeptically, but his hangover probably made it hard for him to process anything. He takes a seat and yawns. The rest of the boys enter the room after him.
“That’s my cereal,” Jeno points out at the Frosty Flakes you were carrying. Jaemin had taken his seat and continued eating the pancake he left like he wasn’t just eating something else a minute ago.
“Jaemin said he wanted some. So I showed him where it was,” you shrug before placing it on the table and grabbing your plate of half-eaten pancake. “Seeya,” you tell them, but it was directed to Jaemin.
“Seriously, do you take your brother for such an idiot to think he doesn’t suspect anything between us?” Jaemin sighs.
You could hear his heart beating steadily, finally calming down after the strenuous activity you’d just done. You have your head resting on his chest and you’ve been observing it, the pace and how it seemed to doubled when you traced lines along his arm.
You laugh, “I don’t think he’s an idiot. I find it a little fun to be hiding something from him,”
Jaemin didn’t find it fun at all. To him it felt like he was betraying Jeno. You knew how guilty Jaemin feels which is why you’d conjured a little plan. Some would probably say it’s going too far, but you called it a test of love. You knew Jeno had probably figured it out anyway.
“Don’t worry, he’s a big boy. Besides, he always says you’re like a brother to him. So why don’t I make you his brother-in law?”
You sit up to look at the boy in the dim lighting of his room. He looked glorious, basking in the only light source that came through his window from the moon. He brings up a hand to caress your cheek and you felt safe. It felt like home.
“Na Jaemin, what are you doing?”
The voice made Jaemin jump. It wasn’t yours, it was low and thunderous. It was someone he knew all too well, and he knew better than to make up an excuse. He’s been caught, this is it. This day was bound to come anyway.
Jaemin pulls his face away from yours, freezing in his place on your bed and turning his head to the door where sure enough, Jeno was standing. His hands were folded and pissed would be an understatement. Jaemin could see all the veins on his best friend’s arm and neck.
“Now… Jeno-“ Jaemin begins to explain. You watch as he tries to figure out the words to say. He’s calmly walking closer to his friend and has left your side on the bed where not moments ago he was just kissing you in. Jeno looks at him expectedly, waiting for a reason.
“Can we talk outside?” Jaemin quietly asks, but Jeno doesn’t move from his place in the doorway.
“I’d like to talk here,” your brother firmly states.
Jaemin sighs, looking back at you before preparing what he was about to say.
“Jeno I really like Y/N. Screw it, call it love. I'm in love with her and I’m a horrible friend for not telling you but we were going to tell you sooner or later anyway. I’m sorry you had to find out like this,” he sincerely apologizes.
Your lips part, listening to his words. He was taking the blame completely.
“You probably hate the shit out of me but I really like your sister, man. And I want nothing but to treat her with utmost care and give her everything she deserves,” he rambles.
Jeno was staring down at his friend and his eyes look over to you. When you told Jeno that you were dating Jaemin, he flicked your forehead harshly and said “I know. I’m not stupid,”
When you told him about how you wanted to see how Jaemin would react to getting caught, you didn’t need to ask twice. Jeno was onboard and wanted to do it as soon as possible. It was a good thing you went ahead and told him beforehand because if you hadn’t, Jaemin might have gotten something more than a flick on the forehead.
“And cut,” you say from behind the two boys. Jaemin’s eyebrows furrow together as he steps back and watches Jeno’s expression shift from anger to his regular smile. The boy looked between you siblings in pure confusion and you walk to clasp your fingers together. “You just got pranked, dude,”
“Wait, huh?” exclaims Jaemin. Jeno’s already laughing at this point and you’re cupping Jaemin’s face in your hands lovingly. “I told Jeno last night. I just wanted to see how you’d react,”
“You menaces!” Jaemin yells, pointing his finger between you and your brother.
“God, since we were young. Always pulling the pranks on me,” he huffs with a frustrated look on his face. You replace that with a smile by giving him a quick peck.
“Alright, I’m gonna leave ‘cus that’s gross to watch,” Jeno backs away, patting Jaemin on the shoulder and gesturing to his room down the hall. “Also,” he adds, catching both you and Jaemin’s attention.
“Stop hooking up in the pantry. Jesus Christ, are you guys exhibitionists?”
479 notes · View notes
neoculturetravesty · 3 years
Text
We met in online class - Part 9
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Image adapted from here.
Pairing: Renjun x Reader Genre: College AU, romance, angst, fluff Warnings: Strong language, fist fight, a character has Covid-19 Word Count: 5.2k
Navigation: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | You are on Part 9 | Part 10 | Last Part
A/N: So proud of the boys for breaking records with Hot Sauce 🥺💛  Also, Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate!
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Renjun is ashamed to be surprised, but his friends remain true to their word.
That night, Renjun slept for what he’s sure was a good fourteen hours. Because by the time he woke, it was way in the afternoon. Jaemin was already back from his shift and Jeno was almost halfway through his. Jisung had insisted that Renjun get some more rest before he had to take over. It was a tiny bit disconcerting to have Jisung hovering over him the entire day to make sure he was eating and feeling okay, but Renjun had to admit--this was exactly what he needed. He didn’t like who he was when he was alone.
The boys had apparently even created a dedicated group chat where they would post updates and a list of things that were required at the hospital. Not that there was much required, anyway. But the boys would make sure that at the very least, Renjun’s mom had fresh clothes and home cooked food everyday while she couldn’t get out herself. Jaemin had even taken Renjun’s phone and gotten it fixed so he at least had a proper screen instead of a cracked one.
Even when Renjun was sure that he could take over on his own, the boys wouldn’t allow it. On many occasions, he had just stayed by them during their turns, thankful for their company and their friendship. Because who else in this world would spend their semester break in this fashion? He’s pretty sure they had plans; but they had forsaken them all to be there for him. 
Renjun has no idea how it happens, but slowly and surely, things start to get better. He’s pretty certain it has to be some sort of a miracle. Like a little break of sunshine had finally decided to shine on him through the dark clouds. Like somehow, his guardian angel had decided that it had slacked off for long enough and now it should give Renjun a break. Because one day, the doctors tell them that Renjun’s grandmother will be a lot weaker for the next few days to come… but with a lot of care and attention, she should be ready to go home. They echo Renjun’s thoughts and tell them that it is nothing short of a miracle, but also that he should be thankful that his grandmother is still young and has a fighting spirit.
The day she is taken off of life support and brought into another room with a window through which he can see her, Renjun can’t hold himself back. He hugs onto Jaemin so tight and cries happy tears, and Jaemin holds him back just as strong, though he’s sure that he’s so overwhelmed by relief that he’s putting all of his weight onto the boy. But Jaemin doesn’t relent and holds onto him and lets him cry tears of joy into his shoulder.
The boys head home that night and laugh till they cry and celebrate Renjun’s grandma’s life and health. They eat like they had been hungry for days and slump their shoulders in ease like they had been keeping them tense for too long. They laugh and they sit together and keep letting out long sighs of relief, as if each breath was undoing a knot in their chest. It’s a sweet, victorious sort of a happy moment, and it is Jeno who has to remind them they need to focus now more than ever so that Renjun’s grandma can get her strength back and finally test negative. And it is an important reminder because the new semester is about to begin soon and given classes, they will have to redo their hospital visit schedules.
At the very least, they learn that the new semester would begin online, because the sudden surge in Covid cases had led them to another lockdown. Renjun’s not sure whether he should be happy or upset about it. On the one hand, he thinks this lockdown should’ve happened earlier so his grandma would’ve never gotten sick in the first place. On the other hand, he is happy that his grandma would now be safe and recover comfortably. 
When classes begin and Renjun finds all his housemates at home, his heart drops a little and he wonders if he should just skip today. But an amused Jeno mutes himself during his online class and stops him.
“You have other friends, too, you know?” Jeno cocks an eyebrow at him.
“Yeah, but I’m sure they have classes, too. Plus, the four of us have been doing this from the beginning, so… I don’t know…” Renjun says, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling a bit nervous about leaving his mother and grandma on their own without help. But Jeno looks at him like he’s talking gibberish.
“Dude. Not the four of us. All seven of us have been doing this from the very beginning.” Jeno says, eyebrow still cocked, looking at Renjun like he’s sure he’s lost his mind.
Renjun looks up and for a moment, he is sure his face looks dumb. Because if the buffering wheel was a human expression, Renjun’s certain he’s wearing it now. “All… seven?”
“Do you even check the group chat? Chenle and Mark and Donghyuck. They’ve all been doing their duty from Day 1, you idiot. How else would the rest of us come home so early?” Jeno scoffs and laughs a bit, knotting his eyebrows at his clueless friend.
For a moment, Renjun is silenced. Because he doesn’t know how to process this information. He feels a swell in his chest. A sort of happiness that only true friendship brings. But at the same time, he feels an incredible pang of guilt, because for one, he is an asshole that keeps underestimating the said friendship. And for the other, he had done absolutely nothing to be deserving of such love. 
“Dong… Donghyuck, too?” Renjun asks and he feels his heart breaking, though even in this surreal moment of realization, he recognizes how strange it is to feel heartbreak over something like this.
“Of course, you idiot. Donghyuck was the one that stayed at the hospital the entire first night when you were asleep.” Jeno tells him and smacks him lightly on the head.
And for the first time in his life, Renjun actually feels what it is like to have his head physically hang in shame. “I don’t deserve it.” he sighs.
“I really don’t understand you sometimes, Huang Renjun.” Jeno says and turns his attention back to his class.
“What do you mean?” Renjun retorts.
“Just because friends have a dumb fight, doesn’t mean they abandon each other in times of need.” Jeno states like it is the most obvious thing in the world.
It should be simple and obvious, everything Jeno has said. But to Renjun, it is groundbreaking. Because Renjun wasn’t used to being loved and cared for without condition. In his dark and convoluted view of the world, everything was give and take. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. But here they were--his friends that were shattering all of those dumbass beliefs. Telling him that although he had been a grade A asshole and punched them in the face, they understood that he was going through some shit, and that taking care of his sick grandmother trumped all other childish grudges. Renjun realizes that perhaps, he was the most childish out of all his friends. Somewhere in his turbulent childhood, he might have skipped a lot of emotional development. Because why else would the kindness and love of his friends shock him so?
Jeno peeks over the top of his laptop and watches Renjun deep in thought, paying no attention to his own class. “He’s at the hospital right now.” Jeno says knowingly.
And that’s all Renjun needs to hear before he slams his laptop shut and makes his way out.
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The fact that Renjun is probably a few steps behind in his emotional development is solidified when he sits next to Donghyuck on a park bench and suddenly finds himself at a loss for what to say.
The rush of blood and adrenaline he had felt in his veins leaving his house for his apology tour seemed to have faded when he saw his friend’s face. Donghyuck had been sitting next to Renjun’s father, but that hadn’t been the bothersome part. It was the fact that his friend was sitting there for him, but with a black eye that Renjun had given him. 
In the grand scheme of healing black eyes, Donghyuck definitely looked less hurt than the last time Renjun had seen him. The purples were mostly gone, leaving behind hues of yellow and a speck of blue here and there. Though he may have been healing, there were more colors on him than before and that’s what made him look worse. That’s also the part that makes Renjun feel most ashamed. His friend was here for him even though he looked like shit thanks to him.
Renjun is sure that on the list of top ten assholes of the world, he would find his own name on top.
But sitting next to Donghyuck outside in the fresh air, he has no idea what to say. He thinks real hard and decides to start in the safe zone.
“Did the guys tell you? About my grandma?” he asks.
“Um, no. It was Jimin.” Donghyuck replies awkwardly.
Renjun nods. “I, uh… I told the guys like a day later, though. Did you tell them before I did?”
“No, um… I was at a party with the 127s… I didn’t see her text till like the next day either, so…” Donghyuck trails off.
Renjun nods again, then swallows. It’s so strange, how awkward this all is. It is unsettling because Donghyuck is the least awkward person he knows, and he hates that this weird zone is where their relationship seems to be heading.
Not if he can help it.
In another rush of dumbass adrenaline, Renjun gets up abruptly and stands before Donghyuck.
“Go on. Do it.” Renjun says and takes a deep breath.
“Huh?” Donghyuck looks at his friend quizzically.
“Do it. Just make it quick.” Renjun nods with determination and points at his face.
“You’re crazy.” Donghyuck states and slides further away on the bench, eyebrows raised, and a grimace on his mouth.
“Just do it, man. Do it so we can move on.” Renjun says, placing both hands on his waist and squeezing his eyes shut.
“I’m not going to punch you so you can move on, you psycho.” Donghyuck’s face is contorted, like he’s scandalized and perhaps even slightly scared of his friend. 
“Come on, Donghyuckie. Just punch me and get it over with.” Renjun waves his hand impatiently, not relenting.
“Are you not hearing me, you crazy? I’m not punching you just to make you feel better!” Donghyuck almost yells.
And because Renjun is pretty sure this would work, he grabs at Donghyuck’s collar just to provoke him.
“What the fuck?!” Donghyuck tries to push Renjun off of him.
“Hit me!” Renjun shouts.
“No, are you fucking crazy! Get off me!” Donghyuck grabs at the sleeves of Renjun’s jacket and tries to pry him off. 
“Not till you hit me!” Renjun insists, clinging onto the boy, grabbing and pulling at him to annoy him best he can to get a reaction.
“I’m not going to hit you!” Donghyuck yells. The two boys spin in inelegant, rough circles on the grass, trying to push and pull at one another.
“Punch me or you got no balls!” Renjun yowls and then finally feels the blow to his face that sends him flying to the ground.
He pauses for a bit because his head spins for a solid ten seconds. He shakes it vigorously to get it to focus and it helps because then he looks up to find a very startled and distressed Donghyuck looking down at him, fist still raised in the air.
“That had more throw than power.” Renjun comments, massaging his jaw.
“Yeah, that’s what I was going for.” Donghyuck agrees. 
For a moment both boys nod and look at each other, acknowledging the technique and form of the punch. And then, they burst into laughter because fuck, all of this was so stupid. Renjun rolls on the grass and Donghyuck doubles over as he stands. Then he offers Renjun his hand to help him get up, which he takes eagerly, using it to lift up and fling himself into his friend’s arms. They hold each other strongly, thumping one another on the back. And just like that, the awkwardness is gone. All that was meant to be said has been said and now Renjun is no longer struggling to find his words. They come easily, because all of this is so natural. He was with his best friend, after all.
“You are a crazy motherfucker, you know that, right?” Donghyuck comments, shaking his head as they sit back down on the bench.
Renjun chuckles, then looks at the grass, because his head hangs in shame again. “I’m a sorry motherfucker.”
Donghyuck puts an arm around Renjun and thumps his back again. “You should be sorry, you dumb fuck. But also, you’ve got a pretty toxic coping mechanism, you know that, right?”
Renjun sighs long “I know. The longer I think about it, the dumber I feel.”
He expects his friend to make a joke in return but he feels his hesitation. So he looks up and finds Donghyuck trying to think of what to say. “Have you ever thought about… like sorting that out, maybe?” he finally asks.
“Sorting it out?” Renjun asks, confused.
“Like... you know this isn’t normal, right?” Donghyuck asks, and he doesn’t sound like he’s mocking. His tone doesn’t have the slightest hint of a joke and that’s what makes Renjun realize what he’s talking about.
“No… no, I haven’t…” Renjun admits. He doesn’t know why he’s never thought about ‘sorting it out’. Perhaps because he’s always thought he was smarter than anyone who could offer him help.
“You could give it a try. Talking to someone really helps sometimes, you know? Getting help can help.” Donghyuck says carefully.
Renjun bites his lip. He knows his friend is right, but he’s never really, truly given it a thought. Donghyuck senses his discomfort and changes the subject.
“Your grandma is finally getting tested again tomorrow.” he says as he stretches.
Renjun smiles “Yeah. I honestly can’t believe it…” he looks at his best friend “... but I also don’t know if I’ll ever be able to thank you…”
Donghyuck frowns and shakes Renjun by the shoulder “Stop it before I throw up.”
“I mean it.”
“I’ll throw up even if you mean it.”
“Donghyuck…”
“Okay, really, stop. Also, I’m not even the one you should be thanking. Or apologizing to.” Donghyuck sits back after he’s had his fill of shaking Renjun.
“Of course, you’re the one I should be thanking and apologizing to, you stupid. You did all of this for me even when I was an absolute asshole to you.” Renjun presses.
“You are an asshole, but you’re also a dumb asshole.” Donghyuck declares.
“Hey, I’m trying to apologize nicely, here.” Renjun pouts and his friend lets out a long, exasperated sigh.
“I thought you were just being obtuse but you seriously don’t know…” Donghyuck shakes his head.
“Know what?” Renjun asks and Donghyuck shrugs and acts like a little shit which annoys Renjun, but at the same time fills him with relief. Because Donghyuck being a little shit to him means their friendship has been restored to its original state. But he asks again “Know what?!”
“Dude, no offense or anything, but did you really think your parents can put your grandma in a private room all on their own?” Donghyuck asks.
Renjun stops a bit. He’d been so worried about the fact that his grandma’s life was hanging by a thread that he hadn’t even thought about the expenses part. He knows his grandma had a little bit in savings, but his parents for sure didn’t earn that much. Come to think of it, he hadn’t even realized that this was one of the nicer hospitals around.
“Fuck it, I’m really going to have to spell it out for you. Since your brain doesn’t seem to be working.” Donghyuck sighs dramatically.
“What?”
“Dude. This is Y/N’s parents’ hospital. Your mother couldn’t possibly keep taking care of your grandma all on her own, now could she? When Y/N found out, she went crazy. She made her parents direct all their best resources into taking care of your grandma.”
For a while, the information hangs in the air.
Renjun had thought that he would never get to feel things that were new and unexplainable ever again. He thought he had experienced every single feeling his body had to offer. The past month alone had put him through more emotions than he had experienced in his whole life. He had seen it all, felt it all.
But what he’s experiencing right now doesn’t feel like gratitude or shame or longing or anything one should expect to feel in a situation like this. It just feels like a soft light has filled his chest and is lifting him in the air. He feels like he’s floating, like he’s having an out of body experience. 
“Oh,” is the only thing he can manage to say.
And then he remembers your face. He hadn’t realized it then, but he sees now how badly he had wanted to see you that night. He had wanted no one but you to hold him and kiss him and tell him that he wasn’t alone. And he remembers how he couldn’t tell you any of that. He remembers how you had walked away with another man. 
And that makes him come back to earth. He feels a resigned sort of sadness.
“Y/N is… she would do that for anybody, wouldn’t she?” Renjun smiles sadly.
“She probably would. But you should’ve seen how worried she was. Even now, she is on the phone everyday with her parents, making sure they’re doing everything they can. She didn’t want what happened to her grandmother to happen to yours.” Donghyuck tells him.
Renjun looks up “What happened to her grandmother?”
Donghyuck raises his eyebrows. “She passed away from Covid last year?” His eyebrows go higher still “She says she’s told you about this?”
Renjun thinks, and then it’s as if a veil on his memory is slowly but poorly being lifted. He remembers laying his head on your shoulder. He remembers feeling your shirt dampen from his tears. He remembers your fingers drawing relaxing patterns in his hair. He remembers your soothing voice, speaking to him with such tenderness that Renjun had barely heard your words and had focused instead on it’s sweet tones. But now, when Renjun is forcing himself to think, he very foggily recalls what you had been saying. You had been telling him about your own grandmother. Why hadn’t Renjun listened? Why did Renjun never listen when you spoke? He was such a selfish, arrogant fool. He wishes he could go back and change it all. 
Donghyuck shakes his head. “Are you really….” he sighs again, “Nevermind. But yeah, she basically went nuts because she couldn’t be here with you.”
Renjun’s heart is aching and he’s pretty sure his face reflects it. “I wish I could take it all back. Everything I did to her.”
“You can take it back.” Donghyuck says.
“How?” 
“Apologize to her, you dummy.” Donghyuck smacks the back of his head.
“How? I tried calling her once but she didn’t pick up.” Renjun admits.
“Then you should call her again and again and again till it sticks.” Donghyuck says plainly and it makes so much fucking sense that Renjun is embarrassed that he hadn’t thought it.
“Yeah, but…” Renjun swallows, “... it doesn’t really matter now, does it?”
“What do you mean?” Donghyuck asks.
“She’s with Wong Hendery now. So…” Renjun can’t even complete the thought.
“What do you mean she’s with Wong Hendery?” Donghyuck scrunches his brows deep in his forehead in confusion.
“She left with him for the semester break. I went to see her… but she left with him…” Renjun presses his lips together.
“Wait…” Donghyuck says and Renjun looks up and nods at him as if to confirm the fact. But he sees something entirely different on his friend’s face. It’s an expression of deep dumbfoundedness. “... are you some sort of an idiot?” He asks like Renjun is the dimmest person he has ever come across.
And Renjun doesn’t help his cause because he only blinks in return.
“Dude! She’s not ‘with Wong Hendery,’” Donghyuck gets up and smacks Renjun across the head once again. “They’re partners on the SMK Trainee Drive. She’s literally been preparing for this for months? Shouldn’t you know this?”
Renjun blinks some more. SMK Trainee Drive? Renjun had heard and personally seen you preparing for interviews and these drives. But somehow a lot of it hadn’t registered in his brain. Once again, probably because he never listened to you well. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, he was an idiot. He was the biggest idiot on the planet.
Yet right now, he was a smiling idiot whose heart was suddenly filling with hope. “She’s not… with… she’s not with Hendery?” Renjun is embarrassed. He feels so fucking stupid asking this, but he absolutely can’t help the smile spreading across his face.
“She’s literally at the tower right now. She’s been stuck because we went into lockdown whilst she was there. It’s why she couldn’t come and see you. But the highway doesn’t open for another week, so she’ll be stuck till then.” Donghyuck explains, and Renjun feels his heart exploding with joy at every word. He’s pretty sure he’s grinning shamelessly. 
“Why do I know more about your girlfriend than you do? Oh wait. It's because 'she's not your girlfriend.’” Donghyuck does a perfectly exaggerated mimicry of Renjun that reminds him of that one SpongeBob meme. On a normal day, he would’ve wanted to smack his friend for doing this. But in this moment, he is all too happy to be the one being smacked and mocked.
Renjun laughs with relief, then finds his laugh fading a bit. “Do you think she’ll forgive me? For everything I did?”
“I don’t know, man. But you wouldn’t know unless you try.” Donghyuck once again states something that should be obvious.
“How do I try if she’s not picking up my calls? And when she won’t even be here for another week?” Renjun sulks a bit but gets smacked in the head again.
“Dude! She literally did everything in the world to help your grandma, and she was in a wholeass different city! She did that all for you! I’m sure you can figure out a simple apology.” Donghyuck has his arms crossed and is now seriously looking agitated with him and it makes Renjun smile.
“She really did that for me?” Renjun asks and he doesn’t even care if he sounds like a cheesy motherfucker. He doesn’t even care he’s being this way in front of Lee Donghyuck who probably won’t let him live it down for the rest of his life.
“Of course she did that for you, you idiot.” Renjun earns another smack at the end of that.
“Does she like me?” Renjun asks like a stupid, hopeful teenage boy.
Donghyuck pretends to gag and moves away in disgust. But then he sees Renjun’s expression and lets out a long, irritated exhale. “Of course she likes you, you dumb fuck.” Renjun gets hit in the head, “Why would she do all of this if she didn’t like you?” Renjun gets another smack, “Oh Lord, please give me the strength to not commit murder. I am not your strongest soldier…” Donghyuck looks up at the sky and Renjun laughs openly, freely and lightly. He feels as if all the knots in his chest are slowly being undone one by one. So he jumps up and tries to tackle and cuddle Donghyuck but he keeps moving away. The two boys run around in the ground, Renjun chasing Donghyuck, trying to attack him with his love while he complains that his hair smells.
And Renjun accepts all his insults with a newly healed heart. You liked him. Despite everything that he’d done to you, you liked him. You had worried about him and done everything in your power to help his grandma. You had kept tabs on her and made sure she was healing even though you were miles away. You liked him, and you weren’t with a new guy and you liked him.
As he walks back towards the hospital with his arm around his best friend’s shoulders, he decides that if it came to it that he had to beg and grovel for your forgiveness, he would happily spend the rest of his life on his knees. Because you liked him and Renjun was never going to let you go ever again.
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True to his word (for maybe the first time in your relationship), Renjun spends the rest of the week trying to reach you. Because his apology tour wouldn’t be complete without his most important stop--you.
He calls you so many times; but each time, he only gets to hear the dial tone and the mechanical voice telling him that the user is unreachable at the moment. You never pick up.
But his mind and his spirit is fueled by Donghyuck’s advice, and this time, the advice is a lot more sound and a lot less exploitative. So, Renjun doesn’t give up because he has to make it stick. You had never given up on him. He wasn’t going to give up on you. When he’s sure you won’t pick up his calls, he leaves you a string of messages.
‘Hey, Y/N. I’m trying to call you. Please pick up?’
‘I know you have every right to be mad at me, but I just need a chance to apologize.’
‘I’m seriously the biggest idiot in the world, but I need to tell you that in person.’ 
‘Okay, I’m coming to you.’
‘Turns out I can’t just negotiate with the police to let me cross the city lines to get to the girl I like.’
‘Y/N, please…’
‘I’m the world’s sorriest and the most embarrassed motherfucker and I need to hear your voice to tell you that.’
‘I am Berry-Berry sorry, and I’m just asking for one chance to get to talk to you.
‘I’m not going to stop, you know?’
He has to admit that his patience is wearing thin. Because he’s trying every method and none of it is working; and also because his pride had never allowed him to beg and grovel to anyone before. It’s a humbling experience, but at the same time, he doesn’t feel burdened by it. This was for you. The girl who had done everything in her power to make him fall. The girl who had given him more love and kindness than anyone else in the world had. The girl who had taken his troubles and worries as her own. So, of course, he had to do everything in his power to earn your forgiveness.
But as he’s sitting in his room, trying to call you for what he’s sure is the twentieth time that day, he hears that your phone has been powered off. For a moment, Renjun feels immensely dispirited. Maybe he had lost you for good. Maybe you never wanted to hear from him ever again. Maybe this is what he deserved.
But in the next moment, Renjun stops himself. No. He wasn’t going to let his mind spiral that way again. He had to think with a good, clear mind. He couldn’t sit around and sulk without knowing he had explored all possible options. He needed to get creative and for that, he needed to think.
He could certainly wait it out till the week was over and when you’d be back. But he wanted to spend each passing minute letting you know that he was trying. So, that wasn’t an option.
Maybe he could look at the map and find some loopholes and secret passageways across the city. Surely, some of them had to be unmanned so he could break the lockdown law and get to you? That would certainly be impactful, being locked up in jail as a grand gesture of an apology. But Renjun was no action hero.
Renjun sits and thinks and thinks and thinks till a light bulb finally goes off. Of course. A grand gesture. He yells into his pillow out of excitement and frustration that he hadn’t thought of this before. If one thing had been established during this time, it was the fact that Renjun was a dumb fuck with a penchant for being blind to the obvious. 
He gets up bright and early the next morning and rushes to see your friend at her apartment. He sits beside her as her online class starts, away from the camera view and finds his heart filling with the utmost warmth as he sees your window finally appear on the screen. Even in the tiny box, you looked so freaking beautiful that for a minute, Renjun stops and stares as butterflies take over his belly. But he taps his cheek to get himself to focus. He was here on a mission.
He waits for the class to begin before he slides himself into view next to your friend and types out a message on the chat that had taken him all night to prepare. He hits ‘Send to Everyone’ and waits.
And thankfully, the professor--miraculously the same professor who had done this the very first time all that time ago--stops to read it out,
“This might be a long shot, but Y/N L/N, do you think you can find it in your heart to give me another chance?” he begins, squinting his eyes slightly in confusion as he reads on, then smiling as realization hits. “Well, that’s certainly not a question from Ms. Kim Minjeong, I can tell you that.” he jokes and waits because as it had before, this has piqued the students’ interest.
Renjun watches as your pretty eyes widen. He watches them skirt across your screen, seemingly looking for the cause of the commotion. He watches the moment of realization hitting your pretty face. And he waits.
“Well, Ms. Y/N L/N, are you going to put the young man out of his misery?” the professor jokes kindly and Renjun thinks he might die from the anticipation.
And then, he watches as you move to unmute yourself.
“Yeah, I guess I could give him another chance,” you say nonchalantly which earns you a round of applause and hoots from all other windows. Because college students will always love dramatic antics.
The professor calls the class back to attention and Renjun sits back in his chair, grinning like an idiot because the girl he had fallen for had given him another chance.
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lubdubsworld · 3 years
Text
Insatiable ( Jungkook x OC) Chapter 7
Pairing : Jeon Jungkook x OC
Rating 18+
Genre : Vampire Au!!!! , DILF! Jungkook ! Bodyguard AU! Babysitter OC!   Age difference!!!
Chapter 1   Chapter 2  Chapter 3    Chapter 4  Chapter 5   Chapter 6
Chapter 7
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“I love this...” I whispered, arms wrapped around his neck, staring up into Jungkooks face as he rocked his hips against mine , hands stroking my hips gently as the hard length of him dragged inside me , almost gentle as he placed soft kisses on my brow. 
“What? “ he smiled. 
“You inside me... it feels.. i feel complete somehow..” 
He smiled sweetly, kissing the corner of my lips. 
“You’re so warm and wet and I think you’re perfect.” He breathed against my cheeks, pillow soft lips pressing smooches down my jaw and up to my lobe. 
“I liked ...tonight. “I said shyly and he grimaced.
“I may have gone a little overboard..” He said sheepishly, grunting as he thrust a little harder and I closed my eyes , savoring the feeling of him inside me. 
“But I liked it. Liked that I couldn’t even watch the fireworks because of ...well another kind of fireworks..” I laughed.
He grinned.
“ I aim to please.” 
“Good. Then why dont you hurry up and fuck me like you mean it.” I said with a wink and his eyes narrowed, flashing red.
“You never learn, do you angel?” 
I laughed as he pulled out and flipped me over, fingers sinking into hair, hand gripping my waist as he rove straight into me with a force that shook the bed. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“On a scale of one to ten, how mad would your siblings be if you don’t go back to your bed tonight?” Jungkook whispered, burying his face in the slightly damp strands of my hair, breathing deeply before going back to running a small fluffy towel through the strands. 
I stared up at the ceiling , eyes at half mast because I was so sleepy, still pleasantly warm from the hot bath I’d just had . I was dressed in one of Jungkook’s big white t shirts , lying sideways on his bed with my head hanging over the edge because y hair was still wet. Jungkook being the perfect man that he was , was towel drying my wet locks for me. 
“Probably a twenty?” I grimaced. “ I need to be up early to go down to the kitchen. We’re taking the kids out to the park remember?” 
Jungkook groaned.
“Minae needs to be kept away from the sugar ... I am not going to piggy back her for two straight hours like yesterday.” He swore. 
i laughed, rolling over and smiling at him. 
“ She has a crush on you.” I grinned, waggling my eyebrows at him. 
He shook his head laughing. 
“I’m too old to be dealing with four year olds that have a crush on me., “He shuddered. I smiled, shaking my head because , Jungkook was the one who had begun helping out with the children and he was often the first to offer a piggyback ride to the kids. 
Being a single father, I knew he had experience with kids, of course. But still it was quite something watching him handle them with confident hands and a ridiculously kind disposition. And he didn’t shy away from  anything. Changing toddlers out of nappies, cleaning spit up off my office desk , even offering his nails for the smitten Minae to color with her markers.  
And it felt good to have him around, his presence somehow grounding me even during the most hectic of times. Story time with Mr. Jeon,  was fast becoming a thing, with Jungkook gathering all the younglings around him in a circle and regaling them with tales from his life ( a toned down, child friendly version of it of course ) while I set up the beds in the nap room, every afternoon. 
The kids slept for about an hour every afternoon and that was the time we ate our lunch, the workers heading off to the kitchen while Jungkook and I shared a meal cook sent up for us. The small stone bench on the yard was right outside the window of the nap room, and leaving the window open helped us keep an eye on the kids while we ate. 
Not too mention the effect it had on Joo Won. 
Although he spent most of his time with Somi and Jimin in the other cottage , learning his number work and language skills, he occasionally ran up to his father, eager to show off his work. Jungkook always dropped whatever he was doing to shower praises on his son and the boy thrived under the attention. 
The idea that I could do this with him for the rest of my life, was impossible to push out of  my head. 
But i wouldn’t bring it up. 
I would enjoy this , now while I had it and I would wait for him of course but I wasn’t going to play games with him. 
“I’m not meeting anyone else anymore.” I said quietly. 
He gave me a look. 
“anyone as in?..”
“Any vampires. potential suitors” I said with a shrug. “ I’m not going to. I’m going to tell my father I’m... not interested in it anymore.” 
Jungkook stopped his ministrations and gave me a guilty laden look.
“Sera, about tonight-”
“Don’t you dare apologize.” I glared at him. “ I loved it. I love you , as I’ve told you often enough and I also understand that you’re not there yet. and I can wait.”
Jungkook looked away.
“That’s not fair to you.” He said hoarsely.
“Maybe. But it’s still my choice. And My life. And if I choose to spend that life pining over you for the rest of eternity , that’s upto me.” I shrugged. 
He merely stared at me, lips turned down in a frown. 
“You’re too young to understand what you’re asking for Sera. You don’t realize how powerful you are. I’m not... I’m not good enough for you.” He shook his head. “ Far from it.” 
I rolled my eyes. 
“What does that even mean? You’re a vampire. There’s literally nothing that stops us from being together than your twisted belief that you aren’t good enough. Which is so baseless I could laugh. ”
Jungkook stared at me. 
“It’s not just about me. What about the kind of power you would have with the right vampire? not to mention the people in my life that  would want me fucking dead sera? You think everyone would just let it go? Me , a fucking nobody marrying the most adored girl in  our kind???  ” he laughed in disbelief. 
i frowned. 
“What do you mean ?”
Jungkook opened his mouth to elaborate but the door to his bedroom slammed open at that exact same moment and I jumped, terrified. Scrambling to my knees, I crawled back to the headboard just as Jungkook swore, moving to the door , bodychecking the figure that crashed through. 
“JEON FUCKING JUNGKOOK GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER!!!!!” 
I felt my eyes widen in horror as my brother in law launched himself across the room, fingers closing right around Jungkook’s neck as he rammed into him, the two of them skidding across the floor and crashing into the ornate fireplace with a noise loud enough to wake the dead.
I stared, my brain unable to process what I was seeing. 
My sister appeared, eyes wild and panicked.
“Oh God... Sera I’m so sorry...he came to your room and saw you were gone...” she began but then stopped.  
Her eyes fell on the pandemonium in the corner and she yelped. 
“jIMIN!!!!” She screamed, rushing to the corner where the two vampires were locked together in a scuffle and the only thing I could think about was the fact that I was naked underneath his t shirt and if anyone else walked in-
“What is this ruckus?” The loud booming noise was familiar and terrifying and i squeaked, diving for the covers and crawling in as I stared horrified. The figure that appeared in the doorway was so imposing that all of us went still. Even Jungkook’s eyes widened as he took in the gargantuan man framed in the entryway. 
Hwang Jaebum was seven feet tall, 1800 years old and the scariest Vampire i had ever seen in my entire life. His skin was shriveled , his eyes permanently red and he stared at the two fighting vampires , now frozen and gawking at the towering vampire and he scrunched his nose in disgust before his red eyes flashed and landed on me. 
“There you are.” He said softly. “Sweet Seraphina.” 
The name, God.
 My uncle had named me and no one called me that but him. 
I swallowed, clutching the covers as sheer unadulterated terror coursed through my veins. I knew my uncle wouldn’t hurt me but still, power radiated off him in waves and I did not want to be on the receiving end of his displeasure. 
“Come here , child. Let me look at you.” 
I winced. 
Before I could react though, Jungkook was climbing on the bed, scrabbling to kneel right in front of me, arms stretched out to keep me from the vampire’s view. 
“Who the fuck are you?” He snarled and I gasped, stunned. God, Uncle Jae had killed people for less. 
I grabbed Jungkook quickly, pulling him back into my arms and away from the vampire who now looked suitably furious. 
“That’s my uncle. Shut up.” I hissed quickly. Jungkook didn’t show any sign of backing down, still crouched in front of me, muscles locked in a fighting stance and I clutched his shoulders, burying my face in his back. 
“Jungkook relax...” I begged but he merely grabbed my hand where it lay wrapped on his waist, squeezing gently. 
“It’s okay baby, I’m here.” He was still glaring at my uncle who peered over him to lock eyes with me. 
“Who is this? Why are you in his bed, Seraphina? “ My Uncles’ voice rumbled through the room, echoing off the rafters and Jimin and Somi scrambled to their feet. 
“Sire.... We didn’t know you were here already..” Jimin began, moving to stand in front of him but Jaebum ignored him, moving closer to the bed. 
“Who are you? Tell me now.” He snarled. 
I stared at the anger flashing in my uncle’s eyes  and I swallowed. 
“He is her intended, brother.” My father’s voice came from the doorway and i jumped a bit, staring over at the door. 
My father came floating in, face calm but eyes narrowed in annoyance as he stared at me. I found myself wilting under the glare. He was upset, Rightfully so. 
My uncle frowned, glancing at my father in disbelief. 
“She is betrothed?” He frowned. “ Why was I not informed of this?” 
My father gave him a reassuring smile.
“It is fairly new, this courtship. Jungkook and Sera are very fond of each other and they have my blessing.”
Next to me Jungkook had gone as pale as parchment. He moved up and away from me and my entire body went cold. 
I reached for his hand, flinching when he yanked it away.
Fuck.
Fuck. 
“I need to speak to the boy. What is your name boy?” My uncle growled at Jungkook. 
“Jeon Jungkook , sire.:”
He frowned.
“What clan are you from?” 
I flinched.
My father looked a little uncomfortable.
“Surely we can talk about this-”
“I was bitten , Sire.It’s just me and my son, now.” Jungkook’s voice was deep and steady and he stared right at my uncle. 
Uncle Jae’s eyes widened and then he stared at me.
“That is what you will settle for , Seraphina? A mongrel with tainted blood?” 
The sharp sound of hurt that came from Jungkook shattered my heart. 
But it was my father who growled, affronted. 
“That is enough. You are a guest , Jaebum and I will not have you insulting my daughter’s betrothed. Leave him be.”
My uncle laughed.
“It is not an insult. It is a fact...is it not, boy? Look at him... he knows his place. And it not by  her  side.” 
“Jungkook, don’t listen to him ...” i whispered feverishly , reaching for him again not letting him pull away and gripping his fingers hard. His fingers felt icy cold to the touch and there was no mistaking the sheer hurt radiating off his features. 
“Unless the girl is in trouble, I think you should sever the connection, Jaehyun.” My uncle snapped at my father . 
“We shall talk about this later. For now, I want you to remember your place, Jaebum. You have duties to attend to and my daughter’s choice is her own. I will not have you interfering in things that you aren’t responsible for.” My father’s voice was just as loud, radiated just as much authority and i had never loved him more. 
Jaebum scoffed once again before turning on his heel and leaving . I sagged in relief and Jungkook, got off the bed, moving away from me so quickly I felt like someone had stuck a knife in my gut. 
“Jimin and Somi, come. Jungkook , Sera. I want the two of you to come to my office after you fix yourself up.” My father said coldly. 
“Yes, Sir.” Jungkook bowed. 
“Yes,  father.” 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Father....I...”
“You slept with him. “ My father said thoughtfully and I stared at my feet. There was no point denying it. 
“Has he agreed to court you?” He said sharply. 
I looked up at him, biting my lips.
“No.” I whispered.
My father’s eyes widened and he shot me a glare that could melt gold. 
“He fed from you during the act?” He demanded. I felt the phantom throb in my thighs at the memory. 
“Yes, father. “ I admitted.
“Then I must ask. Was it consensual?  Did you influence him in any way Seraphina.” 
My heart turned over, tears springing at the accusation. 
“No... No .. I didn’t.. he doesn’t know.. he doesn’t even know I can do that.” I whispered. 
“Could you have done it unconsciously? If Jungkook fed from you and you were near him you could have convinced him to do anything. He wouldn’t have been able to consent. You know this, Sera. I don’t understand how you could be so reckless. We are not monsters. We know our limits and we stick to them for fuck’s sake.” 
“He... we... I... It’s my fault. He didn’t.. He didn’t want to court me so I convinced him we could just...fool around. That was all it was. He loves his son father. He’s only here to give him a better life. I’m sorry.. I’m so sorry for being so selfish and ..Please just don’t send him away. I’ll never meet him again if that’s what you want but please....don’t send him away. .” I stared at my father, feeling the tears sting. 
My father’s gaze softened but he sighed, shaking his head as he held his arm out. I walked into his embrace, letting the tears fall as I clutched his robe. 
“You have not been selfish, dearest. . But, no matter who are, we cannot covet what we are never meant to have . Jungkook is not for you.” He whispered into my hair and I felt my insides clench in rebellion, every part of me screaming in protest at the phrase. 
No.. No... he was mine.. he had to be mine....
I was his and he was mine.
“ I’m going to offer him the position as head of the security team.” My father aid gently and I shuddered. 
“Father..”
“It will pay well. He will be working from the administrative building close to me. . There’s no reason for your paths to cross. Namjoon will take over as your bodyguard from tomorrow.” 
i nodded. 
“I want you to remember who you are. What you are capable of. I raised you to be kind and gentle but that does not change who you are, Sera. It doesn’t change what you are.” he said gently, eyes firm. 
I swallowed.
“You may leave.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jungkook stared at the whiskey decanter on the table. watching Sera’s father pour him a drink. His eyes focused on the golden liquid, the way it caught the light and danced with all the colors of autumn. 
“I’m going to ask you one thing. I want you to answer me, as truth fully as you would your own father.” 
Jungkook was a father, himself. He knew the anger and trepidation in the man’s gaze was real. He knew exactly what it felt like, that desperate clawing need to keep your child safe. To destroy anything that dare hurt them. 
“Do you love my daughter?” The man’s voice shook a little. 
“I cannot court her.” He whispered. “ I’m not... I can’t. “
“That is not what i asked .” The older man said gently. 
He shook his head.
“I don’t have the right to feel anything but respect for her, sir.” Jungkook said softly. 
The vampire shook his head laughing.
“Your eyes tell me all you refuse to say, Jungkook ah. You care deeply for her, do you not?  it is obvious in the tremble of your hand. it was obvious in the way you stood up to my brother, when surely everything in your blood must’ve screamed to back away from a Vampire of such a high ranking. ” 
Jungkook clenched his fists. 
Sera’s father went on. 
“I know you love her and honestly, If you didn’t.... you wouldn’t be alive right now.” 
Jungkook winced. 
“Yes , sir.” He croaked. 
“I will destroy entire continents for my daughter. You know this. “ He said quietly. 
Jungkook nodded. He believed the man . 
“Which is why I must ask. Who is after you?”
Jungkook’s eyes snapped up, eyes widening in surprise. 
“Sir...”
“I’m not the head of the largest clan in the country for nothing. You are protecting your son...but from what? A man of your reputation , choosing to stay inside an estate , helping out with infants and children.... it doesn’t make sense. So tell me. What are you hiding from? And how can I help?” 
Jungkook stared at his hands. 
“It’s Joowon’s grandfather. The man who’s daughter I killed.” 
Sera’s father stiffened. 
“Ahh... yes. Gong Tae Kwan. An old nemesis .” He shook his head, sighing. “ You’ve made a powerful enemy , Jungkook.”
Jungkook nodded.
“I know. I’m no match for him. And I know he’s  not going to stop until he kills me and my son.” 
“You’re right. He’s not going to stop. Now, what so you want to do? Hide out till he finally catches up or confront him like the warrior you are?” 
“i can’t do it. I need to be here for Joo Won.... It would be suicidal...”
“ Only if you’re alone. “
“Sir?”
“It would be suicidal , if you were to confront him alone.” 
“Are you saying that...”
“I’m going to be there with you. We are going to lure the bastard out , and we are going to end this once and for all.”
“Sir, i can’t ask you to...”
“You’re not asking me damn thing kid. I’m doing this for my daughter’s sake. And you are going to repay me by making her as happy as you possibly can.” He said sternly. 
Jungkook flushed
“Sir.. I’m sorry I...”
“When this ends, and it will....you will court her. You will court her, because unlike what you think, you do not get to decide whether you’re worthy of being my daughter’s consort. She does.” He gave him a smile, reaching out and clamping a hand on his shoulder. “  If she chooses you it means you’re worthy. And she has chosen you , Jeon Jungkook . Don’t be the idiot who walks away from the best thing to ever happen to him, son. ” 
Jungkook stared at him.
He took a deep breath. 
“Yes, father.” He said with a small smile. 
The older man laughed out loud. 
“Excellent. Now come, we have a murder to plot. “ 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author’s Note : Well....now the plot picks up... :D :D feedback is always welcomed !! Come scream with me about how amazing Sera’s father is!!!!
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301 notes · View notes
catboyshinsou · 3 years
Text
sick headcanons!
anon request: i love your writing smmm !! 🥺 can i request mha sick hcs where they take care of the reader when they don’t feel well 🥺 you choose who !! <3333
a/n: sorry it took so long <//3
pairings: Kaminari, Kirishima, Tokoyami and Monoma x sick,g/n!reader
warnings: none rlly, mention of throwing up in monoma, slight manga spoilers
can be seen platonically and romantically <3
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kaminari:
Tbh i think he’d be quite Useless
Just rlly panicky n stuff bc what the fuck does one do with a sick person???
*walks into your dorm* “hey y-n wanna- WHAT THE FUCK YOU LOOK TERRIBLE”
*you in a blanket and not having enough energy to be offended* “i think i’m dying” “y/n WHAT”
He’d try his best regardless tho
He goes to sato and helps with doing something soothing and welcoming
On his way back to your dorm he passes aizawa and tells him you’re sick in THE worst way
“Oh yeah Aizawa-sensei, y/n is dying-” “THEY’RE WHAT”
Kami would definitely storm into the room with him and be just as worried
What if it was something really serious??? Like the plague?????
They find you just laying in bed, sniffling and groaning
Turns out it wasn’t the plague and just a bad flu
Flu with its whole jazz, you had a fever of 38C and you could barely move
Aizawa got you excused from classes for about a week and left again
Kami just stood there with his soup and went “oh thank god you're not dying”
like i said i think he'd be useless but try his best
he checks up on you every half hour either in person or via text during classes
he brings you stuff like blankets and foods even though you can't taste any of them or have any type of appetite
but! thanks to the fridge in your room you just had snacks for about… forever
he gave you extra attention too
sometimes he'd just sit on the ground and talk about his day and theories while you just laid under your blanket
you appreciated it though
except for aizawa, sato and tsuyu nobody came over and even they just came in every few hours
kami stayed for hours on end and even tried to convince aizawa to let him sleep over so he could “watch over you” incase you “stopped breathing”
it's not like you slept much when he was around anyway, nights were not ideal for a good rest on a sick day
it was endearing seeing him lay on a futon on the floor and poking you when he had to get up for class
he leaves notes and stuff to make sure you didn't get worried
did he do anything to make you feel better physically? not rlly
did he lift your spirits and make you feel less lonely? most definitely
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kirishima:
hear me out
this boy is an angel when it comes to caring for people
when he got into the whole essentially self care stuff he also knows what's best for others
he was probably one of the first to notice you being ~off your game~
whether in class or just yknow vibing, he'd tap your shoulder and softly “you okay man?”
he calls everyone dude and man and bro no matter gender or anything he's just that into the manliness stuff
and yes he puts you in essentially self isolation more for yourself than for others
“your body needs to rest y/n! can't properly get better if everyone keeps bothering you!”
he calls you every night tho and he has aizawa bring you stuff when he checks up on you (he's allowed because he's the teacher ofc also as long you're a UA student like one of your legal guardians which is like a dad and dads can see their kids sick right?)
stuff ranges from just bowls of soup to compresses to the handmade ointment against a sore throat to like socks he knitted or something his parents sent in bc he told them you were sick
yes this boy tells his parents you're sick
i mean someone probably told yours but like twice the parents means twice the comfort!
alternatively if your parents are *cough* he'd tell his parents and put you on the phone with them because everyone needs some parental love from time to time (don't act tough about it, he's gonna make you cry and tell you how manly you are for doing so)
when you're back on your feet he probably still treats you like you're about to fall over for like two or three days more
he praises you for how well you did during your essential quarantine and when you say you didn't do anything he says some cheesy stuff about manliness
“bro i'm so proud of you for getting through it!” “i didn't do anything kiri-” “don't say that! it takes so much energy and manliness to keep in self isolation and get better, you did amazing”
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tokoyami:
i love birds
also look at baby toko he's so cute
do birds get sick?
anyways
tokoyami is like.. helpful but tries to be undercover about it
he's not gonna ignore you or anything
he's the type to like silently nudge teachers into your area so they could see you were clearly sick and send you back to the dorms to rest
but he'd never actually ask you or tell anyone
it would ruin his whole ~vibe~
dark shadow tells him to tell someone and he rlly does especially if he sees you struggling through it in class but he's also just not great at talking with people so a nudge or “secret note” will have to do
it does work, you're in your dorm right before combat training because mic had sent you up and excused you
mic is sweet he said he'd send aizawa up when he finds him but that you should rest
he also tells you that you have some really attentive friends
you're at this point just letting the sickness take over you so you have no idea what he just said (you heard him but the words just didn't register in your brain)
you get into bed and the first thing you do is sleep through afternoon classes
tokoyami is only at 50% today and so is dark shadow
tokoyami swears he isn't worried, the teachers are capable of taking care of you in an appropriate manner so that you will recover in no time
dark shadow on the other hand is all gittery and doesn't wanna focus on anything but you
off topic but i just think dark shadow is tokoyamis way of showing emotions or well like… like his internal thoughts? not like his internal dialogue but ya know his feelings
so he can act all goth and dramatic but dark shadow is a good way of still giving some of his feelings an output
back to you
so training is over and so is your nap
but you wake up to pillows, stuffed animals, blankets and more pillows surrounding you
half of them weren't yours either
they laid around you like some kind of pillow fortress jusy surrounding you and making sure you didn't hit your head on the wall or fall from the bed
it kinda felt like a nest- oh
you tried getting up, your head almost immediately flinging uoh back into bed but you needed to see if a certain someone would come back in to build the nest
“dark shadow, be quiet we don't want them to w- oh you're up”
tokoyami came in with more stuffies and an extra blanket like it was a siberian winter and your rooms only source of warmth was an almost dying candle
“are those yours?” you asked half asleep, your head absolutely booming
you could barely keep your eyes open, that's how exhausted you were but you made an effort to smile at the bird and his shadow
“uh no, yaomomo-san insisted on making some blankets for you and hagakure-san, ashido-san and uraraka-san gave me all their stuffed animals when they heard i was paying you a visit-” “but the blue star blanket and teardrop pillow are from fumi!! he brought them from home because he can't sleep without them!!” “DARK SHADOW!”
you only chuckled before breaking out in a cough again
aizawa came in some time after and had a hard time finding you under all the blankets and stuffies and even offered to tell the class to stop bothering you
but you just laid there all cozy and told him to let them be
“it's how he shows affection, it's nice”
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monoma:
oh so the 1A student got sick??? huh??? I thought 1A was invincible hUUUUUUH??? *manic laughter*
coughs
anyways
so basically the two hero courses are more “in tune” after the joint training
they often have dinners together and it isn't rare to see kendo come over with monoma and tetsu^4
she came over to hang with the girls and tetsu had training sessions with kiri
nobody rlly knew why monoma tagged along though
all he did was spout about how average everything is for the “superior hero course”
he did secretly like the classes growing together more though
he'd sit on the couch with you and occasionally laugh about something else other than his team beating yours during joint training
one day he came in and didn't see you at your usual spot
“ehhhh??? where's the only tolerable person in this course??”
used to his lowkey insults deku pointed you out at the dinner table, head resting on your hand and looking over some homework
“y/n what are you- oh my god you look horrible”
“thanks monoma, you're as nice as ever”
your face was drained of any colour, eyes heavy lidded and you could barely control the pen that scribbled over the paper
he tried grabbing your wrist but pulled back immediately
you were way too hot and the fact that he noticed by grabbing your wrist meant that it was more than just a high fever
“is 1A that incompetent that they couldnt even notice their classmate falling sick??? can you guys do anything but trouble???”
“shut up monoma, we tried getting them to bed but they insisted on finishing up first and there's nothing in the world that can get y/n away from what they've put their head to”, kaminari yelled from the living room space
how were you gonna get anything finished if your head was falling off your shoulders if you didn't hold it up
class 1A really was incompetent
“sato-san, give me a hand”
sato, who was currently cooking up dinner, just held out his hand and some type of chocolate bar which monoma grabbed and ate up
“this is incredibly sweet, i don't know how you do it”
it's become like half a routine for monoma to copy quirks for whatever reason
kiri and tetsu used it to determine which quirk was handier
uraraka’s quirk made cleaning up after a game night easier
it was training for all of them
monoma could train his copy and the others could measure how much they've grown from his reaction to it
anyways
sato’s quirk kicked in and he lifted you up over his shoulder
“monoma!” you could barely lift your voice, faintly kicking
before you knew it he placed you on your bed in your dorm and sighed
“you're lighter than i thought”
“i think i'm gonna throw up”
so you hurled into your garbage can
monoma held back whatever there was to hold back
(he was very much disgusted but even he knew that this wasn't the time to let any type of negative emotion show)
“jolly gees y/n, what did you have for breakfast?!”
you laid in bed as he passed you a water bottle
“you need to drink something, you lost a lot of water”
“awe caring for me, monoma?”
“this is for general health, y/n. i would never as much as care for anyone, especially not a brat from 1A. who even knew that any of you could fall sick huh?! weren't you supposed to be superior to the rest of us??!”
he said all of that while putting a blanket on you and opening the window for fresh air
“god you 1A fools really are incompetent!”
he went into your bathroom and soaked a small towel in water
“i'm only doing this so you don't infect anyone. god you could cause an epidemic at UA and in the end 1b would fall victim to you as well! this is all just for the general well-being!”
you didn't even hear what he was saying anymore
with a half empty bottle next to your head, you slept peacefully
monoma let out a deep breath when he saw you
“i'd never care for anyone in 1A, i'm better than that…”
he whispered those words to himself
(he did care)
330 notes · View notes
zodiyack · 3 years
Text
To Sleepless Nights Ahead
Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female!Reader
Warnings: Swearing, fluff, a mature reference
Words: 1,396
Summary: The B.A.U. has a baby shower for Spencer and his wife
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Taglist: @matth1w​, @redspaceace-writes​, @fandom-puff​, @darling-i-read-it​, @simonsbluee​, @sebastianstanslefteyebrow​
Masterlist | Criminal Minds Masterlist
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They announced it to the team a while ago, Spencer being the one to walk into the office late with a paleness to his face. Garcia frantically checked his temperature and whether he was okay or not the second he walked past her. After recovering from being yanked backwards by Penelope and inspected from head to toe, he casually commented, “Y/n’s pregnant.” Then he walked away, just as zoned out as he was when he passed the now bug eyed blond.
Just as most things said to Garcia, news of Spencer’s fiancé’s pregnancy spread within the timespan of less than a week.
For their wedding, the girls of the BAU joined Y/n in searching for dresses, both Penelope and Emily overly excited about picking out a maternity-fitting gown. JJ was the one to find the perfect dress, one that made Y/n feel like a princess even when she was bloated 6 months in and felt like she’d burst at any second.
Then, about 4 weeks before the baby was said to be due, the two Reids held a baby shower. Drinks were prepared, champagne for the ones who could drink and apple cider for the kids and adults who were with child or just wanted something aside from alcohol. The entire BAU showed up, Hotch and JJ with their own children and partners, and soon enough, they began.
It felt like being a child again. Ironic, as she was soon to give birth to a child, but sitting at the park, watching the little ones play with each other, smelling the fresh air and the faint scent of hamburgers being cooked up on a grill- it felt like having a barbecue in the backyard of her childhood home.
Happy memories made even happier imaginary scenes play in her head; her child, returning from school and racing to the front door to wrap their arms around her and Spencer, their little kiddo doing a hobby so much better than both of them and perhaps even trying to teach them. She chuckled to herself as different situations played out in her head.
Spencer poked her lightly with his elbow, his smile ever present, especially when watching her daydream with a smile of her own that reached her eyes, but his brows slightly knitted with a concern-like confusion. “You okay? It looks like you spaced out there...”
“Yeah,” Y/n threaded her arm through Spencer’s and rested her head on his shoulder, “I’m actually feeling really fucking spectacular right now.”
“Your choice of words makes me curious to know whether you’re being sarcastic or not.”
She turned her head towards his, the blinding sunlight hidden by his head as he craned his neck to look down at her. Then, she lifted her head the little bit that it took to press her lip against his and hold them there for a moment or two. Both of their smiles returned to their faces in the kiss, a feeling of butterflies in their guts stirred as a snicker left their mouths after they separated.
“Hey! You two gonna come eat or are you too busy tryna make another one already?” Morgan yelled from the grill with a smirk. He laughed as the two pulled away from each other like teens caught in the act.
“We’ll be over in a second, Derek!” Y/n chortled, waving over to signal along with her yell.
“Okay, got it!”
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After the burgers were devoured and the sun had lowered some, gifts were piled in front of Y/n and a fire was started, the baby shower came to its final act before its end.
“Open mine first!” JJ shoved past the men to hand Y/n her gift, concealed in a baby blue gift bag. The size of the bag was about as tall as Y/n’s baby bump, so it gained her curiosity almost immediately. In the blink of an eye, baby room décor and baby toys were spread out on her lap, a glowing smile reaching her eyes.
“Oh- awh, they’re so cute! Thank you, JJ!” Y/n hugged Jennifer tightly.
“Oh, watch the baby!” JJ joked, causing everyone to laugh.
The second JJ had removed herself from Y/n’s embrace, Garcia was by Y/n’s side with puppy dog eyes and her fingers crossed by her side, her gift presented with an extended arm. “Me next.” Y/n happily took the gift from her friend and looked to her to elongate the suspense. She could see how much it tortured Garcia to wait, the way she muttered how she hoped she’d like it under her breath, so she decided to stop fucking with Garcia and open the present.
“Oh my god!” Spencer was the one who got excited, jumping from the picnic bench and warping his arms around the blond, who was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. “Thank you!” She’d bought a gift for the baby with Spencer in mind, a few learning books, then some of the books Spence had mentioned he’d liked as a child.
“Awww!” Cooed Y/n. She lifted her hand to wipe away some of the tears, smiling and holding out her arm as Garcia pulled away from Spencer to give Y/n her hug, “That’s so sweet of you, Pen! Thank you!”
“What are godmothers for? ...Not that I’m uh...assuming I’ll be the godmother...”
Y/n chuckled, “I’ll put in a good word for you with Einstein over there.”
The rest of the gifts didn’t pull as much emotion from Y/n as Penelope’s, but she was grateful for every single one of them. Hotch had gifted some stuff he’d used with Jack, new instead of hand-me-downs thankfully, and Prentiss bought baby clothes with stripes and patterns. Morgan got some baby clothes that had stuff like jokes about being baby Einstein or other dorky things that were really just his way of poking fun at Spencer through his own child.
Last gift presented individually was Rossi’s. And Rossi bought alcohol. He didn’t get it for the baby, he reassured Y/n after the color drained from her face in horror, but for the mother after she gives birth, her first drink in nine months. It wasn’t surprising for David fucking Rossi but it was quite a laugh.
“Wait, one more, one more. You got one more, momma.” Derek held his hands over Spencer and Y/n’s eyes for a few minutes. Unbeknownst to her, the team, Derek and Spencer not included, were retrieving the last of the gifts. “Okay, now, open sesame!”
He removed his hands from their faces and their eyes fluttered open. Y/n’s hand darted to her lips in shock. “You said one more-”
Derek shrugged, “Okay, a few more.”
“We all pitched in for the bigger gifts, so don’t worry about trying to force us to get refunds. Besides, it was worth it, best way to spend my money in my opinion.” Emily grinned proudly.
What the team chipped in to buy was a crib, diapers galore, diaper changing station, loads of bottles, a playmat, baby monitors, a few other smaller necessities and, for Y/n, a rocking chair that would be placed in the baby’s room.
Once everyone had been thanked and exchanged a hug with Y/n, the team loaded up the gifts and put away all the food. Y/n had been forced by Morgan and the girls to sit down and let them do the work to avoid stress and because she was holding a human life within her womb. When all but what they’d set aside was cleaned up and properly put away, the shower’s finale begun.
Morgan popped open the last bottle of champagne. He poured everyone their final drink of the afternoon. He poured sparkling cider into Y/n’s glass only, as the kids had already gone home.
“A toast! For Spencer and Y/n, their little bun growing in her oven, and, of course, the sleepless nights ahead!”
Spencer’s eyes doubled at the last part of Morgan’s toast, him being the only one to not lift their drink to their lips. Y/n giggled at her husband, setting down her wine glass of cider and rubbing his back softly. “They’re kidding Spence.”
He smiled at her, about to laugh it off with an “oh” before Hotch stopped in front of them, an empathetic expression crossing his features. “No, they’re not. Good luck, Reids,” he took a sip of his drink, “you’re gonna need it.”
308 notes · View notes
emma-nation · 3 years
Text
The Devil In I - Bela x OC (Resident Evil Village AU)
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“Step inside, see the Devil in I”
Summary: Aleena Novak is a 19 years old orphan who desired more than living in a village in the middle of nowhere. A talented artist with a big future ahead, she gets the scholarship of her dreams in United States. But everything changes when her twin brother, Auryk, steals an important artifact from Castle Dimitrescu.
In this adventure, Aleena will find way more than she expected.
“You’ll realize I’m not your Devil anymore”
Pairing: Bela Dimitrescu x OC
Genre: Between T and M (Trigger warning for violence, blood, abuse and eventual smut)
Tag List: @nydeiri
Notes: This is my first RES fic, so I'm sorry if I mess it up a bit. English is also not my main language, so a mistake or two may happen. I hope you enjoy it :)
Trigger Warning: Language, abuse, blood and violence.
Eastern Europe - July, 2009
"If he could learn to love another and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time. As the years passed he fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?"
Mother closed the book, placing it on the bedside table between Auryk's bed and mine. Then, she lowered herself and kissed my forehead like she did every night. Her long, blonde hair tickled my face and left a trace of her sweet lavender fragrance in the air. I giggled.
"Good night, sweetheart," she spoke.
"Good night, momma."
"Cherish your last night as a six years old. Tomorrow you will become a..."
"Princess?!"
"A seven years old girl. The prettiest girl in the village."
"Pffft," Auryk let out a displeased grunt from his bed, covering his head with the pillow to avoid listening another word from the conversation.
"And you too," mother sat by his side on the bed and repeated her nightly ritual of kissing his forehead to wish him a good night too. "You'll become the most handsome and brave warrior in this village. Do you understand?"
"I hope so. Good night, mom."
"Good night, buddy."
Mother left the room, leaving us both in the dark. However, we couldn't sleep. Not because we were thrilled about our incoming birthday party as any regular child, but because we knew our lives were about to change. Seven years old was the age every child from our village was introduced to the truth and started being trained to fight the evil that haunted our lands. Auryk and I spent minutes, or maybe hours, in silence, staring at the ceiling.
"Leena?" He was the first one to speak. "Do you believe a spell can broken? I mean, like a curse?"
"I don't know, Ryk," I answered, feeling my thoughts starting to drift away. "Maybe we're doomed after all. Or... we could learn how to love the beasts."
The birthday parties always happened during the daytime, rules of the village. We could no longer be outside after 6 PM. Mother got help from the other women to prepare the treats and organize the decorations. Auryk was disguised as a pirate and I... I was Belle, from the Beauty and the Beast.
"So, what do you think you will be getting this year?" My best friend Elena asked while we were playing with our dolls. She was about two years older than us.
"I don't know," I shrugged. Being a merchant, my father always returned home with the most unusual gifts: a magical music box, a voodoo doll that had a life on its own or a fragrance that chased away the monsters - and everybody else too. "A new book. I'm hoping for a new book."
It was only by the end of the party Adrian Novak made his entrance. That was the mystery about him. Nobody knew when he would show up, or if he would show up at all. He still had that same annoying smirk on his face. The corner of his mouth holding a cigarette. The months away made his beard grow longer, as well as his dark hair. In the sunlight, the scar above his eye was even more visible.
"Auryk," he shouted, "come here, son. I've got something for ya."
My twin brother, who had been climbing trees with his friends stop frozen in spot for a second. I couldn't tell if he hated or feared that man. Maybe both. He slowly followed father's command, approaching him cautiously.
"Hi, dad."
"Happy birthday, son," father ruffled his dark straight hair with his strong and calloused hand. "It's about time you grow up."
He handed my brother a large package. From our experience, we knew exactly what it was, a shotgun.
"T-Thank you, dad."
"I'll be spending some time at home. Tomorrow we'll start practicing."
Auryk consented. He shot me a quick glance. From our twin bond I could tell my brother was far from happy. When he blew his candles that afternoon, he didn't wish for a weapon. We wished to be a normal child.
"What did you get, Leena?" He asked once we were locked in the safety of our bedroom.
"Pencils and a drawing book. Dad thinks I'm talented."
Not really. Adrian Novak would never allow his daughter to hold a shotgun. That was, according to him, 'a man thing'.
"Good, at least one of us got what they wanted. Happy birthday, sister."
"Happy birthday, brother."
4 Years Later - October, 2013
It wasn't easy to be the weakest of the twins. Although he was born first, Auryk was the tinniest. The one who was always getting sick or getting injured. The one who couldn't hit a single fucking target when he had the alcoholic breath of his father on his neck.
He aimed for a crow, sitting still on a fence. How hard could it be? Even the eldest man from the village could do any better than that.
BANG! He shot again. And missed.
"Again?!" Adrian angered, shoving him hard on the shoulder. "What the hell is your problem, kid?"
"I don't know, okay? This gun... it's heavy!"
"Heavy? And why do you think we've been exercising for all these years, huh?! We do not live in Disneyland, Auryk. We need to fight monsters, abominations. Someday I won't be home and you need to be prepared to protect our people. Do you understand?"
Tears started forming in the corners of the boy's blue eyes. He couldn't cry. Not in front of him. Crying was a sign of weakness and he couldn't be weak. Not right now. Auryk started to think about all the things he could be doing. He thought about the ocean, as he had seen on TV and books. He could feel the warmness of the sun on his skin. The sand between his toes. His mom and sister were also there, of course - they'd carry them with him everywhere. And he would study Math and Physics. There would be no guns, no monsters, no blood, only numbers, only formulas, only theories. He smiled. He no longer felt like crying.
"I'm sorry, dad," kindness was always the answer, his mother said. "But this isn't for me, you know? I don't like it. I... Remember that boarding school my teacher mentioned? I thought maybe I..."
His words were interrupted by a hard slap on his face. Auryk could taste a small amount of blood coming out from his lower lip.
"So that's what you want? To become one of those little fancy fags? Maybe you're not my son after all."
Adrian started walking away, leaving his son alone, sitting on the floor.
"I AM!" Auryk yelled, enraged. "I am your son."
"Then prove it."
"You shouldn't take so hard on him," Savannah poured her husband a cup of tea. "He's just a boy."
"He's eleven years old, for god's sake," the husband punched the table strong enough to make it shake. "He needs to man up a bit. You should stop spoiling him."
As I left my bedroom I found my brother sitting on the stairs. He didn't have to be so close to listen to the conversation between our parents, father's voice was loud enough to echo through every wall of our small and cozy home.
I sat down by his side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
"Maybe you should do it, Leena. You'd do it better, I know."
"I'm not so sure. Remember when I tried to shoot a scarecrow and almost shot that old witch?"
"Come on, you aimed on purpose! I know."
Auryk finally let out a small laugh at the memory.
"You're good at everything, Leena," he spoke fondly. "You're an extrovert, you're everybody's friend, you can cook, you can draw and paint... you're a true artist. I'm a mistake."
"You're not a mistake, Ryk," I pulled my brother closer, resting my cheek against the side of his face. "We're only at the wrong place and you know it."
Going back to our bedroom, we pulled from the drawers the postcards our grandma Louise sent us from San Diego. Mom had been born in California and lived there her entire life, until she met father during one of his trips. God knows what made her fall in love with that man. Adventure? Danger? I expected better from myself when I turned eighteen. Otherwise, I'd never want to fall in love. Love could be my ruin, just like my mom's.
"Leena..." Auryk held the postcard tightly, "do you think... if he died... do you think mom would take us to nana's home?"
"I don't know, Ryk," I didn't want to think of my father's possible death. But I also dreamed of a better life. "Maybe."
"What the hell?" Father's voice in the kitchen made me jump in fear. I knew that tone. I grew up used to that. Something was wrong in the village. We had to hide.
"To the basement, now!" He emerged at the bedroom, holding a rifle. "Lycans were seen surrounding the area."
We barely had any time to react, mom came and dragged us both to the basement. Father left, carrying his arsenal of weapons as usual. There were other hunters in the village but we always knew how badly it could end. Somebody could always get seriously hurt. Or worse.
The basement had been carefully prepared for that kind of situation years before. It had a big bed, two armchairs, a heating source, some stored food and a shelf. Mom sighed and forced a smile.
"So," she walked to the shelf, "what is it going to be today?"
"Frankenstein," Auryk suggested. My brother loved mystery and horror. As if his life hadn't enough of it.
"Romeo and Juliet," I spoke. There was something about forbidden romance that always caught my interest.
"Okay. I... I'm gonna say a prayer and you two can read the books you picked by yourselves. What do you think?"
"Great!"
Mom kneeled down by the bed's side, holding a crucifix. I could join her if I wanted to, but I'd rather watch in silence. I grabbed my book, sitting on one of the armchairs and pretending to pay attention, while I tried to distract myself from the fact my father could be the Lycans' next prey. Or all of us, if they managed to break into our house.
"Leena?" I woke up hours later with my mom shaking me. "Leena?! Where's Auryk? Where's your brother, Leena?"
I had no idea. I had fallen asleep and apparently, so did mom. She checked for the basement's door, it had been locked from outside.
"No..." she tried to force it open. "No! I can't be..."
All Auryk had to do was to successfully kill and take a Lycan's carcass as a trophy to his father, right? That was what that old douchebag wanted him to do, to prove his courage, his manhood. We had his shotgun, a binoculars and a knife, that should be enough, but first, he needed a good plan.
Looking down to his hands, he had the most perfect idea. Without thinking twice, he sliced a cut through his palm, letting some blood pour on the ground. Then, he found a tall tree. He climbed it and observed. The smell of blood his trail left behind should be enough to attract a creature.
"Come on... come on..."
From a distance, Auryk could hear the sound of destruction and death. There was a battle going on somewhere nearby. Once again Lycans should have found a family or a group of hunters.
And then, he could hear it. The heavy footsteps, the screeching sounds, the sniffing. The mutant creature was only a few meters away from the tree. He aimed, but it was still too distant. He needed to move to a closer branch.
It all happened in one second. He was almost there, reaching for the spot he had picked, but his weight was too much for the tree's branch. In a blink of an eye, he was lying on the ground. His vision was blurred. His head hurt intensely, as well as his arm. It was broken for sure. He possibly had a concussion too. He tried to stand up and run but his legs wouldn't follow his commands. The Lycan was coming straight at him.
"AURYK!" His mother screamed behind him. "NO!"
Time seemed to freeze in that fraction of second. How did she manage to escape the basement? How could she have found him?
But without hesitation, Savannah threw herself on top of her son, protecting him from the jaws and claws of the monster. Auryk couldn't see much, but he could smell it. He could feel it. Blood. There was blood everywhere. He couldn't tell who it belonged to, he or his mom's.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A fast sequence of shots suggested the hunters had found them. The creature stopped moving, stopped howling. It was finally dead.
"M-Mom... it's dead. We... We're safe."
She didn't answer. Instead, he heard another familiar voice.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!" It was from his father. "Savannah! Savannah!"
"D-Dad..." Auryk tried to speak, but the words got lost along the way. "I... I..."
Adrian lifted him by his jacket, holding him inches above the ground.
"YOU KILLED HER! YOU KILLED YOUR MOM, YOUR STUPID BASTARD!"
"I..." tears streamed down the boy's face, his injured brain trying to process what had just happened. "I'm sorry.'
After he was thrown back to the ground, he was hit with a hard kick on his stomach. He turned his head around to notice a small figure hiding behind a tree, watching the whole scene in pure horror.
"L-Leena..." he muttered.
"This is all your fault, Auryk. You're a disgrace to this family."
And then, he passed out. Rumors said he was unconscious for days or maybe weeks. When he woke up, he wished everything had been a nightmare.
Present Days - July, 2021
Nobody mourned Adrian Novak when he died. Not his children. Not his village mates. No human being would ever feel any sympathy for a man who abused and blamed his eleven years old son for his mother's death. It had been two years since Adrian left this world and I couldn't feel any more free.
"Hey," I left another message on my brother's voicemail, "in case you've forgotten it's our birthday today. I'd like to have my twin home, you know? Call me when you get this message."
It was useless, I knew. Auryk would only pick up his phone when he wanted to. Or when he was too drunk. God knew where that guy would be at that time, probably waking up at some girl's bed or getting some rest from... working.
After grabbing myself a cup of coffee, I checked the door's mat. Bills, bills, newspaper and... California Institute Of Arts? I remember having an argument with Auryk about this matter at some point. He wanted me to fill the application and send them my portfolio. I insisted we had no money, not even to pay for the tuition. I won - I always win every argument by the way.
"Your damn son of a..." I placed the envelope on the kitchen's table. I was a coward, I confess. However, I didn't know which pain was worse - to be sure I wasn't good enough or to be sure I was, indeed, but I'd never have money to leave that hellhole. Anyways, I decided to leave it alone. I had more important things to do.
My morning routine: to go to the middle of the woods and do some training. My father used to say fighting wasn't a girl thing, but I was no regular girl. And never in this life I'd allow someone to tell me what to do.
After running, climbing and doing a set of push-ups, it was time for combat training. Travelers from abroad taught me some different set of moves, I'd like to think I created my own fighting style. I was also very good with knifes, daggers or any kinds of short blades, they were useful during a close distance combat. My shooting was a work in progress, once or twice I'd miss the center of my handmade targets.
Then, like everyday, I'd go back home, shower and follow to my shift at the village's pub.
"Hiya, Leena," Gustav greeted me when I arrived. "I heard today is a special day... the day a little girl..."
"NO!" I stopped him. Gustav was my best friend. We had known each other since we were children and somehow, he liked to make my birthday a special - and embarrassing - event.
He placed a handmade fairytale-like book on the table. There were some edited pictures, mixed with some messed up drawings about my birth and childhood. He called it 'The Princess Who Carried The Light'.
"God, you're soooo stupid..." I rolled my eyes and moaned, before wrapping him into a very tight hug. "I love you, you know that?"
"I know. You'd probably marry me, if you weren't into girls."
We laughed together, as Olga, our boss emerged from the kitchen, bringing a cake with nineteen candles.
"Here's to another year," the older woman opened a wrinkled smile, "make a wish, my darling."
I fell pensive for a moment, besides having my twin brother back home, safe and sound, what else could I wish for? California, that scholarship, a new life... that's for sure.
"I wish for... a new life, a new adventure," I pronounced aloud while blowing the candles.
"Careful," a male voice spoke behind me, "words have power, little sister. You may get what you want."
"Ryk!"
I jumped straight to my brother's arms. I could swear that in only a few weeks he had gotten a little bit taller, and stronger too.
"I wouldn't miss my own birthday, right?" He smirked. "So, where's the cake? Please, chocolate... tell me it's chocolate."
"Your silly boy," Olga spread some icing on his nose. "Of course it's chocolate, as you love. And with cherries too."
Auryk responded with a satisfied smile. Olga and her husband, Kristoff, were those responsible for taking care of him after the Lycan attack, years ago. They sort of adopted him like one of their biological children.
"Oh!" The woman exclaimed taking a closer look at Ryk's forearm. He had gotten a tattoo. I hadn't been informed of those news either. Apparently, my brother had more secrets than I could even start to imagine. "This is... new. It seems like my kids are really growing up."
"And only now you noticed that, Olga?" Gustav joked.
Olga shook her head, grinning at herself and returned to the kitchen. The customers were starting to fill the pub. I stared at Ryk again, wondering what other secrets my brother could be keeping.
"So, what does that mean?" I pointed to his newly gotten tattoo, a strange and ancient symbol it seemed.
"Protection from the evil. This is what we need the most in our lives, especially in a place like this. What reminds me -" we turned around, taking a small box from the pocket of his jacket. "Your gift."
I took the black velvet box from his hands, it contained a golden necklace with a magenta gemstone as pendant. My blue eyes drowned themselves in the stone. It had a mysterious glow. Something hypnotizing. Something magical.
"Whoa..." was everything my mouth could pronounce. "And I bought you an Astronomy book."
Auryk stood up from his chair and went behind me, taking the necklace from my hands to wear it around my neck himself.
"This is supposed to protect you from any supernatural and inhumane beings. I won't lose you to them, Aleena. Not like I lost mom."
"Ryk, I... I can't even thank you enough."
"You don't have to. Just... stay alive."
First, I was overflowing with happiness. It either had to do with the fact my brother was home, alcohol, or both. Also, Olga should thank me. Most of the costumers of the day only stopped by the bar because of me. They absolutely loved me and knowing it was my birthday, they had to come and see me. A few of them even gave me some extra tips or a small gift, which was even greater.
"Okay, party girl..." Auryk helped me to get inside of the house as I tripped over the door mat. "Time to go to bed now. Don't you think?"
"Come on, Ryk! Have some spirit! You're home, Olga gave me the day off tomorrow, I earned some money..."
"You told Mrs. Hansen you secretly had a crush on her daughter during Middle School, you danced on top of a table, you're gonna get a hangover..."
"Party pooper!"
I threw myself at the couch. Auryk stood in front of me with arms crossed, looking like a father about to give his child a lecture.
"What?!" I yelled. "It's not like you've never been drunk before. Remember when you stole Adrian's..." I started to laugh, remembering the episode.
"When you were going to tell me about this, Leena?" He showed me the envelope. The Art Institute envelope. The one I had been struggling to open.
"Oh! I forgot. My bad, I didn't open it myself yet. I probably didn't get in anyways."
"You did."
I did?
"It's not like we have money to pay for my tuition. Also, how are we supposed to move to California, Ryk? I work at a pub and you..."
"I've gotten more than enough for that. You know that getting out of this place has always been the plan, since we were children. Leena, I've done some big jobs those last few months. I have the money to grant us a comfortable life in California."
"Smuggling, Ryk!" I raised my voice, saying aloud the information that was supposed to be a secret or not. "You've been stealing to grant us this life."
My brother stared at me in silence. I couldn't tell if he felt offended or embarrassed about my words.
"I'm getting out of here, whatever it takes," he ran a hand through his dark hair. "And you are coming with me. In two weeks, we move to United States for your enrollment."
"But..."
What I was trying to protest against? Leaving the village and starting a new life with my brother was everything I always dreamed.
"Look, I promise you," Auryk placed both of his firm hands on my shoulders, "once we settle down, no more smuggling."
"Okay," I sighed. "We leave in two weeks then."
There was a loud knock on the door. Being drunk as I was, I figured out I should have forgotten my purse at the pub. Or it could be a neighbor with some very stupid emergency.
Auryk opened the door and there was a strange looking man standing there. We wore sunglasses and a hat, behind his back he was carrying a giant hammer. According to the rumors and stories I heard from my parents, that was one of the Lords of The Four Houses, Karl Heisenberg.
"Auryk Novak?" He asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Come with me, kid. You've gotten yourself in big trouble."
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A full, entire list of headcanons for a day with:
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1. ☼ waking up with him ☼6am-8am
LISTEN UP Y’ALL
IF YOU DON’T SIMP FOR EIJIRO, JUST THINK:
YOU WAKE UP EVERY MORNING TO SEE HIS BEAUTIFUL, MESSY, CHAOTIC BED-HEAD WITH HIS HAIR DOWN AND HIS ADORABLE TIRED LIL’ SMILE
now if THAT doesn’t make you simp, you CONFUSE ME
anyways, so-
if there’s one thing that kirishima chooses to do, it’s to wake up early. i am so sorry to those who enjoy sleeping in, but hey, it’s the price we gotta pay to simp 😔✋
but omfg y’all, is the sweetest baby ever when you wake up with him! kirishima would most likely cuddle you first thing in the morning (…as in like 5 am-) and pull you in closer, planting a kiss on your forehead
“’morning, my beautiful pebble, d’ya sleep well?”
butcanwepleasetalkabouthowcutehisvoicewouldberightwhenhewakesup
you’ll also probably wake up to an insane amount of talking and chatting with him, and by six o’clock, he makes sure that you’re ready to be on your way
the sun is still rising where you guys are, so it’s actually pretty dark where you guys are
he ruffles your hair as he takes you on walks outside, hand in hand, no matter how tired you are
expect him to piggy back you, saying that it’s manly bc IT ISSSSS
2. ✎ doing online school with eijiro ✎ 8am-12pm, 2pm-4pm
“i think i’ve lost complete and utter trust in everything,” you groan. “i can’t even trust my video and mute button, and i need to trust those!”
kirishima grins at you as he plants a kiss on your forehead. “how ‘bout i buy you something tasty during break, huh?”
“kirishima, we’re literally broke,” you deadpan, half-joking but half speaking realistically.
“so what?” you’ve been working so hard lately, i figured that you at least deserve something as a reward.” he squeezes your shoulders from behind your seat (don’t worry, your video’s off for now :))
you raise an eyebrow. “…something?” ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
“yeah! like maybe we could go for a walk, or-” he stares at your expression before he realizes what you implied. “baby, this is a sfw blog, we’re not allowed to-”
kirishima also most definitely pulls up a chair next to you in class, even though he doesn’t even know what you’re doing. he might not be in that class, but he’ll be right next to you the whole time in case you need help
when you do need help, he peers over your shoulder and helps you solve whatever problem you have right away
the sweetheart also gives constant reassuring reminders to drink water, i LOVE HIM
but when he leaves, he also says, “study and work hard, y/n! i’ll be right here for you during break!”
he promises you a kith and a hug if you keep on striving during online classes 🥺
kirishima likes to come in during class when your video is very much on, and he peeks his head in, waves, and then smiles before heading back out of the frame
“y/n, how do you fight villains, kick butt, literally stand up for an entire school, but you still rehearse how to say here?”
“shhhhh, i’m trying-”
another scenario, “y/n, can you please answer question four?”
“sure. the book that i chose for my report was the fault in our stars by john green, which implies the message that-”
“BABY, YOU GOTTA SEE HOW LOUDLY I CAN CLAP MY HANDS IF I USE MY QUIRK-”
you mute yourself, “DON’T YOU DARE-”
he makes online school almost exciting, and he just makes everything so much more enjoyable
kirishima also takes your hand, squeezing it tightly as he kisses your knuckles. “i’ll start making lunch. good luck baby!”
3. ♨ meals and afternoon walks with eijiro ♨ 12pm-1pm
HATE YOU BREAK IT TO Y’ALL BUT EIJIRO KIRISHIMA CANNOT COOK FOR THE HECK OF IT
y’all have seen him in the training camp thing,, right??
kirishima might not be the best at cooking, but you can count on him to take you somewhere!
man knows the best places where you live, and he just about literally gets whatever you want
you guys probably leave for a walk during break at noon, and kirishima makes sure that you feel safe and comfortable around him no matter what
afternoon walks are probably the most interesting part of your day, and the way lets you put your hand in the pocket of his hoodie just- 🥺🥺
i think something that isn’t stressed enough is people who seem less vulnerable being attacked by predators, so if anyone even dares to approach you, kirishima will LITERALLY POP OFF
not like the quirk pop off-
“HEY! that wasn’t very manly of you!”
as you walk along the way, kirishima makes sure to never let go of you and make sure you feel completely safe with him
you two probably stop by a nearby restaurant and get some sort of food to-go before heading back and eating during class, but shh your teacher doesn’t have to know-
he’s such a sweetheart like honestly
kirishima makes every meal taste like 50 times better, and he makes sure that you eat and drink lots of water!
but if you’re honestly having trouble with your appetite, kirishima makes sure not to push you too hard
he holds your hand if you ever get scared, he tells a joke ease your mind a lil’ 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
eijiro makes sure that no matter what happens, he holds your hand and tells you to take it easy, but also encourages you whenever you need it
he’s so sweet, please keep him
4. ◪ crying + evening naps ◪ 5pm-7pm
crying
kirishima knows that crying is just something that’s natural, whether it’s that you’re frustrated or just feel so tired, he understands
and it’s not even like you’re having a full blown panic attack or anything. you just gotta have your daily cries, ya know?
please tell me i’m not the only one who has like scheduled daily cries-
“it’s okay, crying’s healthy for you, anyway! it’s definitely better than keeping it bottled inside you. c’mere.”
he kisses your scalp as he rocks you back and forth, occasionally wiping away a tear
kirishima reminds you that reacting some way to a bad situation is natural
“if someone was in your shoes, they’d most definitely feel that way, too! don’t feel like you’re the only one, baby, because you’re not. i’m here whenever you need me.”
after, he takes your hand and drags you to get a glass of water. “if you ever nee to cry again, you gotta stay hydrated,” he winks
he’s also so caring and soft when he sees you upset, he gives you the best cuddles as he plays with your hair. kirishima occasionally, when you’re crying, whispers in a compliment.
“your eyes are so magical.”
“you have such a beautiful smile.”
“you’re so… beautiful.”
naps
for naps, kirishima omg please jUST BE REAL FOR ONE SECOND
PLEASE HOW DID MY LIFE COME TO BEING IN LOVE WITH A COLLECTION OF PIXELS-
that beautiful, loving, emotional support shark is who i’m in love with and it’s insane
you rest your head on his chest, breathing in his scent as he places his hands around your stomach
(also kirishima would most definitely adore plus-sized people and stretch marks/acne. he loves every insecurity that people growing up may have, and that just gives me SO MUCH HOPE-)
everything is just so insanely peaceful as he has soft music playing in the background, kissing your nose and cuddling in closer with you
the blanket is directly over you, and after a long day at work, you two decide to take a break together
kirishima also most definitely makes sure to wake up earlier for the nap than you so that he could get you a cup of water
he plays with your hair and gently shakes you when you need to get back to work 🥺🥺
5. ☾ going to bed + cuddling headcanons ☽ 10pm-12am
OKAY SO I KNOW I ALREADY DID SOMETHING LIKE THIS HERE
but i literally canNOT STRESS HOW MUCH LOVE I HAVE FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL
he usually doesn’t mind if you stay up late, but as long as you take care of yourself while you’re at it, that’s completely okay!
kirishima usually likes to make sure that you have a consistent sleep schedule though, even if you look at him in the face and go,
“excuse me? sleep schedule? who’s that?”
eijiro just laughs in such a pure way before he helps you tie your hair or keep it up when you’re brushing/rinsing
while you brush your teeth though, he kinda just wraps his arms around your waist in such a gentle way 🥺🥺
he’s such a gentleman and just wants you to be happy
after, he gets you a cup of water and sits next to you on the mattress
he sometimes likes to play old rom-coms or films while cuddling next to you, or maybe some fancy lil’ disney movies
sometimes he’ll pick horror movies and say “i’m manly enough, i can take it!” and then you’re completely unfazed while kirishima SCREAMS
“b-being vulnerable is manly!”
“oh golly i love you so much.”
something i absolutely adore about kirishima is that he has so much respect for women, enby’s, whatever it is, he just wants them to feel safe and comfortable
he makes sure that it’s okay for him to wrap his arms around you, and makes sure to respect your boundaries
there’s no better place to be than in his arms when he’s wearing a hoodie and your face is rested in the crook of his neck
his chest rises and falls as he turns off the lights, and he might play some light music in the background
kirishima likes to play with your hair and makes raspberry blows into your neck aND I PERSONALLY THINK THAT’S HILARIOUSLY ADORABLE
he’ll make sure that no matter what, you feel safe and comfortable around him
you two sometimes end up having really deep conversations at like 2 am with him
for no apparent reason, you two just start talking away like it’s nothing
he holds your hand and runs his hands through your hair, before whispering comfort into your ear
“you’re so, so beautiful,”
“you have the most beautiful smile,”
“has anyone told you how nice your eyes were?”
“i love you.”
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wiyodreamz · 3 years
Text
𝑽𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 | 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑺𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒘𝒂 [04]
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⌜Nari is a college student at Seokhye University. One day she got off on the wrong foot with Seonghwa, throws her coffee on him and curses him out. Later that day she learns about the internship she signed with Hwa Corp. That same day, she learns that the same guy she threw her coffee at, is the CEO of that company! How will things go for Nari if she has a target on her back from that encounter? ⌟ Office AU
01 | 02 | 03 | 04
Contains: fluff, angst, smut, alcohol drinking, cursing, and more as the story goes on.
Tag list: @seonghwaskitten @reeateez
Warnings: another make out session, dani being sort of annoying, yunho interrupting an almost smut scene (yeah these r the warnings)
A/N: it’s been 84 fucking years. And I’m finally back writing this. Also Nari and Seonghwa are in a established relationship in this chapter :)
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Things between Nari and Seonghwa have been going smoothly. They’ve been talking to each other more and a relationship has started to spark between them. Nari has managed to even get into the Top 3, since Seonghwa isn’t making it very difficult for her. They even found a new secretary for him to replace Ms.Lee. But Nari is kind of supiscious of her.
Nari was finishing making herself a cup of coffee in the break room, when someone walked in.
“Do you mind making me some tea?” She looked up and saw Seonghwa with a reusable cup.
“Yeah sure” she said as she smiled and made more hot water. “So how are you liking your new assistant?”
“She’s not as fast with her tasks as Ms.Lee, but she gets them done on time at least” he sighed as he crossed his arms.
“Maybe she has to get used to this place first. It may be different from her different job. Give her a month or two and she’ll get the hang of it” she said as she grabbed a tea bag and poured the hot water into his reusable cup. “Anyways here’s your tea.”
“Thank you” he said as he grabbed the cup from her hands, their fingers grazing a little. They stared at each other and Seonghwa started leaning in closer and closer until she felt his breath on her lips, but someone walked in before he could get a chance to kiss her.
“I didn’t expect you two to be in here” Dani said as she walked by the coffee maker to make her a cup of coffee. She then raise en eyebrow at their flushed expressions. “Did I interrupt something?”
“No! I’ll see you around Mr.Park!” Nari said as she bowed at him and left the break room while sipping her coffee.
Seonghwa then bowed towards Dani and left the break room to go back to his office to finish some paperwork.
“There’s something off about them....” Dani said quietly as she looked at the two of them.
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Nari was finishing the last of her report that was due this week. She was typing away with her headphones in and someone suddenly pulled them out.
“What the...” she trailed off and turned behind her and saw Yunho.
“After you finish your report, do you want to go get lunch together?” He asked and she nodded.
“Sure, I just need to finish this last sentence and I’m free to go.”
Nari pressed the ‘submit’ button on her report and then grabbed her bag. “Let’s go. I know this really good place we can go eat at.”
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The two were now seated in front of each other with a plate of pizza in front of them.
“How’d you get off of Mr.Park’s bad side?” He asked curiously as he took a bite of his pizza.
“I don’t know. I got lucky I guess” she lied as she stared down at her plate.
“I heard this weird wacky rumor is that you guys are in a relationship” he said and that made her choke on her cola, which made him scared. “Are you okay Nari-ah?”
“Uhm...yeah” she said and took a bite out of her pizza. “Where exactly did you hear that?”
“From Dani. But you really can’t believe what she says without proof, so she’s pretty much telling a tale” he answered.
Nari then sighed in relief and looked up to her friend. “If something was going on between us, I’ll tell you first then Yunho.”
Yunho smiled and continued eating his food. Nari felt bad for lying to him, but it wasn’t a good time to tell him, especially since Dani is highly suspicious of them. She then shook out the thoughts from her head and went along eating with Yunho.
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It was now 4 in the afternoon and Nari came home from work. The full paid internships will be announced next week and she was nervous. Even though she was dating Seonghwa, she still wants to prove that she can work better.
Nari heard a knock at her front door and went to open it. She turned the knob and there stood Seonghwa with a bag of ingredients.
“I remembered from a few days ago you were craving stirred udon, so I came to fix it for you” he said with a smile. He was changed out of his suit and now was wearing a white buttoned shirt tucked into some black pants. “Can I come in?”
Nari cleared the way of her front door and he went into the kitchen and put the bags on the counter. Nari sat on one of her bar stools as she watched Seonghwa rummage around her kitchen for a pot to boil water in.
“You need to invest in some cookware” he said as he found a pot to boil water in.
“I would but I burn water” she joked as he chuckled lightly as he put the pot on the stove.
“Since it’ll take a while for the water to bowl, how about we do something to pass the time?” He asked as he walked over towards her and biting his lip.
He grabbed her waist and leaned in. The kiss started out slow and gentle, and then it went to heated in a second. Nari wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her up on the island. His lips then went down towards her neck and leaving red marks along her neck. She whimpered as he found her sweet spot.
“Found it” he whispered as he went back to leaving marks on her. Nari’s hands traveled down towards his shirt and unbuttoned some of his buttons, as Seonghwa was in the process of trying to remove her pants.
Before he could successfully take of her pants, a knock interrupted them. They jumped at the knock and waited for the person to say something.
“Nari-ah! I have the notes you let me borrowed last week! Are you in there or are you sleep?”
It was Yunho. Nari quickly jumped off the counter and fixed her pants that Seonghwa almost took off.
“It’s Yunho! You have to hide!” She whispered as Seonghwa hurriedly buttoned back up his shirt. Nari pushed him in the closet in her living room, where she usually keeps her old coats and jackets and other things.
As she closed the door, she heard the code being entered and Yunho entering. “Were you sleep?”
Nari shook her head and then hid her neck after she saw it in the mirror in the living room. “I wasn’t sleep, I was just busy putting something in the closet.”
He put the notes down on her coffee table and walked towards her. “Why are you holding your neck? Did you strain it?”
“No. It just hurts from me overworking” she said. “You should go. We have exams and you should be studying really hard.”
“Yeah, but I’m also excited to see who gets the paid internships. I hope me and you get it” he said.
“Same” she agreed. Yunho bid a goodbye and closed the door. Nari looked out her window to make sure he was gone from view and then Seonghwa stepped out and looked over at the stove and the water was now boiling.
“Looks like it’s time for me to cook and after we finish eating, we can continue what we were doing before Yunho interrupted.”
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It was now the week of the paid internships. People have been working hard over the weeks to get it, but Dani kept pushing the objective that Seonghwa and Nari are indeed dating, but people just called her crazy.
Hongjoong came by her desk and gave her a coffee. “I know about you and Seonghwa.”
Nari choked on her coffee and looked up at him with wide eyes. “H-how’d you know?”
“Did you forget we’re friends? He told me about it a few nights ago over a drink” he said. “Make sure to keep it a secret if you get the internship, the women here love to talk.”
Nari thanked him and continued to drink her coffee. Sunji and Dani came back from a meeting they were in and sat down at their desks.
“Sunji-ah, didn’t you see Seonghwa and Nari eating dinner together a few days ago?” Dani asked as she whispered towards Sunji. Sunji looked nervous as she looked over to Nari.
“Dani, I don’t know about this...” Sunji trailed off and then was cut by Dani saying something rude to her.
“Why is so crazy to find out stuff about me?” Nari asked as she bit her lip nervously.
Now it was 4 P.M. everyone huddled around Seonghwa to found out who got the paid internship. Nari held her hands nervously as he looked over the paper.
“You guys worked hard over the months, but like I said in the beginning, I’m choosing half of you. So if your name is called, you got the internship.”
“Choi San, Jeong Yunho, Kang Sunji, Moon Nari, and Lee Dowoon. Those 5 worked harder than anyone I’ve ever seen and it was only fair to choose them” he said.
Nari was happy that she was chosen. She looked over towards Dani who looked angrily.
“Yah! Mr.Park! How could you choose Nari over me? I worked harder than her in all the things. I did every task I was supposed to do!”
“If you call spreading rumors, talking bad about your other peers, plus my employees I hired. Then I guess that’s your definitions of tasks” he said as he crossed his arms. “My decisions are final.”
Nari smiled at Seonghwa and then Mr.Park and grabbed her things. When she was on the first floor of the office, she felt a shove behind her and an angry Dani.
“Did you really sleep with Mr.Park just so you could get the internship?” She asked angrily. “I never knew the Moon Nari is that kind of girl.”
“Dani just admit it. You’re just angry you couldn’t get what you want this time. And besides, you barely did any of the work, Sunji did your work” Nari said and walked out of the building.
“You’re going to regret saying that Nari.”
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“You’ve done well these past months” Seonghwa said as he took a sip of his wine.
Nari had an identical glass and took a sip of hers as well. She was too distracted on what Dani said to her to even hear what Seonghwa was saying to her.
“Are you okay?” He asked as he caressed her cheek worriedly.
“Hmm. Yeah, just thinking about some things” she said.
“What were you thinking about?” He asked.
“Nothing. It’s just what Dani said to me.”
“What did she say?”
“Oh it wasn’t important. Just her talking nonsense.”
“How about I go run the two of us a nice, warm bath and fall asleep for the night. How does that sound?” He asked and she nodded.
“That sounds nice.”
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dcforts · 3 years
Text
[day 4: cooking and baking]
Now, Bobby Singer didn’t always exactly enjoy having Sam and Dean around – he was used to living alone and he liked his routine; they got loud when they bickered and he always had to make sure they were clean and fed and far from the stuff he had laying around that they weren’t supposed to touch.
He never wanted to be a father after all, nor get stuck running a daycare for hunters for that matter, but he just couldn’t bring himself to say no to John whenever he asked, even if he had his garage to run and hunting on the side.
He felt bad for them. He might have known nothing about raising children, but he sure knew that they were supposed to have a home, not to be dragged across the country in an old car, exposed to all kinds of dangers.
So, if washing an extra set of bedsheets and hiding his booze and getting a headache or two from their feet stomping upstairs meant giving them a roof over their head for a few days, a familiar place where to feel safe and proper food in their belly – if one could count canned soup as proper food – then he could bite the bullet.
And they were good kids, they always did what he told them and never complained about anything.
Even when one year they got stuck at his place on Christmas Eve. The air was heavy around the dinner table and Bobby had turned on the tv in an attempt to liven up the atmosphere and distract them. Still, they remained quiet, hunched over their plates wearing gloomy faces.
Their father was supposed to pick them up but he’d called and said he wasn’t gonna make it. Bobby knew it was gonna happen as soon as he’d heard the phone ringing that afternoon.
"But it’s Christmas!” he’d hissed angrily trying not to be heard by the kids, “What am I supposed to tell them?”
“Uh - I don’t know, Bobby," John had replied, with that tone he got when he was uninterested in what you were saying and had already uncorked one too many beers. "It’s just this one time.”
When Bobby had delivered the news, Dean had shouted "Why hasn’t he called me?" and Sam had grumbled "You should have convinced him", so they most likely hated him too.
Bobby didn’t take it personally, if he were a kid he sure wouldn’t have liked to spend Christmas with someone like him and without his only parent.
Bobby didn’t do holidays at all. He hanged a wreath on the front door just cause he kept it in the hallway all year round. He made himself a turkey sandwich. He enjoyed a classic movie just as the next guy and he passed out on the couch with a glass of store-bought eggnog. That was it. It was not like he had anyone to share it with. It had been like that for years and he didn’t mind. 
Knowing that the kids would be around though, he’d hanged on the window a string of lights he’d found in the basement and had put on display a weird looking statue of an elf - although if he wasn’t sure if it was Christmas related or just an old dark artifact. The boys had spared those things barely a glance and not brought up Christmas at all so Bobby had just figured that they didn’t do holidays either.
But then a commercial featuring a big holiday banquet came on tv for the umpteenth time, filling the kitchen with its obnoxious jingle and Dean finally spoke up.
“Hey Bobby,” he asked, tearing his eyes from the tv. “Did your mother ever bake for the holidays?”
Bobby didn’t even remember the last time he’d talked about his mother with anyone. It always brought up bittersweet memories he didn’t like to deal with. Still, he cleared his throat, “Sure,” he said, but now Sam was watching him too so he added, “she was a good baker - made a mean blueberry pie.”
Dean gave him a small smile. “Really?”
“Yeah, and she’d always make two, one for everyone and another one just for me."
“A whole pie? Just for you?" Sam asked with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"I could eat that," intervened Dean immediately.
Bobby snorted, “Yeah, I know that, kid."
Dean smiled proudly, but then Sam said "You couldn’t, Dean. You’d get sick."
"No, I wouldn’t," he shot back.
"Yes, you would. Not even an adult can - "
"What do you know, if you never - ”
“I know - ”
Bobby groaned and got up from the table to start collecting the dirty dishes, "Alright, break it up".
They fell into silence again as he put the dishes in the sink and started washing them.
"Go get ready for bed."
He heard the scraping of chair legs on the floorboards, but he was still thinking about his mother and didn’t realize that only one pair of shoes had left the room and the other one had come to stand next to him.
"Does your oven work?" Dean said, making him jump.
"Wh- my oven? Yeah. Why?”
"Just ‘cause... you never use it," was his reply, a little unsure.
"That don’t mean it don’t work."
"Have you ever used it?”
"Can’t remember, honestly.”
"Mum used to bake pies for me too," Dean said then. "Sammy wasn’t there so he gets upset when I talk about it."
Bobby gave him half a smile. "Bet Mary's pies were the best, uh?”
"Yeah", he said, but he sounded thoughtful. He still made no move to leave and Bobby didn’t know what else to say. The last thing he wanted was to make the boy sad, or worse, make him cry for his mom.
He started working faster on drying those dishes.
"Maybe your father remembers the recipe. You should ask him,” he said, casually.
Apparently it was the wrong thing to say. Dean tugged the hem of his jacket and looked at him with the most scared expression Bobby had ever seen on him. “Don’t!" he said, "Please. Dad doesn’t like talking about these things. Don’t tell him I told you."
Bobby gritted his teeth and tried to not let his rage show on his face. He put down the rag and grabbed one of his shoulder, “It’s okay, Dean. I won’t.”
Dean gulped and quickly nodded and Bobby itched for a drink.
“Now go. It’s time for bed.”
"Yes, sir," said Dean.
“You don’t have to cal-” he started, then sighed, “Nevermind. Just go.”
As he heard the door upstair close he opened the highest cabinet and grabbed his bottle of scotch. He sat down to pour himself a glass, took his cap off and rubbed his forehead.
His hands tightened into fists at the thought of John. How could he leave them like that? What would’ve happened if he’d died on a hunt? Who would have cared for them? Bobby certainly couldn’t – John couldn’t possibly expect –
The tv was still on.
His second glass was already empty when that stupid holiday commercial with that stupid jingle came on once again. Annoyed, Bobby stood up to turn it off and that’s when Dean came to his mind and a thought hit him.
The kid wanted a damn pie.
He just didn’t know how to ask, or even if he could ask. And of course he would think that, with that father of his, his taboos and his rules. Bobby felt anger and stubborness rise in him.
If the kid wanted a goddamn pie, Bobby would’ve given him a goddamn pie. Even if he had to drive for miles at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day for blueberries.
And now where the fuck did he put Karen’s recipe book?
*
The morning after, he cracked the bedroom door open and Dean blinked awake as soon as he brushed his shoulder.
“Don’t wake your brother. Come downstairs," he whispered, motioning him to be quiet.
In the daylight Bobby was willing to admit that he was a little nervous about his idea.
Yet he couldn’t resist watching Dean’s face as he entered the kitchen ten minutes later and stopped in his track when he saw flour, eggs, sugar and blueberries lined up on the counter.
It was like his face couldn’t settle on an emotion. He frowned, smiled, frowned again. Then he just looked at Bobby as if he was asking him what he was supposed to do or say.
"I was thinking it’s about time I make that oven work again. What you say? Wanna bake your own pie?"
Dean surprised himself with a laugh. "But Bobby - I don’t – I never -"
"What, you think I do?" Bobby shrugged, "If it’s bad, we’ll just throw it out."
Dean seemed too overwhelmed to say anything. He just nodded.
Bobby went towards him. "See, I got this book here, it was my wife’s. We’re more than capable to follow a bunch of instructions, right?"
It took way longer than Bobby had anticipated, and surely longer than it generally took other people. And it wasn’t easy. At all. Not just because in the last few years he’d reduced his diet to mostly pre-cooked stuff, but especially for the smells that filled the kitchen and the long string of memories attached to them - Karen and his mom, guilt and comfort, sweetness and fear.
But Bobby went through all of it, the fishing out of the egg shells, the spilling of the flour, the hour long wait for the dough to set and the million questions Dean seemed to have – because the boy enjoyed himself.
Bobby was pretty sure of it, from the way he groaned in disgust as he dipped his hands in the mixture with raw eggs, in his cheeky face when he lied about stealing the blueberries they were using, in his clear laugh when Bobby slipped and almost crashed on the dirty floor; all of that made it worth it.
When the oven door was closed and the timer was set, he even sat cross-legged on the tiles to watch it as it baked.
Bobby moved around him to clean the mess they’d made and then went to wash himself up. When he looked himself in the bathroom mirror he saw flour all over his beard and bits of dough on his flannel. He found himself smiling a little.
He might not be able to bring the boys the spirit of Christmas or whatever crap they sold these days, but he would’ve been be satisfied if he managed to make them happier for half a day.
Dean started pounding on the door right in that moment. “Bobby!” he was shouting, “The timer! Hurry up! We need to get it out!”
Bobby’s reflection rolled his eyes and sighed. “Coming!” he shouted back and heard Dean running away again.
When he entered the kitchen half a minute later, Sam had joined Dean in front of the oven. He was still in his pyjamas and looked up at him with sleepy eyes. “Dean’s screams woke me up,” he said.
“Yeah, alright. I’m here, let me through and step back. I don’t want you to get burned.”
As carefully as possible, he took the pie out under the scrutinizing gaze of the brothers. As he sat it on the table he noticed the uneven colour of the crust and the filling that had spilled all over the sides and through the cracks. He made a face. “Well - doesn’t look half bad as far as first attempts go -" he tried to say but his words were drowned by the boys shouting “Whoa!”
"It smells so good," said Dean, wearing a proud smile.
"It’s perfect," said Sam with the solemnity of a renown critic. "Can we try it now?"
"Let’s give it a moment to cool down. You go get dressed. Dean, go wash your hands."
They both sprinted in different directions. Sam immediately ran up the stairs banging a hand on the banister in excitement. Dean bolted in the direction of the downstairs bathroom.
“Be careful!” he thundered.
They both shouted back at once: “Yes, Uncle Bobby!”
A rush of affection washed over him. He shook his head looking down at their pie.
“Merry Christmas kids.” 
 joining @bend-me-shape-me in this!
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phoneboxfairy · 3 years
Text
Quarantine Fic Chapter 4!
All that remains is a silly epilogue.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/23417971/chapters/84978940
That afternoon saw Lucy laying on the couch with her nose buried in a book. She was so engrossed in her story that she didn’t notice when Natsu sat next to her.
…at least, not until she felt his hand stroke over her knee. A sweet chill ran down her spine.
“Natsuuuu. Cut that out. I’m trying to read.”
“No. I wanna touch you. You’re smart. You can read with my hand on your leg.”
Ooogh…
“Fine. As long as that hand minds its manners and stays right where it is. I can’t concentrate if you’re pawing at me.”
“Sheesh, alright, miss bossy.” Shrug, smile.
So Lucy read.
Truth be told it was hard to focus on her story when the touch of his hand brought delicious thoughts into her mind. By the time she finished the chapter and put the book down, those delicious thoughts were running rampant.
She made a show of stretching, felt the heat of his stare as he watched her.
Siiiigh.
“Lucy. There’s something you should know.”
“Hmm? What’s that?”
“I don’t have any manners. Neither does my hand.” Growl. The naughty boy moved his naughty hand. He feathered his fingers down her thigh and traced the hem of her shorts. She squirmed.
“Mmm, how very rude.”
“I think ya like it when I get rude.” Stroking her inner thigh. Stoking the fire between her legs.
“I love it when you get rude.” Sensual purr. She shifted and spread her legs then reached down and unbuttoned the shorts. “Come here, Natsu. Let’s misbehave.”
“Hell yeah.” He growled, this sexy devilish look on his face as he pulled her shirt off. “Luce, have I told ya how fucking perfect you are? You ain’t even completely naked and I wanna devour ya.”
As if on cue she kicked away the shorts, spread her legs, and traced her hand over her exposed pussy.
“What’s stopping you, love?”
“Absolutely nothing.” He pounced. Shed his pants, claimed her mouth and body at the same time.
They moved together with animalistic fervor. He went hard and fast. Lucy mewled, feeling him hit every sweet spot just the way she looooved it.
She was brought back to earth by a rather ominous creaking sound from beneath her.
“Na…Natsu…st, stop stop stop.” He stopped, pulled out, shot her a look that was confused and slightly irritated. “I don’t want to break this couch. Take me to bed, love.”
Confusion and irritation were replaced by immediate comprehension and a sexy as hell grin.
“Anything you want, Lucy-baby.” So very carefully, he carried her across the room and settled her on the soft bed. Before he had a chance to get going again she stopped him with a “wait a minute” finger gesture then grabbed a bottle of lube off the nightstand.
Then she got on her knees, took his cock in her hand, and licked up some of the sticky sweet mess.
“Mmm. We taste delicious.”
“Hell yeah. Now hurry up and let me fuck ya.” His words sent a delicious tingle straight to her clit. She slathered a generous amount of lube on him before laying back, spreading her legs, and beckoning him over with a finger wiggle.
“Like I could ever say no to you. Mnnn…” She let out a moan feeling him push back into her depths. One hand tangled through already messy pink locks while the other dug into his shoulder.
Truth be told she was more than wet enough without the lube, and Gods only knew they would have had an incredible romp regardless.
But Lucy was rather adventurous. And the tingling sensation felt ohhh so good, especially with his warm cock savoring every inch of her.
“Gimme your hand.” Their hands intertwined. They shared slow, sweet kisses, making love with increased frenzy followed by the hazy bliss of afterglow.
Lucy giggled. Natsu peered up at her from the comfy pillow of her boobs.
“You okay?”
“Duh. I’m happy.” Lazy smile as she fluffed his hair. Natsu got the hint and climbed up to cuddle with her for a while. Turns out he was pretty happy too.
That last afternoon of quarantine was pretty relaxed. No sparring, just chilling and bonding in a different way.
The pair worked on cooking dinner. Lucy left the finishing touches to Natsu as she went to wash up and change.
Some time later when the meal was ready and Lucy came back, it was hard to tell which silly human was more awestruck. Lucy was rather impressed with his table setting skills. Natsu, on the other hand, couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
Ravishing, in a shimmering blue celestial gown, her hair in a loose halo around her body.
Eventually Natsu remembered where he was. He offered her a chair, scooted her close to the table, and took the seat next to her.
“Thanks, Natsu.” Her soft giggle was music to his ears.
They shared dinner in the sweet comfortable silence of lovers. Every so often Natsu would reach over and touch Lucy’s shoulder or stroke her back. And every time Lucy would respond by leaning over and kissing his nose or cheek, cute smile on her face.
So much more than friendship.
Once plates had been cleared Lucy snapped her fingers. Natsu watched, mesmerized, as her gown transformed into lingerie.
“I believe I’ll go to bed now. Care to join me?” She rarely used her cultured society girl voice, never really had a need to. But somehow the voice, the outfit, and the situation worked perfectly.
Natsu thought it was sexy as fuck.
By the time he got to the bed she had untied her panties and was laying on her back playing with her boobs. He could already see the delicious perk of her nipples peeking through the silky material.
He didn’t waste any time. Pants and briefs were discarded and he joined his beloved Lucy on the bed.
“Like what you see, love?”
“Yeah.”
“Then show me. Let’s make love, Natsu.”
“Anything for you, Lucy-baby.”
For most of the week, their activities had been more raunchy and wild. Tonight, though… Tonight was different. Each touch reverent, each kiss deep and tender. No animalistic frenzy, but rather, pure lovemaking in its barest form.
They moved together as one, Lucy’s legs wrapped around Natsu’s lower back, each motion accented by her little gasps and moans. Passion reached its peak and the pair crashed into one another’s arms.
Natsu rested his forehead on Lucy’s. More tender kisses, more sweet whispers of shared love.
For several moments relaxed shared silence. Then…
“hey Luce? Can we talk?”
“uhhh sure.” A pause. She snapped her fingers again, this time becoming wrapped in a nightgown that was simple and comfortable yet as beautiful as her other celestial garments.
She sat next to him on the bed.
“What’s up? Is something wrong?”
“Huh? Nah. Everything’s good. Lucy…” Here he took her hand. “…I wanna be your mate.”
Mate… The words made her blush.
“So you want to stay with me?”
“Duh. I just said that. Why not? I’ll even fix my place up for ya, make us a nice little cottage.”
“Natsu, you’d do all that…for me?”
“Yeah.” One word, accompanied by a genuine fang-bearing smile. Lucy couldn’t even attempt to verbalize her response. So, she pounced and hugged him, letting happy tears flow. “Is…that a yes?”
“duh…” Lucy giggled, face buried in chest and scarf. She heard Natsu laugh, relieved, and felt him run his hands through her hair.
“Gimme your hand.” Assuming he just wanted to hold her hand again Lucy did what she was told. Seconds later she felt him sliding something cool onto her finger.
Suddenly she knew exactly what Natsu had been working on earlier that week.
A ring… he made me a ring…
“Wow…it’s so pretty.” An opalescent blue stone was set in a cool metal band that fit her finger just right.
“Look on the inside.”
“Okay…?” Curious, Lucy slipped it off, and took a look at the inside of the band. There, in Natsu’s odd handwriting, were carved four letters. NaLu. Lucy couldn’t help smiling as she slipped the ring back on.
She also couldn’t help the tears of love and utter joy from flowing down her face as Natsu pulled her into a hug then kissed her.
Who would have thought…who could have ever imagined, that a week in quarantine for a silly magic bug would have changed so much?
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darker-soft-starker · 4 years
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 Starker High School AU, Pt. 4 (Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.5)
---
The last bell of the day sounds and Peter doesn’t know if he’s thankful or reproachful.
On one hand, no more classes. 
On the other: giving up an afternoon of Robotics to spend time with the modern embodiment of the antichrist.
To add insult to injury, it had been one of those long, arduous days that never seemed to end. The hours stretched themselves into impossibly bloated milliseconds as he watched the clock - and it still wasn’t over.
Dread filled him in anticipation of the afternoon and before first period he accidentally smacked himself in the forehead trying to get his locker open. It hurt and he was sure it would bruise. But if he was looking for sympathy, there was none to be found. Bucky and Nat weren’t speaking and in result their friends seemed wary and divided amongst themselves. 
It made for a rather awkward day.
His efforts to be neutral ground and to bridge the gap were met with vexation and were brushed off, so he ate lunch alone again in the library Bucky and Nat were fiery and fiercely independent, so not unexpected, but it was in his nature to want to mend the rift.
Ben used to tell him not everything was up to Peter to fix.
Easy for him to say.
Nonetheless he does his best to keep that notion in mind as he goes through the day, but everything seems off kilter. No one is talking to each other, he was so busy and caught up with all of the internal discord and schoolwork that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. 
And May was acting super weird this morning. 
Worry gnawed at him in a way that had him forgetting about eating, whether it was about May and Thursday’s match, about the giant pimple that bloomed on his chin overnight -- or whatever inevitable torment that Stark had cooked up for them this afternoon.
It’s still a few minutes before they’re due to meet but Peter isn’t dragging his feet.
He isn’t. 
Sure, the hallways are vacant of any other students. 
And maybe he is feeling just a little petty for the time Tony kept him waiting despite his own plea not to -- besides, he still has a couple of minutes before he’s due, he’s not going to turn up early for goodness sake, as much as the part of him that says if you’re not early you’re late begs him to quicken his footsteps. 
Maybe he does stretch it to the last minute just to see Tony looking frustrated by his vintage ‘69 Mustang, the line of his mouth unmistakably displeased as the cars in the lot around him gradually disperse.
He knows the moment that Tony notices him, leant against his car, sunglasses slipping down his nose to properly glower at him. 
“This is why you’re an asshole,” Tony points a finger at him as he arrives. “I should leave you here.”
“Sorry,” Peter apologises airily, “I was trying to be anywhere but here. I’m not late though, so?”
Tony rounds the car to the drivers side, still pointing at Peter. “Don’t push your luck, Parker. Get in.”
Snickering quietly to himself, Peter heads to the other side. 
The engine growls loudly, a deep rumbling that goes through Peter’s entire body. Buckling himself in quickly, he peers around curiously while Tony reverses out of the lot. He’s reluctantly surprised. For an old car that belongs to a teenager behind at least two school fires it’s in impeccable condition. 
“Nice car,” he says quietly, mostly to himself as his gaze roams the interior with interest. 
It’s difficult to associate Tony Stark with the words nice or neat even, but that’s exactly what the car is. The interior is unscuffed, squeaky clean, the leather seats are comfortable, not a sprinkle of cigarette ash to be seen.
It really is spectacular - when the engine roars and the seats vibrate under him, Peter gets a sense of wonder and curiosity, like that one time he fell in love with DeLoreans after watching Back To The Future with Ben.
Curious, he opens the glove compartment and finds a generous stash of snacks and chocolate bars inside.
“Don’t touch anything,” Tony scowls, smacking Peter’s hands from the dash. “That’s rule number one. The interior is original and my girl is sensitive to your residue.”
Residue, he scoffs, tempted to reach out and touch more just to be contrarian.
“You got a sweet tooth or somethin’?” Peter asks instead, gesturing to the glove compartment. 
“No.”
“Can I have some?”
“No.”
“Are you gonna say anything else to me on this trip?”
“No,” Tony smiles sardonically, turning up the radio louder until the riffs of Queen’s Somebody To Love drown them both out.
True to his word, Tony remains silent over the course of the drive. It suits Peter fine, it’s not a quiet that is uncomfortable or awkward, not with the radio playing loudly from an oldies station, the wind whistling through the windows and the echoes of traffic around them. 
He thought it might be a stiff and uncomfortable drive, however the longer nothing goes unsaid between them, the more Peter feels himself relax in his chair, warmed by the heater and his limbs loosening until they feel boneless after the day he’s had.
And to his credit, Tony doesn’t appear overly tense or uneasy in having Peter in his space - in fact, he looks as chilled out as Peter has ever seen him. 
The perpetual strain around his jaw and shoulders seems eased, his posture open and casual as he drives with one hand, shifting gears with the other, sometimes tapping out a tune on the steering wheel. And whenever a song he particularly likes comes on the radio he turns up the volume, and if Peter looks over at the right moment he sees him smile privately to himself, a pleased little quirk of his lips.
Sometimes Tony speeds and puts his fingers out the window to card them through the wind, and his smile grows.
Although the amicable vibe has little to do with him, it’s probably the first time that they’ve spent more than five minutes together without hurling insults at each other. 
It’s weird.
Too wary of shattering the peace, Peter doesn’t mention it.
By the time they’re on the Queensboro Bridge the Eurythmics are playing one of May’s favorite songs. Without realising he’s doing it, he’s bobbing his head along to the tune, whispering the words under his breath, suddenly reminded of dancing in the kitchen with her and Ben, nine years old, using wooden spoons as microphones.
He’s smiling before he can stop himself, head tilted back against the seat, eyes unfocused on the skyline. It smells like Tony’s cologne and engine oil, like being enveloped in an old memory. He can see Tony looking at him from the corner of his eye but neither of them say anything.
The volume is turned up.
---
They arrive at the realtor with just minutes to spare before their appointment is due to commence. 
The traffic had built incrementally during the drive to Long Island City, the roads becoming more congested as they went. The tension in Tony’s shoulders returned as the minutes ticked closer to four-thirty, his tapping on the steering wheel out of impatience rather than good-cheer. 
Peter actually does feel a little bad now. 
Not that the five minutes he could’ve spared would have made much of a difference, but still, guilt whispers vehemently. 
It’s for that reason that he politely doesn’t say anything that could be perceived as inflammatory when Tony pockets his sunglasses and buttons up his dress shirt, checking his reflection in the rear-view mirror. Even if he’s dying to tell him that he looks like a damn nerd.
Not that he can talk. 
Heeding Tony’s words, he’d dressed similarly in his okay-est pair of jeans, a clean shirt and a cardigan. In class, MJ laughed and told him he looked like Napoleon Dynamite.
They head in, a bell above the door signalling their arrival. It’s a chain realtor, not the one they rent their apartment through, but Peter thinks there is an office right near his building. Inside, a middle-aged woman at the front desk greets them.
“Uh... we have an appointment with Kate Price” Tony gestures between them. “Appointment for Tony Stark?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” the woman apologises in a heavily Welsh accent, “you should have gotten a notification, she’s unwell and taken the day off.” 
“Oh, um --”
“That’s okay though, I’m free, I can help you if you’d like.”
“Are you sure?” Peter queries, sharing a look with Tony who appears just as uncertain. “We’d really appreciate it.”
“Absolutely. It’s quiet anyhow. Come,” she beckons them down a narrow hallway to a set of cubicles and L-shaped desks. There doesn’t seem to be anybody else in the office, he notes, as the two are directed to sit before a desk while the woman types away at a computer. 
“I’m Miranda,” she introduces herself, holding out her hand for both of them to shake. “The appointment notes say you’re after a nearby rental?”
“Sort of, we’re just looking at some pricing. Nothing serious, we just need to take some notes, get a feel for it.”
Miranda’s glasses slide down her nose as she observes them.
“You’re a wee bit young to be moving out of home, aren’t you?”
“Oh! No,” Peter stutters, waving his hands, “we’re not actually --”
Miranda waves at him dismissively. 
“Not that I can judge. My husband and I were living together and married by nineteen, ‘course he’s dead now. We had a good run though. Anyway, good for you. Young love, it’s so sweet.”
“Young what,” Peter says.
Miranda, typing away cheerily at her computer, clearly didn’t get the memo about the school project like Kate must have.
Peter turns to Tony, who is just as wide-eyed as he is.
What the fuck, he mouths, slinking down in his chair.
I don’t know, Tony mouths back, stupefied.
“So, what are we thinking - a studio if it’s just the two of you? Something cozy?”
“Uh, well, we’re looking to grow,” Tony says, hand slapped over his mouth. He shares a bewildered, wide-eyed stare with Peter.
“Right, well, nothing wrong with knowing what you want. What’s the budget? Let me see what I can find for you.”
“Ah,” Peter shifts in his seat, trying to communicate wordlessly with Tony as their research angle quickly becomes derailed.
He tries to communicate the need for an urgent exit in a stare that he hopes is prolonged and meaningful, but is only met with equally panicked blinking from the other boy. There’s a moment spent blinking undecipherable messages at each other and before he knows it the silence has stretched on far too long.
“Well, we were thinking sixteen-hundred a month. Right... Tony?”
“Right,” he nods slowly, eyes darting between the two. “Single income, see. Parker - uh, Peter is still in school.”
“Oh, bless,” she says spiritedly, typing away at her keyboard. “It’s not easy, I know, been there. What do you do for work, young man?”
“Me?” Tony asks, gesturing to himself, shooting Peter a desperate look. “I’m... a mechanic...apprentice.”
Peter has to disguise his snort with a cough, the horse so far out of the gate there is no catching up to it.
“Good for you, darling,” she says distractedly as she busies herself with the monitor, missing the heated glare Tony sends him. “Let’s see, might be tight, but we may have something for you. One bed, one bath, a living room that can be converted to a second bedroom.”
“Great,” Peter nods hesitantly. “Where?”
“Across the street, actually,” she swivels the monitor on its stand to show them a set of blurry photos of a small apartment. “And it’s currently vacant - we can do an inspection right now, if you’d like?”
There’s a pregnant pause.
“One moment,” Tony smiles at her, holding up a finger.
There’s a screech as Tony pulls Peter’s chair across the linoleum with a single hand.
“This is getting out of hand,” Peter whisper-hisses, ducking his head.
“I know, I know, I know,” Tony squeezes his eyes shut, making placating motions with his hands that do little to appease Peter’s rising apprehension. “It’s alright, it’s under control. Listen, hear me out, we go to the inspection, have a look at the place --”
“You can’t be serious, dude, we’re sixteen.”
“We’re not going to actually fill out an application, numbnuts, listen; we go, we take some pictures, get some details about the property, add it to our report and bam, who needs a reference? Think about it! Who else is going to have this level of detail in their report?”
“I’m not exactly sure this is what Miss Ahn meant by field research.”
Tony pokes him in the forehead. 
“Think outside the box, precious. Rise above the urge to do the bare minimum and we might just get a good grade.”
Peter sneaks a glance at Miranda. “Fine,” he pokes Tony back in the chest. “But you do all the talking, smartass.”
“Fine with me.”
“Good.”
“Great.”
Tony turns back to Miranda and offers her a charming smile. 
“We’d love to. Lead the way.”
---
They door sticks when Miranda turns the key into the dead-lock.
She struggles with it momentarily, smiling assuredly at the two boys as she twists the doorknob back and forth, pressing her shoulder against the peeling wood, forcing it open with a bang.
“Here we are,” Miranda announces brightly.
The two follow her inside, sharing a reluctant look with each other as she leads them into what must be a living room, the click-clack of her heels echoing off the scuffed floorboards and bare walls.
The first thing that Peter notices is that the room, while void of furniture, seems impossibly small, even by New York standards.
With the three of them spread thinly throughout it, there are but a few inches of space between them. Barely any room for a couple of armchairs, let alone a full sofa or a coffee table.
At a glance, he takes stock of the cracks in the ceiling, the discoloured patches in the plaster and the splintered wood of the front door frame where it appears it has been forced open from the outside. The chain-lock is broken.
Tony is over by the far corner, wiping a finger through a layer of dust on the window sill. 
There’s a loud bang from upstairs.
“So, this is the living area,” Miranda says with a flourish of her wrists. “And if you follow me, this down here,” she leads them around the corner, “is the kitchen.”
The kitchen is comprised of a small formica bench, a stained backsplash and several cupboards missing their handles.
While Miranda continues to point out and inform them all of the ‘cosy’ and ‘quaint’ features, Tony slips his phone from his pocket and with a nod of acceptance, lingers back a few steps to take photographs of the apartment. 
While he’s doing so, Peter busies himself by inspecting the kitchen, toying with the dials of the oven and the two-burner stove top, testing the swing of the cupboard doors. 
Inside one of them is a dirty tea-cup and a dead cockroach.
“-- and as you can see, plenty of room for a dining table, maybe you might like to have friends over --”
He follows them into the bathroom, which is just as compact as the rest of the apartment. He tests the faucet, noting that the tiles are cracked, as is the bathtub. 
Most worryingly are the speckled spots of black spores along the higher walls and the ceiling. 
“-- it’s a big old tub, plenty of room,” she pats Tony on the stomach, “could fit two in a squeeze if you suck it in, aye? Now, this way please boys, let me show you the pièce de résistance --”
Tony guards his stomach with his hands, pouting as Miranda leads them to the adjacent room.
“This is the main bedroom,” she beams, flicking on the light. “Perfect, isn’t it?”
The two young men stall in the doorway, peering inside. 
The space, probably equipped to handle a solitary king-single and a drawer at best, isn’t particularly generous by any means. The flickering bright yellow globe seems to only highlight the blistering wallpaper and the suspiciously stained carpet.
It smells like weed and cat pee. 
“So as you can see, plenty of privacy for you two, the living room can be converted into a second bedroom if need be -- or if one of you needs to sleep on the couch,” she winks at them.
“Right,” Tony says slowly, nudging the other with his elbow. “What do you think...honey?”
“I don’t know, dear,” Peter says, elbowing him back. “What do you think?”
“I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.”
“Bless,” Miranda cuts in, leaning on the doorframe while she observes them. “You’re just adorable, you must be high-school sweethearts.”
There’s a beat of silence.
“...Y-Yes,” Tony says after a moment, voice croaky. His hand snakes out to awkwardly pat Peter on the shoulder. “...we are.”
“So, what do you think?”
“About him?” Tony points to Peter.
“About the apartment,” she laughs. “What do you think, do you like it?”
“Oh, um, I have a few questions actually,” Peter mentions, following them back into the kitchen area, ignoring the odd look that Tony sends him. “If that’s okay?”
What are you doing, Tony mouths, back turned to the realtor as he clears his throat. 
Peter holds a finger up to request a minute. There’s a struggle to each convey their message silently, however, Tony reluctantly concedes, spreading his hands wide in a theatrical approval to proceed.
He paces the room, shuffling at the bubbling linoleum that he’d narrowly tripped on coming in, bending down to inspect it.
“Do you know how long the apartment’s been vacant?” He directs his question to the realtor.
“Oh, not long,” she replies vaguely, flipping through her file. “Couple of days or weeks, I think. I’d have to check.”
Peter nods, glancing between the three, standing. 
“Umm, I noticed that the oven doesn’t heat up. I thought that maybe the gas was turned off but the stove works? Also, um, in the living room there’s a section of floorboard that’s rotting with because there’s a water leak from the ceiling?”
Miranda’s smile freezes. “Oh, is there? That must be new.”
Peter wrings his hands together, glancing at Tony, stomach swooping at his own boldness. “And, uh, I noticed that the windows stick; the water pressure is funny, too?”
“I can get that checked --”
“There’s black mold in some of the rooms. I think because there isn’t temperature control, the windows are west-facing, so it must get pretty humid in the summer.” 
Peter looks to the other boy in what he hopes seems heartfelt. “I don’t mind, I only mention it because Tony’s... well, he’s got asthma.”
Tony coughs, catching on. 
“Yes, that’s right.”
Miranda’s posture crumples at that, her professional veneer instantly wiped from her face. 
“You’re right, this place is a dump,” she admits, kicking at the floor, spreading her arms out wide. “Look at it, it’s vile. I wouldn’t let my wretched old mother-in-law live here, the old bag. I’m sorry, boys.”
“Well, actually,” Peter says, gesturing between himself and Tony, stepping closer to him. “We’d be happy to do all the repairs and look the other way about the safety violations if there’s any wriggle room on the rent?”
Miranda flicks through the papers she’s holding, adjusting her glasses as she reads through it. The adjacent neighbors can be heard yelling through the thin walls.
“We do have a margin to drop it from sixteen-fifty to... fifteen-hundred a month for the right tenants. Not going to lie, the landlord is pretty desperate. Would you like an application?”
Tony clamps his hand on Peter’s shoulder, squeezing it. “We’ll think about it. Could we get all of those terms in writing, pretty please?”
Peter grins.
---
“I can’t tell if that was genius or crazy,” Tony says after they’ve departed ways with Miranda, headed back towards the Mustang on the other side of the road. “Seriously can’t say I expected that.”
The pair jog across the road once there is a gap in traffic.
After Ben passed, Peter and May moved twice. As a young child Peter saw another apartment as just that - another place to set down his duffle of second-hand clothes and thrift store toys. But May was smart. Savvy. She calls it the Parker Discount. 
Peter shrugs when they reach the car.
“Well, just because our report is meant to focus on budget against costs, doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to save money and maximise it. Not when you consider insurance, bills, food. It all adds up.”
“I’m still trying to pick my jaw up from the floor. Didn’t know you had that in you, Parker.”
“Yeah well, you don’t know anything about me,” Peter says to the ground, kicking at the pavement, “so.”
He tries not to squirm under the weight of Tony’s considering gaze, like a vice tight on the back of his neck. He feels the moment something shifts, as if a pin pricks the wall between them, easier to breathe.
“Look, whatever you think about me, I don’t care, but you probably couldn’t find a better partner for this project. I know more about this than you do.”
“Alright, no need to crow about it, I just said I was impressed. Don’t let it get to your head.”
Peter’s stomach growls loudly over the evening traffic before he can respond. 
“Sorry,” he says, cursing the timing of his body, “haven’t had anything since breakfast.”
Tony nods to a diner across the road.
“You wanna?”
“Oh,” he objects, worried about his bone-dry bank balance, “I’m not --”
“C’mon, dickweed, my treat. Don’t leave a guy hanging, it’s not polite.”
Tony waits patiently, crossing his arms over his chest. He’s sure it’s a look that many have fallen for. A crooked, wry smile and a self-confident air that one might confuse between charm and indolence. 
He feels out of his depth for once, and isn’t sure if he likes it. But his stomach growls again and he’s got nothing to lose except for his appetite. 
“Okay,” he says, nodding. “Sure.”
---
It’s the most surreal experience he’s ever had.
He pinches himself to believe that it’s real, that he’s dining out on a Tuesday evening in the boroughs with Tony Stark. The same guy he thought might murder him just last week.
He’s still not so sure that’s out of the question, to be honest. It would be the most normal thing about this entire day.
The silence is definitely awkward this time, sat at a table outside under a weather-protective canvass while they wait for their meal. A woman with a large doberman sits nearby, giving them odd looks every so often as she speaks loudly on her phone.
Peter’s nursing a giant glass of cola. The only sounds between them since they ordered have been the clinking of ice cubes from his glass and the sound of bubbles as he blew through the straw for a lack of better things to do.
From the daggers he’s getting from Tony, he’d wage that he’s annoying him - hence the probable murder - but he’s spared by their waitress returning with their meals.
A truly monstrous pile of fries is placed before Tony, along with a burger, a sundae and a milkshake. He takes off his dress shirt to reveal a black undershirt, as if in preparation to sweat through the meal.
Big meal for a big mouth, Peter thinks, as his own BLT is set before him. 
It’s weird.
Tony is weird.
This whole damn thing is weird.
“Don’t you think this is weird?” he asks, idly picking a seed from his crust and nibbling on it.
“Yeah,” Tony sighs. 
“I don’t like it.”
“Me neither. What was I thinking?”
“Dunno,” Peter says.
It’s quiet again after that. And it’s weird. Sitting down with over a civil meal with Stark or any of his cohorts wasn’t particularly on his bucket list for junior year, but here he was, picking at his crusts, dying to pee.
Tony takes three fries from the pile and dips them into his sundae, then the milkshake before eating them.
“Dude, gross.”
Tony looks at him oddly. “Uh, no it’s not. Have you never dipped your fries in ice cream before?”
“Is that a metaphor for sex?”
“What? No, you weirdo,” Tony shakes his head. “Are you serious? You’ve never -- god, that explains everything,” he slides his fries across the table a few inches. “Though it truly nauseates me to share with you, I can’t let this stand. Try it.”
“Ew, not after you’ve touched them --”
Tony slides his milkshake closer.
“Try it, butthole. You won’t totally hate it, promise. Well, you might, but if you do it’s just gonna confirm that your taste is garbage, which is what I already think about you. Anyway. C’mon, try it.”
Peter, while staring at Tony, begrudgingly accepting a fry from the peak of the pile and scooping it in ice cream from Tony’s sundae.  
He waits for the moment the combination of textures will make his stomach turn while he hesitantly chews, but instead is pleasantly surprised that the sweet salty flavours compliment one another so well.
“Not the worst, is it?” Tony grins knowingly, placing another fry in his mouth in the same manner. “I’m right, aren’t I? It’s good. Say it. I’m right.”
“It’s alright,” Peter says, stealing another fry to make sure. “Don’t let it go to your already inflated cranium.”
The self-satisfied smirk on Tony’s lips tells him it already has.
Quiet fills the space between them again, more charged than before in a manner that Peter can’t really describe. Like as if there was a soft buzz in the air, like he would get be struck with static electricity were he to touch it. 
Not keen on getting stung, he continues eating his sandwich.
Tony on the other hand, has other ideas.
“So, Peter Parker, now that I know you’re not a total dumbass, tell me this,” he takes a deep breath, his expression grim, “ -- do you wear glasses for the aesthetic or what?”
Peter stares at him.
“C’mon. Are you aiming for nerd chic? You shouldn’t, it’s very 2012.”
“Dude, no. I know glasses are like a thing or whatever but I actually do need them to see. I’m like, blind as fuck.” 
“How blind is blind as fuck?”
“Pretty blind.”
He takes off his glasses and twirls a finger in the direction the smudge of colour that he assumes is Tony.
“Can’t see you, like at all,” he squints. “You’re just a blur. Which is the best you’ve ever looked.”
Tony takes the glasses from his outstretched hand, and he has a hysterical moment where he thinks that Tony might go so low as to steal them, but is quickly realizes he’s just trying them on. He whistles before handing them back to Peter.
“Yup, those are prescription alright. The fuck? Why don’t you wear contacts?”
Peter shrugs, slipping his glasses back on. Stark comes back in perfect clarity. 
“They’re super expensive,” he’s alright with admitting to Tony at this point. “I have some I use for matches, or for special occasions, but I dunno, I’m used to glasses.”
“Do you have to clean them all the time?”
“Yes.”
In fact, there’s smudge from where Tony has inadvertently touched the lens.
“Have you ever stepped on your glasses accidentally?”
“Yep.”
He’s done it more than once but he’ll never forget the first time, how upset he was in the moment or how he fruitlessly tried to hide his face from Ben and May so they wouldn’t see the cracks in the lenses. He cried when they found out. 
That first time was just weeks after his parents had died, and he’d already been laden with thoughts of being a bother and a financial burden on the couple. They never stopped trying to prove that he wasn’t a hardship to care for. Sometimes, on mornings like the one he had, he still can’t help but wonder how much better off they might have been without him.
They eat in contemplative silence afterwards. While he finishes his sandwich he watches as Tony surreptitiously feeds his fries to the doberman under the table, unbeknownst to the owner. He has to eat quickly to conceal the smile taking over his lips when the dog slowly shuffles closer to their table with purpose, looking at Tony with big, soulful eyes. 
Once he’s finished eating and there’s nothing left to hide his amusement, he resumes their conversation.
Clearing his throat, he points towards the Mustang once he has Tony’s attention. “Okay, your turn. What’s with the deal with the old girl?”
"My car?”
"Yeah. Explain the whole greaser vibe.”
The other boy is quiet for a moment, his gaze searching Petter contemplatively, a napkin being twisted between his hands.
“She was a hunk’a junk when I bought her, mostly scrap metal. I bought all the spare parts and got her up to scratch. I dunno, I just like cars, tinkering with them or whatever.”
“You restored her by yourself?” Peter asks, reluctantly impressed. 
He looks at the car again, trying to picture it.
It wasn’t hard to imagine Tony Stark getting his hands dirty, being the prized pig that he was, but having the wherewithal and competence to rebuild a vintage vehicle at sixteen? It would explain the whole Danny Zuko, T-Bird look, but with his bank balance, he could have easily bought a Mustang in mint condition without having to lift a finger. It would explain the streaks of oil from the other day.
Tony shrugs, twisting a napkin between his hands.
“Sorta. Anyway, quit your judging, four-eyes.”
“Not judging,” Peter holds his hands up in innocence. “I just didn’t expect that about you.”
“Yeah, well. I’m exceptional, I know.”
"That’s not the word I would use,” Peter allows. “But you’re not the worst.”
A flash of surprise briefly crosses the other boys face before it disappears. 
“High praise,” he says wryly, resting his chin on his hand. He looks Peter up and down slowly, his big, curious eyes made warm by the dying sunlight. 
“I’m as shocked as you are.”
“...You’re not the worst either, I guess,” Tony sighs like it pains him to admit it. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, we could never be friends -”
“Definitely not -”
“ - but you’re not completely intolerable. God, never thought I’d say that. Maybe I’m growing as a person.”
“Am I still a neanderthal?”
Sipping his milkshake through the straw, Tony raises his shoulders half-heartedly.
Peter kicks his foot from under the table, unwilling to take that for an answer, even if Tony kicks him back, his eyes flicking upwards briefly, his smile almost bashful. In the dying light of the sunset he almost looks soft; approachable.
“Probably shouldn’t have called you that, huh.”
“Probably not. Is that an apology?”
Tony rolls his eyes. “Don’t push it, Parker. I’m just saying you’re not completely abhorrent. Who knew.”
“I knew. I just don’t know why you’ve always hated me so much.”
He doesn’t mean for it to come out small and quiet, but he can’t take it back once the words have left his mouth.
It starts to rain.
“Sorry,” Peter says, louder to be heard over the droplets hitting the overhead umbrella heavily, immediately feeling stupid. “I shouldn’t have -- it’s not a big deal. I mean, I really don’t like you either.”
“Can I get you boys anything else?” 
Both boys turn towards the waitress who’s approached their table, lined-lips smiling down at them, a notepad in her hand.
Tony throws a fifty down on the table and stands and Peter follows suit.
“Nah,” he says, cocking his head to the door. “We’re good.”
---
“See you back at school?” Peter yells to be heard over the rain, back on the sidewalk.
“I’ll drive you back,” Tony yells back, wet hair clinging to his face.
“What?” Peter cups a hand over his ear.
“What?” Tony does the same. “I said I’ll give you a lift!”
“The station isn’t far,” he points. “I can walk!”
“Don’t make me look like an asshole! Get in, princess!”
With the rain pelting his thin shirt and thunder cracking angrily from above, he doesn’t spend his energy arguing. He gets in.
---
The short drive back is amicable, music muted, the pitter-patter of the easing rain filling the ever-growing comfortable silence between them.
With the heater going it doesn’t take long to dry off and restore the feeling back to his fingers. Heat beats from the vents beating pleasantly and along with being sated from the meal, Peter feels like he could nod off at any moment. He has to keep snapping his eyes open, although it’s difficult to adjust his focus as the sunset bleeds into a ruddy orange on the wet windshield, the lights from the cars blurring into bright long streaks of colour. 
"You’re not a total lost cause, Tony admits, slowing as they near his apartment block. It’s the first time either of them has spoken since starting the drive back. “Look, maybe it’s the fact that your face looks like a puckered asshole when you speak, I don’t know. There’s just something about you that really rubs me the wrong way."
Peter cringes as they come to a stop outside his building.
"I don't want to rub you in any way."
"And yep, here comes the mental image,” Tony’s nose scrunches, like an infant that just ate something sour. “Gross. Thanks, Parker.”
“Welcome.”
He unbuckles himself and opens the door, hesitating for a second while the moment settles between them. 
“Thanks for the grub and the ride, I guess. Text me when you get the paperwork from Miranda?”
“Aye, aye,” Tony mock salutes him. “Now get out of my car.”
Peter complies, giving him the finger by way of goodbye. 
Once the car merges and disappears into the traffic, he grins down at his hands, cheeks going warm.
It’s the thrall of finally feeling on equal-footing, he reasons, as he takes the step back up to his apartment. That’s what it is. His stomach is inexplicably still squirming as he enters ascends the floors, going over the day in his head until he arrives at his door.
It smells like tikka masala and too much ginger when he enters. He sets his backpack by the door, placing his keys on a nearby hook. 
May greets him with a sway of her spatula, sauce hitting the splashback with the motion.
“Hey bubby,” she says, gripping his shoulder as he nears and kissing his cheek.
Upon closer inspection, he finds that the kitchen is sparking clean. The floors have been mopped, the grout between the tiling is without a speck of dirt and there are faint notes of harsh disinfectant below the smell of spices.
“Oh wow,” Peter says, looking down at the chicken and bean assortment. The rice on the burner looks soggy and overcooked. “That looks great. How was work?”
She gestures vaguely but doesn’t meet his eyes.
“You hungry?”
It’s the same weird behaviour from this morning and he doesn’t have the heart to say that he’s already eaten.
Instead, he collects the cutlery and napkins, takes a stack of bowls and helps her plate up.
“Dancing With The Stars?” he asks, tilting his head towards the living room. He hip-checks her when she doesn’t reply. “C’mon, you’re not going to let me eat all alone, are ya? Tony says ‘hi’, by the way.”
He doesn’t know why he adds that last part, recalling the exchange rom the other day, but it’s worth it to see her smile.
“Alright,” she nods, scooping rice into the bowls. “How is Tony?”
Everything that happened that day bleeds away, unimportant, insignificant. 
“He’s alright, I guess.”
---
May falls asleep on the sofa hours later. 
He doesn’t want to move her, as exhausted as she is, so he covers her with an old blanket and removes the glasses from her face, placing them on the coffee table. He cleans up as quietly as he can and places her phone on charge in the living room.
On his way to bed he checks his phone for the time. Both Bucky and Tony have sent him text messages, the latter with the awaited paperwork.
Ben would be proud of him, he thinks, smiling as he reads through some of it, saving the rest of it until he’s more alert.
Maybe it wasn’t such a horrible end to the day after all.
---
*
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