#thank you molly for helping me with tenses

[poppy-metal]

hooking up with jordan in the club bathroom after they buy you a drink ?! 😫

i love simp jordan but some part of my brain is such a little slut for cunty scumbag jordan who'd fuck randoms in dark little club bathrooms and then dip. like ik the way they fuck is just different, its nasty, its downright disrespectful, even. they'd bought you a drink sure, but its like you blink and the next second your hand is slamming into the mirror above the sink to brace yourself as jordan yanks your skirt up, pauses to spit, and you have just enough time to hear the wet shlick of their palm coating their cock in their own saliva before a hand is pushing your hips down, biting into the edge of the sink but you dont fucking care because the next second you feel the fat head of that dick splitting you open, pushing inside you. and jordan moans like this is what they fucking needed all night, not molly, not coke, not alcohol could feel as good as a tight wet little pussy does - "fucking shit - such a good cunt." and if that doesn't make you preen, what will. easing the stress from jordans shoulders being the one they're pounding one out on, it makes you wet, slick, you feel it dripping down your thighs, making the slap of their balls against your ass a lewd sound.

you wish they'd cum in you, would love nothing more than to finger jordan li's cum back into your cunt, so you almost protest when they pull out, but you're opening your mouth the next second when they yank you around and promptly shove you to your knees. hand fisted around their cock, head red and angry, slit dripping with pre, they grip the back of your neck as they pump, "m'gonna cum", they pant, hand tightening to make a fist in your hair, pull your head back and they grit their teeth at the sight - "show me that fuckin' tongue-" you do, laying it out like its the red fucking carpet, posied like a puppy ready to receive her treat. "fuck, yes. take it you fucking - fucking whore-" hot splashes of their cum hit your tongue, your nose, dripping down your chin and falling into your cleavage. a fucking mess.

they breathe heavily, shoulders alot less tense now. they're a little flushed, almost like they're coming out of a fog. they tuck themselves back away, and shift, helping you to your feet and getting you a tissue so you can wipe your face.

"thanks for that." they say, fixing their hair in the mirror. you stand awkwardly to the side, expecting them to leave so you can splash your face and sort yourself out, but they glance at you when they finish up. "I'm gonna fucking blow this shitshow, if you wanna come home with me."

you blink, "come.....home. with you?"

they roll their eyes, "I'm an asshole but I'm not an asshole with a limp dick. you didn't cum, right? come home with me so i can fix that."

oh.

#ask #they 🫶 #jordan li x reader #jordan li smut

[writing-in-the-impala]

Secret Smokes (Part 13)

Pairing: Teacher! Remus Lupin x Reader

Series Summary: When the reader bumps into the new DADA professor on the bridge in Hogwarts she begins to build a friendship with him all thanks to their shared feeling of not belonging and love for muggle cigarettes. Their friendship blooms while they both fight internal battles deciding what is wrong and what is right leading to a lot of fluff, angst, flirting and a rollercoaster of emotions.

Warnings: Swearing, smoking, drinking, teacher-student relationship, angst, jealousy, fluff, smut.

Word Count: 2698

A/N: This chapter is unofficially called PERCY STFU. Anyway, updates will happen every two weeks from now on as I'm about to start a new job and work such insane hours that my free time will be limited but don't worry there will be more updates and less Percy.

 | SERIES MASTER LIST (All chapters) |

Previous Chapter, Part 13, Next Chapter

Remus was sitting at his desk in the classroom, marking papers as he waited for Percy to arrive. A part of him was glad that Percy wouldn't be speaking to Minerva, but he didn't want to encounter Percy either. He was ready to fight for you, lose his job for you, whatever it took, last night just further solidified it. He couldn't concentrate on the words in front of him he just kept thinking about the wolf, your patronus was a wolf just like his. Was it pure coincidence? Did it mean something? He had no idea but the biggest question was if it would be a wolf if you didn't know him? He was lost in his thoughts when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in." Percy walked in, head down, the room felt tense immediately. "Percy please don't sit down for your detention you will be cleaning the bookshelf, I want you to dust each book, clean the shelves and sort them back by categories." It was weird to Remus to speak to Molly's son like this, worlds and lines were beginning to blur.

"Professor, how can you give me detention if-"

"I didn't. Professor McGonagall gave you the detention." Remus cut him off.

"Don't you think it's hypocritical of you to punish me when you're the one in the wrong?" He snapped back.

"Listen here boy, you need to understand your place, I am your professor-"

"And as such, should you not understand yours, before you invite students into your bedroom?"

"I do not appreciate these accusations Percy Ignatius Weasley." Lupin was beginning to raise his voice and shout at the boy.

"I saw her come back home in your sweater."

"And did it not come across your mind, that maybe, she fell asleep on the sofa as she had too much to drink and I gave her it so she's not cold travelling home in last night's clothes? Did that not cross your mind before you sent me a letter threatening me? You know that behaviour could get you expelled." Remus was now shouting.

"But she didn't come back to the dorm last night, and she looks at you the way I want her to look at me."

"Percy you've known me since you were a baby. I am a man of my honour. I have helped your parents many times in the past and I'm grateful for their acceptance of my condition, but I do not understand why you are making this narrative up in your head.  Especially in regards to me." Remus wasn't proud of his words but Percy was becoming too aggressive towards his current relationship with Y/N and he needed to stop him.

"I'm sorry professor, I didn't think about it, I just thought-"

"No you didn't think Percy."

"But she spends so much time here, she comes to your office every night."

"It concerns me that you are spying on my office door and on your fellow student. However, you are correct she has been coming to my office often because I am helping her pass her exams by trying to teach her seven years of missed lessons in a few months. I am trying to help her, I don't appreciate my goodwill being thrown back in my face by the son of my friends. Do you understand why I am so upset with you Percy?" Percy looked down at his feet, he knew he messed up.

"Professor I feel I may have misunderstood the situation." Percy began.

"Start with that shelf." Remus said as he left the room and went into his office. As soon as he closed the door he let out a long shaky breath. You were going to be the death of him. He knew you were worth it but the problem was your close proximity to the Weasleys, it meant that his personal, professional and love life were extremely intertwined.

He wished James and Lilly were still around, he would go to their house for a coffee tell them everything and they would laugh about how he was getting so wound up over a girl. James would tell him not to panic and Lilly would give him a warm hug before telling him she'd love to meet her. He'd organise a day where you met them and you would be nervous but he would know they would love you. He'd try to calm you down as you got ready but you would keep telling him your hair isn't right, or you should change while he would calm you down, eventually you'd show up to the Potters. After a few minutes you would get comfortable, you'd warm up to James first as you would get along with the same music taste, but you and Lilly would bond almost immediately after. Within a few months going around to the Potters, would be a weekly activity, Sirius would join too, Remus would feel comfortable leaving you alone with his friends while he went to help in the kitchen, you would feel like part of the Marauders family. He wished for all this, to experience it with you, to speak to his friends but he knew it would never happen. He enjoyed his relationship with you but he craved normality, to hold your hand, to visit friends, to kiss you goodbye. If only he could take you out to dinner, or on a date he would be a happy man. However on the other hand he couldn't offer you much, he wasn't a rich man, he was burdened by his condition for at least a week each month and he felt like he was getting old.

He checked his watch at an hour had passed so he let Percy go. When Percy walked into the common room he didn't even glance in your direction, he walked straight past you and straight upstairs. You didn't hear from Percy for a few days, Remus explained to you what he told Percy and you let him in on you're conversation with McGonagall. Things seemed good, until the next time you spoke to Percy.

You were relaxing in the common room with Fred and George when Percy asked to speak with you. "What's up?" You said as you moved to a more private part of the common room.

"I wanted to apologies for the other day." He began and you nodded. "I was under the impression you and Lupin were hooking up but Lupin explained everything, he told me how you and him are no different to the other students he tutors, it was me who read into it too much."

"It's okay Percy." You said.

"I'm still not comfortable knowing you two have probably fucked but I understand that's normal for him and his tutoring, and it gets results I mean even you have begun to study it all makes sense." He said with a straight face.

"I didn't sleep with him." You said firmly it felt like he was apologising just to get you to admit you have slept with Remus.

"So it's just the Slytherin girl he's sleeping with?" Percy asked.

"What Slytherin girl?" You asked a bit too quickly.

"You know the pretty one, dark hair, super tall, she could almost be a model, I saw them kissing as she entered his office for her tutoring today." He explained and you felt frozen. "Anyway I just wanted to say sorry that's all, I hope we can still be friends." You nodded in confirmation before ending the conversation and going back to sit with Fred and George. You didn't say a word for a while before you excused yourself and left the common room. Your mind wasn't thinking straight you just needed to know if Percy was telling the truth, a part of you knew he may just be trying to upset you but what if he wasn't? Percy didn't usually lie.

You got to Remus's classroom almost immediately, you could barely remember the walk over, you knocked on the door and there was no answer so you opened the door for yourself. The room was empty, you felt relief, and that's when his office door opened. McGonagall and Dumbledore walked out the room followed by Lupin. "Miss L/N, lovely to see you to what do we owe the pleasure?" McGonagall asked as she noticed you, Lupin's face had a puzzled and concerned look.

"Sorry I knocked, but there was no answer I just had a question for Professor Lupin regarding an essay he set." You explained. "But I can come back later."

"Nonsense, I'm sure he can help you." McGonagall said looking over and Remus who was at the bottom of the stairs along with other teachers.

"Yes, how can I help you?" He said clearing his throat.

"I was just stuck on which book I should use for the analysis of Hinkypunk, as I can't find anything useful on the reading list." You explained and he nodded.

"I have one in my office that will be useful follow me." And so you did walking into his office which had a silencing spell on it so you knew you could speak freely. "Why are you here Y/N? I told you I'm busy today." He said looking a bit annoyed.

"Percy said that he saw you kissing a Slytherin girl who was coming into your office for tutoring and it got to my head." You explained looking down at your feet in disappointment.

"so you decided to execute a raid?" His tone was harsh.

"You're angry."

"I'm not angry I'm just disappointed." You looked up at him, he was looking straight at you while he leaned on his desk.

"Disappointed? Oh no that's worse than angry."

"I'm just disappointed I can't stay with you here and take you to my room this instance." He said coming to kiss you. Your heart melted at his words. He understood you. "Just next time my dear, please don't let Percy's words get to your head. You know how I feel about you. Do you really think I would risk it all for someone less special than you?" He asked and you shook your head.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay dear, now take this book." He picked a book off his desk. "I'll see you later today?" He added and you nodded. You left his office first, thanking him and saying goodbye to the other teachers.

Later in the afternoon you returned to Remus's office after checking the Marauders map to see he's alone. You considered yourself an idiot for not checking it originally when Percy lead you into what you believed was a trap, he must've known that Remus was with fellow teachers so he wanted you to storm in there, and in your haze of jealousy and distrust you did just that. When you arrived to his office it smelt like hot chocolate and tea, you were greeted by the usual warmth of Remus. He gave you a soft kiss as soon as you entered his office and gave you a cup of hot chocolate as you both cuddled on the couch, his arm around you as you sat with your legs up snuggled into his side. "I'm sorry about earlier." You said and he looked down at you with a warm forgiving smile. "Don't be darling."

"I should've been smarter, I just let emotions take control."

"I'm glad you care about me so much as to storm down here at a mere rumour. Makes me feel special, but please know I would never do something like that, we may not know what we are but please know I'm committed to you." His words were filled with genuine love.

"I didn't think you'd really do something like that but the way Percy said it, it all went to my head." You began as you sat up.

"I understand."

"Can I tell you a secret?" He nodded in response. "I have this map, I found it with Fred and George, it shows where everyone is at any time." You pulled the Marauders map out of your pocket. "I realised I should've just used it to check, but my brain turned to fog as I rushed down here." He had a small cheeky smile on the edge of his lips that you didn't fully understand.

"Have you ever used it to see where I am?"

"Honestly? Yes. Especially when you've ignored me, I used to check it to see if you're at the bridge or not. Remember that time when you were ignoring me, before Sebastian and I became close, well at first I went to the bridge to wait for you but then I realised I could just check where you are on the map and if you were at the bridge I'd know to go." You admitted and he was almost at the verge of laughing. "Why are you smiling?"

"Many reason my dear. Many reasons." He kissed the top of your head and took the map into his hands.

"Care to share?"

"Well, firstly have you ever questioned the original owners?"

"What the Marauders?" You said before it hit you what you had just set, suddenly in your mind you were sitting on the steps of 12 Grimmauld Place again and Remus was telling you about his Hogwarts days. "The Marauders." You repeated looking at the map that was now in Remus's hands. "Padfoot."

"Sirius." Remus replied.

"Wormtail."

"Peter." Remus said through his teeth a bit at the painful memory of Peter's actions later in life.

"Prongs."

"James." Remus's tone was sad this time.

"And you, my moony." You said and he nodded. "You've been part of my life for a lot longer than I've known Moony." You said with a feeling of warmth and odd excitement.

"It's funny how the world works, love." He kissed the top of your head again as he stood up to take something out of his office drawer.

"I owe you so much, so many pranks." You continued and he laughed.

"That's the biggest compliment me and the boys could ever receive, we always hoped it would fall into the hands of someone like you and the twins." He had some parchment in his hands as he sat back down.

"I can't believe I didn't realise this all before." You were shocked at your own stupidity.

"Well here's another interesting thing. This here is my own version of the Maruders Map, I guess it's just the Moony map as I made it alone when I came to teach here." He opened the parchment to reveal a more upgraded version of the map, it had more information it was colour coded and it was less used. "Now remember the times I wasn't going to the bridge? Well that's because I saw you weren't going, I didn't want to stand there alone like an idiot when I knew you were in your common room. So I stayed and each night I was disappointed you didn't go but I understood it was for the best."

"So we were both-"

"Checking the maps and waiting for the other, yes." He said and you both burst out laughing.

"I blame you." You said laughing. "They're your maps."

"I can't even fight that, oh if I could only tell James, he would love this. Sirius will rip me apart for this one." Remus said with a slight nostalgic voice as he hugged you a bit tighter. You could feel he felt both happy and lonely in those very moment. 

"You're not that stand up citizen you pretend to be in class." You said with a small laugh.

"I thought we established that the first time I laid my eyes on you." He licked his lips.

"I can't believe I've been using your map Moony."

"I can't believe we were both using maps to spy on each other at the same."

"Remus we're both such idiots." You said and he leaned in to kiss you. "The biggest." He said right before he leaned in and kissed you slowly, as he pulled away he bit your lip.

"I remember I promised you a tour of my sleeping quarters?" He stood up reaching an arm out to you, the moment you took it he managed to pick you up and scoop you up into his arms. He carried you through the door that lead to his private quarters.

64.media.tumblr.com

NEXT CHAPTER | More stuff I wrote

A/N: Yes Inspector Calls is a nod to David Thewlis being in the BBC adaptation of the play

Tags (if you aren't here but want to be leave a reply and I'll add you or DM me to get removed):

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#remus lupin x reader #student x teacher #teacher! Remus Lupin #professor lupin x reader #hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry #remus lupin #the maruaders #harry potter #remus love you #secret smokes #remus lupin x you #remus lupin x y/n #remus lupin imagine #the marauders #sirius orion black #remus lupin smut #remus x reader #remus john lupin

[0nlythrowharrybeaux]

A Twist of Fate - The End**

IT'S FINALLY DONE! I hope you guys like this final part of the A Twist of Fate series

Warnings: mentions of drug and alcohol, mental health/therapy themes, coming out as poly conversation, fingering, oral (fem receiving), unprotected sex.

WC: 25.5K

There's a playlist for this one!

When you woke up the following morning your head hurt and your body felt sore. You knew you were dancing a lot and moving in ways that your body was not accustomed to. Moreover, you were reminded of why you’d decided to stop drinking when you went out. You laid in bed in silence for several minutes, recapping all of the events from the party, and your stomach turned again as you envisioned the disillusioned look in Taylor’s eyes when she saw you coming into the bathroom.

She wasn’t mean or rude to you in any way, but a lot things flashed through your mind that made you react the way you had. The song a few months ago, the momentary lapse in your character that made you judge her when she and Harry were on vacation, and the kiss. You genuinely hadn’t felt all that bad about the kiss with Harry before, it had been a lapse in judgement, a mistake… that was until you were standing in front of her. You remembered how much you’d been fantasizing about kissing him again and apparently he felt the same way. It just felt like too many things to hold in, so they came out however they could. You were dying to apologize for ruining their evening, but you knew that speaking to either of them would cause more harm than good.

Your phone dinging with a text made you exhale. So you got a good stretch in, hearing a couple little cracks as you reached your limit and held it before relaxing and sitting up. You opened your phone and smiled when you saw Ricky’s text.

Ricky:

Hey:) Did you make it out alive? 

You had been seeing Ricky casually. It was quite an unexpected but almost obvious pairing. You’d spent a lot of time together now that you were back in the studio and you had also developed a friendship after working together for a couple years now. But after helping his sister out is when you starting hanging out more. One night when he was dropping you off after you guys had seen Provoker you just had this tense moment and he kissed you and you kissed back and well, now you’d been hooking up for a little over a month. 

Y/N: 

I did! Barely, but still haha

Ricky: 

But still:) When are you back?

Y/N:

Tuesday morning. Why…?

Ricky:

We should do something.

Y/N:

Yeah, that sounds nice. Maybe we can go to Venice? Grab some brunch and get high on the beach.

Ricky:

I think I might have to break our no romantic feelings rule over that.

You giggled as you read his reply and before you could respond a few knocks on the door startled you.

“Come in!” You called out.

“You’re up already?” Caitlyn asked with a smile and you nodded as she came over and climbed into the empty side of the bed. “How’d you sleep?”

“I should be asking you. The couch wasn’t too bad?” 

“It was alright. Better than being the audience to your tears all night.” She teased and you chuckled.

“Well, I didn’t really cry last night any more. I think it was just all really overwhelming in the moment.” You said and she nodded.

“Good. So you’re feeling OK? No bad crash?” She asked and you shook your head.

“I mean, I do feel a little down, but I don’t think it has anything to do with the molly…” you said and she hummed. “I’m just not happy with-” you paused and turned your attention back to you phone when it dinged in your hands and saw Ricky’s message.

Ricky:

I’m sorry. Did I make it weird?

Y/N:

No, not at all! Sorry, Cait just came in to check on me:)

Ricky:

Okay, thank fuck haha

Ricky:

Well I’ll let you go, I actually have to work out now so…

Y/N:

Stoooop, you do not lol It’s the worst, so I wouldn’t hold it against you if you didn’t.

Ricky:

Okay. I’ll just pretend not to know anything about your track history lol

Y/N:

Yeah, do that. I’ll text you later:)

Ricky:

Sounds good! 

“Look at you, all smiley after you said you’re a little down…” Caitlyn pointed out and you chuckled.

“It’s just Ricky.” You explained.

“Ah, still riding that…hmmm.” she hummed and you chuckled.

“God, so crass…” 

“I know.” She grinned and then your smile dropped as you recalled the previous topic at hand.

“I just feel really bad for yesterday. I hope I didn’t cause too big of a fuss with Harry and Taylor. I’m sure my reaction made me seem guilty of what she assumed.” You sighed, already overthinking it all over again. You’d replayed the scenario over and over at least a solid thousand times in the shower last night.

“Oh, they’ll be fine.” Caitlyn scoffed through a laugh, “You did the right thing in trying to avoid him. Who cares what she took the whole puking thing as. Hopefully she is able to believe Harry that you weren’t together and if she doesn’t well, that’s her issue, not yours.” She advised and you nodded.

“Right.” You smiled a bit.

“Well, what should we do today? Have breakfast and go for a little walk? Help wear off any hangover symptoms?”

“Yeah, that actually sounds good.”

“OK.” She smiled and got out of the bed, “I should shower first. S’gonna be a long one after the night we had.” She mumbled and you nodded.

“Oh yeah, please. Take your time.” You insisted.

**************

HARRY’S POV:

Harry hardly slept a wink. He hadn’t been able to reach anyone to stay with at the last minute and all the hotels he knew he could safely stay at were booked out, so he stayed on the couch in the suite. The couch was far too firm for his liking, but he still laid down there and just thought. He thought and thought for hours and hours if all of this had been worth it. He didn’t have Taylor and he didn’t have you. He felt heartbroken but he knew that this was the best outcome. He clearly couldn’t make up for the past, at least not in Taylor’s eyes. And it was better that they end things than for him to keep trying to meet an impossible expectation. Taylor wanted him to stop loving you, it was genuinely an impossible request. And settling deep in some crevice somewhere beneath all the hurt he recognized the feeling of relief. 

He tried his best to figure out what the relief was about, but he kept coming back to the same thing, he was relieved that the relationship was over. He felt wrong for having that thought. It was uncomfortable to have that knowledge and to just sit with it. But he processed through the discomfort and soon concluded that just how Taylor said she didn’t like herself anymore, neither did he. He was afraid to say or do the wrong thing and then be back in a weird limbo thing where she’d leave his place for a few days to clear her head and then come back a few days later with another condition he needed to meet to make things “work”. She was never unreasonable, but he was tired. He felt like he was fighting against who he was and he hated it. His mum always told him that he should be with someone who loves and accepts who he is and that he shouldn’t have to change fundamental parts of himself for the sake of making someone else happy.

He checked the time, it was only 7am and he dreaded being an early riser right now when he needed the rest. He just lay there quietly for a while, he could hear her moving around in the bedroom, she was probably packing up, their flight left that night. He had no idea what her plans were. Eventually, he really needed to use the bathroom and wanted a shower so he sat up and stretched his arms back behind his head and arched his back up, the low crack of his back releasing its tension made him hum before he stood. He knocked at the door gently with his index finger.

“Yeah?”

“I need a wee. And a shower.” He said. Moments later the lock clicked and she opened the door.

“Morning.”

“Good morning.” He murmured.

“You alright?” She asked.

“Yeah, I think so.” He said, “And you?”

“Good too. I don’t…regret it. Or take it back if that’s what you’re asking.” She said and he nodded, “Ummm, well go ahead and get in there.” She said.

“Tay?”

“Yeah?” She asked, eyes meeting his.

“We should talk logistics after. Don’t scamper off, alright?” He asked and she nodded.

“Yeah, ummm, should I order up?”

“Yeah, I’ll have whatever you have.”

“Kay.” She hummed.

When Harry got out their breakfast was being delivered. So he got dressed quickly and then headed out to the little table out in the lounging area of their suite. The spread looked good and he soon sat down and started eating. It was tense and quiet for a bit before he spoke up.

“So ummm…are you going to come back to London with me or take some time away?” He asked.

“Ummm, I think I’m gonna stay here. Just ummm…get a bit of space.”

“Yeah, that’s alright. Ummm, obviously, I can take care of this for you-”

“No, it’s alright. I mean…I broke up with you, if anything I should pay for you and…soothe your broken heart.” She said with a small smile and he chuckled.

“I might not seem like it but I am upset. It just doesn’t feel real yet.” He explained and she offered a tight-lipped smiled.

“It’s alright, I know what you mean.” She mumbled before they ate a bit more. “So ummm, are you gonna go after her? Y/N?”

“Ummm, we had this deal where we’d see where fate led us, so no.” he said and she sighed.

“All that for you not to go after what you really want?”

“It’s not like that. I really wanted things to work with you too, like I love you and I care about you-”

“Sure, but the whole time you’ve loved her. So you should go be with her.” She said, as if it were the obvious next move. He still didn’t think that she was fully understanding what was really going on inside of him.

“I mean, it’s not that simple…” 

“Sure it is, Harry.” She sighed, “You’ve been pining after her all these years. I mean, I know that things didn’t work out how you wanted the first time and that letting go really hurt you. But I think you’ve been running from what you really want for long enough, H. I know you’re scared that you’ll put yourself out there and it won’t work again, but you have to take the risk.”

“I will, just…when the time is right.” He said and she nodded.

After she packed the last of her things she headed off to somewhere he didn’t know and that was that.

****************

You had just finished breakfast and Caitlyn had just hopped in the shower and you were trying to figure out what to wear out. You had two options laid out on the bed when Caitlyn’s phone started ringing from the bedside table and you hurried over and froze as you saw “Harry Styles, mobile” displayed on the glass screen. There was a wacky picture of him making a funny, irritated face in the background. It made you smile for a moment before you wondered why he’d be calling. Maybe something was wrong? You decided to deal with the consequences later and just answer it. 

“Hello?” You greeted tentatively. Your voice faded into a breathless whisper by the second syllable of the word as the uncertainty of your decision grew.

“Y/N?” He asked, almost in disbelief and you nodded and then remembered you weren’t in front of him and inhaled sharply.

“Yeah, it’s me.” You responded and smiled when you heard him sigh in relief and then chuckle.

“Hi!” He greeted cheerfully.

“Hi.” You laughed breathily and then waited for his response.

“Ummm, I was only calling to check on you actually.” He said.

“Oh, that’s sweet of you.”

“Well, I heard through the grapevine that you got a little sick.” He chuckled and you giggled.

“Yeah, that happened…” you said and he hummed, “I’m alright, I just got overwhelmed because I was drinking and also I…did drugs. I don’t think I would’ve had such a theatrical reaction otherwise.” You explained.

“Well either way, I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Thank you. And how are you? I was worried that I maybe… caused some…tension between you and Taylor last night.” You said carefully.

“Yeah, I’m…alright.” He said, face twisted up a bit awkwardly.

“Why did you say it weird?” You asked and he chuckled.

“Did I?”

“I know you…” you said knowingly and he smiled to himself.

“I’m just so happy to hear your voice again. I missed the sound.” He expressed and you felt your cheeks getting all warm as you blushed.

“I’ve missed you too. A lot.” You responded. “So, how are you? Really.” You asked again. Harry was great at deflecting. But if something was wrong with them and you had unintentionally caused it, then the least you could do was talk it out with him.

“I swear, I am fine, but ummm…Taylor actually…broke up with me.” He said and you gasped audibly.

“Oh my god…” you sighed regretfully, already feeling awful and guilty for their demise, “I’m so sorry, H. So truly sorry. Are you sure you’re alright?” You asked and he sighed, “Was it because of me?” You asked next, your voice was small and quiet.

“Oh no, get that out of your head. Not at all.” He responded immediately, “It wasn’t you. This was all me…” he said and you sighed, “But I promise I’m good. Well at least right now I am…” he said.

“Well, when you don’t feel good you can call me, you know?” You said and he chuckled.

“Actually I can’t…I haven’t got your number any more.” He confessed and you scoffed.

“Oh…Okay…” you hummed in playful offense.

“I assure you it wasn’t my idea.” He added with a chuckle, “But I mean, deleting it didn’t really do what it was intended to, which was get me to forget about you, so…” He chuckled.

“I mean…” you hummed and giggled.

“Well ummm…I’m glad you’re alright.”

“Thanks. When are you heading home?”

“Tonight. I leave at 10.”

“Oh ummm…if you wanted some company we’re gonna go for a walk in the park?” You offered.

“Really?”

“Yeah, H.”

“Yeah, I’d love to come. Ummm, I’m staying at The Mark, so right near the park.”

“Oh, we’re at the Carlyle! Just down the street from you. We can walk over and meet you in the lobby?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect. Text me when you guys are walking over.”

“Will do.” You smiled.

“Alright, see you later. Bye.”

“Bye.”

When Caitlyn came out of the shower you immediately told her what you’d done and that Harry and Taylor had broken up. She was completely shocked that something as seemingly insignificant as running into you in the bathroom had been the thing that pushed Taylor over the edge.

“Wow…”

“I know. He said it wasn’t my fault but…I mean it all goes to shit after I had a wee run in with Taylor in the bathroom?”

“Yeah…I just can’t believe that is what broke the camel’s back. Like, it must’ve been quite bad between them if that’s all it took, you know?”

“Yeah…like I feel like it’s kind of my fault, but I also know I didn’t do anything, you know? But God, just seeing the joy drain from her face when she realized it was me…that sucked.”

“I can imagine. But hey, now you’re both single, maybe you guys can try again now.”

“Maybe…but he really loved her so I think he will need some time to get past this.”

“Just don’t wait too long. With both of you griping at me I don’t know what to do anymore.” She chuckled and you smiled.

“Yeah…”

***************

You and Caitlyn were waiting in the lobby at The Mark and after a few minutes Harry was wandering down looking cozy in a hoodie and some workout shorts. He smiled and waved when he saw you guys. You and Caitlyn waved back as he came closer.

“Hiya.” He said lowly as he hugged Caitlyn.

“Hey.” She hummed and then they pulled back.

“Hi.” He said more timidly as he stepped over to you and hugged you into his body. You relaxed in his hold and sighed in relief.

“Hi. It’s so good to see you.” You smiled as you pulled back.

“You too.” He grinned, “Umm, shall we?”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Caitlyn agreed.

You were all chatting, recounting your adventures from the MET as you made your walk through the park. Then, Caitlyn would take you guys to a coffee shop she really liked. It was relaxed, though as you got deeper through the park a couple of people did notice you guys and two girls started following you guys for a bit until you were veering too far from their path. You were all linked arms and skipping as you playfully sung the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” song from “The Wizard of Oz” through your laughter.

“Okay friends, ready for a little caffeine boost?” Caitlyn asked.

“Definitely.” Harry chuckled and then you guys started heading back. 

While waiting in line at the coffee shop and chatting with Caitlyn about what you guys should try, you and Harry had to respectfully decline getting pictures and videos with fans to avoid making a huge fuss. But nevertheless, it was obvious that people were recording from afar or taking pictures without your consent. He didn’t seem as nervous or fearful about it as he did when you two dated, so at least there was that. He felt far more confident and comfortable declining these requests now. Before he felt a little bit obligated, as did you, because if it weren’t for these people’s support you wouldn’t be where you were. 

You did a lot of work on boundaries in therapy and now you thought of it as being on and off the clock. If you were at an event or on a stage or out in public repping a certain brand or product even if you were with friends then you were “on the clock”. But if you were just hanging out with your friends, running errands, going about your day…then you considered yourself to be “off the clock” and during these moments, depending on where you were or who you were with, you might accept or decline the requests fans made of you. Now, after what Harry had been dealing with since the night (or early morning technically) you didn’t really want anyone getting too close and you could see the gratitude in his eyes when you turned away yet another fan who was gazing between the two of you and deciding that you might be the easiest target. 

“You’ve gotten really good at this.” Harry hummed lowly as he leaned closer to you and you giggled as his lips slightly tickled your ear.

“Thanks. Therapy.” You said as you glanced up at him and he hummed.

“Not cause of me, right?” He asked quietly.

“Not primarily, but you came up.” You confirmed and he smiled.

“I talked about you too. A lot.” He chuckled and you smiled.

“All good things I hope…”

“Oh yeah…definitely.” He said sarcastically and you laughed and you moved to elbow him playfully but he caught your arm first and just pulled your body in front of his. “Had to overpower you to prevent any violence.” He said quietly and you laughed and tossed your head back to rest on his shoulder and he glanced down at you.

“You have boogies.” You grinned as you informed him quietly and he furrowed his eyebrows and scoffed.

“No I don’t.” He sniffled and ran his finger under his nose just in case and you laughed and turned around to face him again now that his dominant hand was occupied. “Do I really?” He asked you quietly and you sniggered and shook your head.

“No, just messing with you.” You assured him as you laughed and he rolled his eyes before suddenly grabbing your arms and pulling you in and then pulling your arms around his torso.

“Hug me.” He requested softly and you swore the entire world stopped just then and you smiled as you leaned into him and hugged him tight before he squeezed around your waist and exhaled. You gently scratched over the expanse of his back for a few moments, “Now when I google us this’ll come up.” He said softly.

“Hmmm, very clever.” You smiled, “Love it.” You decided and he chuckled.

“Okay, stop flirting and decide on your drinks, we’re next in line.” Caitlyn said.

“Ready?” You asked softly.

“No.” Harry mumbled, “But do it. Just do it.” You sighed and let go of him and you looked up at him with a gentle smile as you rubbed over his shoulder.

“Oh, I missed you.” You said and he grinned and you turned around as you heard Caitlyn start ordering her drink.

“Please don’t check ‘em out, I’ve got them covered.” Harry called to the cashier who nodded and smiled at him. Soon after you were all corned up near the pick up counter chatting, including Caitlyn in it a lot more now that you and Harry had been able to just relish in each other’s company for a little bit.

“Order for Harry!” The barista called and Harry walked up and grabbed the drinks, smiling at the barista and mumbling a thanks before going the few steps over to you guys and handing over your drinks. 

Caitlyn had gotten a matcha latte while you and Harry opted for plain cold brews. Once again, you guys took off but this time back to your hotels with your drinks in hand to beat the warmth of the day. You guys were talking about your favorite looks of the night as you made the walk back and when you were down the street he turned to you guys.

“Ummm, would you guys want to come up for a bit? I don’t have to leave until 8 from here?” He asked, “We could have dinner?” He asked you two and Caitlyn shrugged.

“Yeah, I’m down.” She smiled and you turned to Harry and nodded in agreement. 

After being seen leaving earlier, there were people waiting around for him outside the hotel but you guys rushed in quickly and then headed up to his suite. You headed off to the bathroom while Caitlyn and Harry picked something to watch. You looked yourself over in the mirror and you were glad that you looked alright, you felt a little weird from your slight hangover still, bit you were glad you didn’t look dead. When you opened up the door Caitlyn was sitting on the bed waiting for you to get out so she could go in.

“S’all yours.” You smiled as you stepped out.

“Behave.” She admonished and you giggled and headed back out to the little “living room” area to see Harry still scrolling through the channels on the TV with a little furrow in his brow and a slight squint to his eyes and you smiled.

“Where are you glasses?”

“I lost ‘em a bit ago.” He said glancing over to you before you plopped down beside him.

“Oh H…”

“I know. Haven’t been able to secure an appointment.” He said and you hummed. 

“You feeling OK though?” You asked more seriously and he nodded.

“Yeah…like it sucks, but you guys are good company. I’m sure I’ll feel it when I’m on my own though.”

“Well I think that’s great, H.” You said and he looked at you a bit perplexed, “I mean that you have to feel this out. I know that you really love her and that this can’t be easy for you, so you have to sit with it a bit and just go through the motions of it all.” You explained.

“And what about us? Didn’t we agree that-”

“Technically you said a few years from now…” you said with a soft smile.

“Well I’ll be 30-something by then…”

“So will I…” you shrugged and he smiled a bit sadly.

“Have you…changed your mind?” He asked you cautiously. He was trying not to look broken up about it, but you knew him well and you could see the fear and concern in his eyes.

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying you need to be single for a little bit. More than two months.” You said and he chuckled, “Seriously Harry, when we ended you had a new girlfriend a few months later. And then when that ended you were suddenly with Taylor, no?” You asked and he chuckled.

“Yeah, I did kinda rush into this last few more than usual…it just felt really right at the time and we vibed well. I knew I’d be off for a bit so it felt like good time to try.” He explained with a shrug. “Taylor actually started talking to me before I was single, so we were friends for a bit so it’s not like I just dated someone I hardly knew.” He defended and you giggled along with him.

“Yeah, I joke a bit. But I mean, as long as you don’t regret the time you’ve spent and as long as you’ve learned and grown from these people and your relationships with them I think that’s great. But I think we both know that filling the void is simply a bandaid.” You explained.

“I know…” he sighed, “I really am just so scared of being alone.”

“Well H, you’re never going to be alone. I’m here whenever you need anything.” You assured and he glanced to you with a smile, “I know that maybe it was just…scary to talk and be around each other before, but I mean once we did see each other it didn’t…hurt. Not at all. It actually brought me…relief that…nothing had really changed between us.” You said to him and he hummed and nodded.

“Yeah.” He smiled, “You know I was genuinely dreading the day I’d run into you. I think I also thought it would be painful or feel like defeat or failure… it did fuck me up a bit but in a good way.” He assured and you chuckled.

“Yeah, same…” you smiled, “Well, all that to say that I love you, a lot! And I’ll always be here for you no matter what happens with us. I don’t want us to be estranged ever again. Got it?”

“Yeah.” He nodded with a relieved smile, “You know, I think you’re right though…”

“Of course I am.” You said, “About what?” He chuckled.

“That I need to just take a little bit of time to really just get through this and then we can think of everything else.”

“Right.” You smiled. 

You guys fell silent for a bit and then you heard that Caitlyn was actually on the phone in the bedroom. When you glanced back there the door was nearly closed all the way and you sighed as you glanced down at your hands.

“How about you? How’ve you been?” He asked.

“Good.” You nodded, “I mean, Seb was relentless for a bit, but a few weeks ago he just stopped trying to win me back. I mean, I don’t think what he wants is awful, but I don’t see myself changing that much of myself just to fit the kind of person he wants.”

“Yeah.” Harry nodded in understanding. “Like I don’t think that’s a bad thing either, but it’s just the way he expects it to rest on you that’s a little…antiquated.” He chuckled and you nodded.

“Right, like don’t tell it to me like it’s my job because I’m a female. That’s where it really upset me. Like if you have a life together and you share a home and have a family it’s both of yours to look after!”

“I agree.” He chuckled, “You know, I still don’t know how to change a tire.” He chuckled and you smiled.

“I don’t think you’ll ever need to know anyway.” You teased and he sniggered. He repositioned himself so that he was facing you now and you glanced over at him. “What?” You questioned and he smiled.

“I’m really happy that you’re here.” He said softly.

“Me too.” You assured and then he pulled you into his arms and hugged you tight. He sighed in relief as he rested his cheek over the top of your head. As you exhaled your body melted into his even more until he just left himself fall back against the arm of the couch.

“You know, when we were together, I genuinely thought you were the best person I’d ever met. And like even now, it’s like you’re still the same person but just elevated, if that makes sense?” He asked and you hummed, “I want to experience you as you are now. I really love what I’ve seen. Your self control, your patience, and your self awareness, I really enjoy seeing you this way. I think when we were younger you kind of…looked to me a lot to gauge how you should feel about things…like not that you were just agreeing with me, but that my views and perception of things mattered a lot and influenced yours a lot.” He explained and you hummed.

“Yeah, that’s very true. I think you just had so much more experience in the world and I agreed with mostly everything you cared about and so I definitely tried to learn things from you and let those things influence me a lot.” 

“Well not anymore…” he smiled, “I mean, I think values-wise we’ll always be on the same page, but now you’ve grown into it on your own. Like, you took all this time to just look after yourself and understand yourself and I’m just so proud of who you’ve become. And I want to…get to that point. I want to get to a point where you are proud of me.” He said.

“Oh, I am!” You said as you set up and turned to face him again, “I think you’ve come such a long way, H. And I think you know who you are now and it’s so refreshing to see it. I think you’ve overcome your need to people please and also your fear of what people think of you and what you do. Before, the way you were perceived was almost the most important thing to you.”

“Yeah.” He agreed.

“Like over the last couple years, seeing you out and about with your friends, your partners, or whatever it be, I mean, I love it! You’ve started choosing the things and people that make you happy regardless of what other people think and I love that for you so, so much. I’ve just always wanted for you to feel happy with yourself.” You said as you reached for and then squeezed his hand in yours. He glanced down at it and smiled.

“I do, I really do.” He assured you. “You know, I just can’t help but get excited when I think about how things will be with us when we try again. It’s going to be so good…we’ve both grown up so much and really taken care of ourselves. I think I might have a bit of catching up to do with you…” he chuckled, “But I’m going to work hard at it for myself and for us too.” He said and you smiled.

“Well just know that I’ve loved every version of you so far because you’ve always been good to me. But it’s really important to me that you feel happy with yourself and clearly that’s something you’re getting more and more in tune with and it’s very beautiful to witness.” You said.

“Ummm, thank you.” He said with a timid smile as you ran your thumb over his knuckles.

“Yeah, of course.” You replied. And before anything more could happen Caitlyn came out of the bedroom and let out an exasperated sigh. “Is everything alright?” You asked her as you both watched her come around.

“A writing session got moved up for a show I’m working on and I’ll need to be back in LA tomorrow afternoon.” She groaned as she plopped down on the couch. “I found a flight, a red eye though.” She said and you hummed.

“Well I’ll go back too, don’t want to be here by myself.” You said and she nodded.

“OK, let me get them then.”

“OK, I’ll Zelle you right now, just let me know how much they are.” You said and she nodded.

“We need to pack.”

“Yeah…” you sighed.

“You guys can go if you want. Please don’t feel obligated to hang around here.” Harry said.

“What if we help you finish your packing and then you can come with us and we can pack while we have dinner and then you go from there?” Caitlyn suggested.

“Ummm yeah, I’d love that actually.” He said.

“Settled then.” You smiled at him and he returned a brighter smile, “Let’s do it!” You said and he guided you guys to the bedroom and got his things together. 

He only had a carry on as he was only there for a few days so this didn’t take too long. You guys ordered an Uber while Harry checked out and then you all headed back to your hotel. Caitlyn did her own packing as she didn’t want Harry seeing her intimates and such, so he stuck to helping you. Not that he had seen any of your new stuff, but at least he’d been in that position before. Since you guys were going to be there for a week total you guys unpacked your things into the dressers and closet, so currently all your things were laid out on the floor while Caitlyn’s were on the large bed you had shared over the last several days.

“So you guys shared?” Harry asked as he folded up some of your jeans.

“Yep. Though I don’t think we will ever again-”

“Oh my god…I shoved you one night.” Caitlyn said as you started to laugh and Harry did too.

“One night’s enough trauma.” You said and she scoffed.

“Do you kick?” Harry asked.

“No, I think I maybe had a very vivid dream because I’m usually a very still.” She explained, “Though you are a cuddler. Maybe I was trying to get away from you.” She said to you and you giggled.

“Maybe…it’s just when I sleep in unfamiliar spaces.” You explained and Harry smiled at you.

“Still? With how much you’re on the road for tours and shit?” He asked and you shrugged, “S’cute.” He assured you softly as he continued folding one of your tops.

“It’s not.” Caitlyn said to you with a grin and you just stuck your tongue out at her and she chuckled.

After a bit you guys ordered in some grilled cheese sandwiches because it’s just a lovely comfort food. With Harry there and some stimulating conversation you guys finished packing quite fast, but now you had to go down to reception and sort out the early check out. Harry offered to go with you but you assured him it was fine, you didn’t want him to get flocked in the lobby and then you hurried out promising to be back soon.

“So…what’s up with you two?” Caitlyn asked Harry when you left.

“She wants me to stay single for a while and properly move past this. I mean, she’s right of course, but it’s just something I struggle with.” He admitted, “But she said I can count on her if I need anything.” He said of you.

“Yeah, of course. And me too! You have so many friends out in LA who would more than gladly lend an ear since we don’t see you as much anymore.” She explained and he smiled.

“Well thank you. I will definitely take advantage of that. And like…I do want to work on myself a bit more…maybe I can head out there for a bit and get some face time with my therapist. We talk on the phone or do virtual stuff sometimes, but I think I could use some in person intensive work. We haven’t spoken in maybe…close to a year.” He explained with a chuckle.

“Well yeah, if it’ll be beneficial to you, do it.” She encouraged him.

“Ummm, I hate to do this to you but ummm…I saw Y/N texting someone quite a bit while we were down here…is she seeing someone?” He asked, “Or maybe I should just ask her…yeah, I’ll just ask her.” He said instead and Caitlyn chuckled.

“Alright.” She smiled. Shortly after you came back into the room and told Caitlyn everything was good to go for your earlier departure. “Excellent.” She said to you, “Well, now that we’re all packed I’m going to smoke my joint on the balcony, I want this to be the greatest grilled cheese I’ve eaten in a long time.” She said as she stood from the bed and stretched. “Do you guys want some?” She asked glancing to them and then giving Harry a knowing glance.

“No, I’m alright.” Harry said.

“Same.” You assured her and she smiled and then made her way out of the bedroom and into the common area of your shared suite and after a few moments you guys heard the door shut behind her. 

“You still don’t smoke?”

“I’ve tried, I just can’t. It burns so bad.” You grimaced and he chuckled.

“S’not good for us anyway…” he said and you nodded, “Ummm…can I ask you something?” 

“Yeah, of course.” You nodded and waited for him to speak up expectantly.

“That umm…the guy you keep texting? Are you- is he-”

“Oh no. No, no, no.” you said to him right away, “Well…we are…ummm, hooking up, but he’s just a friend.” You explained and he nodded.

“Oh okay. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t like…coming on so strong just for you to be…taken again.”

“I’m not the one who moves lightening fast here…” you teased and he chuckled and bit down on his lip to suppress the laughter he wanted to let out, “Come on…you know it was funny.” You pressed as you giggled.

“Yeah, real fucking funny.” He grinned and you chuckled as you stood up from the floor, “Where are you going?”

“Nowhere, just up here. I wanna pick a really funny movie because I really like it when she gets all giggly.” You explained to Harry and he laughed as he also pushed himself up off the ground and joined you on the large king bed. You glanced down at the remote with about a bajillion buttons and scoffed as you tried to find the one that would bring up the list of the scheduled programming.

“Need some help?”

“I can do it.” You assured as you pressed yet another wrong button, “Doesn’t it usually say guide?” You asked and he chuckled.

“Yeah? Does it not?”

“No…” you hummed, “Here.” You said handing it over and he scanned over his options before just trying “menu” and hoping that would take him somewhere useful but nothing happened, “I think we’re on the menu page.” You said to him and he furrowed his eyebrows.

“Should we call the front desk?”

“Oh no, that’s humiliating. I think we can just press every button until we find it.” You sniggered and he handed it back over.

“You do it then.” 

“Gladly.” You hummed and started going button by button, after a few tries you gasped and you got it. “Oh! Hooray!” You exclaimed and he just watched you light up at such a tiny thing and it made his heart flutter at just how cute you were. That’s one thing he missed so much about you. You made such a big fuss over things, truly anything was an excuse to celebrate and be joyful. He missed being around that, there truly wasn’t a victory too small for you. Harry studied your face as you looked through the channels listed on the screen. “You’re staring.” You smiled without peeling your eyes from the screen.

“I know.” He responded and you glanced over to him to find him just admiring you. “You’re just so breathtaking.” he said softly. It made your heart flutter and for your tummy to feel all tingly as his gaze raked down your face and then landed on your lips. You had to look away because you swore your throat was closing up from how nervous you were. But when his hand landed under your jaw and angled you back up to look into his eyes you swallowed thickly.

“Har…” you whispered and squeezed your eyes shut.

“No, baby. Look at me. Please.” He insisted and you blinked your eyes open to look at him again with a racing pulse as he inched closer to you. Your noses touched and you lingered near each other nervously, eyes flickering between each others as your lips skimmed together as your breaths started getting heavier. Both of you were hoping one of you would be brave enough to bite the bullet or to just break it off. But preferably to follow through with the kiss.

“Fuck it.” You whispered before surging up to properly connect your lips. The first kiss was just a quick one, a tester almost since you both just looked at each other for a moment.

“One more.” He mumbled and you nodded before he leaned back in and held your neck gently as he kissed you deeper this time. But that kiss inevitably became a string of smiley pecks as you two tried to pull away. “Just one more then.” He smiled and you laughed a bit as he kissed over your top lip and then your bottom lip before he pulled back and your eyes met again. They were both sparkling with need and before you knew it your arms were around his neck and he was settling himself over you as your head sank into the fluffy pillow beneath you . Harry’s warm smooth lips moved in a perfectly synchronized and familiar dance with your own as you kissed ardently.

You moaned as he rolled you onto your sides and his arm draped over your hip and then slid under your shirt. His fingers tickled up your bare back before his hand flattened right beneath the band of your bra and pushed you closer to him. His thigh was trapped between your legs, allowing just a bit of friction for you. Your tongues slid together before he sucked on your bottom lip and then went back in to kiss you properly. Just as things were about to get a bit more heated you heard some heavy knocks on the door along with the room service call. 

“Mmm…need to get the food.” You mumbled against his mouth.

“In a second.” He hummed before licking into you again and you shuddered and moaned into his mouth at his intensity and fell back into the languid kiss. You were buzzing with excitement as he started to peck your lips a few times before slowly retreating until finally, you were both just panting heavily as you regained your breaths. “Okay, go.” He hummed softly with a smile.

“One more.” You whispered to him and he grinned and grabbed your face before pecking over your lips several times until you were both giggling through it, no amount of kisses were enough for either of you.

“Just leave or I won’t be able to stop.” He mumbled and you laughed, tossing your head back which caused him to kiss your chin. When you straightened up again he ran his thumb down your smile line, “Mmmm, I’ve missed your laugh. And your lips, and how you taste, and how you kiss me…” he muttered between gentle smooches. “It’s just not like this with anyone else.” He mumbled and you pressed your forehead against his.

“It’s really not.” You agreed, “Okay, let me get the food. And Caitlyn.” You said and he nodded before kissing the tip of your nose and letting you go. You rolled out of the bed and then hurried to get the door to wheel in your tray of food and then you went to grab Caitlyn who was already quite stoned. “Come to bed, we’re gonna watch a movie or something.”

“Kay.” She mumbled and followed you into the bedroom as you pushed the little cart in.

Harry rolled out of the bed and grabbed his sandwich before hopping back on and then you grabbed yours and got on the bed next. Caitlyn stayed standing as she picked at the fries on her plate.

“Get on.” You giggled and she sniggered.

“Oh right, right…” she hummed and got in behind you. “What’re we watching?” She asked as she leaned against the headboard.

“Oh, we’re watching Derry Girls. This thing has Netflix.” Harry said as he searched it up.

“How convenient that you know how it works now.” You said to him as he pointed the remote at the TV.

“Oh no, I just pressed something by mistake as I adjusted myself a bit.” He chuckled, “Well m-my position! I adjusted my position.” He clarified quickly for Caitlyn’s sake.

“Oh please, I only left to give you guys a moment. The sexual tension is suffocating.” Caitlyn said before biting into her sandwich and then moaning in delight at the perfectly crisp bread and then the gooey, warm cheese. “What you two have is what I have with this sandwich right now…fuck, that’s perfect…” she sighed happily. And you just giggled as you glanced to Harry and shrugged and he smiled and then you all started eating as the show started up.

The time for Harry to go came very swiftly and before you knew it, you and Caitlyn were getting in the elevator to walk him out to meet his driver. You all chatted a bit during the ride down and finally you were heading out to the lobby.

“Ummm Cait can you be a look out for a minute?” Harry asked her and she smiled and nodded as she reached for his suitcase and Harry grabbed your hand and pulled you into the stairwell. “I just wanted to hold you for a little bit.” He said and you smiled and hugged him tight and he sighed and squeezed you.

“You’re gonna be a alright, H.” You assured him, “And if at any point you’re not, I’m here for you. Always.” You assured him and you felt him nod in understanding. “I love you. So, so much.” You reminded him.

“I love you too.” He whispered back. After a few more moments you pulled back and tiptoed before you grabbed his face gently in your hands and smiled as you pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

“One for the road.” You hummed and he smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” You assured him and then you grabbed his hand and led him back out by the elevators.

“That was quick.” Caitlyn smirked and you both rolled your eyes at her as she giggled.

“You’re a menace.” Harry said as he grabbed his bag from her hands.

“I know.” She giggled.

“Come on. Can’t keep the driver waiting.” You said and then you guys headed out. 

The night was still warm and Harry greeted his driver before getting his bag in the car. There were a few people lingering outside who were now watching the three of you considering Harry was a hard person to miss, his energy alone commanded people’s attention. 

“Well thank you both for including me today. I had a lot of fun and I missed being with you guys.” He smiled.

“I’m glad you had a good time.”, “Of course, H.” You and Caitlyn ensured.

“A group hug is in order, I think.” He said and you both smiled and huddled around him.

“Don’t be a stranger.” Caitlyn hummed as you guys pulled apart.

“I won’t.” He assured with a smile before hugging her and then he hugged you. He held you a bit longer than Caitlyn before he released you.

“Let me know when you land and make it home safe. Okay?” You smiled up at him as you rubbed his arm sweetly and he nodded before hopping in the car. You guys waved him off and then headed back up to your suite.

“You know you’re gonna go way more viral now…” Caitlyn said and you sighed.

“No, I think people will say he cheated on Taylor with me and wreak havoc on me.” You said, realistically. 

“Well, he kinda did…” Caitlyn said through a chuckle.

“Oh, shut it.” You quipped and she laughed. “Fuck…he did though.”

“It was a kiss.” 

“A kiss she doesn’t know about.” Caitlyn reminded and you nibbled on your bottom lip as you rode back up to your floor.

“Maybe asking him to join us was a mistake? I mean…he looked far too happy for just being broken up with.”

“Friend, he hadn’t been happyfor a while now and it was all to do with the path his relationship was going down. Not you.” She said emphatically, “You both kept your end of the bargain by keeping your distance and seeing what would happen in the future. It was just hard for Taylor to live with the information that he still loves you. Do you think he’s polyamorous?” She asked you.

“I don’t know…maybe?” You shrugged.

“I mean, at least when we spoke about his predicament that’s what it sounded like to me. That he loved you but that he also loved Taylor and he wanted to try and keep his feelings for you “on pause” somehow to work on his relationship with her.” She explained and you hummed. “But I think to her it was hard to come to terms that he was in love with you while simultaneously being in love with her. And I told him that it just doesn’t work for some people, they don’t see how love can be expansive like that in a committed relationship. My first ever girlfriend in college, Jen, was poly. And I thought I was okay with it, she said she could be monogamous, just her feelings continued to exist for others. She had this friend though that she loved too, it was just so obvious how they felt for each other and it sucked. It started to affect how I felt in that relationship. She never crossed a line and neither did he, but I just felt really insecure in it. I understand it so much better now, I mean I was only 19 when I dated her. But I fully understand why for Taylor it was just not possible to move forward with Harry if this is her first time in a situation like this.” She explained and you nodded. “And I mean, I think that you also need to figure out if that’s something you can live with if he is.” She said.

“Right…”

“Like I get that you guys are like each other’s person, but that doesn’t mean he can’t meet and love someone else along the way, you know?”

“Yeah, that’s true…I mean, just seeing how he was trying to accommodate things to support Taylor’s needs gives me a sense of peace. But I mean, we should definitely have a conversation about what this might look like for him in the future whenever we get back to a stage where we’ll have a relationship.”

“I agree.” Caitlyn said.

Overall, you felt good about where you were now to be back in touch with Harry if he needed you at any point. You were also extremely proud of yourself for the way you handled the situation about your future together. Of course, you would run into his arms at a moment’s notice, but he was sad and he needed to grieve the wonderful person he had lost. He did love Taylor, at least enough to put all of his effort into making up for breaking her trust. It had just happened and you really wanted to give him time to sit with the situation and work through the hard feelings you knew would come soon.

As soon as you guys landed early the next morning you, Harry, and Caitlyn were plastered all over social media per a call from your manager. She sent you a link and you looked and sure enough there were photos and videos of you three talking and skipping through central park, looking like you were having the best day of your lives. You showed Caitlyn who just mumbled a low “it is what it is” and you bit your lip.

JENNY L:

And there’s also this one…

You saw her next text and then clicked on the linked article and when it loaded you couldn’t help but snort out a laugh as you read the obscenely cheesy title of the gossip article: “STYLES CHOOSES TO SKIP OUT ON TAYLOR!” It was staring at you in big, bold red font. But your stomach twisted a bit in anxiety as you scrolled down the article recounting what witnesses had said to the tabloid. There were quotes in the same bold font saying how you guys seemed really “happy”, “cozy”, and “familiar with each other.” And of course there was a short clip of him whispering into your ear while you hugged and gently scratched at his back at the coffee shop. Also of you glancing up at him and the both of you smiling when you joked with him about having visible boogies… you smiled at the memory but you knew that what would surely come next when the both of you gave no real explanation to this. Towards the bottom of it there was one more photo, one of the only ones ever taken of you two a couple years into your relationship. You guys had been walking back to his house in London after having some lunch. It explained how it seemed that you guys had been familiar at some point and maybe you’d lost touch but were back in touch after the MET.

JENNY L:

I already have a few reporters reaching out for commentary. Please tell me you guys didn’t do something bad…

Y/N:

No, don’t worry about this. Taylor actually broke up with him after a MET after party. There was an incident, I’ll call and explain when I get home. We’re in the car service right now on our way back from LAX.

JENNY L:

For sure. 

Y/N:

I’ll also call Harry and see what his team is going to do.

JENNY L:

For now don’t. I’ll get in touch with Jeffrey and Tommy. I know they’ll want to isolate him from this as much as possible. I’ll be standing by for your phone call.

Y/N:

Sounds good. Talk soon!

Jenny “hearted” your message and you guys drove off to your place in silence. Caitlyn had left her car at your place and since Sebastian and you had broken up she decided to keep some things at your place for impromptu sleep overs. So as soon as you got in she went to get some more sleep in the guest bedroom while you called Jenny and explained what had happened the night before. It hadn’t been anything bad, but you then explained what Caitlyn had shared about how Harry and Taylor were struggling with getting back on track after he admitted he had feelings for you.

“…so yeah, there wasn’t anything fishy per se apart from that. We actually hadn’t even spoken since we saw each other last year. Taylor never attempted to contact me or anything either, we don’t even know each other. Just that little run-in in the bathroom which no one saw.” You shared with Jenny, “So uh, no connections there either.”

“Okay, sounds good. Already the fans are labeling you a home wrecker, they really liked them together.”

“Yeah, I was expecting that.” You sighed.

“Oh, Jeffrey just texted me!” Jenny said and opened it up, “Okay he said that Harry wants to clarify that you have been close friends since you were 19 years old but that he’s not all that sure that they should do that because you guys having a history could mean more of a logical framework for any theories of cheating.”

“Yeah, like we were so close that it eventually led to that…” you said, “I mean we could just both go no comment. I know we didn’t do anything wrong so… ”

“Yeah, I agree. I guess Harry doesn’t want to “hide you from his life” is what Jeff just said.” She shared and you bit your lip.

“I think I need to talk to Harry ,this is something he feels like he might owe me for. When we dated, I mean, you know…we were both so worried about the public ruining it for us. He did tell me that he felt bad that he let his fear of what others might think get in the way of us living our lives. And that it sometimes felt like we never happened because everything was so hidden. He said he wished that everyone could’ve seen how happy we make each other. He could be wanting to make up for that…”

“Mmmm, okay. Let me tell Jeffrey to get him on the line, we can do a group call or FaceTime?”

“Yeah, that’s alright.” You assured her.

“Okay I’ll call you back.”

“Yeah.” 

A few minutes later a call was coming in with the three of them and Jenny, and you guys started to discuss. Tommy said that he had tried to get in touch with Taylor’s team but she didn’t want to weigh in on anything as she was still dealing with the decision to break up with him. Harry understood that, so they weren’t going to get a confirmation from her any time soon that she had ended the relationship.

“H, I completely understand why you want to release that statement but I think it’ll only perpetuate the idea that we were doing things behind her back.”

“I just don’t want to hide that you make me happy anymore.” He sighed.

“We’re not, I mean the pictures are everywhere.” You said with a small smile, “People can see it but we don’t owe them any explanations about it. I don’t think we should address speculations.”

“Yeah, yeah you’re right.” He finally agreed and everyone looked relieved.

“I think if we gradually increase your time together it might make it look more natural?” Tommy suggested.

“What about private photos? What if we have an “iCloud leak”-”

“Absolutely not.” Harry cut Jenny off.

“Well Harry, that might establish what you want without having to say anything.” Jeffrey explained.

“We could choose what we release. Just things from birthdays or shows, parties…” you suggested, “We could show them this is nothing new, that we were always like this.” You smiled.

“Okay, fine…I mean, even Caitlyn has some stuff on her instagram from years ago…I was…looking.” He said and you smiled. “Oh shut it…” he chuckled as you all laughed.

“She’s on private though…always has been.” You reminded and he hummed.

“What if she’s the one that gets “hacked”. People are starting to look into who she is as well. I already saw one article that identified that she’s a screenwriter, I’m sure more people will be trying to see how she’s linked.” Jeffrey chimed in.

“I’ll have to ask her…I don’t want her to give up her privacy for us.” You said and Harry agreed.

“Well I think that would be the best case if she gives us access to her instagram and iCloud. But if not, then we just do the iCloud leak from one of your accounts.” Jeffrey decided. “Start looking through your pictures guys.”

You guys agreed on this strategy and you agreed you’d ask Caitlyn when she woke up. Of course, your best friend listened with an open mind and wasn’t even reluctant to agree and help you guys out. She knew that you guys had messed up when you saw each other that first time, but your commitment to let each other try and live your own lives really showed her that you guys regretted betraying your partners, so of course she wanted to help you both now. When she checked her instagram there were already tons of DM’s and follow requests waiting for her. She wasn’t even verified, she really just used this for personal things, so it would be understandable if she got hacked now that she was connected to you and Harry. Over the next few days your teams figured out the logistics of this plan and Caitlyn shared with you and Harry any pictures that she had of you guys on her iCloud and then a few weeks later the “leak” happened. 

Screenshots of Caitlyn's grid were taken and leaked on twitter from years back and it worked. People were immediately finding what you guys wanted them to find. Then two days later the “iCloud leak” happened. With this stunt, a solid timeline of your and Caitlyn’s friendship with Harry was established. There weren’t too many photos but the ones that fans were circulating the most were the ones of you two with Harry while he was still in the band. Of you guys at Caitlyn’s 25th birthday party with you and Harry kissing her cheek on either side. There was a video of you and Harry doing karaoke, a couple of pictures and a video of Caitlyn and Harry at your first big, sold out show in London. And finally one of him painting your nails with a prototype of what fans soon discovered was now the Pleasing polish “inky pearl”. It had to appear as though “the hacker” had intentionally dug through years of things to find this specific content. And once those were out into the world the tune changed and people thought it was cute that you guys had been friends for that long. People were saying that you guys appeared to be really into each other even back then and that you would make a cute couple.

Naturally, that started shifting the narrative into “maybe Harry dumped Taylor and was just out with his old friends to cheer up a bit”, which was mostly right. But once that became the main rumor an anonymous source leaked to a few gossip news outlets that Taylor had actually been the one to dump Harry the night of the MET. Obviously, Harry and Tommy had been in on that with her representatives because they didn’t want her looking like the chump when she had been the one that did the dumping. And once that came out the internet went wild and people were overwhelmed with the knowledge that his old friends truly were comforting him after a break up and that Taylor had dumped Harry because they were “growing apart”. 

You were fine, but having that all out there in print is what really seemed to make it real for Harry and he started to disappear a bit. You knew he needed space and time to process and heal, so you gave it. You didn’t want to bug him or make him feel pressured, so you assured him that he didn’t have to talk to you if he wasn’t in the mood. But if he didn’t mind, you’d just check in every few days, say hi, send some encouragements and he agreed to that. It was all very one sided as the months inched by and boy, did you miss him, but he really needed to get through this on his own terms.

…. August 2024 ….

Harry’s POV:

When Taylor returned to London in early June to pick up her things from his place it was extremely bittersweet for him to see how she looked so much lighter in terms of her mood and persona as a whole. She didn’t look tired or stressed how she had towards the end of their relationship. She looked more like herself and even sounded like herself, all bubbly and optimistic about things. It made him feel really happy for her, but it also made him sad, knowing that he contributed to her unhappiness. Knowing that he had hurt her enough to dull the gorgeous and bright person that she had been before. The person that he had fallen in love with. He even tried to kiss her when she was leaving and nearly died of embarrassment when she rejected him, but he understood.

He and Tommy did share the PR plan you guys made and assured her that you were cautious in trying to keep her out of it as much as possible. But he heard from her again when the public brought her into the picture and she wanted to set the record straight and he agreed that she should, he didn’t mind it. But once all of it felt resolved he just crashed. 

He stopped talking to you around the second week of June because he just didn’t have the energy. But you had been kind and checked in, assuring him he didn’t need to answer, but you just wanted to encourage him a bit. It meant the world to him that you understood to keep doing that, but still giving him the space he needed to get through this. For months now he had allowed himself to feel it, like you told him he needed to do. And god, it hurt…it hurt so much, but it was relieving to have felt it all. The sadness had faded seemingly very suddenly, he just woke up one day and didn’t feel hopeless. He missed you though, he wanted to see you so badly but he had no idea when too soon was “too soon”. 

Y/N:

This popped up on my pinterest feed! IT’S YOU! Lololol. I laughed so hard and it’s so, so cute. I hope today is better 💛

Harry’s head knocked back as he laughed at the little image on his screen. It really was him and the fact that even the text said “Feel it all” was extremely fateful. He smiled and “hearted” the message before setting his phone down on the counter and turned to go make himself some coffee. Seconds later he came back and unlocked his phone and texted his assistant to book him a one-way ticket to LA for next week.

****************

Y/N POV:

Your summer had been very nice so far. You genuinely were not worried about Harry in the slightest, you knew that healing took time and he knew well that you’d be waiting whenever he was ready. After seeing the way things worked out after the MET, you had a restored sense of hope in fate and the universe, so you let it be. For the time being you were having a lot of fun in the studio working on some new things. You were also spending a lot of time with friends and with Ricky too. You guys were just enjoying what you had going on. It wasn’t a routine at all, your hookups were sporadic and spontaneous, like now…

“Oh fuck yes, right there!” You mewled as his long fingers prodded into your g-spot as his thumb glided over your clit over and over at the perfect pace.

“Shhh…” he chuckled as he looked around briefly. You were in a hidden little nook at the studio. Everyone had gone for lunch but someone could always come in at any moment. “Look so fucking pretty today. You wore it for me, didn’t you?” He mumbled against your lips and you smiled.

“F'ourse.” You panted and then inhaled sharply as your walls fluttered around his fingers as your orgasm neared. It always took longer for you to come standing, so you’d been there a while. “I’m getting close…fuck, faster!” You implored and he listened and started pumping his fingers faster until your legs were trembling. Your head knocked back against the wall and you huffed out a laugh at the thud, but it wasn’t enough to deter you from coming.

“Come for me, Y/N.”

“Yeah, jus’don’t stop…don’t stop…oh my god, I’m coming!” Your moan broke through your throat and he brought his other hand over your mouth to mute your sounds. Your arms hugged around him to keep yourself upright as your knees went weak and shook at the waves of pleasure coursing through you. Your walls were pulsing rapidly around his fingers as you rode it out. He removed his hand from your mouth as you started panting and wrapped it around your waist while his fingers continued fucking into you slowly to help you ease off of your climax. You angled up and kissed his lips before smiling giddily, your eyes all sparkly and heavy with lust.

“Y’good now?” He asked with a grin after a minute or two and you nodded.

“Yeah.” You confirmed and he let go of you and pulled out his fingers before sucking them clean. 

He tugged your skirt back down to where it was before your little romp session. Your lips met eagerly for several moments, smearing together and connecting fervently. As much as you wanted to, you couldn’t return the favor now, there wasn’t time. So you kissed him to show your gratitude for his immediate attention to your obvious need. 

“So after the afternoon session do you want t-” you paused when you thought you heard a door close.

“What’s-”

“Shhh.” You shushed him quickly and he froze as you definitely heard some movement in the control room. 

“Maybe they’re just grabbing something?” He whispered and you both stayed quiet trying to hear anything else, whoever it was wasn’t leaving.

“Where’s my underwear?” You asked him and he patted at his pocket and then glanced around to find that they had not stayed in his pocket.

“I think they fell out of my pocket in the live room somewhere.” He said and you groaned quietly. He peeked out a bit and saw them near the large amp you’d been sitting on before you moved into this little nook. “They fell out near the amp.” He said regretfully and you swore your brain melted from how embarrassed you were. If anyone walked into the live room they would surely see them. And then the worst thing that could happen did, you both heard the soft creak of the door to the live room opening.

“Shit!” You whispered and decided to just get out there. Maybe you could grab them before they even noticed and hurry out to the bathroom and Ricky would just stay hidden until the coast was clear. “OK, I’m gonna grab them. Just stay until I come get you.” You whispered and he nodded. You exhaled shakily and then stepped out of your little corner only see Harry Styles himself stop as he approached the piano bench, thankfully on the other side of the room. He smiled wide as soon as he saw you.

“Surprise!” He exclaimed through a chuckle and you reared back a bit, at least to kick your panties behind the amp so he wouldn’t see them on the floor. “Why are you backing away, come here!” He chuckled and you glanced down quickly to see they were hidden enough before hurrying over to him.

“W-what’re you doing here?” You asked him with a smile as he sighed and hugged around you and then squeezed a bit tighter. You were completely flustered now and distracted and he could feel the weirdness you were exuding as you cut your hug short.

“I just wanted to surprise you.” He explained and you nodded.

“That’s really sweet of you.” You said and he chuckled as he took you in for a moment.

“Are you OK?” He asked and you nodded quickly.

“Of course!”

“Are you sure? I mean, I know I kind of just showed up but I was expecting a little more enthusiasm form you after not seeing each other for months.” He chuckled and then the next worst thing happened, Ricky’s phone started ringing. Of course he had to have Patrick Star saying “Leedle-leedle-leedle-lee” as his ringtone. Your face fell into your hands in absolute mortification as Harry burst into laughter at the very random interruption, “Is that your ringtone?” He gasped through his laugh and you shook your head, still hiding your face in your hands. “Oh. Then…” he sighed and you glanced up at him, “Oh…” he said more quietly and you exhaled.

“Ummm, Ricky it’s fine. It’s Harry.” You said and he stepped out from the little hidden corner seconds later. He looked between you and Harry with painfully embarrassed smile. But he inhaled sharply and pushed the feelings aside.

“Hello Harry, I’m Ricky.” He said extending his hand out and you winced.

“Mmmm, maybe don’t do that right now.” You said softly and he glanced down at his hand and then pulled it back once he realized that he had just used that same hand to finger fuck you.

“Right, ummm…”

“Just, come here.” You said as you went behind him and gabbed his arms to corral him out of the studio and to the bathrooms. “And you, stay here please.” You called back at Harry who just nodded, still quite shocked at what he’d walked into and moments later you had emerged into the hall and exhaled shakily.

“Oh god, that was bad! That was so bad!” He panted nervously.

“I know! Fuck…”

“Did you get your underwear.”

“No! He was already in there, I just kicked them behind the amp.” You explained. “Look, I ummm, I think I need to talk to him alone for a little. Just go wash up and let everyone know to take another thirty or so?”

“Yeah, OK.” He nodded and then chuckled, “I’m sorry to put you in this position.”

“It’s fine, I was the one that was too impatient to wait until after.” You reminded and he chuckled.

“True…” he mused with a grin, “Ummm, well you go deal with that and I’ll go stall everyone a little.”

“Thank you.” You breathed out and then inhaled slowly.

“Hey, it’s gonna be fine. OK?” He smiled and you nodded with your bottom lip bitten beneath your front teeth out of nerves, you needed to take it out on something, “Go on.” He insisted and you turned around and headed back into the studio. When you entered the control room and looked out the large window into the live room Harry glanced back at you from his seat on the piano bench. You headed back in a bit timidly and he smiled at you.

“You alright?”

“Yeah! Sorry about that, it just…happened.” You explained bashfully and he nodded.

“Yeah, I get that.” He smiled, “S’good to put a face to the name.”

“Oh yeah…” you hummed and shook your head again. Harry chuckled and reached for your hand before hesitating.

“Is your hand clean?” He asked before grabbing it and you chuckled but nodded. “OK.” He hummed and stood before grabbing both of your hands and running his thumbs over your knuckles. “I’m fine.” He assured you, “Well…maybe fuming inside…just a little…” he confessed.

“Don’t worry, it was just that, not sex, m’not that crazy.”

“And I wonder whose idea that was, you little exhibitionist.” You teased and you shook your head as you giggled.

“Either way, ummm I am happy you’re here.” You said, “So can we have a do over?” You asked and he chuckled.

“Of course.” He said and released your hands before wrapping them around your shoulders and pulling you in. You hugged around him and leaned into him.

“I’m really happy to see you. Missed you.” 

“Me too.”

“So what made you come out here?” You asked and he pulled back a bit, his hands grabbed your face gently.

“The froggy picture.” He admitted and you laughed and he bit his lip as he watched you laugh. You were so pretty, he was glad he saved seeing you again for the first time for this face to face encounter.

“When I saw that little cardigan on him I just about died.” You recalled, giggled at the memory. “It’s so cute.”

“Yeah, it was cute.” He agreed, “You look so pretty today.” He complimented.

“Thanks. You too.” You hummed and he chuckled.

“Mmm…particularly like you in this skirt. Though it is a bit skimpy…” he pointed out and you smiled.

“Yeah, s’quite short.” You agreed.

“Then you might be…” he reached down and hooked on his index finger was your underwear, “needing these back.” He hummed and you felt your face heating in embarrassment as you glanced over to them and then to him. He was smirking and you reached for them and he raised them out of your reach. “Mmm…just a little higher, love.” 

“If I reach any higher my ass will show.” You laughed and he did as well.

“So unprofessional…” he mumbled and you rolled your eyes before looking deep into his eyes pleadingly.

“Please.” You insisted, “Would love it if I didn’t flash anyone at work today.” You said and he chuckled and lowered them so that you could reach for them but then pulled them away from you. 

“May I?” He asked and you bit your lip. He smirked at your response, “I’ll take that as a yes.” He hummed and stepped forwards, effectively backing you up until you bumped into the piano, the higher keys at the end clanked discordantly as your weight pressed them down and your gazes met as you both sniggered in amusement at the happy little accident. The sound seemed to reverberate forever, that’s how tense it was between you two. He crouched down and spread them out for you, allowing you to step into them as he stood and pulled them up your legs and finally over your center. He really tried his best not to look or lean in when he got them up to your pussy. He knew you were wet, but it was not from what he had walked in on, it was all for him. It probably had been all along, he didn’t want to assume, but he hoped. He really hoped. “There you are.” He hummed as his fingers fixed the straps along your hips, tugging on them a bit to straighten them out.

“Thank you.” You said softly.

“Of course.” He smiled as he fixed your skirt again and placed his hands on your hips. You suddenly smiled even wider and he giggled, “What’s that cute little smile about, then?”

“Nothing. Just thinking that you’ve never… I don’t think you’ve ever done that before?” You shrugged.

“Mmm…surely I have.” He mused, his face scrunching a bit in thought, “Or not…maybe not…” he decided a few seconds later. “I’m glad I was clever enough to pull it off.”

“Oh yeah, that was…a moment.”

“Core memory?” He smirked.

“Oh yeah, core memory.” You smiled and just hugged him again and he hummed happily, “You’re staying, right?”

“Yeah, if you want me to.” He mumbled and you pulled back.

“Yeah, of course. Could use some of your expertise. A little Styles sparkle.” You flirted.

“I like that!” He chuckled, “M’stealing it.”

“Okay.” You giggled. “Caitlyn’s friend, Melissa, from the pilates studio? Well she’s my friend too kinda, but more Cait’s. Either way, she’s having a little pool party with cocktails. It’s a casual thing. If you wanna come, I’m sure we’ll end up ordering in.”

“Oh yeah, that sounds nice.” He smiled. “I-is Ricky coming?” He asked.

“Ummm, maybe? If you don’t mind?” He shook his head and you squinted your eyes suspiciously.

“I swear.” He chuckled.

“OK.” You said softly. You let each other go and then grabbed your phone from a music stand a few feet away. 

“Have you eaten?” He asked

“Nope.”

“Want to go pick something up together?” He asked and you nodded.

“Sure.” You said and soon you were heading off to the closest thing before heading back to the studio with your food.

It was nice sitting with him while you two ate and talked casually about your music and what you wanted out of it. You were trying to find the words to describe what you wanted this project to be and what you wanted it to evoke. You missed talking to him about this kind of thing. Harry just had a real gift for expressing everything he was trying to express when he made his music. And at the moment, you felt like your vision just wasn’t cohesive, or at least you felt that way.

“…I don’t know, I’m a bit lost on this process, I guess.” You decided finally when you started bouncing between ideas, “I don’t even know why I wanted to do an album anymore…” you confessed with some sadness.

“What initially pushed you to decide?”

“I think seeing you, the weird things with Seb…I mean, I just feel kind of like things have taken a twist I didn’t expect. And I’m just…lost. I feel lost, even though I shouldn’t be. I feel like what I need to do next in life is kinda a no brainer, but-”

“A no brainer to who?” He asked and you shrugged, “Everyone I guess. But I also feel…like…I’m in a glass house.” You said and he hummed, “I feel like everything right now is really fragile right now. With my heart and my head…with this album, I know that it’s been a while so I need t-to deliver, I mean obviously. And then w-with us too.” You explained and he hummed, “I just don’t even know where to start to be honest. And I think…that shows in the music. It’s going to be a big, fat flop.” You chuckled sadly, “I can just feel it. It’s murky…”

“I mean, you always know what I think. At the end of the day you have to like what you produced. And you have to be proud of it. I get that we do this for a living, but it’s also our entire heart and mind in those songs. All the things we’ve dealt with during this time, the joys the sorrows…I mean, that’s what we’re putting out there for everyone to judge and feeling like it doesn’t make sense anymore can be scary. But honestly, things don’t make sense for a lot people out there, and hearing that just might help them feel not so shitty about it.” He said and you hummed.

“Is it crazy that I really want to embrace another sound? I don’t even know what it falls under, but I just want it to sound exactly how I hear it in my brain.” You explained, “Like…” you paused and chuckled, “there are lines I wrote while I was like at the grocery store or stuck in traffic, and like I can only hear them in that setting. Like just to show how banal my life is, you know? Like, I want to put in the beep of the check out machine in or staticky radio chatter about the heat wave, my alarm going off in the morning, the chirp of the fire alarm I haven’t changed…I was thinking of maybe putting in some like voice notes between the tracks, like texts with friends, or little things I make to remember what I need to buy at the store. Like I want it to be like a day through my perspective I guess…almost like the music is narrating a routine?” You explained and he nodded and smiled.

“I think that’s really cool.” He said and you bit your lip.

“It’s not too…messy and chaotic?”

“No, it is for sure, the layering is going to be insane.” He said and you chuckled and nodded, “But it’s a cool concept. Like basically if your life was a kind of like a musical.” He said and your eyes widened.

“Exactly.” You sighed and smiled, “Wow…who knew a word for that already existed.” You chuckled and he did as well, “I was struggling for a while there trying to describe what I wanted. Thank you!” You said and he chuckled.

“Happy to help.”

When everyone returned you shared a more clear idea of what it was that you wanted. You wanted things to be a little odd but as real as possible. This helped your producers and sound engineers adjust what they were doing a bit to make editing easier on themselves. At some point Harry was at the help of the control panel, pressing buttons and raising and lowering settings, asking you to go again.

“Hey man, how about in that bit there where she ends the bridge, she does the final chorus in an octave lower and we fade it out from studio into the raw audio. I believe this is one of the songs where the demo is from her voice notes.” Ricky suggested and Harry smiled.

“Yeah actually, that’s sick.” He nodded and then he told you what Ricky was thinking. “He says we can layer them and blend it, so just try the chorus in a lower octave and the rest will be done via editing.” He instructed and gave him a thumbs up before running it again. 

After another couple of hours of working, your day was coming to an end. Everyone started cleaning up after themselves and you invited Ricky to Melissa’s place and soon he was heading off and assuring you he’d be there later. Harry was chatting with one of the other sound engineers, Billy, as you looked around the space one final time to ensure you weren’t leaving anything behind for the night.

“I was just telling Harry that now what you were asking of us makes a lot more sense.” Billy said and you chuckled.

“See. I wasn’t crazy!”  

“Yeah… it’s gonna be cool, what you’re doing.”

“Thank you. I think so too. I mean, I know I enjoy those kinds of things when I listen to music, so I hope others like it as well.”

“Oh yeah, people are suckers for that.” He smiled, “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Billy said to you, “And it was nice to meet you.” He said to Harry, “Will you be joining us again?”

“Ummm…” Harry said as he glanced over to you.

“Well, you’re always welcome. You know that.” You said to him and he smiled.

“Then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said and Billy chuckled. You guys exchanged a few more words before Billy headed out.

“So where are you staying?” You asked as you put things into your tote bag.

“Not sure yet. I don’t know how long I’m staying for, so I didn’t want to book a hotel indefinitely, you know?”

“Yeah, I get that.” You hummed, “Well if you need a place to crash for a bit I’ve got an extra room. Caitlyn already claimed one room.” You said and he chuckled.

“Of course she has…” he grinned and you smiled, “Well yeah, if it’s no bother. And like, I know that I came for you-”

“That’s what she said.” You slipped in and he laughed and rolled his eyes as you giggled.

“Real funny…now, I know that I came here to see you, but I’d also understand if you didn’t want me in your house.” He chuckled.

“I’d love you in my house.” You said and he smiled.

“Then let’s get going.” He responded and you grinned.

*****************

“Welcome!” You chirped as you opened the back door to let Harry in with his big ass suitcase.

“Thanks.” He chuckled.

“Do you remember where my room is?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, well yours is the one right beside it.” You said and he nodded and took off. You put your bag down to wash the tumbler you used for your coffee that morning. And after that you headed off to get changed. When you passed by Harry was just stripping off his pants and you turned away quickly before rushing into your room. You first got your shirt off and then got your make up off. You’d be swimming anyway, so it was pointless to have it on. Once you got done with that you went to pick out a bathing suit which you quickly changed into. You were throwing your skirt back on when Harry announced himself. “What’s up?” You asked and he came over to your closet.

“Nothing, just wondering what was taking you so long.”

“Oh, sorry. I was taking off my makeup. Let me just grab a shirt.” You said and just grabbed the first one within reach and threw it on. You slid your feet into your sandals and then tugged at his shirt as you breezed past him. “Let’s go.”

“Hey…hey, hey, hey come here.” He said reaching around you and stopping you as you giggled.

“What?” You asked him and he just hugged you and released a long exhale. You smiled and rubbed over his back softly, fingers dancing across his shirt as you held him for a little while. 

“I’m really happy to be here.” He spoke quietly.

“Oh me too, H. I missed you a lot. It was getting hard not to hear from you.” You spoke softly before tiptoeing and kissing low on his cheek. His lips twitched up in a little smile and you ran your thumb over his bottom lip. He kissed the pad of your thumb a couple times before letting you go and grabbing your face, pulling you in closer to him.

“Can I?” He asked and you nodded quickly. 

Just a moment later his lips were pushing and pulling against your own slowly in a deep and emotional kiss. It was nostalgic and magical; your body felt alive and tingly all over. Moreover, the raw emotion of the tension finally bursting was overwhelming in the best way. It felt like you had just jumped into a cool pool on a hot summer’s day. You were so in the moment that you forgot to breathe, so you suddenly pulled back to do so. And his mouth chased after yours, pecking around your lips as you inhaled sharply. When your eyes blinked open and met his, you smiled and his cheeks went all warm and pink. Suddenly you were transported back to the time when you had kissed for the very first time. He was smiling then too, relieved to have kissed you. And you were in mental shambles as you relished in what had just happened. It felt like the beginning again. He started to pull back and you arched up and kissed him again.

“Not yet.” You whispered and he sighed and pulled you closer. His thumbs stroked over your cheeks as your lips met over and over again in soft little pecks in between deep kisses. Your noses nuzzled against each other for a few seconds.

“D’you wanna drive?”

“Yeah, sure.” You smiled and were heading off a few minutes later.

****************

Harry was actually having a nice time at this pool party/dinner thing. He was glad he had come because he needed the distraction. He was afraid of the conversation he was going to have with you about polyamory and how he believed that he fit under this category. He was nervous because of how this had impacted his previous relationship. He had spent the past couple months talking to his therapist every couple of weeks on the phone to help him through the depression and grief of his relationship. His therapist mentioned that a friend of hers is a sex therapist and she asked him if he would be interested in having her come sit in on a few of their sessions and then take the lead for a few about this new discovery he had made about himself and he agreed and he would be meeting her for the first time the following day.

He had also been keeping a keen eye on the interactions between you and Ricky. Ricky and him kept making awkward eye contact and he was acting really relaxed with you. He figured it was because Ricky was a bit intimidated or still feeling weird about him walking in on you guys. Either way, Harry was being more of a spectator for now.

“Hey, what’s the matter?” You asked as you came up to him after emerging from the pool.

“Nothing, just watching everyone. Thinking…”

“About?”

“Me. You. Us…” he said as he made space on the big chaise lounge he was on. 

He patted the space beside him and you climbed on, legs crossed as you faced him and you extended your hand out towards his and just grazed your fingers over his own discreetly before pulling away. This little gesture transported Harry back to your fifth date. He remembered it so clearly, you guys had gone out to eat and even though you had a private dinging area, he still wouldn’t hold your hand because he was worried that someone might see and then it would all get out and things would surely go to shit. He remembered because he did that same gesture to you that you’d just done to him. Just a feather of a touch to ease your need and want to be closer to him in that moment. 

“Did you feel…invalidated when we were together?” He asked, seemingly out of the blue and you hummed pensively. “Like not seen or maybe…less important than you were to me?”

“Maybe a little bit at the start but it went away quickly. I knew it was because of the band and all those crazy rules they had for you guys.” You said and he nodded, “But after all that ended I was expecting you to change a little bit? Lax up about being together in public and things like that.” You explained, “I didn’t feel like you hid us because I wasn’t good enough for you. I know all that was sort of a deal breaker for you then, so I just went along with it because I mean, I hadn’t dated anyone with your level of fame before. I just figured you knew the best way to deal and go about that.” You shrugged and he hummed.

“What you did just now, touched my hand?” He said and you nodded, urging him to continue, “I did that to you, on our fifth date. You just wanted to hold my hand over the table top at the restaurant.” He chuckled sadly, “And I wouldn’t. Do you remember?” 

“Vaguely.”

“We were in some tiny little private dining room…” he reminded you.

“Oh yeah…” you hummed.

“I’m sorry.”

“For?”

“That.” He said and you hummed. “I wish I had been braver. And I feel the same now. I think if I had listened to other people and been more open and braver about the things I think or feel sometimes then maybe I wouldn’t be so carelessly hurtful towards others.”

“You’re not a hurtful person, H. At least not intentionally. You have concerns and fears and doubts like everyone else and sometimes that can affect how you relate to and interact with others. But I mean, you dealt with things the best way you knew how at the time, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, good. You did your best to protect what we had and I trusted you and your approach. I don’t hold it against you.” You said and he nodded.

“So just now then, you didn’t do that because you’re like…conditioned to be unaffectionate towards me in public?” He asked and you smiled and shook your head.

“No, it was just a little reassuring thing.”

“Okay.” He smiled, “You can, by the way. I want to hold your hand.” He said as he reached for yours resting flat over your thigh.

“Oh, like right now?” 

“Yeah. Can I?” He asked.

“Yeah, if you want to.” You smiled.

“Do you want me to though?”

“Yeah!” You laughed a bit and he smiled and pulled your hand into the small space between your bodies. His fingers intertwined with yours and you smiled up at him.

The one thing that you kept feeling was eager anticipation. You loved Harry at the core of who he was and every part of him that you’d known and experienced over the years. The prospect of getting to know him again, this version of him that you were the most unfamiliar with, it was exciting. Even just being around him you felt in tune, on the same wave length as him. When your gazes met you felt curiosity and interest in understanding what was going on in his brain in a far deeper way than before. You’d happily spend the rest of your days learning about him and loving who he was now and who he would become over time. You smiled to yourself as you thought of him in 10-15 years, with you. Happy, fulfilled, it was making you emotional.

“Hey, what’s on your mind?” He asked softly.

“You.” You responded, you didn’t mean for it to come out as a whisper, but it did. You were just so in your head now as you gave thought to all of this. To all of him.

“What about me? You seem like you’re about to cry.” He said lowly with a bit of concern.

“They’d be happy tears then.” You assured him and he smiled. “Was just thinking about you, how far you’ve come. Well, the both of us, and how I’m jus so excited t-to get to know you again. And just thinking about the future, like…what we can have. Like…we’re different than…five years ago, you know?”

“Yeah, a little more grown up.” He smiled.

“A lot more grown up.” You chuckled, “And I think it could only get better the older we get.” You said and he smiled.

“It will.” He said decisively, “I’m also excited about getting to know you in a deeper way again.” He said and you smiled as a comfortable silence took over for a minute or so. But then he spoke up again, “Honestly, I don’t think there’s a reality in which I wouldn’t be in love with you.” He confessed with a bashful smile and your gaze softened as it met his own, “I mean that.”

“I know. I feel the same way.” You responded, your heart was pounding so hard you felt it in your throat. 

Harry just smiled and let his thumb smooth over your knuckles as you just looked at each other. His eyes flickered between your own, taking in every possible detail. He loved how the sun streaks showed off the pattern of your irises. He loved how you looked back at him with so much adoration. He wanted everything with you. He couldn’t even contain the fluttering feeling in his tummy as he thought about you when you had a baby with him and looked at them the way you were looking at him now. With love, acceptance, pride, and every other good feeling and intention you could muster up.

“I need you to know that we’re making it this time.” He whispered and you nodded.

“Yeah we are.” You whispered back with a smile.

*********************

You were quite nervous as you made it back from the studio the next day. You’d had a great and productive day and you hoped Harry had too. You were feeling a vast range of emotions as you tried to picture where the conversation would end up. Especially after the intimate things you had told each other the evening before. You had even called your mom on your lunch break to just get all the irrational, anxiety inducing things off of your chest. She was excited for the possibility of you and Harry working things out after all this time. She and your father loved how he looked after you and were very supportive of your relationship with him back then and it was no different now, he and his family had left a really great impression on them. And your family on his, you still spoke to Anne and Gemma and a few of his cousins for birthdays and little things like that. Obviously, you kept a respectful distance, especially since he dated quite quickly after, but you had grown to love the people in his life too. 

“Hello?” You spoke out into the car when you answered his incoming call.

“Hey, love. Just checking if I can open any of the wine bottles you have? Or are some special?”

“Nah, have at it.” You assured him.

“Perfect. Are you close by?”

“Yeah, about 10 minutes away.”

“Great! See you soon.” He hummed, “Be safe.”

“Thanks, H.” You hummed and he hung up.

*****************

As soon as you made it inside you were greeted with an absolutely divine aroma and “Always Alright” by Alabama Shakes was playing from the kitchen. You bopped your head along as you pushed the door back and it landed into the frame with a loud thump.

“I’m home!” You called out as you toed out of your sneakers and just as you were about to make it to the living room Harry was coming to the entrance with a glass of wine for you in hand. 

“Hey, how was it today?”

“Good, we wrapped up the ones that might be the singles so it was a productive day.” You said with a smiled as you guys hugged briefly and kissed cheeks.

“That’s great.” He hummed as he handed over the glass and you thanked him softly before taking a sip.

“Mmmm.” Your eyebrows perked up as the sour and crisp wine tingled on your tongue. “Which one did you open?” You only had three bottles of white wines as it wasn’t your favorite variety. So the flavors of it were not as obvious to you.

“The chablis.” 

“Oh…good choice.” You complimented and he smiled.

“Yeah?” You nodded and he hummed. “Well c’mon then.” He said and you followed after him to the kitchen.

“How was your day?” You asked.

“Also quite productive. I found two potential places, so there’s that.”

“And in therapy?”

“Really good too.” He smiled and you nodded.

“Good. I’m glad.” You hummed, “Do you need my help with anything?”

“No, just sit. Wanna plate it all nice for you.” He said and you smiled.

“Wow, thank you.” 

“Of course.” He smiled as he plated up the baby potato and veg mix on the plate and then he lifted the sheet of tin foil placed over the pan on the stove, “They had some really great sea bass fillets at Erewhon. I couldn’t resist.” He hummed.

“How much did they cost you?” You asked with a grin and he chuckled.

“I’m not ready to talk about it.” He mumbled with a smirk and you giggled. “Here you are love.” He said handing you a plate and you grabbed it quickly.

“Wow, so beautiful.” You complimented, “The skin is so crisp.” You slightly moaned as you ran your fork over it. “I’m so excited to eat this.” You praised him and bit down on your lip in excitement. Harry grinned bashfully as he served up his own plate and soon he was settling in beside you and then you guys started eating. You made some light conversation and hummed to the music playing in the background of your conversation while you guys ate your dinner. Everything was so delicious you even went in for another helping of the veggies. “Wow…this is may be on of the best things I’ve eaten in a long time.” You said in satisfaction. “The fish was so buttery. It just melted in your mouth…damn.” You smiled, “You did so good! I’m so impressed.” You chuckled.

“Yeah?” He smiled as he reached for your hand and you nodded again. “Glad you liked it. Got the recipe from Shellie.” He said and you hummed.

“Ooh nice. She’s a good cook.” You recalled and he nodded.

“And I made some cereal milk panna cotta for desert. Should be set by now.”

“Ooh, fancy!” You chirped with excitement. You washed the remaining dishes as he brought out the panna cottas and then headed over to your patio, he balanced the little ramekins in one hand as he unlatched the glass door and slid it open and stepped outside. You dried your hands and grabbed your glasses of wine as you headed over as well and cozied into one of the seats outside.

“So?” You asked and he smiled at you.

“So…I think that I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I am probably polyamorous.” He explained and you nodded in understanding.

“Okay and what does that…look like for you?” You asked him.

“Ummm…for me it’s largely about the fact that I can connect romantically with multiple people simultaneously. I have felt it before but just thought of it as like a crush…because I had never fully fallen in love with any of those people or just stopped myself from talking to them more because I was already seeing someone. And I mean, to me, you’re the biggest love of my life. And when we didn’t work I just…I wanted to feel that way again and so I searched for it and I did fall in love with Olivia and Taylor all w-while being in love with you the entire time. I see now that I buried what I felt for you, but it was never gone.” He explained and you nodded in understanding, “I told Taylor once that she wasn’t competing with you for my love, that I loved you and loved her in your own unique ways. D-does that make sense to you?”

“Yeah, H. It does.” You assured as you dipped into your panna cotta and he hummed ‘good’ before he did the same. You sat silently for a little bit, watching the sun starting to move closer and closer to the horizon.

“And say, what if we get married and somewhere along the way I…fall in love with someone else? Can you accept that?” He asked and you shrugged.

“I can tell you that I can right now…but I mean, maybe that will change if we get married or have kids or something…” you said with all honesty. “But I mean, i-if that’s how it is then I’d expect to have boundaries or rules for what’s acceptable if we’re the married ones.”

“Yeah, I get that.” He nodded, “So, my therapist brought in a friend of hers, a sex therapist, t-to talk about this with me. To answer any questions and to help prep me for this talk I wanted to have with you.” He explained and you nodded urging him to go on, “So poly people can have different types of relationships and she was explaining them to me to see what resonated with me the most and I think a hierarchal approach or a polyfidelity approach is more in line with me.” He explained and you nodded.

“Okay, so what does that mean?”

“So in the hierarchal one the main relationship is the priority. So say we started a relationship, to me that would be my main relationship. If I met anyone who I was interested in I would run that by you. Like we would work out what any other potential partners would have access to together. And polyfidelity can be like, I have two relationships but they’re closed relationships on both ends. And well, it’s not like I’d actively be seeking out someone else to involve in my life, this is just an option in case I meet someone who I develop feelings for. I have no desire to have an open relationships or even sexual or dating relationships with other people just because. I would only want that if I even met anyone that I just had that deep of a connection with.” He explained.

“So like with Taylor…if she was okay with this…what would you prefer or?”

“I would kind of leave that up to her. I think she might have preferred a hierarchal thing though. Where if we were together first then that relationship is the priority and together we could set the boundary for what our relationship would look like. So say she was only fine with us dating and sleeping together when I was in California, then that’s what we would have. I think that a polyfidelity thing would be what I’d prefer in that case. I mean, I know that you guys wouldn’t be sleeping with other people, just me. And I wouldn’t say either one was more important than the other, we wouldn’t even have to do things together, each relationship would be what it is.” He said and you hummed as you gave it some thought.

“Wouldn’t that be…exhausting?” You asked and he chuckled.

“I don’t know…maybe.” He said pensively, “But like…to me, the way Taylor loved me didn’t feel the same as the way you love me, and vise versa. And then the way I loved you both also came out differently. I didn’t feel more for you than her, but it was just different. Does that… make sense to you?” He asked and you nodded.

“Yeah, that’s extremely logical.” You said and he chuckled.

“Are you just saying that?” He questioned skeptically.

“No!” You giggled, “I’m serious. I mean, there’s this quote from Ted Lasso that I really love and that I live by now. The quote is: “All people are different people.” And I mean, it’s so obvious and simple, but it’s something that we forget far too easily. So when you say that the way you felt love from and for us was different, it makes sense. Each person loves differently and has different needs. Our energies are different, you know? Of course it feels different with another person. Each relationship is going to be as unique as the people in it.”

“Right, it’s not like a competition between who I love more.” He said and you nodded.

“Right.” You confirmed and he smiled and then frowned. “What it is?”

“I don’t think I had the proper words to explain this to Taylor when I first told her about you. Maybe if I had more knowledge or simply just accepted and understood this part of myself before I could’ve hurt her less. Like, I’ve apologized and explained and we’ve forgiven each other for any hurt we caused each other, but I just…feel bad for how I affected her.”

“Yeah, of course. That’s understandable. I’m glad you guys got to talk that out eventually though. Is she better now? When was the last time you saw her?”

“Ummm, early June?” He hummed, “She looked so much lighter than when we were together. She was back to her old self and it was hard to see how badly what we had was affecting her.” He explained, “That’s really what pushed me into the depression phase. Just seeing how much better off she was without me. It just…fed my fear that I only hurt the people I love.” He said and you hummed. 

“Do you think that if you’d known this about yourself with certainty before that she would’ve been alright with it?”

“Absolutely not.” He chuckled, “Her concern was that I’d start to love you more than her and like fall out of love with her and just leave her for you.”

“Mmm, well at the risk of sounding like a total dick…isn’t that just what happens when a relationship starts to…fall apart? You start to fall out of love with someone for whatever reason? Like that’s just what can happen to anyone. It’s part of the general risk of being in a relationship, no?” You asked and he chuckled.

“That’s basically what I said to her one time. I just said it less delicately, but it really offended her. But it’s the truth, feelings can change at any time for any number of reasons. And I mean, I did love her, I think I still do a little bit, obviously.” He said and you nodded, “But I’m starting to move past it. See with you I…thought I was moving past it.” He said, “Thought that this whole time. The sex therapist? She was basically saying that in me moving on so quickly, I was just…distracting myself from having to properly move on from you basically. And like…seeing each other again after so long, I mean…it just brought everything up for me again and it almost felt like we had broken up a week before. I missed you terribly and I was constantly thinking about you and Sebastian and I just…I had to say something to Taylor about it.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.” You said and he sighed.

“I guess, I’m still figuring things out in terms of this polyamory thing. But again, I just want to reassure you that I’m not actively seeking another partner, nor am I interested in dating or sleeping with other people at this time. If it happens, it happens, but obviously if it takes away from what we have going together then our relationship would take priority over that. I do believe that we connect in a very special and extraordinary way. I love and miss what we had before, but after seeing you again last year and with the time we’ve spent together already I absolutely cannot wait to see how good we can be together this time around.” He said and you smiled and just got up and climbed into his lap and hugged him tight.

“I love you.” You hummed and he sighed in relief.

“I love you too.” He answered as he hugged your waist tight for a few moments until you pulled back from him to be able to look into his eyes.

“So where do we go from here? What are you comfortable with?” You asked him.

“Well, we don’t have to rush into a relationship. I mean, I know we love each other, but I want to date you. I want to reacquaint myself with you and fall in love with the you, you are now all over again.” He said and you smiled a bit, “I also want to make sure that I’m not using us a distraction to finish moving on from Taylor.” He said and you nodded.

“Yeah, of course.” You agreed, “I mean, if you still have feelings for her do you think that maybe you might want to keep that door open?” You asked him and he shook his head.

“Yeah, she’s not on board with the polyamory thing at all. It just wouldn’t work for her.”

“Right…right.” You said and he nodded.

“Ummm baby, I have to ask because I can’t stop thinking about it.” He sighed and you nodded, “Wh-what’s the situation with Ricky?” He asked, evidently he was a bit nervous about asking you, you could see it in his eyes.

“It’s still just a friends with benefits thing. We don’t really hook up on the regular, like it’s not a planned, routine thing we do. It’s more opportunistic.” You explained.

“So the other day was like a fluke, basically?”

“For sure. I would never normally do something like that, especially while we’re in a professional setting.” You explained, “But I was just a little more…needy than usual.” You chuckled.

“Mmm, I see. I only ask because if I’m gonna stay here for a bit, like I just don’t want to make you guys feel weird if he’s like constantly around or staying over too.” He explained. “Like we kept making awkward eye contact yesterday at the pool party thing and like…yeah. I’m not…like it’s not a jealousy thing. I’m not jealous of him.” He said quickly.

“Just fuming inside a little?” You teased, repeating his words from the other day at the studio.

“Yeah, just a bit.” He chuckled, “Still.” He confessed.

“Don’t. To answer your question more seriously, Ricky doesn’t stay overnight here. Ever. And I don’t stay overnight at his either. We literally do the most to not blur any lines even more than they already are.” You explained.

“So you just…fuck and go?” He asked.

“It’s not that transactional.” You chuckled. “It’s usually after we’ve gone out with friends or just hung out together. And if we both want to hook up we do and then we go our separate ways.” You explained. “We really don’t do sleepovers or even like lovey-dovey things like cuddles or holding hands. It’s just the sexual favors bit. Like we might lay around for a bit, but we just talk, we don’t like…hold each other and…bask in the afterglow.” You said with a giggle and he nodded.

“And it doesn’t feel….empty? Without the soft bits?” He asked you more seriously.

“Of course it does.” You smiled a bit sadly, “I think it does for the both of us. He’s hung up on someone else and well…same.” You said and he smiled and nodded, “So we just hook up when we’re both feeling in the mood for it. So we really are friends first and the benefits are there when needed.” You explained and he nodded in understanding.

“So if it’s one of those times when you guys talk afterwards, like is it feedback about the sex or just random conversation?” He asked.

“Just conversations. Like sometimes we talk about the people we miss and things about them. We talk about how we’re feeling afterwards, like sometimes when that post-coital haze is lifted you just get so sad, you know? So we talk about that and try and figure out why we might feel sad. We talk about what the point of all of it is…I think we’ve achieved a rather deep level of friendship from this.” You said pensively.

“And you don’t like him even just a little bit?” He asked you.

“I mean, of course I do. I hook up with him, don’t I?” You chuckled and he did as well, “But it’s very surface level. We did talk about that one time, about what would happen if we ended up together. We both decided it would be a no-go.” You chuckled, “He’s just so…unworried and unbothered by everything. Doesn’t really plan or anything and well, you know how that drives me crazy. Especially with the job we have.” You said and he chuckled and nodded. “I’m definitely more balanced with my time now than I was before but it’s because I’ve been able to schedule and plan and whatnot. Like he’s kind of the type to get bored on a Tuesday and drive down to TJ with a friend or his sister because they want tacos from Taconazo. Like, I don’t have the same freedom to just do things on a whim without it throwing a bunch of things out of whack for myself.”

“Right.” He hummed, “So you…like him? Like you’re into him?” He asked and you looked at him quite perplexed, “Like in the way you like me?” He clarified.

“Are you asking if I like him more than you? Or are you asking if I…like him and you? Simultaneously.” You asked and he nodded. “I mean, I do like you both, but not in the same way as you do. Like, I definitely like you more, I mean, I love you, you know? I wouldn’t be able to love you and him. I would have to choose.” You said and he smiled.

“And you’d choose me.” He said quite confidently and you rolled your lips into each other to prevent your lips from widening in a grin as you shrugged. “Baby.” He pressed more seriously and you giggled.

“I mean…”

“Say it then.” He smiled smugly.

“Why? If you already know?” You asked.

“Because. I want to hear you say it for me.” He insisted. “Tell me you’d choose me. Every single time.” He hummed with a smile and you grabbed his face tenderly and leaned in until your lips were pressed together. 

Harry hummed in satisfaction as his hands slid down your waist and to your hips. His thumbs gently kneaded at the pudgy part of your hips. You giggled when it tickled you a bit and he chuckled before sucking on your bottom lip a bit. Your eyes fluttered open and met his lustful gaze. You could feel him hardening up beneath you as he leaned back in for a hungry kiss. Your lips moved sloppily, it was all tongue and heavy breathing as your slid down and held at the side of his neck. His hands were groping at your butt now, smoothing his big warm palms over them, helping you grind over him and feel his obvious need for you. You pulled back and pecked his lips a few times before taking a proper breath.

“I choose you, baby.” You confirmed quietly between the two of you. He looked into your eyes, his lust was evident.

“It would be wise to stop, wouldn’t it?” He asked and you giggled and nodded before kissing him a few more times and hugging him tight. After a few moments you pulled back and smiled at him and he bit his lip and reached around the back of your neck and pulled you down and kissed you deeply once more.

…. A FEW WEEKS LATER ….

It was your birthday and you were having fun so far at the little dinner party you had thrown yourself at your place. You felt pretty in the short black linen dress you’d chosen for yourself. You were nursing a cocktail as you chatted with those who had already arrived, you were waiting for a few more people, including Harry. You had hired on a private chef to take care of dinner tonight so that you could enjoy with everyone, after all, you only turn thirty once.

“So when did Harry move out of here?”

“A few weeks ago? He only stayed about a week. He was able to find himself a decent sized house really quickly. It was furnished, so it was rather convenient, it’s cute.” You smiled as you shared this with Melissa who nodded.

“That’s great!”

“Yeah.” You smiled in agreement.

“Sooo…any progress?” she asked with an expecting look.

“We’re not talking about that.” You said to her and she sighed in some disappointment.

“Fine.” She said with a smile. You appreciated that she didn’t push any further.

In truth, you and Harry had been mostly seeing each other at the studio after he left your house. You had both been scared into keeping things extremely platonic after that dinner he had prepared for you when you guys talked about your future. You had said you were going to take it slow and ended up half naked on your bed just about to initiate sex when you asked him to stop in a panic. The entire week he stayed with you the sexual tension was completely overboard, but you both knew it was for the best to not get involved with each other like that yet. So it was quite a big relief to you both when he left and you only saw each other at the studio. This would be his first time back at your place after he left so you were a little bit nervous in all honestly, which is why you had refused taking a shot three times already, you needed to be fully sober in order to not act impulsively.

“Harry!” You heard Caitlyn greet him excitedly from inside. You straightened up a bit and sucked a bit more of your drink though the straw. “Harry’s here!” Caitlyn announced as she led him out and everyone greeted him happily as he approached you and you smiled and stood to hug him.

“Happy birthday.” He hummed as he squeezed you tightly, “Welcome to thirty.” He said as he pulled back and you smiled.

“Thank you.” You chuckled.

“You look beautiful.” He said more quietly, his compliment slightly drowned out by everyone’s chatter.

“Oh, thank you.” You said as you glanced down at your dress quickly and then back into his eyes. He licked over his lips as he scanned over your face and then smiled bashfully when he realized he’d been caught.

“Sorry.” He hummed and you smiled.

“It’s alright. Ummm, have a seat.” You said gesturing to the table and well, the only spots available were at the further end of the table.

“You can sit here, Harry. I actually need to talk to Ben.” Melissa said as she stood up and headed further down the table.

“May I?” Harry asked and you nodded.

“Of course.” You agreed and he sat there. It’d been two or three days since you’d spoken, you were busy finalizing everything with the party and Harry had therapy and some catching up to do with other friends he had in the area.

“So, how’s it been planning all this?”

“A little stressful, but I think it ended up well.” You smiled and he nodded.

“Yeah, it looks really nice. S’a simple, little thing. I like that.” He said and you nodded.

“Yeah, thank you.”

“I ummm, I got you something that I want to show you later, I-if I can hang out a little after everyone goes.”

“Oh okay.” You nodded and he smiled. Your curiosity was piqued and all throughout the evening you kept thinking back on this and wondering what it could be. 

You were having a nice time with everyone, you guys were playing games and sharing stories. You had a delicious, fresh peach pie instead of a cake and everyone seemed so delighted with that choice. The chef really knocked it out of the park with that one. Afterwards, there was a bit of karaoke but when it hit 10:30 you guys started to wind down as to not disturb your neighbors. Slowly, your friends started to head out one by one, congratulating you once more on your birthday and you were thanking them for coming as you walked them out to their cars. Harry, Caitlyn, Ricky, and Melissa had stayed inside talking a bit more but you suspected that they were also getting ready to go, well except Harry. You guys hung around a bit more, the glances between you and Harry were nothing short of obvious and frequent, so being the one person to read the room, Ricky suddenly stood up.

“Well, it’s almost 11:30, we should go.” He said as he stretched his arms above his head a bit and once they got his hint, Caitlyn and Melissa stood as well. You and Harry followed them to the door and you all said your goodbyes. “Don’t be scared of falling.” Ricky mumbled quietly against the side of your head and you squeezed him tighter.

“Thank you for everything. Love you, I appreciate you.” You mumbled.

“Me too.” He chuckled before you kissed cheeks and he was hurrying after Melissa and Caitlyn down the little path. 

You and Harry followed after them and waved them off before you locked the gate as Harry made his way back to the house. You felt nervous around him for some reason, like his energy was too great to allow you to breathe, or maybe that was the alcohol…you’d had three cocktails which was already a bit much for you by this point and you were convinced your friends made your last one a double without your permission. Regardless, you were smiling at him while he watched you come up.

“What’s wrong?” He asked and you shook your head.

“You’re making me nervous.” You chuckled.

“What? Why?”

“This mystery gift thing!” You scoffed as you guys made it inside and he locked up behind you.

“Yeah alright, fair.” He smiled as you headed to the kitchen.

“Want some water?” You asked as you headed into the kitchen.

“Please. Benny made the last drinks a double and that awful taste is not leaving my mouth.” He confessed with a slight grimace.

“I knew it!” You gasped and he chuckled, “They were trying to get me to do shots before you arrived.” You said and he chuckled.

“Well good thing you declined. You really don’t want a hangover at thirty.” He laughed and you did as well and soon you were both having a bit of water and then he sighed.

“Okay, well it’s two things.” He said and you nodded, “First gift is this…” he said pulling his phone out and after several moments of waiting, he looked back to you, “You should check your email. The personal one.” He said and you nibbled on you lip and went to grab your phone that was on the other side of the kitchen counter. You open up your email account and saw the link to a ticket and when you opened it up your free hand flew over your mouth and your eyes welled up.

“No…but th-these sold out in like five minutes!” You gasped in surprise at the Joni Mitchell ticket waiting to be accepted by you.

“I’m her friend.” He said simply and you shook your head in disbelief. 

She was playing two dates at the Hollywood Bowl and despite your best efforts during the sale in February, they sold out in moments. It was a bittersweet thing, seeing artists that were such icons and legends performing what would surely be some of their last shows ever. Being able to make it to things like this made for priceless memories and well, you grew up with Joni Mitchell, like Harry did, and you both loved her. It was one of the things that you both had in common and made friends over when you first started talking, so she meant a lot to the both you. “We’ve got a private box. We’re right up near the front so we can see it all!” He said excitedly, “And we get to meet her beforehand, if you want.” He said and you set your phone down and shook your head in disbelief.

“This is extraordinarily thoughtful, H.” You said with a wide smile.

“Our first concert out in the open. No fear, no worries, just us.” He said and you hurried over to him and hugged him tight.

“This is honestly so amazing.” You sighed as you squeezed him tight and he kissed the top of your head. “I can’t wait to do this with you.” You said happily.

“Me either. It’s going to be so good.” He said with certainty and you nodded against his chest before pulling back and peering up at him.

“Can I kiss you?” You asked him and he chuckled.

“Always.” He hummed and you laughed and tip-toed a bit more and your lips met in a sweet and chaste kiss.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” You gave him another kiss with each ‘thank you’ and he was a smiley and blushing mess before you. “My parents are going to die when they hear about this.”

“Well, part two…they’re coming as well.” He said and you pulled away.

“No.”

“Yeah!” He laughed happily and you shook your head.

“Harry.”

“I swear it. Your mum and dad, and my mum and her boyfriend. A proper date night. Though the meeting bit is just for us two.” He added and you were crying now, it seemed something ridiculous, but it was a full circle moment.

“This is so nice of you.” You whispered as you hugged him again.

“Hey, look at me, my love.” He hummed and you glanced up at him, “It’s not just a concert, you know? I want to do this with you and with our parents t-to also show them that it’s not just a for fun thing. This is about the future. Our future.” He said and you nodded. 

“Thank you.” You whispered, “I’m gonna kiss you for real now.” You said and he chuckled.

“Yeah, do it. Please.” He insisted and you chuckled.

Your lips were soon colliding gently and moving in an improvised but effortless dance together. You relaxed in his arms, you loved the warmth of his hands around your waist and then traveling down to your hips as he held you tight. It was a feat as challenging as the greek mythological quests trying to keep your composure around him. Everything just felt so easy and right when you were together, it always had. But now it was even stronger than before, you could feel the love emanating from him as you held each other and kissed passionately.

“Baby,” he mumbled, “can I…say something?” He asked and you nodded and pulled back from the kiss but he chased after you and kissed you deeply again before also keep the distance so he could speak properly. “I know we said no more jumping into things with people but you’re not just anyone, you know?” He said and you smiled a bit, “The love I have for you has been here the whole time. I’m not burying the hurt by wanting to be with you, it’s not like that with you, you know that.” He said and you nodded, “I want to be with you. I want to a relationship with you. I don’t want to wait anymore, I’ve already wasted so much time.” He said and you caressed his cheek with your thumb, “And I…I see the woman you’ve become. How you’ve grown and blossomed so beautifully-”

“You too!” You sniffled and he smiled.

“Thank you.” He chuckled, “But ummm…I don’t want to miss out on this. On you. It’s different with you, you know that.” He said, “Let’s do this again. Be my girlfriend, please?” He asked and you laughed happily and kissed him.

“Yeah. I will.” You whispered against his lips.

“You will what?” He asked with a grin and kissed you a few times, awaiting your response.

“I’ll be your girlfriend.” You said breathlessly with a smile. 

Harry was beaming and his hand came around the back of your neck, holding you gently as he dipped down and you kissed once again. He was slower this time, but the intensity was still at all time high. You felt your lust for him simmering steadily, nearly ready to bubble over into a boil with whatever move he’d make next. Your skin was tingling, excited to feel his touch once again.

“Can I take you to your room?” He asked, his lips gently smearing against your cheek as he spoke and then kissed you there.

“Yes.” You confirmed and he found your hand and led you through your house until you were bursting through the door and he was kissing you ardently as you walked backwards into the dim, cool room. His hands slid down your waist and landed over your backside, he caressed over it and gave your cheeks a light squeeze.

“I miss being able to do that.” He chuckled and you laughed a bit. You weren’t as thin as the people he had dated lately, so there was a little more to grab onto. You didn’t mind it, you were happy with yourself and you knew you were healthy, so you didn’t feel bad or find a need to even compare and it was relieving to you that he felt the same. “You’re exquisite. You know that right?” He asked and you smiled timidly at his compliment.

“How about you show me show exquisite you are first.” You suggested and he chuckled and was quick to take a step back and pull off his shirt, not even bothering with the buttons. 

Like a moth to a flame, you were right up against him again, kissing down his neck lightly. Trying not to smile too much as you traveled down to his pecs and the smattering of hair between them tickled your nose a little as you smooshed a kiss over his sternum. Your hands slid up his abs, you could feel his tummy flex a bit from the tickles your light touches were causing. You continued sliding it up until your index finger was hooking into the chain of his trusty pendant with the Jesus and penis charms. You tugged it down a bit before arching up into him and kissing him again. His hands slid up your back, his fingers feeling around for the pull on the zipper for your dress. 

“It’s on the right side.” You guided him and he was quick to take his hands there and slid it down. 

Harry helped the straps off of your shoulders, planting kisses on each shoulder blade before letting the dress drop down to the floor. You weren’t wearing a bra with it as the neckline was a bit strange, but he didn’t seem to mind that one bit. He groaned at the sight of your breasts bare before him and he immediately brought his hands up to them and kneaded them gently in his big, warm palms. You sighed in relief and glanced up at him and he seemed to have snapped. He grabbed you by the waist and pulled you towards your bed. He sat and pulled you onto his lap in a straddling position and kissed you urgently. His tongue met yours sloppily before he started to kiss down your jaw, then your neck and finally he reached your chest. You arched your back in as he gently sucked on your collar bone and then skimmed his lips down to your right breast before parting them and latching around your nipple, effectively hardening it in a second. You moaned in relief as his blunt nails dug into your back as he started sucking more fervently.

“Yes! That’s so good.” You whimpered as he moaned around you. You peered down, looking at his gorgeously hollowed our cheeks as he sucked and nibbled at your tender little bud before popping off and moving to the other one. He payed it just as much attention, letting you whimper and whine as he went a little harder on you. Your fingers scratched against his scalp and you chuckled as he pulled back, nipple still in his mouth until it inevitably slipped out with a soft popping sound. He buried himself in the crook of your neck and inhaled and then exhaled, sounding relieved.

“I missed the scent of you and your perfume. I’d forgotten how good it is.” He said softly.

“I do too. Even had the same body wash you use for a while.” You said and he pulled away and smiled up at you.

“Yeah, baby?” You nodded.

“I’m never gonna forget again.” He told you with certainty and you smiled and caressed his cheek with the back of your hand. He leaned into your touch and let his eyes close for a moment.

“I’ve imagined this moment so many times.” You whispered and his eyes fluttered open and met yours. He smiled softly, peering up at you with so much love it made your insides flutter. 

“I have too.” He whispered back and kissed your lips quickly. “Hold on tight.” He said and you did and he stood and then had you on the bed as he laid over you.

He started to kiss down your body, you were already so wet for him, but knowing what was coming next practically had your legs trembling preemptively and your walls fluttering in excitement. He didn’t waste time or tease you at all, he needed this as badly as you needed it. He was quick to pull your underwear down your legs and toss it aside as he slid further down, parting your legs so that he could fit between them. He kissed down your mound and up your thighs before he nuzzled right up against your center, his stubble tickling your sensitive skin. You would normally want to be clean shaven if you knew someone was going down on you, just out of convenience, but you knew he didn’t care about that. He groaned happily at your scent and the softness of you against his lips as he puckered them up a bit and kissed at you a little bit, each time nuzzling a bit deeper until he brushed against your clit and you bit your lip in anticipation. 

“Fuck H, please. Please.” You begged and he let go of all the restraint he had inside of him and just let his tongue roll out as he spread your legs further so that he could lap up from your dripping entrance to your clit. He flicked over it a little bit before giving it heavier licks until you were pushing him closer and moaning in pleasure. Your hips were writhing up against his mouth and he moved with you, loving how you were losing yourself in this moment. He then started to gently suck around you as he sensed your growing need. You were soaking wet, making a right mess of his chin and you were obsessed with how he was using his mouth. He’s always been eager to please this was excellent. Clearly, he was well aware of what he could do now and it was amazing, “Fuck baby, that’s so good!” You gasped as he slurped on you until your legs were tensing up as your pleasure started to escalate further and further until they started to tremble. He was incessant, your chest almost burned from how shallow you were breathing, and in seconds you were inhaling sharply and moaning melodiously as your orgasm hit you. “Oh, I’m coming!” You mewled and held him against you as he licked you through it, mumbling about how good you tasted and how much he missed it. He didn’t even warn you when you felt his index finger rubbing at your sopping entrance.

“Can I?”

“Yeah, do it. Please.” You hummed and he gently pushed it inside. He moaned along with you, you were wet enough for another, so he pulled it out and then sunk back in along with his middle finger. His long fingers reached deep into you and rubbed against your walls, going deeper and deeper with each plunge until he had gone deep enough to reach into the soft spongy spot inside of you that had you crying out his name. He kissed up your stomach, waist, chest, and neck all to reach your lips again and breathe in your exhales of pleasure.

“Fuck baby, you’re so tight and warm f’me.” He hummed into your mouth and you nodded, “So good for me.” He muttered and you smiled against his lips. 

Your hands slid down his bare torso and reached down to feel his erection straining against his pants. You rubbed into it, using the heel of your palm to add a bit more pressure. His jaw tensed as he inhaled shakily through his nostrils. You started to rub at him in a matching pace to his fingers sinking into you. You wanted to feel him inside of you desperately. 

“Harry. Baby, I need you.” You whimpered and he nodded and kissed you hard before retreating from you. 

He got off of the bed and reached for his belt buckle, his desperation and eagerness coming through in the form of his shaky hands. He soon got it undone and pulled it out before getting to the button and zipper on them and he tugged them down along with his underwear. He stepped out of them and quickly climbed back over your naked body. Feeling your warmth together like this was something that he’d been thinking of constantly since he’d seen you the year before. He was eager to be close to you in this way and finally, he had it.

“I have condoms in the bathroom, but I also have an IUD.” You informed him and he licked over his lips as his eyes met yours.

“D-do you mind if I go bare? Want to feel you so bad, want to fill you up, want you to feel it all.” He said and you kissed him as you shook your head.

“I don’t mind.” You assured him.

“Sure?”

“Yeah.” You nodded and he kissed you once more, slower this time.

“I’ve only been waiting to have you again for…years?” He chuckled and you did too, “This might be over a little fast. But I assure you, I have far more in me. A couple rounds worth so-”

“It’s fine. Did you not see how fast I came?” You giggled.

“True.” He chuckled and tucked your hair behind your ear, “God, you’re so beautiful.” He complimented. His voice was soft and genuine and the love in his eyes made you feel faint. You leaned up and kissed him.

“I love you.” 

“I love you.” He whispered against your lips. Your kiss deepened and naturally, things started to progress. You pressed your body up into his, feeling his erection laying heavy between the two of you. You raised your hips up to feel it brushing up against your sticky folds and he sighed in relief at the slick warmth that his cock was up against now. “Fuck, put me inside, baby.” He said to you and you angled your up hips up a little bit more and guided him to your entranced. His thick tip prodded at your weepy, little hole, teasing at the entrance. You writhed around, trying to get him inside and he smiled, “That feels so nice.” He said and you smiled, “So wet for me, baby. All for me, isn’t it?”

“Yes, baby. S’all for you.” You confirmed through a needy exhale and he kissed you again and then propelled his weight further forward until there was enough pressure against you that he sunk inside and you gasped in relief as he moaned into your mouth. 

“Fuuuuck.” he moaned as he bottomed out and you whimpered as you felt so full. You swore he was in your lower tummy, he was bigger than you remembered. You recalled that he loved a little bite of pain, so when he wriggled a bit and sunk in a bit further you winced and dug your fingernails into his back. He made the most delicious sound, it made you feral and he started to thrust in slowly but achingly deep, it was making your thoughts completely blank. “You feel so good, baby. Fuck, you’re so good, my love.” He panted in pleasure.

You were covered in goosebumps, relishing in the feeling of intimacy with Harry. With the love of you life. Everything suddenly felt right with the world. Your back was arching because each and every time he was thrusting in, he was hitting a spot that made you feel like you would soon levitate. Your hands roamed the skin of his back, feeling his muscles working to bring you both all the pleasure in the world. It was the most harmonious sex of your life, you were both yearning to be closer than you already were. It was absolutely necessary to get closer. 

While still inside, he pinned your hips down with his and knelt up making you gasp in shock as he got even deeper like this. You suddenly felt strung out as he started to pick up his pace, his hips undulated and ground against yours in the most satisfying ways. You were encouraging him, praising him for how well he was fucking you. He was giving everything to you, you could feel it in his movements and in the rising temperature between the two of you. Damp skin and filthy wet sounds from the place where your bodies were connecting perfectly. You could feel your orgasm starting to build again so you slipped your hand between your bodies and started to rub precise circles into your clit and he moaned.

“Oh, that’s it, baby. Rub your little clit for me, want you come for me.” He encouraged you and you sped up a little more, “Look at me. Please, look at me.” He panted and your eyes slowly blinked open and met his. He smiled softly and pressed his forehead to yours, his gaze burning into you, making you feel like the only other person in the world. “Fuck, it feels so good with you. You feel so good.” He groaned and you whimpered as you started to reach the peak.

“I’m so close, baby!” You warned and he nodded.

“Come for me, love. Let me feel you coming so hard on my cock.” He egged you on and you suddenly felt warm all over as you started to come undone. Everything inside of you was singing beautifully. You felt like you were burning bright, like a dying star, you were crashing and burning, it was a spectacle to behold. “That’s it, baby. That’s so fucking good, fuck you feel so good, love.” He praised you with a smile, “S’gonna make me come…fuck, you’re gonna make me come.” He grunted.

“Yes, baby. Please come inside me. Please give it to me.” You begged as your orgasm continued thanks to his fast and desperate thrusting into you. His eyes blinked shut and his eyebrows furrowed down as his lips fell open and he let out a low moan, “Oh fuck. Fuck, m’gonna fill up your little pussy. Fuck! Oh fuck, Y/n…fuck yeah, baby.” He sighed and then buried himself as deep as he could go and you gasped as you felt his cock twitching inside of you as he painted your insides with his generous load of cum. He was still for a few seconds before grabbing your hair and tugging you up so that he could kiss you. Your lips met sloppily as he started to thrust gently into you. Your abs were burning and your legs were shaking as he continued fucking into you slow, milking every drop of his sperm into you. “I love you. Loveyousomuch.” He slurred against your mouth.

After a few moments you had both settled down, trying your best to catch your breaths as you basked in the warmth, holding each other close. Your fingers scratched at his scalp gently, it felt so nice and relaxing. His lips were kissing at the part of your skin that they could reach while he held you close.

“I’m never letting you go again.” He whispered.

“Good.” You hummed and he smiled.

“This is where I belong. I feel safe with you. I feel seen. I feel…”

“Whole?” You whispered and he nodded.

“Yeah, you make me feel satisfied with myself.” He said and you smiled.

“You make me feel whole too. I love you.”

“I love you.” He hummed, “Forever.” He added with a smile.

.... THE END ....

< Previous Part <

----TAGLIST----

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#harry styles #harry styles fan fiction #harry styles fan fics #harrys tyles fanfic #harry styles fis series #harry styles writing #harry styles x reader #harry styles x you #harry x reader #harry x you #harry styles reader insert #harry styles fic recs #harry styles fic rec #fic rec harry #harry fic recs #harry styles smut #harry styles fan fic #harry styles fluff #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfic #harry fic rec #0nlythrowharrybeaux

[lowkeyrobin]

Tubbo’s partner meeting all his streamer friends for the first time?

ooooo hell yeah man!! ; thank you for requesting, hope u enjoy!! 🫶🫶🫶 ; sorry this is so short, writers block is killing me lol

TUBBO ; mini streamer meetup + y/n the cashier

summary ; you, a cashier at a local supermarket, have been in a relationship with Twitch streamer Tubbo for a little while, and he wants you to meet his friends

warnings ; language, insecurities

word count ; 613

masterlist

Cash registers beep at every barcode they scan, the doors slightly creaking each time they open and close. The dim, cold lighting in the store gave you an extra shot of blue light poisoning to your eyes each time you looked anywhere but down. You feel your head absolutely pounding as you scan each item that this customer was now paying for, each and every beep tensing every muscle in your brain.

You didn't want this headache right now, especially since you were leaving in an hour to meet with your boyfriend and some of his friends for dinner. You were already insecure as you knew you didn't fit in with them, you didn't know shit about video games or streaming, and you weren't funny at all. You didn't know how to talk to people, especially when you barely knew anything about what they liked.

You silently panic and overthink while you wait for the customer to pay, bagging the last of their items for them.

Jesus fucking Christ, this was going to be absolutely horrible.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

You sit down at the table next to Tubbo, being fashionably late of course.

It's you're first time meeting all these friends and you're already making a bad impression. Great.

You swiftly apologize to everyone, holding back a genuine panic attack. But, you had to power through. You tell yourself you're okay, knowing you're not, but it's alright.

At the table, other than Tubbo, sits Freddie, Tommy, his girlfriend Molly, and Ranboo. Maybe you were being a little overdramatic about who was going to be there, basically his best friend, his best friends best friend, and his best friends girlfriend. Still, you didn't know anything personal about these friends, and you didn't want to leave them with bad impressions, especially since they had valuable reputations and you didn't.

Most of the dinner is them asking questions and you answering, the other part being the four talking to one another while you listen, unable to make any conversation. The brunette you were here for understood your anxiety and awkwardness, and you couldn't help but mentally thank him for only inviting three people here tonight.

Tommy turns to you, trying to strike a little conversation. "Y/n, what do you do for work? I don't think I ever asked"

"Oh, uh, I work as a cashier downtown." You nod, placing another spoonful of soup in your mouth.

He nods, "You ever play video games? I mean, you seem like the type"

"Uh, not really" You shrug, "I don't really have anything to play games on other than my phone, and like, most mobile games suck"

"Real!" Ranboo exclaims

"True that!" Freddie chuckles, "I've never found one game that's not overrun by Facebook Moms, homophobic teenage boys, or is just flat out bad"

"I know, right! Like it's either lack of being a good game or lack of a good fanbase"

Thankfully, right after that moment, you found a little spark with these people and were able to hold up a conversation with them. Tubbo watches and listens, a proud smile on his face, silently thanking Tommy for breaking you out of your shell.

The rest of the night went pretty well other than embarrassing yourself in the beginning, but on the walk home, Tubbo made sure to reassure you that his friends already loved you. You bonded over music and types of content and shows and movies with them, and it was so delightful for him to see you get along with his friends.

"You're a natural at this"

"You say that while I'm drugged up on children's Ibuprofen and allergy medicene"

He lightly smiles, "Take the fucking compliment!"

#lowkeyrobin #mcyt x reader #mcyt preferences #mcyt oneshot #tubbo x reader #tubbo oneshot #tubbo #qsmp tubbo #mcyt x gn reader #mcyt x y/n #mcyt x you #gn reader #gender neutral reader

[escape-from-reality-reads]

Guiding

Hey lookie here another Molly fic!

Slight warning for swearing and a drunk guy who can't take a hint.

Mollymauk x reader

Find on AO3

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Tavern bugs were all the same; creepy, slimy, and talented at making people uncomfortable with no effort at all. The idiot who decided to move to the seat next to you when he had been sitting at the other end of the bar the second you got your order in was no different. 

You clocked him as he attempted to stand from his original seat, almost falling in the process and stumbling the entire way to his destination. He reeked of cheap beer and looked as if he decided that bathing in said cheap beer was the latest beauty trend. You could tell this was going to be less than pleasant.

“Why hello gorgeous, what are you doing in a place like this?” The slurring was almost as bad as his smell. You took a step to the side, watching him from the corner of your eye while silently willing the barkeep to move faster with the drinks you requested. “None of your business, I’m just getting a drink.” 

The man leans towards you. “C’mon now don’t be like that, I’m sure I can make your night more enjoyable than this shithole.” You glance at his hand that’s now moving to touch your leg before taking your own hand and shoving it into a pouch on your other hip, rubbing the piece of copper wire placed there, swatting at the drunkard’s hand once the spell is cast. 

“I would very much prefer you not touch me at all sir. I’m not interested and my group is patiently waiting for their drinks.” Your eyes glance over the drunk’s head to the table beyond where the recipient of the spell has tensed and snapped his head to look your direction. Your eyes are pulled back to the bar as the keep lays down the four drinks that were ordered. You thank her and start gathering your drinks as the man goes to reach for them. “Come now lemme help you with those.” 

“Oh, rest assured that’s not necessary.” You relax as the lightly accented words leave Molly as he reaches and grabs two of the cups, wrapping his tail around your ankle unconsciously. “They have all the help they need. Why don’t you go back to what I know is your spot back on the other end of the bar.” You hear the tone go slightly darker but the man doesn’t have the brain cells anymore to hear the same. Instead he puffs up his chest in a way that would have been intimidating if he wasn’t swaying like a leaf in the wind, nonetheless the motion makes Molly tighten his grip on your ankle slightly. 

The man starts to talk only to fall to the ground, leaving Jester standing behind where he sat. “You know if you're that drunk you should really go to sleep.” She glares at the man, discreetly removing her own tail from the foot of his previously occupied stool to avoid suspicion. “Who knows what could happen to you when you’re drunk to the point of falling off a stool with no effort.” 

The man, having his brain finally notice that you weren't alone and well watched, stumbled his way to his feet grumbling before making his way back to his original seat and leaving you three standing with your drinks. 

“Thank you.” 

“No need! Honestly someone should have come up with you, these cups are really big.” Jester says, grabbing the cups that Molly had and making her way back to the table. Molly’s tail unwraps from you as the two of you start that direction as well. 

“Lucky you had wire on you. I thought you gave the rest of it to Caleb.” 

You shrug. “I try to keep some on me just in case something like that happens. It comes in handy when you don’t want to be too obvious your calling backup.” 

“That’s smart. Could‘ve used that trick once or twice myself.” Once you sit down the conversation picks back up as the crew asks for details of what happened, Molly’s tail finding its way back around your lower leg.

----

A few hours later you make your way to the room you’re staying in with Molly, his arm lightly wrapped around your waist. You laugh quietly as you enter the room piquing his interest. 

“And what do you find so funny?” 

“Did you notice earlier that you were wrapping your tail around my ankle?” 

Molly tilts his head. “I did no such thing darling.”

Your head snaps around to look at him. “Oh don’t play that game! When you came to the bar you did it, when we sat down you did it, and you’ve done it in the past as well. Every time we’re in a situation where you can wrap an arm around me your tail finds its way around my ankle.” 

Molly frowns, only to have it negated by a look of mischief in his pupiless eyes. “Huh, I’ve never noticed. My apologies darling, I'll keep my tail to myself if it's such a distraction.” 

You laugh. “I never said that you had to stop. To be honest I don’t know if you could seeing as you didn’t realize you were doing it. To be honest I think it’s cute.” 

The frown turns to a smirk as he moves his tail to rub against your calf. “Oh, then maybe I should do it more often then.”

“Long as you don’t trip me I have no issues with it.” 

The smirk turns into a full out smile. “Oh you mean like this. He quickly wraps the tail around your waist, pulling you close to him before his arms take hold  where the tail had been. 

“You and I have very different ideas of what ‘tripping' means sir.” You lean into Molly as he looks down at you. “But that’s an acceptable move as well.” 

Molly’s gaze softens as he leans down for a kiss that you happily give, his tail curling around your lower leg. This time completely on purpose.

#critical role #mighty nein #mollymauk x reader #mollymauk tealeaf #jester lavorre

[bakerstreethound]

Successful Year | sherlock holmes

Blurb: Send in one of these scenarios along with one of the characters I write!

I hope you don't mind that I changed the suggested scenario because I personally needed this at this point while writing. Thanks for sending this in! Reposting because the tags flopped on the other. 

All writings belong to me @bakerstreethound (Do NOT claim, repost, copy, or translate my works to other sites. I only publish here and on A03)

You rubbed your eyes again, not believing the words that appeared on your computer screen. You blinked a few more times, the realization failing to sink in. The pit of dread brimming in your stomach quelled as the relief sunk in.

You almost bulldoze him over in the kitchen where he’s rummaging through in the refrigerator, and he turns holding a bag of eyeballs or something like fingertips. There was no telling these days what he went rummaging for in the morgue, happy to see what Molly had leftovers of to provide him with experiments and the like.

They were the main source of his entertainment while you studied which annoyed him cause he liked bothering you and demanding a majority of your attention/

“You’ve caught the suspect already?” He looks at you up and down, raising an incredulous brow.

You shook your head, gesturing to the open laptop you carried over. You are surprised you didn’t drop it when you almost ran into him.

“I passed that stupid class!” You can't help but squeal in elation, the reality of the situation sinking in. You were almost out of the academic hellhole, free from the few professors who made your last few semesters a living hell.

He sets the laptop down on the table examining it intently before coming over to you. It takes a moment for you to register his arms around you, pulling you close to him in a hug as he gently kisses your forehead.

You find yourself leaning into his touch, enjoying the way his hands carefully rub your back, working the tense muscles you’d acquired over the months of studying and working.

“I knew you’d pass, you had a higher chance than those idiots in your class.”

You can’t help but preen at the praise, pulling him closer, not wanting this moment to end. You nuzzle more into his neck, gently nibbling at the base of it. A soft sigh escapes him, his experiment all but forgotten on the table now next to your running laptop.

His grip tightens on you and yours does the same, the desperation growing by the moment, but when you break for air, your heart rate skyrockets more your eyes snapping to his, watching his beautiful sapphires sparkling in admiration, all the unspoken words between you flowing freely.

To say you were looking forward to the next month of break is an understatement. Spending it with Sherlock and John is something you wouldn’t trade for anything. Who knows what mischief you’ll end up in.

******

@bakerstreethound​ @disneymarina​ @groovy-lady​ @viper-official​ @lilythemadqueen​ @frostandflamesfanfic​ @feral-for-strange​ @starks-hero​ @lykaonimagines​ 

Sherlock tags: @ilovefanfictions​ @aephereal​ @french-vanilla-in-the-clouds​ @classickook​ @battledress​ @azu21​ @sylvieofasgard​ @strangelockd​ @ravencatart​ @starstruck-loner​ 

#Sherlock Holmes #sherlock x reader #sherlock holmes x reader #sherlock holmes imagine #sherlock x you #bbc sherlock #benedict cumberbatch #sherlock tv #writing prompt #writing request

[pebblysand]

Heyyy Pebbles! Hope you're doing fab as always! Have been re reading Castles and ukw I'm just so happy that i did since I feel I've missed out on some minor aspects than what I had read the previous time and most of all I absolutely adore your writing skills. I'm so in awe of how well you write and I just can't seem to fathom how you do it.

If it's okay, can you please share sneak peeks of the following words

'Love', 'better', 'care/caring', 'kind/kindness', 'mum', 'dad', 'brother/brothers', 'harry', 'ginny'

Don't mean to pressurize you or anything but I just wanna tell you that I'm so so excited for the next chapters and i can't wait to read them ❤ and yeah thanks so kuch for the great content, you've no idea how happy you make me (ik castles is somewhat angsty lol but it does make me happy😊)

hiiiii! aw, thank you so much, that's so sweet 🥹❤️! this means the world, really!! also, bear in mind that these might not even be aspects that you missed, but things i changed in the interim haha. i do go back and tweak things sometimes :).

okay, sneak peeks! do note that this is a first draft and that some of these may not make the final version ❤️.

love: Harry tensed, that morning, but Ginny let her mother yell. She tended to the owl and let her mother yell and let the minutes pass - until the letter turned into ash. ‘It’s how she shows love,’ she shrugged. Errol was blinking wildly; she took him into her arms like a baby, as if to shelter him from the screaming. ‘Fred and George got half a dozen of them after they decided to open the shop. It’s the silence you really need to worry about.’

better (this one yielded a major spoiler but i'll allow it lol): Ginny chose. He helped. It was one afternoon a bit later, when he found her laying on her stomach on Sirius’s bed (her bed - their bed, he corrected), wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jean shorts tight around her bum, surrounded with Muggle and Wizarding travel guides, spines broken, open flat around her, the tip of her quill caressing her bottom lip. He couldn’t help but smile. ‘So, I was thinking -’ she explained. His gaze settled on hers. ‘You’ve never been out of the country so maybe somewhere they speak English is better.’ She hummed a little, like she knew he was looking. ‘There’s Australia,’ she added. ‘But, I reckon maybe that might not be something we want.’ There wasn’t any need to say more. ‘Plus, anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere is gonna be winter.’ She paused, glanced up at him. There was that thing in her gaze that always makes his trousers feel tight. ‘So, I was thinking: America?’

care: He shakes his head. Knows damn well she didn’t mean for this to happen. ‘I didn’t see him either.’ In the dark, with the flashing lights, it’s lucky they even saw him at all. Harry decides he doesn’t want this to ruin her night. ‘It’s fine,’ he says. ‘I don’t care.’

kind: As they travel the Midwest, with the sun on her face, Ginny sleeps in the car. She does that a lot, Harry notices, and it kind of makes him wonder if she sleeps at night. She found the time to create that map she gave him for his birthday without him noticing. They are laying in bed one night when she says: ‘I don’t want you to die.’

mum: Molly sent a howler the day after their first date. Errol collapsed on the kitchen table over their late breakfast - Ginny had to go fetch water and spoon-feed him a snack. ‘Mum should retire you,’ she said, petting his head gently. ‘You poor thing.’

dad: He and Ron get ready in Ron’s bedroom at the Burrow and later, decide to stay hidden there until the actual ceremony. Guests have started arriving; they ran upstairs as soon as Aunt Muriel’s charming tune came up the depths of the Floo. ‘Hermione invited her,’ Ron rolls his eyes, now. He is laying on his bed in formal robes, flipping through a Quidditch magazine. Harry’s sat on the floor, playing with the Game Boy he got a couple weeks ago. Loosely trying to catch a Bulbasaur. ‘Said she’d hidden the fam and all. Was the correct thing to do. Like Luna’s dad - well, I guess they’re neighbours, that would have been rude. You know what though?’ he adds, eyeing the mess around them, everything from the wedding gifts to the dirty shirts. ‘I am kinda glad we’re not getting married in my bedroom.’

brother, harry & ginny: It is around ten by the time the garden is finally sorted, the shield up and waterproof, and the chairs all aligned. Fifteen minutes later, Harry is finally summoned by Ginny to go meet Hermione - she opens Ron’s bedroom door without so much as a knock and her brother screams: ‘Merlin’s balls, I could have been NAKED!’

i do hope to finish the first draft this weekend, but we shall see 😉.

#castles #asked and answered

[isuckatwritingsobenice]

Touch of Glass ch.10

A/n: Oh my goodness guys! CHAPTER 10?! I didn't think we'd get this far. I love this story so much and I'm glad you all love it just as much as I do. I know these past few chapters have been a bit shorter, but to make up for it we have this lovely chapter that will end us off with a short break. ( Or until I write for this story again, which won't be long.) I want to give the chapters some time to settle in and I don't to bombard you guys with chapters. If your new here, hello! This story started from this random idea I had one day and apparently people wanted it to be a story, so the prologue was written and here we are. All the chapters are listed on my masterlist, as well as other related stories! Feel free to comment if you want to be tagged for future chapters that will be released in this series. I won't keep you all waiting anymore, happy reading!

Masterlist

chapter 9

Touch of Glass, Act ll, prologue

tags: @willowaudreykeyes @saltofsaints

Heart Wrenching

" We've gotten this far, I don't see the need to stop." I responded, before Alastor's head shot up.

" Really?" He asked, his eyes lighting up with joy. I smiled and nodded, laughing.

" Of course." I said, before he smiled wide, wrapping his arms around me, spinning me around. I laughed as he smiled, saying 'thank you, thank you' over and over.

" We should celebrate! We should eat the cake with our hands." He said wiggling his fingers as I laughed, before he pulled me into a hug. " Or we could get a lot if mini cakes, cupcakes!" He said as we rocked back and forth, as he went on about all the things we could eat to celebrate.

" Maybe we should just finish the cake we made. We don't want it to just sit there." I said, before he smiled and nodded. However, before we could make our way to the kitchen, the bell rang. " Who could it be now?" I wondered, before Alastor walked over to the door, as I followed behind him. We made our way down a long hall, leading to the door at the front of the house. Alastor opened the door, revealing Peter standing there.

" Hello! How can I help you sir?" Alastor asked, before Peter looked to me, before pulling a letter from behind him.

" I am Miss L/n's personal bodyguard. I'm in charge of knowing where she is at all times, if these requirements are not met her mother will send a train ticket back to-" I cut Peter off, stepping between the two. Quickly, the air became tense. Both seemed to be glaring at each other, hard.

" My mother will force me to go back home if I'm not with Peter. I thought father said it was alright for you to stay behind?" I asked, turning to face Peter, standing in front of Alastor.

" Yes, he did say that, however, your mother caught wind of the murders happening in the area. She wants you with me, or in your father's watch." Peter informed me, before I took the letter from him, before opening it.

"Dear Y/n,

Hello dear! I miss you so much! How's New Orleans? Is your father still the bastard he used to be? Goodness, I can only imagine the heat that's torturing you over there. Remember, if you want to come back home all you need to do is ask and I'll send you the ticket as soon as possible. Now I wanted to ask you, I heard there was a serial killer on the loose over there, god what a psycho. Be careful, and stay with Peter. I don't need my only daughter being murdered. I hope you've been sketching designs like I asked. That is why your there after all. How is everyone? I might hate your father, but his family is tolerable. Martha? Molly? What about Charles? Is he still around? If you don't know who that is, then no he isn't around. I would call you if I could, but I've been so busy with designs for the fall collection this year I feel like my head is going to burst! I'll leave you to it now, write me back as soon as you can. I miss you!

Love,

Mom"

I read, before Peter nodded.

" Your father sent me to take you home. Come now, get your belongings and let's head out. We don't want you to over stay your welcome." Peter said, before I sighed and nodded. Of course he would tell my mother about the murders. Alastor stopped me from walking to get my things, instead getting highly defensive.

" If she doesn't want to leave then she doesn't need too. I can take her home if it's such an issue. I'm sure Wallace won't mind." Alastor said, before I turned to look at Peter who was clenching his jaw tightly.

" Don't you know how highly inappropriate it is for a man and a woman to be alone together for so long? Her mother is simply worried about her, I need to ease her worries by taking Miss Y/n home where she is safe. Not with an uncharted imbecile like you." Peter said, before he grabbed my wrist and tore me out of the doorway, walking down the steps at the front of the house, and leading me to his car.

" Peter! Let me go! I was having a good time!" I said, before I turned to see Alastor standing in the door way, a smile on his face, stretching ear to ear, and though it looked forced, I wished he was a little sad to see me go. Peter flung open the passenger door, and sat me inside, as I tried my best to free myself. He slammed the door shut before clicking the keys and locking me in. I tried to pry the lock open from inside the car, however the challenge was much greater than I anticipated. I huffed, giving up, and watching as Peter walked back up the stairs to Alastor who was still standing in the doorway with that smile. The two seemed to be talking, however, they weren't angry, from what I could see. They seemed strangely calm.

Peter's POV

" You stay away from her." I said, walking to him. He grinned, his eyes dark.

" What makes you think I'll listen to you? I happen to think she likes spending time with me. Maybe the worried one, is you?" Mr.Lucian said, looking to me with a sly smirk. This bastard.

" The letter was written by her mother, I would never go to such lengths to take Miss Y/n from someone she enjoys." I stated, clenching my fists.

" Really? It seems you quite literally, have done just that. What a shame, to let jealousy control you like that. You haven't even given me a chance to make a good impression." Mr.Lucian laughed, pulling out a box of cigarettes from his back pocket. He then, pulled out a box of matches from his shirt pocket, before taking a cigarette out and lighting the match, then lighting the cigarette.

" A good impression? You've been highly disrespectful just by smoking in front of someone. I can't believe people think of you as some great person. Look at you." I said, before spitting on the ground, right next to his shoe. He stopped, his eye begging to twitch, before he removed the cigarette from his mouth, before dropping it, and stepping on my foot. " OW!" I said, pulling my foot back, before Alastor picked up the cigarette, which was still hot, with a small flame. He grabbed my hand, pulling my sleeve up quickly, before putting the cigarette out on my wrist.

" Now you listen to me and you listen to me good you little prick. I've already been given permission from your little boss, that precious girl you just threw into your car, to court her like the gentlemen I truly am. If you'd like for me to break that persona, it can start with your body beaten on my front lawn. How does that sound, hm 'Peter'?" Mr.Lucian said, before pressing the cigarette further into my wrist. " Oh, my apologies, was that the right name? Since I'm an uncharted imbecile" He said again, pressing the cigarette further into my wrist. I pulled my wrist away harshly, before Mr. Lucian dropped the cigarette, and stepped on it, moving his foot a bit to ensure it was put out efficiently.

" You, you are mad." I said panting, and holding my wrists. Just then, we both turned around to the sound of loud muffled banging.

" That's her." Mr. Lucian said, before he leaned in close to me. " Act normal, or I'll be sure to have you gutted by the morning." Alastor said, before I turned to face him, and getting closer.

" Don't be so sure that you're the only one who knows how to kill someone." I said, before I began to walk away. This meeting had gone on long enough. I needed to attend Miss Y/n.

" At least we know one of us can get away with it." He said, the slyness in his tone making my jaw clench. I walked back to the car, unlocking the doors so I could get in, before opening my door and getting into the car.

" What happened?" Y/n asked.'

Readers POV

" What happened?" I asked, before Peter huffed and put the key in the engine.

" Nothing, let's just get you home." He said, before he turned to face me with a soft, comforting smile. I sighed and nodded, finally giving up. I'd have to trust him on this one.

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶

" Welcome back Y/n!" Aunt Molly said as I walked into the dining room. She smiled and threw her arms around me in a hug. " How was your day?" She asked, before she pulled away from me. It was then I looked towards the table to see lots of papers scattered around, varying from names to food and chefs as well as colors.

" Hello Aunt Molly. What's all this?" I asked as I returned the hug to her.

" It's preparation's for Janice's wedding." She said, before picking up a list of names, which was about four pages long. " We have a lot of people to invite. But this is gonna be exciting!" Aunt Molly said, handing me a stack of papers. Charles was across from Aunt Molly, sitting in a chair with a pen in hand as he began looking over forms.

" He's been sitting there for hours. The maids have brought him about seven cups of coffee." Aunt Molly said with a laugh. I smiled before taking a seat beside Aunt Molly. I took a look at the papers she had handed to me and smiled, the front page was labeled ' Maid of Honor.' The pages were clipped together, and as I flipped through them, I realized Janice's wedding seemed to be more of a ball than anything. The preparations and everything I was being briefed on in this packet with everyone else’s roles seemed to be a lot on its own. As I read the requirements for maid of honor and what I would be doing a voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“ Oh, she’s back.” Almarice said, walking into the dining room with a huff. Aunt Molly gave Almarice a look before rolling her eyes. Almarice sat down next to Charles.

“ Everyone. We have news.” My father said smiling as he walked into the dining room, while to my suprise, Vox and Valentino followed behind him. The two looked to me, before they shared a look and grinned at each other.

#alastor #alastor x reader #hazbin alastor #hazbin angel dust #hazbin charlie #hazbin hotel x reader #hazbin demon #hazbin vox #hazbin vaggie #hazbin hotel rosie

[mykneeshurt]

Mister Morgan - Chapter 7

Arthur Morgan x F!reader

All warnings are on the title page

Chapter eight

“I don’t know why I bother wit you Dutch Van Der Linde! I seen you lookin at er!” Molly shrieked at the top of her lungs. That voice of hers was enough to pull you from your deep slumber. Rolling over in the cot your head thumped with every movement, a wave of nausea gripped your stomach. With a hoarse groan you emptied the remaining bile from your stomach onto the grass below. “Will you shut the fuck up!” You groaned from the tent rolling back over to bury your face into the pillow.

It had been two days since your run in with the O’Driscolls, luckily you only ended up with a concussion. Arthur was racing Dutch back from Rhodes when he heard your screams, he shot the O’Driscoll on top of you before you passed out. He put you on his horse and brought you back to camp, where he and the girls took turns looking after you.

You stayed in Arthur’s tent while he slept on a make shift bed outside, when he wasn’t off galavanting, which was quite often. To keep your mind occupied you studied his belongings on his table; a picture of his mother and father, a newspaper clipping from his first bank robbery, an orchid, a picture of him, Duch and Hosea when they were younger and lastly a picture of his old dog. The sentimental fool.

The tent flap burst open bringing with it a subtle evening glow and a chuckle from Arthur. “They wake you?”

Without moving your head from the pillow you mumbled “Arthur I can’t take no more of their bickering. My head is killin’ me.” Arthur walked over and sat next to you on the cot, “here, drink this, Hosea whipped it up for you.” Arthur produced a bottle of gensing elixir while he helped you sit up straight. “Damn darlin’ that’s quite a shiner you got there.”

“Yes. Thank you Arthur” you huffed as you rolled your eyes and took the liquid from his hand.

As you chugged the vile medicine you caught Arthur examining you in the corner of your eye. “Arthur, I’m fine. I’ve dealt with worse” you huffed, “what I can’t deal with is their incessant arguin’” you said just loud enough for them to hear. You felt claustrophobic being confined to this tent for so long, you needed to get out, even if it was to help old Grimshaw with the chores.

Something shiny caught your eye, “Arthur? What the hell is that?” You laughed, flicking the Deputy Badge that adorned his chest. Arthur let out a snort and rubbed the back of his neck “We’ll, I’m one of the Deputy Sheriffs of Rhodes mi’lady.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Dutch?”

“Yeah, wants us to get in with the Gray boys. They got gold apparently..”

You rolled your eyes. He continued to fill you in about the last two days, how he, Dutch, Bill and another Deputy raided a local moonshine distillery in the swamp. How he and Hosea went into Rhodes to re-sell the moonshine, as Catherine Braithwaite knew it was hers when they went to sell it back to them.

“Sorry what?” You cackled mid way through that story “your name is now ‘Fenton’ the idiot brother of ‘Melvin’. Not far wrong on the idiot part is he” you winked at him. Arthur chuckled “yeah not my finest moment I will admit. Bunch of Lemoyne raiders found us, caused havoc in the saloon.”

“Chrissakes Arthur. That ain’t bein’ exactly low key.” He lowered his gaze with a grimace. “I know I know. I tried tellin Dutch but he ain’ listening. Even Hosea hasn’t been too sure bout all this.” You felt him tense up, you reached out and placed your hand on his knee with a gentle squeeze. “Talk to me Arthur.”

He let out a sigh. “I just … I don’t know what Dutch is playin’ at. I keep tellin’ him this don’t feel right n he just dismisses me. Really don’t feel right.”

You took his hand in yours and stroked the top of it “I don’t know what’s goin’ through his head, but you need to keep yours on straight Arthur. Who else is gonna save me from O’Driscolls” you said as you playfully shoved into his shoulder. “Go on, get outta here ‘fore people start talking.” You gave Arthur a small kiss on his cheek before he left.

Over the next few days you slowly started to get back into the swing of things, chores, arguing with Pearson and even a small hunting trip with Charles. It felt so good to be out of that tent and into the fresh air. Micah was back to his normal shit eating self, constantly making comments under his breath about you and making his dislike of you very obvious.

It all came to a head one evening as the sun descended over Flat Iron Lake. Micah was sat at the table beer in hand, you walked past after helping clear away the dinner and knew by the look on his face he was going to start. “Aw well look, if it ain’t the O’Driscoll whore. Surprised you ain’t rat us out yet.”

You stopped in your tracks and let out a sigh, you’d had enough. “Why don’t you shut the fuck up Micah.”

His eyes widened in shock or annoyance you weren’t quite sure. “Who the fuck you talkin’ to? You’re dead weight O’Driscoll.”

You felt your blood pressure rising, your chest became tight and knuckles turned white from your shaking fists. “I ain’t a damn O’Driscoll Micah! When you gonna get that through your thick skull?!”

He jumped up from his chair and came towards you trying to be intimidating. You were both in each other’s faces, the gang had started to notice what was going on and we’re coming over. “You got a a lotta nerve O’Driscoll.” Micah yelled as he grabbed your arm. You saw red. In one sudden movement you whipped your hunting knife from its holster to his neck.

You saw red. In one sudden movement you whipped your hunting knife from its holster to his neck. The blue steel pressed firmly against his neck, the skin turned red from the pressure. You’re not sure what stopped you from plunging the knife deep into his neck, nothing would have given you more pleasure. “Give me a fuckin’ reason.” You spat. Your eyes narrowed, waiting for another retort from him. You could feel his pulse thrash against the edge of your knife. Tempting you drive the it deep into his neck. He broke out into a shit eating smirk ‘Now Morgan, why don’t you keep your woman on a leash.”

You felt a firm grip on your waist and another on your hand holding the knife. You’re not sure when Arthur had even returned to camp. “Darlin’” he firmly whispered. The camp had gone deathly silent, all eyes were on you. You responded to Arthur’s firm touch and slowly dropped the knife from his neck, not breaking away from Micah’s gaze.

Arthur guided you by your waist to a more secluded spot by the lake. You sat down on a boulder in silence and stared out across the water. Your heart hadn’t stopped pounding against your ribs as you let out a few deep breaths. Your jaw clenched as you gritted your teeth in a silent rage.

After what felt like an eternity you managed to look at him. “I’m fine.”

“Clearly.” He huffed “what the hell was that?”

You sucked your teeth, “Had enough of the comments from him Arthur. Thinks he can get away with anythin’ without no consequences. I’ll kill him, don’t think I won’t.”

Arthur slipped his arm around you “I don’t doubt that for a second. But yah know, Dutch don’t quite like murder in camp.”

You managed to let out a small giggle as you relaxed into Arthur. He smelt of gunpowder, a smell you never thought you’d like, but he wore it so well. “I won’t put up with Arthur, had years of the O’Driscolls walkin’ all over me. I ain’t taking shit from him.”

Arthur gently kissed your forehead “I know sweetheart, I know.”

“Don’t even know why Dutch puts up with him. Ain nothin’ but a snake.”

“Micah saved Dutch’s life once. He respects him, even if he is a pissant.”

“I guess” you sighed “what’s happening with these two families? Ain’t seen you all day.”

Arthur let out an exasperated sigh, he filled you in on the eventful day.

He, Javier and John went to the Braithwaite’s to steal some prize horses which were meant to be around $5000 a head. But, of course it wasn’t their lucky day. Couple hundred each for them at most.

“I could have come along Arthur, I know my horses, would have saved you the hassle” you remarked.

“Didn’t wanna put you out, besides you’ve only just recovered” he said while he rested his head agonist yours.

“I can help Arthur, I ain’t afraid of gettin’ my hands dirty. Besides I’m a better long range shot than you.” You giggled.

“So you keep sayin’. Fine come with Me and Sean tomorrow. We’re gonna torch the Gray’s tobacco fields.”

“I’m in.”

———

Surprised how well this reads lmao

#red dead redemption two #rdr2 #rdr 2 #arthur morgan rdr2 #rdr2 arthur #rdr2 x reader #arthur morgan x female reader #arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan x you #arthur morgan #red dead redemption arthur

[mitsuki91]

WIP Wednesday

Thank for the tag @giosnape 🥰🥰🥰

I am not writing much, I am extra busy this days, but I am translating my fic, so... I post some "spoiler" 👀👀

The hunter

I updated today, but here are some quotes for the next chapter:

James nodded, still with his face covered, trying to compose himself. He had to think of something else. He had to think...

He heard Harry walk away, heading for the kitchen, and then concentrated on the first thing that passed through his mind - on Rose, on her body under his imperious and gentle hands, on her moans in his ears, on the way she gave herself to him so passionately...

Shit. He wanted to see her.

The saying that for anything a healthy fuck was the only possible cure, even for his first attempt at blackmail, always held true.

James inhaled, trying to calm the erection that was suddenly tensing in his trousers. Would Rose have been available if he had sent her a Patronus later...?

James fervently hoped so. After all, he'd only been fucking her all summer now - she was the only one allowed into Grimmauld Place - and, he had to start admitting, he didn't mind it that much. He could almost see Molly's mischievous smile at this consideration and, upset, he decided to get up and go to the kitchen, to help his father and to put an end to all those troublesome thoughts.

Story with no name yet - a Snily 😏

I write only the first chapter and I posted something but I suppose no one see 😂

Soooo now I copy-paste all the letter Lily wrote to Severus - context: after she was informed about the prophecy and that a Death Eather was a spy for the Order:

Sev,

how are you? I think not well these days. Dumbledore has just summoned us to the school telling us about a Prophecy concerning Harry and a Death Eater who has become a spy... It's you, isn't it? It has to be you.

It has to be, or this letter would be useless. I literally ran out of the headmaster's office to go down and write to you, secretly from everyone; I didn't know how but I think this is the only way. I heard you got the Potions class and I'll eat my hands if the two things are not connected, I... I hope you find this letter. After all, I'm hiding it in our last happy memory and if, as I think, you're the spy, then that means that somewhere in you never stopped thinking about me, at least a little.

God, I'm not good with words.

Shall I tell you about me first? Some superficial small talk just to make up for lost time? Ahah... I mean. Apart from the war, and this Prophecy thing that's got me scared shitless, I'm fine. Relatively fine. I'm a new mum so it's stressful, but I adore Harry with all my heart, as you can imagine. James treats me well and he's a great dad. Good. Update finished.

And now I'm supposed to get to the hard stuff. God, I have too many thoughts in my head. What to say? How to say it?

I've been agonising over the same issues for years, Sev. Until I was sure you were a Death Eater, though, I had to swallow everything and move on, because I had no other fucking choice left.

Do you have any idea how I felt?

But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.

The news is still so fresh in my mind and I... Sigh.

Sev, the reality is that a lot of what I want to tell you also depends on why you decided to switch sides in this war. Is it because my life is in danger? It would mean something, indeed a lot, but at the same time it would still be pointless, because it means you never understood the extent of your mistakes, and there's a part of me that couldn't forgive you anyway. Maybe I'll never be able to. But, on the other hand... If you have seen and experienced the horror of being on the wrong side of this conflict and have decided to act out of conscience, or out of remorse, that also means that this letter is just pathetic in your eyes, and that I have disappeared from your heart. I don't know, Sev. I don't know what to think.

I only know that if you are the spy, the only thing I want to do is to find you after this war is over. Talk, really talk. I want to hear everything from your lips, Sev, even the things we never said to each other.

Because that's how it is, isn't it, Sev? We've each kept our own secrets and look where that got us. Preoccupied with the outside world and deaf to ourselves.

You must have wondered, I know you must have wondered, if you cared at all, why James Potter of all people. Why torture you like this, with your biggest bully, with your nemesis? Why, after what he had done; after he was the one who had, even indirectly, put an end to our friendship?

I told you that he treats me well, that he takes care of me and Harry. This is true. And as much as Harry has been a surprise that has brought more thought than joy - a son in my twenties during a war! I am not stupid to this extent, Sev - the truth is that none of this would have happened if not for you.

Because, in the pain of my seventeen years, in the wreckage of my broken heart for you, Sev - and it is a suffering that never, never goes away - James was the only one who could make you suffer as you had made me suffer. The only sentence I could make you serve, the only revenge I could take.

The only way to seek a reaction from you. Which there wasn't.

You were always distant, Sev. Almost indifferent. And you broke my heart twice with the knowledge that not even being with your most bitter enemy would bring you back to me.

The truth is that I let myself go, Sev. The truth is that I fight because the Death Eaters want to kill me, that I will go on and fight for my son, that I will still try to build a just world for him. The truth is that I love Harry far more than James, than myself… Than you. Because it's the only way I can survive, to make sense of my life.

The truth is that I was in love with you and you destroyed everything, including myself, and now I am just a fool to cling to the hope that you have changed… Even for me.

I write this letter to you so that my heart will not be lost in this war. Because Prophecy is a serious thing and I am scared and see everything in negative, Sev.

Because I am afraid of dying.

But I want you to know that I would like to live... Also to find you, once again.

Yours,

Lily

Bruises

The Tom Riddle/Eileen Prince you have ask me to translate. I have not done it yet, so I copy-past only the summary:

He is different.

The aura of power he exudes is cracked. Tom smiles at her and it is terrible and, for the first time, his face conveys something so wrong that it alarms her: she doesn't understand it, she doesn't see it, but looking at him is like listening to the screeching of fingernails on a blackboard.

Unbearable.

"You are different," she tells him, as he enters their usual classroom, striding towards her with all the grace in the world.

Tom stops, stares at her; he tilts his head and widens his smile.

"Oh, Ely, Ely. My dear girl. Always so clever."

Well, enjoy! 🥰

I tag @postmariannizm and then I ask you to reply me of you are a fan writter! Because I can not place your name so I have no-one to tag in this games è.é Please link me one of your story!

#writing game #severus snape #james sirius potter #tom riddle #severus snape x lily evans #tom riddle x eileen prince #james sirius potter x rose weasley #my works

[redux-iterum]

A Kindling: Chapter Twenty-Eight

(AO3 counterpart here.)

It was impressive how poorly ThunderClan cats hid their eavesdropping.

By the time Greypaw finally woke up and emerged from the apprentices’ den, the entire Clan was roused and sitting around in clusters, trying hard not to look like they were listening in as the elders muttered with Bluestar, Redtail, and the older cats—Speckletail, Tigerclaw, Goldenflower, Whitecloud and Lionface. The silence and tense air were not lost on Greypaw, who blinked and looked around in confusion.

“What did I miss?” he said to Firepaw in a stage-whisper.

Firepaw’s eyes flickered to Ravenpaw, who was sitting beside him and tapping his tail nervously. Leaning into Greypaw’s ear, he whispered back, “The old molly and I found a sign about another seer getting attacked earlier. Bluestar’s deciding what to do, I think.”

Greypaw’s yellow eyes bugged out as he stared at his friend. “Another seer?”

“Spottedleaf’s death may have been a murder,” Ravenpaw murmured, shivering as he said the last word.

Greypaw at least had the sense not to shout or gasp and shatter the quiet, ice-fragile air in camp. What he did do was almost fling himself to the floor in a crouch, like he was expecting an attack. His ears flattened and his fur bristled.

“Murder?” he barely managed. “Who… who would kill her? She never did anything wrong by anyone.”

Firepaw hesitated, not sure if he was allowed to share further. Eventually, he admitted, “Brokenstar might have done it. The old molly thinks he’s trying to block us from StarClan.”

Again, Greypaw restrained himself, but distress flared out his fur even more. He huddled where he was, staring at the ground. Ravenpaw gave him a sympathetic nose-touch to his ear while Firepaw placed his tail on his friend’s flank and watched Bluestar out of the corner of his eye.

Barely audible from this far away, Patchpelt was saying, “It at least couldn’t hurt to send a patrol to speak with them.”

Halftail grunted and nodded.

“You better go with them,” Whitecloud said to Bluestar. “They won’t refuse you, of all cats. And whatever may have happened, a leader’s going to be a lot easier to trust than random warriors.”

Tigerclaw’s eyes were narrowed. “I don’t know if we can trust WindClan, Bluestar. Even if the rogue is right, that just means they’re going to be hostile and assume the worst of us.”

“Which is why Bluestar going would be helpful,” Whitecloud replied gently.

“I’m willing to lead the patrol myself,” Redtail offered. “They know me, too. Deadfoot and I are friends.” He twitched his whiskers. “Or about as much of ‘friends’ as one can be with WindClan.”

The seniors all fell silent, looking expectantly at their leader, as was the rest of the Clan, giving up on pretending not to listen. Bluestar’s head was a little lowered, ears swiveled back. The moon caught on her fur, turning it silver—except, Firepaw noticed for the first time, a streak of naked fur on her back, a scar he’d somehow never observed before, that slashed through her coat in one black line.

He didn’t have any time to reflect on this before Bluestar lifted her head and nodded. “Thank you for your input, everyone. Redtail, Whitecloud, come with me. We’ll leave now.”

So saying, she stood up and turned around, scanning the camp of eavesdroppers with a very unimpressed face. Everyone jolted and quickly looked away until she raised her voice and called, “I have business on the border tonight. Redtail and Whitecloud will be with me. If you have any issues, talk to Tigerclaw, Speckletail, or Lionface.” Without further comment, she strode for the camp entrance, her chosen toms following her with grim faces.

No one said anything until the rustling of the forest directly outside of camp faded away, and then an explosion of chatter and conspiracy consumed the clearing. More than one cat said something about Brokenstar, and others muttered speculatively about the hag and her situation. Firepaw looked her way, catching her right as she yawned a wide, contemptuous yawn and leaned back against the stump, eyes almost squeezed shut.

“Do you trust what she said about that sign?” Greypaw asked, nudging him.

Firepaw readjusted his posture after the nudge and nodded, looking back at his friend. “I saw it myself. She knew what it meant immediately, and it makes sense to me.” He continued on, describing the search—while leaving out the argument—and the discovery. Greypaw shook his head, eyes wide, when he came to the conclusion.

“Honestly, the crazy part to me is that StarClan would send a sign to a nameless cat.” Greypaw nodded towards the hag. “If she’s right, then Brokenstar really is a liar.”

Firepaw rolled a shoulder. “We’ll just have to see what happens, I guess.”

 Bluestar didn’t return for a long time—long enough that everyone eventually gave up on waiting and went to sleep. Even Firepaw was in his nest, nearly at sleep’s embrace, before his ears twitched and caught rustling and his leader’s voice. Unfortunately for his curiosity, he was too drowsy to get up and inquire about how the meeting went. He instead shut his eyes and was gone within moments, even with that squeaky voice in his head demanding that he go ask right now.

Chatter awoke him in the evening. The memory of the night before hit him and he was instantly alert, jumping to his feet and trotting out of the den without so much as a stretch. Everyone was outside, leaving no space for Firepaw to take more than a couple steps. He could barely hear himself think with all the noise—until Bluestar leaped onto the meeting stump and everyone went silent at once.

“I spoke with Rookstar last night,” she said, voice echoing in the quiet clearing. “You all know by now what sign the nameless cat was given—and it appears that StarClan truly spoke to her. WindClan’s seer, Buzzardface, was attacked as well, on the same night we lost Spottedleaf.”

Voices erupted out of the crowd, all asking the same question in different ways: who attacked him, where and when?

Bluestar raised her tail and everyone’s queries drew to a stop. She continued once it was silent again. “Evidently, rogues saw him as he was following a sign and tried to kill him. Buzzardface has no idea why or who they were, but he barely escaped with his life and ran into a patrol just in time. Rookstar also told me that the rogue-scent on his border has gotten stronger and pushed further into WindClan territory.” Her ears swiveled back gravely. “We’ve come to the conclusion that the rogues going after Buzzardface are likely related to what happened to Spottedleaf. It would explain the scratches she had, at least.”

Growls and shouts of anger followed this speech. Even Goldenflower looked outraged, tail twitching and back-fur raised. Tigerclaw, sitting next to her, was silent, but his eyes showed only ice.

“Attacking a seer, of all things…” Darkstripe growled. “They’ve got some nerve.”

Brindleface’s pretty pale green eyes were burning. “They have to know how helpless seers are to go after two of them. Cowards. They could’ve at least attacked someone who could fight back.”

Firepaw blinked and looked at the cat closest to him, Mousefur. “Seers can’t fight?”

“Or hunt,” Mousefur replied. “It’s the law. There’s a reason Spottedleaf wasn’t in that battle with RiverClan.”

Weird that it hadn’t occurred to him before, Firepaw thought, but it did explain some of Spottedleaf’s behavior. He tucked away further questions in the back of his mind for later and returned his attention to Bluestar.

She was watching the crowd, letting the reaction fizzle out before she continued. “Rookstar and I have agreed that it would behoove us to keep this situation secret from the other Clans until we have more information. As such, you are all to tell no one from ShadowClan or RiverClan about any of this.”

The Clan made several rounds of affirmation.

“Good.” Bluestar crouched at the edge of the stump. “Then let’s get back to business. Redtail’s out with a patrol now, but we still need to hunt—”

“Bluestar!”

The leader paused and every head turned to the camp entrance. Frostfur skittered to a stop as soon as she entered. She didn’t acknowledge the crowd, just turned to Bluestar.

“Crookedstar’s on his way,” she said. “He met us at the border and asked for an audience.”

Bluestar blinked and narrowed her eyes, speaking over the reactions of the rest of the Clan. “Is he alone?”

Frostfur nodded. “Redtail and Teaselfoot are escorting him.”

“And you trust he’s not up to something?”

“He was anxious to come here. Something’s happened that he wants to talk to you about.”

Everyone looked at each other, confusion filling up the air in remarkable silence. Bluestar hesitated for a long moment before jumping to the ground and nodding to Frostfur. The white molly turned around and trotted back out of camp, presumably to help escort Crookedstar the rest of the way.

If there was any hope of anything getting done tonight, that chance was gone as soon as Frostfur disappeared. The prey-pile went untouched and everyone sat together with friends or family, all eyes on the entrance. Bluestar seemed to know there was no getting anyone to leave until Crookedstar arrived, so she sat herself in the center of camp—exactly where she had been when Firepaw had brought the hag home.

The patrol was in a hurry, because it didn’t take much time before Redtail and the others arrived with the rotund leader of RiverClan. His light-brown-and-white patches stood out in the circle of ThunderClan’s darker and more plain coats. Firepaw’s eyes went immediately to his mouth, where his jaw kicked out to the side and his tongue lolled in the open air below his nose. Even with all this, he seemed completely unaware of the wary-to-hostile looks he was getting as he went straight up to Bluestar.

“You alright, old girl?” he said, and Firepaw marveled at how he was able to speak as clearly as he did with his bad jaw.

Bluestar’s voice was level and calm. “I am, yes. I assume the same can’t be said for you?”

Crookedstar sighed a ragged breath and looked around. “You’re fine to speak in front of your Clan, here and now?”

“As long as you are.”

“Good, good.” Crookedstar bobbed his head. “This is something everyone needs to hear, I'd say. Where is Spottedleaf?”

The air went cold. Bluestar shut her eyes briefly before replying. “She’s currently buried in the forest. Someone murdered her.”

Crookestar’s green eyes, normally so bright and jolly, widened and moistened. “Heavens, I’m too late, then. I’m sorry.”

Bluestar blinked. “‘Too late’?”

“Mudcloud was attacked last night,” Crookedstar explained, “and he said StarClan told him the other seers were in danger.”

The clearing burst with exclamations and demands for more information. The one who was loudest, however, was the hag, who pushed through the crowd and stomped up to Crookedstar (and even he stood taller than her).

“Even he?” she half-growled, half-shouted. “Even he!”  

Crookedstar did a double-take and stared at her silently, his lower jaw dropped a little. The hag’s own awkward jaw stuck out in determination as she squinted up at him.

“Seems to be none of us that are safe,” she rasped. “He lives, though?”

Crookedstar’s answer was halting and delayed. “H-he lives, yes. Battered to blasting, though. He’s got a limp from the rogues.”

“Rogues.” The hag looked to Bluestar. “You’ve much to speak about with him and Rookstar.”

“So it would seem,” Bluestar said, and to Crookedstar, “Buzzardface nearly suffered the same fate as Spottedleaf. Rookstar and I just discussed this yesterday.”

Crookedstar stiffened, his shorter-than-usual tail sticking straight out. “Rogues, too?”

Bluestar nodded.

He tilted his head to the hag. “And you have this one with you?”

“My own choosing,” the hag said. “Left ShadowClan before he could send his minions after me, too. These titans were kind enough to take me in.” She half-winked one eye. “And smart enough.”

“‘He’,” Crookedstar repeated. “Brokenstar, I take it?”

The hag grunted.

Crookedstar sighed again. “I thought he was up to no good. I never knew you well, Murkpelt, but I knew well enough that you allowing an apprentice to die was an impossibility.”

“Ah!” The hag’s teeth glinted yellow. “Someone sensible, at last. These ones still think I’d eat a kit.”

“They are a bit foolish, prra,” Crookedstar said, and though his voice was serious, a bit of mirth leaked through his gaze. “You must excuse them.”

The hag nodded with satisfaction and sat back, eyeing Bluestar. “You and Rookstar ought to all speak together. Come up with a plan. The prick will be making more desperate moves if he’s failed to take out all of the seers.”

Bluestar had the good grace to not respond to the sass. She merely turned to Crookedstar and dipped her chin. “I can organize a private meeting between us and our deputies in the next few nights, if you’re willing.”

“That’d be wise,” Crookedstar replied. “We ought to speak quickly, before the next Gathering. I can wait to hear the full story from you and the stoic fellow until then.”

“Good. Do you have anything else to say before you go?” Bluestar narrowed her eyes, but her tone was oddly light.

Crookedstar chuffed. “Nothing that can’t wait, old girl. I’m too late to tell you anything you don’t already know. Now, I’ve spent my welcome in this rabbit’s warren of a territory. This was an unplanned visit, anyway, and my Clan will be anxious to know what we’ve said.”

“They’re welcome to hear it.” Bluestar stood up, long tail high. “I can show you back to Sunningrocks. Redtail, send out some cats to hunt.”

Redtail, who had been sitting close but utterly silent this whole time, jumped up and nodded quickly. “Right away, Bluestar.”

ThunderClan’s leader motioned with her tail and walked for the entrance, followed closely by RiverClan’s. As he caught up to her, Firepaw caught the barest snippet of the two chatting quietly, and though it was impossible to tell what they were saying, their voices were friendly—or, at least, friendly for Bluestar.

Redtail cleared his throat. Like that was a signal, the Clan collectively jolted back into normal mode, fetching prey or talking to whoever was sitting next to them. Several cats went to Redtail as he called them to hunt.

Firepaw stood silently, watching the entrance to camp, contemplating.

Those two are the ones leading this entire fight between our Clans, he thought. They’re warring over useless land, getting their Clanmates hurt, and they talk like old friends just swapping joking insults.

“At last.”

Firepaw blinked and turned to see the hag ambling in his direction. Her tail waved and her bulbous eyes glinted with a vaguely malicious glee.

“If you want a job done right, you do it yourself,” she said with a shake of her head. “And he just left it to the rogues. Now he’s got witnesses to his actions. He hasn’t long before he suffers at the claws of these leaders.”

“Brokenstar?” Firepaw asked.

The hag nodded. She made something like a rickety, self-satisfied purr and came to stand beside him, her eyes also turned to the entrance.

“They need to do something about him fast,” she croaked. “He’s getting rid of everyone who can threaten his leadership. The Clan will have no one but him soon enough.” Her voice lost its smugness for a moment. “He’ll send the elders out next, I reckon. Or have them killed. Whatever will be easier.”

Firepaw looked at her and sighed. “I just hope ThunderClan will help ShadowClan. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“Too late for that, boy.” The hag’s eyes flickered over to him. “But now that you’ve lost someone to him, mayhaps you’ll bite back.”

Firepaw’s gaze lowered to the ground. “It shouldn’t have taken this long, if that’s the case.”

“It shouldn’t,” the hag sighed. She grimaced at the entrance. “It really shouldn’t.”

#warrior cats #warriors redux iterum #iterum #chapter #book one #arc one #a kindling #chapter twenty eight

[alecmac-writings]

This is The first chapter of a drarry fic that I'm writing. It has heavy Dumbledore and Molly bashing and severitus just so you know. It also features Desi!Harry. You can also find it (and the next few chapters) on AO3.

Bars on The Windows Ch.1

What if Harry was in slytherin? How would that change his second year? This is the story of a Slytherin Harry as he battles school and those who would get in his way. Most of the relationships will be ways away.

I groan as I sit up in my bed. Uncle Vernon certainly didn’t hold back this time, Hedwig lets out a concerned hoot from inside her padlocked cage. I can’t hold back the wince or sharp inhale when I get up and slowly make my way over.

“It’s alright girl, I’ll be fine.” I stroke her feathers through the cage. I see the untouched food in her tray. “You’ve got to eat, it does you no good to turn your beak up at it. That’s all we’re gonna be getting for awhile.” She gently nips my fingers and unhappily starts eating the soggy vegetables I had placed there earlier.

After everything that happened today with Dobby and the cake, I doubt Petunia or Vernon will be giving us anything any time soon. As quietly as I can I start to pry up a loose floorboard and pull out my sorry excuse for a first aid kit. I bandage everything I can reach and put everything back in its place.

A bright light fills the room from the window, I whirl around and see the smiling faces of the weasley twins. I pry open the window as they motion for me to back up as they start to attach a hook that’s connected to the flying car they’re driving. I quickly shake my head and motion for them to stop.

“Park the car down on the street and pick the front lock, it’ll be more trouble than it’s worth if my uncle wakes up. Plus all my school stuff is locked up downstairs.” They nod and start to lower the car down to the ground. I move around in a hurry trying to grab everything I can that’s at least in this room.

I turn as I hear the locks on the door start to click one by one. After the final click of the locks, the door swings silently open. I breakout into a grin as the two pull me into a tight hug. Fred turns to pick the lock on hedwig’s cage. George, still halfway hugging me, hands me my wand. I give him a silent thank you as I hear the telltale click of Fred’s success. Once free she quickly settles on my shoulder and nips affectionately at my ear.

“We already put everything of yours that we found in the cupboard in the boot of the car.” George whispers. I nod and follow them down the stairs and into the car. Once we’re in the air and on our way to the burrow a laugh escapes my lips. The twins look at me with grins tugging on their lips.

“What was up with that whole hook plan? You do realize that would have gotten us caught almost immediately. It was absolutely gryffindore, I’m disappointed.” They shake their heads as I say this.

“We’re disappointed in ourselves. We obviously have been hanging out with ron too much. His way of thinking has infected us.” I let out another laugh at their somber tones. They had a look of accomplishment in their eyes at getting me to laugh again.

“So, where are we headed?” They tense up and glance at each other. This made me slightly worried.

“Unfortunately the burrow. Ron saw us on our way out and he’s probably told mum by now. So unless we want a group of aurors on our tails, we have to.” I sigh and give them a nod. Ron has been a thorn in my side since I met him. First he tried to me into a friendship with him and ever since I turned him down heś been leading almost the whole of Gryffindore against me. There are only six who think Ron can stuff it and two of whom have graduated.

“Well I guess it can’t be helped, but you need keep him away from me. I can’t be held accountable if he makes me kill him in his sleep.” They laugh slightly and nod.

“Not that there would be anything that could tie you to the crime. Don’t forget that we know you. There would be no way you’d leave any evidence.” I let out a chuckle and lean back into the seat. They somehow got the idea that could rule the world and no one would be the wiser till it was too late.

“I promise to be fair when me and draco take over the world.”

“All we ask is that you remember who your allies were.” I laugh as george does a sort of bow from his position in the passenger seat.

#hp ff #hp fanfic #harry potter #george weasley #fred weasley #hedwig #harry potter fanfiction #ao3 link #ao3 fanfic #ao3fic #anti dumbledore #molly weasley bashing #dumbledore bashing #anti molly Weasley #desi harry potter #drarry #severitus

[whoseafraidofliloleme]

Answering these cause I'm bored and felt like it 😂. It's all going in one post so after question 5 I'll put in read more.

1. Depends, if I'm writing on the the way to work or uni then I'm definitely listening to either Taylor Swift or K-pop literally got a playlist titled that 😂. If I'm at home and the idea has come I'm most likely not listening to anything 😂.

2. Nope. Very much Not Beta Read We Die Like Men. Probably why when I read back on various screenshots I see typos 😂.

3. Second person cause I write reader inserts 😂. In general as a reader I prefer third person or second person. Sorry I don't know what it is abt first person pov fics that I just can't stand them.

4. Man I barely know what tenses I write in and I'm getting a degree in English to go on and be an English teacher 😭🤷🏽‍♀️.

5. Eh, the one written fic Ive got Invisible is 32k and I thought it was gonna be short and sweet but that never happened. I guess novel length cause practically all of my smaus are over 10 chapters 😂. I haven't gotten to 40 chapters yet but knowing me it's a goal to have a smau be 40 chapters 😂😂.

6. Multi chapters. There's a reason I've only got like 3 one shots 😂. Most of my ideas end up becoming smaus that I couldn't contain in a one shot 😂.

7. I do enjoy a rarepair. Some of the rarepair fics that I've read are insanely amazing and I guess my thing is the lack of fics for a rarepair but that's the whole point isn't it 😂.

8. I'd like to think that in my True Beauty fanfic everyone was in character but since I mainly wrote K-pop smaus I guess I write the various idols as wildly out of character in terms of how they truly are compared to the stupidity in my fics.

9. I've got too many tropes/cliches that I love. So I'll name a few. Fake Dating has always been a fave. Arranged marriage is a fun one 😂. Sunshine/grumpy pair I love writing. Bad boy/good girl is a classic. Love a good screaming at each other then they kiss moment 😂.

10. Not really a fan tbh.

11. Do y'all have the time? I'll go the first ones that come to mind are Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Sherlock Holmes and Molly Hooper. Marinette Dupain Cheng and Damian Wayne. Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton. (Fyi this are just my otps that I read fics abt. If we're talking general otps there's hundreds. )

12. Anything involving Snape. I just hate that man as a character and he doesn't deserve a happy ending. I said what I said.

13. Fluff. I don't mind smut but I'm skim reading it.

14. Both, in my writing I love a good bit of angst but in a fic I'm reading, sometimes I just want to cry abt there being too much angst.

15. There's no rhyme or reason tbh. Anything can lead to inspiration then it's just me constantly thinking abt it and talking abt this idea to myself out loud and figuring it out.

16. Write by the seat of my pants. I've generally got a rough idea of where I want the story to go and then it's chapter by chapter 😂. I can't plan fics or essays to save my life.

17. Invisible I didn't but I'm planning on going back and giving the chapters titles cause I think chapters titles are just fun and they help give me an idea of what I wanna do in that chapter 😂.

18. None. I think I've seen them all at this point that I'm not surprised by them or care.

19. Knowing that people like what I put out. The whole concept of people liking the stuff I write doesn't make sense to me. I'd like to think I'm better at accepting praise for my writing but I think there will always be that insecurity and doubt about whether my stories are worth the praise and love they get. Another thing is, I have people who reblog and I'm grateful but I wish they'd reblog with a comment or reply to the chapter or something that lets me know what they thought. Just a reblog while great and I'm thankful for doesn't tell me what you thought and thats what I'd like to know.

20. Don't let fear stop you from writing or a lack of engagement stop you.

#zainab does stuff #this is very random #literally just doing this for myself #pretty sure nobody cares #but Im doing it anyway #very on brand #for me atleast

[motownfiction]

quoting the classics

Carrie curls up beside Sam on the couch and drums her fingernails on his arm. She’s trying to control her goofy grin, but she knows it’s not working. In her defense, the smile on Sam’s face is sillier than just about anything she’s ever seen. She can’t help herself.

She snorts on the inside. That’ll be written on her headstone. Caroline Faye Sullivan, it will read. She couldn’t help herself. She snorts again – this time, out loud, just a little bit. At least it’ll be an intriguing epitaph.

“Let’s see,” she says, still drumming her nails on Sam. “‘Hands are full of a fishin’ rod / and the tackle on our backs …’”

Sam exhales through his teeth. Carrie can’t help but tense up.

“You’re asking all the easy questions,” he says. “‘And It Stoned Me.’ Van Morrison.”

Carrie laughs and gives Sam a playful shove. He laughs and acts offended, almost, but Carrie knows him. She knows his buoyancy. Craves it. She smiles at him and puts her head on his shoulder – another song he knows all the words to. They’re playing a game about quoting the classics. One of them will recite lyrics from a classic song (broadly construed, of course, as Sam doesn’t get into anything unless it’s broadly construed), and the other will try to guess which song it’s from. So far, Sam’s gotten all of his questions right. Carrie would be lying if she said she wasn’t impressed.

“Not everybody would think that question was easy,” she says. “You think just anybody in our age bracket has a copy of Moondance laying around?”

“I think it would be a better place if they did,” Sam says.

“Mmm-hmm. I’d be inclined to agree with you.”

“Oh, well, thank goodness, then.”

They giggle together. Carrie’s not sure who leans into the kiss first, but she wouldn’t mind if it turned out to be her. It’s easy to kiss Sam. Once you get into the habit, it’s like you can’t stop. He’s a good kisser, Carrie thinks. Very … attentive.

“OK,” Sam says. “Give this one a try. ‘In love pool eyes / float feathers after the struggle.’”

Carrie snorts one more time, louder now than before.

“Are you kidding me?” she asks. “Did you really expect me not to recognize the words to ‘Barabajagal?’”

Sam laughs a little harder than Carrie thinks the joke warranted. She’ll take it, anyway.

“I never know what to expect from you,” he says. “For a lot of reasons. Not the least of which is that you know all the words to ‘Barabajagal.’”

“Somebody had to. I mean … we can’t guarantee Donovan Leitch even knew what he was saying.”

Sam laughs again. The world’s greatest sound. Better than any Van Morrison or Donovan Leitch out there. Carrie could testify.

“OK,” Carrie says, leaning on Sam a little harder. “My turn. ‘Two blankets and a bookshelf piece / a picture frame and a couple keys.’”

“Are you kidding me?” Sam asks. “Did you think you could fool me? Did you think I wouldn’t recognize ‘Positively Lost Me?’ Did you think I wouldn’t recognize The Rave-Ups?”

Carrie shrugs, still unable to wipe the smile off her face.

“Charlie wouldn’t have.”

It’s all she can say.

Sam swallows hard and takes a breath for two full seconds – longer than Sam Doyle has ever needed to take a breath before. He wraps one arm around the couch and sighs again.

“Yeah, well,” he says, “Charlie doesn’t recognize much from after he was born. Me, on the other hand … I know that’s the name of the band on the back of Molly Ringwald’s notebook in Sixteen Candles. And if I see somebody write the name of a band on their notebook, I’m gonna check it out. Even if it’s just in a movie.”

Carrie grins. Maybe that’s what’s so great about Sam … the way he seeks out as much as he can about anything that strikes him. He’s an explorer, a learner, a philosopher with a 7-Eleven employee discount.

Then again, maybe it’s his pretty eyes.

“Guess it’s my turn again, then,” Sam says.

He takes a deep breath before he gives his question.

“‘May, she will stay / resting in my arms again …’”

Carrie stands abruptly and paces the floor. She looks at Sam like he’s on fire. Maybe because she feels like she is. She thinks about stomping a hole into the ground, but she knows it would never work. Sam looks at her like he doesn’t recognize her, and for a second, she thinks maybe she’s glad.

“Stop it,” she says.

“Stop what?” Sam asks. “You love Simon and Garfunkel. I love Simon and Garfunkel. It’s a pretty song. I wanted you to know that when I think about you, I think about this pretty song.”

“Yeah, and you shouldn’t be thinking about me at all.”

“Well, it’s a little late for that.”

“I still mean it.”

“But why? It’s not like you’re still Charlie’s girlfriend.”

“Yeah, but I’m not … I’m not yours, either.”

Sam makes a face like he’s sorry to hear that. Carrie thinks about following up, thinks about a world where she entered this room in love with one Doyle brother just to spend the rest of her future with the other … but she tells the thoughts to shut up faster than they come into her brain. She exhales quietly and sits back down.

“I guess I know the answer to that one,” she says hoarsely.

Sam sighs and looks out into the middle distance.

“Yeah,” he says. “I guess you do.”

#drabble #writeblr #ch: carrie sullivan #ch: sam doyle #ship: tiny dancer #year: 1987 #asks #areiphilos #thank you!

[bella-jade-books]

Ch 1

It is an average day in the Kingdom of Meada when a knock at the door awakens a sleeping Molly. Opening her eyes, and turning towards the window, she sees the sun is just barely rising in the sky. It is normally too early to be expecting visitors at this time unless it is an emergency.

Now worried, Molly hurriedly pulls back the covers and climbs out of the bed, grabbing her nightgown and tying it around herself before calling to whomever that they could enter. Molly expected her handmaiden to be standing there.

Instead it is a messenger.

Oh no. What has happened?

"Apologies madam for interrupting you at this hour. I intended to speak with your father but alas I could not find him."

Molly pulls her strings to her robe tighter in an attempt to better cover herself in the presence of company. Her long mud colored hair falls in crazed curls behind her back. She stares intently, her dark green eyes mesmerizing. The messenger finds himself speechless for a moment.

"I trust this is urgent?"

He nods, handing a letter stamped with the official stamp from the King.

Molly's eyes widen with surprise, but she does her best to conceal it.

She takes it, carefully, not truly believing it was real until the paper touches her hand.

Dark blue wax with the symbol of a silver tide as well as a crown.

"You have been invited to court this evening."

Molly nods, taking this in.

There is only one reason for a lady to be called to court: to become the King's mistress. This was known by the noble families in the kingdom as the King had taken many of the young ladies as his mistress.

Anyone who held this title could not wed.

Therefore it came with land and payment from His Majesty.

Granted, there were other matters that could call a noble family to the King's side, but these matters would be handled differently, more openly rather than at the break of dawn in secret. For these matters were kept close, it was unknown whether the Queen was aware of her husband's doings. It was not uncommon for kings to have mistresses, and if she knew she was to not speak a word of it in public as to not disrespect the king. It was simply a way of the world. There was no fighting it.

Molly thanks him and he makes his exit. She watches to be certain he leaves. Her father, Gaston, an older nobleman enters, tensing as a stranger has just exited his daughter's chambers. When he sees the small silver pin of a raven that reveals the stranger to be a messenger for the King, he relaxes. All messengers wore a similar pin, the color matched the roles they served.

Silver for royal messengers.

Blue for the citizens' messengers.

The messenger repeats the same words to Gaston before leaving. He walks over, pleased.

Molly had been at court the past few days. This was the hope. That she, the daughter of a noble would catch the King's eye. In the Kingdom, even if Molly were to birth a bastard, the King would aid financially for life.

"This is great news dear one." He tells me

Molly nods in agreement.

As a woman, she knows she has no say in this matter. As was custom, it was the male duty to set up betrothals for their female relatives. It was their duty to find the best match for the women as well as accompanying them to the first few gatherings as a matter of safety.

Although not written into law, every citizen in Meada respected this.

"Come, we must make haste."

Wasting no time, Gaston sends for a carriage. Molly heads to her chambers with her handmaidens. They get to work changing her out of her dress to a more elegant one, floor length, flowy, and stunning. Blue that matches perfectly with the color of the tide. Not yet worn.

"Molly the coach has arrived!" Her father calls

Molly calls to her younger brother, Fin. 14 years young.

He calls out that he will meet her inside the carriage as he is helping their father load their luggage.

Molly and Finn's mother, Crista had given birth to Molly at only 15 years young. Christa was promised to wed Gaston only a few years shy of birth. They had met a handful of times in passing, and their families would set up meetings for the two. At 14 they wed and Christa moved in.

Molly was born a year later.

There were many pregnancies in between, but none bore any result. Two more tries, and then everything changed the following year. To everyone's delight, she was with child, and unlike before everything was going smoothly. She gave birth in her birthing bed seven months later. The relief was short-lived as Christa caught infection and died that very night. A devastating blow.

Molly heads for the door, seeing the 6 horses paired off in two, pulling a carriage to the front of the home. Two men in uniforms sit atop the bench, guiding the coach.

As it pulls to a stop, Moll, Finn and Gaston make way for the coach, climbing inside, excited for court. Molly sits, staring out the window, doing her best not to move too much so as to not potentially tear the delicate lace of her dress. It would be hours before arriving at the castle gates, at the least.

(See full novel in link in bio)

#dark stories #dark fantasy #dark romance #crooked kingdom #original smut #medieval