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randomshipperhere · 2 years

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The Heist That Happened the 30th of October in 2019

This one is more focused since I have proper records of events and I was actually highly active prior, during, and after the release.

I had fun with the title. I also want to say this about the endings. Even the earliest folks took a minimum of 2 hours. 3rd hour was when a lot of the super active fans finished. So if anyone says they took one hour, obvious hyperbole but it’s just a minor annoyance I have.

ISWM Countdown- 1 day.

Let’s start at the beginning or at least... an easily traceable date for this mess.

2019-05-03

Since Damien came out around this time it was put on hold for fandom topics until a later date but fans are already aware of an upcoming project. Said later date was around May 20, 2019 where people began speculating the what ifs and could be of the series. It’s really funny since Mark’s post already told us what happens in the actual Heist when you look back on that picture.

A common joke told at the time is how we were gonna steal the museum itself. Made jokes on how we’re all gonna side with Dark the second we have a chance to switch sides. Even speculations how we might play a bigger role in the Heist by calling out Actor on his bullshit.

Then came the June 24, 2019 stream. Most well known as the one where Mark told us to shame him for locking out Amy and the stream where he wore a yellow shirt. Someone made a good summary post of the events (op deactivated). By openly talking about it and how excited he seemed, it created hype.

Late July, Mark began doing weird things to his channel banner. I just put this one since there is a mention of third Sunday and use of a moment in ADWM.

August not much to comment on outside of the Dark with demonic and religious art depictions n’ stuff. Really want that fan art era to be brought back... My gothic heart needs it. Uhh, yeah and September was focused on The Edge of Sleep but boy, when October hit? We went wild.

Before I go recalling the events leading up to the day. It is necessary that I show you this reblog from 2018-03-01.

Keep that in your head.

October 08: This is probably the first day when things started to turn suspicious. If you’re part of Jack and Mark’s fandom, the spooky month is when we go into overdrive. Like what could October 30 mean...

October 10: Mark uploaded this on his tumblr. And would you look at that. Actor exists in the video. What could the portrait be for? Looking back, I don’t quite remember those exact sound effects being used in the actual youtube original. It may have just been for promotional content and considering there was an activity level spike. I’d say the video do its job.

We do love our speculations. And I want to say this, a lot of predictions were off the mark. In the sense that a lot of us assumed that the Heist itself would take about 2 or 3 videos before going off course, instead of the one it ended up being. That was our mistake. The actual date did only happen for one video because the next options went off the rails. There were other, angstier and bold takes people had as well. Even with the inaccuracies, I still like reading old posts of what we thought could and would happen.

October 12: And look what we have here, a post theorizing that the long awaited white suit. If you can imagine gossip girls at the lunch table that is what talks about the white suit felt like. Also being in both fandoms was a wonderful kind of hell. Content for days! Content for weeks! Upcoming content to last us til the end!

October 13: Of course, Mark won’t allow us to rest and let our attention stray far away from him. So what does he do? Laugh at the size of our beloved ADWM’s flowchart. Mark’s “heh“ is a signature response. Keep that info locked in your brain because we still see him respond the same way.

That 11 word response threw us into chaos which we both revel and thrive in as a community, and make us go to the deepest levels of insanity. I did like the joke about making 69 endings.

October 14: This day starts the unexpected leak spam.

October 15: The leak’s origins can’t be traced and left a lot of us confused and/or enjoying the show.

I find this one to be the most cursed of all the no context leaks. This one also got spammed but I’m not sure if anyone has a screenshot of that. Oasis of galaxies made an incredible post summarizing the shitstorm that brewed on this day.

Over on youtube, another teaser for the Heist which we know comes from the Dark Tunnel section.

October 16: After what happened the previous day, this one was rather chill. Just a few edits here and there about October 30.

October 17: We can’t have peace for long because there’s only two weeks left before the release. So time to spice shit up. What is hilarious about that poll is Mark made us believe that he was going to betray the viewer and we were all on board. Because Mark/Actor has been a bitch but then you look at the videos we have after release. Mark never betrays you, he has wanted to split up a couple of routes but Mark was an incredibly loyal, maybe dumb, but reliable enough partner throughout the Heist. And you see that bit shine in the route to Ending #6 The End. This was a red herring.

More teasers.

October 18: We’re getting overwhelmed and high strung not knowing when this man would strike next.

Ehehe... that link uhh... may have happened to me when ISWM released which led me to doing all of this.

October 19: More pain and suffering continues for the multifandom fans.

October 21: The man spoiled us Illinois before telling or even showing him.

October 22: Mark will not allow us a moment of respite if he can help it.

October 23: The trailer is officially released and people could check the keywords of the youtube video and learn which youtubers were going to be part of it. Abe stans on their way to jail.

If you were active enough, you would’ve known that on this day, the number of videos and endings were leaked in an article.

October 24: Six days left. Have you theorized enough. Have you prepared yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally for this? Without knowing the length of the entire show but equipped with the knowledge of the endings.

This is single handedly the most important spoiler filled teaser that Mark gave to us. It’s a compilation of the whistling clips. Without the knowledge of it being a music number or coming from a new ego, there were theories of it being either Heist/Actor or even Dark’s voice. With the info we have now, it’s safe to assume that the clips the whistling were taken from is the path you took to get out of prison with Yancy. That was a popular speculation.

October 25: The fucker just won’t leave us alone. Even on youtube he was terrorizing the fans.

The most wholesome thing to come out of the chaos he created is when he announced that the crew would be watching the premiere.

October 26: Forgot to mention but even though it was stated in an article, there was a bit of division amongst the fans until Mark himself confirmed that there are indeed 31 endings.

October 27: One of the excitable fans decided to try a little something out. This led to an early discovery of the site: https://www.aheistwithmarkiplier.com/

Surprise surprise. You can figure out what the fandom talked about that day.

Actually, it wasn’t that talked about because Mark did a diversion by creating RABID MARKIPLIER. And THAT flooded the tag. His diversion tactic worked.

Soon after, the website was locked and when you tried to access it, it would say “Private site”. Looks like someone poked their nose into some top secret stuff. Also for the dumb and/or lazy here is the password.

October 29: Dad Mark is back from the grocery store and won’t accept compliments.

October 30: THE Day. A lovely day to rob a museum. Now we better take good care of our sweet little tuckus before heading off to the Heist.

Here are some of my favorite within the first 24 hour posts:

Very subtle Mark. Veeery subtle. This was a neat visual trick that I kept in my memory bank. And this one and that one were just us never being satisfied. We were high on the adrenaline and serotonin that we just wanted a much harder puzzle. Still those bloopers are incredible.

Aftermath...

October 31: The day right after. We made him speechless. Maybe you shouldn’t have challenged your fans. It was an incredible experience for sure and seeing how happy he is about the success of the project makes us as a community happy as well.

Oh-! and you know how earlier I told you to keep a certain info in your head?

Truly a King of fan service

The fan reception was overwhelmingly positive. Yancy and Illinois became quick favorites. Wilford and Dark’s outfits made everyone scream. Ending 6 has an incredible storyline. Theorists were staying up overnight. The musical got us dancing. It was an entertaining experience. Watching Heist gave the same reactions one would get when they got out of the cinema after watching an amazing film but it was done in the comfort of one’s home.

Here are some of the fan interactions and other related things he did after.

Just Mark and the fans being proud about everything: x | x | x | x

AHWM Explanation stream stuff: x | x | x | x | x The first two are the summaries. And here are the bloopers and BTS before they were public.

Amy is the best! x | x | x | x | x |

Fandom’s week in review: We were on the list twice!

A fan compiled the entire show and it’s great. Really interesting.

Personal experience:

Tried to be as objective as much as possible above. Now I can talk about my ideas and experiences about the Heist. The bullshit that came before, during, and after.

To start off, I am incredibly lucky to have met someone in my life that also likes Mark at this point in time. I could actually share this excitement and hype with someone. We talked a lot about fandom stuff. Specifically Mark and Jack since it is October and they were up to bullshit. A lot of what we talked about is lost in time because they were 1 to 1 conversations but I have a significant amount of stuff that we talked over on messenger.

I was always in the know and frequently updated them. They were super excited when they heard that the Game Grumps were gonna be a part of the project. I told them about the site, they managed to access it but when I had the time to get to it, the site was already in private. They were the one who told me about Mark kinda challenged us on how fast we can finish the youtube original. Sent each other memes, so on, and so forth.

As we’re fangirling we still have lives to live and the release date of Heist just so happened to be the day of an event we had to go to as well. We talked about how we’d just be dying in a corner talking about the show.

And the anticipation of what bullshit Mark is going to do next, what will he make the members do, what things did the fandom talk about that will come true. All of that pent up energy just made me feel like a bouncy person and I am not much for overwhelming feelings. Not good at all with handling emotions. Kind of why my ships and favorite egos post is a mess despite my best efforts.

As a fan, living through October 14-15 was a nightmare. Living through October 27 felt like I was being gaslighted into thinking it never happened and rabies mark is the only thing that matters. And oh my god the fanfic ideas were on fire that month.

So what about the day itself? Well. I had my laptop set up, got myself cozy and made sure there weren’t any distractions. Had a tab open to live chat my friend and rewatched WKM, ADWM, and the AHWM trailer before it went live. 3 minutes before it went live, I was watching ADWM, HORROR. 2 minutes, switched to the AHWM trailer. Before it released, I even told (lowkey bet) my friend I’d get Dark’s ending on the first try because “I trained myself for this”.

From the first option it was obvious which one led to which kind of ending. Sneaky like was more lowkey, it went somewhere dark, it was a logical choice! Did not hesitate to jump in there. Split up options were very obvious death ends so I just didn’t split up with Mark. Had a laugh from our sheer will to stay with Mark. I screamed about the suit being similar to ADWM.

Also trust you me, I almost didn’t get Dark’s ending because a. the thumbnail for don’t split up was incredibly click worthy and b. I once again almost misunderstood the assignment.

I had to reason with myself that “We have to split up because I don’t want the tunnel to fall since it said only 1 person at a time” and “Split Up is 4 minutes long... If it’s a death end then so be it”. That was my thought process. I knew Dark’s ending was in the general path I was on but I didn’t know if this was it. I took a risk.

Then my surprise is shown in this video. The hallway, I was just freaking out. So happy about my decisions and even though I didn’t capture it in recording, I fucking flipped and had to pause while fangirl screaming the very second you see Dark in full view with the white suit. The white fucking suit. Instead of letting it play out and then going back to it later, I just paused every other second so I can appreciate everything. The fit, the editing, his dialogue, the auras. Those glitches. Shit.

I didn’t get through the entirety of Ending 31 in 4 minutes. In the middle I just fangirled so much that I threw myself to the floor and curled into a ball while being a blushing mess. There may not be anymore videos but I have the photo and it’s was definitely the “Maybe you just missed my pretty face” that got me.

This gif is how I fangirled in my head. In reality I screamed for like 2 seconds, lied down on the floor in the comfort of my blanket and went “OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODHESSOHOTFUCKWHYISHECALLINGUSOUTMARKIHATEYOUBUTFUCKWHYDYOUMAKEDARKSODAMNHOT” inside my head. With a couple of audible excited squeaks coming out. I was down BAD.

After that I sat up and asked my friend if they were alright with a bit of spoilers and said I got Dark’s ending. Went on to finish the route, read through the early comments section and it was just the Dark fans being super happy, a couple of confused first timers, and theorists that were glad this was their first ending because of the hint. My friend meanwhile got the Fresh Meat ending.

I had to calm down after that. Recover from the fangirl mess I became and opened up a document to begin listing down the codes to start the hunt. Told my friend I’d send them the code once I was done. They did a few more routes before getting tired but I just stayed up all day to finish it. I was super dedicated to this god dang it.

Finished the Dark Tunnel, went to light tunnel. Got super excited about Cranbersher’s animation. Was very much stranger danger when Captain Magnum showed up. Laughed at how stupid his endings are. Met Matpat and was very confused the entire time. After clearing All Sneaky Like, went to check on tumblr a bit but not so much that I’d see heavy spoilers. I just saw Yancy but nothing else.

Did the Helicopter route. Became awestruck with the musical. Got super confused if that was still our Mark or a new character and realized it is a new character in the next video. Fell in love with Yancy. Then I decided fuck that shit, I’m going to the car option. Met Illinois first and said Indiana Jones rip off. Ended up liking this flirty son of a gun. Went on to fall in love with Heist Mark in the other option because holy shit is this motherfucker sincere in this route. When he defended you from the Professor, ah, my heart. Had to take another rest because boy was I getting sleepy but my fandom pride won’t let me so I pushed forth and did the rest.

If my first ending was Dark’s, my last ending’s was Wilford. Kinda poetic. And even though I’m tired as shit I opened up tumblr and read through what people thought. Went through my heist codes and looked at the things I missed or maybe mistyped something as an upper case when it’s supposed to be lower case and voila! Got to open the secrets of the website and rested peacefully.

It was an incredibly exhilarating journey and I have never felt so much more satisfied with my day. I woke up with a pep in my step, happily scrolling and even talking about it with my friend later that day. How we felt, what we liked, what we hope for the future of these characters.

Like everyone else Yancy just managed to worm his way into my heart. The tag was just filled to the brim with new egos. I read up on quickly made theories. Read through posts about the show. I was just incredibly happy the next few weeks. It had such an impact and it’s not an experience you can recreate so easily. 10/10 I loved every moment of this mess. P.S eat shit Mark for clowning on us Dark and Yancy fans.

And you’ve finally reached the end! With under 24 hours left before ISWM’s release I hope you guys are ready because I can’t wait to feel that rush all over again. Even thinking about it is getting me pumped up!

Last time I went cozy but this time I prepared a fit for the event. Hell, I prepared it 3 weeks in advance. If we’re going to space, I gotta look good and I just treated this like a formal event. Hehe.

#ISWM countdown #iswm #in space with markiplier #markiplier #ahwm #a heist with markiplier #text post

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berrynarrybanana · 4 years

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Me and You Together

A/N: Hello! I would like to say first of all that ^ is not my gif. I had it saved on my computer from somewhere and it just felt perfect for this. I do love my little sweet pea and frat boy Harry, but I also feel like I’ve done them dirty in this fic. I wanted to add more angst, but we all know I’m shit at that kind of stuff bc I’m soft at heart. Anywho, I really hope that you enjoy this and I just want to thank the lovely @stellarboystyles for putting together this little fic challenge. Congrats on 3 years babe! I hope that you like this story and that I have done this celebratory moment justice!

Word Count: 11.9 k

Warnings: Alcohol, smut, pining, Louis being a dickhead, a mean roommate

Trope: Best Friends to Lovers with Frat Boy Harry

Prompt: “Just sit on my fingers. Yeah, just like that.” (this is all the way at the end tbh, just a heads up lol)

P.s I know nothing about frat’s honestly and I just tried to avoid that the best that I could but fratboy!h lives in my mind rent free and I wanted to write it so....yeah.

September

Piper’s POV

I rolled my head back on my neck, looking up at the ceiling as my roommate sighed.

“Has anyone told you that you’re a selfish bitch?” Carli asked, her perfectly manicured nail resting on the cheap, wooden door of our dorm room. “I’m trying to unwind and relax after an extremely hard week and you’re ruining it for me.”

“I live here too!” I felt my brows pull together in frustration as I adjusted my bag on my sore shoulders, shifting from foot to foot. “The least you can let me do is come in and change before you start fucking.”

“You’re killing my mood!” She groaned, holding her hand out. “Give me your fucking bag and tell me what you need.”

“Carli-”

“Tell me what you need or I’m shutting this door in your face, I swear to god.” She snapped, her brows arching up as she wiggled her fingers at me. “You have five seconds.”

“Fine!” I said, shrugging my bag off my tired shoulders. “I need my purse, a black t-shirt, and a jacket.”

“Great.”

She slammed the door in my face, flicking the lock as I brushed my hands over my face angrily.

College was not supposed to be like this.

The next four years of my life were meant to be spent making new friends and partaking in fun activities on campus. So far, the only person I knew was Carli and she most definitely hated my guts with a burning passion. I wasn’t sure why she hated me so much when I mainly kept to myself, hunched over my desk with headphones on for most of the night when I studied. I hardly ever talked to Carli besides the odd argument about my typing being too loud and my presence being too...obvious. I hated every second of college so far and this wasn’t helping me at all.

I was moments away from having a breakdown, the build up creeping up my throat as I stood there in the hall, waiting for Carli as everyone else stared at my back. I tried not to let their prying eyes bother me, but I could feel the hairs standing up on the back of my neck as I crossed my arms over my chest. I tried to distract my mind, thinking about where I was going to go while Carli got her rocks off in our shared room. Maybe the library? Maybe a cafe?

Just as I started listing off cafes in my head, the door opened just a crack.

“Here’s your stuff, don’t come home before midnight.” She stuck a hand out, her voice muffled by the door. I rolled my eyes, grabbing my things from her hands. “Bye, Pippi!”

“It’s Piper, you unbearable asshole.” I sighed, holding my stuff close to my chest as frustrated tears started to accumulate behind my eyes. “I hope you don’t have an orgasm.”

I turned on my heels, ready to storm towards the communal bathroom so I could change and collect myself before leaving. I only made it halfway down the hall when I heard someone shouting behind me. I wasn’t sure they were actually calling out for me until I felt a hand on my shoulder. I stopped in my tracks, sniffling as I reached up to wipe at my cheeks.

“Piper, hold on.” The girl who was calling my name stepped in front of me, letting out a shuddery breath. She only had eyeshadow on one of her perfectly shaped eyes and a makeup brush in her hand as she stopped. “I just wanted to say that I am so sorry your roommate just did that to you. You can use my room to change if you’d like? I know the communal bathroom doesn’t always offer the most privacy and my roommate is never home. I’ll stand outside and everything!”

“You don’t have to do that.” I sniffled before offering her a forced smile. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with teasing right now. “But thank you.”

“I insist.” Her brown eyes looked softer as she spoke, her hand falling to her side. “My name is Eleanor. I think we have Modern English together.”

“Piper.” I said. “Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “I don’t mind it at all, babes.”

Eleanor left me in her room to get dressed, politely standing outside as I collected myself.

I took a few deep breaths, trying to compose myself as I stripped out of the blouse I had been wearing all day. I pulled my black t-shirt on, huffing when I realized that this wasn’t the one I actually needed. This one was meant for darker jeans and a pair of heeled boots. This top was meant for parties and bars, not a cafe. The criss crossed pattern was far too fancy for a late night cup of coffee and a lonely piece of cheesecake.

When I opened the door, my old shirt bundled up in my hand, I smiled at Eleanor.

She looked over my outfit, her eyes growing wide.

“You look great!” She said. “Do you have plans tonight?”

“I was just gonna go to Fitz and Co for coffee and dessert.” I gave her a nervous chuckle, clutching my old shirt in my hands. “Probably going to wander around campus after to kill time.”

“Don’t take offense,” She gave me a sweet smile, her accent growing thicker with each word she spoke. I hadn’t noticed it all that much before when my emotions were on overdrive and my mind was swirling with anger. “But that sounds absolutely dreadful and you deserve to have a little bit of fun. It’s Friday night for fuck’s sake and we’re in Uni!”

“I don’t really know anyone on campus.” I shrugged. “I’ve not made a ton of friends yet, you know?”

“I do, actually.” She nodded. “If I had to say, you’re the first person I’ve tried to make conversation with since I’ve been here. I’m going to a party tonight because my boyfriend’s frat is hosting it, and he’ll just text me all night if I don’t go.”

“That sounds like fun.” I said. “Thank you for helping me out and offering me your room. I really hope you have fun tonight."

“Why don’t you come with me?” She asked. “I know frat parties sound horrible after all the stuff you see in films, and a lot of them are pretty shit, but I would love to have a drinking buddy.”

“I don’t want to impose.” I said. “I’m sure you want to spend time with your boyfriend.”

“Nonsense, he sees me everyday.” She shook her head. “I would love to have someone to chat with that isn’t one of his football friends from back home.”

“Um, okay.’” I shrugged. “I guess that’s not too horrible and I kind of owe you one.”

“You won’t regret it.”

🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃

“So the house shouldn’t be too crowded.” Eleanor pulled her flannel tighter around her body, hunching over as the wind whipped around us. “A few of the guys are still out getting alcohol and people aren’t supposed to start showing up for another hour at least.”

“That’s good.” I nodded. “So why did you decide to come to school here?”

“Louis.” She said. “I couldn’t stomach the idea of being away from Lou and there are so many opportunities in America for both of us. He’s here on a footie scholarship and I’m here on a performing arts scholarship.”

“That’s really cool!” I exclaimed, my eyebrows raising up. “I didn’t peg you for a theatre nerd.”

“Just a tiny one.” She chuckled. “I’m more into the costumes than anything. Fashion has always owned my heart and my Mum took me to so many musicals as a girl. I figured I would combine my love for both and make it my career.”

“I admire that.” I said softly, glancing down at the sidewalk as we turned a corner. “So how long have you and Louis been together?”

“Four years.” She smiled. “We met on a holiday to London one summer and we’ve never let go of each other. Last year we went to the same University for our first year before deciding to come abroad and it was….magical.”

“He sounds lovely.” I said. “He makes you happy?”

“He does.” She nodded, her lips pursing slightly as she tried to hide her smile. “He’s a proper gentleman, even when he’s being a bit too laddie.”

“I don’t even know what that means.” I chuckled and Eleanor joined in. “What is a laddie? Is that like Lassie, the dog?”

“Not like that dog.” She scrunched up her nose. “I think you call them ‘Bro’s’ over here.”

“Ah, I do understand then.”

Eleanor and I continued chatting as we walked down Frat Row.

The houses were large, but they looked a little plain and rundown. I imagine having a group of rowdy, drunk boys living in a house without supervision didn’t do well for wear and tear on a house. Eleanor told me that the last house on frat row in the cul-de-sac belonged to pretty much the entire footy team with a few odd guys sprinkled in.

When we arrived, my jaw nearly dropped to the ground.

I was living in a tiny dorm room and these men were living like kings and a gigantic and modern house that looked brand new. Eleanor laughed as I took in the dark, blue-grey exterior. The shutters and the porch were both painted a dark, charcoal grey. We walked up the stairs and I continued to look around like a kid lost in a candy store.

Maybe joining a sorority wasn’t a bad move?

“So, that is the living room and just down that first hall is the bathroom. I recommend going upstairs to Louis’ room if you want to use a clean and unoccupied bathroom.” She chuckled. “I’ll show you around upstairs later if you’d like.”

“This is the cleanest Frat house I’ve ever seen in my life.” I said slowly, looking around. “How is it so pristine?”

“A few of the guys are really obsessed with cleanliness and organization.” She chuckled. “Also I spend a lot of time over here, so I do what I can.”

“I would spend all of my time here, too.” I said. “Why are you even in a dorm if you could be here?”

“Rules.” She rolled her eyes. “Technically women aren’t allowed to be housed in a frat, which blows, but I understand it.”

“Well, I’ll pretend to be you and stay in your dorm if you want to fly under the radar and move here.” I teased, patting her shoulder. “It’s a win win for both of us.”

“I might take you up on that.” She giggled, guiding me through an open archway. “This here is the kitchen-”

“Ellie, s’that you!”

Eleanor flinched at the booming voice from upstairs, her eyes casting up to the ceiling as she grumbled.

“Bloody hell, these men,” She shot me a sympathetic look and I tried my best not to laugh softly at her annoyance. “Yes, Niall?”

“I need help.” This accent was slightly different than Eleanor’s and it almost reminded me of the guy on the lucky charms commercial. “I don’t know what trousers to wear, should I do these dark jeans or these plaid one’s.”

The voice was closer and closer with each word and suddenly, a half naked man appeared in the doorway, holding two pairs of pants as he looked down at them. He was wearing white boxer briefs and white socks, the rest of his pale and freckled skin on display. I had to admit that he was extremely attractive, chestnut colored hair on top of his head and a soft stomach rounded out with a matching chestnut happy trail dusting under his belly button.

“Oh, hello.” He looked up, smiling at me with piercing blue eyes and extremely handsome features. I tried not to blush, my eyes glued to his. “Which one’s do ya think I should wear, love? Good to have an outsider’s perspective sometimes.”

The sound of a door shutting behind us caused my head to snap around.

This was more of a man standing at the opposite end of the kitchen, his chocolate colored curls framing his face and resting on his broad shoulders as he looked up at me. His face was perfect, adonis like features catching my attention and his bright green eyes causing my breath to catch in my throat. He offered me a small smile, his features soft as he cleared his throat.

“Hello.” He said softly to me before his eyes darted up, looking behind me. “For fuck’s sake, Niall. Why are you nearly naked!”

“I needed help!” I turned my head back towards Niall as his brows pulled together, his lips turning to a scowl. “I can’t decide what trousers to wear and Liam is no help!”

“We have a guest.” The green eyed god spoke from behind me, but I didn’t dare turn my head. I was afraid that if I did, I would be stuck staring at him for the rest of the night. “Don’t be rude.”

I glanced over at Eleanor who lifted her hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.

I tried, again, not to laugh at her misery.

“I swear to god, Niall,” She sighed heavily. “The least you could do is introduce yourself to the poor girl before you flash her.”

“M’Niall,” He rolled his eyes, looking over at me. “What’s your name, love?”

Harry’s POV

“My name is Piper.”

I stared at the back of her head, trying my best not to think about running my fingers through her soft curls that nearly matched the shade of my own. I inhaled sharply as I pressed my fingertips into the marble countertop below me. I had seen this girl, Piper, around campus before. I saw her flitting from building to building with her head tilted down and her headphones tucked in her cute little ears. I had a huge crush on this girl and now she was standing in my kitchen with my half-naked roommate and my best friend’s girl.

This wasn’t a good thing at all.

“S’nice to meet you, Piper.” Niall winked at her and I rolled my eyes, shooting him a glare over the girls head.

His brows furrowed and I gave him a pointed look before mouthing, ‘That’s the girl’.

Niall’s brows lifted up and he shot me a cheeky grin.

He was the only one I confided in about my girl troubles.

He knew all about the mystery girl that I passed by every day on my way to physics class and he had suggested to me several times that bumping into her was the best way to catch her attention. I declined, rolling my eyes at his childish suggestion. I had to admit though, if she had been in my class, I would have tossed paper at the back of her head to get her attention.

It was a trick that never failed.

“Well, I’m gonna go get dressed then.” He cleared his throat, glancing over at Eleanor. “Lou is stuck on the phone with his Mum, babe. I think he might need some rescuing if he’s going to join the party at all tonight.”

“Oh,” Eleanor stood straighter, glancing over at Piper. “I don’t want to leave Piper-”

“I can stay with her.” I cleared my throat, reaching up to fiddle with my hair as both girls turned to look at me. “I’ve finished my part of party prep, so I don’t mind.”

“Harry, I don’t know.” Eleanor said. “I’m already afraid Niall’s neon white body is going to scare her off. I don’t need you turning on your Cheshire Charm.”

“Oi, I resent that.” I narrowed my eyes at her playfully, trying to fight off my smile as she chuckled. “I won’t be turning on any charm tonight, love. I’ve got a big match to play tomorrow, remember? Gotta save my strength and energy if I wanna do well.”

“Alright, fine.” Eleanor sighed, turning back to Piper. “Are you okay if I disappear for a few minutes? I promise I’ll be right back.”

“It’s fine.” Piper smiled at Eleanor, gently nodding her head. “Please, go ahead. I don’t mind waiting down here.”

“You’re sure?” Eleanor asked, her face laced with concern.

“Positive.” Piper glanced over at me. “I think I’m in good hands with ol’ Cheshire Charm back there.”

My smile was so wide that it hurt my cheeks.

She was funny and gorgeous.

Eleanor glanced between the two of us before saying a quick ‘be right back’.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Piper turned around, her hands pressing against the countertop as Niall wiggled his brows behind us. He disappeared behind Eleanor moments later, leaving Piper and I alone in the kitchen. “Would you like a Whiteclaw?”

“Oh, sure.” She nodded, her eyes dropping down to her hands. “I would love one.”

“You seem a bit nervous.” I said, walking towards the fridge. “Do you have a flavor preference?”

“No.” She said softly. “And yeah, I guess I am a bit nervous. I’ve had a pretty tough day and I wasn’t exactly prepared to come to a frat party.”

“Why are you here then?” I asked, my eyes scanning the shelves until I landed on the one filled with canned drinks. I reached for two lime flavored cocktails, pulling them out before I shut the door with my hip. “If you don’t mind me asking, that is.”

“Um, Eleanor extended the invitation and I kind of owed her one.” Piper smiled, taking the drink with a soft ‘thank you’. “My roommate is a bit of a dickhead and she kicked me out so she could get laid. Eleanor saw me in the hallway on the verge of a mental breakdown and we just...hit it off, I guess.”

“Sorry your roommate was a dickhead.” I smiled, letting my eyes roam over the soft features of her face. “I’m glad you and El hit it off though. It’s nice to have a new face around here.”

I let my eyes trail over the features of her face now that she was up close and personal.

Her eyes were hazel, a soft golden hue to her irises. Her brows were thick and wild, but perfectly shaped. There were soft freckles peeking out from under her foundation and her cheeks were a soft shade of red. Her nose was soft and rounded at the end and I couldn’t help but think of hovering over her, brushing my own nose against hers as I thrust into her.

I hated being a man sometimes.

She was a beautiful girl and even in my head she deserved better than to be thought of that way. She was more than just a sexual object and she didn’t need some creepy frat guy thinking dirty thoughts about her only moments after meeting her. I cleared my throat, reaching for my drink. I took a long sip as she raised her brows, offering me a sly smirk as she sipped at her own drink.

“Eleanor is a really sweet girl.” I rested my can on the marble countertop. “She’s been having trouble making friends over here, so it’s nice that she’s found someone to hang out with besides us.”

“I really like her.” Piper said softly. “I’ve been having trouble making friends, too. I’m not really the best at putting myself out there, you know?”

“I think you’re doing just fine.” I flashed her a reassuring smile, noticing how her cheeks turned a shade darker. “I don’t think I’ve fully introduced myself, love. I’m Harry.”

“I’m Piper.” She held her hand out and I took it, giving it a soft shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Harry.”

Her skin was so bloody soft, her hands a little cold and damp from the can she was holding.

“You too.” I said. “If you need anything tonight, please don’t hesitate to find me. I know how overwhelming these parties can be and I’ll be happy to keep you company or walk you out for some fresh air if you need it.”

“Thank you.” She said softly. “The same goes for you. If you need any company tonight, I’m your girl.”

Just like that, my mind was back in the gutter.

All I could hear in my head was the echoes of her sweet moans, her voice chanting over and over again ‘M’your girl, Harry. Yours’. I cleared my throat, giving her a tight smile as I tried to avoid thinking about her tucked in my sheets, writhing and gasping as I licked into her.

I was so totally fucked.

🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃

“Piper, babe,” I laughed, holding her hips tightly as she swayed. “I think we should sit you down for a minute, yeah?”

“If I sit, I’ll sleep.” She whined, looking up at me with her sweet puppy dog eyes. “Where did Eleanor go?”

“Eleanor is going upstairs with Louis.” I said softly, digging my fingers into the fleshy skin above the waistband of her jeans. “Do you want me to take you home?”

She pursed her lips, shaking her head as she pressed her hands into my shoulders.

I knew exactly how we’d gotten here.

The party was still going strong around us, people dancing and shouting as Piper swayed in front of me. I wanted so badly to brush her hair from her face and stroke the soft skin of her cheek, but I would never do something like that when she was this off her face. Holding onto her hips was already too intimate for my liking, but I was afraid she would topple over without some form of support. She swayed forward, her eyes face pinching up ever so slightly before she pressed one hand to her forehead. I frowned, pulling her closer as a group of guys rushed by.

If Niall hadn’t suggested we play four drinking games in a row, Piper and Eleanor might not have been off their faces within the first two hours of the party. I had to admit that I didn’t exactly mind taking care of Piper. She was a funny drunk, silly puns and snide comments slipping from her lips carelessly as she leaned against me. It was when her eyes started to drift shut and her body started to sway, that I started to worry about her. I pulled her into the kitchen alongside a giggly Eleanor, handing them both bottles of water while I quickly cooked up some pizza rolls that Niall had hidden in the freezer. Both girls ate between loud laughs, knocking into each other as I watched them with a small smile on my face.

Seeing Eleanor happy made me happy, but seeing her happy with the girl of my dreams made me feel like I was on cloud nine.

“Mate,” Louis’ hand clapped down on my shoulder and I turned my head as Piper’s body fell into mine. “I can take her off your hands. El told me they live in the same halls-”

“She can barely stand on her own, Lou.” I shook my head, glancing down as she rested her head on my shoulder. “Gonna go put her to bed in my room. I’ll sleep on the couch after everyone is gone.”

“Lock the door if you leave her up there.” Louis said. “I’m going back up to El in a minute, but I figured I should get some painkillers and water for the morning.”

“Bring some up for Piper?” I asked him. “I probably won’t leave her alone in there, knowing all of these jackasses are around.”

“Tell me about it.” Louis snorted out a laugh, shaking his head. “I’ll be up in five.”

I nodded, watching him disappear through the crowd of people in our living room.

“Hey, love,” I said softly. “Gonna take you upstairs and tuck you in, okay?”

“Kay.” She mumbled, turning her head until her nose brushed against the column of my neck.

I made a mental note to have a talk with her tomorrow about going places with strangers when she was drunk. I knew that I meant no harm, but we were still getting to know each other. It set off a level of worry that I only ever felt when it came to my Mum or Sister. It was almost a primal need to protect, my arms winding tightly around her as I guided her to the stairs.

It was no easy feat to get her up the staircase, but when we finally made it to my room, she snapped into a more alert mode. She looked up, her tired eyes growing as wide as they could before she brushed some of her hair out of her face. She looked up at me, her eyes searching my face as I pressed my hand lightly to her lower back.

“Thank you for taking care of me, Harry.” She said softly. “I’m really sorry I’m ruining your fun.”

“Nonsense, love.” I shook my head. “S’just another party, there will be plenty more.”

“Still.” She mumbled. “I don’t want to take your bed. Sleeping on the couch is bad for your back and I overheard that you have a match tomorrow.”

“S’alright.” I said. “I’ve slept on a floor before a match and still kicked ass, Piper. I don’t mind giving my bed up for a good cause.”

She let out an aggravated sigh, rolling her eyes at me.

I tried not to smile as she grumbled under her breath, reaching for the doorknob to my bedroom door. I followed in behind her, flicking the light switch on before I shut the door behind me. Piper staggered a little and I hovered, my hands waiting to catch her should she fall. Instead, she stumbled over to my bed on bambi like legs, collapsing on the foot with a soft groan.

“You need some help?” I asked her as she lifted her leg, struggling with her shoe. She merely waved her hand at me, shaking her head. “You want something comfy to change into? I’ve got sweats, shorts-”

“Sweats sound lovely.” She mumbled, a soft ‘aha’ falling from her lips as she finally tugged the shoelace of her boot out of a knot. “You’re a true gentleman, has anyone ever told you that?”

“My Mum.” I chuckled, walking over to my dresser in search of comfy clothes.

“S’good,” Piper sighed out as her boot hit the floor. “Hard to find a proper gentleman these days, Harry. I think Jude Law was the last of them.”

“I won’t argue with you there.” I shook my head, trying to contain my laughter as I sifted through my sweatpants. I settled on my favorite pair, the light grey fabric soft and worn. “Do you want a t-shirt to sleep in or a long sleeve shirt?”

“Um, t-shirt.” She mumbled. “Your room is lovely. Did you do all of the decorating yourself?”

“I did, yeah.” I nodded. “Brought a few key things from home, but I spent most of my money in Target when I got here.”

“Amen to that.” She hiccuped softly. “I like your record player. I’ve always wanted one of those.”

“One day you’ll have to come up and listen to some records with me.” I glanced at her over my shoulder, noting how the corners of her lips ticked up into a girlish grin. “What kind of music do you like?”

“All of it.” She said simply, her voice trailing off. “I’ve always been a fan of classical music for studying. My mom calls me a psychopath.”

“They are known for indulging in the genre.” I snorted, pulling out a white t-shirt before I turned around. “I think that’s lovely, though. I’ve heard some good stuff from Bach in my music theory class and I have to say, it makes for good studying music.”

“That’s what I’m saying.” She said. “I love me some cello, mate.”

“Look at that.” I hummed out, holding the clothes out to her. “Got you talking like a proper brit now, don’t we. Didn’t even know what footy was at the start of the night.”

“Piss off.” She grumbled, trying to hide her amusement as she mocked my accent.

“I’m gonna run to Louis' room while you get dressed, okay?” I said. “Gonna steal you some makeup wipes from El’s overnight bag so we can take your makeup off. I want you to lock the door and don’t open it for anyone besides me. I don’t care if it’s Niall or god himself, alright?”

“Alright.” She whispered softly. “You’re really fucking nice, Harry.”

I tried to resist the urge to brush my knuckles over the soft skin of her cheek, but I couldn’t.

I inhaled sharply as she closed her eyes, leaning into my touch with a soft hum.

“I’ll be right back.” I said softly. “Lock the door.”

🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃

Piper’s POV

Falling in love with Harry took me all of five minutes.

I decided that it was physically impossible not to love someone so perfect. He was a real gentleman, keeping his hands in respectful spots even when I was falling all over him, drunk off my ass. I felt a little guilty about being so touchy-feely with someone I hardly knew, but I was comfortable around him from the start. He stood by my side for most of the night, talking with Eleanor and I as we tossed shots back like water.

I stood up from the foot of his bed, fiddling with the button on my pants. My vision was most definitely blurry and my fingers were shaking as I swayed on my feet, but I managed to pull the button from the loop before I shoved my pants down my legs. It took a bit of wiggling to get my ass settled into Harry’s sweats, an article of clothing clearly meant for a man with no….assets.

With a soft hiccup, I worked on my shirt, tossing it to the ground before I reached behind me to take off my bra. My drunk brain didn’t care about etiquette or embarrassment anymore. That all flew out the window with my third shot of tequila that Niall handed over. When I settled the fabric of Harry’s shirt over my tired limbs, I heard a soft knock at the door.

I stumbled over, pressing my ear against the wood to hear who was there. I was plastered, yeah, but I remembered Harry’s speech about not opening the door for anyone.

“Who is it?” I called out, my voice breaking just a little.

“S’me.” I heard Harry’s gruff voice. “S’Harry.”

I flicked the lock on the door, opening it up with a soft smile.

Harry held up some makeup wipes and a bottle of water, flashing me a cheesy grin. I laughed, shutting the door and flicking the lock behind him again as he walked into his room. When I turned around, my arms crossed over my chest, he was looking at my body with soft eyes.

“Everything feel comfy enough to sleep in?” He asked.

“Yeah, thanks.” I nodded.

“Alright.” He nodded, looking up at me with glassy jade eyes. “Let’s get you tucked in, shall we?”

I smiled, walking over to his bed.

I picked the side farthest from the door and closest to the window.

Harry pulled back the covers, waiting for me to climb in before he rested them over my legs. He set the bottle of water on the bedside table, two painkillers falling to the wood next to the plastic bottle. He sat down next to my legs, ripping into the makeup wipes with ease. I watched him pluck a sheet out before closing the pack back up, tossing it to the nightstand with the other items. I rolled my lips in as he turned towards me, holding the cloth out.

“Do you want me to do it?” He asked. “Just so you know it’s all gone?”

“Yes, please.” I nodded.

I could take my makeup off in my sleep.

I’d done it before, actually.

But there was something about being doted on by Harry that I wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

I preened as he wiped the cloth over my skin with gentle strokes, swiping away concealer and highlighter with ease. I let my eyes slip shut when he asked, his index finger gently brushing at the small bit of liquid liner and shimmery shadow on my lids. When it got to my lips, he did a few quick dabs before his touch was gone from my face all together.

“All clean.” He smiled, tossing the wipe towards the bin in the corner of the room. “Alright, I’m going to tuck you in and turn on a movie. I’ll just be on the floor next to you if you need anything at all. Bathroom is through that door right there.”

“Don’t sleep on the floor.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m okay with sharing a bed with you, Harry. Friends do that all the time, don’t they?”

“But you’re drunk.” He said softly. “And I don’t want you to feel pressured or uncomfortable-”

“I don’t.” I said. “From the moment we met, you’ve made me feel very welcomed and comfortable. I promise that I don’t feel unsafe or pressured in any way, Harry. If you feel more comfortable sleeping on the floor, then I understand, but I’m okay with you sleeping next to me.”

Harry reached up to rustle his long strands of hair, his curls flopping about as he looked at me with a curious gaze. He inhaled sharply, nibbling on his lower lip as I stared back at him with raised brows and an amused grin.

“I’ll put a pillow wall between us and everything.” I said. “If it makes you feel comfortable.”

“I just don’t want you to wake up in the morning and freak out.” He said softly. “You’ve had a lot to drink and if you don’t remember any of this tomorrow, it might be a little scary to wake up with a strange man in your bed.”

“Well, it’s your bed.” I said softly. “And I’ve been worse off than this and still remembered what happened the night before, Harry. I come from a very small town where drinking is considered a sport. This is a regular Tuesday for me.”

“Alright.” He whispered through a breathy laugh. “But if you change your mind at any point through the night, feel free to kick me out of bed.”

“I won’t.” I rolled my eyes. “Get ready for bed, yeah? You’ve got a big day tomorrow and I can’t have you losing a match because of me. People will think I’m bad luck.”

🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃

Harry’s POV

When I woke up in the middle of the night, our pillow wall was gone.

Piper’s cheek was pressed into her pillow, soft puffs of air escaping her parted lips as she tightened her grip on my shirt. Her hand was resting on my tummy and her foot was hooked over my calf muscle, but she remained on her side of the bed. I lay there for a minute, watching her peaceful face as she slept. I tried to commit her features to memory, my heart squeezing in my chest as she shuffled around a bit. I rested my hand over hers, softly brushing my fingers over her knuckles as her body moved just a little closer to mine.

The dry feeling in my mouth pulled me from my peaceful moment, urging me to go downstairs for my own bottle of water. It was silent in the house, no more music pumping through the speakers downstairs, and I felt safe enough to leave Piper on her own in my room without the doors locked. I would only be gone for a few minutes at the most, running down for water before I ran back up to curl back up next to the sleeping girl in my bed.

When I made it downstairs, Louis was already in the kitchen.

“Hey,” I grumbled, walking over to the fridge. “What are you doing up?”

“Same as you.” He said. “Thirsty.”

“Hmm.” I nodded. “Eleanor still knocked out cold?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled. “Love that girl to death, but she snores like a bloody chainsaw.”

“That she does.” I laughed, pulling a water bottle out. “I’m glad she’s got Piper as a friend. It was nice to see her unwind tonight.”

“It was.” Louis nodded, pressing his hip into the countertop. “Piper likes you.”

I nearly choked on my water as Louis looked up at me.

“What?” I asked. “How on earth-”

“It’s obvious, mate.” Louis rolled his eyes, an amused grin on his lips. “She’s got a bit of a crush on you, but what girl doesn’t?”

“Lou-” I said slowly, my eyes narrowing. “Why do I feel like you’re about to give me a speech.”

“It would break my heart if Eleanor lost her as a friend, Harry.” Louis said softly. “She doesn’t have anyone over here and I at least have you and Niall, you know? If she lost Piper because you two decided to fool around and things ended badly-”

“That’s not what this is.” I said quickly. “And I don’t appreciate what you’re trying to say, either. I would never hurt Piper, or anyone, on purpose. She’s a very sweet girl and it just so happens that I’ve liked her for a while.”

“You know each other, then?” Louis brows arched up and I sighed. “Wasn’t aware.”

“We don’t know each other, but I’ve seen her around campus.” I mumbled. “Always had my eyes on her, Lou. She’s fucking gorgeous.”

“Harry,” Louis said softly. “I’m asking you as a friend, please don’t get involved.”

“That’s a shitty thing to ask.” My voice was hoarse. “It’s late and we’re both still pissed. I’m going to bed.”

“Just think about it.” He said, knocking his knuckles against the countertop.

Lucky for Louis, it was all I could think about for the rest of the night.

🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃🔸🥃

Piper’s POV

When I woke up the next morning, I could feel Harry’s heartbeat against my cheek.

The annoying beeping of his alarm had me groaning and turning my face into his chest. I heard him mutter a soft series of ‘sorry’s’ before it turned off. Harry’s arm draped over my back, holding me against his chest as I closed my eyes again. I let out a soft hum as he brushed his fingers up and down my back, his chest rising and falling slowly under my head.

“I see that we’ve lost the pillow wall.” Harry’s voice was deep and raspy, causing a shiver to run up my spine.

“Sorry.” I whispered, lifting my head up as I pressed my palm to his chest. “I guess I tossed it aside in the middle of the night.”

“You did.” He chuckled softly. “You pushed it down with your feet and then you pulled it out and chucked it because you were trying to get comfortable.”

“You watched me?” I asked, blinking a few times to try and focus my vision as I rested my chin on the back of my hand.

“I felt you flopping around like a fish out of water and I had to check on you.” He said slowly, his own eyes still shut. “I fell back asleep and when I woke up for a wee you were snuggled so tightly against me that I could barely pry you off.”

“I didn’t know that I was a cuddler.” I mumbled softly. “I’ve never really slept in a bed with anyone else before.”

“Well, you can tick that box off of your bucket list.” He smiled, his fingers still brushing over my back as I looked down at him. “You staring at me?”

“A little.” I confessed, a small smile creeping up on my lips. “Think you’re pretty.”

“Love,” He let out a breathy chuckle. “Easy.”

“What?” I asked, dropping my head back to his chest. “Why can’t I say you're pretty? We spent the night together, I’m allowed to compliment you a little.”

“Do you think it’s a good idea to flirt with me?” He cleared his throat, shifting around under me. I groaned, falling back to the pillow next to him. “Do friends flirt?”

Friends.

I should have known better.

There was no way on earth someone like Harry would want to be with someone like me.

“Friends can call each other pretty.” I said dejectedly, turning on my side. “And friends can cuddle, too.”

“Well, if it makes you feel better, you’re an amazing cuddler.” He said softly, pressing his palm to my bicep as he leaned over to kiss my temple. “You’re welcome to sleep more if you’d like, but I would love to take you out to breakfast.”

“Breakfast?” I turned my head, looking at him with furrowed brows. “I thought you had a match this morning?”

“I’ve got a few hours.” He rested his body next to mine, his head falling on the pillow next to mine lazily. “Eleanor will be at the match.”

“I know.” I whispered.

“You should sit with her.” Harry smiled. “I would like that.”

“Okay.” I said softly as he snaked his arm underneath my own, curling it around my middle. I tried to fight off a smile. “Thought we were getting up?”

“Few more minutes.” He mumbled. “You smell nice. S’that your perfume or your shampoo?”

“Probably both.” I smiled, resting my palm over his forearm. “Both sweet pea scented.”

“Piper.” He mused. “Sweet pea.”

“What are you mumbling about?” I asked, trying to contain my giggles at his sleepy rambling.

“Gonna call you sweet pea.” He mumbled. “Because your name starts with a P and you’re so sweet.”

Fuck being friends.

I liked this boy.

And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t ignore the fluttering feeling in my stomach.

I was truly fucked.

⚽️🔹⚽️🔹⚽️🔹⚽️

December

Piper’s POV

There were only a few seconds left in the match and our boys were killing it.

Eleanor gripped my hand tighter as Louis shouted to Niall across the field. Seconds later, he was kicking the ball with the side of his foot. Harry was much closer to the goal, ready to land the winning kick into the goal. I looked at him, his chest heaving and his hairline coated in a thin sheen of sweat. His face was intense and it made my thighs clench ever so slightly to see him so serious. He was always so attractive in the middle of a game, his brows pulled together and his lips pinched tightly together. I loved watching him pull his hair up before a game, twisting the long strands around before he tossed it up in a bun on top of his head.

“He’s got this.” I said. “Come on, Lou!”

“He’s gonna pass to Harry.” She shook her head. “He has to, babe. He’ll miss from back there.”

“They have five fucking seconds.” We always got a bit snippy during games, but never at each other. “It better be a flawless fucking pass.”

Louis passed the black and white checked ball to Harry with a swift kick and I held my breath, waiting to see what would happen. Harry pushed a guy on the opposing team gently with his shoulder, sliding low until his foot collided with the ball. Just as the last second ticked down, it collided with the net behind the goal and Harry collapsed on his back as players rushed around him.

Everyone cheered loudly, Eleanor jumping up with a loud cheer alongside the crowd. I could barely move, my heart thumping so loudly that it was all I could hear. I watched Harry’s back flat on the ground, my eyes watering as he continued to stay still. When I saw him sit up, shaking his head, I finally took a deep breath. Moments later, Louis and Niall were lifting him up on their shoulders.

“Thank, fuck.” I whispered, standing up next to Eleanor as I clapped.

Harry’s eyes flitted to the stands, landing on mine with a wide grin.

He was covered in mud and dirt, but he was fine.

Eleanor grabbed my hand, guiding me down towards the field.

She was quick to launch on Louis when her feet hit the grass and Niall was quick to run over and scoop me up. I patted him on the back, laughing as he shook me around in his arms.

“We won!” He cheered. “We bloody won!”

“I know!” I chuckled, brushing my hand over the back of his head. “I’m proud of you, Ni.”

He put me on my feet, pressing a kiss to my cheek before he turned around to Harry. He grabbed his best mate by the face, kissing his forehead before he ran off shouting something that was terribly hard to make out. I rolled my eyes, steadying myself on my feet. Harry walked over to me, holding his arms out with that same wide and cheeky grin on his lips.

“Come give your best mate a hug,” He said. “Gotta thank my good luck charm.”

“Harry, no.” I said, holding my hands up. “You’re covered in mud and grass and- Harry!”

I squealed, taking off on the grass as Harry chased me.

I dodged a few members of the opposing team, apologizing profusely.

It didn’t take very long for Harry to wrap his arms around me, pulling me against his chest.

“I deserve a bloody hug, sweet pea.” He squeezed me tight. “I won!”

“I know, but you’re gross.” I groaned, dropping my head back. “You get to shower before we go to lunch and I don’t.”

“You could always join.” He whispered, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. “Know you’ve been dying to see me naked, haven’t ya pea?”

“I will elbow you.” I grumbled, spinning around in his arms. “Don’t be a prick.”

“Just like watching you blush, Piper.” He reached over, pinching my cheek softly. “Where are we going for lunch today?”

“Where do we always go for lunch?” I rolled my eyes. “Go on, get cleaned up so we can go.”

“Fine, fine.” He sighed. “I’ll see you in ten?”

“I’ll be here.”

I walked back over to Eleanor and Louis, my mind stuck on Harry’s cheeky comment.

I hated when he did stuff like that.

He was always toying with my emotions, pulling me to and fro like I didn’t have any feelings at all. He knew that I had a crush on him and he knew that it sucked for me to be so close, but I had the power to stop it at any time. The truth was that I couldn’t stomach the thought of being away from him like that. I wanted him in my life, no matter how I could have him. I walked towards Eleanor with a heavy sigh, crossing my arms over my chest as she kissed Louis deeply.

Being around a couple constantly was torture when you weren’t apart of one yourself. Especially when the person you wanted to be a couple with was always around anyways. When the pair were done kissing, Louis ran off towards the stadium to take a shower in the locker room. Eleanor smiled over at me and I gave her a blank stare, my lips turning down.

“What happened?” she asked softly.

“He’s done it again!” I tossed my hands up. “He was all ‘you should come shower with me, I know you want to see me naked’. Isn’t he the one who keeps insisting we should just be friends?”

“He’s an idiot.” She rolled her eyes. “I hate that he keeps doing this and I hate that you won’t let me talk to him about it.”

“I don’t want to come between you and an old friend, El.” I shook my head. “He’ll grow up eventually, I guess. If he doesn’t, I guess I’ll have to start moving on.”

“I think you two would be so perfect for each other, babe.” She sighed. “I don’t know what his deal is!”

“Has Louis said anything?” I ask softly. “I don’t want to pry but-”

“Not a word.” She said, her sympathetic grin causing my heart to sink. “He spends all of his time with you and we both know that he’s into you, but something is holding him back.”

“Yeah.” I grimaced. “I like him so much, El.”

“I know.” She frowned. “I wish I could smack some sense into that thick skull of his. I mean, men can be so daft and then they say we’re the complicated ones!”

“I know!” I exclaimed. “Anyways, you and Lou are still coming to lunch with us, right?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “Louis is dying for a turkey apple sandwich.”

“That does sound good.” I hummed out. “I was thinking about soup, though, it’s freezing out here.”

“Oh, soup.” She groaned out. “That’s perfect,”

⚽️🔹⚽️🔹⚽️🔹⚽️

Harry’s Pov

I wrapped my towel around my waist, letting out a heavy sigh as I turned the faucet off.

I hated what I was doing to Piper.

My sweet pea.

I couldn’t help but rile her up like that, watching her face flush red as I whispered in her ear.

Part of me was certain that I was riling her up so that she would make the first move. If that was the case, maybe Louis would realize that our feelings for each other were real.

“Mate,” Louis said. “What was that on the field?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my brows furrowing as I walked up to my locker. “We won, Lou.”

“I meant when you were chasing Piper.” He said. “That was flirting, Harry.”

I snapped my mouth shut.

If he heard the things that passed between Piper and I when we were alone, he’d be livid.

It was borderline verbal sex with us sometimes, the tension so thick that it had her clamping her legs shut and me shifting in my seat.

“Was just teasing her, Lou.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re not getting onto Niall for picking her up and kissing her face.”

“Niall means no harm.”

“And neither do I.” I shot him a glare. “Mind your mouth.”

“Why her, Harry?” He sighed. “You could have any bird or lad on campus and you want her, why?”

“Because she’s Piper.” I turned towards him. “She’s the one that I want, okay. I can’t tell you why I think about her every moment of the day or why I want to be with her, I just do. I want to be there for her and you’re stupid fucking fear for Eleanor is standing in my way.”

“You can do what you want.” Louis’ jaw tensed. “M’not standing in your fookin’ way, mate.”

“But you are!” I shouted. “You are because you know that I would never do anything to hurt you or El because you’re family to me. You asked me not to do something and I’m being respectful of that because I respect you. I can’t say that you respect me though, because you would never ask this of me if you did. Can’t you see that this is killing me?”

Louis let out a frustrated huff as I turned back to my locker.

I grabbed my clothes, angrily pulling them on before I ran my towel over the wet strands of my hair. Piper would be pissed to see me pulling at my curls instead of properly scrunching them up with a soft t-shirt, but I couldn’t be arsed to care about that right now. I slammed my locker shut, hiking my bag onto my shoulder before I stormed out of the locker room. When I walked out onto the field, Eleanor and Piper were whispering amongst themselves.

“I just don’t get it.” Piper let out a sad sigh. “I want-”

“I know, babe!” Eleanor interrupted her with a chipper voice, pressing her hand to Piper’s bicep with a wide smile. “I wish they still had pumpkin spice too, I already miss it.”

“You women and your pumpkin spice.” I grumbled, pressing my hand to Piper’s hip before I leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Know you miss it, Pea, but it’s peppermint season now.”

“You’re right.” She gave me a playful pout. “I guess I can survive with that for now.”

“Thatta girl.” I chuckled, pulling my hand back as she reached up to touch my hair. “What?”

“You didn’t scrunch your hair properly, H.” She sighed. “I’ve told you to take better care of these curls! They’re going to be frizzy when they dry.”

I licked over my bottom lip, resisting the urge to lean down and kiss the pout off of her lips.

“Sweet Pea, I’m sorry.” I said softly. “I was in a little bit of a rush, yeah? Wanted to get my favorite girls to lunch.”

“In that case, I guess I can forgive you.” She mumbled.

☕️☕️☕️☕️

Piper’s POV

I sipped at my peppermint latte as Harry tossed a french fry into his mouth.

“So when are you all flying home?�� I asked. “Only a few weeks left until Christmas and exams are almost over.”

“El and I are flying out next Friday.” Louis said, smiling over at his girlfriend. “I’m excited to see me Mum and sisters.”

“Me too.” Eleanor nodded. “Missed them all.”

“What about you, H?” I asked.

“I decided to stay.” He shrugged. “I don’t want to disrupt my schedule mid year, you know? It’ll be hard for me to get back into things come January if I spend an entire three weeks vegging out with Mum and Gem.”

“Oh.” I said softly, my face falling as he cleared his throat.

He was avoiding something and he was sad about it.

“I’m not going home either.” I said softly. “Too expensive to fly around the holiday’s, you know? Don’t make nearly enough being a full time fan girl for the footie team.”

“Tell me about it.” Eleanor rolled her eyes playfully. “Who do I talk to about getting that raise I was promised.”

“Oh, you get plenty as it is.” Louis leaned forward, capturing her lips. “Pay you in love and other things.”

Harry let out a frustrated sigh, standing up from the table.

“I’ve gotta go.” He pulled his wallet out, tossing twenty five dollars onto the table. “S’enough for both of us and the tip, Pea. I’ll see you later in Mcgregor Hall for our study session.”

“H-”

“Bye.” He leaned over, pressing a sloppy kiss to my forehead before doing the same to El.

I watched him storm out with a confused look on my face.

“Should I not have asked about Christmas?” I looked at Eleanor with soft eyes. “I can’t….El, I can’t do this anymore.”

“Babe, it’s gonna be fine.” She said softly. “He’s just a bit moody today, isn’t he? Misses his Mum a whole lot, it has nothing to do with you.”

“What are you two on about?” Louis asked, glancing between us. “Is something going on between you and Harry?”

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s the problem.”

“They have this chemistry and Piper really likes Harry, but he told her that being friend’s was their best option.” Eleanor explained softly. “Sometimes he’s sweet on her though and it makes her sad because she wants him.”

“El.” I mumbled, my cheeks growing warm. “He doesn’t need all of the details.”

“You like that miserable sod?” Louis asked. “You’re not worried about a relationship with him ruining your friendship?”

“Not really.” I shook my head at Louis. “Harry and I will always be friends.”

“No, I mean,” Louis sighed. “You’re not worried about it ruining you and Eleanor’s friendship?”

“No.” I said slowly. “What are you talking about?”

“I feel like if you and Harry were to break up, you wouldn’t want to be friends with El because he’s always around.” Louis said softly. “Wouldn’t that be hard?”

“For a bit, yeah.” I shrugged. “We’re both mature, though. I think we could work through any differences and remain friends.”

“Why are you being so nosy?” Eleanor narrowed her eyes, looking at Louis. “What have you done?”

“Nothin’!” Louis exclaimed. “I’ve not done anythin’.”

“Louis!” She cried out. “You’re lying to me.”

“M’not.” He fidgeted in his seat, avoiding her gaze. “Swear I meant well.”

“Louis, what did you do?” I asked softly, my heart dropping as he avoided my gaze. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything, I just…” He licked over his bottom lip, looking between Eleanor and I with wide eyes. “I just asked him to consider your friendship with Eleanor before making any moves on you. I didn’t want to see her lose her best friend, you know?”

“You’re a sodding prick, Louis Tomlinson.” Eleanor snapped. “You knew that Harry would respect that if you asked. He thinks of you as a brother and he would do anything for you.”

“I have to go.” I grabbed my bag and my coat. “I have to find Harry.”

“Go on,” Eleanor said. “I’ve got a very naughty boyfriend to deal with.”

❄️💠❄️💠❄️💠❄️

The first place I ran to was the frat house.

Harry wasn’t there and Niall hadn’t seen him at all.

The second place I ran was the park on the far end of campus that we often spent weekends at.

He wasn’t there either.

When I finally found him, I was only a little shocked.

“You just played a match, mate.” I let out a relieved sigh when he snapped his head up, his eyes softening when he saw me. “What are you doing out here?”

“Just needed to clear my head.” He said as I walked closer. “Why are you here?”

“I had to see you.” I took a deep breath, swiping the ball from between Harry’s feet with a swift kick. It landed in the goal and Harry let out an amused, but breathy chuckle. “I’m getting good.”

“You’ve got a good teacher.” He snorted out a laugh. “Everything okay, sweet pea?”

“No.” I said. “You see, I’ve got this friend and he’s having some girl trouble.”

“Oh, yeah?” He asked. “What’s his deal?”

“He really likes this girl and he flirts with her all the time, but he hasn’t made a move.” I shrugged, glancing up at Harry. “There’s this other friend of theirs that asked an impossible favor of him and he’s being loyal, which I admit is admirable, but a little daft, as you would say.”

Harry’s Adam's apple bobbed up and down softly and he looked over my head.

“He does sound quite daft, doesn’t he?” He let out a soft laugh, closing his eyes. “Piper-”

“It makes me love him more though.” I said softly. “The fact that he’s putting aside his feelings because he’s that loyal to the people he loves. It’s stupid, but really sweet.”

“You think so?” He asked, his eyes a little watery as he looked down at me.

“I do.” I nodded. “Why didn’t you talk to me about this, Harry? We share everything with each other and-”

“This was the one thing I couldn’t tell you, pea.” He said softly. “I never wanted to hurt you and...I knew that this would. I didn’t want you to feel like I was choosing something over you, because that isn’t the case.”

“Harry, it’s okay.” I said softly. “I would have understood and I also would have had a very long talk with Louis about minding his own business, darling. You’re free to be with whoever you want and no one can tell you otherwise.”

“What if I want to be with my beautiful best friend, pea?” He reached up, brushing his thumb over my chin. “What if I want to be with the girl that stole my heart the moment I saw her?”

“Then make a fucking move, Styles.” I let out a breathy laugh as he leaned closer. “She won’t wait around forever. She’s a fucking catch and-”

Harry’s lips pressed into mine, cold and wet and perfect.

I pressed my fingers into his shoulders, gripping his coat tightly with glove covered fingers.

He tilted his head slightly, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of my lips.

“You’re perfect, Piper.” His breath washed over my lips as I shuffled closer, desperately seeking his body heat. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” I said. “Just be with me, H. Be mine.”

“I’ve always been yours, Piper.” He brushed the tip of his nose over mine. “Always will be.”

When Harry’s lips pressed to mine again, something wet landed on my cheek.

We both pulled back, looking up at the sky with wide smiles.

“Snow.” I said softly.

“Christmas miracle isn’t complete with snow, is it?” He teased, brushing his nose against mine.

“Shut up and kiss me.”

🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️

Harry’s POV

Louis looked like a child who had just been told Santa wasn’t real when Piper and I walked back into the cafe holding hands. He shot me a soft look that said ‘mate, I’m really sorry for being a dickhead’ and I gave him a tight smile in response. We still needed to have a talk about everything, but there was no use in fighting over something that was in the past now. It felt good, sitting next to Piper as her boyfriend and not just her best friend. It was sudden and my mind was still reeling, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I walked her back to her dorm that night with a pout on my lips and our fingers tightly laced together.

“I don’t want to say goodbye, pea.” I mumbled, my thumb brushing against her cheek softly as we stood in front of her door. “Just got you.”

“You’ve always had me.” She snorted out a soft laugh.

“Never been able to make out with you, though.” I wiggled my brows. “Think we can finally carry through on all that sexual banter we’ve been partaking in.”

“Yeah.” She said quickly, her cheeks getting pinker. “But not tonight, H. Think we should take some time apart to think about things before we jump right in. It’s going to be a bit different now and I need to get used to the idea.”

“Take as much time as you need.” I pressed my lips to hers in a soft kiss. “I’ll be waiting.”

I was only slightly regretting my words now.

Everyone had left for Christmas and we had the house to ourselves.

We were in the middle of a movie marathon in the living room, a few bottles of wine and takeout boxes scattered on the coffee table as we snuggled into each other. Piper’s head rested on my chest and her fingers rested against my stomach, slightly drumming over the bit of holiday weight I had put on over the last week or so. She looked so cute all snuggled up in my sweater and a pair of fluffy sucks, my sweatpants tucked into them carelessly.

“You’re thinking too loud.” She whispered, lifting her head up. “What’s going on in your head, H?”

“Just thinking about how cute you are.” I smiled down at her. “You’re all snuggled up in my clothes with your pretty hair and your pretty eyes. I just can’t believe that I’m lucky enough to call you my girl.”

Her eyes searched my face as I reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I want you.” She said softly. “But I’m scared.”

“I wasn’t…” I trailed off. “M’not trying to get in your pants, sweet pea. I just wanted you to know that I’m so in love with you.”

“And I’m in love with you.” She sat up. “And I would really, really like to show you how much I love you.”

“When you’re ready.” I said. “I know that you didn’t have the best first time and you’re a little nervous to dive back in, but I can wait. I want you to be one hundred percent ready when the time comes.”

She inhaled sharply before giving me a soft nod.

“I love you.” I said, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. “Get back over ‘ere, pea. Wanna snuggle you some more.”

🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️

Piper’s POV

Harry was snoring softly in my ear on the couch.

The sun had long gone down and the credits for The Holiday were rolling on the flatscreen in Harry’s living room. With a soft groan, I flipped around in his arms, nuzzling my face into his chest as he tightened his arms around me. The scent of his cologne filled my senses, nearly lulling me back to sleep. I was moments from falling back into dreamland when I felt something firm pressing between my thighs, causing my eyes to snap open. I pulled back to look at Harry’s face, his eyes still shut as he continued to softly snore. He was still fast asleep.

I let out a soft gasp, my walls clenching down as I shifted against his thigh. I let out a soft gasp, my fingers tightening against his sweater as I stilled my hips. I tilted my head back, looking over his face as he slept peacefully. I didn’t want to wake him, but was done waiting. I wanted him. I wanted everything with Harry and I especially wanted to indulge passion filled moments with frantic hands and desperate kisses with a christmas film playing in the background.

“Harry.” I said his name softly, my fingers trailing up his throat to cup his cheek. “Harry, baby, wake up.”

“S’wrong?” He asked, tucking his head down. “You alright?”

“I want you.” I said it softly, my heart pounding against my chest. “I’m ready.”

“Sweet pea, s’late.” He opened his eyes. “Are you sleep talkin’?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I mean it.”

I rolled my hips, grinding my core against his thigh to really send the message through.

“Piper.” He gasped, his eyes wide open. “Darling, what….what’re you doing?”

“Was trying to snuggle up to you and you put your thigh between my legs, H.” I said timidly, my face heating up under his gaze. His lips were curling into a soft smile and I bit the inside of my cheek. “It felt nice.”

“S’that why you want me?” He let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head. “Needy girl.”

“Please.” I whispered. “I need you.”

“I’ve got ye’.” He leaned down, pressing a series of soft kisses to my lips. “Gonna push your pants down, okay?”

I nodded, but she shook his head.

“If we’re doing this, I want to hear you.” He said. “I need you to say what you want.”

“Take my pants off.” I griped, tilting my head back.

“Good girl.”

Two little words.

They sent a shockwave through my body, running straight to my core.

I let out a soft whimper as he pushed at the waistband of my pants.

“M’too tired to fuck you.” He said softly. “But I promise to make you feel so good, sweet pea. Gonna have you cummin’ fo’ me.”

“Please.”

I shifted my hips as he moved the waistband of my sweats to my thighs, his hand brushing up the skin of my leg to my hip. He gave it a soft squeeze as our lips collided and I squirmed beneath him. He pulled back, brushing his nose against mine with his eyes shut tight.

“Do you want my fingers?” He asked me softly.

“I do.” I nodded. “My fingers are too small and I can never get the angle right when I try.”

“Fuck, pea.” He groaned, opening his eyes. “You’re killing me, my love.”

“Just want to love you.” I pouted my bottom lip out. “Wanna feel good.”

“I know, darling.” He sponged a few soft kisses over my hairline. “Let me get on my back, okay. I want you to ride my fingers.”

Harry wrapped his arms around my body, turning onto his back. I fumbled, my chest pressed tightly to his as he let one of his hands trail over my bum. I whimpered when he tucked his fingers between the crease of my bum and my thigh, brushing the pads of his fingers over my lower lips. His other hand maneuvered its way between our bodies, his thumb brushing swiftly over my clit before it dipped towards my entrance.

“S’this okay?” He asked. “You feel comfortable?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “I’m good.”

He inserted his thumb, pulling it out quickly before he slipped it back up to my clit.

He rubbed soft circles over it as his fore and middle finger brushed over my entrance in a teasing manner.

I rolled my hips, desperate to have them inside of me.

“Yeah, just like that.” He said gruffly. “Ride my fingers, sweet pea. Take what you want from me.”

I gasped when he pushed two fingers into me, my slick walls stretching around them as I moved my hips. I pushed down as Harry curled his fingers up, stroking over that spongy spot inside of me. I moved my hips up, his fingers sliding out slowly before I fucked back onto them. He cooed, brushing the pad of his thumb over my clit in quick circles.

“You’re so tight, Piper.” He whispered into my hairline as I gripped onto his shoulders. “You’re clenching my fingers so tight.”

“Feels so good, Harry.” I whimpered. “Wanna cum.”

“Are you close?” He asked, a teasing lilt to his voice. “My girl is so greedy, isn’t she? Gonna cum before I properly fuck her with my fingers becuase she wants it so bad, isn’t that right?”

“Yes.” I gasped against his throat. “I need to cum, Harry. It feels so good and I can’t...I need it, baby. Please let me cum.”

“Take it.” He said, sliding his free hand up to my hip. “Take it from me, Piper. Make yourself cum for me sweet pea.”

I felt my thighs clamping as he pressed harder against my clit, my hips stilling against his hand as he stroked that spongy spot inside of me. I felt my walls clenching down around his digits, my whole body warm as my mouth fell open. It was better than any orgasm I had ever experienced on my own and it had me crying out into the skin of his neck. He brushed his hand up my back, slowly slipping my fingers out as I started to come down.

“You’re so good.” he whispered. “That was perfect, darling. Did so well for me, didn’t you, pea?”

“That was nice.” I mewled. “Thank you, thank you-”

“Gonna treat you so good tomorrow, darling.” He promised, a sharp edge to his voice. “Gonna spend hours with my head between those pretty thighs and then I’m gonna fuck you like you want. Gonna have you screaming for me, sweet pea.”

I whimpered into his neck, nodding.

“I want that.” I whispered.

My eyes felt heavy as he started to pull my pants back up.

“I love you so much, H.” I whispered, my eyes slipping shut as he covered me up. “Love you, darling.”

“I love you more, pea.” he whispered. “Go to sleep, baby. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

I drifted off to the sound of Harry’s voice, my face snuggling into his shirt.

This was all I ever needed.

#kaylee i hope you like this #stellarboystyles3years #harry styles smut #harry styles fluff #harry styles writing #harry styles frat au #harry styles frat boy #harry smut #harry writing #harry fluff #fray boy au #best friend #friends to lovers #bff!harry #fratboy!harry

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wearenot7withu · 3 years

Text

Random things with boyfriend koo v.

summary: One morning when you're daydreaming you slip up in front of your boyfriend. The little slip up ends up with you facing your biggest fear with your boyfriend behind you - literally.

pairing: Jungkook x f!reader

word count: 900

genre: fluff

rating: G

warnings: mention of thalassophobia (fear of sea/ocean) and acrophobia (fear of heights)

This drabble was written for BTSGoldNet’s End Of Summer Escapade Event with the following prompt “It’s only six in the morning, and I haven’t had any coffee yet. Anything that I say or do cannot be held against me until I am caffeinated.”

a/n: So... I have been absent I know. Life came in the way. The dad!jk au comes in September, I promise. I don't really have time right now, kind of in the middle of a light writers' block buuuut yeah. I might post one RTWBK part before the big story. Your feedbacks are appreciated. Reblog, reply, like. Even if you criticize you can do it nicely and kindly, building feedbacks are always a good thing.

series masterlist | masterlist

Your boyfriend, Jungkook and you made a budget and went on five days four nights long vacation in Italy. It was the middle of summer, when the days are unbearably hot, the wind if there’s any super warm and the sun’s always out shining down from the sky.

Your first days were spent on the beach, and during the nights you went for a little sightseeing. Every day there was a new building, a place to see. And of course let’s not forget those cosy, little Italian restaurants either.

Today – or rather tonight – cruise shipping was on the agenda. The small ship left the dock just before sunset. There were jacuzzies, candlelit dinners and the music was provided by a classical band. This all happened while the sun was setting in the background and the stars slowly came out.

The sunset cruise was your boyfriend’s idea. In the morning when he went to the restroom while having breakfast he saw a billboard that was advertising this activity. “Babe, we have to go. It’d be so romantic” Said your boyfriend with a smile on his face.

That’s how you found yourself on a ship. You were slightly terrified. It’s not that you didn’t know how to swim, because you did… but the depths of seas scare you.

But oh well, if only you knew what’s next to come. “Look there” Jungkook’s voice pulled you back from your daydreaming. The sea, the waves were so mesmerizing, you could watch them all day every day. “Parasailing”

You scoffed and let out a low laugh “Yeah, no”

“C’mon, will you let me go alone?” He asked, making his lips into a pout.

“Sure I will”

Surely the night went on great. Just like Jungkook said, it was indeed romantic. When you returned to the hotel you two were so tired, the moment you laid on the bed you fell asleep.

In the morning rays of sunshine woke you up. Last night you forget to close the curtains, which lead the morning sun into the room. You started the coffee maker and stepped outside to the little balcony. You watched the sea, the unknown open and the people who were already parasailing over the water.

“Good morning” Arms caged you and a raspy morning voice greeted you. You were too deep thinking about how beautiful the view was for the parasailers. Therefore the first thing that came out of your mouth wasn’t a greeting, but a

“I want to try parasailing” The moment the sentence left your mouth you tensed. Jungkook was shocked too. You’re scared of heights and he knows that, but he won’t pass up on this opportunity. If even by accident but you let that thought slip, you probably want to try it somewhere deep down.

“Good thing I wrote us up yesterday.” You looked at him over your shoulder with an alarming look in your eyes “We’re on at 10 babies” A firm no left your lips “You just said you want to try”

You peeled his arms off of you and made your way towards the coffee maker. “It’s only six in the morning, and I haven’t had any coffee yet. Anything that I say or do cannot be held against me until I am caffeinated.”

„Yeah, no. That’s not how we’re playing babe. We are going, it will be fun” He said excitedly.

It will be fun, he said. Well, you’re not having fun. Currently, you’re on the back of a little boat, with ropes around you and a parachute behind you. Of course, your boyfriend was with you, you were sitting in front of him. Ever since you stepped onto the boat he’d been drawing little circles on the back of your hand, trying to soothe your nerves this way.

You thought your fear was under control, but when you started to move away from the boat and towards the sky, a scream left your lips. You were grasping Jungkook’s hand with one hand and the other was holding onto the ropes with dear life. Tears were forming in your eyes, which were shut closed. No matter how curious you were, you won’t open your eyes.

Jungkook felt your distress, he saw and felt you shaking in front of him. „Shhh, open your eyes baby” You shook your head. „It’s beautiful, don’t you wanna see it?” You shook your head again. „When have I ever done something which could be counted as harmful for you?”

You answered with a shaky never. „Then open your eyes baby. You don’t have to look down, just look straight ahead. I’m here, you won’t get hurt.”

Jungkook repeated the word I’m here until you took a deep breath and opened your eyes. The view was much more beautiful than you imagined. Although you were still scared, you took Jungkook’s advice and only looked in front of you.

After fifteen minutes, your session ended. The moment your feet touched solid ground, you threw yourself into Jungkook’s arms. Your action took him by surprise. „Woah, what’s going on?” He asked curiously.

„Thank you for you know… Always making me crawl out of my shell” Jungkook kissed your forehead and left his lips pressed there „You’re welcome”

While your boyfriend adrenaline-seeking trait can drive you up on the wall, you have to say the truth… Sometimes it’s the same thing which gives you unforgettable memories.

#jungkook x reader #btsgoldnet #goldenescapades #jungkook scenarios #jungkook fluff #jungkook drabble #jungkook series #random drabbles

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literateleah · 3 years

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literature with leah - session four!

hello friends! i hope the month of august was sweet to you, and if not, here’s to september! i can’t believe this is going to be our 4th session as a group, but i am anticipatory nonetheless. you. may have missed it on my blog yesterday, but i did notify an anonymous user that this month may be a bit of a turning point for the group. i had the idea to start in the summer because of the free time it offered for many, but unfortunately that time has come to an end. i’ve just begun college, and many of you are also being thrown into new commitments and schedules, which is completely normal and understandable. due to this change, i don’t think i’ll be able to fully lead y’all to the best extent you deserve. for this month, i’ll provide a book pick and check ins from time to time, but i probably won’t be as active as past sessions!! you all are free to discuss, comment, question as much as you’d like, and i will try to get back to you for any urgent inquiries. i’ll also work on a few discussion questions for the end of the month, something i miss doing from past sessions! you’re all capable and intelligent and you don’t need me to coddle you of course, so i have great faith that we can all still enjoy and analyze some great picks in the future even if i can’t be as involved as i would like to be. also- new link to the discord for any new members!

with all of that said- let’s jump in to this month’s book! my pick for this month is “Ace of Spades” by Faridah Abike-Iyimide! to MUCH acclaim, of course. the synopsis reads, “An incendiary and utterly compelling thriller with a shocking twist that delves deep into the heart of institutionalized racism, from an exceptional newvoice. Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students' dark secrets to light. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can't escape the spotlight when his private photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn't afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they're planning much more than a high-school game.”

i’ve seen this novel preceded with many comparisons to Selah and the Spades, Get Out, Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars, all of which make me insanely excited to dive in. with high praise for Abike-Iyimide’s prose and use of mystery tropes, i think this will be a stellar pick for the start of a new season and new year for many. i also have not read this book yet, so i cannot yet speak to comprehensive trigger lists, but this is what other searches yielded: racism, homophobia, alcohol consumption, a car accident, stalking and emotional abuse, suicide ideation and suicide attempt, gun violence, murder, forced institutionalization and drug use. that’s a VERY hefty list, so please exercise care and caution while reading, particularly black members of the club. happy reading!!

taglist: @angelnumbers @milfdiangelo @aardvaark @kitayz

#long post #literature with leah #i still feel bad about pulling back but its necessary right now. cant wait to get into this with yall #lmk if you wanna be tagged too!!!

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waterparchive · 3 years

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Woodrow Whyte — May 19, 2021

"I don’t know if I want a lot of musicians I love to know I exist because then the possibility of them thinking I suck comes into play"

To quote a famous drag queen, the cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity and the gumption of Waterparks to name their fourth album Greatest Hits. It's a bold statement but if anyone can pull it off, it's the Houston trio and their charismatic frontman Awsten Knight.

Like many releases this year, most of the record was written, recorded and produced during the pandemic, and the enforced downtime leant itself to introspective songwriting sessions.

"When you’re alone for so long, it takes a toll on you and forces you to examine yourself more", Awsten said in promotional materials for the album, before adding “When you hear this album, I hope you walk away feeling like there’s no other band doing anything like it. In my opinion, these are our Greatest Hits. As long as you go into it without expectations of prior things, I think it’s going to be your favourite fucking Waterparks album.”

Fans won't have long to find out if the Greatest Hits lives up to its name, as it drops this Friday. To tide you over until then, we asked Awsten to take a trip down memory lane with our My Life In 20 questions.

20) What did you learn about yourself in 2020?

I learned that I can stop using social media if I want to. I knew we weren’t gonna be doing anything so I took a good 6 months off and when it was time to come back in September, I really didn’t want to. I broke that addiction to checking Twitter all the time. It was cool though because we also grew a lot in that period, so I didn’t have to feel guilty for taking that time.

19) What was your favourite album from 2019?

FANDOM. I make all the songs I wish someone else would because they’d be my favourite band if they did. I’ll also say Igor, Amo, Weezer (Black Album), When We All Fall Asleep..., Anonymous, 7, prob some others but the wiki list is very long and I still have 18 questions to go.

18) What was the most important thing to happen in your life when you were 18?

Graduating high school, I guess? Getting a car was good too! I got my permit late because I was scared to drive and didn’t really care about going places, what a dope guy!

17) Who was your crush at 17?

I’m kinda blanking. Maybe Miley Cyrus?? Do people normally remember this stuff?

16) What can you remember about your 16th birthday?

I truly don’t remember it. I was probably wearing a studded belt if that helps though.

15) What did you hate at 15 which you love now?

I hated the straight edge youth crew dudes that would hang out at local venues and crowd kill when there were only like 40 people, like bitch you’re 28 and I’m 15, stop punching kids you my children my bride looking bitch good lordddd corniest dudes ever, looking like Christian Joe Dirt punching kids for scene clout.

14) What TV show were you obsessed with at 14?

I think 14 I was into Dexter. Amazing show but oh my god that ending. I didn’t have opinions back then about quality, but even at that time I was like

13) 13 is unlucky for some. Do you have anything that you’re superstitious about?

I’m very superstitious. Before shows I need everyone to stay away from me and let me play solitaire. I don’t walk under ladders, you can’t split the pole when you’re walking with people, I sage myself when I come home from anywhere, whole lotta stuff, baby.

12) If you could live the life of any other person for 12 hours, who would you be and why?

Honestly I’m fine being me, but if it was just for like 12 hours uhhhhh Charlie Day so I can do that thing with my voice when he says “OOAH HELLLLAOOOH”

11) Who was your best friend when you were 11?

Everyone I was friends with before music was just a friend via proximity, like we were on the same sports teams or had the same classes. That’s how it is when you’re younger. You don’t choose that shit when you’re younger, you’re just like, 'You’re near me, what’s up do u like Captain Underpants?' That’s kinda the deal until you’re old enough to be picky. I remember being friends with these twin dudes on swim team Benito and Ernesto, shout out those dudes wherever they are!!!

10) Where do you hope you'll be in ten years time?

Somewhere the internet can’t find me. I hope I’m into some stupid shit like boats, no wifi on the water.

9) What was your biggest fear when you were 9?

Ghosts, I think. And yeah, I used to hear voices! Not dope!

8) When you were 8, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I used to want to be an author/illustrator for kids books and an archaeologist! I’ll still do the kids books but, man, archaeologists have to be in the sun so much and I need to keep my skin cute so people buy my album. Greatest Hits May 21.

7) Which of the seven deadly sins are you most guilty of?

I just googled them for a refresher and it’s all anime. I’d either say envy or anger. By the way, who made this? It’s stupid as fuck that “anger” is a sin, like huh??????? Bitch I’ll kill you.

6) You can invite six people to your dream dinner party (dead or alive), who would you invite?

No dead people at my dinner party, gross smell. Here’s the thing, I don’t know if I want a lot of musicians I love to know I exist because then the possibility of them thinking I suck comes into play, and if someone like Donald Glover actively had the thought “god, Awsten sucks”, I’d be devastated. So I don't know if I want anyone in that realm to know who I am, I’m cool with loving them from afar.

I’m gonna say a group of people who have nothing to do with me. Like, 6 people who are working on the next Conjuring movie and I just wanna listen in on them and be like, “holy shit??????” I love y’all so much. Quick shout out Lin Shaye.

5) Name five things you can't live without.

Besides the obvious ones: dogs, personal space, sunglasses that cover most of my head, coffee, and tennis/biking. I need to tire myself out as much as possible or I get moody.

4) Describe yourself in four words.

Capricorn. Flexible. Weirdly tall.

3) Your top three songs of all time.

The Beach Boys - 'Wouldn’t It Be Nice', Rihanna - 'Bitch Better Have My Money', and Macklemore - 'Thrift Shop'.

2) Name two things on your bucket list.

A platinum Waterparks album, get a horror music video produced by Blum House.

1) What or who is your one true love?

Having one true love would be scary! Too much emphasis on one thing, too much to lose; can’t put that much on one person either! That’s a crazy level of pressure and expectation! Also Gwen Stefani.

#awsten knight #awsten waterparks #awsten interview #waterparks #waterparks band

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jacaranda-bloom · 3 years

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FIC WRITER QUESTIONS

Thank you to the lovely @allwaswell16 @runaway-train-works @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed @uhoh-but-yeah-alright and @evilovesyou for tagging me to answer some questions about my writing.

1) How many works do you have on AO3?

2) What’s your total AO3 word count?

901,445 (Hoping to hit the Magic Million by the end of the year!)

3) How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

1 (One Direction)

4) What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

When Tomorrow Comes 1155

The Baby Whisperer 950

Love, Ever After 898

Harry Poppins 856

Play Me A Memory 760

More under the cut…

5) What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

Oh gosh. Uhm. I don’t really write angsty endings? All my fics have Happy Endings and most have epilogues to round them out and tie them up in a bow. Perhaps I’d say If You’re Out There (I’ll Find You Somehow) purely because (spoiler ahead) the epilogue is written 100 years into the future so they’ve both passed.

6) What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

Interestingly, I would actually say the answer is the same as above, If You’re Out There (I’ll Find You Somehow). The epilogue is so uplifting and I cry happy tears every time I re-read it. It’s written from the POV of their granddaughter and you get to see the world they had a hand in changing for the better through her eyes, so you get a sense of how impactful their lives were on the rest of society. Oof, tearing up right now just thinking about it.

7) Do you write crossovers? If so what is the craziest one you’ve written?

Yeah, I have actually. I really enjoy doing new takes on an existing universes, although they aren’t always the easiest thing to pull off tbh. I’m not sure which I would say is the craziest, but the hardest to write was definitely The Peter Pan/Hook AU.

Harry Poppins - Loosely based on the book/movie Mary Poppins, but without any magical aspects.

Playing To Win - Set in the Big Brother house.

The Pirate and The Piper - A Peter Pan/Hook AU which I took a lot of liberties with.

In The Still Of The Night - My Dirty Dancing AU.

A Hungry Heart - This is a Great British Bake Off AU that is due out in September for the Cliche Fic Fest!

8) Do you write smut? If so what kind?

Whoa Nelly. Yeah, I do. All the time. Every fic actually. There’s only one, Exposed, the only fic I’ve published that’s not rated Explicit and doesn’t have smut. But, to be fair, the challenge was to write exactly 666 words and I still managed to get the implication in there. Plus, Louis was naked and Harry was applying body paint for the majority of the story, so like, I think I can get a free pass on that one - I tried!

In terms of what type of smut, I guess it varies depending on the story. I tend not to push the boat out too far, but I do dabble in BDSM in quite a few of my fics. A recurring theme in the comments I receive is that my smut scenes are well constructed and detailed, without being too tedious or drawn out, which is lovely feedback to get because they can be challenging to write.

9) Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

Absolutely. Every single one.

10) Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Not often, people are usually so kind, but there have been a couple.

11) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I’m aware of!

12) Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yeah, quite a lot, particularly on Wattpad, all with my full consent. That said, I’m thinking of stopping this because it’s getting a bit out of hand and I’ve been feeling uncomfortable about it recently for various reasons that I won’t bore you with here.

13) Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nope! I don’t think it’s really my thing tbh. I get very in my head about writing and struggle even to brainstorm or share too much until I’m well into a story.

14) What’s your all time favorite ship?

Of the 47 fics I’ve written, there are 45 Larry, 1 Narry, and 1 Louis/Dermot O’Leary (I think mine is still the only fic with this ship hahahaa), so that’s probably a good indication of my fave writing ship.

15) What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

I have one lonely WIP sitting on AO3 from 2018. I keep promising myself I’ll finish it and it’s on my schedule every year, then I get distracted by other fics/fests and it gets pushed back. Plus, it needs a complete rewrite because my style has developed so much since I started it, so it’ll be a big job. Based on that, I think that the fic, in its current form, won’t ever be finished as the rewrite will completely wipe out what it was, although the underlying plot will still be there.

16) What are your writing strengths?

World building (or so I’m often told). I write very visually and people often say they can imagine the scene exactly, or that it’s like a movie, or that they think it’s actually a real place I’m describing, when most of the time it absolutely isn’t, it’s just something I’ve created in my weird brain.

17) What are your writing weaknesses?

Dialogue (although my lovely beta disagrees) and telling rather than showing. They’re both things I’m actively working on.

18) What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

I’ve never really considered it. It’s not something I’d shy away from necessarily, but it’s just never come up.

19) What was the first fandom you wrote for?

One Direction. First and only.

20) What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

Wow. This is really tough because it changes over time. I find that once I’ve finished a fic I don’t want to revisit it for a few months because I’m kind of over it. But I find comfort in them after a while, like I get to go back to that happy place and immerse myself in that world and the characters again, similar to catching up with an old friend. It’s familiar. I think I also like different stories for different reasons and I’m drawn to various ones depending on my mood. My top 3 (although, ask me next week and the list will probably be completely different!) would probably be:

1. If You’re Out There (I’ll Find You Somehow). Written for the hybrid fic fest (a fest I created just for this fic lol). It’s not everyone’s cup of tea due to the hybrid aspect, but it’s one of the stories I feel is the most rounded from a character development perspective and the world building was pretty epic, if I can be so bold as to throw that out there myself!

2. No Going Back. One of my Big Bangs from 2020. I adore the way their relationship develops in this fic and the setting (as remote lighthouse keepers) was such a lot of fun to write. Plus I got to collaborate with an amazing artist who created an entire website as an accompanying travel blog which was truly wonderful.

3. From The Heart. This is a series I wrote for wordplay back in 2019. I had no idea that what I was doing was so unusual and so meta by having Louis essentially write for the equivalent of wordplay in the fic. It was such an fun way to share my writing process and challenges I encounter (exactly how many synonyms tabs do I have open at any one time?!) and I thoroughly enjoyed the outcome (although getting there was definitely a struggle).

This was really fun and thanks to anyone who made it this far! Writing brings me so much joy and is a wonderful outlet for all the imaginings in my head, so I appreciate everyone who supports me and joins me on that journey.

I’m pretty late with this and I’m not sure who has already done it but I’ll tag @fallinglikethis @homosociallyyours @lululawrence @reminiscingintherain and @beau-soleil-louis if they’d like to do this and haven’t already.

#August 13 2021 #fic writer questions #tag games #this was really fun!

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webgeekist · 3 years

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5 works tag game

Rules: it’s time to love yourselves! choose your 5 (ish) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc.) and post or link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world in 2020. tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

I was tagged by @imagebender, and both of us have been a bit inactive around here for a few years. I’m happy to have something to show for this one though.

Not tagging anyone else because...er...frankly I don’t know who’s still active anymore.

There’s no order to these.

// Please Say Yes

July

Korrasami — The Legend of Korra

Being forced to stay home for *looks at watch* the longest March everThis was the first thing I’d drawn in.....a while. Introducing the wife to Korra, finally, made me lean back into tumblr after a really long hiatus, and I basically got hit by the Korrasami bug hard, almost six years after the show ended.

This started as an experiment in learning to use Procreate and the iPad, and just....spiraled. I stayed up until 6am drawing this thing and have no regrets. In all the time I’ve known my wife she’s never changed her lock screen, but this is what she uses now. It’s an achievement.

There’s a follow-up here that came almost immediately after that I feel belongs with it, but it’s not on this list because I like this one a lot more.

// Please Say Honestly You Won’t Give Up On Me

November

Danie x Jamie — The Haunting of Bly Manor

The Haunting of Bly Manor hit me like a ton of bricks. If you follow me, you probably know that, If you follow me and you haven’t watched it yet, while I understand that there are some very valid reasons to be skittish of it I encourage you to try it on anyway. This is easily the most beautiful love story of the year, and while Dani and Jamie live rent free in my heart, there’s honestly a straight (GASP!) couple in there that deserves more of my attention, if only I had more to give.

The reference shot I worked with was highly detailed, which helps me find some subtle things I’d miss otherwise. As a result, the close-up of their faces is probably some of the best color portrait work I’ve ever done with any technology.

// The Time and Space Between Us

September

Korrasami — The Legend of Korra

If it’s been years since I drew something, it’s been longer since I wrote any kind of fan fiction. This was short, and not particularly original, and a break from the 40k words of almost pure notes I’d written on an epic fic [that may never see the light of day because oh my god I am so rusty]

// We Lay My Love And I Beneath The Weeping Willow

November

Dani x Jamie — The Haunting of Bly Manor

I started this before US Election and basically sank myself into it for the days leading up to it and on the day of. That election had my anxiety working overtime. You know, like....*gestures wildly* all of you. This would be the second presidential election in a row that I spent drowning myself in art instead of dealing with the results, or lack thereof.

For all the stress poured into this one, the result is a favorite.

// Company [in black and white]

November

Dani x Jamie — The Haunting of Bly Manor

Okay I said no order but this one snuck in. It was between this and a few unfinished Korrasami pieces, and I decided unfinished = uninvited.

This one was simple, but the shadows and details of their faces was again my favorite part of making it. But really, everything about these two just breaks my heart in the best way.

#2020 had a handful of perks #but not many #dani x jamie #korrasami #year in review

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seiin-translations · 3 years

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2.43 S1 Chapter 5.6-Stand By Me

6. LANDING, AND...

The last chapter part of Chapter 5! How would everything be resolved...?

Previous || Index || Next

When Kuroba turned on his phone, which he had turned off that morning, he found that he had received dozens of notifications of incoming calls and texts. There was one call from home, a few from his cousin who had been calling him in the morning, and the rest were from their seniors on the volleyball team (most of them were from Oda and Okuma, who seemed to have called during every break period between classes. During lunch period, they called every three minutes. It was spam calling by that point). By the way, Haijima’s phone, which was put on vibrate and thrown into the bottom of his bag, had run out of battery and was silent. The battery was low because he often forgot to recharge it, and it seemed to have completely drained while receiving so many unwanted calls.

Kuroba had received the most texts from his cousin, but the beginnings of each one was so aggressive that he was frightened and put off reading them, checking the one from Oda first.

“It’s true. The suspension has been lifted, and practice will resume tomorrow.”

“Why today all of a sudden?”

“Don’t know. He didn’t write any more than that. Oda-senpai’s texts are always short. They’re as short as my grandpa’s who just learned how to text.”

They parted ways with Minami-sensei at the Shinkansen ticket gate at Shinagawa Station. When they saw her trying to buy a train ticket as a matter of course, they hurriedly blocked the coin slot with his hand. It was embarrassing to have two tall boys to be walked all the way to the platform, and he didn’t want to be treated like a child, so they firmly turned her down.

Once on the platform, there were a few minutes to spare before the train arrived, so Kuroba finally called Oda. Haijima put his bag by his feet and leaned against the railing, casually looking around. It was a weekday evening, so the passengers for the downbound train were all adults in suits. The indoor platform, illuminated by pale white lights, was quiet, and the echoes of voices caught one’s ear.

Right after he dialed the number and put the phone to his ear, Kuroba let out an “Ugh” and his cheeks tensed. It seemed that he had answered immediately. That was fast…Haijima was slightly put off.

Haijima could only hear Kuroba’s side of the conversation, so he couldn’t get the complete picture. As he listened, Kuroba’s responses became more and more mumbled, and the huge boy began to fidget like a girl.

After a few moments of waiting, he took the phone away from his ear, looking relieved.

“Take over. It’s better that the rest is explained to you.”

He said and passed the phone to him.

He was a little, or rather, very uncomfortable, but he said, “…This is Haijima,” into the phone. He hadn’t spoken to Oda since the morning meeting on the third day of the Fall Tournament, when their withdrawal was announced. He passed him on the school day at the end of summer (Kuroba had skipped), but the situation hadn’t changed at all, and he couldn’t bear to see the pain and disappointment seeping out of his body.

“Really, all you two do is cause trouble together… I’ve been pushed around by you guys a lot this year. You picked a fight with Meisei High? It looks like you two have been having a lot of fun while the team couldn’t play games, huh?”

He suddenly said sarcastically in a tense voice. Haijima could understand why Kuroba groaned, “Ugh.”

“If you were unlucky, you could have picked a fight with the entire team. You guys are Seiin team members. I’m responsible for your actions. This time, Meisei was kind enough to not make an issue of it, but in some cases, I might have had to go there to apologize.”

“…I’m sorry.”

He couldn’t refute a single thing, so he could only apologize.

Oda cleared his throat on the other end of the phone. The voice he heard next no longer sounded accusing. It was a compassionate voice that sounded a little embarrassed.

“And by the same token, if the Meisei people had done anything to hurt you, I would’ve gone over there and beat them up.”

He thought he had given up on him, but now he was reaching out to him again—he was no longer the Oda who he had once looked down on. He was the smallest on the team and always tried to protect his team members with all his might. He was still the same Oda from when he first approached him.

“You’re a real problem child, but it can’t be helped. Our ace duo is you two, Haijima and Kuroba. I’m counting on you. We can qualify for the Spring Tournament.”

His heart thumped.

“I’ll explain it to you, since Kuroba himself already knows it and there’s no point in explaining to him. Cutting straight to the point, a witness came forward.”

When he looked at Kuroba while listening to Oda’s voice, Kuroba looked away and scratched his cheek as though to evade him. The fact that the punishment was lifted meant that the truth about the second day of the Fall Tournament, which Kuroba had been stubbornly keeping quiet about, was revealed and the suspicions of his involvement in the fight had been cleared.

The witness was Kuroba’s cousin, Kuroba Itoko.

The injury that Kuroba sustained on the third day of the Fall Tournament was caused by Kuroba Itoko. On the way home from the game the day before, he had been pushed down the stairs with a fist punch on the karaoke floor of the amusement building. The bowling alley that had been the site brawl that even involved the police was on the first floor. It was true that Kuroba had been in the same building during the time of the commotion, but the floors were completely different.

Today, Itoko visited Seiin, accompanied by Kuroba’s mother, and spoke about what had happened on that day, thus establishing Kuroba’s alibi. It seemed that she hadn’t known about the withdrawal or suspension until she asked Kuroba’s mother. When she found out about the situation, she hurried to the school to ask for the punishment to be lifted.

“A punch? You…”

Apparently, he had rolled down a whole floor of stairs. It was probably because of Kuroba’s flexible body that he escaped with only a little pain in his back and no aftereffects. When he turned to him with amazement in his eyes, Kuroba reluctantly mumbled, “No, there’s circumstances around that.”

“The girls at Itoko’s school were making a big deal, saying that she brought her boyfriend, so I said something like, Who’d be the boyfriend of this ugly tanned unpeeled onion, I’d at least think about it if it’s a peeled onion…I said something along those lines…and then I got beaten down.”

You can’t even call those circumstances. He’s just an idiot.

Why has he been so stubborn about keeping quiet about something so meaningless until now…

“…I didn’t want Itoko to apologize,” Kuroba said with a sour look on his face. “I was told that I have low awareness, and that’s right, so I don’t care how much you get angry at me, but Itoko was the one who was hurt…”

“That’s all? That’s the reason why you kept silent?”

If she had invited him to karaoke during the tournament and injured him, then Itoko would have been thoughtless by all means. Even if it was a misunderstanding, the police had contacted the school, so their withdrawal from the Fall Tournament might have been inevitable no matter what. However, if he had told them right away, things wouldn’t have gotten so complicated. Even if he didn’t want to put the responsibility on his cousin, that wasn’t it…he thought.

That’s all, Kuroba stated definitively.

It was strangely stubborn thing to do for Kuroba. While it didn’t quite make sense, he did somewhat understand that that was the line Kuroba wouldn’t budge on.

He was always irritated by Kuroba’s lack of competitive spirit and lack of greed when it came to important things. But in the end, those might also be his good points. The reason why Kuroba flared up at Meisei today was because they had insulted Haijima. There were probably some people who were able to show their strength not for their own desires, but by being stubborn for someone else’s sake.

“Haijima, your condition?”

His eyebrows knitted together at Oda’s voice, and he answered clearly.

“I can play.”

“The Spring Tournament qualifiers start at the end of September. It’s less than a month away, but I’m not giving up yet. So, you think we can make it in time?”

They couldn’t ignore the loss they suffered due to the suspension of club activities for a month in the summer. They had to rebuild their scattered team in one month. They were at a great disadvantage compared to other schools.

But Haijima didn’t hesitate to reply.

“I’ll get us there in time.”

He could see Oda nodding in satisfaction on the other end of the phone.

“Go ahead and do what you want to do. We’ll go all out throwing ourselves into it. If we don’t do that at least, then it’ll be embarrassing to say that we’re aiming for Nationals. I’m sure what you’re looking at is much higher, but…we won’t let you be alone.”

His heart raced at the powerful words, and he could feel his blood flowing faster all at once. His hot blood was flowing through his entire body.

I can believe it…I can believe that here, I can start over.

“…Yes.”

His voice trembled slightly as he answered, gripping the phone tightly.

There was a light at the end of the dimly lit tracks, and the train they were planning to board appeared in front of them. The announcements in the station hastened the passengers’ legs. The train slid into the other side of the railing he was leaning his back against, and the lukewarm breeze brushed the hair on the back of his head.

He handed the phone back to Kuroba, who put it to his ear again.

“Oda-senpai. I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused you this time with my reckless actions.”

He said loudly and bowed vigorously on the spot. A businessman pulling a small suitcase on wheels started in surprise as he walked past them.

The stop time of the train was short, so they had to get on immediately. As he reached for the bag at his feet, he called out, “Kuroba,” but Kuroba was almost bowing at a right angle, and still talking into the phone, he said, “Senpai.”

“Senpai, I want to go to the Spring Tournament. With everyone at Seiin. I want to spike the ball from the center court at the Spring Tournament. I saw the same scenery that Haijima…that that guy could clearly see inside his mind for sure. I know you know this, Senpai, but that guy is insanely greedy. He’s called the genius setter and he’s got a lot of things, but he’s not satisfied with that at all. He’s always trying to get more and more… Something that he wants the most, something that can make his eyes sparkle, that thing must be a great treasure, isn’t it?”

Haijima, who was stooping to grab the strap of his bag, looked up in shock.

Kuroba also looked up from his bow. The overly serious expression on his face when he was talking to Oda melted away, and a soft smile appeared on his face.

“You’ve conveyed it to me properly…I understand what you wanted to say, and what you’re thinking.”

Speechless for a moment, Haijima stared at Kuroba’s face. He bit his lower lip and searched his body for something to say, but in the end all he could do was nod.

“So Senpai, we’ll see you at practice tomorrow!”

Kuroba said with great enthusiasm and hung up the phone this time. “We have to hurry!” They both ran along the railing as the departure bell rang. It was a station where there were only passengers riding the down-bound train. The other passengers had already disappeared into the train cars, and people were already starting to come and go to catch the next train.

“Let me tell you one thing, though.”

Kuroba looked over his shoulder and shouted over the surrounding noise. As he ran behind him, Haijima, who was struggling to slung his bag over his shoulder, looked up in puzzlement.

“You think I’m not that greedy? I’m even greedier than you are. I’m the one who wants to be your ace by taking on you, who’s an incredible setter, and everything you want, so really, I’m the greediest.”

Kuroba went first and rushed through the doors from the opening in the railing. However, Haijima stopped without thinking and stood still on the edge of the platform.

As though in a panic, Kuroba turned around and extended his hand from inside the car.

“Oi? Don’t get emotional, get in.”

He avoided Kuroba’s hand, clenched his fists at the sides of his body, and looked down.

“Haa? Emotional? I’m not,” He answered in a slightly hoarse yell.

The bell stopped, and the platform fell into a strange silence for a moment. With his toes on the edge of the platform, he looked up and stared directly at Kuroba’s face.

“My talent and everything I want are all a considerable amount of stuff. If you really want it, then be prepared. You can’t get them with a lukewarm resolve. I’m going to go even higher than I am now.”

He lowered his voice and stated that like a challenge. Kuroba’s eyes widened for a moment, then muttered with a look of amazement on his face, “You really said that yourself.”

And then, the corners of his mouth lifted, giving a peek of his canines. “Bring it on.” When he smiled like that, his usual spoiled-child impression faded, and an expression reminiscent of Kuroba Yorimichi, tough and somewhat outlaw-ish, flashed across his face.

Haijima also narrowed his eyes and smiled. He kicked off the platform with all his might and jumped to where Kuroba was without any more hesitation. It was just about the doors were about to close.

The air outside was cut off, and a feeling of entrapment, like a thin membrane had come down around his ears, descended upon him. The scenery of the platform, which had been static, began to move outside the small window. Neither of them said anything right after getting into the train, but leaned against the walls on both sides of the deck and looked out the windows.

They soon passed through the station building and the night view of the city opened up before them. Through the door glass, where the two’s faces were faintly reflected on both ends, the black shadows of the skyscrapers in the distance slowly drifted by, while the neon signs on the buildings in the near distance streamed by so quickly that his eyes couldn’t keep up.

It’s been a long day… He had been recalling the events of the day. He felt like he had a lot of adventures, but when he thought about it, it was just a day trip. They were heading west and would be out of Tokyo in no time. In less than ten minutes, they crossed the prefectural border into Shin-Yokohama.

“I guess our escape is over.”

Kuroba muttered dully.

Escape. Haijima repeated silently. This was indeed an escape. It seemed that both Kuroba and himself were running from uncomfortable situations they were in.

But let’s go home now. We’ve made a place where we can return to, and everyone’s waiting for us.

And there is definitely an opportunity to come again in the not-too-distant future. Next time, the whole team will definitely come here together to fly the flag of Seiin High School, the representative of Fukui Prefecture, and present a challenge to the “whole nation.”

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#2.43 #2.43: Seiin Koukou Danshi Volley-bu #2.43: Seiin High School Boys Volleyball Club #2.43 translation #2.43 seiin high school boys volleyball team #2.43 seiin koukou danshi volley bu #2.43 book 1

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