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vettelsvee · 11 days

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YOU WROTE A SONG ABOUT ME? | Oscar Piastri

f1 one shots masterlist | wattpad | ao3 | instagram

oscar piastri x singer!reader

requested by anon: x singer!reader, maybe Oscar and his family going to her show and she sings a song about him

word count: 2402

warnings: none of them! use of y/n and y/l/n

posible part 2 if you like it and ask for it!

you can send your one shots requests here!

Oscar was nervous. Very, in fact.

It wasn't the first time he attended a concert of Y/N, his girlfriend, but every time he did he ended up getting more nervous than he should.

Perhaps the fact that today was his twenty-third birthday and he hadn't received any kind of congratulations from her had a lot to do with it.

The Australian took a deep breath and continued on, trying to catch up with his sisters and parents as quickly as possible, who had barely noticed that the boy had fallen behind, immersed in his thoughts.

Nicole quickly turned around, going to where her son was as calmly as she could, and above all making sure not to do or say anything she would regret, especially not something that would ruin the surprise her daughter-in-law had been keeping so well.

"What's wrong, honey?"

Oscar slightly startled as he felt his mother's hand on his shoulder, even letting out a small scream that startled the woman.

"Yes, of course!" the boy hurried to say, trying to calm down. "Just... I'm a little nervous, but that's all, really."

Despite the Australian's efforts to sound as calm as possible, it was in vain. Nicole could see his anxiety in his gaze and, above all, in his gestures. His hands were barely still, and every time she tried to walk beside him, he ended up putting a little more distance between them.

"I'm your mother, Oscar, you know I can catch any lie like I've done so many times before. Why are you so nervous?"

He sighed. He didn't want to share his concern, especially when they were heading to see the main reason of it.

"Well..." he tried to find the right words, finding it quite difficult. "It's just that I haven't received any message from Y/N today. Today, of all days, you know? On my birthday."

"Oh, what a shame..." the woman replied, feigning surprise. "She must have forgotten or had some problem. Have you talked to her?"

Was she really asking him that? He just told her he hadn't received any message from the brunette...

"Yes, but she hasn't replied."

"Don't worry! I'm sure there's a reason for it," assured the Piastri matriarch. "Don't let this ruin your day. If that girl doesn't call you as soon as it strikes twelve, I promise she'll have to deal with me."

"Mom..."

"No mom, Oscar," she scolded him in an ironic tone, making him laugh. "Now try to enjoy her concert and have a good time with us, okay?"

The brown-haired young man nodded, grateful for his mother's support, and continued on his way to the Rod Laver Arena, now a bit happier than before.

After passing through security checks and receiving the VIP accreditations reserved for the Piastri family, and the occasional stops for the pilot to take some photos and sign autographs with fans who recognized him, which were quite a few, they made their way to their reserved spot, located in the lower side stands just a few meters from the main stage.

"Wow, I didn't know you were so famous to have so many people following you," joked his father, making his sisters laugh.

"You should take a break!" shouted his mother, hugging him and making his cheeks turn red. "You're at your girlfriend's concert, not at one of your stupid races."

"They're the ones who make me who I am, Mom. Besides, I'm a public figure," added the brown-eyed one. "I can't ignore them and act like nothing, you know? It's not that easy."

Oscar said that, but he still felt uneasy. As he looked at his family, already occupying their seats as there was still about half an hour before the concert started, the need to see his girlfriend or at least hear some news about her was taking over him more and more.

"Mom, I'm going to see if I can find out anything about Y/N," he said impulsively, interrupting himself with his own words. "I'll be right back."

Nicole looked at him with surprise, telling him no, to wait there, and they would see what to do after the concert. But the young man had already gained some momentum and was navigating through everyone in his way around the stands, seats, stairs, and multiple corridors until he reached the place where, supposedly, his girl was.

Once he reached the supposed dressing room, a perfectly uniformed black security guard, with a completely serious expression and crossed arms, stood in front of the door.

"Um... I'm Oscar," he greeted with a wave, trying to curve his lips without trembling. "I'm Y/N’s boyfriend," he timidly pointed to the door behind him with his hand. "Do you mind if I come in?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Piastri, but Y/N has agreed that there are no visitors before the concert today," the man responded firmly, still looking at Oscar seriously and shaking his head.

"It's just a moment. I want to wish her good luck before she goes on stage," he insisted, hoping the guard might make an exception.

"I'm sorry, sir. Rules are rules, and if the young lady said no, then it's no. I can't make any exceptions, even for you."

The Australian thanked the unfriendly man with a slight nod and, feeling defeated, made his way back to where his family was. As soon as he arrived, he had his sisters pestering him:

"Did you see Y/N? Did she say anything to you? Did she leave you wanting something, and that's why you look so depressed now?"

The eldest sister's insistence was making him feel even worse than he already did; having the other two join in the sudden conversation with curious faces and even more unsettling questions made him want to leave the place.

The young man simply remained silent. He sat in his seat and kept his gaze fixed on the stage, waiting for the lights to go out and the concert to begin.

It was a matter of the singer stepping onto the stage for the crowd to rise to their feet, applauding and chanting her name, shouting compliments and praises of all kinds.

"Good evening, Melbourne!" exclaimed Y/N, who was on a platform that had risen from the bottom of the stage. "I hope you all have a great time with me tonight because I assure you that today will be full of surprises!"

Nicole Piastri got up from her seat, as did the rest of the family, and told Oscar to do the same. He refused, remaining seated with his arms crossed, but unable to stop a smile from appearing on his lips.

He might be upset with his girlfriend's behavior for who knows what reason, but it was impossible for him not to look away from her while she danced, sang, and interacted with the audience.

It was too difficult for him not to feel proud of her and everything she had achieved.

The show continued as Oscar knew it would, having memorized it from the numerous times he had not only attended various concerts of his girlfriend's tour around the world but also from the countless rehearsals he had accompanied her to.

However, Piastri did not expect that suddenly the lights would go out and an orange glow would begin to emerge everywhere, especially illuminating the stage.

Y/N appeared again, now wearing an orange bodysuit with perfectly placed blue tones that accentuated her figure.

"Do you know what day’s today?" asked the brunette, looking with wide eyes at the audience.

"April 6th!"

She nodded, a playful smile forming on her lips more and more as she was about to reveal, and trying not to turn her head towards where her boyfriend was, whom she had deliberately avoided all day and who, possibly, would tell her to screw off after all the ghosting she had done to him on his birthday.

"And, by any chance... do you know what happens today?"

There were a variety of responses. A large part of them answered that it was Oscar's birthday, her partner's. Others were somewhat wild, as if she was about to reveal that the couple was expecting a baby, or that the young woman was going to announce her retirement from the stage after her very short musical career.

"No, it's none of that," the Australian ended up saying. "I am pleased to announce that today, here, right now, I am going to debut my new single, 'Throttle Hearts'!"

The stadium erupted in cheers and applause once again. No one, not even Oscar, expected this revelation from the girl, so it was completely normal for people to ask her to sing the song already.

Y/N, however, asked them for a moment with her hand.

Quickly, she ran to her cell phone and, secluded in a small corner of the stage, tried to make sure that the camera recording to broadcast her image on the large screens captured nothing.

At that very moment, Oscar's phone vibrated in his pocket with a notification from the same girl who was on stage:

"Happy birthday, my love! I'm so sorry for ghosting you all day, but I hope it was worth it. If you understand any references in the song, it's normal bc it's based on our story. I hope this is the best gift you can receive, at least for now, in your life. I can't wait to get off stage and give you the biggest hug in the world <3"

And there was Y/N, making eye contact with him, having a minimal interaction with her boyfriend for the first time all day. The girl had her arm raised, waving enthusiastically and making heart gestures with both hands that ended sooner than expected as she went to the piano to play the first chords of the song.

Oscar found himself trying to hide some tears, which were forming in his eyes not only as Y/N’s voice adjusted to the melody but throughout the rest of the concert.

The only thing the boy could reply to that message was whether she had really written a song about him, receiving as a response during a break between songs a large number of heart shaped emojis.

When the show came to an end and the singer disappeared beneath the stage, the Piastri family quickly grabbed their belongings to leave the venue and go to where the boy's girlfriend was. The same security guard who had previously denied him access to see the singer to the Formula 1 driver was now standing next to them, telling them to follow him.

Obviously, they didn't hesitate to say yes and followed his steps to the young woman's dressing room, who allowed her boyfriend's family to enter, welcoming them with a radiant smile and hugs that had been delayed all day.

The only thing the young couple did as words were exchanged was to look at each other, shy to show their love in front of others, as it had always been with them.

"I think we should leave the lovebirds alone for a while," Nicole began as she headed towards the exit of the room. "Don't take too long, the reservation for dinner at Oscar's favorite restaurant is at ten fifteen, and you know we take quite a while to get there."

Both of them thanked her shyly, unsure of what to do or say beyond being unable to stop smiling.

When they were alone, facing each other, they didn't know what they should say to each other. Oscar Piastri didn't know if he should reproach his girlfriend for not speaking to him all day despite preparing a surprise for him. Y/N Y/L/N was aware that perhaps she should apologize for not having done things quite right and for keeping the brown-haired boy on edge by maintaining some sort of no-contact for the past 24 hours.

Finally, it was the McLaren driver who broke the not-so-uncomfortable silence:

"Y/N, that song..." He was at a loss for words. He didn't know what else to say other than that he had loved it.

The girl smiled shyly, grateful not only that he had liked the composition she had kept to herself for the past seven months, but also for seeming to have understood.

"I've been wanting to sing it to you for a long time, but I didn't know if you’d like it," the young woman admitted. "It has had a couple of important modifications since the first draft, and since the record label wasn't cooperating much when I wanted to release it initially, I thought it would be a good birthday gift for you," she explained. "Hey, and I'm sorry if this whole game of ignoring you all day has offended you. I feel really bad, and the last thing I want is..."

"Shut up, silly!" Oscar interrupted her, approaching her to wrap her in his arm and give her a tender kiss on the forehead. "At first, I thought you wanted to break up with me, but then seeing how my mom was acting, that gorilla you have as a bodyguard denying me access, and above all you ignoring me all day..."

"I'm good at keeping secrets, and I'm absolutely in love with you, Oscar Piastri," Y/N declared, mock-offended. "Do you really think I would ignore you all day?"

"Not a chance. I know there's a good intention behind everything you do," agreed the Australian, earning himself a hug and a kiss on the lips from his girlfriend. "Did you know that I'm also good at keeping secrets?"

"Oh, really? And are you absolutely in love with me like I am with you, Piastri?"

Oscar grinned mischievously, an idea starting to appear in his mind like a flash that was making more and more sense.

Obviously, the driver was a tad resentful, and the girl wasn't going to get away with it no matter how good the intention was behind Throttle Hearts and its surprise presentation.

Now, Oscar had to prepare a surprise for the girl's twenty-second birthday that would match, or even surpass, the one she had prepared for him.

"I don't know," he shrugged, laughing more and more emphatically and perhaps frustrating his girlfriend, "I guess now you'll have to wait for your birthday to find out."

#oscar piastri #oscar piastri imagine #oscar piastri one shot #request #anon #requests open #oscar piastri x yn #oscar piastri x reader #oscar piastri x singer reader #oscar piastri x you #oscar piastri one shots #op81 imagine #op81 x reader #formula 1 #formula 1 imagine #formula 1 one shot #formula 1 one shots #formula 1 x reader

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runningfrom2am · 3 months

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cold nights // part fourteen

summary: you showed him colours he knows he can't see with anyone else.

pairing: coriolanus snow x fem!reader

wc: 3.1k

masterlists / nav / requests

tags/warnings: tribute!reader and mentor!coriolanus, r is very sweet (too kind for this world. literally.), sunshine x grumpy trope kinda, he falls first, violence typical for the source material, r is very smart (as she should), district twelve!reader.

a/n: finally reunited ahh!! (also a note from me while i'm trying to find pics for the header: damn this dude does not look happy very often huh) (okay so update we're settling for a flashback photo bc coryo in his curls era does not SMILE bruh)

my asks are also open to talk about this series! (i do have emoji anons open now too!)

send me any and all of your thoughts! here!

series masterlist // playlist

"Just right here." Lucy Gray stops on the gravel road, nodding up to the house in front of them.

"Okay, sweet." Sejanus smiles, already heading for the front porch but she grabs his arm, stopping him as Coryo just stares at the house, going slightly pale.

"Sejanus, how about you and I go figure out where you guys will stay, and come back for Coriolanus in a bit?" She offers, nodding toward him.

"Oh- uh, yes. Yeah. Good idea." He agrees, picking up quickly on what she meant. Coryo still hasn't said a word, just staring at the run-down shack that apparently was your home. It was clear that efforts were made to maintain the home, the fence had been patched in several places and there were flower beds outside. From what he knew about your family, that would make sense.

"Coriolanus?" Lucy Gray draws his attention again. "We're going to go find you a place to stay, and we'll come back for you in a bit. Does that sound okay?"

"Yeah that's... that's perfect. Thank you." He nods, in a trance-like state as he makes his way up to the door through some only slightly overgrown grass, before he has the chance to second-guess himself.

"He didn't even listen, did he?" Lucy Gray says, both of them watching him from the street.

"Not at all, no."

He can hear the two of them chatting as they disappear back down the road, and he looks for a doorbell that doesn't seem to be there, just settling for a knock instead. He waits a few moments after knocking on the wood, about to do it again when he hears a woman's voice come from inside. "One moment, I'll be right there!"

"I got it, Ma!" Comes from right behind the door as footsteps approach and it's swung open, a young boy standing there. "Hi." He says, eyeing Coryo up and down. It must be your brother.

"Uh, hi." He clears his throat. "Is Y/N here?"

"No, not right now." The boy answers. "Can I take a message for her?"

"Oh, well, my name is Coriolanus Snow, and-"

"Hold on! I'm coming!" The woman's voice comes again, much more excited as she rounds the corner from the hall, brushing her hands off on her apron. "You're Coriolanus?" She asks, a polite but delighted grin on her face as she gets closer.

"Yes, Ma'am." He nods in confirmation, a smile growing on his face. You look so much like your mother.

"Oh my goodness, come in, please! I didn't recognize you!" She gently moves her son out of the way, who is still staring at him with something unwelcoming behind his eyes. As soon as Coryo steps into the home, she's wrapping her arms around him in a hug. "Wow, it is so lovely to meet you! You came a very long way!"

"I did." He chuckles, hugging her back with as much politeness as he can muster behind shaking hands and a pale face.

"Come sit, Y/N will be home within the hour. She'll be just thrilled to see you." She pulls away, gesturing for him to follow her into the living area. "Are you hungry? You must be starving. Let me grab you something." Your mother says, mostly to herself as he sits down on the couch.

"That would be great, thank you." He smiles, still nervous as he tries to adjust his posture on the slightly uncomfortable sofa, looking around. In reality, he hadn't been "starving" for some time now. It felt good to have a consistently filled fridge all the time, but he has hardly eaten since they left the Capitol. He was too nervous to even think about it.

"Why did you come here?" Your brother asks, making Coryo look away from the family photos that adorned the walls. Most of the frames were broken, photos blurry, but he could tell that to your family that didn't matter.

"I hadn't heard from her. I wanted to make sure she was doing okay." Coryo answers, stiffened by your brother's somewhat hostile energy and the thought of getting to see you so soon. Had you told him something you didn't tell your mother? Probably that he killed that boy, but it seemed unlike you to leave out the part where he had no choice. Unless Tigris was wrong.

Unless you still didn't see it that way.

Your brother hums, sitting in the chair across from the couch and leaning his elbows on his knees. To Coryo, this felt like an interrogation. Coming from a teenager, it was almost cute.

"Lennox, Honey, can you come help me for just a moment?" His mother calls him from the kitchen and he's shooting up again, glaring at Coryo as he walks away. He was confused, today alone he's gotten so many mixed signals on your feelings.

You stuck out the day at work, even though while you were reshelving returns you had to rush to the bathroom in the back to vomit after reading the back cover of an old book about a man who hunted humans. You were hoping by now this would happen less and less, but leaving the house had only made it worse. Getting a job was a mistake and you knew that, but your family was hardly scraping by before you were torn from your life- but neither of your parents could work the whole time you were gone. They were sick about it. Your mom still couldn't work, and you knew your father rarely ever slept these days.

You tried to hand over the winnings Coryo's Dean had given you as soon as you got home, holding it out to your parents with trembling hands as they opened the locked door for you. They wanted none of it. Not a dollar from your three thousand, which you had spent time counting and recounting on the train. They only wanted you home. You had hoped it would give you something else to talk about- that you could smile and be proud that you won and that now your family could live comfortably, at least for a little while. The idea almost made it worth it. As you counted your prize under the dim lighting in the train car, you had wondered if you would do it again for them. The money didn't make saying hello again any easier, though, and you cried for what must have been hours on the porch of your family home, the four of you tangled together in a hug bound together by tears.

It was hard to let go, but when they had, finally, your mother shoved the money back into your pocket and told you to save it. One day, you could buy your own home with it, and that wasn't a bad idea.

All you could do for them now that your money sat in a jar in your closet, the best you could do, was convince them you were fine enough for you all to move on and forget about it. The additional income of getting your own job helped, too. So, when your boss tried to send you home, you declined, and five o'clock couldn't have come fast enough.

You drink water out of an old jam jar on the way home, washing the taste of bile out of the back of your mouth. The fresh air made a world of difference. As much as you adored the smell of books, it got stuffy in there, especially in the summers. Even with the sun beating down on your shoulders over your button-up shirt, you felt better just making the walk home every day. The breeze blowing through the trees, the familiar paths beneath your feet, it was one of the very few things that could ground you in the reality that now, you were safe. That, and the meadow behind your house at night time. Reading under lantern light with the stars overhead and your family at your side, you never felt more real. It was truly over.

That's what you would do tonight, you decided, after a long nap following an unfortunate day. At the end of every unfortunate day, you still had that, and that meant the world to you.

"Oh! Here's Tybalt." Your mom smiles, now comfortable on the couch next to Coriolanus as the cat saunters into the living room, jumping up into the space between them. "This is Y/N's cat, she calls him Tybs." She explains, tears forming in her eyes as the cat crawls onto her lap and she quickly blinks them away, but he had already noticed by then.

"She told me about him." Coryo says, placing his now empty tea cup on the coffee table in front of them.

"Of course..." She chuckles sadly. "He took real good care of us while she was away. On particularly... hard nights," She clears her throat. "He would come out into the living room with her father and I and sit with us, he can purr like no ones business, you know, and then after a while, he would run over to our room there and meow at us. Made sure we got to bed. Then curl up with us and just made sure we knew that.... she was still with us."

A tear falls as she speaks and she laughs nervously, quickly brushing it away. "Gosh, I am so sorry..." She quickly dismisses it. "We have company and I'm crying like a little girl. Forgive me..."

"No, it's quite alright." Coryo insists, shaking his head. Of course, he was worried about you in the arena and every night up until then, but he never entertained the idea of what it was like for your family even though he knew about them. That under the same sky, they were sitting here in this very home praying that you might return. Now, he could see it, and you were the lucky one who made it home. He hoped he wouldn't have to see Jessup's family while he was here. "It must have been awful for you."

"Indeed." She nods, wiping her cheek again. "But, you know, it means so much to us that she had someone there to look after her." She smiles at him. It's genuine. Sad, but full of gratitude. He would no longer wonder where you got that habit from. "I decided I wouldn't be watching anything, but her father insisted. He was out at a bar in town, the only one with televisions, then came rushing back in the door twenty minutes later and dragged us back there with him to watch. I didn't want to go but he said 'No, you need to see this. She's not alone. She has a friend.' So down we went, and they were playing reruns of the two of you being dropped into that cage. I just... She looked so comfortable with you. The way you looked at her we could see you cared, that she was human to you, and that you were there to help. I remember thinking for the first time that maybe she had a chance." She's accepted her tears now, reaching over from petting Tybalt to grasp the young man's hands in her own as she spoke.

Your brother scoffs as Coryo lets her hold onto his hands, a small smile forming on his face that's quickly torn away by Lennox's reaction. "Yeah, and then that other boy had to be the one to bring her something to eat after days."

"Hey!" Your mother gasps. "Lennox, get-" She prompts him to leave if he isn't going to be nice.

He rolls his eyes, getting up to leave.

"I didn't have anything to bring her besides a flower." Coryo finds himself stating, shocking even himself at the confession which halts your brother in his steps. He had never told anyone about the poverty he faced at home, but with them, he felt safe to. Something about knowing you assured him that they were not judgemental people. He clears his throat before explaining. "My family lost everything after the war. When I first met her, I also hadn't eaten in days. I gave her everything I could."

Lennox hums before leaving, either not convinced or embarrassed that he'd even made such a comment. Coryo couldn't tell.

"Coriolanus... I am so sorry." Your mother is quick to apologize, and he's embarrassed by the look of pity in her eyes. Pity from a woman who had, for almost a month, believed she had lost her child, and was still struggling with it today. He felt nothing but guilt.

"Well, I must tell you, your daughter saved us from that." He tries to lift her spirits as a confused expression paints itself into her features, but he doesn't get the chance to elaborate as they both turn at the sound of the front door opening.

"Ma!" You call out, closing the door behind you and kicking off your shoes, preparing your smile to tell her about the absolutely great day you just had.

Your mother stands quickly, patting the boys thigh gently and wipes her eyes. "Hi, Honey, how was your day?" She asks, smiling at him through red eyes.

"Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day." Your groaned response comes slightly muffled from the other room, and Coryo can hear you shuffling about.

"Oh, no. What happened?" Immediately your mother's tone shifts to worry, and Coryo wonders how it took her less than a second to understand.

"Nothing, Ma. All is fine." You call back, putting your bag down in the kitchen, and heading for the living room, gluing a smile back on. "Guess what I saw on the walk home! A ladybug, it landed right on my-" You freeze as you walk into the entryway, seeing your mother and your previous mentor just standing up next to her.

"Oh, I should have mentioned, we have company." Your mother smiles, already gathering the used dishes from the coffee table, and brushing past you to bring them into the kitchen. Likely, to give you two a chance to talk.

When Coryo lays his eyes on you for the first time again, he can swear his heart stops. Yours definitely does as nausea comes over you in a wave again, and your calculated smile drops.

You don't say anything, just staring with an expression unreadable to him. "Y/N, hi." He breathes, smiling at you. You look beautiful but tired, still. Still, that girl he watched in the arena, it was hard to believe that every part of you made it out. You weren't the same girl he saw for the first time in the reaping- you were more. More of you, and more of something else; hurt, if he had to guess.

"It's good to see you." He continues, his voice a gentle whisper that cuts through the awkward tension in the room. Your heart races, emotions swirling like a tempest within you. Coriolanus Snow, your mentor and friend who had guided you through your time in that Capitol and the games, is standing in your living room, looking both apologetic and hopeful.

"Coryo," You manage to say, voice barely above a whisper as you swallow the sickness rising in your throat. The memories flood back- everything awful you had gone through. Meeting him for the first time as he handed you a flower, sitting on opposite sides of the bars of your cage and talking long into the nights. Everything you had done, everything he had given you, the people you both hurt in the process. He takes a step closer, cautiously navigating the fragile space between you.

"I... What are you doing here?" You ask quietly, your eyes unable to meet his gaze. The room feels smaller, the walls closing in on you quickly.

He clears his throat, a nervous habit you remember well. "I wanted to see you," he says, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I didn't know what you were up to and how you were adjusting and... I was worried about you."

The weight of unspoken words lingers between you, and for a moment, neither of you knows how to bridge the gap that only a month of time has built. You had been away from him longer than you had known him, and facing him again, you were embarrassed. Scared. Coryo takes a deep breath, summoning the courage to express the weight of what he's carried in his mind for too long.

"I never stopped thinking about you," He confesses, sincerity etched across his face. "I tried sending letters but I didn't get any response."

The vulnerability in his eyes mirrors your own, and the air crackles with a shared sense of everything you want to say but just can't find the words. You can't help it as you feel over and over again the countless hours spent together in the lead-up to the worst days of your life.

Tentatively, he reaches for your hand, a silent plea for connection. As your fingers take his, warmth floods through you, dissolving the distance. "I missed you," he admits, his voice barely audible.

A rush of conflicting emotions surges within you- that same embarrassment, anger, hurt, but also a flicker of the fondness that never truly faded. "I missed you too," You admit, your voice breaking through the emotional dam, built up from fear and trauma and the stacks of books in your bedroom that held it back all this time.

With those words, the barriers crumble, and the room is filled with a pitiful silence. The weight of what you had both done begins to lift, replaced with the realization that he did honestly care for you, the way you did for him. As you look into each other's eyes, the connection is undeniable, evidence of a bond that time could never change. You would always be connected to him.

"Do you remember when I brought you that blanket?" He asks and you take in a sharp breath. The few pleasant memories you had of your time together were so often overthrown by the awful ones, these days. His eyes flicker quickly across your face. He looks as scared as you feel. "And I said I wish I could get to know you as you are, not as a tribute, and you said you would show me the stars."

A small smile tugs at the corners of your lips as you nod, the nausea you felt steadily subsiding. "So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing. I am yours for the walk and especially when I walk away."

Coryo tilts his head at you, and smiles. That must have been a yes. "Please, don't walk away again." He whispers, and in that moment, he feels the tightness in his chest that carried him through the last month finally release.

taglist: @soulessjourney , @that-veela-girl , @dreamyysouls, @rockstarbfs , @maysileeewrites , @baybieruth , @kitscutie , @fratboyharrysgf0201 , @totallynotkaibiased , @stelleduarte , @secretsicanthideanymore , @bejeweledreverie , @drewsandsebastianswife , @niicole-87 , @queenofshinigamis , @innercreationflower , @nallasstuff , @scorpiolystoned , @iovemoonyy , @thatmarvelchick19 , @wearemadeofstardust0 , @regulusblackcore , @puredreamagination , @fantasticchaosthing , @becauseseaotters , @secretsicanthideanymore

okay suddenly tumblr isn't letting me tag more people than this so i just made some cuts unfortunately :') i just left the max amount of people i could whose users i recognized and see in my notifs all the time :) if you're not on here and you should be i'm so sorry!

also this taglist is closed now!! if you’d like to get a notification when i update, turn on my post notifications!! i promise i won’t spam y'all :,)

#tbosas #tbosas fic #tbosas x reader #tbosas fanfiction #thg series #hunger games #the hunger games #thg fanfiction #thg #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #coriolanus snow #coriolanus snow x reader #coriolanus x reader #coriolanus x you #coriolanus fanfiction #coryo snow #coryo x reader #coryo x you #snow lands on top

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rxmqnova · 4 months

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I have an idea for a nat x daughter reader fic so basically reader is like a lab made baby by hydra with nat is the gene for her mother and the other one is a random hydra dude and they put reader in a house with him and his wife somewhere In America but reader knows about nat but hydra dose not know she knows I kind of want it to be the vibe of stick season but anyway she runs away and finds Yelena by accident and yelena is like what is happening and takes her to the avengers which then leads nat to meeting reader if you can can you make it like super angsty but with a happy ending

Daughter?

Y/N: 13 years old ——————————————————

NO ONE'S POV Ever since Y/N was a little girl, she has always sneaked out of her room everytime her father and step-mother had a visit. She knew it's not a good idea, especially when her father always scolds her for it, but she's way too curious.

Her curiousness led her to one very important information. A few years ago she overheard her father's boss talk about her mother… the real one. And since then Y/N's been trying to get out of this place and find her mother… the Black Widow herself.

She hates this place, she really does. The main reason is that her father is forcing her to train every day, so she could become a hydra agent one day.

Yes, Y/N's father is a hydra agent. He's actually one of the most trusted one for his boss, so that's why he was chosen to become the father of the future world's best assassin.

"Weak!" Y/N's father yells, pushing the poor exhausted girl and causing her to fall on the ground. "This is worthless! Go to your room, we'll continue tomorrow. I want to see you in way better condition, understand?!" He asks sternly.

"Yes" Y/N nods, trying to catch her breath. Her father leaves to room, leaving the exhausted young girl laying on the ground.

Once Y/N catches breath, she makes her way to her room and then straight to the bathroom to take a shower, thinking that she needs to get out of here as soon as possible.

As nearly every Friday night, Y/N's father and his wife are going out for dinner, leaving the girl home completely alone. Y/N doesn't mind though, at least she can finally get out of here and never ever come back again.

As soon as the front door shut and the car drives away, Y/N takes her bag and starts packing everything she needs.

With her bag in her hand, she rushes downstairs, trying to open every single window to try and find some her father hasn't locked. The door is locked, so there's no point in trying.

A smile makes its way on the girl's face when one of the window can be opened. She puts on her coat, takes her bag and gets out of the house, running as fast as she can to get as far as possible.

She runs and runs, finally arriving to a small village which makes her smile and let out a sigh of relief. She's too overwhelmed with everything that she doesn't pay attention to where she's going.

"Careful, little one" A blonde lady says, making Y/N cheeks turn a bit red.

"S-sorry" Y/N sutters, not used to talking to other people than her father or her step-mother.

"What are you doing here alone? It's dangerous. This place's…" Yelena stops, looking at the last few standing houses.

This little village is near one hydra base, so of course when some of the Avengers came to take that place down, the village didn't survive without a damage.

"Well, let's just say a very bad people lived near this little village" The blonde finishes her sentence.

"I. Hm… I-I'm looking for my mom. She. Hm. She's supposed to be some kind of superhero. Her name's Natasha Romanoff. Have you heard of her?" Y/N asks, a bit of hope in her voice as she looks up at the shocked woman.

"Natasha? What? She can't have children on her own. I… what?" Yelena stares at the child completely confused, but now noticing how similar the girl looks to her sister.

"Wait. So you know her? Could you please take me to her? I can't go back there, I really can't. Please" Y/N begs and Yelena can't help but nod as she's also curious how this happened.

Y/N follows Yelena to the quinjet, meeting Kate, Clint, Steve and Bucky there. Of course they look at the two with questioning looks, so Yelena tells them something before she sits aside with the young girl.

Yelena admits she's Natasha's sister, so Y/N tells her the story too, feeling like she can trust this woman. She does feel more and more nervous every minute they get closer to the compound though. She's wanted to meet her mom for a few years and she's worried about what will Natasha think about the whole situation.

As soon as the jet lands in front of the compound and everyone walks out, Y/N is quick to follow behind Yelena, spotting a redhead sitting on the couch.

"Natasha?" Yelena calls on which Natasha turns her head, smiling when she sees her sister.

"You're back" The redhead stands up, walking over to her sister and giving her a hug while Y/N stands behind and watching them, her heart nearly skipping a beat when she sees how much she looks like her mother.

"I brought someone who'd like to meet you" Yelena informs, placing her hand on Y/N's shoulder and giving the girl a soft smile.

"H-Hi, I. Hm. I-I'm Y/N" Y/N sutters, giving Natasha an akward nervous smile.

"Hey?" Natasha looks at the girl completely confused. "What can I do for you?"

"I. Hm… I-I know this will sound weird, but I-I'm your daughter" Y/N blurts out, looking at Natasha and hoping she'll believe her.

"Nonsense. I don't have a child" Natasha says immediately, the topic of children being a touchy subject for her. She turns around, walking away, but Y/N follows her.

"I can explain. Please"

"Y/N, you seem to be a nice girl, but this is a really bad joke. I can't have children on my own. It's just impossible" Natasha says with a sigh, not even turning around and continuing to walk towards her room.

Of course she's noticed the girl's features, but Dreykov made sure she won't ever have children on her own, so Y/N surely cannot be her daughter as she claims.

"It's not a joke. I really am your daughter. If you just let me explain, I-"

"No. I can't have children, Y/N" The redhead says once again, shutting the door of her room right in front of Y/N's face.

Y/N lets out a sigh, pushing back the tears that are forming in her eyes. After all, she left her home, her father… Her life wasn't the best, but what now? She has no place to stay, no home, no family.

Maybe the girl gave her hopes too high, thinking her mother would actually be happy to have a daughter. Y/N was really hoping she'd finally have a family she wanted for so long, but deep down she knew Natasha's reaction could be bad… and well, the redhead doesn't even know the part about hydra.

"What's wrong?" Yelena asks as soon as she spots her potentional niece stepping into the kitchen with her head low.

"She won't let me explain" Y/N mumbles with a sigh. "It was stupid, I should have stayed there" She mumbles to herself.

"Let me talk to her, yeah? Wanda here will give you something to eat meanwhile" Yelena smiles warmly, placing her hand on Y/N's shoulder and giving it a rub.

Y/N nods, so Yelena walks away and straight to her sister's room. After hearing Y/N's story she just wants nothing but to help the young girl. She knows Natasha would be a great mother and Yelena's already excited about being an aunt.

Yelena knocks at the door of Natasha's room, not getting any response, but she just walks in anyway, finding her sister sitting on the bed, deep in thought as her cheeks are stained by tears.

"Natasha, I know it's hard to believe, but Y/N explained everything to me. You're her mother. Isn't that what you've always wanted?" Yelena asks, sitting down on the bed next to her sister.

"Yelena, I can't have children and neither can you. It's just impossible. What if she's just a spy or something, huh? Have you thought about that?" Natasha blurts out, standing up and leaving the room. She really doesn't want to talk about it right now.

"Natasha, just talk to her" Yelena sighs, following her sister to where she's going.

"Why, Yelena? If I'm her mother, she needs to have a second parent. Why doesn't she go to him? Where does she live anyway? She has to live somewhere. I don't even want a daughter" Natasha's irritated by now, not meaning the words she's saying, but that's something Y/N doesn't know though… and she's heard every single word.

The sisters stop walking and talking when they notice they're suddenly in the kitchen, Y/N looking at both with watery eyes, thinking how stupid it was to look for her mother.

The girl immediately stands up from the table she's been sitting at and eating her food, taking her bag and rushing out of the compound, ignoring Yelena's calling after her.

The blonde runs after her niece immediately, catching her sooner than she leaves the compound.

"Hey, hey, you can't just leave. It's getting late and cold" Yelena says, bringing Y/N in for a hug on which the girl can't hold her tears anymore.

"I just wanted a mom" Y/N cries out into Yelena's shoulder, holding the blonde tightly.

"I know, sweetheart, I know. I'm sure Natasha didn't mean it, honey" Yelena tries to calm the girl down, rubbing her back and pressing a kiss to her head.

———

Yelena managed to get Y/N to stay. Both are ready to go to bed now, but a knock at Yelena's door interrupts them.

Natasha hasn't stopped thinking about it… if it's really possible that she could have her own daughter. She feels so incredibly bad for making Y/N cry and she's always wanted a child, but what if it's just a trap?

She did decide to talk to the younger redhead though. Natasha always recognizes when someone's lying, so she'll see if the girl's telling the truth or not.

"Hey, can I have a word with Y/N?" Natasha asks after opening the door.

Yelena nods, telling them she's going to the kitchen for a glass of water, so the two stay alone. Natasha takes a seat on the bed, looking at the girl who's avoiding an eye-contact.

"Y/N, I… I know I said something that hurt you and I'm sorry for that. I just… I've lived my whole life, thinking I would never have a child on my own. So when you told me you're my daughter… It just felt… impossible" Natasha admits.

"I was made in a lab. They used your eggs to create me. I heard my father talking about it with his boss a few years ago. I just thought that maybe if I found you… that maybe I could have someone who'd actually love me" Y/N confesses, trying to push back her tears and not cry in front of the woman in front of her.

"So you have a father… doesn't he love you?" Natasha asks, receiving a shake of a head from the girl.

"He's just completing his boss's orders and trains me to become a hydra agent, but I don't want to" Y/N sighs, Natasha squeezing her eyes shut, knowing damn well what's it like to have a childhood like that.

"I'm sorry you had to live like that" The redhead says softly, placing her hand on Y/N's and finally making the girl look up and lock eyes with her.

"Had to? You won't send me back to him?" She asks confused.

"No, of course not. I would never send you back to someone who's doing this. I should have let you explain earlier, I'm sorry" Natasha apologizes, rubbing her thumb over Y/N's knuckles.

That's all it takes for Y/N to just jump into Natasha's arms, taking the redhead by surprise. Natasha chuckles, wrapping her arms around Y/N. She will definitely want Bruce to run some DNA tests, but her spy skills say Y/N's telling the truth. Looks like a brand new chapter of her life is starting right now… she's a mom.

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Natasha Romanoff masterlist

Masterlist

#natasha romanoff #black widow #yelena belova #natasha romanoff fanfic #natasha x daughter!reader #natasha x y/n #natasha x you #natasha x reader #natasha romanoff x daughter!reader #natasha romanoff x you #natasha romanoff x reader #yelena x y/n #yelena x you #yelena x reader #yelena belova x you #yelena belova x reader

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justthoughts1310 · 2 months

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If you have not watched Netflix's live action ATLA yet, let me stop you right now. It is not good and it's score on rotten tomatoes is honestly too high.

However, it's far better than the 2010 Live Action movie.

I'm on episode 6 now, and as I watch, I've been trying to find the words that best describe the series.

I've struggled, but the first thing I've noticed is how all of the actors seem to walk their parts and miss the meaning and motivations of their characters all together. The only one who comes close to embodying their character is Iroh, and the only one who looks like they came from straight out of the avatar universe is the Bounty Hunter.

However, now that I'm in episode 6, I've found the word.

The series is Rushed. It's rushed. It feels that they are trying to pack as much avatar lore into the storyline as possible and they don't care what storylines or arcs they have to mangle in order to do it. It's like a really badly written fanficition or a bad spark notes recap of the OG show. I feel comfortable saying that because I've read the Kiyoshi novels (which are like fanfics) and they are EXCELLENT.

You notice this when the show starts. Aang can fly unassisted. Let me repeat. He can fly unassisted. Only two Airbenders in all of Avatar history can fly unassisted, and one hasn't even been born yet during the time Aang was trying to stop the 100 year war. This boy can fly, but we're 6 episodes in and he has not water bent once. If he hadn't turned into Kiyoshi, I wouldn't believe that he's actually the avatar.

As to not provide any spoilers, they've taken multiple storylines and mashed them together. For example, the spirt of wisdom that we meet in the library in the arc where Appa goes missing. Yeah, we meet the guy in the forest with the Panda Bear Forest spirit and then we meet Kah shortly after. As if that's not all terrible, then we are introduced to the Mother of Faces.

The mother of freaking faces! If you don't know who she is, she is not in the show. She is introduced in the graphic novel trilogy "The Search" when Zuko and Azula try to find their long lost mother.

It is my feeling that if you want to revisit a beloved show that you should work to make it better. Deepen it. Add color to it and help the audience better understand the characters insights. Take your time with it.

Netflix tries to do a little of this by providing some additional backstories, but it does this by running rough shot through literally everything else.

It even changes the characters relational dynamics with one another. For example you know how even though Sokka is the oldest, Katara very much has adopted the place of their mother? Yeah... throw that notion right out the window. Now, instead of Katara being the practical one who keeps everything on track, she's painted as the rash kid who needs to grow up and Sokka is the father figure.

Now, Zuko is kind of the beloved child even though he's been banished and Azula is seen as a nuisance to her father. Like what??????

It's actually ironic that the show removes Sokka's misogynistic nature because the show is kind of misogynistic in and of itself.

It's 6 episodes in and has already stripped three female characters of their core tenants.

1. Azula is a prodigy. She's the pride of the fire nation. Not anymore.

2. Katara is a motherly figure who is the mother of the group. She cares for everybody and keeps them on track. Not anymore.

3. Suki is a fierce and independent warrior who is not impressed by Sokka's misogyny. Now, she's a creepy woman who follows him around the entire time he's on the island until he asks to be trained by her.

When we heard that the OG creators and Netflix went different ways because of creative differences, we should have known right then and there that the live action was going to be trash.

Also, I'm going to put it out there. Considering the fact that this should be a block buster series, Netflix did not spend anywhere enough money on it, because the graphics are so cheesy and Appa looks terrible.

#atla #netflix #atla live action #sokka #katara #kataang #zuko #azula #nikelodeon #roku #kiyoshi #kah #avatar #avatar the last airbender #airbending #zaheer #legend of korra

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mochinek0 · 4 months

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Daminette December 2023: 18-Hiding in the Shadows

Marinette looked around her pent house in Paris. She had everything she wanted as a teenager. Well, almost everything. She was a well-known fashion designer, to the people that were aware of her. She kept her business a secret and used an alias. Her clients all came from judgement on her other clients. Others designers knew her as 'Passion' after her store's brand. Very few knew her as Marinette Dupain-Cheng: Gabriel Agreste, Audrey Bourgeois, and Jagged Stone.

Marinette had enough money to pay her rent, her fabric, all of her equipment, anything a business woman could need. Marinette herself, not so much. She missed being able to walk out and go sit at a café for a bit. When she saw Wayne Enterprise opened a section in Paris, she came up with an idea.

'Wayne Enterprises is a place that usually pays big. Even a part time job should be fine. A little play money couldn't hurt. A few extra euros so I could eat out, get some comfy clothes so I'm not rushing between orders and messing up wouldn't hurt.'

Damian Wayne sat at his desk, looking through potential applicants. Many of them were attached to big names or had one of their own. As he rang background checks, he could see they were all connected to each other in one way or another. He smirked at his idea.

'Let's put on a show. I want to see what kind of people these applicants are around each other. Would they out themselves?'

Mari was escorted to a waiting room as Damian Wayne got through other interviews. When the door opened, the last thing she expected was to see some familiar faces: Chloe, Adrien, and Lila.

"I don't know why you're even here, Dupain-Cheng." Chloe snarled, after the door was closed, "This is a big company that would love to work with our families. You have nothing going for you."

Marinette sat down and smiled, "Is that right? I guess I must have sent the wrong order to your mother and that's why she wore my design down the red carpet at the MET Gala."

Chloe tensed up and refused to meet her gaze. She could tell Adrien and Lila were surprised as well.

Chloe cleared her throat, "You're lying."

"Call your mother and ask." Marinette shrugged, "Oh, that's right! She doesn't like you; she prefers your half sister, who can actually work and living on her own, instead of leeching off of her Daddy."

"This isn't you, Dupain-Cheng." Chloe declared.

"No. This is me." Marinette shrugged off the concerned looks, "I'm just not being forced to coddle you to make Caline Bustier's life easier. 'Oh, just show Chloe some love, so she'll know what it's like and she'll get better eventually. You'll see.' Even she knew you were a horrible person. She basically thought you were The Grinch. That with enough love, your heart would grow three sizes and you wouldn't be such a bitch anymore."

Everyone was speechless at Marinette's attitude. This wasn't the Marinette that they grew up with.

"Chloe Bourgeois." a security voice called.

Chloe held her head high as she walked into the office.

"Damian Wayne." Chloe stated.

"Sit!" he demanded.

Chloe was shocked by his attitude.

'Doesn't he know who I am?'

"Do you know who I am?" she shouted.

"A spoiled brat; Ive read the articles on the internet." Damian stated, "You are known for crying for your father when you don't get what you want. Even though you are the oldest, your half-sister is who your mother relies on to bring customers for Style Queen in New York."

"My father-" Chloe snarled.

"Isn't the mayor anymore. He hasn't been the mayor in three years." the Wayne heir spoke, "If you're thinking of blackmailing me, you chose the wrong person. Spread whatever lies you want or cry to your father, the hotel owner. I could make one post about how horrid his hotel is and he would go out of business. Could you live with that?"

Chloe stood there, speechless. The only person who talked to her like this was her mother.

"I'm in charge, here, and if it came down to it, your job would be scrubbing toilets all day." Damian declared.

Tears formed in Chloe's eyes.

'He's glaring at me, just like Mommy. He doesn't look happy. He looks at me like he wishes I was gone or someone else.'

"We're done here." Damian stated.

Chloe quickly rushed out of the office. The three saw her rushing away, crying.

'I knew she wouldn't last.'

"Marinette, I can't understand why you're like this." Lila spoke, as she took her seat.

'He made that Daddy's Girl cry. I better go at this carefully.'

"Oh, shove it, Lila." Marinette sighed, "All three of us, here, know you're a lying manipulative bitch. You don't have to fake it."

"I don't know-" Lila continued.

"Adrien already told me years ago that he made a deal with you. He made one with me, too. Did he ever tell you that?" Mari questioned.

Lila glanced towards Adrien, who kept his head down.

"Oh, he didn't." she giggled, "You see, I was already designing for Jagged Stone when you arrived to our school. Adrien even had me autograph things I designed for him."

The model had turned towards Adrien and was now glaring at him.

"I could have made your whole 'tinnitus-kitten bullshit' story go up in flames since day one." Mari smiled, "I could have video called him and you would have been labeled as delusional."

"I took all our friends away!" Lila cried out, in victory.

"No." Mari answered, "You took away people, who were finally talking to me. Chleo ensured that for seven years, I had no friends. Those 'friends' just went back to not talking to me. You didn't actually do anything. If anything, you helped me. You took away the class president duties from me and I had more free time. You turned Alya and Nino away, so I couldn't babysit. I designed more clothes and got more clients. You didn't make my life worse, Lila, you made it better."

Lila fumed. Adrien had played peace maker between the both of them. From what Marinette was saying, she could have won the war in an instant! She thought she had chased Marinette Duapin-Cheng out of school all those years ago and here she was smiling, practially laughing at her, saying it wasn't true. She had thanked her and said she made her life better.

'I need this job so I can rub it in her face! I need to win against her!'

"I do hope you at least did some research into Damian Wayne." Marinette stated.

"I've known Damian Wayne since we were children!" Lila announced.

"Is that what it told you, you should say when you looked up how rich his family is?" Mari inquired.

Lila stood up, in rage.

'How dare she!'

"Lila Rossi." security called out.

Lila smirked, "I'm coming."

"She really should have done her research." Marinette spoke out loud.

"Why do you say that?" Adrine asked.

"Lila likes to play off her tears and looks." Mari declared, "Damian Wayne hates going to galas because of girls that try to attach themselves to him."

"And?" Adrien questioned.

"He broke an Italian model's arm two months ago, for lying to him." the designer stated.

Adrien paled at her words. Marinette merely smiled and pulled out her phone and dialed emergency services.

"Hello, what is your emergency?" the voice asked.

"I think we need an ambulance at Wayne Enterprise." Marinette stated, "I think someone's arm is broken."

"Are you with this person?" the voice questioned.

"No." the designer answered.

"I have sent medical to your location." the voice declared, before hanging up.

"That was pretty extreme, Marinette. I have faith in Lila!" Adrien shouted, "I don't think he would do that! The Waynes have an imagine to uphold!"

"Maybe, you should have done your research." Mari shrugged, "You still have time. Maybe five minutes."

Lila sauntered her way into the office.

"Hello, Mr. Wayne." She spoke, calmly.

"Sit." He demanded, not looking up.

Lila waved off his decleration. She moved past the chair in front of his desk and walked her way to his side.

"Can I sit on your lap?" She asked, "You see, I have tinnitus and-"

"There is nothing in here that would activate your tinnitus. Tinnitus is when you can't here anything for a brief amount of time, but a loud ringing. It's usually followed after hearing an extremely loud sound. I should know; I went to medical school." Damian stated.

'Shit. My usual tactics won't work here.'

Lila nodded and made her way back to the seat.

"Why shoud I hire you?" The Wayne heir questioned.

Lila fluttered her lashes, "I'm a model for Gabriel Agreste."

"Former model." Damian interjected, "You now model on Instagram and Only Fans."

Lila turned red. She didn't expect them to aware of her new lifestyle.

"Now, Miss Lerouch-" he continued.

Lila paled, "Wh-What did you call me?"

"Cerise Lerouch." Damian stated, "Did you think I would not delve into your background? I have to know who I am working with."

Cerise quickly leaped up from her seat and rushed around the desk.

"Don't touch me." Damian demanded.

"I'll do anything." Cerise cried out, grabbing onto his arm.

The Wayne heir growled, "Let go."

"I can help you relieve stress in other ways, you know." Cerise pleaded.

Damian grabbed her wrist and twisted it behind her back, harshly. Cerise screamed in pain.

"I have no need for whores." Damian spoke.

He grabbed the back of her shirt, arm still twisted, and walked her to his office door. He grabbed the knob and threw her out, in front of his security team.

"Drag this whore out by the hair, if you have too, but I want her off Wayne Enterprise grounds and blacklisted!" Damian shouted.

"Yes, Mr. Wayne." they spoke simultaneously, as he slammed his door shut.

"Shit, I think her arm is broken." the one on the left declared.

"She would call an ambulance?" the one on the right asked.

"Please, help me! It hurts so much!" Cerise begged, cradling her arm.

"You shouldn't have pissed him off." the one on the right declared, "Damian Wayne isn't one to mess around."

A man rushed towards them with medical workers.

"Did you guys call for an ambulance and someone with a broken arm?" the new guy asked.

"No, but perfect timing." the one on the left stated, "Girl with broken arm right here."

Cerise was walked by the waiting room. Inside, she could see Adrien looked horrified before turning to Marinette. She was smiling at her. Then, the baker's daughter flipped her off.

'She knew! That bitch knew how this would end!'

Cerise burst into tears as she was carted off.

"I guess that just leaves you and me, Agreste." Marinette stated.

Adrien began to feel uncomfortable.

"I do hope you do better than they did." She spoke, "For your Father's sake."

"Huh?" Adrien asked, confused.

"Damian Wayne isn't one to back down, not even to his father. He can make his father bow down to him. You have no idea how......attractive that is to a woman, Adrien." Mari smiled, "A man with a spine."

The model gulped, watching Marinette lick her lips.

"You should grow a spine." she declared, "Maybe then your father won't force you to model for him. I' sure that's why Kagami chose Felix over you. Your cousin has a spine. It looks good on him. Maybe, that's why Kagami didn't take my advice on how to get back with you after the break up."

Adrien only looked at her in shocked.

"Alya told me you broke up and I went to see her." Marinette continued, "I tried to help, but she didn't want to. She said it was better that way and well, Felix and you did look alike as teens. The same face with a spine; kind of hard to resist. They're so happy and their twins are adorable."

"Adrien Agreste, Mr. Wayne will see you now." the voice spoke over the intercom.

The model looked over at the designer. She waved at him, but said nothing. Adrien stood up and stood tall.

Adrien walked into Damian's office. It was intimidating; Marinette was right. He was scarier than his father.

"Why should I hire you, Adrien Agreste?" Damian questioned.

"I hate modeling. I prefer computers and science. I want to break free of Gabriel." Adiren admitted, "You don't have to worry about me telling him anything because I never learned anything about fashion. I couldn't even tell you the names of two different shades of fabric. If anyting, you should hire Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Marinette has always been an amazing designer. She was recognized by Father and Style Queen when she was only thirteen. She's the one who would know everything about fashion."

Damian hid his smirk behind his hand and looked down at the papers about Adrien again.

'What a miracle worker you are, Miss Dupain-Cheng. Agreste grew a spine.'

"We may have an internship available in our science department." Damian spoke, "Do you still live with your father?"

"Yes." Adrien spoke.

"We have a company home we prefer our interns reside in." Damian continued.

He noticed Adrien seemed relieved about that.

"The internship isn't a guarantee." The Wayne heir continued, "We need to see you commitment and dedication first hand. If you can't keep up, we'll put you in a different department. If you keep failing to meet our expectations, you'll have no choice but to keep modeling for your father."

"Tell him we'll work with him for one year, as a test." Damian continued, "You have one year to get your affairs in order. You'll need to move in one month from now and if not, consider the contract cancelled. I will inform them you are expected."

"Thank you." Adrien smiled.

Damian waved him off and Adrine walked out of the office, happy.

Marinette stood up when her name was called. As she walked towards the office, she saw Adrien smiling at a paper. She entered the office and closed the door.

"Please sit Miss Dupain-Cheng." Damian ordered.

Marinette immediately took a seat in front of him.

"Why should I hire you?" He questioned.

Mari shrugged, "You don't really have to."

"Oh?" Damian pushed.

"I'm only here for a part time job." the designer answered, "You know, helping out on the floor, coffee grabber, secretary gig. That sort of thing."

"Excuse me?" he asked, shocked, " Aren't you a fashion designer."

"With my own clients and I can pay for my own things." She smiled.

"Then why are you here?" Damian questioned.

Marinette sat back further in the chair and got comfortable, "Play money. I spend my own on my deisgns, fabrics, equipment, rent. Why not have a little extra to treat myself to a night out or a night in, for once?"

That was not the answer he had been expecting.

Damian laughed, "What if I decide to keep you?"

"Keep me as in?" Marinette pushed.

"I decide I want to become one of your clients." he offered.

"Are you offering?" the designer asked, "I've seen some of those suits you wear to galas and it doesn't bring you out to your full potential."

"And that would be?" he asked.

"You're outshined by your father, your older brothers, and the company." She spoke, "You can stand out, but maybe you want to fade into the back, less people to grope you."

Damian chuckled and stood up from his seat. He made his way around the desk and rested on it.

"What would you dress me in, right now?" Damian questioned.

"Depends." Marinette smiled, "Do you always wear a suit to work or are you interested in a change?"

"Tell me about this hypothetical change." He demanded.

"Ever heard of quick change wear?" She asked.

"No." he replied.

"It mainly takes woman into factor. Clothes that can go from working at the office to going out on a date or partying." Mari answered, "Just a few adjustments and possibly a new shade of makeup and usually people tend to think they took all day to get ready."

Damian took what she said into account, "And for men?"

"Most don't really have the option." Marinette shrugged, "Shame, but on you.....your figure. Well, there's nothing sluttier than a man wearing a sleeveless turtleneck."

The Wayne heir couldn't help but think of his old League of Assassin's outfits.

"No one at work would know if you have a blazer on and buttoned." She continued, "It is your office so you can always install a closet here and keep an extra pair of clothes. Jeans, if you prefer. Who is to say that this whole time, you weren't wearing sweatpants and just dressed from the waist up."

He chuckled ather way of thinking.

'Effective, but true not the less. I could kick out anyone who entered my office, should I choose to dress comfortably, and there was a closet hidden behind the cabinets.'

"Another thing most people tend to do is incorporate their culture into their clothing, as well." Marinette spoke, "Personally, I use apple blossoms in most of my designs for myself."

"Miss Dupain-Cheng, you are not what I was expecting." Damian declared, "I like to expect everything."

Mari smiled, "I've been known to be...unpredictable."

"You want to work part time in the fashion section." The Wayne heir stated, "Even if it's just grabbing coffee or lunch for others."

"Correct." she answered.

"Fine." Damian spoke, "You can work here, part time, at least three days a week. I f you have a big comission, I want to know about it. You can keep the details to yourself, but I want a time frame."

Marinette nodded, happily.

"I also want you to make me something to relax in the office that could pass for office wear." he suggested, "I'll pay for fabric of course. I can send you the details of my heritage via email, later."

Marinette stood up, "I'll start on that and bring it by Friday."

Damian grabbed her hand and kissed it, "I'll see you Monday morning, at 9AM, for work. We can go over your schedule then."

Marinette felt her face flush as his lips connected with her hand. His gaze was piercing.

"Yes, Mr. Wayne." She answered, flustered.

Damian waved his hand, dismissing her, but he still followed her to the door.

"You know, Miss Dupain-Cheng." He whispered, pressing himself to her back, "They may not be able to see it, but I see what lurks in the shadows. I can see what you hide there. I can wait a bit longer for the side of you that wants to come out and play."

"Is that so?" Marinette whispered back.

"I'll enjoy getting to know you, in the future." Damian spoke, before opening the door.

Marinette took a breath before she walked out the door.

"Marinette, did you get the job?" Adrien asked.

"Yes." she answered.

The model sighed in relief, "I told him you were good. I told him about Father and Audrey."

"Did you think I wouldn't be able to get it on my own?" Mari questioned.

"That's not what I meant!" Adrien cried, surprised at the question.

"Then, don't belittle me and my work." Marinette declared, "He already knew who I was. The Wayne keep a check on everyone and everything. Did you seriously not expect him to know about our families? He was probably listening to us in the waiting room."

Adrien gulped in response.

"Besides, I wasn't apart of whatever you three were fighting over." Marinette smiled, walking away.

'What did she mean by that?'

Adrien turned to see Damian Wayne leaning against the door, wearing a smirk on his face. Damian took notice of the model and hardened his gaze. Adrien gulped as Damian stood tall and closed his door again.

'What was he staring at?'

Adrien turned his head back down the corridor and saw Marinette speaking to the receptionist.

'He was after Marinette the whole time!'

'He already knew who I was.'

'He was probably listening to us in the waiting room.'

'Besides, I wasn't apart of whatever you three were fighting over.'

TAGLIST: @maribat-calendar-events @animeweebgirl@a-star-with-a-human-name@meme991001@vixen-uchiha@abrx2002@alysrose-starchild@fandom-trapped-03@dood-space@moonlightstar64@saltymiraculer@marveldcedits20@09shell-sea09@icerosecrystal@animegirlweeb@insane-fangirl-of-everything@blueblossombliss@nickristus-dreamer@megawhitleycalderonpaganus@missmadwoman@meira-3919@princessdaisysolosyourfaves@blep-23@fangirlingfanatic@darkhinauniverse@ravenr22@im-a-satanic-ritual@ravennm84@bianca-hooks123@a-slytherinish-gryffindor@starling218

#daminette december 2023 #daminette #marinette dupain cheng #wayne enterprise #damian wayne #chloe bourgeois #adrien agreste #lila rossi #chloe salt #adrien salt #lila salt #mommy issues #cerise miraculous #daddy issues #mlb x dc #dc x mlb #hinding in the shadows #mochinek0

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minikoko-a · 16 days

Text

you and me?

lucifer x fem!reader , alastor x fem!reader (if you squint)

i was in tiktok and appeared 'i could never choose to love another/maybe one day i learn to love you too''while I was writing something about alastor x reader and lucifer and reader were involved in something and i took this idea too but do it on another thing and here i am.

angst, mention of alastor x reader, mention of lilith, kinda short but had to get it out, this happens during the seven years where Lilith and Alastor disappeared and the first episode of the series, mention of murder. sorry for any mistake! english is not my first language (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠).

You could still smell his scent even if he has never touched you or gone further than a hug, a sweet apple smell.

You could said at what moment you both turned... this.

You remember your arrival in hell, it was nothing to expect until you had just helped a young blonde with cheeks similar to a red apple, she was so kind that it was impossible to think that she was a hell's citizen, more precisely, the princess of hell.

"Charlie, Charlie Morningstar" Her smile was genuine and full of energy.

You could remember that day in detail, you could remember the answer you gave to one of her questions.

"I'm looking for my husband"

You weren't dumb, you knew why you were here. Your husband was a murderer and at the same time a renowned and successful radio host, how did you end up here? you hid the bodies and even helped in the crimes.

Another memory came to your mind, the day you met again.

"Dear?" his voice, his voice like on the radio. It was beautiful emotions, you hugged him, leaving his hands delicately on your waist, looking at you with those now dark eyes with red irises, but for you, he was still your lovely husband.

"I've been looking for you here" Your voice was full of joy, he brought his hand up gently caressing your cheek.

"And you found me and i won't leave, Dear"

You grabbed the edges of your silk robe that fit your body perfectly. Another memory invaded you.

You continued your contact with Charlie, you became very close to her, she even introduced you to her mother and father although with the latter she was not so close.

Her mother, Lilith.

And her father, Lucifer.

"It's good to see you have friends, Charlie!" You felt the discomfort of both, both of them were trying, he to fit in and she to let him fit.

You remembered when Charlie invite you to her home, it felt so... alone.

You could remember that a tall woman with long blonde hair being present, she was beautiful and so charming. That beautiful woman was so mysterious and her quartz necklace made her look so different, comparing her to the photos and Charlie's stories from her childhood, Lilith loves pearls.

Every visit to the morningstar home was a talk about your day with his arm intertwined with yours as they walked through the streets of hell. Every time you spoke, he looked at you from time to time and you could feel a look full of that love that was born when both of you were human and continued in hell.

"Dear, I'm looking at our rings and I've considered renewing our vows."

"but honey, it's fine-"

"Nuh-uh, we were married in life and i want to marry you after our life."

His romantic touch made you feel so calm and in love with him, his fingers intertwined with yours, adorning his characteristic smile on his face.

You're his beloved wife, he would never leave you alone.

Or that was at least seven years ago.

One day he just left.

And he never said anything.

"So your lover also left you without saying anything or well, mine did leave something." And the king of hell showed you his lover's ring, while his ring was still on his finger.

You didn't know when you went from going to Charlie's house for comfort, being in her room with swollen eyes and soaked cheeks and ended up in her father's office venting your sorrows.

"Lilith left her ring and i don't know, i guess that with this and that she hasn't appeared in days is enough for me to know that she— sorry" His sobs became more audible, his blonde hair was messy and his eyes were swollen, just like you.

You didn't say anything at that moment, his sobs were the only sound in his office, his chest rose and fell and thick tears slid down his red cheeks, soaking them along the way.

You understood his pain, your hurt heart was in tune with his, your tears became one with his, his sobs made a harmony of pain and heartbreak with yours and the other pair of rings missing from their respective loves uncompleted their love.

And the last thing you remember from that day was your hand on his giving it a squeeze showing support and comfort, having his gaze on yours shining like crazy with tears, both reflecting on each other's gaze and situations.

...

You came out of your trance of memories when you heard the door to your assigned room knock. Because after that coincidence, to help Lucifer and Charlie —when she used to live in the house—, you went to live with them seven years ago.

You stood up quickly from your bed, tiptoeing towards the door until you stopped and touched the cold floor completely, causing a small shiver from your feet to your spine. You fixed your robe and your hair a little and you took the handle to gently open the big door, revealing a somewhat nervous lucifer with his pajamas already on.

"Hi Lucifer— Oh!" In his outstretched hands was an elegant flat gift. "Oh you needn't have worried"

"Well dear, you have told me that many times, for seven years!" He laughed but his laugh hid something: sadness but he wasn't going to admit it. "I do it because it comes to me, you're special to me"

You smiled, those words were so sweet but acidic, he appreciates you, of course, but in a moment where there was a storm of emotions he ended up believing that it was romantic love, someone new to love.

Just like he did with Lilith or well, he does but he won't accept it.

For him, you are his new beloved.

Although you knew you were just a projection of Lilith that he himself created. He doesn't love you, he only loves the idea of loving you the same way he loved Lilith.

But you can't judge him, much less hate him.

"Thank you so much, Luci" You smiled, you took a part of the ribbon, pulling it to undo it and opened it carefully until you could see the piece.

And you felt a lump in your throat.

It was a pearl necklace.

"It's beautiful, Luci"

"And I know it will look beautiful on you"

You know you appreciate him, every kind and gentle act he does, being the most common and genuine, makes you smile, makes your cheeks go numb because of your smile there on your face for a long time.

You feel alive with him.

That feeling that you thought was over since your husband left without saying anything.

But on the other hand, he was giving you another point of view and that scared you.

"You know" He took the necklace and opening the clasp of it, when you saw this you turned around, turning your back on him. He took part of your hair and put it to the side, exposing your neck from behind placing the pearl necklace on your neck, fastening it carefully and taking your hair and putting it back how it was. "I knew you were beautiful and even more with a necklace like that."

You felt his hands take yours gently, you bit the inside of your tongue when you saw both of your hands.

A you and me?

Your wedding ring of your marriage with Alastor was still in your finger and while he covered your hand, his wedding ring of his marriage with Lilith was also there.

It wouldn't work, right?

His gaze was now on your face, his eyes had a divine shine, worthy of an angel. He smiled and placed a kiss on your hands, your eyes widened and your heart skipped a beat, it was a sensation of surprise that made you feel like your stomach had dropped.

"I could never choose to love another"

There were no formulated words, it was as if your voice had gone.

"Good night, Dear! Have sweet dreams"

And now he had left you still with the door open while his short figure went straight to his room with happiness for his act.

You grabbed the handle, closing the door little by little. The kiss on your hands was a blow, a blow in your memories.

It was the same gesture that Alastor did.

You felt so bad.

The faith that he will return one day and accept what was happening were having an internal fight.

You sighed but before completely closing the door you murmured to yourself.

"Maybe one day i can learn to love... you... too"

You went to sleep leaving the pearl necklace in its box on your dresser, You didn't want to overthink the situation more.

After all, tomorrow you have to visit Charlie's great project that she herself excitedly invited you to: The Hazbin Hotel.

#hazbin hotel x reader #hazbin hotel x you #lucifer morningstar #lucifer x reader #hazbin hotel lucifer #hazbin hotel angst #fanfic #alastor x reader #alastor x you #alastor

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casasupernovas · 1 year

Text

so many harry potter fans completely erase snape's past and write it over to make him a snobby rich kid who speaks like he's a 40 year old count and i think it is so interesting.

because it proves to me that the reality of snape being a kid living in a poverty stricken and abusive household on spinner's end makes you all uncomfortable.

i sure know it made me uncomfortable to re-read the books for the first time and see all the comments about his greasy hair and sallow skin with the new knowledge that these were markers of his poor upbringing. we've heard the saying how being poor never really goes away. snape keeping these two markers as an adult is the author's way of doing it. he's an adult with a better income now but he never quite shakes off spinner's end.

he also stays there as an adult as a way to punish himself, if the front room described as a 'padded cell" is any indicator. he can't move on and he won't allow himself to, and dumbledore won't allow it either. it is he who twists the knife with harry's eyes and tells him this is the only thing he can do to prove he truly loved lily. despite you know, dumbledore apparently not believing this due to his shock at snape's patronus 17 years later.

both times in snape's past when he butts heads with petunia is because she insults his background, something he cannot control. she calls him the 'snape boy' from spinner's end, a clearly 'turn up my nose' moment. harry goes through most books referring to snape as 'snape' because snape is a bully and therefore does not have harry's respect. many times adults correct him to say professor. and his first name isn't said often. so this puts a distance to him, almost others him to this 2D character. but 'snape' is an actual person, with feelings and a past, present and future. so severus snape doesn't take kindly to people insulting his family which is why he claps back at petunia.

we also know snape is a muggle name, his muggle father tobias' name. we only find out in book 6 that snape is a half blood. because what wizarding family do you know with the name 'snape'. and prince isn't part of the sacred 28 either. when harry breaks into snape's memories accidentally in occlumency, seeing those three quick snapshots of his life, it's the first time snape starts to become a real person to harry.

moreover, 8 year old snape is described as dirty, unwashed, wearing clothes that are so mismatched it looks deliberate. he hasn't got clothes of his own, wearing an adults jacket and a woman's smock. snape's family either cannot afford to properly clothe or wash their child or they simply don't care too. when petunia insults him again, this time instead of his father she goes for his mother, as she points out snape wearing his mother's blouse, we get another example of underage magic as he causes a tree branch to fall on her.

now despite this, we know it is likely snape really did want to cause her harm due to her insult. snape already is shown to have poor social skills and snaps rather quickly at any point of animosity, but he was also raised in an abusive household. his father whipped him, and shouted at his mother and god knows what else. makes sense that an 8 year old responds to tension with either insults or violence, mirroring his home. snape is also very reluctant to talk about his homelife at all, ending the conversation very pointedly with "he doesn't like anything much." so it's not surprising that a child raised in this kind of environment would respond violently. even worse, he does it without really realising what he has done considering he looked confused when petunia and lily ran away.

on platform 9 and 3/4, snape is eager to get out of his muggle clothes and when put next to james potter, the stark difference between someone who has been loved and adored and someone who hasn't is explicitly put in the books. and lastly when snape calls lily a mudblood after being yanked upside down exposing dirty underwear, lily points that out. her way of saying 'don't you dare say you are better than me - im filthy? how about you wash your clothes.'

all in all, i think the fans write over this backstory because people do not want to give snape any sympathy. he's not the right kind of sympathetic character. he's an unpleasant adult who made terrible decisions. therefore his tragedy doesn't count. it's much easier to hate him when in your head, snape is a rich, snobby supremacist, rather than a penniless, neglected and woefully misguided teenager.

odd that peope can understand the impact of certain characters childhoods like sirius, regulus, draco or harry and how it affected their actions as teens and later adults...

but not snape.

in fact, snape is probably the poorest character in the entire series apart from maybe voldemort, although the orphanage didn't seem underfunded or anything. fans characterise lupin as poor but there is little evidence for him being poor as a child, more as an adult. i've seen people say this was because of the fact that his father worked at the ministry and arthur weasley worked there and he is not rich but the weasley's are poor because there are 7 of them living on one income. and we can assume lupin's muggle mother worked. if anything, lupin's childhood was comfortable but became unstable due to them constantly moving after he was bitten.

and that's pretty much it, we don't know too much about anyone else. the dursleys are middle class as are hemrione's dentist parents and while the weasley's are poor, they are not poverty stricken - ron never goes hungry. snape also never really adresses his muggle past either. he doesnt bring it up ever. for all his 'life is unfair', he never speaks about that part of his life, choosing to solely reference the marauders. and the two main bullies, james and sirius both being rich kids bullying the poor boy is not lost on me. especially when they constantly reference his greasy hair all the time.

poverty greatly affects a person well into adulthood and we see with snape; it never really goes away. sure he's well spoken now, and doesn't wear mismatched muggle clothing but the remnants are still there. in fact, one of the reasons he hates harry intially is because he thinks the boy has been pampered. quite unlike his upbringing. so i think it's telling how many people refuse to acknowledge its very existence or the how it shaped snape as a person.

because i think it all makes you feel really uncomfortable. why else would you ignore or completely erase it?

#harry potter #severus snape #pro snape #snapedom

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mypoisonedvine · 2 years

Text

𝙼𝙴𝙴𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙼𝚄𝙽𝚂𝙾𝙽𝚂 - chapter 10: all the love in the world. FINALE.

𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢 - the end is just the beginning.

𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝 - over 10k

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 - SMUT (18+ only, I warned y'all from the beginning), emotions, angst, fluff, more stepcesty stuff, brief pregnancy mention/discussion, reader's mom gets a first name sorry if that breaks the illusion for anyone

(thank you to everyone who read this series, it's been such an adventure and I'm glad I could take you with me <3)

Eddie cleared his throat as he stood in front of the crowd gathered in the backyard— small, but still a crowd. "Well, um, hi," he waved at the seated guests, most of whom waved back. "Bet you never thought you'd see me in a suit, right?"

Scattered, polite laughs rippled through the group.

"Um, neither did I. And I never thought I'd see the day that my uncle got married, either, but here we are. Wayne's never had much luck with the ladies— I guess it's proof we're related, right?" he chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck briefly. "Anyways— I knew something was different when he came home from dinner with a 'friend' —" Eddie gestured with dramatic air quotes— "and couldn't stop smiling. I've got some pretty great friends but, they don't make me smile like that."

He glanced at you, and you offered your best reassuring smile-and-thumbs-up combo.

"He told me a couple days later that he'd met this woman,” Eddie continued, glancing down at the cards again. “Apparently he helped her find something at the hardware store. I was so happy for him that I resisted the urge to make an insensitive joke about if he was going to 'nail' her."

You snorted out an embarrassed laugh, and you caught your mom’s expression: clearly a little shocked, but thankfully, amused.

"And, uh, I met her a couple weeks later, and she said she liked my hair,” Eddie recalled. “So I knew she was cool. But most of all, I knew she was right for my uncle. He's a pretty stoic guy— and I don't think I've ever seen him laugh in my entire life the way he can laugh in one night with Donna. They're so right for each other it's nuts. It hasn't been an easy road to today for either of them. I think some people think you can only love one person in your life, but they're wrong: you can have an amazing life, and an amazing family, and an amazing daughter with someone…"

Your heart was in your throat already.

"...and you can still find happiness with someone else down the line. And I can’t think of anyone more deserving of that than you, Donna."

Shit. You were worried about crying during your own speech. You hadn’t even considered that you might cry over Eddie’s.

"Donna, you're too nice for your own good. You took me in just because you love my uncle so much— and that says everything about the kind of person you are. You've given me a roof over my head, you've given me way more credit than I deserve, and you've given me a really cool sister. She's actually cooler than me, which is annoying."

You laughed a little, but bit your lip when a sob almost came out.

"Wayne— I won't say too much because I'm not about to cry in front of all these people. I think everything I really need to say, you already know. But in case you don't… you're more of a dad to me than my father’s even been. I’d be in the clink or in a ditch somewhere if you hadn’t been there to straighten me out. I know I didn’t always make it easy on you… actually, I almost never made it easy on you. You taught me almost everything I know, except the guitar— and I’m gonna need you to teach me how to find such an amazing lady, and how to make it last. Deal?”

Wayne nodded at him, and the guests clapped politely as Eddie left his place standing in front of them to give his uncle a hug and his new aunt-slash-mother-figure a kiss on the cheek. On shaky legs, you stood up and hoped you could find some way to follow that.

Your heart raced as you found yourself facing all those guests; last time you’d been standing in front of them all, you’d been behind your mother at the altar, so they were all looking at her. Now you were alone and had all their attention to yourself; Eddie took his seat and shot you a thumbs up before you started.

You glanced down at your notes, holding onto them for dear life. Thank everyone for coming & joke about beer, the first line of the first index card read.

“Well,” you began, feeling your heart rate pick up, “I’d like to begin by thanking you all for coming. It means so much to us that you’re here, and I know you all wouldn’t miss an opportunity for free beer.”

It was a safe joke, and it got a safe laugh, and you looked at the next line for guidance: When Mom first met Wayne…

“When Mom first met Wayne,” you repeated, “she… actually didn’t tell me.”

That seemed to surprise a few people.

“I guess she was afraid that I wouldn’t approve, either of him or of her dating again at all. Sadly, her fears weren’t… totally misplaced,” you admitted, cringing slightly. “But only because, when it comes to any man who wants to be in my mom’s life, I have incredibly high standards. And anyone who knew my father knows why.”

You flipped to the next card. DAD it said at the top, with more notes of the points you wanted to cover beneath. You froze, wondering if you had the strength to go on with what you’d written.

“Um… after my dad passed away…” you started, voice getting a bit weaker— they were all staring at you, that was something you hadn’t properly appreciated when you were preparing this speech, that they’d all be staring like this. “It was hard, obviously. It’s not easy for anyone to lose a partner, or a parent. I know it was harder on my mom than she let on— she was trying to be strong for me. And I was just trying to pretend like everything was fine. But it wasn’t, and we were both hurting a lot. Our family was… broken, it was missing something. And, of course, no one could fill the space my dad left behind— but I didn’t know someone could make my mom that happy again.”

Shakily, you put the card at the back of the stack and stared at the next heading: WAYNE. Hard working, compassionate and passionate, nicer than he looks.

“Wayne, though, is truly a special man. He’s hard-working, compassionate and passionate, and I’ve learned that he’s not as intimidating as he looks,” you smiled. “I wouldn’t have blamed him at all for basically ignoring me completely— he knows I’m not a kid anymore, and he knows he doesn’t exactly need my approval to be with my mom. But, he also knows how important we are to each other, and he’s been nothing but supportive of me. Congrats, Mom, you might’ve gotten one of the last good ones.”

Again, polite laughter for an easy joke— if perhaps a bit more feminist than your average piece of wedding-speech-humor— but when you glanced up, you caught a smirk on Eddie’s face.

You looked down at your cards again, turning to the next one. EDDIE it said at the top… but the rest was blank. Fuck, you’d been putting off this part to the very last second— and the last second passed about ten minutes ago. You let out a nervous “um” as you stalled, trying to imagine what the fuck you could possibly say about Eddie. “A-and, well,” you choked, “what could I say about Eddie… that hasn't already been said over police radios all across the county."

They laughed, but you only cared if Eddie laughed at that one, so you'd know if you'd gone too far. You heard his laugh first and loudest, and you smiled to yourself.

"But, in all seriousness: Eddie, you're…" you trailed off again. You looked at him, which was a huge mistake; the way he was looking at you was just overwhelming. You glanced down at your cards again quickly. "You're definitely one of a kind," you decided, "and I'm… really, really lucky to have you in my life."

The crowd was filled with awwws, but you refused to look up from that blank index card. It was your only protection now— you felt terribly vulnerable in front of everyone, admitting things you hadn't even admitted to yourself. You took a deep, but shaky, breath in and out.

"They say you can't choose your family," you continued. "And even in this case, when we're not actually related, it's true. But— but I'd choose you anyways."

For a second, you almost thought Eddie was tearing up, but he was looking down and it was dark out already, so you couldn’t quite tell. You flipped to your last index card. Close out.

“It’s so special to be with you all here tonight,” you nodded, “celebrating Mom and Wayne— the hottest couple in Hawkins. Cheers!”

Glasses raised and clinked, and you gave your mom and your new stepfather a hug on your way back to your own seat.

As the night progressed, dinner turned to dancing and slightly heavier drinking— although it turns out older crowds don’t go quite as bananas for free alcohol as high school and college students do, shockingly.

“Can I get you a drink?” Eddie asked you after finding you keeping mostly to yourself in the corner.

“I’m, uh, not much of a drinker,” you informed him.

“Will you come dance with me?” he asked next.

“I’m not much of a dancer, either,” you laughed.

“Neither am I,” he assured with a laugh, extending a hand out to you. “Just come with me.”

You gave him a look. “What’s with the insistence?”

“I want you to have fun, is that so terrible?” he pressed.

“Since when is dancing with you ‘fun’?” you noticed.

He gave you a wide grin as one song faded out, and the next one began: Into The Groove by Madonna, the one Eddie had heard you singing along to loudly in your room however long ago. “I know you dance to this one,” he smirked.

Groaning in defeat, but smiling a bit as the guilty pleasure song played, you took his hand and let him drag you to the middle of the yard. Of course, for a song like this, dancing together is more just dancing near each other, but he was right— it was fun.

“I’m tired of dancing here all by myself, tonight I wanna dance with someone else!” the lyrics announced as you and Eddie bounced around uncoordinatedly; maybe you looked sort of stupid, but hey, you already had the uncomfortable fluff of a Pepto Bismol pink dress on so it wasn’t like you were ever at risk of looking elegant or anything…

Thankfully the weather was nice and the dark evening was getting even cooler, so working up some heat dancing this way actually served as a protection from the chilly breeze— Eddie had a flush on his face by the time the song was almost over, a rosy tint over his nose and cheeks and the slightest shine on his forehead from the exertion.

In a few minutes, the music changed, from fast and upbeat to something slow and gentle— you recognized it as soon as that familiar voice began to croon: “I can hear so much in your sighs, and I can see so much in your eyes…”

You smiled a little, remembering singing along to The Beach Boys when Eddie was practicing his guitar. You thought instantly that this song would sound so much better if he were singing it instead, even if you loved the original.

Some people left the dance floor, some couples got up to dance, but everyone had stopped the energetic dancing and had begun to move much more slowly, holding each other… it was all very romantic, except that you were just standing there staring at Eddie as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

“There are words we both could say…”

He cleared his throat, and when he opened his mouth, you were so afraid he was about to make an excuse to leave. I’m gonna get a beer, you want one? or I should check in on the happy couple or something— and, hoping to stop him, you suddenly put your hands on his shoulders.

Looking at you again, he blinked those brown eyes quickly but stepped closer to you anyways. Your hands were still on his shoulders, but you never actually found the strength to push him away, so he put his hands on your waist and suddenly you were slow dancing. “But don’t talk, put your head on my shoulder…”

Your breathing was shaky and you hoped he wouldn’t notice; his thumb moved slightly where it held your waist through your dress, and you felt every touch amplified by your anxiety-awakened skin.

“Come close, close your eyes and be still,” the gentle singing played from the speakers, “take my hand and let me hear your heartbeat.”

Hesitating at first, you leaned your head forward and let it rest on his chest; he tilted his head down to look at you, but you didn’t look back at him, you just couldn’t take that right now. You really could hear his heartbeat, even without pressing your ear right up to him, even through the white button-up dress shirt; it was strong and fast, and your eyes fell shut.

“Being here with you feels so right, we could live forever tonight,” the song continued, “let's not think about tomorrow and don't talk, put your head on my shoulder—”

Swaying together, you felt Eddie hold you a little tighter, but he could never hold you tight enough. He could never hold you long enough.

“Thank you,” he whispered, and you blinked your eyes quickly so you could lean back and look up at him.

“For what?” you wondered.

“Being nice to me,” he replied. “Just for tonight— you can be mean again tomorrow.”

You laughed a little, looking down at where his shiny black shoes stepped in time with your pink kitten heels. But then you felt his hand on your waist squeeze gently again and you sighed. Silence returned, but it wasn’t awkward, just… quiet. Except for, you know, the music, which went on as you danced together.

“Don’t talk, put your head on my shoulder…”

When the song ended all too soon, you stepped back slightly and looked up at Eddie, wondering if he could see everything in your eyes— it felt like he could, it looked like he could with the way he was looking back at you.

There was only a second of silence before the next song came on, and the melody played on plunky synths gave it away instantly as Take My Breath Away by Berlin. You exhaled a quick laugh and Eddie took his hands off your back. “I hate this song,” you announced.

“Me too,” he agreed, “so cheesy.”

You nodded and crossed one arm over your chest to hold the other nervously, starting to awkwardly glance around the reception.

“Wanna get out of here?” he offered, and you looked up at him.

“Eddie, we can’t leave,” you said when you realized what he was suggesting.

“Yeah we can,” he dismissed with a wave of his hand, “just for a few minutes— they won’t even notice.”

You hesitated before nodding; “Y-yeah, sure…”

He grabbed your wrist and guided you across the yard to the fence, specifically the darkest corner of the fence where he took a cursory glance to make sure no one was looking before lacing his fingers together and holding them down for you. “Here,” he offered, tilting his head towards the fence.

You started to lift your foot before you put it on the ground again. “Wait. You’re not gonna look up my skirt, are you?”

He sighed. “Do you really think so little of me, sweetheart?”

Sufficiently guilted, you stepped on his hands and let him give you a lift up so you could grab the top of the fence, just barely getting the leverage you needed to pull one leg over.

“Ooh, cute lace,” he praised lasciviously.

“God damn it,” you hissed, flinging yourself over and managing to land upright on both feet on the other side— it was easier to get down this way because a hill was just starting and the ground was a bit higher. Eddie hauled himself up a moment later, jumping down onto the other side and dusting himself off afterwards.

You walked up the hill together as he promised to take you to some place he knew about— you just hoped it wasn’t too far, because these silken flats weren’t exactly built for distance.

It wasn’t far at all, actually; it was just past the treeline, over the highest point of the hill, and when Eddie guided you out to where he’d stopped, you gasped at the view. From here, you could see nearly all of Hawkins— twinkling lights in rows and columns, cars driving down streets, the old church, the town hall—

“Oh my god,” you breathed. “From here, it almost doesn’t look like the shittiest little town ever.”

He laughed. “I know, right?”

“When did you find this place?” you asked.

He sat down on the grass and patted beside him for you to sit, too. “Well,” he began as you tried to find a comfortable way to sit in the dress, “it must’ve been about a week after I moved in. I went on a walk and sorta just stumbled on it.”

You laughed and sighed simultaneously, shaking your head. “I’ve lived here for years, and never knew I was one hill away from the best view of the town; you’re here a week and you find this.”

“I think your problem is you have all these amazing things right in front of you,” he decided, “but you don’t know how to look for them.”

“Is that supposed to be a metaphor?” you pressed.

He shrugged. “It’s just something I noticed.”

A long lull fell in the conversation while the two of you looked out over the lights of Hawkins. The music from the reception seemed to follow the wind, and with a gust of breeze, you heard guitars and melodic singing: Josie’s on a vacation far away, come around and talk it over…

You laughed, just to yourself, but then started to laugh harder until you were holding your stomach and falling back into the grass.

“What?” Eddie laughed with you. “What’s so funny?”

You tried to tell him, but you were laughing too hard to make sense.

“Come on,” he whined, and you composed yourself enough to string a sentence together.

“I hated you,” you laughed, “god, I hated you in high school! You were so… loud! And you didn’t care what anyone thought of you— and back then, I thought that was a bad thing, I thought it was impossible. And now— now that nothing can ever happen with us, of course that’s when I start falling for you.”

You didn’t even care that you’d said it, you didn’t even care that he was looking at you that way or that it felt like getting stabbed in the chest. Your laughter stopped, and you bit your lip to keep it from turning into tears.

“And I just think that’s funny,” you concluded.

“Yeah,” he smiled, looking down at the ground, “yeah, it is funny.”

You were looking out at the horizon, the lights all over Hawkins going out as stores closed and families went to bed and your sleepy little town really slept, when Eddie scooted a little closer to you.

“One question,” he requested. “Uh… remind me why nothing can ever happen with us?”

“‘Cause my mom, and your uncle,” you sighed. Your eyes glanced down at your legs, seeing his stretched out beside them, one ringed hand resting on his bent knee as the other kept him propped up in the grass. “They’re married, in case you didn’t notice.”

“Yeah,” he sighed, “they really love each other, huh?”

You nodded.

“Wayne told me when he was gonna propose to your mom,” Eddie said suddenly. “I asked him what he was gonna say, and he said, ‘I’m just gonna tell her the truth.’”

You smiled. “That’s why they work. The truth is exactly what she needs.”

“What do you need?”

You looked down at the grass. “I… I don’t know.”

"Maybe," he whispered, "I could finally tell you the truth, too."

You gave him an expectant stare, and he coughed a bit, but continued.

“Okay, well, the truth is,” Eddie began, “I like who I am when I’m with you. I know you don’t, really, but… I do. And when I’m not with you, I’m usually thinking about you. ‘Usually’ as in, ‘always’.”

As he looked at you, searching your expression for some reaction, he leaned in a little closer.

“And I had a bit of a thing for you in high school— I mean, as much as I could, without ever talking to you,” he added. “Except that one time.”

You remembered it well, normally, but suddenly you forgot everything you ever knew as he moved even closer, his face right in front of yours, his eyes giving you a look that made you shiver.

“And I love you,” he leaned in to kiss your cheek, “I love you,” he kissed the other, “I love you.”

He kissed just beside your nose, and you whimpered: “Eddie—”

He held your face in both his hands, pulling back to look at you closely. “No, don’t break my heart just yet. Let me tell you one more time. I love you.”

You took a shaky breath. “I thought you hated me,” you whispered.

He looked hurt, and as a tear fell from your eye, he wiped it away with his thumb. “No, no baby— how could you think that?”

“Because…” you trailed off. “Because the way I love you makes me hate myself.”

With him giving you that devastated look, you figured you had to continue before you made it too much worse.

“You’re everything I wish I could be,” you explained, “you’re crazy and you’re confident and you’re free. You don’t care what people think. And I’m—”

“Uptight, self-conscious, and perfectionistic?” he finished, and you frowned.

“Hey…” you mumbled defensively, looking down, but he lifted your face again.

“Those are all the things I love about you,” he explained. “I love everything about you. I knew how you felt about me back then— it didn’t stop me from having a massive crush on you.”

“First it’s a ‘bit of a thing’, now it’s a ‘massive crush’?” you noticed with a raised eyebrow, and he laughed as his cheeks tinted.

“Can’t get anything past you, huh?” he sighed. “Yeah, I was really into you. I told myself that you were really this creative, passionate, wild-and-crazy sort of girl beneath the goody-two-shoes shell— that you were just waiting for someone to break you out of that prison you built for yourself. And I imagined that it was me, that one day you’d ask me for something and we would start talking and you would end up begging me to take you away from it all. To steal you from that asshole Gary and sweep you off your feet— and we would get in the van and leave it all behind. Fuck Hawkins, fuck high school, fuck everybody.”

You sniffled, clutching at his tuxedo jacket’s lapel. “Eddie…” you whispered, not sure how to say anything more than that.

“We’d find shitty jobs and a shitty apartment somewhere in the middle of a town that actually matters,” he continued, “and we’d sleep on the floor the first night because there wasn’t time to pick out a bed. I could play guitar on a street corner and buy you flowers with whatever coins people toss in the case, and you could take enough pictures to cover the walls so we don’t need wallpaper. And we’d find a stray cat in the rain and bring it inside and name it something metal like Sabbath or Zeppelin. And it would all be so stupid, so massively irresponsible, but it would be our stupid irresponsible little life together. And it would be fucking beautiful.”

Biting your lip, you still couldn’t stop yourself from crying as tears fell down your heated cheeks. “Eddie, that’s what I wanted,” you sighed. “I didn’t know it then, but that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“Then let’s do it,” he whispered, and it was you that closed the gap— it was you that kissed him, finally, holding on tighter to his jacket as you inhaled sharply and pressed your lips onto his.

They really were soft, just like you thought they’d be; but he tasted different than you expected, maybe because he hadn’t smoked recently. But he tasted like the way the air smells after it rains, and beer, and the leftover sweetness of wedding cake frosting. You breathed against his skin and tasted it more as he deepened the kiss, letting yourself really melt into it, letting him hold you tighter and move his lips with yours however he wanted.

His hand gently reached up to hold the back of your head; the other stroked your cheek one more time before drifting down to your waist.

It was surreal— it was hyperreal— it was Eddie, you were kissing Eddie. Eddie Munson, the freak, the loser, the delinquent; Eddie Munson, your technical-relative; Eddie Munson, that guy who wouldn’t sit still for the damn yearbook photo.

Somehow, thinking about it like that just made you smile a bit and kiss him harder.

What was originally gentle and comforting and sweet started to shift after a few moments, as he opened his mouth wider and gripped your waist harder and let you feel some of that hunger— god, you knew the feeling too well, and you scooted forward in the grass to press yourself to him a bit. He hummed, low and soft, and you whimpered in return as your noises were nearly lost in the kiss.

You held on tighter to his lapel, then reached up to squeeze his shoulders, and he groaned— fuck, it was the sexiest thing you’d heard since… no, actually, it was just the sexiest thing you’d ever heard.

Gasping against his lips, you pushed him down roughly by those shoulders, pinning him to the grass as you swung your leg and straddled his lap. “Fuck,” he muttered, pulling you down to kiss him again.

It was shameless now, all lips and tongue and teeth— when he gently bit on your lower lip you thought you might really go actually crazy— as your hands gripped at his shirt to feel his chest while his touch ran down your back, up your legs, basically anywhere he could reach.

Just when you thought this was it, you were really going to get it over with right here and now after all these years, he broke away. “Baby, wait,” he choked out, shrinking back, and you froze as you pulled away by sitting up slightly.

“What?” you asked, terrified you were about to get your heart kicked back into its cage when you freed it for the first time in years.

“Th-this is a rental,” he blurted out, motioning slightly at the tux he had on.

After a moment’s pause, you started to laugh. And he laughed, too. You relaxed slightly and sat back on his thighs; he sat up and pulled you into a hug, kissing the side of your head while it was nearby. The laughter died down, and the moment passed, and you let each other out of the embrace.

“We should probably get back now,” he decided, and you nodded in agreement.

He took your hand and you ran together through the grass, back towards the sound of the backyard reception, back to the real world.

The whole crowd of guests stood out front and waved as Wayne and your mom drove away — for all the effort you put into getting a nice vintage Cadillac for the send-off, it looked pretty tacky with the streamers and cans tied to it, clanking as it drove down the cul-de-sac.

When they were out of sight, you and Eddie took one more deep breath before turning to the guests behind you. “Thank you all so much for coming!” you announced.

And that was basically what you did for the next fifteen minutes: shake a bunch of hands, wave goodbye, thank everyone for their attendance and gifts. When they left, the rest of your work was only beginning, and it was nearly midnight! Eddie offered to wash dishes and take out the trash while you took down decorations and paid the guys coming to take back the rented stereo equipment.

Thankfully, with the two of you, it went pretty quickly. There was more to do, but it could wait until the morning; it’s not like having tables and chairs set up in your backyard overnight is a crime or something.

When you were done with your tasks, you leaned up against the entryway to the kitchen, finding Eddie drying the last plate. He looked over his shoulder at you for a second, smiling, before drying his hands and setting it all down to face you: his jacket was long gone and his bowtie hung untied loosely around an unbuttoned collar that exposed a hint of clavicle and chest hair.

“So, house to ourselves,” he noticed, glancing around. “We throwin’ a rager or what?”

You smiled softly, glancing down.

He approached you slowly and carefully, reaching up to hold your shoulders when he was close enough. Even now you felt a little shaky, a little nervous to be this close to him even when you’d already kissed, but his gentle smile soothed you; so you did it, you stood up a bit taller and kissed him.

It wasn’t as sudden as the last one, so it wasn’t as rushed, and yet there was a creeping sense of urgency to it because you both realized it could go somewhere— maybe it didn’t have to, but with an empty house and no time limit or deadline coming up, anything could happen tonight.

As you clutched his shirt and pulled him closer with an inhale through your nose, feeling his hands take your waist and press you to him, you realized that you wanted it to go somewhere. Not just anywhere— you knew exactly where you wanted this to go.

“Bed,” you blurted out, pulling back to look up at him. “We— we should go to bed.”

“Okay,” he agreed, sounding a little breathless, “top or bottom?”

You laughed as he started guiding you with him already. “Mine, for sure,” you decided.

“Aw,” he pouted as you walked through the bedroom door, “I’ve been thinking about getting you in my bed for ages— not gonna let me have my fantasy, huh?”

As you fell back onto your bottom bunk, pulling him down with you, he got the angle wrong and smacked his forehead on the wood between the mattresses; you laughed, covering your mouth when you felt guilty for it, and he scrunched up his nose as he held his head for a second. “That was my fantasy,” you joked, and he laughed in return as he ducked a little too dramatically now to join you in the bed.

The lower bunk could feel a bit like a cave sometimes, in a cozy sort of way— but with Eddie on top of you, it was like it was all closing in on you as his weight dipped you both deeper into the mattress than ever. That probably sounds horribly claustrophobic, but it was actually nice. You felt safe and shockingly not-vulnerable considering the circumstances, even as he started to unzip the back of your dress while he kissed you again.

For your part, you were absolutely flying through his shirt’s buttons, sighing when it was opened and you could run your hands over his warm skin beneath. His tattoos looked better than ever peeking out from under a tuxedo shirt, though you only got a brief glimpse of him before his lips on your neck all but forced your head to tilt back.

“Sensitive,” he noticed with a whisper, but just one word said like that made you mewl and work harder to get his shirt off. But before you could get it all the way over his shoulders, he managed to get your dress down enough to expose your chest— and he hungrily sucked on your breasts as soon as he could.

“Oh god,” you whined, hips rocking up into nothing.

“Here too,” he laughed as he kissed from one to the other, looking up at you for a second. “Are you always this… responsive?”

You almost laughed imagining that Eddie really thought Gary had ever gotten this kind of reaction out of you. You bit your lip and shook your head, and a little snarl curled his lips as he growled at you.

“Just for me, then?” he assumed, and you nodded. “That’s so sexy— you’re so sexy…”

“You too,” you admitted as he suckled at your chest again. “I-I thought about this.”

“Yeah?” he breathed. “I thought about this, too— a lot.”

You smiled proudly, before he broke away and sat up slightly to tug your dress off down your legs. He purred again as he admired you laying there beneath him, naked spare for your panties, but he surprised you by coming back down to kiss your stomach— not exactly where you expected him to start, but okay— and beginning to move lower and lower…

Oh, fuck. He looked up at you as he kept making his way down, fingers tucking into your panties so he could slide them down your thighs.

Even obviously knowing what was coming, you gasped loudly when his lips latched onto your pussy. “F-fuck!” you choked as his tongue lapped at you eagerly, suction tugging on your clit until your insides throbbed helplessly.

He held onto your legs and pushed his face harder against you, sliding his tongue deeper inside you, shutting his eyes tight while he seemed to feed on your need until you had to grab on to the support beams on either side of your head. You felt him smile down there— cocky little shit— and go even harder.

The pleasure was heavy on your gut, like a weight keeping you pinned down, even though you longed so much to rock up into it for more. “I— oh my god…”

He moaned against you, the most perfect sound muffled by your body, his fingers digging a little harder into your soft skin. He was ruthless, and when you were nearly screaming, he just took it as a sign to go harder on you— he chased your pleasure fast enough that he had it captured in just a few minutes.

“I— I’m— oh god, Eddie,” you whined. “I’m… I’m so close…”

He nodded and hummed against you but refused to slow down for even a second, just shutting his eyes tighter as he focused all his strength into keeping your hips still so he had total control over the way his mouth took you apart piece by piece.

One of your hands shot down and took a tight hold on his hair, but his groan of pain actually sounded rather pleased. “Don’t stop, don’t stop,” you begged, “oh my god—”

Your neck craned back and your spine arched so hard you lifted off the bed for a second, and he just opened his mouth wide and left his tongue stuck out so you could ride it shamelessly, the fireworks going off behind your eyelids as your orgasm shook your body.

You said his name a few more times, not really meaning to but needing to, and his heavy breaths fanned over your flushed skin.

Only when you shakily sank back down into the bed, loosening your grip on his mane, did he break away and sit up to look down at you with a swallow and satisfied sigh.

“What’d you do that for?” you panted, unable to fight your own smile at the sight of his: wide and sparkling with slick that dripped down to his chin.

“‘Cause somebody oughta,” he explained, finally taking his shirt off all the way since you never actually got around to it.

“But I didn’t mean to come so fast…”

“It’s better this way— I already know I won’t be able to last long with you,” he admitted, leaning forward and capturing you in a messy kiss that tasted like— well, I bet you can guess what it tasted like. Wedding cake, of course!

His breathing was heavy, too, as he tried to divide his mental energy between kissing you and unbuttoning his tuxedo pants; once that was done he pushed them down his thighs just enough that he could guide your hand to his aching cock, and you let out a long whimper of a breath as you wrapped your fingers around it. God, it was literally hot, he must be burning up, and the drip of arousal running down made everything all smooth as you ran your fingers over the delicate skin.

“Put it in for me,” he instructed you under his breath, so as he lowered his hips down, you lifted your own a bit and guided him to your opening. He gasped before he was even inside, just feeling your heat on the very tip of his cock; and as he delicately slid in, you groaned and dropped your head back.

A deep satisfaction filled you— literally— when his hips were flush with yours, full to the brim and gasping as he laid down on top of you.

“So perfect,” he breathed as he brushed loose hair away from your face. “I love you so much.”

You really didn’t wanna cry right now, it would be stupid, right? It would be too weird. You reached up and grabbed onto the back of his neck to make him kiss you again. “I love you too,” you replied only when you were ready to say it without your voice breaking.

He started to move, careful and slow, and for some reason you just needed to say it again, mumbled into the kiss.

“I love you,” you repeated, reaching up to hold onto his back. He nodded against you with a sigh of his own.

“I know,” he promised, “I know…”

And even if he knew, it just felt good to finally say it, and not even feel bad about it— not a drop of guilt or regret or self-consciousness. That could wait for the morning.

Holding each other tightly, you found a steady pace— and then it was Eddie’s turn to hold onto one of the beams by your head as he buried his face in your neck. “God,” he grunted, “so fuckin’ wet— you’re dripping for me, sweetheart…”

Whimpering, you let your nails dig into his back and your legs wrap around his hips.

“Fuck,” he moaned, kissing your neck hungrily. The stretch inside you was pleasurable enough, but then with his lips and tongue and teeth on your pulse, a tingling feeling danced up your back and you nearly sobbed from how good it felt. And then he let go of the beam to toy with your hard nipple, and you thought you might lose your cool again right away. “Fuck!” he said again, louder, as he picked up his pace. “Y-you squeezed me so tight, baby, did you feel that? Oh my god…”

You hadn’t felt it, until he made you do it again, and you noticed that time with a wavering cry of his name.

“Promise me something,” he panted as he lifted his head to look down at our face. “Never stop saying my name like that.”

He kissed you before you could properly agree to it, slipping his hands under your back the next time it arched so he could hug you tightly as he thrusted much, much faster.

“Fuck, m’gonna come,” he whimpered, “I’m sorry— I really wanted to last longer, but god, you’re so— you— fuck!”

“S’okay,” you insisted, “just come— oh my god, Eddie, I want you to come—”

“Baby, baby,” he whined pleadingly as his head fell onto your shoulder, “don’t say that, I don’t want it to end so soon…”

“It doesn’t matter,” you promised, “just come, please, inside me—”

“Christ,” he blurted out, taking a tight hold of your hips and tossing his head back as his movements became a blur against your numbing, sticky walls. “I— fuck, you’re sure I don’t have to pull out?”

You nodded as you gripped his arms. “I’m sure, please please Eddie—!”

He gasped loudly and gave you an extra sudden, sharp thrust— and you started to feel it, his cock flexing in you, his heat flooding you, both of you panting as you started to still.

A long sigh accompanied his collapsing onto you, catching his breath between kisses all along your neck and face.

“I really, really tried not to come that fast,” he laughed breathlessly, and you just hugged onto his torso tighter.

“So did I,” you promised. “I-it’s fine, really… I’m definitely satisfied, I mean, fuck— that was… fuck.”

“Yeah…” he agreed.

And you both fell asleep in seconds. Because it was nearly two in the morning and you’d been working on the wedding shit all day and it was actually kind of a miracle you stayed awake long enough to do that in the first place!

You woke up hours later, the only light in the room just slivers of moonlight leaking through the window; he was behind you, holding you close, breathing on the back of your neck. You held on tighter to the arm in front of your chest, leaning your head back into his chest, not expecting him to stir and sleepily plant a kiss on your head.

“Are you awake?” you whispered so softly there was any noise, but he nodded.

“Barely,” he admitted. “You’re so warm…”

He hugged you tighter, then kissed you again— then lifted his head to kiss under your ear, by your jaw, just over your pulse…

You didn’t even mean to grind your ass into him, it was just that what he was doing made your back arch. “Sweetheart,” he breathed, and that made you even hotter. “I need you again.”

It was so easy to slide right in, your body still leaking his come from before, but even without that he could get you wet in seconds; you moaned lowly and tried to arch your back deeper to angle his cock just how you thought you wanted— but he grunted and pulled your back into his chest, wanting to feel as much of you as he could. It made the angle of his thrusts a bit less natural and yet it forced him to rub right against your spot, and you shut your sleepy eyes tighter at the feeling. “Fuck— like that, Eddie, just like that…”

He nodded in agreement and turned his gentle pecks on your shoulder into a full-on assault of tongue on anything he could reach, getting more desperate for you by the second.

That one lasted much longer— maybe hours, you were totally unable to keep track of time, but at some point he rolled you onto your stomach and rutted on top of you slowly. He never had to pick up his pace to send you right into your first orgasm… or the second.

“Oh my god,” you sighed, “I’ll come again, oh fuck—”

“Good,” he praised roughly right into your ear, voice gravelly from sleep, “good— keep coming. Don’t ever stop coming for me, baby, I love feeling it… I love hearing you, sound so fuckin’ pretty, sweetheart.”

You whined and bit your lip, reaching up to grab a handful of your pillow— but his hand reached over yours and interlaced his thick fingers with your shaking ones, soothing kisses trailing the side of your face as you sobbed softly. He kept praising you and you, following instructions, kept coming until it wasn’t really a matter of counting them anymore— it was just this never-ending feeling that swallowed you whole, which would be scary if you were alone. But he was right there with you, promising he’d never let you again.

It ended as gradually and softly as it started, and he hugged you into him for you to fall asleep again much more easily than you’d think after a wake-up like that. When you awoke for good, the sun was high in the sky. You couldn’t see the clock, because you were too busy looking up at his sleeping face, but you guessed it was at least nine or ten. It was the latest you’d slept in years.

You didn’t want to wake him up, but staring at him and playing with his hair didn’t satisfy you forever, so you started to plant tiny kisses on his chest, and that stirred him from sleep with a happy groan.

“Hey,” he greeted, and you weren’t ready to see his eyes again, in the light of the day, knowing how easily you’d given in to him after trying to resist for so many reasons for so long. You weren’t ready to wonder if this was just getting out some pent-up energy before parting for as long as you needed to be regular step-siblings.

You just shut your eyes and laid your head on his bicep as he sat up on his side to look at you.

“Sleep okay?” he asked, and you snorted.

“I mean, I slept great,” you smiled, “when I was sleeping.”

“Me too,” he agreed as he kissed your cheek. “Open your eyes, baby, I wanna see you.”

“Mmm…” you groaned in protest, burying your face in the pillow when he tried to hold it.

“C’mon,” he whined, “I miss you.”

“I’m right here!” you promised, but you gave in and let him turn your face towards him as your eyes blinked open. You were right— you weren’t ready. The way he was looking at you was impossible to ever move on from, and you’d never be able to do it if he asked you to.

“So, are we—?” he started.

“Don’t,” you said quickly, reaching up to lay a hand on his chest. “Don’t ask me what we are, okay? ‘Cause I don’t even know.”

“I… was just gonna ask if we were gonna go out for breakfast or cook ourselves,” he explained, and you felt a heat on your face in embarrassment. “I kinda worked up an appetite there, believe it or not.”

“Oh,” you sighed, “um, I can cook something.”

You made a move to get up and he pulled you back down. “N-no, wait,” he frowned.

“I thought you were hungry,” you noticed.

“Yeah… but I don’t want you to go,” he sighed, keeping you close. There was a brief pause as you laughed softly, his arm wrapping around you. “And also I wanna talk about that thing you don’t wanna talk about.”

“Ugh, Eddie,” you groaned, “can’t it wait a little longer?”

“Sure, but can I at least ask you to be my girlfriend first?” he requested.

“You know I can’t,” you sighed, “I’m already your stepsister.”

“See, here’s the thing— I was thinking about that earlier,” he explained, “and what I realized is that… I don’t actually… care, so—”

“What if I care?” you wondered.

“You can’t exactly make that argument when you’re naked in bed with me,” he noticed.

“Well, maybe it was—”

“Don’t tell me it was a mistake,” he interrupted firmly. “You’re not much of a liar— I was there, sweetheart, we both know that was the farthest thing from a mistake. All the time we spent not doing that was the mistake!”

You smiled, because you couldn’t deny that. Misguided? Sure. Poorly timed? Definitely. But nothing truly wrong could feel that right.

“We don’t have to call it, you know, that,” he offered, “boyfriend and girlfriend— if you don’t want to. As long as we’re together, it’ll be fine.”

“But people can’t know we’re together,” you insisted, “least of all Mom and Wayne.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

“What are we gonna do when they get back?” you wondered.

“Guess I’m gonna have to go—” he reached up and knocked his fist on the slats above you— “back upstairs.”

“I’ll miss you,” you whined, cuddling harder into him.

“Okay, I’ll come down after they go to sleep,” he decided, hugging you tighter as well.

You spent the rest of your week alone together for the honeymoon very… similarly to a honeymoon, actually. Damn near every room in the house was defiled and you were so exhausted you ended up calling in sick to work most days. It was well worth it, obviously; Eddie had so much energy and lost time to make up for, meanwhile you were just happy to let him shower you in affection and bring you in an hour more pleasure than you’d had in the rest of your life combined.

“God, I can’t, I really really can’t,” he insisted as your lips latched onto his neck and your hips grinded in his lap.

“You said that last time,” you remembered.

“I know, but now I mean it!” he sighed, dropping his head onto the back of the couch. “What are you doin’ to me, woman? Trying to kill me?”

“Maybe,” you giggled, licking his neck and purring as you felt the muscles in it shift under your tongue. “Isn’t this how you always wanted to die?”

“Yeah,” he admitted, “but I can’t croak so soon— you’d miss me too much.”

For all his insistence that he couldn’t go again, that ten times in four days was too much, he was guiding your movements in his lap hardly ten minutes later, watching with heavy eyes as you sank down onto his cock over and over.

“Fuck, so pretty,” he breathed, biting his lip while he drank in the sight. Thick hands ran up your thighs as you bounced on him, slipping around to grab palmfuls of your ass while you rode, and you moaned happily.

It’s easy to guess that you got a bit spoiled by that week. Eddie had you addicted to him in moments and kept you around his finger (sometimes literally) so easily. As such, it made you dread even more each day that you got closer and closer to the return of the newlyweds. You couldn’t even imagine going back to normal after this— and what even was ‘normal’ before? You never really had one.

Even if it was just a matter of keeping it a secret, you knew it wouldn’t be easy. Maybe if it had been easier, the plan would’ve lasted a bit longer.

They returned from their trip on a Wednesday afternoon, and you all sat at the table together to talk about how much fun they had and all the fishing and hiking and relaxing they did. It was good to see them again, but even just sitting across the table from Eddie felt odd. Even just being apart that night while you and your mom went out for dinner alone felt odd. Even just sleeping in separate bunks, after you chickened out on sharing from the fear that someone would burst in and see your cuddling, felt odd.

Eddie got up first, but he went to the bathroom to shower and shave before you got up so you couldn’t even try to sneak in a quick good morning kiss. Instead, you started preparing breakfast in the kitchen, taking a break to brush your teeth when the bathroom was free and he was watching TV. Other than offering to make him a piece of toast, you didn’t say much, mainly because you were still kind of waking up.

While you were finishing breakfast preparations you heard Eddie come into the kitchen and step up behind you, but you didn’t say anything, and neither did he for a second— not until he was standing just a bit too close.

“This is way too hard,” he whispered.

“Hm?” you wondered, shivering when his lips gently brushed against your neck in the next moment. “E-Eddie, we can’t—”

“I know,” he agreed under his breath, “that’s what’s so hard. Not being able to touch you, or kiss you, or…”

You were trying to resist, really, but his fingers were just barely tickling your sides through your shirt while his tongue teased your ear and it made your knees a little weak. Okay, a lot weak; you just had to let him spin you around so he could kiss you on the mouth, hard and needy.

You were so caught up by it that you didn’t hear the sound of movement on the other side of the wall. You just reached up to wrap your arms together on top of his shoulders and let him deepen it, tilting your head a bit as you fought back a moan.

He started to guide you back, and you barely questioned it, and the two of you all but fell into the dining room, nearly colliding the table; and it was a good thing you didn’t, since that would’ve put Wayne’s coffee at risk of falling off the table— he, by the way, was sitting at the table next to your mom, something neither of you had taken the time to notice, until the man gruffly cleared his throat to get your attention.

You pulled away from each other with a gasp; Eddie coughed lightly while you wiped your mouth with the back of your hand, wide-eyed as you took in the way the two of them were staring at you from their seats at the table.

“Good morning,” Wayne finally offered, and Eddie nodded with a nervous laugh as you tried to decide where to start.

“S-sorry,” you decided to say first, “we were— it’s not— he was just—”

He was just what, helping me decide if I should get a new flavor of toothpaste? He was just saying ‘good morning’ the European way? He was just helping me butter my toast? Oh god, that sounds even worse…

“Oh, you don’t need to act so shy about it,” your mom promised with a tilt of her head, which made you switch from shock to bewilderment. “I actually always thought it was strange you never kissed in front of us before now!”

Eddie raised one of his eyebrows as he looked at her in confusion. “Um… well, we never kissed at all before— before, you know, a couple days ago…”

“Wait, really?” she laughed. “That’s a little odd— being involved all this time and waiting so long to kiss?”

You blinked, choking as you tried to reply to that. “We— we weren’t involved! Until now!”

Wayne tried to cover his smile with his hand, but it couldn’t hide his laugh. Your mom looked at him and then back at you. “What?!” she yelped. “Wayne and I— we were so sure you two were—!”

“No!” you blurted out. “We weren’t… why would you think that?”

“Because it was obvious,” Wayne explained flatly. “We’re old, not stupid.”

“You were so clearly interested in each other!” she went on. “We figured you’d started dating and just didn’t tell us because— well, you didn’t need to! You really weren’t?”

“Of course not!” you insisted. “Mom, we’re— you know… related! Kind of. That doesn’t bother you?”

“It didn’t seem to bother either of you,” she noticed. “But, you’re both adults, you can do what you like. You were classmates long before Wayne and I ever met. People marry their high school sweethearts all the time.”

“O-okay, to be clear,” you stammered, “we went to high school together— but we were not sweethearts.”

Eddie gave you a look, crossing his arms as if he was amused by all this, and you shook your head.

“But— okay, well, thank you, I guess, for your… blessing,” you decided. “And we’ll… try not to kiss in the kitchen too often.”

That night, after saying goodnight to Mom and Wayne, Eddie followed you into your bedroom and shut the door behind you. He sat next to you on your bed, even though you kind of expected him to climb up to his own— but you didn’t have any complaints when he pulled you into a kiss that built quickly in intensity.

You brushed your fingers through his hair (as best you could with how tangled it was) and hummed as he gently held your waist, but when you were afraid you wouldn’t be able to control yourself if it went on much longer, you had to cut it short.

“Wait,” you gasped, pushing him back gently until he stopped and looked at you with big, wide eyes. “We can’t…”

“Why not?” he wondered.

“Because…” you trailed off, finishing your sentence by pointing in the other direction.

“Because…” he repeated, squinting his eyes as he looked where you were pointing. “Because, the wall? Aw, babe, I know I get a little carried away but I don’t think the walls are gonna collapse.”

“No, the other side of the wall,” you sighed.

“The bathroom?”

“The other side of that.”

“...the water heater?”

“Eddie!” you whined. “The other side of that!”

“The master bedroom, final answer,” he nodded. “What— Mr. and Mrs. Munson? What about ‘em?”

“Um, their… presence?” you clarified, not sure what he wasn’t getting.

“If they know we’re together then we don’t have to hide it,” he pointed out.

“That doesn’t mean I wanna fuck with them in the house,” you returned with a frown.

“I’m sure they’ll understand,” he smirked, “you know— if the bunk bed’s a-rockin’, don’t come a-knockin’ or something like that.”

“That’s… not a saying.”

“Okay, but, close enough,” he pouted.

“Still not having sex with you while our parents are home,” you insisted. He didn’t seem too disappointed, though— actually, a mischievous smile grew on his face as he looked at you.

“I noticed something,” he informed you. You raised your eyebrows and waited. “Your mom said people marry their high school sweethearts all the time. You said we weren’t sweethearts.”

“Yeah,” you agreed.

“But you didn’t tell her we weren’t getting married.”

Your eyes went wide and you bit your lip; he looked way too fucking proud of himself as he leaned in closer and poked you teasingly in the stomach with his fingers. You tried to lean away or cover yourself with crossed arms but it wasn’t working, and neither were your attempts to stifle your laughter.

“You’re soooo into me,” he noticed in a playfully mocking voice. “You wanna get maaarriiieeeddd—”

“N-no, I don’t,” you denied with an eye roll, “I— I just didn’t notice she said that.”

“You wanna have my baaaabbiiieeesss,” he continued anyways, and you nearly choked on your own throat.

“E-Ed, we’re too young for any of that right now,” you insisted.

“Okay,” he nodded, pausing for a second. “How about now?”

You snorted, shaking your head at your own amusement with such a stupid joke. “No, I mean, like, the future.”

“Future,” he affirmed, “as in, tomorrow?”

“No!” you groaned. “Like, someday!”

“Sunday?”

You whined and dropped your head on Eddie’s shoulder in defeat, making him laugh and reach up to rub your back. “You’re horrible,” you mumbled.

“Mhm,” he agreed as he softly kissed the top of your head. “Just promise me something?”

You lifted your head to rest your chin on his shoulder so he could see your face; he reached up and held it gently, caressing the height of your cheek with his thumb.

“You tell me when it’s ‘someday’, okay?” he asked softly. “I don’t care if it’s ten days from now or ten years. You just say the word, and we’ll do all that boring grown up stuff we’re not old enough for yet. Deal?”

You smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

He hummed and kissed the tip of your nose before gently capturing your lips again, holding your chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Oh,” he said suddenly as he pulled back, “by the way— you can keep my ring you took.”

“I… thought you forgot about that,” you admitted sheepishly, and he grinned, shaking his head.

“Of course not,” he cooed, “but it’s better that you have it, since you wanna be the next Mrs. Munson so bad.”

“I don’t—!” you began to disagree, but he cut you off with another kiss.

Someday came January 19th, 1988. It was a quiet day, but otherwise typical for life in your little rental place up in North Hawkins by the lake, which was usually filled with Eddie's raucous practicing on the Warlock alongside the hand-me-down furniture and framed (award-winning) photos on the wall.

Nothing specific made you realize it— he was just laying back on the couch and fiddling around on his acoustic (specifically his new acoustic you'd gotten him for his most recent birthday) while you arranged and rearranged the magazine spread due in a few days— but you just… knew that it was time.

“Wanna get married?” you blurted out, and he looked at you with a tinge of shock on his face before he smiled.

“You know I do,” he grinned. “Hop in the van, we’ll go to the courthouse—”

You interrupted him with a laugh as he was sitting up and setting his guitar aside. “I figured we would just start, like, planning it…”

He groaned disappointedly as he flopped back onto the couch. “You make me wait this long and then you say we have to wait more?”

“You don’t want a wedding?!” you scoffed.

“I do, but I’d rather get married now and just do the wedding whenever we have the time,” he explained. “Doesn’t it sound fun?”

You smirked. “Well, I figured once we were married you’d want kids right away. And I’m not interested in a maternity-bridal gown.”

“Y’sure? I think you’d be real cute like that,” he cooed.

"I think you should keep dreamin', pretty boy," you winked in return.

He hopped up off the couch and crossed the room to kiss you suddenly— holding your face in his hands, keeping you close, saying so much with no words at all. You fell into it so quickly that you were the one leaning forward for more when he pulled back. He smirked at you proudly; "So, courthouse?"

You sighed. "How come you always get your way with me? Why is that?"

"'Cause you're just so wildly, stupidly, counter-intuitively in love with me," he answered confidently.

"Oh, right," you smiled. "I almost forgot."

Eddie cleared his throat as he stood before all your family and friends— Jonathan, the Hellfire club, your coworkers and colleagues, your mom and stepdad, and even Eddie's father who had been granted furlough so he could attend. A small gathering, but still a crowd. You could tell he was nervous; you were, too, of course, and you looked down at your white dress and your hands holding his to try to remind yourself that this was real.

"Well, um, hi," he addressed them before he began the vows he'd written and rehearsed a thousand times for today. "Bet you never thought you'd see me in a suit, right?"

THE END

#eddie munson x reader #stepbrother!eddie munson x reader #eddie munson smut

2K notes · View notes

its-vannah · 1 year

Text

Labyrinth | Jacaerys x Reader

A/N: This was so fun to write, y'all.

Warning: Death, arranged marriage, age gap, mentions of marrying young

Midnights Masterlist

You had spent nearly your whole life betrothed to Cregan Stark. Although he was quite a bit older than you—nearly seven years—your parents had agreed that it would be a good match.

Throughout the years, you had felt a sense of comfort in knowing what your future held. You were to be wed at seventeen, something your parents had insisted on as it was neither too young nor too old, with child before your twentieth name day, and a respected Lady of the House of Stark.

I'll be getting over you my whole life

But that all came crashing down when Cregan was killed in battle. For the first time in over a decade, you felt a sense of instability.

"It only hurts this much right now"

Naturally, your family still wanted you married off. After searching for and wide for a suitor, they settled on someone you never would have expected: Jacaerys Velaryon.

It only feels this raw right now

But you were devastated. You had grown to see Cregan as a friend. Although you hadn't been in love with one another, you felt comfortable in each other's presence, which was something not many Lord's and Ladies could say about one another.

That everybody just expects me to bounce back

On the way to Dragonstone, your mother had warned you not to dwell on things you couldn't change. Your heart broke at her words. You loved Cregan, couldn't she see that you were grieving?

Never trust it if it rises fast

Not daring to respond to her comments, you turned away from her, gazing out the carriage as you neared the castle.

Breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, breathe out

The closer the carriage came to the castle, the more your heart began to pound in your chest. What if the prince wasn't looking for a wife? Would he even acknowledge your presence? What is he like? Is he kind of cruel?

All of these questions raced through your head as the carriage doors swung open.

The man who had opened the doors held out his hand to you, which you took gratefully as you climbed down the stairs.

Finally meeting the man's eyes, realization hit you: this wasn't a commoner, this was the prince.

He smiled gently at you, your hand still in his. Bowing, he pressed a kiss to the top of your hand, gazing up at you, "It's a pleasure to meet you, my Lady."

Was what I was thinking the whole time

As much as you hated yourself for it, grief practically went out the window at that moment. The kids he had placed upon your hand ignited a spark deep inside you. Never in your life had you felt the way you did in that moment.

Lost in a trance, you only snapped back to reality when he released your hand, introducing himself to your mother.

Still in a state of shock, you took a deep breath, looking around the courtyard.

It can't last

You could get used to this. But your mind was telling you it wouldn't last.

-------------------------------

Queen Rhaenyra walked side by side with you in the gardens, a gentle smile on her face as you passed by countless rose bushes.

"Tell me, Lady Y/N, were you close with Lord Stark?" She asked, putting a sympathetic hand on your back.

You sighed, "We had become friends over the years, and I knew him well. I miss him greatly, but I wasn't..."

Trailing off, you remembered that she never asked you whether or not you loved him. So you refrained from sharing that bit.

"Wasn't...?" The Queen asked, "Did you love him?"

You know how much I hate

Damnit.

Shaking your head, you met her blue eyes, "No, my Queen, I don't believe I did. Not in the way a woman should love her husband. But as a friend."

She nodded, "I believe you'll find happiness with my son. Jace was good friends with Cregan, as well, so this hasn't been easy for him. But before Lord Stark passed, Jace promised him that he'd take care of you."

Just like that

Your head snapped towards her, "Why in Westeros would he do that?"

Rhaenyra laughed at your sudden curiosity, "My son is a man of duty and honor. He cares deeply for those around him, and he wanted to ensure that you would be taken care of, as he promised his old friend. He didn't want you married off to the next man offered his hand."

Lost in the labyrinth of my mind

Your head was spinning. Had he really done all of this to ensure that you wouldn't be married off to man who could care less about you, only your ability to provide heirs.

Reading your silence, a small smile spread on the Queen's lips, "I'm rather tired, Lady Y/N. I believe Jace is in the study I'd you'd like a word with him. I have some manners to attend to."

Patting your back once more, she turned and walked away.

You were beginning to like Dragonstone—but once again, your head warned you against getting attached.

-------------------------------

Walking past two guards standing on opposite sides of the door, you cleared your throat when entering the study, "Pardon, Prince Jacaerys, but do you have a moment?"

The young prince turned towards you, the soft light from the window shining down on his face.

Smiling, he took a few steps towards you before sitting on the edge of his desk, "What can I do for you, my Lady?"

"I wanted to thank you."

He raised a brow, "For?"

How'd you turn it right around?

"The Queen told me of the measures you took to ensure I wouldn't be married off to someone who wouldn't provide or care for me," You explained, "It touched me to know that someone cared about my well being despite never having met me."

You would break your back to make me break a smile

"Well," He said, clearing his throat, "I know you now."

Crossing the room to stand beside you, you placed a hand atop his, "Really, my Prince, thank you. For everything."

He smiled down at you, "It was the honorable thing to do. And I stand by my choice. But I can't help but say I'm surprised."

"Surprised? By what?"

Jace bit down on his lips, "Cregan never told me how beautiful you were. How kind, observant."

Uh-oh, I'm falling in love

Heat spread across your cheeks at his comments, "I thank you, Prince Jacaerys."

Oh no, I'm falling in love again

"Call me Jace, please, we'll be wed soon enough."

Oh, I'm falling in love

A smile on your face, you nodded, "Thank you, Jace."

837 notes · View notes

hotchlove · 23 days

Text

Trustworthy | Reader X Aaron Hotchner

hi!!! welcome to my first one-shot fanfic :) i had a blast writing this and hope u'll have even more fun reading it.

• i take requests! plsss dm me or leave them here if u have anything fun you'd like me to write. it can be angst, anytype of trope, smut, etc. • PLZ NOTE: i ONLY do oneshots. they differ from long to short depending on the character and story. i do not write series! • trustworthy - 3.1k+ words (i got carried away D:) • desc.: - quite a bit of angst - probable inaccurate description of readers job - happy ending ♡

• • • • ~ ʚĭɞ ~ • • • • ~ ʚĭɞ ~• • • • ~ ʚĭɞ ~• • • • ~ ʚĭɞ ~ • • • •

it's been about five or six months since i've joined the behavioral analysis unit in the fbi. it's not like i've been counting the days...

who am i kidding? it's been exactly 191 days - whereas like 2 of those days my boss, SSA Aaron Hotchner, was actually nice to me.

those being my first two shifts.

on the third day, i had to make a spontaneous choice whilst on a case - one that, sure, was reckless and stupid and to quote hotch "unprofessional", but i managed to save many unpredictable lives with that choice.

we were on a case in miami, a state the team hasn't visited yet up until that day.

it was a 3h flight but it was a big case, so those hours flew on by as garcia briefed us. a 36 year old mother recently lost her teenage child to the hands of a drunk and supposedly has had hallucinations of her late child telling her to kill other kids, as revenge, i'm guessing - spooky, right?

i suggested manic schizophrenia - clear symptoms and obvious manic signs (the killings). that suggestion kind of cleared the foggy air on the jet. hotch gave me a nod of approval and i felt pretty damn proud of myself, it was only my third day after all.

on the third and last day, we finally cornered the woman on a traffic free highway. she had no where to run, agents were surrounded all around her - but she was holding a shotgun. the simple way out would've been having one of our federal snipers shoot her - but i couldn't let that happen. she killed the children of many, and letting her die a painless and simple death just didn't feel right.

i swatted the snipers away, the red laser that was planted on her forehead now gone. i throw my gun on the floor and pretend to surrender, hands up. "you remind me of my mother." i tell her, my arms up.

"Y/N." hotch warns me. his eyebrows furrow as he sees me now weaponless, basically staring the shotgun in it's eyes. i don't turn to him, i don't even acknowledge him. "she tried so hard to protect me." i say and walk tiny steps towards the woman, who now walks backwards to avoid me.

"stop! one more move and i-i'll shoot." no she won't. "she basically devoted her life to making sure i remain scratchless and pure." i chuckle.

"well, look how that turned out. i've got scars all over my body and a fun memory to come with all of them." i get even closer to her. "i know how you feel. i know how much you miss him." the woman cries and nods.

"i do. i really do. what did i do wrong?!" she yells and she points the shotgun at me. "i protected him like he was made out of glass, whilst other mothers - bad ones - let their kids wander everywhere alone."

hotch jumps a little seeing the woman point her hefty gun at me. "Y/N. move." he warns, his tone as stern as his expression.

i shake my head but don't look back. "other mothers - bad ones - still have their kids. and mine," her tears fall. "my baby boy got swept off his feet the only time - an exception - when he got to walk home alone from school." she cries.

"you're right. you did everything right," i reassure her and walk even closer, only 10 meters standing between me and the shotgun barrel.

"except you forgot one thing," i scoff. "teaching him to grow the fuck up."

bang.

the gun drops to the floor shortly after she shoots. morgan runs towards her, putting the metal cuffs on her wrist. he reads her rights and takes her to the sheriffs wagon that was parked just 2 minutes away.

the bullet didn't hit me - she had no idea how to take an accurate shot. god, she barely even held that shotgun - the weight of it almost holding her instead of the other way around.

"agent Y/L/N!" hotch runs towards me, i pick myself up. "we got he-" i get interrupted by him. "what is wrong with you?!" he yells.

"are you actually insane? i gave you a direct order to move. do you think of me as a fool?" he yells, his voice basically growling.

"excuse me? i just basically handed her to you." i say, offended he's yelling at me for doing my job. "and in the process you almost got your head blown off." he's even angrier as i talk back.

"head blown off?" i scoff. "hotch, the woman couldn't even hit a giant red target if she tried. it was a risk i had to ta-" he interrupts me again.

"no- no, agent. it wasn't. you put your life on the line to appear macho infront of everyone here." he puts his pistol in it's holder and crosses his arms, taking slow but sure steps towards me. "you took control of the case like you're a veteran - but actually, you're just a rookie that will probably quit in the span of 2 months because you'll realise you can't do this." he growls again. that one hurt. "badge and gun. you're flying back to quantico tonight. i'll put in a request for a two week suspension as soon as i am back." he holds out his hand, waiting for me to hand him my gun and badge. my eyebrows furrow. "what?" my mouth parts - speechless. "you can't be serious." i say, unsure if he is. he's silent for an entire minute.

so he is serious. i give in - i have to, he's my boss, so i hand him my badge and my gun. without saying anything, i walk away. leaving the crime scene, wasn't authorized to be there anymore anyway. and ever since that day, 188 days ago, aaron hotchner has got it in for me.

everyones sitting in the briefing room except me and garcia. i walk in 2 minutes late and excuse myself, "sorry, lost track of time." JJ nods and hotch says "you own a watch, don't you, agent?" his angry expression once again tainting his face.

god i'd pay a ridiculous amount of money to punch him just once. "yes, sir. will not happen again." i reassure.

no one calls hotch sir except me. it's kind of a unspoken rule - the others are close to him, which i am not. which i will probably never be, considering he still judges my mistake as a way to not trust me with anything.

garcia walks in just a minute after me "sorry, guys, kevin was blabbing and blabbing and i could not get him to shut up." she says and smiles awkwardly. "it's fine" hotch says. "everyone's allowed to be late - once." he raises an eyebrow and looks at me.

just one punch.

JJ briefs us on the case and tells us the local police department doesn't want us there - so she's going to have to convince them, which can take a day or two. i don't mind - i was honestly not in the mood for a flight today. everyone goes back to their every day business. files, reports, coffee and smalltalk in the kitchen - or for morgan and garcia, friendly flirting in her office.

me and spencer are both stirring a fresh cup of good ol' joe in the kitchen, talking - or well, he's talking - about some new physics crap. i just nod and pretend i understand.

the color of the beige wall behind him looks particularly interesting today. he keeps explaining and suddenly goes "BOOM!" his hands wide and i jump a little at the noise - spilling coffee all over my pink blouse. i look at him annoyed, "oh my god. i will murder you." he can't contain his laugh and bursts, "i was just demonstrating!" then goes running out of the kitchen before i can get to him. i sigh and look at my now brown blouse - this would be awfully devastating if i didn't have a go-bag. i place my almost empty mug in the kitchen sink and head towards my tabe - emily giving me a curious stare. "what happened to you?" she scoffs, "physics." i reply and take my go-bag, fishing out the only blouse i have - a white one.

emily just nods at my remark and goes back to her file as if it was the most normal thing ever. considering it's me - it probably was. i change in the ladies room and scrunch my coffee splattered blouse into a ball. standing infront of my mirror i realise how see-through this blouse is - especially with a pink bra that i wore just for the pink blouse. "you have got to be kidding me." my eyes widen. it's really not that bad, but it's noticeable. so noticeable HR might force us all into a "appropriate clothing" seminar tomorrow. i really don't have much of a choice so i walk out like that, hoping or praying no one notices. my hope is diminished when i meet garcia in the bullpen, holding her palm to her hand so she doesn't burst out laughing. "not a word, garcia." i look at her, my eyes shooting arrows. thank god for kevin, as he comes and pecks her lips, her surpressed laughter now gone like the wind. saved by the bell. or well, by a kiss. i sit down at my table and keep working on my reports - if i slouch down enough you really can't see it. i'm a great problem solver. a rough, deep voice calls my name from a distance, "agent Y/L/N, my office, please." hotch says standing in his doorway. my head drops in defeat - i really have no luck today. i grab the file i was working on and hold it on my chest, basically hugging it - it makes me look weird but not weirder than having my pink bra open for everyones eyes. i stand infront of his door, mumbling to myself about how i hate my life and knock twice. "come in" hotch says, his eyes glued to his computer. "sir. you wanted to see me?" he nods and tells me to sit down, still not looking up. and so i do, i sit down and keep hugging my file like it's gonna grow legs and walk away. he finally raises his head and looks at me. his eyebrows furrow at the sight of me holding for dear life on the file, "is that for me?" he asks. "huh?" the file. "oh, no- i just really like this file." i smile awkwardly and his mouth parts as if he wanted to say something more, but he doesn't. the embarassement i'm feeling right now could wash half the population off of the earth. "you're gonna have to be transfered to a different unit." he says and coughs, his throat sounding almost dry as he barely speaks that sentence. my eyes widen to 3x their size, "what? but i didn't do-" i take a breath. "i didn't do anything wrong? you're just gonna transfer me? just like this? wh- i don't get it." i rise from my seat not realising i let my file drop. he stares at my chest and then back to my eyes like 10 times till i realise. i heastily grab the file again, sit back down and cover my chest back up, "i spilled coffee on my other blouse." i explain. hotch sighs, "it wasn't my decision. strauss wants you gone." he coughs again. "i tried to convince her, agent." i scoff. sure he did. he was probably the first one to agree to the transfer. "you're joking, right?" i stand up once again, file still in my embrace. "i know you want me gone. i just know you were the first one to agree with strauss decision." i raise my voice slightly. "wanting me gone is one thing, so is transferring me - but lying about it? you're pathetic." hotch's eyebrows furrow. he doesn't seem angry, he just seems.. apologetic? "agent, listen to m-" this time i interrupt him, "i'm done listening," i drop the file on his table "here. it's yours now." i exit his office but notice in my peripheral vision that he stood up, as if wanting to follow me. all eyes are on me and how i storm to my desk, either that or my pink bra. but i don't care. i grab my bag and jacket, my files still scattered around my desk - but they're not mine anymore, so why should i care? "Agent Y/L/N." hotch calls and exits his office, i ignore him and just keep walking. "Y/N." he calls me by my first name now. i notice the elevator is about to leave so i ask the person in it to hold it, a hand splitting the doors as i manage to walk in just in time, aaron standing 10 feet away looking defeated. --

i took a cold shower as soon as i got home to calm my nerves. didn't help much but pretending it did helps. got myself dressed in a large shirt and some raggedy pyjama pants and poured myself a glass of red wine. then another one. i'm reliving today in my thoughts - why did i get fired from the bau? and why did aaron - sorry, hotch - lie? everyone knows he despises me and wanted me gone as soon as possible, and he did so, why lie then? i gulp down another sip of wine and hear a knock at my door. if this isn't the chinese food i ordered i'll be heavily disappointed. i open the door without checking who it is and see hotch standing infront of my apartment door, the arms of his dress shirt folded up to his elbows and his jacket held on his shoulder by his hand. he looks pissed. like always but worse. "what are you doing here? i don't need to transfer to another apartment, do i?" i mock him and cross my arms. "can i come in?" he asks with a stern expression. "why?" i look at him, awaiting an explanation. i'm not just gonna let my asshole boss into my apartment with no plausible reason. "we need to talk. please." his expression changes and my heart breaks a little. i don't know why. i hate him. he's rude and selfish and made me doubt my career. but i let him in anyways. i take a seat on a bar stool at my kitchen island, sipping on my red wine waiting for him to say what he has to say. "i didn't request your transfer. i didn't agree with strauss either." i scoff but he keeps talking before i can, "but i couldn't disagree either." i knew it. god this motherf- "you got offered a unit chief position." he says and my eyes widen. "it's gonna be great for your career. it's a better pay and everything." he walks towards me and chuckles, "you'd be in a higher department than me, and that within just 6 months of working at the fbi." my eyebrows furrow, he better not be playing with me because i'm believing every second of it. "i didn't want you gone. you're an amazing agent and we," he gulps. "i was so lucky to have you. but i can't deny you a promotion out of my own selfish reasons." my mouth parts as i inhale a small breath. this is.. unexpected, to say the least. "hotch, i'm so sorry for going off at you like that." he shakes his head, "don't apologise. i know how i've been treating you and it was unfair. and totally unprofessional." he takes small steps towards me, stopping just infront of me. he swipes a strand of hair behind my ear and my body freezes - his warm fingers slightly touching my ear, his gaze so soft. i've never seen him so vulnerable before. "i care for you. and even though i handled it poorly, i thought i'd lose you on just your third day." he exhales and his arms now cross. "i couldn't let that happen. so ever since, i thought going hard on you would cause you to be more careful, less reckless." his head drops and his eyebrows furrow. "i know it was selfish, and god did i hate seeing you on the verge of tears everytime i had to discipline you." he looks me straight in the eyes, they no longer shoot fire arrows, they shoot soft looks and quick smiles as his mouth curls a little. "i'm sorry, Y/N. and i hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me." he closes his eyes and leans forward, placing a kiss on my cheek. i stand there, still frozen. i don't manage to say anything but i notice him moving. leaving. he grabs his jacket and twists the doorknob on my door without a word. "wait -" i manage to blurt out and he turns around, surprised. i walk towards him in a very quick manner, basically sprinting. if me two hours ago was put in this position, i'd finally take swing at the punch i've been begging for. but i don't. instead, i cup his cheeks in my hands and kiss him.

he doesn't react at first, the kiss starting slow, but then he grips at my waist tightly and pulls me towards him. he grins into the kiss and it feels like he just wants to eat me whole. he's greedy, unwilling to share, like he's wanted this for a while. i break the kiss so i can take a couple of breaths, he doesn't let go of my waist and looks me in the eyes. "i'm really sorry" his thumb carressing my left cheek. "you've said that."

"not enough." his lips land on mine again, this kiss shorter, more like a peck. his strong arms embrace me and my head lays on his broad chest. "isn't this unprofessional? a boss and his subordinate?" i ask as he hugs me tightly, "you're not my subordinate anymore, though, uniet chef Y/L/N." i chuckle into his embrace and pull myself away from him, looking into his eyes. "what if i don't take the job?" his eyebrows furrow and he shakes his head, "you have to, it's an amazing offer." i shrug and look up at the ceiling. "maybe. i kinda like my current work place though, i'd be willing to go back. unless of course my snarky boss won't take me." i grin playfully and he kisses my forehead. "monday 8:00 o'clock. don't be late this time."

#aaron hotchner #hotch x reader #hotchner x reader #thomas gibson #fanfic #oneshot #criminal minds #bau team

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silvervioletvalentine · 11 months

Text

🏑!American boy! 🏑

Pairing: Quinn hughes x OC F1 driver Cherrie Valentine

Word count: 11k

Summary: in which she swears she’ll never be as stupid as her brother and fall in love in America when her whole life is back in Monaco.

Or ; the week of falling in love.

Warnings- fluff. Cherrie a bit of a drama queen, rich bitch? A bit of crapping on backward caps and america? I don’t even know. Mostly fluff I think . Cute shit ya know.

A/N -okay I know this is like, a world away from my usual f1 driver fics but I’ve been having writers block then I watched a hockey game and remembered the huge crush I used to have on Quinn. Apparently it’s not gone so. Wrote this. I don’t know. First nhl oneshot… soooo, kinda a small glimpse I guess. Might write more for Quinn maybe. Anyways. Let me know what u think xoxo

The scowl could not be wiped from Cherries face as she stared down her brother , who was laying casually against the couch snacking on candy like he wasn't the one that had pleaded for her to be here like a cry baby.

The French woman couldn't believe the nerve her brother had to drag her from beautiful , warm and luxurious monaco and have her travel all the way to... Vancouver . Only to greet her with a casual 'hey' and a head nod like he hasn't went nearly six months without seeing his sister.

"I can't believe this." Her accent was thicker than his was, seeing as her brother had been living in America for a couple of years now. Travelling around like a wayyard hippy , sending her selfies every weekend of some new destination.

She was happy for him. He had spent months of the year flying out to her races and staying back in Monaco with her too. Up until this year when her brother had declared himself in love and suddenly wanting to settle down. In Vancouver. She just couldn't believe it.

She was feeling more than a little annoyed and bitter about his sudden decisions. Certain that he wasn't thinking this through properly , having always thought that her brother would end up living somewhere a little closer to her.. at least within france. That had been the plan. But now some American girl had apparently bewitched her lovesick brother and now he didn't want to leave at all.

Instead he was making her fly all the way out here to a place she did not want to be in. At all.

Cherrie was Monaco. She was Milan. She was Paris. She was €3000 white jeans and dainty diamonds, she liked the high life. Just like her French mother who was also having a crisis at the thought of her son settling down in America of all places. Something that Cherrie and her mother liked to rant about at brunch in Monaco , a far cry from the life that Leon was living here.

She kind of wanted to cry. Kind of wanted to drag him back home with her too. She missed her brother and she didn't want him to be so far away.

So she couldn't help but be a little upset . And a little pissy with his decisions , even if he was happy. She wasn't. And she liked things her own way. No way else.

"Why would you want to stay here leon? This is like-this is like a -" she didn't even have words for it as she glanced around the boring mans apartment that looked like teenage boys lived in it. Messy and bland, no taste at all.

She wanted to be sick. "Nightmare! You're turning into a fratboy like on those shows! You're even-" she swallowed in disgust as she stared in horror at her brothers head. "-you're wearing a cap backwards!" She couldn't believe it.

What had happened to her linen pant wearing brother who wouldn't be seen dead without his fancy shirts and Rolex?

He was lounging on the couch in grey joggers, a jersey and backwards cap! Cherrie thought she was going to be sick. Maman was going to have a stroke!

Leon just rolled his eyes at his sisters dramatics, used to het snobby and judging behaviour by now. She never did like anything unless it was done her way. But he loved her none the less. Hence why he had wanted her to come visit him so badly, wanted to show her that it wasn't so bad here.

That it could be home. In more ways than one.

"Don't be so ridiculous. This is the style here. I look cool." He told her matter of factly , always happy to fit in. "Would you just relax?" He exclaimed.

She shot him a look "relax?" She scoffed , eyeing him judgmentally. "You're living like a fratboy in America! Poor maman is having a crisis! She thinks this is a cry for help!" She shot back at him , unimpressed as she glanced around his apartment "I'm starting to think she's right! You've traded Monaco for Vancouver! Who would do this?!" She just didn't get it.

Her brother merely sighed and told her "a man in love would. Sarah is the love of my life Cherrie. She makes this place feel like home." With a lovesick smile on his face, unashamed . Not bothered by the disgusted look he was receiving from his sister.

She was cringing , horrified . "Love? Love couldn't keep me here. This is insane! Nobody is worth this!"

Leon rolled his eyes again "what do you know? You've never been in love but one day you will be and you'll get it then." He tried convincing her. Unable to wait for the day that she understood.

He just hoped that it was soon. His sister was far too cold and cynical recently . Her life was racing, champion and Diamonds. No time for love apparently. He just wanted her to be happy , to have a taste of what it felt like to not need anything but the embrace of your partner to feel happiness. It was a special feeling.

Cherrie just wasn't having it. Too stubborn to take him seriously . "I would never live in America for a guy. I'll fall in love with a Frenchman if anything. Much easier." She muttered unimpressed with him as she clutched her purse to her, feeling her phone buzz in her pocket. No doubt her new friends for the night asking where she was. Having planned to get some drinks and have some fun.

Leon just smirked a little, looking at her confidently. "I bet you that you'll grow to love it here. There's just something about it.." he sighed happily "I promise you. By the end of the week you won't want to leave." He told her.

Cherrie couldn't have laughed any louder if she tried. "Ha! I don't think so! But whatever.. are you coming with me?" She had mentioned her clubbing plans to him earlier. Wanting to party so it felt still a little like home.

Unfortunately leon shook his head "I can't. I'm having beers with the guys . They’re coming over and we're gonna watch the game..." he trailed off once he noticed her disbelieving look. "What?"

She just couldn't believe it "you’re turning too American! Are you trying to hurt my and mamans heart leon? Because you're breaking them!" She dramatically let him know. Upset that so much was changing lately. She hated it.

Leon just snorted, used to her guilt tripping behaviour. It had no affect on him whatsoever. She was a drama queen. Always had been and always would be.

"Shut up." He groaned "and the guys are really nice alright? So I want you to be.." he looked at her seriously.

She just looked at her brother with a confused frown, not understanding him. Hating that she was sounding more French than he did. Hating that his accent was fading so quickly. Hating it all.

"To be what? I'm not talking to them. They're your friends not mine!" She was quick to let him know. Wanting no part in it.

Leon looked at her in disbelief "you have to talk to them for that exact reason Cher! Plus they've been asking about you. They're big fans!" He told her with a grin. Amused by the way his sister managed to capture everyone's attention even when she wasn't even there.

It didn't help that he bragged about her every chance he got. He was very proud of her. He made sure everyone knew what a legend she was. Always. Including his new friends who couldn't believe that his sister was THE Cherrie Valentine. F1 driver and two times world champion. Hopefully 3 soon.

She was a star all around the world. And ever since drive to survive had hit Netflix , everybody knew her name now. Even outside of the usual f1 fans. She was popular . That was an understatement. People either loved her or absolutely hated her. She was known at his ice queen who was more mean than she was nice. Beautiful but deadly. She had everyone hooked.

Cherrie simply didn't give a shit about what anyone thought of her. All she cared about was winning another championship , her family and convincing her brother to come home. That was it.

"Oh no. I don't like talking to new people! You can't make me!" She almost whined, hating making new friends. She didn't want any nor did she need any. She had her close circle And that was enough.

Leon let out a small laugh "you sound like Quinn's inner dialogue. He hates meeting new people too." He muttered in amusement. Having a feeling that the two would get along great if his sister wasn't so scary and stubborn.

Unfortunately he had a horrible feeling that she'd scare him off and make him wish that he had never met her. He crossed his fingers and prayed that she would be nice for once.

"Sounds like a smart guy." She simply replied running a hand through her hair, checking out her tight dress in the mirror. Making sure she looked good. "But I still don't want to-"

"All I'm asking is that you be nice! I'm not asking you to marry them. God! I'm just asking that you filter yourself a little!" He argued, exasperated with her already. And she had only been here not even a day.

She was offended "I will be myself. Thank you. And If they don't like it then that's their problem." She snapped back at him, annoyed. Stomping to the door in her high heels. "Goodbye leon! Maybe by the time I get back you will have found your brain again!"

Her brother simply laughed "and maybe you'll stop being such a bitch!" He shook his head to himself in amusement as he heard her muttering curses in French, cursing out America and him before she slammed the door behind her in a mood. "I don't think so." He muttered grinning.

It was nearly eleven by the time his friends finally started asking Leon about his sister again, Jack and Trevor grinning at him, excited at the thought of meeting her.

"Is she really as scary as everyone says she is?" Trevor wanted to know. Passing them all another round of beers as they paused their game of fifa for a moment to chat.

Leon chucked a little, looking at them in amusement. Jack looking equally as intrigued , Quinn was merely relaxing back into the couch quietly, not speaking. Just listening.

"She really isn't!" He wanted them to like her, wanted to paint her in the best light.

“She's actually really nice. She's just a bit-" of a bitch

"-blunt and lacking a filter sometimes. So I guess it intimidates people. But she's actually - deep down- really lovely and such a sweetheart-"

His exaggerated truth was abruptly cut off by the slamming of his front door hitting against the wall making them all nearly jump out of their skin. Jack gasped a little in fright while Trevor nearly dropped his beer, Quinn flinching a little in shock as they all glanced over to the hallway quickly.

"Just socialise a little more Cherrie! Go out and have some fun!" She mocked her mother's voice in Annoyance as she stormed inside in a fury, too angry to realise that he wasn't alone.

“And you know that got me ?! A fucking slap to the face! This bitch-"

"Cherrie-" he brother tried to warn her, already wincing in embarrassment as they all watched her throw her bag to the side in anger. Stomping into the open kitchen without even glancing at him, a bright pink hand mark on her cheek.

"God that's insulting bitches by calling her that!" She scoffed angrily. Furious even.

"she was crazy! Screaming at me about her boyfriend as though it was my fault that he's a cheater! He failed to mention her stupid ass when he was trying to shove his tongue in my-" she turned around ready to rant to her brother about her horrible night when she froze up at the sight of three other pairs of eyes watching her in both shock and amusement.

"Oh." She breathed out with a grimace "American boys."

She suddenly remembered about Leon telling her that he was having his new friends over, a little too late.

She glanced between them carefully , eyes lingering on the dark haired guy on the loveseat for a little longer than necessary before she looked away, inhaling deeply.

Fucking shit. She thought.

"Nice night?" Trevor joked with a smirk , wide eyes looking at her in awe. Jack not too far off, his mouth had even dropped open as they all stared at the world champion in front of them in a tiny black dress and killer heels with a slapped cheek, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else but there.

She just glanced at her brother with a wince "je suis désolé. I forgot." She muttered . Not knowing whether to just walk past them to her room or god forbid... speak to them.

Fucking hell.

Leon just chuckled "it's alright. This is Jack and Trevor.." he nodded to the two wide eyed guys next to him with a small smirk "and the quiet one over there is Quinn." He told her.

She just nodded her head, briefly glancing over at Quinn again. Seeing him already looking up at her , only to look away as soon as she met his eyes.

She frowned "bonjour." Was all she said, eyeing the hallway behind them. Wondering if she could just slip away without her bother scolding her for being rude.

"Oh my god. You're even hotter in person. You look amazing." Trevor breathed out, snapping out of his shock as he tried to send the Frenchwoman a wink. Jack chuckling beside him , shaking his head at him.

Quinn just looked at him, unimpressed. Fighting the sudden urge to roll his eyes as he glanced subtly back over to Cherrie , eyes lingering on her as he watched her shift on her feet. Clearly not impressed either.

He tried not to smile as he saw her looking blankly back at Trevor , not even hesitating in shutting him down.

"I take it you're one of the boys getting my brother to wear his caps backwards?" She sniffed , disinterested.

A Frenchman had once told her in a bar that she was as beautiful as a field of rare flowers in a dream.

Getting called hot didn't faze her at all.

He nodded proudly , not picking up on her distaste for it at all. Jack slowly turned his cap back the right way , fighting back a laugh as he did so.

Briefly looking over at his brother only to see Quinn’s eyes still on Cherrie , his lips quirked up as he lifted his hand up to his face to hide his smile. Jacks eyebrow rose in surprise , not expecting that reaction at all from his quite, timid older brother.

"Yeah. Looks good huh?" He grinned. Leon laughing at the look on his sisters face.

"Pierre does it too. I told him he looks like a stupid jackass." She simply said before turning around to get herself a glass of water , hoping to sober up quicker.

The slap to the face had been a real mood killer.

Trevor paused "wait..you don't like the look?" He said offended. Looking at Jack in disbelief once he saw his cap the right way forward again.

Cherrie just shrugged boredly as she sipped at her glass, not even glancing at them anymore. Wondering how the hell she was going to enjoy a full week here. Already missing Monaco. French boys and champagne.

"It reminds me of boysluts-" her brother laughed quietly "fuckboys." He quickly corrected her already knowing what she meant. She just rolled her eyes and muttered "same thing."

"Very American I suppose." She sighed , homesick. Kicking off her heels and losing six inches to her height, Quinn's eyebrow raising in amusement as he watched her fall back to barely 5,6. He wondered how she even walked in such things. Surely her ankles must be killing her?

He watched her wince and rub her claves together and pressed his hand further against his mouth , wondering why he was fighting back a smile so badly. Wondering why he was even thinking so much about the woman in front of him at all. She clearly didn't like them. Clearly wasn't happy being here..so why couldn't he tear his eyes away from the moody , insanely fucking beautiful Frenchwoman?

Jack laughed loudly "well you are in America. Sorry to burst your bubble." He teased , having already been clued in by Leon about how pissed off his sister was about being there instead of sweet Monaco.

“It's nice to meet you finally though. I thought Leon was lying when he told us that his sister was the current world champion." He said hoping to make friends with her, he had to try. Being Cherrie valentines friend was a one off chance. One in a million.

He was going to be her friend whether she liked it or not.

Leon grinned to himself, knowing this. Trevor and Jack weren't going to be scared away easily. Trevor was already trying to put a cap on his sisters head, unafraid of the glares she was sending his way.

Batting his hand away from her with a loud sigh "I know. I can't believe it either sometimes. I am the amazing , talented one of the family. Leon is just the.." she smirked at her brother "idiot. Stupid in love and stupid in America apparently. Quite a difference." She couldn't help the jab. Petty as ever.

Unfazed, her brother just snickered. "Okay miss ice queen. Just because you don't believe in love-"

Quinn repeated quietly in disbelief "you don't believe in love?" Without even realising it until it suddenly went quite.

He looked up from his feet to see them all looking back at him, Cherrie unbothered, the guys in shock that he had spoken up so suddenly.

He ignored the look Jack sent his way, clearing his throat quietly and hoping the flush in his neck wouldn't reach his face. He fidgeted with his beer bottle instead. Feeling his heart race in his chest the longer she looked at him.

She groaned a little "no. It's not that- I do. Just not for me. I'm not going to fall in love so stupidly." She told him , believing what she was saying.

She looked at Quinn , took in his black sweatpants and oversized sweatshirt , his hair a mess, long and uncut. Unshaven with a healing cut on his nose and frowned a little to herself , swallowing as she felt her throat suddenly go dry. Forcing herself to look away from him when he didn't say anything else, simply looking down at his bottle of beer and not acknowledging her anymore.

What was his problem?

Actually , what was her problem?

The vodka shots. She suddenly thought to herself. That was why she wanted him to look at her again. Obviously. It could only be that.

"Someday you will and I'll be there to make fun of you and tell you I told you so." Leon told her with a grin as he turned the game back on . Pulling Trevor back down to the couch so that he would stop annoying his sister by trying to put a cap on her head, unable to let her comment go like a child.

Cherrie just scoffed and turned away to head back into the kitchen.

"I don't think so." She denied, she would never do something so stupid.

Not even an hour later she had changed out of her dress and into a silk , white nighty and some fuzzy slippers and snook her way back to the kitchen for something to eat. Hearing loud laughter and boyish shouting from the couch as they watched some game on tv, despite it being past midnight already.

Bending down to look into the fridge , she frowned in dismay . Seeing nothing but old takeout containers and crap. The fridge was so full with different brands of things that she had never seen before , she had no clue what to eat . Didn't know if she dared.

She couldn't wait to tell their mother about his poor diet and new living. He was going to be in for a scolding of a lifetime for living like some frat boy, their mother had brought them up better than that.

"Your cheek is still a little pink." The sudden low voice nearly made her jump out of her skin.

Flinching in fright as she spun back around with a curse "putain! oh mon Dieu! Quinn!" She place her hand on her poor heart with a heavy exhale , glaring at him.

He looked a little bashful then , smiling a little apologetically at her.

His cheeks flushing as he muttered a quiet "does it hurt still?" His eyes glued to his feet again .

For a moment she could only look at him in pure confusion , heart still racing and wondering how he had managed to sneak off from the others without anyone noticing. She wondered if he was always this quiet or if he just hated her.

She was so used to guys being loud and arrogant , she was a woman in a mans sport , she had never dealt with a man being shy or bashful around her before .

She didn't know they could be like this, so the first thing she thought was that he simply didn't like her. Unused to it.

"Does what hurt?" Her accent was even thicker than usual. Both from tiredness and confusion. Tucking her long hair behind her shoulder , suddenly feeling out of place in the plain kitchen in her white silk nighty that barely hit mid thigh. White faux fur on the edges.

She leaned back against the counter with some resemblance of confidence , wondering what the hell was wrong with her. Why the hell did she care about what she looked like all of a sudden?

She didn't . She didn't. No. She was just tired, that's all.

Quinn's eyes slowly trailed up from his feet , pausing on her bare legs for a moment, lips quirking for a second as he saw the white silk and faux fur, before they quickly darted to meet her eyes again. Heart jumping in his chest.

"Your cheek. The slap.." he reminded her quietly , gently nudging her out of the way so he could get into the freezer.

She watched him pull out a small ice pack with a slight frown "it's fine. She slapped like a child. I've had worse." She muttered , feeling out of place.

Quinn hesitated for a moment before moving in front of her and holding up the ice pack to her cheek, gently resting it there . He smiled a little "children hit like boxers sometimes though. A slap is a slap."

"She was a bitch. She should have slapped her boyfriend not me." She muttered , eyes on his blue jersey he was wearing. Shivering as she felt the ice cold sink into her skin.

"What did you say to make her slap you?" He seemed to know that she wasn't telling the whole story before.

She immediately looked up and scowled "I didn't say anything but the truth!" She quickly snapped , annoyed just at the reminder of her night.

Quinn tried not to smile. He really did. Unable to tell why he felt as amused as he did then by how defensive she was getting.

"Some people don't like hearing the truth so bluntly."

"That's their problem. Not mine." She quickly countered back. "You can't have both. You can't hate someone for telling the truth and hate liars too. That's stupid." She grumbled , grimacing as she tried to turn her frozen cheek away from the ice pack , not liking the numb feeling sinking in her face.

Quinn kept it pressed to her cheek though , gently holding her jaw with his other hand to keep her still without even thinking about it. Used to hockey injuries and making sure his stubborn teammates and friends looked after their injuries properly too.

It wouldn't be until later, when he was alone in his bed , that he would realise how easily he had let himself touch her. Cradled her jaw gently as though it was something he did everyday. Him. Somebody who avoided Physical contact and affection all the time. Maybe he should have known, realised that it began then.

"People are stupid." He agreed easily in a whisper . Lifting the ice for a moment to glance at her cheek to make sure that the slight swelling was going down. It was.

Her eyes were glued to the mole above his cheek , smiling a little to herself . "They are." She agreed too before remembering what her brother had told her about his new friends . Vaguely .

“You play sports." She said struggling to remember which .

Outside of racing she didn't know much about other sports . She enjoyed all motorsports and football , that was about as far as her enjoyment and knowledge went.

Quinn chuckled a little "yeah. Ice Hockey. My brothers do too. and Trevor." He added secondly in case she didn't already know.

Smirking a little as he saw her nose twitch at Trevor’s name, knowing that he had already succeeded in annoying her made him want to laugh. The playboy wasn't getting her attention at all.

It was all on Quinn instead. She tilted her head a little , unaware of how close they even were until she felt their knees bump together . She pulled her leg away and fiddled with the strap of her nightie again.

"The sticks and the -" she had no clue at all.

Quinn smiled for real then "the pucks. Yeah. Never watched it before I'm guessing." He was amused , there was no hiding it.

She just shrugged a little "no. Boring. I like heart racing sports. Bit of danger. Not boys on ice." She said , hoping to wind him up a little.

It worked. He frowned down at her "hockey is Dangerous. One wrong move and your career could be over. And we're not boys.." he muttered annoyed at the way she kept calling them so.

She smirked up at him slyly "no?" At his small head shake she laughed slyly "okay. Men on ice then. Not your first bloody nose , non?" She gently tapped the end of his nose. Carefully of the deep cut there.

His breath hitched , eyes never leaving hers as he swallowed quietly .

“No. The pucks love me. So do the sticks." He mumbled, averting his eyes away from hers when it became too much for him.

He pulled away completely, putting the ice pack back into the freezer instead. Missing the way Cherrie frowned as she straightened out her nightie and moved away from the counter she had been leaning against, taking a much needed breath again.

"Hmm. Okay." She just muttered . Turning away from him and busying herself with looking in the kitchen cupboards. Still hungry. She blamed her weird emotions on the tiredness, hunger and vodka. All three were to blame.

There was a beat of silence as Quinn hovered by the breakfast table unsurely, glancing out into the living room to see the guys still messing about on the couch, too busy bickering to pay any attention to where he had gotten to.

He swallowed , glancing at the pizza boxes that were on the table in front of them.

“You want some pizza? I think they're might be a slice left.. maybe." He didn't know why he kept talking. Why he hasn't left her alone yet. This wasn't like him at all. What the hell was he doing?

Cherrie glanced over at him with a grimace, shaking her head . "No. Strict diet with racing. I'm not wasting my cheat day on ... that." If she was going to eat pizza she would be eating real, Italian pizza. Not this crap they were eating.

“Though I doubt my brother has anything I want in. I'll just get something in the morning.." she muttered, yawning as she rounded the table , ready to call it a night.

Quinn slowly nodded his head, fiddling with his jersey sleeves as he watched her run a hand through her hair , shaking her hair out over her tanned shoulders . He glanced away quickly.

"Alright.."

She hesitated by the doorway before glancing over her shoulder at him briefly . "bonne nuit Quinn." Was all she muttered before disappearing from the kitchen.

Making sure to ruffle her brothers hair as she walked past , then she grabbed the cap from Trevors head and flung it across the room, giving Jack a small smile before heading straight to her room, closing the door behind her with a heavy exhale.

Ten minutes later there was a small knock on her bedroom door and a plate of cut up fruit left for her on the floor beside her door .

She went to sleep with a small smile on her lips that night. The first night of many.

Throughout the next week the two of them found odd ways to be around each other , making up excuses and ignoring any strange looks they received from others as they did.

The first time Quinn did it, he felt like he was still dreaming. Sleepwalking maybe , only he knew exactly what he was doing just not why he was doing it.

It was the next morning after meeting her and all he could think about as he ate his unhealthy breakfast , was about how she complained about the lack of her favourite food in her brothers apartment next door. So he ate his own food and ended up texting Leon

What does your sister like for breakfast? Sending the text before he could even think not to. Already putting on his shoes and pocketing his wallet , having a feeling that the luxurious Frenchwoman wouldn't be eating cornflakes .

Her brothers text was both wary and amused. Has she blackmailed you into doing shit for her already?

No. Was already out. He was not. Just thought I'd ask seeing as you said she hates it here. Might make her hate it a little less if she had some good food to eat. He sent, flushed from lying to Leon and himself .

Leon's text came quickly , unconcerned with his sudden interest in his sister. Just taking it for him being a nice guy.

Alright. She usually likes seeded bagels with some eggs or something on top. Or protein pancakes and fruit. I don't even know man.

Quinn ended up getting them both from some fancy new age cafe a little further out. Ridiculously overpriced and a little shocked on how much protein pancakes could cost, he drove back home in silence and found himself at their apartment . Getting a friendly pat on the shoulder from Leon on his way out as he rushed off to meet his girlfriend , his sister a slumped mess at the table.

He walked in hesitantly , took one glance at her barely open eyes and cleared his throat .

“I got food." He announced his arrival. Once again scaring the absolute shit out of her.

"Fuck me!" She gasped looking up at him in surprise "Quinn! ne fais pas ça ! mon cœur!" (Don't do that! My heart!) "oh mon Dieu!" She exhaled loudly.

He just smiled a little shyly "sorry." He mumbled while placing the cartoon of food in front of her on the table . "Was at breakfast and ordered too much." He told her in a mutter. Taking a seat opposite her on the table , pulling out his phone to appear busy. Like he had something other do than stare at the freckles over her nose and the tiny star shaped mole Beneath her left eye.

Cherrie looked down at the food in amazement , mouth watering. Heart warming as she looked at her favourite food with a small smile tugging at her lips,

so that's who her brother was texting while glancing at her with a knowing smirk . She realised then.

"Ah." She got some cutlery and digged right in , pancake already on her mouth when she remembered her manners. "Right. Thank you Quinn. I was really hungry and Leon was trying to poison me with some weird children's cereal." She told him, looking offended.

"Froot loops?" He guessed in amusement , briefly glancing up at her disgusted face as she nodded her head as though her brother had tried to feed her literal shit in a bowl.

He laughed lightly "it's alright ya know. Should try it." He said to her.

She looked at him with a frown "don't make me go off you ice man." She muttered , shovelling her face with her fancy food again.

Humming in content , missing the pleased look on his own face as he watched her enjoy the food he went half an hour away to get for her . Just because he wanted to.

"I want to see see a movie today." She told him after she had finished eating. Washing up after herself before walking over to the couch , sitting down to put her shoes on.

Quinn leaned back against his chair, looking through the archway over to her. Watching her put her foot on the coffee table to lace up the other shoe, his eyes lingering on the large snake tattoo he could see snaking up her upper thigh and disappearing underneath her shorts , no doubt over her hip.

He breathed in deeply before speaking up hesitantly

"I could see if the guys want to go tonight-"

Cherrie shook her head firmly, still not looking at him as she focussed on making herself presentable.

Standing from the couch and wandering over to the mirror in the corner of the room , she ran her fingers through her hair, smirking a little to herself as she caught his eyes on her through the reflection

"No. I don't want to go as a group. Too much." She muttered , beating around the bush a little.

Not used to being the one to ask guys out with her, they are usually the ones begging for her time. She didn't really know what to do or say. And that was not like her at all.

Quinn just looked at her for a few quite minutes , watching her get ready and feeling his heart racing in his chest as he wondered if he was reading her right.

Surely she wasn't hinting at him-?

She glanced in the mirror again and met his eyes , lifting up a perfect brow at him without saying a single thing.

Oh. He breathed out. She was.

"I-er...I could take you, if you want. I mean..I know a good place for movies. You want to go now?" He rushed out , confused on what was appropriate to say. Not wanting say the wrong thing and potentially piss her off. She was intimidating. The media weren't wrong about that.

With that attitude and her being so fucking beautiful, he could barely even speak. Her French accent only sinking him deeper into the point of no return.

She just casually nodded her head , grabbing her Chanel purse from behind the couch and hanging it on her shoulder . Satisfied with how she looked, she had some makeup in her bag. She would do it in the car on the way there.

"Yes. You're not getting pucks to the face today , non?" She walked over to the door, ready to go. Just waiting for him now.

He looked over at her and quickly stood up from his chair, nodding his head before shaking it, letting out a nervous laugh.

“No. No. Not today. I can take you ." He took out his car keys from his pocket and walked over to her, holding the front door open for her as she slipped out.

Walking side by side , she glanced up at him for a moment . Holding back a small smile as she saw the way he seemed to be concentrating on his breathing, no longer looking at her.

"We can go together . Not take me. You're not my driver." She corrected him once they were outside , despite him holding open the door for her as she slid into the passenger seat. Giving him her purse to hold in his lap as she pulled out her lipstick and mascara and got to work.

He started the car but didn't pull away just yet, merely leaning back with a small smile , flicking on the radio as he watched her pouty lips part as she put on her makeup. Humming happily as a taylor swift song came on.

"There's also a ice cream place next to it.." he mumbled ten minutes later as the pulled up. Too shy to look at her. To say what he truly wanted to ask.

But she understood. Of course she did.

She just casually hummed and nudged his shoulder with her own like they were the best of friends.

"we'll get ice-cream after then. Just don't tell my trainer." Was all she said. Before letting him open the car door for her as they got out to watch their movie. And get ice cream too.

The day after that Cherrie didn't bother knocking at his door, merely letting herself in as if she owned the place. Scaring the hell out of poor Jack who was watching tv, his head snapping up as he looked at her with wide eyes.

"Wrong apartment." He blurted out , thinking she had confused her brothers place for Quinn's. He turned his backwards cap around to face the front quickly too.

She held back a grin . "No it isn't." She glanced at the hockey game on tv and rose a brow "missing it?"

"A little. You want a jersey?" He grinned back at her, determined that they were still going to be friends. He would get the scary , hot Frenchwoman to like him. He would.

"Non. I want a cap." She said putting her bag down on the empty chair, pocketing her phone instead.

He took his teams cap off his head immediately and passed it to her with a large smirk .

“Backwards?" He joked about her hatred of it.

She smirked a little "you are." She muttered slipping it on her head the right way.

“I look better with it on than you, yes?" She bragged. Letting him pull up his phone to take a picture of her to show all his friends that he wasn't lying and that THE Cherrie Valentine was his friend. (Pending).

"No way! No one can look better than me!"

She scoffed while backing away "lying is bad. Your tongue will go black and fall off." She told him seriously. Heading down the hall to where the bedrooms were , the exact same layout as her brothers place.

"Where are you going?" He called over the couch to her in confusion . Wondering what he had missed and why the hell she was heading towards his brothers bedroom like it was a normal thing for her to do.

She didn't even spare him another glance "none of your business kid!" She called back before knocking on his door and barging in without any other warning.

Quinn darting up out of his bed with wide eyes , mouth dropping open in shock as he looked at the woman now snooping around his room , wondering if he was still dreaming. About her. In his room. Again.

"You're -" he then glanced at her head and frowned deeply .

"get that off." He ended up telling her, unimpressed by the red cap she was wearing.

Cherrie just giggled as she looked at him teasingly "I don't know. I kind of like it. I think red is my colour. He said something about a jersey too?" She crawled onto his bed. Ignoring the way he flushed and leaped out of it like she was some siren about to eat him whole.

Maybe he wasn't too far off.

He yanked one of his jerseys from the back of his desk chair and threw it at her, smiling a little when she huffed and grabbed it off her head where it had fell onto . Glaring up at him.

"No it isn't, you look horrible in red." He muttered, lying through his teeth . She would look good in any colour. The whole damn rainbow.

She just snorted knowing for a fact that he was lying. "I'm a ferrari driver. I know you're lying." She reminded him smugly. Setting the jersey aside, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of wearing it yet.

He ran a hand through his hair, suddenly feeling self conscious in just some basketball shorts and some old oversized shirt. He thought of her French teammate who looked like some model and frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What do you want?" He mumbled, barely audible as he grabbed a hoodie from his closet. Quickly pulling it on. Grabbing some black jeans before disappearing into the bathroom to change into them too.

Cherrie sighed a little as she looked around the mostly blue room filled with everything hockey , raising her brow in amazement at his achievements. She looked at some of the photos with him in his hockey gear , smiling next to his teammates and found herself smiling a little too.

Maybe she should try and see a game of his some time, it would be rude not to . She supposed. She would have to google the rules of the game later when she was alone, maybe watch a few on YouTube to familiarise herself with it first. Yeah. She would do that. Maybe text Lance too. He loved hockey.

"Nothing really. I was bored."

"So you decided to come annoy me?" He said as he walked back into the room . Face washed and teeth quickly brushed.

He paused by his door at the sight of her sitting so casually on his bed, looking like she belonged there . He already knew that her vanilla and cocoa perfume would linger on his pillows, he hoped it did.

She grinned a little "yeah. For a minute. I'm gonna go anyways.. maybe get my brother to do something." She muttered , bored.

Quinn panicked at the thought of her leaving and blurted out "you can stay here. Jacks making me go bowling with him , Trevor and Luke. You can ya know..." he rocked on the back of his heels unsurely, feeling the heat travel up his neck and into his cheeks darkly.

She quirked a brow up at him in amusement "I can, what?"

He huffed a little, not looking at her. Busying himself with putting his shoes on. Eyes flickering to his Vancouver jersey beside her that she had yet to put on.

"You can come. Luke might freak out a little . He's a fan." He warned her quietly . As though he wasn't a fan of her too. He just was much more quieter about it. Less embarrassing. Hopefully.

She sighed dramatically "I guess." She got up from the bed , adjusting jacks cap on her head.

Quinn reached over and yanked it straight back off , making her laugh. "Hey!"

"No." Was all he muttered moodily , throwing it aside.

“Are you gonna out my jersey on?” He mumbled to her , eyes hopefully glancing between the blue shirt and the beautiful woman in front of him.

She smirked a little to herself, amused with the way he couldn't even look at her. Fiddling with his hoodie sleeves as he waited by his bedroom door. As though he was too scared to come any closer to her.

"Do you want me to wear it right now?" She asked him. Wanting to hear him say it. She wasn't easy about it. That wasn't the kind of person she was.

He hesitated for a moment. Eyes darting up to look at her before looking away again just as quickly.

"Wouldn't have given it to you if I didn't want you to wear it." He muttered with a bit of embarrassed attitude. Pulling open the door and quickly heading out into the hallway before she could see his cheeks blush any further.

He heard her laugh lightly behind him, quickly pulling on the blue jersey over her tank top with a small smirk on her face.

Shaking her head to herself in amusement at how a man as good looking and rough looking as Quinn could act so shy and bashful. It was a nice change to the usual arrogant and cocky guys she dealt with daily.

Speaking of cocky .. Trevors loud voice reached her ears as she trailed out of Quinn's bedroom after him . Pulling her hair from his underneath his Jersey, not fazed at all by their sudden company.

"Woah! What is this?!" Trevor gasped in surprise looking at them with wide eyes.

Luke freezing beside him while Jack just glanced over at Quinn, only to see him refusing to look at any of them. Too busy getting his jacket, but he wasn't quick enough for him not to see his bright pink face .

His brother was blushing. Jack couldn't believe it.

"Wearing blue? Coming out of his bedroom?! What the fuck have I missed?!" He echoed in disbelief , behind shocked .

Quinn just rolled his eyes at him "nothing. Shut up."

"Oh yeah. A whole love affair. It was so romantic." Cherrie couldn't help but joke , forgetting that these weren't her usual sarcastic friends back in Monaco for a moment . Maybe she didn't hate them as much as she thought she would.

“He made love to me in his jersey. He's made me fall in love with him and now I'm never leaving here! Just like my brother!"

Trevor gaped at her "really?" Both Quinn and her rolled their eyes simultaneously. Jack silently looking at their in tune movements in disbelief .

"No. Not really!" She scoffed shaking her head at him . "Too many pucks to the head for you! I'm not that stupid!" She was offended . Really she was.

Trevor was now offended too "hey! That's mean! What else was I supposed to think? Will you wear my cap too then?"

It was Quinn's voice that spoke up quickly next "absolutely not." He muttered not even looking at him. Passing Cherrie his spare coat seeing as she was still dressed like she was in Monaco , her shorts far too small for how cold it still was.

He hid his pleased smile by turning his head as he watched her slide it on without any complaint for once. She looked great in his clothes.

"Where's my cap I gave her?" Jack wondered.

"In the trash. Don't even try it." Quinn shot back at him without missing a beat.

Cherrie looked at the younger Hughes Brother that was still gaping at her and smiled. "Bonjour Luke. You exited for bowling?" She asked him nicely.

Ignoring trevor's "how come she wasn't this nice to me?" Whining.

"Yeah. I thought Leon was lying when he said you were his sister." He blurted out in shock. Giving her a smile anyways .

She just snickered "yeah. I'm way better than him so no one ever believes we're related . It's hard being the star of the family. So many awards and such little space." She sighed like she was troubled by it. Following behind Quinn to the door.

The guys laughed, luke just looking at her in amazement . "Can you be on my team In bowling?" He asked her hopefully .

Cherrie laughed "sure. Beats being in a team with Trevor." She said.

Trevor looked at her in disbelief "so mean!" He repeated. Pouting dramatically.

"Quinn?" She muttered to him as they all headed down to their cars. Automatically following him to his, sliding onto the passenger seat like she did yesterday, kicking luke to the back seat.

"Yeah?"

"Wanna be on my team too?"

He just hummed. Nodding his head a little, still not looking at her. Just smiling to himself.

Luke looking between them in disbelief. Feeling like he was dreaming. Quinn felt like he was too.

They spent the next week making excuses to spend time with each other. Pretending like they had no clue to why they even were.

Midnight movies, sunset ice cream. Card games under the streetlights , silently made dinner , no questions , no answers. Cherrie ended up spending everyday of her stay with Quinn in one way or another . Whether it was muttering stories in the dark or bickering over something stupid, winding him up until he had no room but to retaliate. They did.

It was the final night before she was due to leave and the guys were hanging out at the bar together, Quinn quieter than usual as he silently sipped on his beer and listened to Trevor once again grill Leon about his sister.

Ignoring jacks amused , quizzing glance as he caught his annoyed rolling of his eyes. Not as subtle as he thought.

"Is she single then? Or had she got some guy back in Monaco?" He asked him curiously . Ever the gossip.

Quinn's frown deepened, eyes down to his beer bottle as he just listened in. Wondering that too. Surely she had a line of godlike guys waiting for her back home. No doubt.

He didn't care. Not at all.

Leon chuckled in amusement "she is and no she doesn't. She doesn't do the whole love thing remember?" He reminded them of her passionate anti falling in love speech.

Trevor just smirked slyly "didn't say anything about love. I can do casual too. Or whatever she wants." He wiggled his eyebrows jokingly.

Quinn's scoff went unheard in the bottle of his beer as he gulped it down, subtly rolling his eyes to himself again.

Her brother just snorted. "Yeah, no. She doesn't go for guys like you. You have no chance." He laughed.

Trevor was offended "WHATS that supposed to mean? Is is the hat thing again?" He wondered.

Leon rolled his eyes this time , amused. "No. She just usually likes the more casual and less arrogant guys. Ya know..not so full of themselves and quieter.." he trailed off, brows furrowing in realisation as he glanced over at a quiet Quinn who was now finally glancing up from the table.

They met eyes for a moment , Leon tried not to grin .

Oh. He thought in amusement . This is too good.

Quinn quickly looked away again, Leon tried not to laugh in glee.

"-and anyways. I invited her so I need you not to make a idiot out of yourself because I can only take so much second hand embarrassment before I die." He let them know. Mainly glancing at Trevor. They all did.

He gasped jokingingly "me?! She loves me! She high fived me the other day!" He exclaimed.

Jack snorted "yeah. In your face ." He laughed. More than Amused.

Quinn sat up a little straighter in his seat when she finally arrived. Dress in a little back dress again, satin this time.

He inhaled deeply and met her eyes, she narrowed her eyes back at him.

"Why was there a snake plushie on my bed?" She whispered to him as she slid into the booth beside him, ignoring the others loud greetings for a moment. She accepted Jack sliding a beer over to her, not drinking it though. Beer was not her thing at all.

"Hellooooo gorgeous! You're looking better than ever!" Trevor would not let himself be ignored.

She just looked at him, unimpressed. "And you're more annoying than ever. Don't you ever get tired?" She threw back at him. The others laughing at their banter.

He just winked at her "of being the hottest guy alive? No, never!" He laughed. Lifting his hand up for a high five.

She just slapped it away, rolling her eyes at him in amusement. She reached over and spun jacks cap to be the right way, making him chuckle as he shook his head at her now usual greeting for him.

"You gonna do that to Quinn?" He questioned her with a grin , nodding towards his distracted brother who had gotten up to go to the bar.

Confused she looked over at him and paused for a long moment , lips parting as she really looked at him finally. He looked good. More than good. With black jeans and a black sweatshirt on, a white tshirt collar poking out from underneath. Only this time he had a cap on too.. backwards.

And look. She hated it when other guys wore their caps backwards. Cringed at how it reminded her of stupid fuckboys who thought they were so goddamn cool passing around stds and shattering hearts along the way.

But Quinn... she inhaled sharply in shock, leaning back against the booth seat in absolute disbelief. He looked hot as fuck. She couldn't believe it.

"oh non. mon cœur.." she breathed out quietly to herself.

Unable to take her eyes off him as he walked back over, carefully balancing a cocktail glass in his hand. "ça ne peut pas m'arriver." (This can't be happening to me.) she almost whimpered.

Her brother, understanding every word she muttered , simple smirked smugly at her. "What's the matter sis? Think he looks stupid with the backwards cap too?" He taunted her.

She shot him a sharp glare, Quinn catching the end of his words as he arrived back at the table. Eyes widening as he realised that he had in fact put his cap on backwards because of the heat, to keep his hair out of his face.

Knowing how much Cherrie hated that look on guys, he lifted his hand to take it off.

Cherrie immediately slapped his hand away from his head and shook her head at him sharply . "No! Don't touch it!" She almost yelled at him. Heart pounding in her chest, feeling flushed and sweaty all of a sudden.

Jack and her brother were giggling , poor Quinn just looking both alarmed and confused at her sudden behaviour . He cautiously sat back down beside her and handed her the cocktail he had gotten her.

"What? I know you don't like it.." he mumbled, lowering his eyes back to the table bashfully . Sipping at his beer bottle again.

Glancing sideways at her when she let out a strange , strangled noise.

Almost glaring at him like she was pissed, he shifted in his seat nervously , wondering what he had done now. Her fingers were clenched around the stem of the glass, quickly sipping at her drink .

Quinn looked over to his brother for help. Wondering what the hell she was acting so weirdly for.

Jack just smirked and muttered "think she likes your new look dude.” Barely audible. Having the time of his life watching them.

"I never said I don't like it."

"Yes you did. Like every time someone wears it like that, you literally just turned jacks around..." he reminded her in confusion. Frowning down at her.

She frowned back at him just as deeply "yeah. On them. I don't like it on other guys. God Quinn. Shut up." She snapped at him. Flustered.

He was none the wiser . Taken aback by her sudden attitude, he scoffed lowly .

“What have I done? Why are you being so pissy?" He wanted to know. Countless beers helping with his confidence in questioning her .

She turned to face him fully, still sipping on her cocktail as she scowled at him. Cheeks pink as she repeatedly glanced between his eyes and his backwards cap. Wondering if she was having a midlife crisis at twenty one.

"I'm not being pissy. You're being pissy!"

He looked at her in disbelief "what the hell is your problem? Is this about my cap? I can take it off if it's bothering you that much-"he didn't get it.

She almost screeched "if you take that cap off I will smack you! I mean it!" She glared at him , too turned on to think straight.

Stupid American guys and their stupid backwards caps. She wanted to melt into a puddle on the floor.

Fucking hell.

Quinn blinked at her in shock. Speechless.

He fidgeted nervously with his beer bottle, eyes never leaving her dark ones before suddenly it clicked.

He exhaled shakily and flushed a dark red, awkwardly scratching at his flushed neck as he muttered unsurely to her "you like it?"

Cherrie just sighed in defeat . "Yes Quinn. I like it." That was an understatement. She wanted to jump him right there and then.

“Only on you though. Everyone else looks stupid." She quickly added. Sticking to her original judgment. Only Quinn pulled it off for her,

He smiled shyly against his bottle of beer, unable to meet her gaze. Flattered.

Instead he kept his eyes on the table as he muttered "I got you the snake plushie to match your tattoo. Why did you get it?" His question was quiet. Curious. Having been thinking about it since he first caught glimpse of the detailed snake tattooed up her thigh and around her hip? He guessed. He only saw so much.

Her voice was equally as quite , private between them, as she answered him "they kept calling me a snake for switching teams from redbull to Ferrari. But I won. Sooo..I'm proud to be such a snake I guess. It all worked out for me." She smugly smiled.

He smiled too, slowly nodding his head .

Liking that she owned what was once an insult against her. Liked that she was so stubborn and stuck to what she believed in. Just liked her really.

It was quiet between them for a moment, both just sipping on their drinks for a moment before Quinn worked up the corkage to mumble "I er...I like snakes. The French kind."

Her face softened as she glanced at him beside her, still unable to meet her eyes fully. She smiled too.

Soon they found themselves bickering again, in their own world together as they blocked out the rest of the table around them. Cherrie looking at him in disbelief as he accused her of purposely pushing max off the track in her last race.

She totally did but that was besides the point! She scoffed at him, a little tipsy just like he was, their arms, their thighs and sides pressed together as close as could be.

She was almost in his lap at this point , still bickering though. Too prideful to be soft and sweet .

"I did not! He spun me off the track in the race before that. Or did you forget that?!" She exclaimed , sipping from his beer now. Stealing it right from his hand.

He sipped from her cocktail in return , both of them hiding their smirked behind their drinks. Enjoying their bickering far too much to be normal.

"No I didn't. Which is exactly why you did it on purpose. You're revengeful . You like to get even." He knew her far too well already. It was unsettling.

She just looked at him before frowning "I am not." She denied, then she placed the palm of her hand on his cheek and pushed his face away from her with a huff.

"ferme tes jolies lèvres !" (Shut your pretty lips up!) she whined.

He snorted , actually giggling at her . Unaware of the shocked and disbelieving glances he was receiving from his friends and brother , too immersed in Cherrie to notice anything but her .

"Talk French to me all you want, I'm right. You know I am." He smirked at her, thoroughly enjoying himself. He loved winding her up just as much as she did him.

She had never felt so light and free before. So...happy. She swallowed briefly , face softening as she looked away from him for a moment to gather herself again. To remind herself of who she was.

She wasn't her bother . Oh god. She hoped not. She would never hear the end of it otherwise.

Her poor mother would have a stroke if they both had stayed and got themselves some American lovers. She couldn't do that.

No way. That wasn't her. Not at all. She had promised herself. She didn't fall in love. She didn't make it easy. She didn't ...

Oh my god. She didn't. Did she?

She finally managed a laugh , snapping out of her chaotic thoughts. She looked at him and said "it's different up close. It's not the same unless you're there." She told him, plans Already forming in her mind .

How would it work? How could it work? Could it? Could she? She could. He could... she drained the rest of his beer and smiled a little, titling her head as she felt him press closer to her.

His hand coming up to brush her hair over her shoulder gently , without even saying a thing. She just relaxed against him. Like it was normal. Something she always did. Would always do.

"You need to come to a race with me , then you'll see what I mean." She muttered. Looking at him seriously. Hoping he'd get the hint.

He did, his eyes softened , lips too. He nudged her shoulder with his gently as he mumbled "yeah? You should come to some games of mine too. It's only fair." He crossed his fingers, opened his heart for once. Wished he'd learned French to tell her how he really felt without any of his friends or their brothers knowing,

But he didn't need to. One look into his soft, hopeful eyes and she got it. Of course she did.

"Deal."

By the time they made it back to his apartment, his brother and friends had went to her brothers apartment to play video games. Too drunk to see them disappear into his own away from them. Wanting some moments on their own.

She found herself sat up on his kitchen counter top as he hovered near her knees, too scared to make the final move.

Cherrie didn't have those fears , confidence had never been an issue. She wasn't shy, just a little unsure to what she was supposed to do next,

She had never felt like this before. Guys didn't make her head spin like this. Didn't make her want to change her mind and stay. That wasn't her.

But maybe it was now. Maybe it could be.

"I'm going back to Monaco tomorrow." She reminded him of the inevitable . Somehow now wishing that she didn't have to.

Strange how a week ago she wished for nothing more than to leave , now she looked across from her and wanted nothing more than to stay. Or take him with her.

He slowly nudged her knees apart , eyes down to her thighs as he slid himself between them. Hands cautiously landing on her soft skin as he sighed quietly , heart pounding in his chest fearfully .

He swallowed "but you're coming back right?" Hope filled him so sweetly that she wanted a taste.

She trapped him between her thighs, titling her head at him as she gently wrapped her arms around his neck to pull his bashful self closer.

Her whole body melting against him as he suddenly leaned down and hugged her, like he had been wanting to for a while now, smiling to herself softly as she felt his face bury in the crook of her neck. A shy, soft, barely there kiss being placed there below her ear . Just for her. For them.

She inhaled deeply "I only came to see my brother.." that had been the plan.

But since when did plans ever work out fully in the end? That would be boring wouldn't it?

He pulled away enough to meet her eyes, gathering what courage he had left to mumble bashfully "you er-you promised me - you owe me a game remember? So you have to come back. To see me play."

She felt her heart brighten, she only saw daylight as she laughed softly . Cupped his blushing cheeks in her hands and leaned her face down towards his, kissing him gently . Just like she had wanted to the whole damn week.

His breath hitched in his chest as he laid his hands on her hips and sighed against her mouth, melting into her as he nudged his nose against hers gently, deepening the kiss as he felt her hand slide into his hand, pulling at the strands at the nape of his neck.

He moaned into the kiss , heart in his mouth as their tongues brushed together , his lashes fluttering against her cheek as he cupped the back of her head, giddy with feeling . Overwhelmed.

Smiling into the kiss, unable to stop himself. So fucked. So unbelievably soft for her. Yet so hard too. She had him in every way.

He should have known that it would come to this really. With eyes like hers .. and a smile so smug and sweet.

He got the best of both worlds. He wanted to have his cake and eat hers too.

"You want to come back to Monaco with me tomorrow?" She whispered to him , pulling away to breath.

Running her fingers through his hair gently , the other hand gently wiping her red lipstick stains from his mouth. Only managing to make it worse, her smile deepened. Unable to look away from the mess they made.

He was so much better than those French boys. She realised to herself in pure amazement. He was everything that she didn't know she needed until then.

Huh. Who knew. Her American boy.

He was giddy with excitement, with hope and disbelief. That a woman like Cherrie could want him. That this could be real. That he had a chance at something you could only dream of.

"For your home race?" He whispered , fingertip tracing her Cupid's bow. Feeling their kiss on his fingertips. Wanting kiss her until he could No longer breath.

Forever if she would let him.

Other hand cupping her cheek, his thumb stroking her cheekbone gently. Feeling the heat there. Glad to know that he wasn't the only one. That she could be just as nervous and giddy as he was feeling too.

"Yeah. To my home too. Maybe you could stay a week or two.. with me." She whispered back to him, smile never leaving their faces.

She felt it now. Knew that this was it. This was what people talked about In their stories . What her brother was so adamant about her feeling.

She had found it. Found him.

He let out a nervous laugh , breathy and amazed that this was happening. "Yeah. My next game is in two weeks. We could- you could come back with me. We could.." he trembled with the overwhelming feeling of falling in love.

"-we could take turns. I go with you and you go with me..." he inhaled shakily "if you want to..."

She just smiled , shaking her head to herself in disbelief . "I want to.." then she kissed him again. And again and again.

Because apparently she was as stupid as her brother was. She had fallen in love and now she didn't only want to call Monaco her home.

She wanted to call Quinn home too.

She was never going to hear the end of this. She had fallen in love with her American boy.

#Quinn Hughes imagine #Quinn Hughes oneshot #nhl imagine #nhl oneshot #hockey imagine #ice hockey imagine #nhl fic

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number1mingyustan · 9 months

Text

Expiration Date (2/2) ☾✹

GIF by shatsusik

artist!joshua x model!fem!reader

Genre: smut, hurt, angst

Warnings: cursing, brief smut, explicit smut, mentions of pregnancy/miscarriage, arguments, a lot of angsty sad stuff

Summary: there’s only one way to go from here

Word Count: 4.1k

_______________________________________________

part 1

Out of the 206 bones in your body, you don't have a doubtful one that believes Joshua Hong is not your soulmate. Everything in you believes you were meant to be together.

You'd bet money that it was written somewhere in the stars.

He loved you and you loved him.

When you first met, everything fell into place with him so easily. He was kind and caring and things were simple with him. He would never shy away from compliments, often painting you because he thought you were so beautiful.

His muse.

It wasn't until he started painting you that his career really began to take off. His previous work was less abstract and interpretive, often capturing different colors and shapes. He never painted people, but of course that all changed when you came around.

His work was known before you, but his popularity skyrocketed, gaining worldwide attention and giving him much more credit within the art world.

You became a large part of his art. He's often mix different shapes and colors with your features. Your eyes, your breasts, your legs, everything he found beautiful about you really.

It gained a lot of attention and people grew curious to know who the mystery woman that appeared in all his new art was. Much like Joshua himself, they too thought she was beautiful.

But that was then. When your relationships still made you feel like you were floating and the honeymoon phase felt like it would never end.

You and Joshua Hong were meant to be part of each other's lives, you don't question that. However, you do question how long you were meant to be together.

---------------Two Years Ago ---------------

"I'm just so glad you guys were able to come down here and visit," Mrs.Hong says for the fourth time since the two of you arrived in LA.

You smile at her excitement.

"I hardly hear from my son since he moved all the way up to New York," she continues, shooting her son a glare.

Joshua rolls his eyes playfully. "I call you every week. Don't be so dramatic."

"It's not the same," she frowns. "I like having you here with me."

"Yeah well I've been busy with my art and everything," he sighs, pulling you closer to his side. His hand is on yours, thumb drawing small circles on your knuckles.

You lean into his touch, breathing in his natural scent. He's so warm and comforting. "Yes... extremely busy," you pout. "He does so much nowadays I can't even keep up with it all. All kinds of projects and interviews, don't know how he does it."

He smiles at you. "I've got the best support backing me up," he pats your head lightly. "With you by my side, I can handle anything."

He opens his mouth to speak again, but he's interrupted by the ringing of his phone.

"Oh- one second. Angel is calling," He excuses himself from the table and exits to take his phone call.

Angelina Yoon, his manager. You absolutely despised her. She was a great manager, you give her credit for that. She's incredibly smart and good at her job, but on a personal level? Couldn't stand her.

You didn't like the way she talked to you or the way she talked to Joshua. She flirted often and acted rudely toward you. Of course any time you brought it up to Joshua, he brushed it off. He'd tell you 'you're being dramatic' or 'she's just doing her job.'

Fucking Angel.

Not a very fitting name for her.

"Soooo where's the ring?" His mother asks, grabbing your hand and inspecting your fingers.

"Ring?" you ask.

"He hasn't asked yet?" she raises an eyebrow.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about."

"Aishh this boy," she sighs. "Four years and he still hasn't popped the question."

You retreat, pulling your hand back slowly and pushing your hair behind your ear. "Oh yeah... I mean it's fine. He works so much you know? I think he's just waiting for a better time.... did he mention anything to you about it? L-Like is he planning something?"

"No, I'm afraid not. If he is planning for it, he hasn't told me about it yet at least. I just assumed after all this time he would have done it already. I'll have to talk some sense into that boy," she scoffs.

Your heart breaks a little, but you don't let it show. It's already been a few months since it was first brought up. It was in a similar manner, his mother had brought it up in conversation months prior and put ideas into your head. But that time, Joshua was sitting at the table and he didn't seem too keen on the way his mother had suggested it.

You asked him about it that night and he explained to you how it wasn't the right time with his career taking off. It hurt, but you were understanding. It was something you strayed away from even bringing up.

It stung though.

When Joshua's art first started to gain popularity, Angel suggested keeping your relationship and identity a secret. No one knew who you were, they just thought you were pretty and that Joshua captured your beauty perfectly.

It would create more buzz for him to be capturing some sort of mystery woman. Angel talked about how much it would help his career to keep you in the shadows and him in the light. So you did it.

For nearly the first three years of your relationship, you were a secret. A mystery, a pretty face on a canvas with no name, a nobody. It wasn't easy, having to sneak around and keep your entire life private.

Part of you thinks you lost yourself in those first three years, but that's an entirely different issue.

Thankfully, after you did finally go public with things, the modeling agencies came flooding in and you were in high demand.

"Don't worry about it... I don't want to put any more pressure on him," you give her a half-smile.

She feels for you. "You're too nice sweetheart."

Before anything else can be said, Joshua walks back into the kitchen with an excited smile. You and his mother both look at him as he sits back down.

"So.. Angel just told me there's a huge art exhibit coming up in Sydney, Australia and their main exhibit just fell through so they want me to replace them," he beams.

"That's so great Joshie!" you smile and hug him. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks honey, they want me to do all new pieces though, and they need me in Australia in two days. The exhibit is in three weeks," he explains.

"But we're supposed to stay down here for another week... and then we have our trip planned for Aruba. Josh... the whole point of this trip was so that we could spend our time together and with family. I cleared my schedule for this Joshua." you sigh. "Besides how are you gonna put together a whole exhibit's worth of pieces in two weeks."

"I know baby... but this is important work stuff. You understand, right? We can always plan another trip, but this is a big opportunity for me. My work would be extending all the way into Australia," he places his hand on your shoulder. "Besides I'll probably just use those sketches I've been working on"

"I mean yeah... it's really great Josh, for you. What about me? I cleared my entire schedule for this," you frown.

"I know baby, I'm sorry. I'm sure we can just book two tickets and you can come with me if you want," he suggests.

"I think I'd rather we just go home. You'll be working a whole bunch in Australia anyway," you bite the inside of your cheek.

"There's no time to go back to New York honey. They want me out there in two days. If you want me to book you a flight home, I can do that if you really wanna go back, but I can't go with you. I'm gonna have to leave straight from here. I was hoping you'd come with me."

You frown. "I don't really want to fly alone."

"I mean, you can stay here with mom, until I get back of course. I won't object to it, but I've got to book my flight in the next few hours. So just let me know ASAP," he leaves a quick kiss on your head and stands back up.

"Sorry ma, I'll come visit soon," he hugs his mother and kisses her cheek. "I promise... love you"

His footsteps grown faint as he makes his way upstairs for the night. Your heart breaks a little more. His mother glances at you, she really feels for you.

"I'm getting tired... think I'll go join him," you tell her with a sad smile. "Thank you so much for dinner, I appreciate it."

You give her a light hug before disappearing into the bedroom with Joshua.

_____

He got you pregnant that night. He was much more excited than you were, he couldn't keep his hands off of you. Pulled you onto his lap not long after you walked into the room.

He was quick to strip you and pin you down onto the bed. You were still upset, but the pleasure was a temporary fix for the pain.

Sweaty and passionate lovemaking between the thin sheets of the old bed. His hands were all over you that night. You let the pleasure consume you, allowed it to pull you away from reality.

He told you how much he loved you as he drilled his cock inside of you, even had to cover your mouth with his hand to keep you from being too loud. He whispered dirty words and sweet nothings into your ear and left purple hickies along your skin. He pounded into you over and over again that night, switching positions halfway through.

The bed was old, creaked and shifted every time he thrusted his hips into you. You came twice, once on his fingers and once on his cock.

And when he came, he came inside of you. It wasn't unusual for him to do so, but for some reason your birth control wasn't very effective that time.

You wouldn't know it that night, but you realize that was the best and worse night of your life.

Because as quickly as it came, it went.

You stayed with his mom in LA for the next month while he was in Australia. He didn't call you every day the way he said he would, but that wasn't the least bit shocking. He ended up having to stay another week after the showcase to meet with different people about his work.

While he was sitting in meetings and being interviewed, you were pacing around the bathroom anxiously awaiting the results of the pregnancy test sitting on the edge of the sink.

You didn't tell him until you went back home to New York. You ended up flying alone anyway, Joshua thought it was pointless to fly to LA and then New York when both of you could just go to New York and see each other at home.

He was beyond excited when you did tell him and foolishly got your hopes up about what the baby would mean for the two of you. You'd convinced yourself that having the baby would make Joshua more involved. You thought his excitement would translate into him being more present.

But then you lost the baby two months later and it caused you two to drift more. The doctors told you it was a miracle you were even able to conceive in the first place. They said you were basically infertile and if you were ever able to somehow conceive again, the fetus wouldn't even make it through the first trimester. You fell into a depressive episode, making reckless decisions driven by hurt and pain.

You had to quit modeling and be admitted. The next 9 weeks you got treated and you got better. Although things got better, you'd never say they reached the level of good.

Better is simply and improvement, not necessarily success.

Joshua never saw it that way. He didn't see the way you were still hurting and suffering. He thought you getting treatment and getting better meant that everything was okay. He thought that because you saw a therapist twice a week, that you would just be okay. Because you took two small pills every morning, he thought you were no longer suffering.

It's your own fault partially, you played the role. You hid your hurt well, contributed to his thoughts about you being fine. At first, it seemed like he cared a lot more. But with him constantly asking "Are you Okay?" it was easier for you to just say yes. It was easier for him to believe it too. He threw himself back into his art and didn't put in the extra effort to ensure the well-being of your mental health after that.

It took two years and a very heated argument for him to really see it.

---------------Modern Day ---------------

The bed is empty when you wake up in the morning. It's not a foreign feeling, unfortunately. But with everything that occurred last night, it feels worse than usual.

You're not sure where your relationship stands right now. There's a tightness constricting in your chest and you're dreading the idea of getting out of bed.

After nearly ten minutes of you rolling around in the bed and avoiding it, you finally got yourself out of the bed. You wince when your foot first meet the bedroom floor. A reminder of everything that occurred last night.

After you go into the bathroom to brush your teeth and wash your face, you walk cautiously and quietly through the penthouse. The temperature dropped again and the marble floors are cold on your bare feet.

When you reach the living room, you don't see Joshua anywhere. His blanket and pillow are still on the couch, but you don't see him anywhere.

You let out a breath of relief. You're really not ready to speak with him yet.

You walk into the kitchen, seeing that the glass is still shattered on the ground. You reach down, picking up some of the larger shards.

"Don't worry about it, I'll clean it up," Joshua says from behind you.

You jump at the sound of his voice. You weren't expecting him to come up behind you and startle you. However, you remain silent.

"You need to take your meds, it's past 11. You were asleep for a while," he says and begins picking up the other large shards of glass.

You stand to your feet and nod. You don't look at him, you can't. You simply walk around the island and open on of the cabinets to grab your medicine.

"You have been taking your meds everyday, right?" he asks.

It feels even colder in the kitchen suddenly. The tension in the air hasn't subsided. If anything, it's grown thicker.

"Yes Josh," you say.

Even after all those nights of sleeping alone, Joshua greeted you with a good morning and a kiss. At the very least you could expect some sort of greeting.

But now? Nothing.

"Don't forget to eat something," he reminds you quietly.

You nod. "Right."

You pop a slice of bread into the toaster and wait. It only takes two minutes, but it feels like an eternity. Joshua grabs the dustpan and broom to sweet up the glass.

It's uncomfortable quiet. Your stomach is turning in knots and your leg is bouncing anxiously.

"Where did you just come from? I didn't know where you were," you finally break the unbearable silence.

"On the balcony, needed some fresh air," he says, continuing to sweep up the remaining glass.

"It's thirty degrees outside."

He shrugs, disposing of the glass properly. "Just needed some fresh air. It's not much warmer in here anyway, damn thermostat is broken."

He avoids eye contact with you, stepping away from the kitchen quietly. Your heart rate spikes.

"Joshua..." you start. "We have to talk about-"

You're cut off when your toast pops up.

"Your breakfast is ready," he says shortly and fully leaves the kitchen.

Your eyes follow him. He walks back into the living room, grabbing the blanket he slept under and folding it back up. His footsteps fade as he disappears into the penthouse toward your bedroom.

You sigh and take a few bites out of your toast. You don't have much of an appetite with the way your stomach is churning. You chase the two small pills with a sip of water before walking toward your bedroom.

When you step into the room, Joshua is already in there making up your bed. He's cleaning to distract himself, to avoid you.

" 'Shua," You say quietly, leaning against the door frame.

"Wait," he continues folding the blankets on your bed. "I'm doing something right now."

" 'Shua," you say a little louder.

"Did you wash your dishes? I know you used a glass for the water," he asks.

"Joshua." You say firmly.

He sighs, giving up and sitting down on the bed. He runs his hands from his face up to his hair. You sit down on the bed next to him. In reality it's only a few moments, but it feels like an eternity of silence.

"I'm sorry," he starts.

"Don't apologize... we both said some hurtful, but truthful things last night," you bite the inside of your cheek.

A beat.

"You were right... I did give up on us a long time ago. But it wasn't unprompted, and I want you to understand that. I gave up before you could."

"What?" he asks, turning his head to look at you.

"You work so much... and so hard. I had no idea artists did so much until I met you, but your work has always been your priority. I love that you're passionate about your art, but you'll always put your work before me."

"That's not true," he defends.

"It is."

A beat.

You and Joshua Hong were meant to be, not meant to last. You shared your best and worst moments with him. You spent nearly 6 years creating unforgettable memories and sharing experiences you hold dear to your heart.

Your love was like a candle, it was once lit and burned with fiery passion. But it eventually burned out and faded into nothing but melted wax.

Fire may be pretty to look at, but touch it and you get burned.

"But I love you,"

"You don't.... not anymore"

"Don't try to tell me how I feel."

"Josh-"

"I don't know what it is you're trying to get at or do here, but it's fucked up. If this is you're way of trying to make excuses for falling out of love with me or something, then that’s just wrong Y/n.”

"Joshua! This relationship is not the way it was five years ago and you know it. You couldn't even thank me in your speech last night."

"You told me you were over that. I told you tha-"

"Stop cutting me off and let me speak!" you shout. "You forgot to thank me in your speech while I was standing in front of you with a painting of me displayed in my background. I have become an afterthought in your life and not a priority anymore. You managed to forget about me while looking directly at me... and a painting you did of me. If you loved me, if you really loved me, I would have been the first person you thanked. I wouldn't have slipped your mind Joshua. It may have been a mistake, but it told me everything I needed to know."

He frowns.

"You think you still love me because you love the idea of me. You-you love the way I look on a canvas and in exhibits. You love that even after 5 years of painting me, it still makes you money. But those fucking paintings don't have feelings he way I do," your eyes start to water. "You love the way Angel validates your artwork of me and is constantly working to get your work out there. You would never forget to thank Angel, because she's not just an idea or an afterthought to you. She gets you what you want and I just... don't."

"Oh my gosh how many times do I need to prove to you that I'm not fucking Angel?" he groans and stands up.

"Are you seriously still not listening to me? Not once did I accuse you of fucking her, and that's all you took away?! Fuck's sake Joshua!" You exclaim and stand to your feet. "I'm done."

"What do you mean 'you're done?'"

"It means... I can't do this anymore."

"So what... that's it? You wanna break up because of an argument?"

"IT IS NOT JUST AN ARGUMENT!" You scream. "I don't know how many ways there are for me to say it. I am exhausted, mentally, physically, emotionally. Last night... you said you weren't the only one who lost the baby. But when was the last time I modeled Joshua? I didn't get that chance to just jump back into my work after the loss. I'm sure it affected you, it was a horrible thing to go through, but I didn't just throw myself back into my work and move on. I am still struggling every day and you don't love me anymore. I have no reason to stay here with you."

The truth is... Joshua knows exactly what you're saying. For the first time, he's really really listening to you. He knows what you're saying is true, but he's having a hard time accepting it.

Joshua has never been good with criticism, being an artist and all.

The room is silent aside from you sniffling as you wipe away your tears. Joshua feels the knots twisting in his stomach and it's making him feel uneasy.

“I’m sorry… I know I should just accept it but I can’t. I’m hearing you, I really am. I just don’t want to let go… I won’t just throw away the last five years between us.”

“We can’t keep doing this Josh… holding onto nothing. There’s nothing that could really fix us at this point.”

“We could do therapy..” he suggests.

“Pay $200 a week just to have someone tell us what we already know? C’mon Josh, you know you don’t have the time for that.”

“I’d make the time.”

“You haven’t for the last few years… let’s not kid ourselves”

“So… you just wanna give up? You don’t want to try anymore?”

“I have been trying Josh. But it’s exhausting and there’s no point if there’s nothing worth holding onto anymore.”

“So… you don’t love me anymore either?”

“What?”

“You don’t love me anymore, do you? It’s not just me, right?”

“Yeah Josh, it’s mutual.”

His heart aches when you say it. The words leave a bitter aftertaste on your tongue.

"Okay," he says finally.

"Okay what?" You sniffle.

“Okay then… we’re done. There’s no point in staying together anymore.”

He runs the palms of his hands from his face to his hair and inhales.

“I hate that is had to come to this,” you say quietly.

“Yeah… me too” his voice breaks. “I can be out of here by tonight… you can keep the penthouse.”

“I couldn’t afford to live here on my own anyway, I’ll probably just uh- go back with my parents” You sniffle.

“You don’t-“

“It’s better that way, really.”

Silence fills the room. There’s so much to process. You really just ended things with the love of your life, your soulmate, your Joshie.

He sits on the floor with his back against the bed. He tilts his head back and sighs. You join him, sitting in an identical position next to him.

It doesn’t even feel real yet.

You’ve spent the last 5 years by his side with your mind filled with thoughts of how your story would unfold.

The aching in your heart hasn’t stopped, but you know this is for the best. It was long overdue, past the expiration date.

Much like a carton of milk, you can only drink it until it expires. Once it expires, it's no longer good and there's no way of restoring it to the way it used to be.

_______________________________________________

#seventeen smut #seventeen #seventeen fanfic #seventeen angst #joshua hong #joshua x reader #seventeen joshua #joshua seventeen #svt joshua #joshua svt #joshua smut #joshua angst #kpop

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axailslink · 1 year

Note

Hey! OMG you changed your layout thats so cool! I wanted to request a Shuri x Fem!reader where they go to a store to do something mundane but it’s so cute and fluff? I’ve seen so much toxic Shuri…I just want to see something where they have a healthy cute relationship.if it’s possible? I hope you have a nice day

My wife

Shuri x poc FEM reader

Summary: Just you and Shuri goofing off in the local Walmart with a kid.

A/n: thank you for your request love hopefully it's to your liking.

Shuri grabs her keys and waits for you "we're going to the store why do you need to get dressed?" You look her up and down "the real question is why are you not getting dressed? I'm not going to get eyed or judged by someone's auntie because I'm showing a little too much skin." Shuri laughs as you pull your dress over your legs and make sure it stops to a reasonable mid thigh. You look at her in her tank and she agrees going to grab a hoodie.

You both arrive at the store all you need are a few groceries but you both know the basket will be full before you leave. You're quick to grab a basket and Shuri raises her brow "we only need a few things" you nod "the baskets for me" you carefully climb in and Shuri just watches you her very grown wife climb into a Walmart basket in front of everyone Shuri carefully covers your behind as your dress raises ever so slightly. When you sit down you smile at her but she just shakes her head "you're a big fucking kid" you shrug your shoulders because it's true and you're not ashamed of it. "You knew this when you met me" you slouch down into the basket as Shuri pushes you around picking up the items you both need like toilet paper and feminine products. When you make it the feminine isle you see Shuri eyeing an opened douche confusedly you pick it up and she jumps "put that back we don't where that's been" "it hasn't been used they probably just looked at it" Shuri grabs a broom from the other isle and knockes it out of your hands causing you to look at her and roll your eyes. "Now pick it up" she looks at you and shakes her head "I'm not touching that I don't know where it's been" she tries to pick it up with the broom and you just watch her overly dramatic scream and jump when it almost touches her. You're tempted to leave the basket and help but it's kind of funny watching her struggle and freak. This is the same woman who wears the black panther suit?

You start recording using your kimoyo beads your snickering turns her attention to you though and she grabs your wrist "delete that" you shake your head and snatch your wrist "absolutely not I'm going to show mother how much of a germophobe she made." Shuri shakes her head as you end the recording "if you had to see how dirty things were constantly in a lab you'd be weary of what you touch too." "Nah you're just scared of a little douche juice." A child walks past and Shuri gets his attention he immediately smiles at Shuri "Queen Shuri" a smile runs quick to your face something about shuri with children has always made you smile she's good with them. Sometimes. "You want to do me a favor little man?" He nods "pick that up and put it right there" he does as told and Shuri smiles at him "where's your mama?" He smiles "over here." He tries to grab Shuri's arm but she grabs his wrist instead she seriously does not like unsanitary things. That includes children with grabby hands he leads her to the isle next to you both and she smiles at the woman. Shuri hooks her hand into the basket pulling you along. "Could I buy him something? He did me a favor." The woman is quick to respond "yes absolutely" Shuri smiles "I'll bring him back to you" Shuri all but tosses the kid onto your lap "you're queen Y/n" he smiles up at you and you can't help but smile "yes and you are?" "My name is Teshawn" as you talk to the little kid Shuri opens your purse and covers her hands in sanitizer and the childs.

Teshawn rides with you both as you shop for the day he does whatever Shuri does. It's is kind of cute he's like a little mini Shuri she grabs a box of cereal he grabs a box of cereal she grabs tissue he grabs tissue. Shuri of course can't tell him no. She lets the basket fill up when you both finally reach the last item you climb out of the basket with Shuri's help and plant a soft kiss on her lips forgetting Teshawn's existence for a moment. As Shuri pecks your lips a few times she gently pulls your dress down over your thighs. Teshawn covers his eyes as you both pull away "mama says you two are in love is that true?" You turn your attention to him "I don't know if that's the right word there are many like enchanted, captivate-" "devoted to?" You nod at his question "how do you know that word?" He shrugs "I don't know."

You run off for one last item and Shuri waits keeping the little man entertained which isn't hard. When you come back holding fake flowers Shuri sighs "baby what do we need that for?" You shrug "so we can stop buying real flowers perhaps?" You drop Teshawn a flower and give one to Shuri who can't help but s.ack your bare legs with the plastic you immediately smack her back with yours hitting her in the neck Teshawn jumps out of the basket and hits Shuri with his own fake plant fighting her legs "don't hit my queen" Shuri watches as he tries to bite her "your queen? This is my wife" he shakes his head "nope she's my wife" Shuri gasps "how dare you? You just gone take my woman little man?" He nods "yep she likes me more anyways." You laugh at their little back and forth bickering which happens the whole way to checkout.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You of course return Teshawn to his mother and help her fill the car with the items he made Shuri buy which she wasn't so quick to take. "We don't need a handout" Shuri shakes her head "unless you're willing to refund everything for sure but I think you should have it." The woman thanks Shuri while you hug Teshawn he looks at Shuri and sticks his tongue out "my woman" Shuri can't help but laugh. "I'm so sorry" you both shake your heads "no problem at all" Shuri remarks.

As soon as you both get into the car Shuri looks at you "you do know that's why we're not having kids right? We went in for five things left with fifty and he thinks you're his woman." You laugh as Shuri shakes her head "what happened to no problem at all?" She laughs "I lied."

A/n: this was enjoyable to write hopefully it's as enjoyable to read.

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heli-writes · 9 months

Text

A marriage of convenience, part 4: the honeymoon.

Pairing: Yoriichi x you

Summary: Yoriichi's friends think that Yoriichi is too lonely and needs a wife and family to take care of him. They propose a marriage of convenience to a woman who's in need of a husband. The arrangement of the marriage is simple: both parties live their lives as before, y/n takes care of Yoriichi as a wife and Yoriichi keeps unwanted men (and demons) away. Love is not required, friendship is appreciated. However, how detached can one be when living so close to each other?

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

Series Masterlist

*~*~*~*~*

It's a special day for Yoriichi today. The Kamado family promised to visit today. It's the first time he and (y/n) have acquaintances over. He noticed that (y/n) is somewhat anxious about it. She did her best in preparing food and cleaning the house. It's clear that she wants to make a good impression on his friends.

The Kamados arrive around midday. Yoriichi, (y/n) and (y/s/n) greet them at the door and invite them into the modest house. (Y/n) starts to serve lunch and the rest settles around the small table. It's almost too small for everyone. Maybe we need to get a bigger table, Yoriichi thinks to himself. "So, Yoriichi, have you and (y/n) settled? It must've been quite the change for the both of you.", Sumiyoshi initiates a conversation. "Yes, it was, but we get along fine.", Yoriichi answers the unspoken question by his friend. Sumiyoshi nods content. "That's good to hear.", he decides. At that moment (y/n) brings over the last plates and takes a seat next to Yoriichi. They wish each other a good meal and start eating. Sumiyoshi compliments (y/n)'s cooking and she thanks him with a red tint on her cheeks.

"So, (y/n), we've heard that you have your own business? That must be quite a lot of work.", Suyako asks (Y/n). (Y/n) nods and replies: "Sometimes it is. But it's work I love, so most of the time it doesn't feel like work at all." "That's the best kind of work. It means you've found your calling.", Sumiyoshi points out happily. (Y/n) nods smiling. "Actually, the art of healing runs in my family. My mother taught me as her mother taught her.", (y/n) explains. "So, it's a family business?", Suyako asks. "Well, it's just me these days. But our knowledge has been passed down and expanded over generations.", (y/n) answers. Sumiyoshi nods approvingly. "It's reassuring for us to know that someone with your abilities lives together with Yoriichi. In his line of work, you never know when one comes home hurt.", he states. "I understand what you mean. I worry about this too. But so far Yoriichi hasn't come out with even a scratch.", (y/n) notes. Yoriichi clears his throat and joins the conversation: "I wouldn't want to be a burden to you." (Y/n) puts a hand on his arm that rests on the table. "You could never be a burden.", she exclaims, "You know, Yoriichi really is a low-maintenance man. He never asks for anything or complains.". Yoriichi notices how Sumiyoshi and Suyako exchange glances after seeing (y/n)'s hand on his arm. He pulls his arm away in embarrassment.

"Oh, we totally forgot to ask! How was your honeymoon?", Suyako suddenly exclaims excitedly. Sumiyoshi quickly pokes her with his elbow. Surely that's the last thing Yoriichi wants to talk about. However, when he looks into the perplexed faces of (y/n) and Yoriichi, he and his wife are flabbergasted. "Wait… you did have a honeymoon, right?", Suyaki asks. "Well…", (y/n) starts out. "We haven't had the time yet.", Yoriichi helps her out. At this moment, (y/s/n), who sits next to (y/n), grabs the sleeve of (y/n)'s kimono and points toward Sumire who is settled on her mother's lap. "Do you want to go play?", (y/n) asks the two children who nod in return. "Alright, you don't have to sit at the boring adult table. How about you play some games in the bedroom?", (y/n) says and gets up. She takes the two children to the bedroom, happily to escape the awkward honeymoon conversation.

After (y/n) is out of the room, Sumiyoshi and Suyaki turn to Yoriichi with an outraged expression on their faces. "You didn't take her on a honeymoon, Yoriichi?", Suyaki asks reproachfully. "There was no need for it.", Yoriichi answers calmly. "Of course, there is!", Sumiyoshi stresses, "Especially in your case." "I don't think I can follow. Honeymoons are for newlyweds in love.", Yoriichi states. "I mean, kind of yes," Sumiyoshi replies. "But it's also great to get to know the other person better. Considering you married a total stranger, it would be good to spend some time together and get to know her.", Suyaki explains. "I got to know her here as well.", Yoriichi tries to argue. "Oh really?", Suyaki says crossing her arms, "So what does (y/n) like to do for relaxation?" Yoriichi thinks for a moment. "Tending to her herb garden.", he concludes almost triumphantly. Sumiyoshi and Suyaki exchange appalled looks. "You mean her herb garden from which she makes her medicine that she then sells?", Suyaki says disapprovingly, "That's work, Yoriichi, not relaxation." Yoriichi presses his lips together in a small line. He hates to admit it but he actually has no idea what (y/n) does for relaxation or a hobby. "You see, Yoriichi, a getaway together is not a dumb idea. You'll live together with this woman, well, forever, I guess. You could at least make the effort to get to know her.", Suyaki concludes. Yoriichi stays silent, too embarrassed to admit that Suyaki is right. Sumiyoshi tries to lighten the mood and proposes: "Well, it's not too late for a honeymoon. Why don't you and (y/n) take off a few days? You could walk up to Mount Kameshima. Rent a room at the local village for a few days and enjoy the hot springs. What do you think?" Yoriichi is not happy about his friend's idea. "I'm not sure (y/s/n) would have a lot of fun. He's a really active child, you know…", he tries to worm his way out of this situation. Suyaki gives him a bittersweet smile. "That's not a problem. He can stay with us. That way you can really get to know your wife." Yoriichi looks at her defeatedly. Seems like there is no way out of this. Suyaki claps her hands together and stands. "Then it's decided. I am going to tell (y/n) about this.", she says. Sumiyoshi looks at him apologetically. "I'm really sorry, my friend. Once my wife sets her mind to something, there's no going back."

*~*~*~*~*

The atmosphere is so thick one could cut it with a knife. (Y/n) and Yoriichi walk silently beside each other. After they dropped off (y/s/n) at the Kamados, they started their walk up to Mount Kameshima. Since the drop-off, they haven't really spoken to each other. (Y/n) tried to stir a conversation a few times but quickly noticed that Yoriichi wasn't in a good mood. It's clear to her that he's rather upset about the whole honeymoon idea. While they make their way up the mountain, (y/n) gets lost in her own thoughts. When Suyaki told her about the honeymoon, she was surprised but not opposed to it. She can't see what Yoriichi's problem is with this. The lines are drawn and it should be obvious that they won't be crossed at home or in a nice guest house at a hot spring. (Y/n) can't remember when the last time was that she had a day off. She loves (y/s/n) dearly, but being a mother also means always being on duty. She can't wait to hit the hot springs and relax for a couple of days. Suyaki was so nice and organized the whole thing for them. All Yoriichi and (y/n) had to do were pack their bags.

It will take them half a day to walk up to the local village. (Y/n) prepared some lunch boxes for both of them. Since it is their holiday, she even went all out and baked some cake with sweet icing. They only had a quick breakfast and they're already halfway there. (Y/n) starts to get tired and feels her stomach rumbling. "Hey Yoriichi,", she says almost out of breath, "Can we take a break somewhere soon?" Yoriichi still looks as fresh as when they started their walk but nods when he sees the slight layer of sweat on (y/n)'s forehead. "Great!", (y/n) beamed, "But I want to have lunch with a view! Let's see if we can get away from these trees so we can look onto the valley.". The two leave the path and walk for a while until they find a spot close to the edge of the mountain. They sit down beneath a tree and (y/n) takes out the lunch boxes. They start eating in silence. It's a nice day. It's warm and sunny but not too hot. (Y/n) closes her eyes for a moment and enjoys the cool breeze on her face and hair. She doesn't notice Yoriichi staring at her. Yoriichi clears his throat. "So, what do you wanna do the next days?", he asks her. (Y/n) crooks her head. "Hm, good question. I definitely want to soak in the hot springs! I've also heard that there are some caves around this area to which locals offer guided tours to.", she says. "Caves?", Yoriichi asks uncertainly. (Y/n) nods, "Yes. There's a creek that flows through a cave system. Part of it can be safely explored on small boats. It's a tourist attraction around here." "We can do that if you want to.", Yoriichi notes. (Y/n) smiles at him happily. Yoriichi starts to feel a bit bad. It's clear that (y/n) is excited about this trip and he would prefer to be anywhere else than here. "Is there anything you would like to do?", (y/n) asks him. Yoriichi shrugs, "Not really." (Y/n) expected this answer. "Well, we can also split up somewhen. You don't have to do all the things I would like to do.", she proposes. Yoriichi can't meet her eye at that. Clearly, she noticed that he doesn't want to spend time alone with her. "Hey", she nudges him, "Just because Suyaki calls this a honeymoon, it doesn't have to be one. For me, it's just a kid-free vacation. You won't have many of these in the future, so you should make sure that you enjoy it!". (Y/n) gives him a lopsided grin ad Yoriichi relaxes at that a bit. They finish their meal in peace and then continue their journey.

(Y/n) is exhausted by the time they arrive and even Yoriichi feels a bit tired. The guest house they are staying at is run by a nice elderly couple who have already been waiting for them when (Y/n) and Yoriichi make their appearance at their front door. Mrs. Nakamura shows them their way to the room. "This guest house is often booked by newlyweds. So I'm sure you will enjoy your stay.", she explains as they arrive at the door. "We also took care of your extra requests. If anything is missing, just tell us.", she says as she quickly disappears into the hallway. "Extra request?", (y/n) wonders out loud and Yoriichi only shrugs. When they enter their room, they quickly notice what Mrs. Nakamura meant. In the middle of the room lies a large two-person futon with rose petals on top which form a way to the front door. There's also a bottle of sake and some mochis on a table near the wall. "This must be Suyaki's work.", Yoriichi notes. "That's for sure.", (y/n) deadpans. She walks into the room and puts down some of her luggage. As she turns around to Yoriichi, she asks: "But she's aware of the circumstances of this marriage, right?" Yoriichi nods. "She is, but she's also a hopeless romantic.", he points out. "Or she likes teasing us. I'm sure we can ask Mrs. Nakamura for another Futon.", (y/n) says softly when she noticed how Yoriichi kept staring at the futon. He nods and says: "Right, let's do that.". "Like right now?", (y/n) asks. She hoped they could freshen up a little bit first. She's desperate to get out of the clothes she's wearing. "It's fine. I go, you can stay.", he says, as he turns for the door.

"I am really sorry for the inconvenience. Newlyweds usually take a futon like that.", Mrs. Nakamura apologizes after Yoriichi stated their case. Yoriichi shifts uncomfortably. It is usual. Indeed it is unusual for them, a married couple, to ask for separate futons. "You see," he tries to explain, "I didn't really know (y/n) before we got married.". Mrs. Nakamura gives him a knowing glance. "Oh, young man, don't worry about that. First time I saw my husband was at the altar and everything worked out fine.", she says reassuringly, "But it's very considerate of you. I will put a second futon in your room so you have a choice tonight." Yoriichi feels his cheeks burning up. Clearly, Mrs. Nakamura had the wrong idea why they didn't want to sleep in the same futon. He thanks her nevertheless and walks back to their room. Still deep in thought, he opens the door without knocking. He's face to face with (y/n) in an open kimono. Instantly, (y/n)'s face turns beet red. He quickly slams the door closed. Taking a deep breath, he leans against the door. He waits outside while (y/n) finishes changing. Eventually, she leaves the room. Her cheeks are still slightly red and she can't meet Yoriichi's eyes. "So, uhm, you want to change too?" she asks. "I'm ready to hit the hot springs.", she points out while holding a bag with a towel. Yoriichi nods and quickly changes behind the closed door as well. When he's done, they walk to the nearby hot springs. Yoriichi's glad that the hot spring is divided into an area for men and one for women. He doesn't think he could handle a mixed bath after what just happened.

After they've soaked in the springs for a while, both of them leave the bathhouse a lot more relaxed than before. By then, it's already early evening. "Wanna take a stroll and then look for a place to eat?", (y/n) proposes. "Sure.", Yoriichi agrees. They walk through the village for a bit. They eventually find the market square. (Y/n) asks a local when the next market will be. The woman explains to her that the next day there will be a normal market in the morning and in the afternoon, there will be a handcraft market. (Y/n) thanks her and walks back to Yoriichi. He sees her eyes glistening excitingly. It's clear she's excited about the news. "Would you like to go to the handcraft market tomorrow?", he asks her. (Y/n) nods vigorously. "Absolutely!", she exclaims a bit too loud. "But you don't have to tag along.", she quickly adds. "It's fine. After all, I asked you.", Yoriichi answers. Also, it's not like he has anything else to do. "Great.", (y/n) smiles, "Then let's find a place to eat."

After a good meal, the two of them arrive back at the guest house. They take turns in the bathroom and get ready for bed. While (y/n) is in the bathroom, Yoriichi rolls out the second futon and sits on top of it. "Are you already tired?", (y/n) asks Yoriichi after she enters the bedroom in her sleepwear. Not really, Yoriichi thinks. After all, he's used to staying up late into the night chasing demons. However, he also doesn't know what else to do with (y/n), so he just gives her a shrug. (Y/n) pulls out a deck of cards. Yoriichi doesn't recognize the design of the cards. "My sister got this for me during her travels abroad.", (y/n) explains, "Do you want to play? I can teach you some games." Yoriichi gives her a nod and (y/n) starts shuffling the cards. (Y/n) teaches Yoriichi a variety of games. It turns out that he's terrible at a game called Cheat which (y/n) finds especially amusing since she manages to sniff out his lies despite his never changing facial expression. Yoriichi beats her a couple of times at a game called Rummy. At that, (y/n) mumbles something about a blind chicken which Yoriichi doesn't get but also doesn't ask about. Eventually, it gets late enough to go to bed and the two settle in their respective futons.

They lay facing one another but it's dark enough that they can't see each other's faces. Yoriichi can't fall asleep and according to (y/n)'s breathing pattern, she's not asleep either. "Hey, Yoriichi?", (y/n) asks into the dark. "Yes?", she hears somewhere next to her. "Is it really okay for you to be on this trip to me?", she asks him. Yoriichi knows there is only one right answer to this question, but he doesn't want to lie to her. "I don't feel comfortable."; he tells her truthfully. (Y/n) knew this, of course, but hearing it from him still stings. She turns away from him and stares at the pitch-black ceiling. "I'm sorry Suyaki made us do this.", she says. She hears Yoriichi shifting in his futon. "She meant well," he replies, "I'm sorry that I'm not as excited as you. I'm ruining the mood for you." (Y/n) has to smile at that. Yoriichi doesn't let it on, but he actually cares a lot about other people's feelings. "Is there anything I can do to make it more comfortable for you?", she asks him. Even though (y/n) can't see him, he shakes his head. "No, this is in my head. Nothing you can do about it.", he answers her. (Y/n)'s silent for a while. "You know," she says quietly, "I had a whole honeymoon planned out. Everything was already booked and paid for. I was more excited about the honeymoon than the actual wedding. The wedding was for the others, our family and friends, but the honeymoon… that was supposed to be just for us." (Y/n)'s voice sounds less steady at the end and Yoriichi feels his heart sink. How selfish of him, he thinks, of course, she's hurting too. The whole day he was all gloomy thinking about how he shouldn't go on a vacation like this with any other woman than Uta. He turns his head in her direction. "How do you do it?", he asks her. "Do what?", she replies. "How can you be so happy about this vacation? How can you think about anything else but him?", he clarifies. (Y/n)'s stunned at that for a moment. With a stoic man like Yoriichi, it is easy to forget that he can feel this deeply. "This is not a honeymoon for me. It can't be. If I would entertain that thought, I couldn't be like this.", she says into the dark. Yoriichi can feel his eyes burn. "Will this ever get better?". Yoriichi doesn't notice that he says this out loud. (Y/n) turns back to him. "I'm not sure I even want that", she tells him, "Wouldn't that mean we're forgetting?". Yoriichi doesn't trust his voice, so he only shrugs. "I don't want to forget", (y/n) concludes. "You shouldn't hurt so bad though.", Yoriichi states quietly, "I wouldn't want that." (Y/n) has to smile at that. Yoriichi really is a sweetheart. She reaches out for him with her hand. After some searching, she finds his face. She gently wipes the quiet tears away she knew that would be there. "I don't want that for you either.", she says. Yoriichi touches her hand and squeezes it lightly. "Hey, how about this? Let's make this arrangement about not forgetting but stopping hurting.", she proposes. "That sounds like a good idea.", he replies. (Y/n) pinches his cheek. "Then let's start tomorrow. Let's think about them and have a good day.", she says. "Okay.", Yoriichi whispers. (Y/n) pulls her hand away. "Good night, Yoriichi", (y/n) whispers back, "I hope you dream about her."

#demon slayer #demon slayer yoriichi #kny #kny x reader #kny x you #yoriichi tsugikuni #yoriichi x y/n #yoriichi x you #kimetsu no yaiba #yoriichi

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