#yes this is my first post in over a year shush

[xthelastknownsurvivorx]

an incomplete list: things alex (and us readers) love about hrh prince henry of wales

something that I love dearly and find super cool about the list that alex makes for henry about what he loves about him is that we've actually experienced most of these things about henry with alex throughout the narrative of the book so it feels super organic and touching because yes we've come to love these things about henry too

so in honor of henry's birthday and because i was feeling sappy, here's all the moments throughout the book described in the list under the cut

1. The sound of your laugh when I piss you off.

Chapter 2, end of alex's london trip

“No booty calls,” Alex tells him, and Henry chokes on a laugh.

Chapter 4, great turkey calamity

“…you’re not a totally boring asshole.” “Wow,” Henry says with a laugh. “I’m honored.”

Chapter 10, morning after alex storms kensington

“Hi,” Alex says carefully, squinting over his coffee. “You seem … less pissy.” Henry huffs a laugh. “You’re one to talk. …’”

2. The way you smell underneath your fancy cologne, like clean linens but somehow also fresh grass (what kind of magic is this?).

Chapter 7, post-karaoke

Henry smells like expensive cologne and champagne and a distinctly Henry smell that never goes away, clean and grassy…

Chapter 9, lake house

…then Alex has him, inhaling the clean smell of him, laughing into the crook of his neck.

Chapter 15, election night

The second he steps backstage, there’s a hand on his back, the achingly familiar gravity of someone else’s body reentering his space before it even touches his, a clean, familiar scent light in the air between.

3. That thing you do where you stick out your chin to try to look tough.

Chapter 6, post-red room

“Hang on,” Henry says, and Alex is already groaning in protest, but Henry pulls back and rests his fingertips on Alex’s lips to shush him. “I want—” His voice starts and stops, and he’s looking like he’s resolving not to cringe at himself again. He gathers himself, stroking a finger up to Alex’s cheek before jutting his chin out defiantly. “I want you on the bed.”

Chapter 7, phone conversation

“It’s fine,” Henry says, steadiness rising in his voice as if he’s stuck out his chin in that stubborn way he does sometimes. Alex wishes he could see it.

Chapter 13, confrontation with mary

And [Henry] does the thing Alex loves so much: He sticks his chin out, steeling himself up. “I’m not a coward,” he says. “And I don’t want to fix it.”

4. How your hands look when you play piano.

Chapter 6, post-red room

Alex tries not to be in awe of the simple agility of his hands, tries not to think about classical piano or how swift and smooth years of polo have trained Henry to be.

Chapter 8, in Henry's apartments following wimbledon

His hands are fast, almost effortless, even as he goes off into a tangent about the War of the Romantics and how Liszt’s daughter left her husband for Wagner, quel scandale.

5. All the things I understand about myself now because of you.

Chapter 6

He’s starting to understand what swelled in his chest the first time he read about Stonewall, why he ached over the SCOTUS decision in 2015. … It’s weird that the thing with Henry could make him understand this huge part of himself, but it does. When he sinks into thoughts of Henry’s hands, square knuckles and elegant fingers, he wonders how he never realized it before. When he sees Henry next at a gala in Berlin, and he feels that gravitational pull, chases it down in the back of a limo, and binds Henry’s wrists to a hotel bedpost with his own necktie, he knows himself better.

6. How you think Return of the Jedi is the best Star Wars (wrong) because deep down you’re a gigantic, sappy, embarrassing romantic who just wants the happily ever after.

Chapter 2, in the medical supply closet

Then, unprompted, Henry says into the stretching stillness, “Return of the Jedi.” A beat. “What?” “To answer your question,” Henry says. “Yes, I do like Star Wars, and my favorite is Return of the Jedi.” “Oh,” Alex says. “Wow, you’re wrong.” “…isn’t there something to be valued in a happy ending as well?” “Spoken like a true Prince Charming.” “I’m only saying, I like the resolution of Jedi. It ties everything up nicely. And the overall theme you’re intended to take away from the films is hope and love and … er, you know, all that. Which is what Jedi leaves you with a sense of most of all.”

Henry's passion and ability to recite things he's interested in 7. Your ability to recite Keats. 8. Your ability to recite Bernadette’s “Don’t let it drag you down” monologue from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Chapter 7

It’s another thing Henry does—whipping out these analyses of what he reads or watches or listens to…

Chapter 10, in the v&a

“James was completely besotted [with George Villiers]. Everyone knew. This French poet, de Viau, wrote a poem about it.” [Henry] clears his throat and starts to recite: “‘One man fucks Monsieur le Grand, another fucks the Comte de Tonnerre, and it is well known that the King of England, fucks the Duke of Buckingham.’”

Henry, who has tried, does try, and keeps trying 9. How hard you try. 10. How hard you’ve always tried. 11. How determined you are to keep trying.

Chapter 6, red room

Alex has been learning for a while Henry isn’t what he thought, but it’s something else to feel it this close up, the quiet burn in him, the pent-up person under the perfect veneer who tries and pushes and wants.

Chapter 7, conversation with June and the J-14 magazine

“It pisses me off sometimes, thinking about everything he’s been through. He’s a good person. He really cares, and he tries. He never deserved any of it.”

Chapter 10, when alex storms kensington

Alex swallows hard. “You’re not even gonna try to be happy?” “For Christ’s sake,” Henry says, “I’ve been trying to be happy my entire idiot life. My birthright is a country, not happiness.”

Chapter 10, morning after alex storms kensington

“I’m saying,” Henry begins, and the knit of his brow is nervous but his mouth keeps speaking, “I’m terrified, and my whole life is completely mad, but trying to give you up this week nearly killed me. And when I woke up this morning and looked at you … there’s no trying to get by for me anymore. I don’t know if I’ll ever be allowed to tell the world, but I … I want to. One day. If there’s any legacy for me on this bloody earth, I want it to be true. So I can offer you all of me, in whatever way you’ll have me, and I can offer you the chance of a life. If you can wait, I want you to help me try.”

Chapter 13, in london following the email leak

Henry who has been through the worst thing and now the next worst thing and is still alive. [Alex] reaches out a hand and touches the ridge of Henry’s shoulder blade, the skin where the sheet has slid off him, where his lungs stubbornly refuse to stop pulling air.

Honorable mention: When Alex used to think Henry didn't try Chapter 1, the lead up to cakegate

“I’m just saying,” Alex says, resting an overly friendly elbow on Henry’s shoulder… “You could try to act like you’re having fun. Occasionally.”

12. That when your shoulders cover mine, nothing else in the entire stupid world matters.

Chapter 5, in Alex's room after the state dinner

Henry’s hands are huge on his back, his jaw sharp and rough with a long day’s stubble, his shoulders broad enough to eclipse Alex when he rolls them over and pins Alex to the mattress. None of it feels anything like anything he’s felt before, but it’s just as good, maybe better.

Chapter 7, post-karaoke

Henry rolls Alex onto his side and burrows behind him until he’s covering him completely, his shoulders a brace for Alex’s shoulders, one of his thighs pressed on top of Alex’s thighs, his arms over Alex’s arms and his hands over Alex’s hands, nowhere left untouched. It’s the best Alex has slept in years.

13. The goddamn issue of Le Monde you brought back to London with you and kept and have on your nightstand (yes, I saw it).

Chapter 7, paris

In the morning, room service brings up crusty baguettes and sticky tarts filled with fat apricots and a copy of Le Monde that Alex makes Henry translate out loud.

Chapter 10, morning after alex storms kensington

And beside him, there’s a copy of Le Monde on the nightstand… He recognizes the date: Paris. The first time they woke up next to each other.

14. The way you look when you first wake up.

Surprisingly, no direct descriptions of this but we can extrapolate from Chapter 15, presidential election victory celebration

And for a fraction of a second, a whole crystallized life flashes into view, a next term and no elections left to win, a schedule packed with classes and Henry smiling from the pillow next to him in the gray light of a Brooklyn morning.

15. Your shoulder-to-waist ratio.

Chapter 5, alex sexuality crisis musings while on a run with june

He thinks about Henry’s voice low in his ear over the phone at three in the morning, and suddenly he has a name for what ignites in the pit of his stomach. Henry’s hands on him, …Henry’s mouth, … Henry’s broad shoulders and long legs and narrow waist…

16. Your huge, generous, ridiculous, indestructible heart.

Chapter 9, last night at the lake house

What if [Alex] got so wrapped up in everything Henry is—the words he writes, the earnest heartsickness of him—he forgot to take into account that it’s just how he is, all the time, with everyone?

Chapter 11, hometown stuff email

You love so much bigger than yourself, bigger than everything. I can’t believe how lucky I am to even witness it—to be the one who gets to have it, and so much of it, is beyond luck and feels like fate.

Chapter 12, bad metaphors about maps email

…the truth of you. the weird, perfect shape of your heart. the one on the outside of your chest. give yourself away sometimes, sweetheart. there’s so much of you.

Chapter 12, in london following the email leak

Six feet of boy curled around kicked-in ribs and a recalcitrant heart.

17. Your equally huge dick.

Chapter 10, in the V&A

“Oh, yeah,” Alex says. “The top list of reasons to love you goes brain, then dick, then imminent status as a revolutionary gay icon.”

18. The face you just made when you read that last one.

Chapter 4, new years eve party

[Alex] was having fun watching everything he did play out on Henry’s face.

19. The way you look when you first wake up (I know I already said this, but I really, really love it).

See #14

20. The fact that you loved me all along.

Chapter 10, morning after alex storms kensington

“What about you?” “What about me?” Henry says. “Christ, Alex. The whole bloody time.” “The whole time?” “Since the Olympics.” “The Olympics?” Alex yanks Henry’s pillow out from under him. “But that’s, that’s like—” “Yes, Alex, the day we met, nothing gets past you, does it?” Henry says, reaching to steal the pillow back. “‘What about you,' he says, as if he doesn’t know—”

Chapter 11, re hometown stuff email

But the first time I saw you. Rio. I took that down to the gardens. I pressed it into the leaves of a silver maple and recited it to the Waterloo Vase. It didn’t fit in any rooms. You were talking with Nora and June, happy and animated and fully alive, a person living in dimensions I couldn’t access, and so beautiful. Your hair was longer then. You weren’t even a president’s son yet, but you weren’t afraid. You had a yellow ipê-amarelo in your pocket. I thought, this is the most incredible thing I have ever seen, and I had better keep it a safe distance away from me. I thought, if someone like that ever loved me, it would set me on fire. And then I was a careless fool, and I fell in love with you anyway. When you rang me at truly shocking hours of the night, I loved you. When you kissed me in disgusting public toilets and pouted in hotel bars and made me happy in ways in which it had never even occurred to me that a mangled-up, locked-up person like me could be happy, I loved you.

#rwrb #red white and royal blue #firstprince #henry fox mountchristen windsor #alex and henry #rwarb spoilers #alex claremont diaz #rwarb #rwrb fic

[callsign-rogueone]

a brief history of Navarre - x.r.

Xaden Riorson x marked!partner!reader (gn) Midterm week at Basgiath has you wanting to pull an all-nighter to study, but Xaden won’t let you. requested as part of my Valentine’s day celly 💕 (gonna be posting these well into March, oops) words: 745 🏷: no book spoilers and no triggers, just X taking care of his partner. established relationship between reader and Xaden. the reader wears one of Xaden’s shirts, but there is no description of how it fits on them (we bigger / taller girls are tired of reading that [character]’s clothes are soo oversized and long on us!) shoutout to the people who put a full timeline of the continent’s history online bc I was too lazy to find it all in my copy lol

“I’m calling it a night,” Xaden announces, closing his textbook. “Gonna go shower.”

You hum in acknowledgement, pen between your teeth as you read the same page for the fifth time tonight, still trying to cram six hundred years of history into your brain. You’ve been sitting on his floor for hours, and the lines of text are starting to blur together, words starting to look misspelled and foreign, losing their meaning with repetition.

You spent too much time reviewing the first fifty decades. You still have nearly another hundred years to cover, from 530 to present. 

It has not escaped your notice that the book reduces the Tyrrish revolution to an afterthought, at the end of the text. The belittling words they’d chosen to describe your parents’ valiant effort had nearly been enough for Xaden to light the entire volume on fire, but he’d settled for ripping that page out of his copy and letting Sgaeyl torch it.

You’d left it in yours as a reminder that these people are not on your side, nor will they ever be. 

The running water stops, Xaden stepping back into the room a moment later. “You’re still studying?” He asks, rubbing at his hair with a towel. “You must be really into that book if you aren’t checking me out right now. I’m literally dripping.” 

He’s a little offended that you don’t even look up as you answer. 

“This is important, Xay. It’s a third of our final grade.”

He dries his hands on his pants, taking the book from your hands easily -- your grip on it has loosened with your exhaustion.

You protest, but he shushes you. “Why did Poromiel not unite with Navarre after the great war?”

It takes you a moment to respond, pushing through the sleepy fog to find the answer. “Religious differences”, you reply tiredly. “And their king did not want to share his throne with Navarre’s.”

“Good. When was the second Cygni Incursion?”

“328.”

“And the second Krovlan uprising?”

“434.”

He shuts the book, gathering your notes into a neat stack. “You know this stuff, darling. You’re going to pass this exam with flying colors and set the curve for the whole class, but only if you get some sleep.”

Materials now confiscated, you have nowhere to look except up at him, and your resolve immediately starts to crumble.

He’s ready for bed, dressed only in a pair of black sweatpants that drape across his hips and cover the muscle of his legs, but every other inch of skin is exposed; the relic swirling up his muscled arm, the definition of his chest and stomach, the broad expanse of his shoulders…

You’re too tired to jump his bones right now, but it would be nice to stop, to cuddle up with him, to fall asleep in his arms. Your schedules are packed with classes, studying, training, his wingleader duties, and your responsibility for the younger marked ones. It’s been nearly a week since you’ve been able to hold him for more than five minutes. His skin is always so warm against yours, and his mattress is certainly more comfortable than the hardwood floor… 

You hesitate, still eyeing the book in his hands. “I don’t know…”

“Yes, you do. C’mere.”

You sigh, letting him pull you up from the floor. Your muscles sing in relief as you stand, your back aching from being hunched over for hours. You relax into him, resting your eyes for a minute.

“Go brush your teeth,” he encourages.

You don’t want to move from his arms, but three years of dating the boy has taught you that he won’t yield on matters of your health. You sigh, heading to the bathroom.

When you get back, he’s packing everything into your bag for tomorrow — or today, rather. You’d started studying after dinner, and now it’s well after midnight. 

He helps you out of the day-old clothes and into one of his shirts and a clean pair of underwear -- you keep a few days of necessities here for moments like these. 

You curl into his side, pulling the blankets overtop of you, and the swirling thoughts are replaced with the easy contentment that comes with being held by your partner.

“You’re going to do great,” he whispers, smoothing a hand over your back. “Just get some rest, okay?”

You don’t respond, already lulled to sleep by the steadiness of his heartbeat and the warmth of his arms around you.

#xaden riorson #xaden riorson x reader #fourth wing #fourth wing fanfic #reader insert #fourth wing x reader #mine

[siriustaylorsversion]

Nevermind (Taylor Swift x reader) She has always owned my heart pt.4

finally got over my writers block so this is a little long <3 thankyou so much @karsonromanoff for the idea!!

part one, two and three

enews

enews does anyone hear wedding bells? singer yourname.official seen wearing an ENGAGEMENT RING in a new interview... what news do her and taylorswift bring??? liked by tomhalland2013, y/n_sink and 4,205,600 others.

y/n.sink WHAT IS GOING ON IS THIS REAL????

tay.y/nforevermore TMZ POSTED AND TOM HOLLAND LIKED THIS IS HAPPENING theerastour.updates IM FREAKING OUT WHAT THE HELL

costataylorsversion IM GONNA CRY IF THIS IS NOT TRUE IM SO HAPPY

conangray my mothers are doing what now??

oliviarodrigo oh my god yourname.official SO HAPPY FOR YOU

siriustaylorsversion NOT #mymothersaremarried TRENDING ON TWITTER WHAT 😭😭😭

snehit.13 NOT LEAVING MY PHONE UNTIL THEY CONFIRM

blakelively oh wow

tay.y/nforevermore WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'WOW'?????? y/n.sink MOM WHAT'S HAPPENING

y/n_sink

y/n_sink it's yourname.official's new story AND OH MY GOD MY PARENTS ARE MARRIED IM DEAD liked by woodvaleisreal, y/n_sink and 100,309 others.

y/nandsadie.forevermore FORGET TEARDROPS MY GUITAR IS FLOODED

y/ntourupdates but her story is so real 😭😭😭

folkmore.forevermore THIS IS WHAT WE NEEDED BEST NEWS TO START THE NEW YEAR

yourname.official

yourname.official IM OPENING FOR THE LOVE OF MY LIFE (and the highest grossing tour, I could not be prouder) liked by tomhalland2013, blakelively and 7,208,600 others.

taylorswift could not be more excited, my love 🥹🩷🩷

blakelively my favorite girls, oh my god <3

folkmore.forevermore CONGRATS ON THE ENGAGEMENT

y/nandsadie.forevermore YOU'RE MARRIED????????

woodvaleisreal SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS AAAAHHH

conangray CONGRATULATIONS, MOTHER (why didn't you tell me??)

yourname.official what's up with the comments?

tomholland2013 i might've accidentally liked a post... yourname.official uh huh.... tomholland2013 it might've accidentally been about your nonexistent wedding, nevermind... yourname.official you're dead, spidey. folkmore WAIT WHAT IS GOING ON??

taylorswift

taylorswift we got married? looking at all the fake wedding drama like 😦 liked by yourname.official, blakelively and 7,208,600 others.

yourname.official it was fun while it lasted 💘

zendaya wait, what drama??

tomholland2013 nothing, nothing at all. i- zendaya you good?? yourname.official got him mid-sentence... rest in peace, holland

forever.more I'M CRYING WHY IS THIS ONE NOT TRUE

y/n_sink i have never been this heartbroken, why.

folkmore.forevermore WHAT NOOO??????

blakelively i thought you didn't tell us </3

taylorswift you'd be the first one to know when it does happen tomholland you'd say yes to her? why?? yourname.official shush, you're dead.

y/ntourupdates THAT'S IT I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE

jimmyfallon

jimmyfallon we're gonna have yourname.official talking about the eras tour, the wedding rumors and should she "pull a monica" for a surprise proposal? don't worry, blondie can't see this post liked by yourname.official, blakelively and 3,200,600 others.

comments on this post have been limited

yourname.official i should go do it...

blakelively best of luck, darling <3

tmz

tmz We are not coming to you with fake news this time, that time was in yourname.official's words... "all Tom Hollands fault". On the Jimmy Fallon show, the singer revealed that all the comments by the fans made her reflect on her relationship and said that "I couldn't be happier being with my girlfriend and I just think maybe we should get married. Taylor was scared at first that the people would believe the news and we'd have to get married when I'm not ready but.. it's like that one f.r.i.e.n.d.s. episode, maybe I should pull a monica and ask her." We could not be happier for the couple, now it's up to Ms. Swift to follow her own lyrics and baby just say yes. liked by zendaya, blakelively and 5,060,700 others.

forever.more I WAS WATCHING AND I LITERALLY SOBBED WHEN SHE SAID THIS, THEY ARE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER

y/n_sink THEY BETTER GET MARRIED BECAUSE OH MY GOD

folkmore.forevermore IMPATIENTLY WAITING FOR NEW NEWS ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS THE BEST THING TO BEGIN THE YEAR WITH

gracieabrams they both have such a way with words, I'm actually crying.

yourname.official

yourname.official NEVERMIND, SHE SAID YES liked by taylorswift, blakelively and 11,060,789 others.

taylorswift I LOVE YOU SO MUCH OF COURSE I SAID YES

yourname.official YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME CRY AGAIN

gracieabrams FINALLY 🥹💖💖

tomholland13 to think i made this happen

yourname.official shUSH tomholland2013 congratulations and you're welcome 🙄💕

conangray YOU'RE FINALLY MARRIED AAAAAAHHHHH

oliviarodrigo CONGRATS GUYS!!

forever.more YOU GUYS ARE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER, THIS IS AMAZING

y/n_sink LITERALLY THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

taylorswift

taylorswift of course i said yes, there is no other answer when it comes to her 🩷🩷🩷 liked by yourname.official, blakelively and 13,000,000 others.

had a lot of fun writing this, maybe I'll make the wedding a part 5? stay happy and hydrated!

#siriustaylorsversion #taylor swift #taylornation #smau #taylor swift x reader #swifties #the eras tour #selena gomez #selena gomez x reader #taylor swift x selena gomez #taylor swift x fem!reader #selenator #fyp #explore #taylorswift #taylor nation #the eras tour fic

[rosebudfics]

please can you write a severusx wife reader ;they are sick and take care of them selves

also one of severus being a girl dad when she is a baby and he spends a day with her

Sick Days

Severus Snape x wife reader

Warnings: reader is slightly shorter than snape, suggestive, Snape is a lil ooc

A/N: AHH my first request!! Thanks for sending it in!! I'm going to be splitting this request into two parts, so this one will be about them being sick and the next one I post will be about Snape being a dad! Enjoy~

It had started out with a small cough, but quickly turned into a horrible cold. You were trying to keep your distance from Severus so he wouldn't catch it. Severus brushed off your attempts with an eye roll and he walked up to you with a small vial.

"Here, this should help." He said, before handing it to you.

You sighed before drinking it, then handing it back to him. "Thanks, Sev."

He bent down to kiss you on the lips but you stopped him. "You're gonna get sick, no kissing!"

Severus scoffed. "Oh please, I think I'll survive." He then bent back down to kiss you a soft kiss. He gripped at your waist, before moving to kiss down your jaw, his hand gripping yours as he played with the ring he had put on your finger years ago that bound you together.

You giggled slightly and tried to weakly push him off. "Sev.."

But eventually you caved when you started to feel better and let him have his way for the rest of the night.

........................................

The next morning, you were sprawled out on the bed with the blankets thrown off of you. You groaned and went to wipe your face, but cringed when you felt how clammy you felt. But at least you didn't have as much of a stuffy nose!

You looked over beside you only to find Severus wasn't in bed with you. You glanced over at the bathroom to hear him blowing his nose profusely. You laughed softly as you got up and padded over to the bathroom.

You peeked your head in, and his face was red as he looked over at you. You were smirking but he only rolled his eyes.

"Shut up." He grumbled.

You giggled and walked over behind him, wrapping your arms around his waist. "I told you that you would get sick"

"Yes.. however, it was worth it," Severus had a small smile despite his voice sounding congested, as he drank down the potion he gave you yesterday. He then turned around and wrapped his arms around you, having to lean down slightly.

You let out a content sigh as you closed your eyes. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"I can make it-"

"No, shush. You're more sick than I am right now," You pulled away slightly to look up at him. "How about some sausages and scrambled eggs?"

Severus sighed but nodded. "Yes, thats alright love"

"Good, because I wasn't going to give you an option," You smiled, and then made your way to the kitchen downstairs. When you reached the kitchen you started cooking.

Severus was dressed when he came downstairs and he sat at the kitchen table. His eyes followed you as you made your way around the kitchen, a soft smile on his face.

"You're too good to me." He said almost to himself as he leaned forward to place his elbows on the table.

"You deserve only the best, Severus." You smiled over at him as you poured the eggs in the pan.

His eyes softened at that, not believing you but he didn't object. He then stood up and wrapped his arms around you but kept his face away from yours. "I love you, you know that right?"

"Yes. And I love you more," You leaned up and placed a soft kiss to his lips.

He flinched. "Did you not learn either? Now you're going to be sick again"

You shrug, smiling and going back to making the eggs. "What was it you said earlier?...'it was worth it' "

Severus let out a soft smile, but then moved his head away as he let out a loud sneeze.

#professor snape #severus snape x reader #severus snape x you #severus snape x y/n #severus snape #severus snape imagine #pro severus #severus x reader #pro snape #snapedom #tw suggestive #snape x you #snape x reader #snape x y/n #severus x you #severus x y/n #severus x oc

[apotatomashedbybts]

Kissing In The Moonlight

➛Pairing: Jeon Jungkook × f!reader

➛Genre: angst; smut; fluff

➛Trope/au: Friends to potential lovers; one night stand

➛Word Count: 5.1k+

➛Trigger warnings:

➥general warning: alcohol consumption, anxiety, longing, mentions of drinking as a coping mechanism, lots of tears, yn is obsessed with JK, Jungkook is a tease

➥smut warning: semi-drunk consensual sex, lots of kissing, hickey, breast play, clit rubbing, fingering, oral (f!receiving), penetration, big dick!JK, missionary position, multiple orgasms, unprotected sex (remember, with great power comes great responsibility), creampie, aftercare

➛Rating: 18+

➛Banner: made by apotatomashedbybts

➛Cross post: ao3 | Wattpad

➛Beta-reader: the absolute sweetheart Nixie @highly-functioning-mitochondria 💜💜💜

➛Disclaimer: This story was originally posted 3 years ago on July 17. This is a revamped version of the existing one.

➛Tagging: the person without whom this fic wouldn't exist in the first place, my absolutely wonderful sis Jinny @euphorianyx , and my awesome friends who cheered me on and supported me while I doubted myself - Freya @sugarwithtea , Jiya @btsstan12 and Sana @sweetieguk

And a part of my heart, my precious Hani @kuuipobangtan ! Welcome back! (⁠っ⁠˘⁠з⁠(⁠˘⁠⌣⁠˘⁠ ⁠)

➛Author's note: This was my first ever smut that I wrote all those years ago. I wasn't quite satisfied with it but I didn't have that much skills either. But I hope this time I sucked less and did it some justice! I hope you enjoy this little piece on Koo's birthday (Happy Birthday, baby).

Please leave likes, reblogs (it helps a lot with the fic reaching more people) and give me feedback (this motivates me to write a lot and makes me a happy potato)

Summary: He was everything you ever wanted. He was everything you lost. But as luck would have it you meet again and all you have is one night with him... or may be forever.

The booming rhythmic sound of the party music echoing throughout this specially rented part of the club wasn't helping at all. To top it off, it was your favourite song that was playing at the moment which had always managed to make your feet make love to the floor.

But today wasn't one of those days; tonight your feet refused to move even an inch. You were too anxious to even breath. 

When you got the invitation to this extravagant bachelorette party that your not-so-friendly friend threw, you were only a second away from turning it down. You were never close enough to her to get invited to her parties. It was pretty obvious that she did this to rub the fact on your face that you were going to die single, alone and pining. So to decline it was your best option until it wasn't. Life had always liked to throw lemons at you and you had always been successful in catching and tasting them - yes, life was sour. 

Your best friend, Alyssa, was going to move to Bolivia permanently after the results of the final year were out. And hence, she wanted to enjoy the remaining of her days in Seoul as much as she could. So she begged you repeatedly until you gave in and agreed to attend. 

But as soon as you arrived, she abandoned you gladly with a not-so-apologetic smile and an indicative smirk when a seemingly handsome guy approached her. 

Now, left alone in the midst of strangers, you slowly fiddled with the half full glass of margarita in your hand  while waiting for Lys to return. With small sighs you took even smaller sips and looked over at the group of friends doing a shots challenge. You wanted to take shots too but restrained yourself because you wanted to avoid getting drunk so that you could leave as soon as Lys returned and reach home safely. 

You saw Lys emerge from the crowd just after half an hour, making her way towards you. You let out a relieved sigh and taunted, "Seems like his magic wore out quickly." 

"Shush! That smile will be gone once I tell you what I just saw!" Her tensed demeanor caught your eyes now so you threw her a concerned and curious look to which she immediately replied, "Jungkook is here!" 

Your steps faltered but before you could grab Lys and decide what to do that guy from before came and started dragging Lys away. You didn't want to hold her back because of your shortcomings so when she looked at you with concern you somehow mumbled, "I'll be okay. Don't worry. I'll just be outside somewhere. Call me when you are done." 

Lys knew you. She knew you were lying about being okay. So she hastily told you, "I'll be back in five minutes, alright? Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back and we'll go home together." 

After Lys was gone you turned around and finished the glass in one gulp. Lys was right. You weren't okay. Hearing the name after so long made your body go weak and a wrecking anxiousness took over you. You didn't know where to look at as your heart began thumping at a mad speed. You kept your palms on your eyes and were surprised to feel the wetness on them. "Why am I crying? I need to calm down and get the fuck out of here before I come across him." 

As you kept your head down in a futile attempt to calm yourself, all the memories started to swarm in along with the name. 

Jeon Jungkook... The name itself sent shivers down your spine. How many years had it been? Exactly three years six months and twelve days. Weird, wasn't it? How you kept track of time even though you wanted to forget it all. How you remembered all about the boy who instantly became the high school sweetheart as soon as he set his foot there, how you instantly fell for him too, how he became your biggest crush, your hidden desire, your guilty pleasure; unforgettable memories that you had always desperately tried to forget. 

Because it was him, his eyes, his smile, his everything that had stopped you from moving on. Those starry eyes and broad smile that had kept you wide awake for countless nights during that time still haunted you. 

You knew that he was never going to be yours. You always saw him as a person who was way out of your league. So what if he used to smile often at you, so what if he had once said you looked beautiful in that prom dress. 

So what... if you shared a dance with him at that prom for the longest yet shortest minute before switching partners - those were just his kindness, that only made the hole inside your heart deeper. And him? Out of your reach. So out of your reach that even after his lingering eyes on you during the dance tormented you, and you could still feel the warmth of his body after he left, you couldn't ask him for another dance that night. 

Confessing to him was like a far fetched dream - you feared of things getting awkward between you two. No matter how much you were obsessed with him, you couldn't read him. You were afraid of losing the only privilege that you got from him - his smile. So you had decided to keep it shut along with your feelings. 

And you were fine with what you had until he abruptly transferred in the middle of the third year of high school. 

The disappearance had left you with a scar that made you hollow from inside. The unbearable crush that he left within you for him ate you slowly and you had regretted loving him the way you did every second ever since. 

The tireless attempts to erase the ocean of feelings that you had hold for him for the past three years had just went in vain. The blind dates that never worked out, the one too many one night stands just made you more miserable as your soul wanted only him. 

You often wondered if you could read him even a little bit, would you have been able to make the slightest place for yourself in his heart. 

You sighed, "Jungkook is here... My Jungkook.." You shook your head as the last part slipped in your thoughts. 

"I can't do this. I can't let myself meet him tonight, in no way. I can't fall in love once again.. I can't...!" You tried to calm yourself down while wiping away the droplets formed at the corner of your eyes and impatiently waited for Lys to return. 

With a small scoff you asked your inner self, "Fall in love once again? What are you talking about? Have you ever even fallen out of love?" No, of course not. 

"Y/n?" 

You were blankly staring at your empty glass when a very familiar voice called you. You snapped out of your thoughts and cursed under your breath, "Fuck! This can't be happening.." 

You were chewing over how you should react while fighting your terribly thumping heart when the voice called out again, "Hey! I know you are Y/n! I'll be so hurt if you say that you don't remember me! I am Jungkook! Remember?" 

You took an eternity to turn around and smiled at him in a constipated way. Your mind was a blur because you wanted it to be and thought that it was dream - a cruel yet beautiful dream. He was smiling at you, the same smile that was engraved in your memory so deeply and you were screwed, that wasn't a surprise anymore, but yes, your emotions were fucked up once again. 

"Hey! Long time Jungkook! How have you been?" You digged out the words from your mouth and signalled the bartender for a shot as you felt your throat go dry. 

"One for the gentleman too, please!" You said before pouring down the shot down your throat at once. 

"Woah woah woah! Slow down y/n. You will burn your throat!" Jungkook looked at you alarmed. 

You slightly shook your head in denial and murmured, "It's to calm me down." 

Jungkook didn't know what to reply to that so he gulped down the shot offered to him and went quite. A few minutes passed, and a couple other shots were imbibed and none of you spoke a word; the only interaction being the awkward smiles you displayed at each other occasionally. 

The silence seemed to make Jungkook a little uncomfortable and he said, trying to sound as much as casual as he could, "It's suffocating in here, isn't it? Wanna go outside for some fresh air?" 

You instantly agreed and smiled at him, more naturally this time. 

The cool breeze outside swam around you two and you felt your nerves untangle from its previous knotted state little by little. 

The road was deserted and the light of the full moon shone over the surrounding area around you two making it surrealistic. You could hear the clear fast rhythm that your heart was playing. 

May be it was the alcohol running in your system or the overwhelming emotions that took over you after having him so near you after so long that you couldn't help but stare at him. Somehow he managed to look more beautiful than you remembered. 

The liquid perhaps made him feel warmer from inside as it did to you and he took off his jacket and wrapped the hands of it around his neck. You continued to look at him, rather shamelessly, and even when he looked at you questioningly and locked the stare, you didn't flinch for once. 

His face was adorned with piercings that suited him perfectly even though you had never imagined him in one. His right arm was covered in colored tattoos which started on his fingers and disappeared somewhere inside his t-shirt sleeves. This Jungkook, in some way, poured new feelings on your existing ones. You thought he was hot. So hot that made your core burn. So hot that made you a little bit braver and you held his hand - a perfect fit. And you pulled him in for a kiss. 

The alley by the road was dark and damp but that didn't stop you from running hands on all over each others body and kissing greedily. After a few minutes, Jungkook gasped for breath and whispered breathlessly, "Wanna get somewhere more comfortable?" 

Closing the door of the motel room Jungkook turned you around and pinned you against the door frame. Your lips met again and you drowned yourself in his taste. His initial taste of the tequila gradually wore away leaving a natural sweetness. 

You moved your hands hastily and took off his shirt and paused before slowly moving your fingers over the smooth skin of his firm chest, eyes arrested on the same. 

With a sweet smirk he held your hand and turned you around so that your back was facing him. You let out a gasp as he pressed himself against you and you could feel his hard-on just above your waist line. 

He let out a low whisper against your ear, "Can't wait to touch me, huh?" and unzipped your black cocktail dress, letting it slip off of your body.

You faced him and asked while looking into his eyes and grazing your lips on his, "Can you?," before putting your hands around his neck and shoving your tongue inside his mouth, not letting him reply.

He grabbed onto your thighs and picked you up with no effort and as you wrapped your legs around his torso he kissed you until you both reached the bed by the big window and laid you down gently on it. 

The dimmed red lights of the room and the moonlight seeping in through the window created an almost fantastical residence of colours - an illusory heaven. 

Both of you stopped for a moment; Jungkook's body hovered over you as he took his time to take in the beauty in front of him, that is you. The moonlight made his features accentuate in a different way which made him unfathomable and bewitching and you heavily doubted whether it was a dream or reality. 

He softly placed his right palm on your chest, right above your heart and looked into your eyes, pausing for merely a couple seconds as if feeling your racing beats. You watched him and did the same. His touch suddenly felt so real, he felt so real that a lump formed in your throat. He was no longer a figment of your imagination or longing. He was here.

His fingers traced lightly over the outline of your strapless bra and stopped over the front lace strings. He undid it without any struggle and tossed it on the floor. His cold rough hands felt so real against your breast skins as he cupped them that you got goosebumps all over and tears trickled down your eyes loosening the lump in your throat. 

He panicked. His eyes showed concern. And he asked, "Am I hurting you? We can stop here if you want to."

You could see the concern that you wanted to see in his eyes for you all those years ago. And tonight those concerned eyes are all for you. You felt your heart swell and you smiled while pulling him in for a passionate kiss, "You are not." 

When he broke the kiss both of you were breathless and your lips were swollen. You let out a pouty whine when his lips broke contact to which he chuckled and with a quick smooch on your needy lips he took off the lip ring. Keeping it on the bedside table he started leaving a trail of kisses along your jawline and neck. 

Pushing away your unruly hair to a side he began sucking on a particular spot on your neck and you immersed into that faint pain. You were quite sure that it was going to leave pretty deep mark and you wanted it more as the picture of it played in your mind. 

He moved slowly downwards, pressing soft kisses on the skin of your collarbone, on the skin below it, on your soft breast; he stopped just before the right areola and looked above at you. Your nipples itched for attention. Finding the frown on your forehead that he was looking for he smirked and his tongue circled around your areola. He sucked on your right nipple, occasionally swirling his tongue around it and then going back to sucking on it, all while kneading your left boob and taking your left nipple between his index finger and thumb and rolling them, pinching them, tugging them softly. Your body shivered at the pulls and you couldn't help but shove your breast more towards his mouth. 

Not wanting to leave your left breast unattended, he switched and placed chaste kisses on it before taking the nipple inside his pretty mouth. He was so engrossed in your boobs that he didn't realise when he had started to grind his cock to your clothed pussy. 

You let out soft whimpers while grinding back to his hard cock, wanting the maximum friction to satisfy your throbbing core. 

Your whimpers got his attention and he slowed his movements to tease you. You wanted to complain and but you didn't want to at the same time. You loved the anticipation as well the attention you were getting. 

Jungkook's hands loosely tugged at the seam of your matching panty and he began to pull it to get you completely naked. While doing so he pressed his pointed tongue inside your belly button. It felt like something pressed your nerve endings and your clit ached. You pressed your thighs together to get some contentment. 

Throwing the panty on the floor he grabbed your thighs and spread them apart. The cold dry air hitting your exposed opening made you quiver. 

His hands loosely caressed your thighs before moving towards your inner thighs and his saliva drew a slick line from your groin ending just above your clit.  

He touched your dripping core with his long cold fingers and spread the wetness to your clit. The touch sent shivers down your spine and he chuckled, "So wet for me, just how I like it." 

He looked at you and you bit your lips looking at him bashfully. You have imagined yourself like this countless times - naked, Jungkook's eyes resting greedily on your bare body. But now that it was happening for real, you couldn't stop the heat burning up your face. 

Seeing you like that his chuckle vanished and eyes grew something dark in them. He moved towards you and smashed his lips with yours. 

One of your hand grabbed onto the back of his hair and one held onto his shoulder. He started rubbing small circles on your clitoris which gained speed and pressure with each passing second. You clutched on him as small yet strong waves of pleasure hit you. Your mind felt foggy because of his tongue working it's way inside your mouth and his fingers on your pearl. 

You weren't ready for the sudden insertion of his long fingers inside you. He entered two digits inside your folds and pumped in and out at a regular and fast pace. 

The heat in your core was torturing. Wanting more friction you started grinding against his fingers; you needed them to go deeper, to fill you up. 

Sensing your need he fastened his fingering and you rubbed your clit to give yourself the maximum pleasure. 

You failed to hold it in anymore. Your gut tightened and you spilled all over his hand as your body shook in brief tremors. 

"The night is still young, love." He gave you a smirk and licked your juice off of his hand while staring deep into your eyes before diving in between your thighs. As you laid down there, blissed out, a weak smile was all you could muster. 

The warmth of his tongue against your swollen clit felt like a balm. He circled around your clit with his tongue long and slow. You felt a build up inside you. He moved his tongue and lapped at your dripping slit. 

You arched your back at the warmth of his tongue as he slid it in and out of your vagina. You clutched his hair lightly in one hand and the bedsheet in the other. 

The building pleasure was so intense that you felt like your nerves were on fire. You were desperate for having him and feeling him inside you so you breathed out staggeringly, "Jungkook, please.." 

He moved his head upwards and asked cheekily, "Please what, love?" 

"Please Jungkook, I need you inside me!" You pleaded in a raspy voice.

"Fuck! If you say it like that I might have to keep you all to myself." He inhaled sharply and let out a slow sigh. 

"Who said I'm not yours already?" You tilted your head and sat up to cup his cheek. You looked into his eyes while caressing his cheek with your thumb gently. Oh, how you wished this wasn't the first time of you doing this. Oh, how you wished this wasn't the last time. 

For a moment, time seemed to stop between you two as you sat so close to each other lost in each other's presence that you forgot why you two were there. Or may be it was because you both remembered why you were there that you paused in each other's embrace like this. And for the first time in that night, you caught a glint in his eyes that you have never seen before. 

Involuntarily your thumb moved towards that small drop dancing at the tip of the corner of his eye but instead of letting you do so Jungkook leaned his face onto your palm and kissed it. 

He leaned towards you and snaking his right hand behind your head, inside your hair, he laid you down and kissed you. You shifted under his weight and holding onto his back softly you kissed him back. He tasted unusually different this time and you assumed that it was how you tasted that night. 

Breaking from the kiss he swiftly took off his ripped denim pants and went to kiss you again. While still kissing you he adjusted himself against your opening. He looked at you and you understood what he meant and you gave him a mild nod.

He slowly pushed his hard cock inside you, giving you time to adjust to his cock. It didn't matter how considerately slow he entered as you gasped nonetheless. Your mouth stayed agape at how big his cock was and how it was stretching you out. 

When he filled you in completely he dropped a kiss on your forehead and started moving slowly. Slowly and steadily he increased his pace. Low grunts left his mouth - his self taken over by the warmth of you that he was feeling his cock engulfed by. 

As his thrusts increased, Jungkook's name fell from your lips like prayer – a prayer in every sense of all your sleepless nights yearning for him, a prayer for every dream you saw him in, a prayer that was being answered for one night. 

Your breath staggered as he probed deep into you, hitting the very spot you wanted him to. 

He held your hands above your head with his right hand and gripped your thigh with his left hand, trying to keep you steady. His hips moved fast and your moans drove him crazy. He loved it how you were a mess and writhing under him in pleasure. 

With hazy vision you took him in and tried to memorise the expression that he was making. Your name in soft growls left his parted lips and his frown looked so nubile as he pounded you and sweat droplets wetted his dishevelled bangs. You wondered would you be able to keep him from haunting you after this? 

Your honey-laced moans and the sound of your moonlit bodies colliding echoed through the walls of the room as the moon moved down gradually. You lost track of the number of times you had came on his cock already. 

"I'm gonna cum, y/n," He hissed letting out a shaky breath and moved to pull out his cock. 

You shook your head mildly and whispered near his ear after wrapping your legs around his waist tightly to pull him closer, refusing to let go, "I want you to cum inside me." 

"B-but," for the first time that night Jungkook seemed unsure of something. 

You smiled at him faintly and reassured him, "It's okay. I am on the pill." 

He looked deep into your eyes as if trying to find the last drop of assurance. He gave you a soft smile, just like the ones he used to give you at the school hallways while passing by and your heart clenched in a very familiar pain. 

You didn't want to see that smile now so you pulled him in for a kiss and Jungkook gladly obliged. 

Pulling out his cock he pushed it in in one go and you let out a low gasp in his kiss gaining a small chuckle from him. 

Jungkook's body tensed and he thrusted into you in frantic motions as he felt your walls clenching around his cock. You felt small shockwaves running through your body as your back arched and your eyes rolled back. He inhaled sharply and with a final thrust he let go of himself and came, emptying himself inside you. 

Placing a sloppy kiss on your lips Jungkook hugged you, while laying on top of you. His heaving body became one with yours as you rested one of your hands on his back and stroked the back of his hair with another, gently, while relishing yourself in the warmth that you were feeling inside yourself. 

A minute or two passed just like that. You let out discontent moan when Jungkook moved to get up. Seeing you like that he kissed your cheek with smile and said, "I'll back in a second."

Well, he took a minute. But he was back, with a wet towel and a mug full of water. You smiled confusedly and raised an eyebrow at him while supporting yourself up on your elbows.

Without saying anything he just gave you a light shrug and sat near your legs. With gentle hands he started wiping your vagina and inner thighs, making them void of his semen. 

The coldness of the damp towel felt comforting. You closed your eyes as you felt restfulness washing over you. 

••• 

The sunlight pouring through the window made you wince and you rolled over to the shadowed area of the bed. Rubbing your eyes you sat up and scratched your messy hair, still sleepy. 

Your sleepy brain played the last thing that happened last night inside your head and it was Jungkook spooning you while you two fell into a comfortable sleep. 

Suddenly you were wide awake and every moment flashed before your eyes chronologically. You gasped keeping your hand over your mouth and asked yourself, "It really happened, didn't it? It wasn't a dream!" 

Your fingers lingered lightly on your lips and neck and you smiled shyly remembering his touch. His smile, his eyes, his moonlight sipped body appeared in your mind. You instinctively looked over at your side and that's when you realised that he wasn't there. 

You called by his name several times but there was no reply. The worst possible thoughts began clouding your mind. You covered your face with your palms and droplets of tears started to fall from your eyes relentlessly. A piercing pain went back and forth in your heart which got more painful with each drop of tear that fell. 

You looked out at the window while desperately trying to stop yourself from crying while hitting your chest with your fist. You scoffed, "He called me 'love'... How foolish of me to think that he even meant it once!"

All of it, all the memories from last night felt like a dream again, a sweet yet brutal dream to you. You thought, "I got too ahead of myself and let him get into my life again... How could I let myself fall for it!? Of course he wouldn't stay! Why would he? I am just another one night stand for him. He would never look at me like I want him to," you tried to laugh it off but it only made you tear up more. 

Wiping the tears you stood up from the bed to get ready to return to your apartment but you flinched a little when you felt a pain between your thighs and you realised that you were still sore. 

You scoffed again and murmured, "You never fail to make a lasting impression, do you Jeon Jungkook?"  

You were struggling with the back-zip while wearing your dress when the sudden clicking of the door made your head snap towards it and you gasped quite loudly when you saw Jungkook entering through it. 

"I'll be damned." You mumbled under your breath and blurted out, "You?" 

Jungkook looked pretty confused as he answered while closing the door behind him, "Yes, me.. Were you expecting someone else?" 

From his expression you could tell that you blurted out in wrong way, so you quickly fixed it, "No, no.. I mean where did you go? I- I thought..." you stopped midway as the thought of it made your tears well up. 

He swiftly moved towards you and held your hands in his and said, "What? You thought I left, didn't you?" 

You nodded your head ever so lightly while looking down and choked back on your tears. 

He turned you around and slowly zipped your dress. You looked up and he looked into your eyes through the mirror you were standing in front of and apologised, "I am sorry.. you looked so peaceful while sleeping that I didn't want to wake you up. I went to buy breakfast because I know you will have trouble moving after what I did last night." He chuckled with a naughtiness prevalent in his eyes. 

You couldn't help but break into a smile as your cheeks heat up. Jungkook noticed you trying to control your bashful grin but before he could tease you any further you hit his arm and said, "I am starving!" 

While making space on the table he said, "I brought some hangover pills by the way. I couldn't find any hangover soup places nearby." 

"It's okay. Those one or two shots don't really matter when you are habituated with more." You blinked a few times in a row. 

"Are you?" He asked. 

"A little bit, I guess..." You replied and tried to blink away the tears that emerged from the memories of those nights when you drank yourself to sleep in your tiny apartment when his memories got too much to bear. 

You asked in a shaky voice that you couldn't hide, "And you?" 

"Same for me." He gave you a quick smile and sat on the chair opposite to you across the small table. 

He looked at you fondly as you unpacked the food. Feeling his gaze on you, you looked at him questioningly. 

"Let me take you to dinner tonight.. only two of us!" He exclaimed holding the gaze. 

Your mind felt light. It was too much of a story-like situation and it didn't feel like a real life to you at all – you going to that party you weren't willing to go, Jungkook suddenly being there after disappearing for three whole years, him approaching you, him staying after giving you the dreamiest night of your life and now this! 

You gulped at the possibility and asked, "A date?" 

He nodded, "Yes, a date!" 

The inner you froze. You wanted to pinch yourself to give yourself a sense of reality but you didn't want to seem too smitten. 

Jungkook was still staring at you for an answer. Seeing you pondering over the answer, he hesitantly asked, "What do you say?" 

And for the first time in your life you felt like you could read him through his earnest eyes.

Leaving him hanging after that would be a crime. So you broke out from your stupor and smiled at him, keeping up with his starry gaze, "There is no way in hell I can say no to that."  

■□■□■□■□■□■

~●The End●~

— © 2022 apotatomashedbybts, all rights reserved. Reposting or modifying of any kind is not allowed. Translations are not allowed.

#bangtanarmynet #kwritersworldnet #networkbangtan #btshoneyhive #jeon jeongguk #jeon jungkook #Jjk #Jk #jungkook fanfic #jungkook au #jungkook smut #jungkook angst #Jungkook × you #Jungkook × reader #jungkook fluff #Jungkook oneshot #jungkook f2l #one night stand #fic: kissing in the moonlight #Jk smut

[harrygoeswest]

Love Aged Like Fine Wine

Harry is drunk and lost not too far from home, and there's only one person he wants to call to rescue him.

A/N: Hello everyone 👋🏼 it has been a loooong time since I posted anything on Tumblr, and I was admittedly reluctant to do so. However, I reblogged the lovely Sarah's (@harry-on-broadway) fic challenge the other day and it inspired me, and I would be doing a disservice to write the whole thing and never look at it again, especially since I quite like it. SO, I give you my first one shot in over a year. Bear with me, I'm a bit rusty... Special mention as always to Miss Liz (@all-things-fic) for reading and validating me.

I'm using prompts 14 & 19.

Trigger Warnings: Absolutely nothing (apart from the odd f word)

Word Count: 6533

~~~

“What do you want, Harry?”

An offended scoff was his initial response. “Not a very nice way t’greet y’best friend.”

He was right, it wasn’t. “You’re not my best friend.”

“Ouch. Though’ we were besties ‘n now y’makin’ me feel sad.”

Harry was slurring more than he usually did. I feared if he tried to say obviously, ‘overshly’ would turn into a soft, deep single syllable alike to the word ‘shush’. It wasn’t particularly late to warrant his level of drunkenness. Especially on a Tuesday evening. Chewsday, if you will.

“Harsh truths are easier to take when you’re drunk.” I said, shrugging as if he could see the action.

“Why’re y’bein’ so ‘orrible?” He whined.

“Why are you calling me pissed as a fart at 8:45 on a Tuesday night and ruining my bath time?”

“‘S there some space lef’ in the bathtub?”

“Don’t make it weird.” I grimaced. “What’s going on?”

He produced an incoherent mumble. I heard the rain get heavier, both on the phone call and outside my house.

“What was that?”

“M’st…”

“Aye?” I asked, my face surely a bewildered picture.

“I’m lost.” He huffed, agitated.

I sat up in the bath, water and suds sloshing around me. “Lost?”

“Yes.”

“W-,” words failed me, and I barked out a sharp laugh. “How are you lost?”

“How does anyone else get lost?” He said, stroppy.

“Wow, you really are drunk.”

He hummed, but it was a defeated noise. “C’ya come ‘n get me?”

“How am I supposed to come and get you if you don’t know where you are?”

“Well I was only at The Holly Bush.”

I laughed twice as hard that time. Put in perspective, The Holly Bush is no more than a ten minute walk from Harry’s house. “How long have you been walking?”

“‘Bout ‘alf an hour.” He muttered.

Now I was really howling, like a hyena on laughing gas. “Jesus Christ, Harry!”

“‘S not funny!”

“On the contrary, years of comedy begs to differ.”

He practically cried my name down the phone. “‘M really tired ‘n cold ‘n… weh,” I think he meant wet, “please come get me.”

I took a deep breath and mourned my premature bath. “Fine. But do not move from wherever you are.”

“Won’t.”

I stood up and watched water and soap suds cascade down my body with a pout. “What can you see?”

“Er…” a pause followed, I assumed for his vacant thoughts. “‘S like a lot of trees.”

I rolled my eyes. “That could literally be any part of the Heath, mate. Say more words.”

“I can’t see shit! It’s dark and it’s pissing it down!”

“Don’t get arsey or you can stay there and drown in rain water.” I warned him. “Find a road sign. Or a street name.”

He grunted. After no more than fifteen seconds he produced, “Platt’s Lane.”

“Alright, I know where that is. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

“Thank you.” He said. At least I think that’s what he said.

I murmured a little, “Sure,” and then hung up. 

I dressed quickly in the easiest clothes I could find - a pair of tie-dye jogging bottoms, an old t-shirt and a crewneck over the top. I pulled on the first pair of trainers I could find and ran out to my car whilst fighting the rain. I also took a towel with me. My hair was still in the bun I’d put it up in for my bath.

It was really battering it down now - it was loud inside the car and the windows were steamed up. It was even louder when I turned the air conditioning on to defog the windows.

Once I could see outside the front and back windows I finally made my way to find Harry. I still mourned my bath as I drove - I missed how warm it was and how comfortable I had been. Now I was out in the cold and wet to rescue my drunken idiot friend.

It didn’t take me very long to find said drunken idiotic friend. He was sitting on a yellow grit box under some trees at the junction of Platt’s Lane and West Heath Road. He was soaking, shoulders slumped and looking at the floor. I pulled up as close to him as possible and leaned over to push the door open.

“Get in, you moron!” I called.

Harry looked up at the sound of my voice. He leapt to his feet almost immediately after, and staggered his way over to my little car. He nearly tripped over twice on his way, and he hit his head as he sat down.

“Fucking hell.” I muttered. “Look at the state of you.”

He grumbled, readjusting his sodden jacket, and then looked right at me. His hair was drenched, water dripping from his neck down his arms and chest, and his forehead down his nose and cheeks.

“Here,” I threw the towel at him. “You’re gonna make my car smell.”

“‘S tha’ the wors’ a’ya problems?” He asked, a snide tone laced in his mushy words.

“I wish it was.”

I pulled off again as Harry began to attempt to dry himself off, although I feared a towel would do very little to help him. Fortunately we were only a mere five minute drive from his house anyway. He probably could have walked home faster if he were sober. 

It was a relatively quiet drive since Harry spent most of it rubbing my towel over every available inch of his body. He did however sing along to the one song he heard playing, but he didn’t quite have the same masterful tone as usual. He even seemed quite timid.

I parked as close as possible to his front door and shut the engine off.

“Where are your keys, H?”

He gave me a dopey blink and then looked down at himself, double chin appearing accompanied with a pouty lower lip. “Dunno. On me somewhere.”

I sighed and unclipped my seatbelt, then reached over to him to feel through each of his pockets for his house keys. Of course I found them in the hardest one to reach on the inside of his jacket. He giggled while I did, like a child being tickled. I smacked him on the arm before I got out of the car.

I ran up to the front door and unlocked it, opening it so that my paralytic companion could be jettisoned inside his home as quickly as possible without getting more wet.

“Come on, then,” I said as I opened the passenger door, my shoulders hunched because the rain felt weird on my neck.

Harry practically fell out of the car at my instruction, so I lifted him up and placed his arm around my shoulder so I could manage his weight better. I kicked the car door shut behind us and walked him to the door. I realised on our little walk how unfit I was.

“‘M sorry.” He mumbled.

“It’s fine.” I said, my voice tight. It was only strained because he was heavy and I was weak.

“Didn’t even think I drank tha’ much, was only few whiskeys.”

Only a few could range anything between 3 and 30. I didn’t chide him for that. “It’s alright, Harry. I’m sure you’d do the same for me.” I meant that genuinely and not as a threat I’d be getting that level of drunk in the future just to call him to rescue me.

“Would.” He insisted.

I awkwardly held onto him as we got inside, twisting at an awkward angle to close the door and keep any more rain from getting in. Harry felt like dead weight against me.

“Ready to get upstairs?”

His affirming nod was the surest action I’d seen from him this far.

“Alright,” I took a deep breath, “let’s go.”

I made sure we navigated the stairs one at a time, because I had visions of him tripping up and cracking his head open if he tried to do anything by himself. And now, in the warmth of his massive home and up this close to him, the boy reeked of stale beer and sweat. I didn’t want to ask what he’d been doing in The Holly Bush for him to get that bad. I hadn’t seen him that wasted in a very long time.

“Meant it, y’know.” He slurred.

We were only halfway up the stairs and all I could hear was my own panting. Admittedly I was surprised he hadn’t passed out yet. 

“Meant what?” I heaved, and pushed him up the next step.

“I w’ do the same f’you.”

“I know you would.”

“Don’t even have t’ be drunk.”

“Right.”

We stopped for a minute, not at anyone’s request but Harry didn’t seem to want to move. I looked at him as he did me, and he produced this hazy-eyed, closed-lip smile. 

His woolly but content expression made me laugh. “I think it’s bed time for you, mate.”

He groaned. “Don’t call me ‘mate’.”

I frowned. “Alright. Sorry.”

When we finally reached the top of the stairs, Harry collapsed on me by way of a hug. We were standing in the middle of the hallway, his entire body somehow wrapped around mine. I was suffocating in the smell of a brewery.

“Don’t leave me.” He begged.

“I’m not… Need to get you to bed somehow.”

He pulled his head back to look at me, eyes heavy. “You can take me to bed.”

“That’s what I just said.”

He nodded repeatedly like a bobble-head figure. 

I made a face, perturbed, and nudged him in the direction of his bedroom. He nearly fell over as he turned around, and ended up palming the wall the rest of the way. I kept a hand on his back just in case.

As soon as he saw his bed he was climbing onto it, still fully clothed and in his muddy trainers.

“For fuck’s sake,” I muttered, reaching after him like he was a toddler, “Harry, take your shoes off.”

He laughed maniacally into his bed sheets, the muffled sound disturbing.

I huffed with a scowl and did it myself. His vans were dripping wet so I took them to the radiator and left them on top to dry. I made sure the radiator was turned on, too. The last thing Harry Styles needed was the flu again.

He was sitting up now, watching me with a warm expression. I ignored it.

“Need to take your clothes off or you’ll get a cold.”

“Yes, Miss.” He was beaming now.

The attempt at taking his t-shirt off was painful, and I ended up having to help him.

“Jeans too.”

I knew that would be more agonising to watch than the t-shirt, and I didn’t want to have to look at his bare chest for too long, so I went for a walk to the closest bathroom to get another towel. His jeans were still around his knees when I got back.

“Jesus Christ.” I said through gritted teeth, and freed his jeans from around his ankles. They were a heavy kind of damp and thudded when I put them on the floor.

“‘S cold.” He commented, staring up at me.

“I’ve just put the radiator on.” I told him, and handed him the towel. “I’ll find you some clean pants.”

I left him to dry his no doubt tacky chest and legs while I searched through his drawers for some clean underwear. I threw them at him once I’d located them.

“Where’s your laundry basket?”

“Wardrobe.” He said, voice getting gruff.

I collected his dirty clothes from off the floor again and wandered into the walk-in wardrobe attached to his bedroom. I stared at it for a while, not just because it was ginormous but also because I couldn’t believe the amount of crap in it. It was bulging with clothes - some I hadn’t seen him wear for years and others I hadn’t seen him wear at all. Ever. 

I dropped the clothes in my hand onto the overflowing basket in one of the cupboards, hating to do so because it was just adding to more chores. And then I realised that this was not my house and I would not be responsible for washing any of his clothes.

“Harry, do you want something to wear in bed if you’re cold?”

He never answered.

I peered into the bedroom to see he’d already tucked himself into bed.

“I guess not.” I muttered.

I stood next to his bed and watched him for a minute. His eyes were closed and he was breathing regularly but I couldn’t work out if he was actually asleep or just pretending to be. His eyelids looked shiny and delicate and his cheeks were dusted pink - a combination of his inebriation and being outside in the cold for so long. I could hear the radiator chugging and it was definitely warmer than it had been when we arrived.

Without thinking, still staring at him while possibly passed out like a lunatic creep, I wrapped my index finger around one of his curls and moved it out of his face.

He giggled suddenly, catching my wrist. “That tickled.”

I smacked his hand away. “I thought you were asleep, you absolute git!”

“Not yet.”

I rolled my eyes and scowled at him. “I’m goin’ home. Seeing you in bed is making me want mine.”

“Can always share mine.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I scoffed, and made a move to leave. “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

“Aye, wait!” He shouted at me.

“What?”

“I don’t want you t’ leave yet.”

“Well, I’m exhausted, and you’re about to pass out on me anyway.”

He said something that was complete and utter incoherent nonsense.

“I don’t know what you just said but I’m not changing my mind.”

He whined my name again and reached for my hand. “Please stay bit longer? Like havin’ y’here, havin’ y’around.”

“Well, that’s nice of you to say, but I still want my own bed.”

“Please?”

“No.” I stood my ground, but I took a step closer and pinched his cheek. “But I’ll come back tomorrow after work if that makes you feel better.”

“Feel better if y’stayed wi’ me now.”

“Well that’s not going to happen. Just call me if you need anything.”

“Need y’now. Need y’all the time.”

“Stop being daft.”

“‘M not bein’ daft - I mean it.”

“You are being daft. Just go to sleep - I’ll come back tomorrow. I promise.”

He stressed my name and sat up. “Y’not listenin’ to me. ‘M bein’ proper serious - I want ya t’ stay wi’ me. I need y’here.”

“No, what you need is sleep.”

He scowled at me.

“I’m going to go and get you a pint of water and a paracetamol and then I’m going home. And that’s the last we’re gonna say on this, end of.”

I left the room and  found my way to the kitchen, though admittedly I did get lost on my way there since I’d only been here once before and it was a considerable amount of time ago. I did as promised and got him a pint of water and found some paracetamol in a drawer full of miscellaneous items close to the sink.

I couldn’t fathom why Harry was so needy, insobriety aside. We were friends, yes, and had been for some time, but we weren’t that close. Or perhaps we were and I just refused to admit it due to his increasing popularity and the fact that being perceived near him in the public eye terrified me. I was perfectly happy with my mundane job and my mundane life. I appreciated Harry for what he was - a friend -, and didn’t expect anything more or less from that level of our relationship. Nor had I ever, and it surprised me that he suddenly did.

Perhaps I was overthinking it all. That was likely.

I returned to Harry’s room to find him out of bed in just his pants.

“What are you doing?” I asked, putting the water and the tablets on his bedside table, trying to avoid looking at his chest.

“Need the loo.” He said without hesitation, and marched past me.

I sighed, watching after him until he was safely in the bathroom with the door closed, and then I perched on the edge of his bed with my head in my hands.

I was irritated, yes. I knew I shouldn’t be as irritated as I was, but I couldn’t help it. This was not the evening I had planned for myself. I was supposed to have an early night and go to work in the morning with a clear head and no bags under my eyes. Now I was going to look like the walking dead, and feel like it too.

I stood up again when Harry reappeared. I watched him stagger and sway across the corridor and it made me nervous. He tripped once and nearly smacked his face against the doorframe.

“Fucking hell, Harry.” I said, panicked, and reached forward to steady him.

He laughed, more a giggle of that from a small girl. “I’m so drunk.”

“I know you are. That’s why you need to get into bed.”

“I will, jus’ one more thing before I do,”

I thought he was going to start running riot around the house and I was going to have to chase after him, like a dog owner with a tyrannical pooch. But instead, he just wrapped his arms around my middle and shoved his face into the crook of my neck. His body was warm and it felt strange being this close to him when he had so little clothes on.

I let out a long breath, reciprocating it this time. “You’re a twat.”

He hummed when I stroked my hand over his damp hair. “Not very nice.”

“And yet still true.”

He grunted, but never moved a muscle. A moment of silence passed before he said anything else. “Thank you f’ comin’ to rescue me.”

“Sure, anytime.” I didn’t mean that. Or maybe I did, but I’d be bitter about it if it became a recurrence because I couldn’t stand to disappoint people who meant a lot to me.

He let me go, and I thought that was finally going to be the end of it. Instead, he took my face, quite harshly, between both of his hands until my cheeks squished. His gaze was dopey and warm again, but somehow different to last time. I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“Harry, that hurts.”

He ignored me. “I love you.” It sounded more like ‘ah luff you’ but that wasn’t relevant in the moment.

“Yeah, I love you too, now let go.” I was trying to pull his hands away but apparently he was still physically stronger than me even that drunk.

“No,” he shook his head at me and then brought what felt like my entire body against his chest. “I mean I really love you.”

I couldn’t see anything. I felt us begin to fall sideways, but with his strength I had absolutely no control over where we were going.

“Harry!” I screamed, still trying to fight him with no luck.

I think we hit the bed because the landing was softer than anticipated and Harry didn’t wince or flinch. That could also be attributed to the levels of alcohol in his body. He was probably majoritively quite numb.

“Y’like, my favourite person.” He said, voice much quieter now, and I could feel his nose in my hair. My face was pushed into his chest. “Want y’around all time. Rubbish a’ showin’ it but I miss y’when ‘m nor’ at home. ‘N I don’t mean everyone, I mean jus’ you.”

I was listening to him with baited breath. I’d never really been on the receiving end of ‘drunk words, sober thoughts’ - I was usually the one talking and making a fool of myself. Once I told my sister’s boyfriend (at the time) what I really thought of him in front of our entire family after keeping my mouth shut for so long. They broke up the next day and she came to live with me for a month. I felt almost paralysed now listening to Harry.

“Mus’ think ‘m nuts ‘cause I’ve never said anythin’ before, bur’m scared. You’re a scary woman.”

I tried not to take offence to that, even though it was likely true. I had tried for the longest time to give off a very ambiguous aura. I didn’t want anyone to know me, least not the real me. I liked the illusion of being dead inside even if I was far from it.

“Loved y’ for so long now I can’ ‘ide it anymore.” He was really slurring now and words were about to fail him. Somehow, he was still holding onto me. “‘M like tha’ 1975 song.” I wanted to ask which one, but I didn’t have to. He proceeded to sing the words, “I’m in love with you.”

Just once he sang them, maybe slightly off pitch but it still sounded good. Not sure it would hold up to any of his previous performances, but I’d take it.

I didn’t know what to say. I was in a state of shock to be honest and the thought of moving terrified me. But then his grip around me loosened, and he let out a singular loud snore.

I pulled back, horrified, to see his sleeping face - mouth wide open. Another snore was released. “You are fucking joking.”

I sat up, his limp body falling away from me. I smacked his arm in the hopes of waking him, but he never flinched. “Harry,” I said, hitting him again.

Still no movement.

“Oi.” Smack.

Nothing.

I didn’t know what to do. Who does that? Who makes an admission like that and then falls asleep? And why did it have to be this boy? I was speechless, and when I finally managed to clamber off the bed I was also useless.

I stared at him with a look of bewilderment, as he lay there passed out on his unmade bed, mouth agape and naked besides his white y-fronts. It was then that the reality of what he’d said hit me, and I started to cry.

I wasn’t angry or upset - I was overwhelmed. Drunkenly, Harry had just told me he loved me. Then immediately passed out. Now I was left with my own feelings and his and no one to talk to about it. What was I supposed to do?

I desperately wanted to leave and get some sleep, but I also couldn’t help but think that would be morally inappropriate. Leaving a friend alone while dangerously intoxicated was how 50% of all murder documentaries started. Not that Harry was likely to get killed by an intruder in his mansion complete with security fortress. But he might accidentally fall down the stairs or choke on his own vomit.

And yet, the idea of staying in this massive and unfamiliar house to process all those thoughts made me even more hysterical. The idea alone provoked a loud sob, and I quickly covered my mouth because it was such a horrendous sound.

I made my decision that instant. I put Harry properly into bed with all of my remaining strength, covered him with his duvet, and then I fled from his house like a bat out of hell. On my way out, I took his spare keys with me.

I barely slept that night. My head was swimming and even though I couldn’t keep my eyes open, my brain was in overdrive. That, and the cat was sleeping on my chest and purring right in my face. His whiskers tickled my nose.

I found myself thinking about the early stages of mine and Harry’s association. 

I couldn’t have called him a friend when we first met because I hated him. I don’t think that feeling was ever reciprocated on his part but I couldn’t ever stand to be in the same room as him. Why? Because I felt the need to constantly contradict societal comments and beliefs. The world - at least people in my world - deemed him a golden boy who never did any wrong. I was convinced it wasn’t the case. My downfall was my lack of determination to prove it.

We met through mutual friends, as these things always seemed to happen. I couldn’t even remember which friend it was - neither me nor Harry talked to them anymore. But one day he was just there, and periodically from then onward he continued to show up. I couldn’t even remember when it was, but it was before he cut all his hair off. One Direction’s last few remaining days, perhaps? Anyway, he was suddenly omnipresent and came with an abundance of attention and it infuriated me.

I remember once, Harry confronted me on my obvious dislike for him. That was our first encounter collectively with ‘drunk words, sober thoughts’. I can’t remember exactly what I said but I wasn’t very nice and I remember the Bambi look in his eyes when I walked away from him. After that he was notably absent for some time. If I asked him about it now I’m not sure how honest he’d be about it. He was lucky enough to be able to claim work absences for long periods of time - I imagined he’d use that excuse. How truthful that would be, I didn’t know.

Our reconciliation came after that. He saw me alone in the nearby shop and asked me to join him for a coffee. I couldn’t really say no - it was a Sunday afternoon and I was only going back home to vegetate for the rest of the day. I think it was spring - I probably would’ve just read a book and gone to bed early. We spent the next 3 hours in Ginger & White, and after we got kicked out of there we went up to The Holly Bush, ironically.

I saw a different side to Harry that night, and I always put it down to having him to myself. There was no one else there with us apart from the locals in the pub who wouldn’t bat an eyelid. It was just us, and he was unapologetically himself, as was I.  We suddenly had an entirely new perception of one another - a higher level of understanding. On that random Sunday evening alone, I came to appreciate Harry for just being Harry. I saw who he really was, and I liked him.

From then on, I enjoyed his company. It became a regular thing - an afternoon doing something random together, just the two of us. And it ranged from simple coffee shop talks to entire day trips out of London. I realised then that what we’d basically been doing was dating for about 5 years with no physical contact.

I laughed out loud, disturbing the cat. He ran off and left me alone. 

We’d had our own intimate relationships with other people outside of our friendship, which I guess is why I’d never thought about it that way before. He also seemed to do that with multiple other people - I wasn’t the only one. Was I?

I never had to apologise for the night I was rude to him. I always wondered why, and I always berated myself for not saying I was sorry. I’d admitted I was wrong about him a long time ago, but only to myself. It seemed a bit too late to do it now, but I assumed he’d forgiven me. I could’ve been wrong.

I think I finally fell asleep around 4am. My alarm for work went off just 3 hours later and I burst into tears as soon as I realised the situation I was in. I called into work sick and went straight back to sleep.

How much more sleep I had was uncertain. It felt like only 2 hours, but it could’ve been more. Since I wasn’t working, I decided to get a McDonald’s after showering. Mostly for Harry rather than me, although I’m sure he’d make a comment about it.

I used the key I’d stolen last night to let myself in and went straight up to his bedroom with the McDonald’s in my right hand. Except I didn’t make it to his bedroom, because I found him on the bathroom floor next to the toilet, on his front with his cheek pressed to the tile floor.

“Harry…?”

He moaned, limply raising his hand and dropping it again immediately.

I moved into the room, leaving the McDonald’s in the hall because the smell would not go well with the pre-existing one in the room. It seemed Harry had vomited since I left. I sat on my knees beside him and stroked a finger through his curls, similar to how I had done last night.

“Are you alright?”

“Not really.” He said, voice whiny.

“No, I’m not surprised. I brought you some breakfast.”

He managed to lift his head and look towards me. I pointed at the hallway and he followed where my finger suggested.

“What is it?”

“McDonald’s.”

He screwed his face up. “You know I don’t eat meat.”

“Yes, that’s why I got you a Fillet-O-Fish. And mozzarella sticks.”

“Not very healthy.”

“Well, boiled eggs and avocado doesn’t make for very exciting hangover food if you ask me.”

He blew a breath out so that his lips wobbled. “True.”

“You gonna sit up and eat it?”

He took a deep breath. “Yeah.”

“Come on, then,”

I took his arm and helped pull him to a sitting position. He sat against the bathtub and rolled his head back, mouth open and breathing heavy. I left his food in his lap and sat opposite him with my back against the wall.

“This is probably one of the worst hangovers I’ve had in a long time.” He said, grimacing into the paper bag. At least he could form complete words this morning.

“How much do you remember?”

He laughed once. “Not much. I remember calling you, and waiting for you to come get me. I remember when you turned up, but that’s about it. I don’t remember getting home.”

I swallowed thickly. That meant he probably didn’t remember telling me he was in love with me. Or rather, singing it.

“Next thing I’ve woke up in my pants about to vomit.”

“I think you were the most drunk I’ve ever seen you.”

He paused before he took a bite out of his fillet burger. “Really?”

“Hands down. You fell over nearly three times. And you wouldn’t let me go home.”

“Oh, I’m not surprised by that. I’m a very clingy drunk.”

“I was aware of that before last night.” I muttered. “Who were you with?”

“Tom and Tyler.”

“Ah, one of those evenings, was it?

“Yeah, didn’t expect it to be quite that bad, though. Was only going for one.”

“That’s how they all start.”

“Mm, I should know better.”

“Yes you should.”

He laughed around his mouthful and then swallowed it. “This was a good call, thank you.”

“No problem. Although I have to say I did not expect to watch you eat it on the bathroom floor.”

“I know. Feel like a uni student.”

“I don’t think uni students have bathrooms this big.”

He smiled, but didn’t say anything while his mouth was full. “Think I’m gonna have a shower, if you don’t mind?”

I shrugged. “Your house.”

“Right.” He rolled his eyes in jest. “Will you hang around a bit while I do?”

“Sure. I’ll put some coffee on.”

“Cool.” He grinned. 

He shoved the empty box into the paper bag and screwed it up. I took the rubbish off him once we were standing again and left him alone to shower.

I did as I said I would and made him a coffee, and then helped myself to a glass of water and an apple out of the fruit bowl on his counter. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen now. He seemed to be behaving normally, so I was certain he’d forgotten his admission, but that worried me because I was now going to have to admit that I knew. And I still wasn’t entirely sure how I felt.

When Harry did reappear he was fully clothed and looked a lot fresher than he had done before. His hair was damp but beginning to curl and his complexion had a bit more life to it.

“Feel better?”

“Loads better, thank you.”

“That’s good.” I said with a pressed smile. I pushed his coffee towards him.

“Cheers. Where’s yours?” He asked with a subtle frown as he took a sip out of his mug. He made an approving sound. “That’s good.”

“You know, I don’t actually like coffee.”

His frown deepened. “You have coffee all the time.”

“No, I have a mocha.”

“That’s still got coffee in it.”

“Yes, but the hot chocolate kind of makes it a fake coffee. A coffee for people who don’t like coffee.”

“Right.” He chuckled. “I had a thought upstairs just now… why aren’t you at work?”

“Because I barely slept.”

He looked concerned. “You better not have stayed really late because of me. Should’ve kicked me in the crotch and told me to get over myself.”

“Oh believe me, I tried to leave you here to go to bed, H. But I actually got back at an acceptable hour, that wasn’t the problem.”

“Just a bad night?”

I hummed. “No, I still blame you.”

“Why?” He asked, leaning his hip against the counter side.

I looked at the kitchen top and pursed my lips. “You… you told me something that gave me a lot to think about.”

“I didn’t give you some rubbish music samples, did I?”

I snorted. “I wish. Might’ve helped me sleep.”

“What then? I can’t remember anything.”

After a charged silence, I let out a long sigh. “You told me you love me. You said you love me, and then gave this little speech about missing me. And not just as friends - you said like The 1975’s song, I’m in love with you. But you sang that part, and then immediately fell asleep.”

When I met Harry’s gaze again he was staring at me, and biting his cheek. Neither of us said anything for a while. I was hoping he’d say something. Or perhaps me repeating what he said last night meant he felt like he didn’t need to say anymore.

I cocked my head. “Did you mean it?”

He stood taller, inhaling as his gaze became glassy. “Yeah. Yeah of course I did. Well, I didn’t mean to fall asleep, obviously. But I meant it, although I didn’t mean to tell you in that way… you know, while utterly shit faced.”

“You were completely shit faced.”

“Yeah… no, that’s not how I planned on telling you.”

“Was there a different plan?”

“Maybe…” He turned his nose up and scratched the back of his head. “If I told you what it was you’d hate it-,”

“You don’t know that.” I retorted.

He raised a judgemental brow at me. “Er, yes I do.”

I laughed and put my head on the table. “Whatever.”

“Anyway,” he huffed, but it had a lightheartedness to it, “of course I fucking meant it. Been living with it for ages - it’s all had time to brew. Aged like a fine wine.”

I started laughing, and then I felt his arms wrap around my chest. I was pulled up by him to stand straighter, and he rested his chin on my shoulder. His back was against my front and it felt quite nice. I don’t think we’d ever stood like that before.

“Your love has aged like a fine wine?”

“Sounds right cheap when you say it like that.” 

“You said it. That is literally what you said.” I was still laughing.

“I know.” He whimpered.

I twisted my head to look at him, but he’d hidden his face. “You’re gonna have to bear with me.”

“In what way?”

“Well, this is a lot for me. I’m still… processing it, and I don’t know how I feel. You’re my friend and I love you, of course I do. Just…”

“Not in love with me yet.” He concluded.

“Yet.” I sniggered.

“I’ll remain optimistic, obviously.”

“Obviously.”

He giggled, and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Take your time. Preferably not forever though, ‘cause… the biological clock is ticking.”

I snorted again. “Reel it in.”

“Sorry.” He hummed and squeezed my shoulders tightly. “I am going to have a movie day on the sofa. Do you want to stay?”

“For that I do, fuck yeah.”

“Sweet… go and make yourself comfy. I’ll get the snacks.”

He bumped my hip with his when I passed him so I kicked him back. He gave a childish laugh, and I shook my head at him, but I found as I wandered into his overcompensating living room that I had this giddy feeling in my stomach I’d never felt with him before.

What was I, the most stubborn woman on Earth, going to do?

~

“What d’you want, H?”

“Not a very charming greeting.” He groused.

I pouted. “You’re interrupting my bath time.”

“Is there some space left in the bathtub?”

I smirked and sank lower into the water. “For you? Never.”

“Hey!”

“Always,” I laughed around my correction, “I meant always.”

“That’s more like it.” He chuckled. “I was calling because I think it might be my turn to get dinner. So what do you fancy?”

“Well, you, obviously.”

“Obviously.” His matter-of-fact tone matched mine. I could imagine him nodding his head. “How about a chippy?”

“Oh, fuck yeah. My usual please.”

“Curry sauce too?”

“Wouldn’t be my usual without it.”

“Just checking. So, I will be knocking on your door within the next hour. Make the most of that bath ‘cause I’m coming.”

“Cool. See you in a bit.”

“Bye-bye.”

“Love you!” I shouted before he could put the phone down.

He was quiet for a minute. “Blimey. Don’t need to shout it, darlin’.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Just in case you forgot.”

“I could never. But I love you more. See you shortly.”

“Okay, bye-bye. Love you most.”

“No!” He shouted, but I cut him off before he could refute it more.

I felt smug. I let out a satisfied sigh and laid my head back against the edge of the tub. 

I had taken my time in coming around to Harry’s admission, but he was incredibly patient with me and I was always grateful for that. It had been little over a year since his little bender, and I felt really good about everything. We felt really good about everything.

Our relationship seemed to only be moving up at a pace we were both happy with, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. All we had to do was keep it that way, and I had every confidence we could.

~~~

If you read this far, thank you <3

Come Talk To Me

#harry styles fic #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fanfiction #harryonbroadwayficchallenge #harry styles writing #harry styles one shot #harry styles ff #harry styles angst #harry styles fluff #harry styles imagine #harry styles imagines #harry styles angst imagine #harry styles angst imagines #harry styles fluff imagine #harry styles fluff imagines #i forgot how much i fucking hate writing tags on the bottom of posts #this is endless

[rhoorl]

Delta Landscaping | Chapter 3: Watch the Show

Series Summary: In this AU, the boys of Delta Force start a new business post-Colombia. 

Rating: Explicit (18+) - putting this here as a blanket rating even though it doesn't apply to all chapters

Word Count: 4.4k

Series Masterlist

Chapter Summary: Connor and the boys fix Lucille’s fence giving the Neighborhood Watch its first opportunity for an in-person thirst fest. 

A/N: Thank you again for all of the love on the first two chapters. I am having a lot of fun writing this and interacting with you!

BMW Group Chat

Will: Hey. Benny said that Connor wanted to come over and help with Ms. Lucille’s fence. 

Megan: Yeah - you guys good with that?

Will: Affirmative. Wheels up is 0800 if he wants in on the Home Depot run.

Benny: Cool it Captain America. 🙄 Megan does 8 a.m. work tomorrow for him?

Megan: 😂 Yeah I’ll let him know. I think he’s looking forward to it.

Benny: Sweet! We’ll probably use Frankie’s truck but Connor can ride with me if that’s cool with you.

Megan: Yeah sounds good! About what time do you think you’ll start working?

Will: Probably a little after 9, shouldn’t take too long to get the stuff.

Megan: Ok cool.

_____________________

Neighborhood Watch Group Chat

Megan: ⚠️⚠️ Will said the guys should start working on Lucille’s by 9 tomorrow.

David: HELL YES! Who’s bringing what? Ty and I can bring mimosas. 🍾

Olivia: I can go for a donut run in the morning on the way back from soccer with the boys.

Melissa: I got the fruit salad! 🍓🍍🍉🥭

Katie: Anyone want a fancy coffee? I’ll run to Starbucks … just text me what you want.

Megan: Cool, it’s settled. See you all tomorrow!

_____________________

“You ready for today?” Megan sipped on her coffee, trying to sound nonchalant while eyeing Connor as he rolled into the kitchen.

“Yeah, should be fun.” He made a beeline to the fridge, grabbed a jug of orange juice, and turned around to inhale the breakfast Megan made for him – scrambled eggs and bacon. “Thanks, Mom!”

Bucky was immediately at Connor’s feet, looking up at him, begging for food.

“Despite what he tells you, I already fed him today. And I gave you a slice of bacon, mister!” Megan shook her head at the greedy pup before heading to the sink to rinse off her plate. 

While her back was turned, Connor raised his fingers to his lips making a shushing motion as he snuck the pup half a piece of bacon. 

He cleared his throat to cover up the sound of Bucky scarfing down the treat. “So, these guys used to be in the military or something?” 

“Yea. Will says they were in for like almost 20 years or something but retired a few years ago. With that being said they’re probably punctual as hell so don’t be late!”

“Yes, mom. I’ll head over there right after I get a few more bites.”

After he finished his breakfast, Connor grabbed his phone and wallet, gave his mom a kiss, and gave Bucky some head scratches. He looked at the time, smiling that he was 15 minutes early.

As he walked over to 319 Mulefall Court, he saw a green truck pull up. He recognized the two men who got out, they were Benny and Will’s friends, but he just couldn’t remember their names. The taller guy was in jeans and a gray T-shirt with a blue baseball cap and aviators. The other guy, who was a bit shorter, wore black shorts and a white V-neck shirt that was a bit tighter fitting than the taller man’s shirt. 

Benny walked out of the garage and greeted the two men with a handshake and hug and was dressed comfortably in black and white basketball shorts, a cutoff concert tee, and a black backward baseball cap. He spotted Connor walking over and waved at the boy. 

“Hey, bud!” Benny called over. “You're early, nice!”

“Ha yea, I uh… I didn’t want you all waiting up.”

“All good. Hey I’m not sure if you’ve officially met them but these are my friends Frankie and Santi – or Fish and Pope, whatever’s easier for ya,” he chuckled.

“Nice to meet you boss,” Santiago extended his hand for a firm handshake. 

“We’re excited to have an extra set of hands,” Frankie smiled, giving the boy a handshake too.

“Well, thanks for the invite.”

“You know, for being the one always up my fucking ass about being on time, Will is late. Oh shit, sorry, I didn’t mean to swear in front of you. Fuck!" Benny smacked himself on the forehead laughing.

“Ha, it’s all good. I won’t tell my mom if you won't,” Connor winked.

“Good man!” Pope chuckled, slapping Connor playfully on the shoulder as they all laughed.

“Hi, Connor!” a soft voice called from across the street. 

Connor turned to see Aria walking her dog. He tensed and immediately felt his face getting red. Aria was one of the prettiest girls in school and also his biggest crush.

“Uh…h-hey Aria!” He rubbed the back of his neck, giving a small wave.

“I like your dog!” Benny called over. “Is that a Rhodesian Ridgeback?”

“Yea! No one ever knows what kind of dog he is.” She was impressed at the man’s astute observation.

“Yeah, we used them on missions before. Those dogs are badass!” Benny smiled.

Aria stopped as her dog sniffed the grass, looking over to Connor and the men in the driveway. “Um…you all off to do something fun?”

Connor was frozen and didn’t know what to do. He felt tongue-tied, intimidated by her and the three men behind him who were most likely scrutinizing his every move and probably ready to make fun of him when this encounter was all over.

I bet none of them have trouble talking to girls.

What he couldn’t see was that the three men behind him were exchanging looks and smirks, remembering what it was like to be in high school, faced with talking to a pretty girl. Hell, depending on the woman they still acted that way.

Frankie gave Pope a nod, using the unspoken language they had mastered after decades of friendship.

Pope cleared his throat, “Uh, yeah actually we are. Connor here is helping us build a fence!”

“Build a fence? Wow, cool!” Aria smiled, looking directly at Connor.

“Yeah, he does a lot of work for Ms. Lucille. It was his idea to have us help, wasn’t it Connor?” Benny came up, slapping a hand on the boy's shoulder.

“Uh.” Connor glanced over to Benny who gave him a look and a squeeze to the shoulder. “Uh, ye-yea. It’s not a big deal, should be pretty easy.”

“Cool, well, don’t work too hard. I’ll see you around!” she waved and continued on her walk.

Connor immediately turned around and took what felt like his first breath in minutes. Benny’s arm was around his shoulder and he braced for the guys to give him a hard time before seeing Will come out of the garage.

“Hey, Connor! Sorry guys, I was talking to Joel. Ready to go?” Will smiled, walking over to give the boy a handshake.

“Yeah, let’s do it! I like your shirt,” Connor pointed to Will’s blue Tampa Bay Lightning dri-fit shirt.

“Thanks, man, you ever go to a game?”

“I’ve only been to like two, but I’ll catch them on TV when I can.”

The guys chit-chatted with Connor for a few more minutes before Benny cut in.

“Ok, so since there’s five of us, I figure we could take two cars. Fish, you good driving Will and Pope? I’ll take Connor.”

All the men nodded and got into their respective vehicles.

Benny didn’t say anything to Connor as they got into his car and buckled in. He reversed down the driveway and headed for the entrance of the neighborhood. 

As they reached a stop sign he looked over to Connor, “So…you like her?”

“Who?” Connor kept facing forward, but his eyes darted around. He wasn’t really used to talking about girls with anyone.

“That girl with the Rhodesian. You think she’s pretty right?”

“Uhh…”

“Dude, you practically froze,” he chuckled, glancing over to see the boy was clearly nervous. “Hey, it’s all good, man I get like that too. A pretty girl will have that effect on you no matter how old you are.”

“Really?”

“Ha yea. One time, I got so nervous to walk up to a girl at a bar that I tripped and fell flat on my face,” he laughed. “But it worked out for me, I still got her number," he smirked at the memory. "There’ve been times we’ve had to practically push Fish over to a girl to get her number, the guy gets so shy. Oh and don’t even get me started on Pope. You see the guy and he looks like he’s super suave and shit, but he's had his moments too. Don’t let him fool you,” he glanced over with a wink.

Connor let out a nervous laugh. “Ha, yeah…I like her…I’ve liked her for a while.”

“Then why don’t you ask her out? Do you have her number? Is that a thing you even do anymore or do you like message on social media or something?”

“Ha, yeah I have her number.”

“Ok, and?”

"Well, for starters, she's older than me. She's gonna be a senior this year."

"Ooo an older woman? Nice," he winked. "Nothing wrong with going out with someone older than you. Still doesn’t explain why you just can’t ask her out."

“I can’t, man. She…she…what if she says no.”

“Well, what if she says yes?” Benny glanced over. “Does she have a boyfriend or something?”

“No, at least I don’t think so…I think she and one of my teammates were talking last year.”

“But not anymore right?” Connor shook his head. “Ok, then!”

“I don’t know. She probably isn’t even into me, you should see my teammate. He looks like a younger version of Will…not that I'm calling him old or anything,” Connor chuckled.

As they reached the stoplight Benny assessed the boy in his passenger seat. He couldn’t really tell based on the baggy Orlando Magic T-shirt, but it looked like Connor was a bit on the skinny side. He could relate, he was a string bean when he was younger, so he could only imagine what Connor felt like comparing himself to other guys, especially if his teammate did in fact look like a younger version of his brother. 

“Do you lift?"

Connor nodded, "Yeah I try, don't really know what I'm doing though … clearly." He motioned to his bicep.

"Wanna…wanna start working out with me?

Connor looked over at him confused, “Wait, what?”

“Yeah, like this summer, do you want to start working out with me? I was a personal trainer for a little while and I did some MMA fighting too for a bit, so I know my way around a gym,” he offered with a smile.

“Uh, y-yea that would be cool.” 

“Nice, well we’ll figure something out,” Benny continued as he turned into the Home Depot parking lot. “Welp looks like we’re here.”

___________________

“Lulu, where are you?” Megan called as she walked into Lucille’s home. She knew the rest of the crew would be showing up any minute.

“In here,” Lucille called from the kitchen.

“I should have known,” Megan mumbled to herself as she made her way to the kitchen.

When she turned the corner, she saw Lucille arranging some muffins and pastelitos on a tray.

“We’re going to have so much food!”

“Well, don’t look in the fridge, then” Lucille smirked. “I made some things for lunch for the boys… papa rellenas and croquettes, and of course empanadas for Benny. I just need to fry it all up. Don’t say anything to David, he’ll want to take it all home!”

Right on cue, they heard the door open, knowing instantly it was David and Ty based on the noise.

“We’re here bitches! Let’s get this thirst fest started!” David shouted in a sing-song manner as he and his partner made their way into the kitchen. “We brought a few different juices - orange, pineapple, and your favorite Lulu, guava!” He said, kissing Lucille on the cheek as he set several containers on her counter.

“I also brought my binoculars,” Ty showed off a large pair of binoculars he used for birdwatching. 

“Eres demasiado.” Lucille shook her head as she wiped her hands on her apron and gave the man a kiss on the cheek.

Megan laughed, amused at the two characters who just walked in. 

David and Ty had been together for 10 years and moved into Torrey Hills a few years ago. At first, they were quiet and kept to themselves, unsure how the neighbors would feel about a gay couple living next door. Suburban Tampa was a bit different than Miami, where they previously called home.

They were excited but a bit nervous when Megan and Lucille invited them over for coffee for the first time. But the four of them quickly became thick as thieves, even Julio found the little posse’s antics hilarious. 

“Knock, knock!” Melissa was the next to arrive, with her elaborate fruit salad in tow. “I haven’t missed anything yet, right?”

“No, girl, they are still out at Home Depot,” Ty said as he poured her a mimosa. “Light on the juice, just how you like it,” he winked.

Olivia came frantically through the door a few moments later with an assortment of donuts. 

“Where’s Diana? I was hoping for some baby cuddles,” Lucille pouted, seeing Olivia sans her nine-month-old.

“She’s taking a nap. Chris is watching CJ and Max, leaving momma to have the morning to herself!” She smiled and greedily reached for the mimosa Ty made for her.

“Where the hell is Katie?” Megan asked, looking at her phone to see if Katie backed out.

___________________

“Ugh, I should have asked for another tray,” Katie mumbled to herself as she parked her car. She walked over to her passenger side door and grabbed the tray of drinks along with a few bags of breakfast sandwiches and pastries. 

She decided to walk over to Lucille’s since it was only a few houses over. She had just reached the porch when she heard a couple of cars pull up.

Shit. I knew I should have gotten here earlier.

“Hey, Katie!” Benny called over to her from the car window he had rolled down.

“H-hi Benny!”

“What’re doing here? You all having a party while we work?” he chuckled as he got out of the car. 

She saw Connor and then turned to notice Will, Frankie, and Santiago getting out of a truck, all smiling and waving at her. Will, in particular, looked over at her curiously and she was thankful for her sunglasses so he couldn’t see that she was checking him out.

“Uh, yeah something like that. It’s been a while since we got together and uh…we…uh… wanted to keep an eye …things…like…Connor,” it was the best she could muster and she immediately regretted it.

“Keep an eye on me?” Connor asked confused.

“Oh, not in a bad sweetie, uh…” she was getting more flustered. “There’s some stuff I need help with around my house too so, uh, we figured we’d see how you do. Might need to hire your little crew here,” she smiled hoping she had recovered.

“So, like a trial run of our services, then?” Will smirked.

“Uh, y-yea, something like that. I should probably get inside. If David’s sandwich gets any colder he’s going to freak the fuck out. Shoot, sorry Connor,” she blushed, turning quickly and dashing up the steps.

Once she got inside, she slammed her back against the door, trying to catch her breath. 

“Katie?” Megan asked as she walked around the corner. “There you are! Wait…what happened?”

“Ugh, the line was long and I knew I was running late and was trying to get back here before they did, but I didn’t and shit, I was awkward as fuck in the driveway. And now they know that we’re all here,” she rambled.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did you chug six espressos on the way over here? It’s all good. Besides, I wasn’t trying to hide the fact that we were over here, they’re going to be able to see us through the window silly,” she laughed.

Katie let out a breath, realizing she was spiraling. “You’re right. Sorry, Meg.” She smiled.

“C’mon let’s go before David calls dibs on the best seat.”

__________________

“I can’t believe we are watching this … and for free!” David laughed. "This is better than that time we went to the Magic Mike show, right Melissa?"

Once the guys got all of the materials and tools settled in the backyard, they made pretty quick work of mending Lucille’s fence. They took out some of the panels that were rotting or damaged. Will and Frankie taught Connor how to cut the different pieces of wood, while Benny and Santiago sanded some pieces down.

However, the crew inside wasn’t paying attention to the progress of the repairs, instead, they were admiring the view.

“Ok, but like, I’ve never had a thing for forearms before but holy shit,” Melissa said as she reached for one of the guava and cheese pastelitos.

“Those are for the boys!” Lucille slapped her hand as Melissa rolled her eyes.

“Ok, so before today I thought I was more of a Benny guy, but Santiago, phew!” Ty fanned himself. “The shirt is basically like a second skin it is so drenched.” His eyes were pressed to the binoculars. 

“I think he has the cutest butt,” Melissa chimed in.

“A Benny guy? It’s like they’re a boy band and you’re picking your favorite member,” Megan threw her head back in laughter.

“I am fully on the Will train, but he’s all yours Katie!” Olivia smirked as Katie blushed.

“Well, we all know who I am a fan of!” David glanced over to the group. 

“You just have a curly hair with a hat kink, babe,” Ty teased.

“No! Well… okay, yeah I guess. But his hair baby, look at it. The way it just like peaks out from under his hat. Gimme,” he snatched the binoculars from Ty. 

They see Frankie remove his hat, running his fingers through his hair before returning the hat to the top of his head.

“Also the way his sweaty curls are sticking to the back of his neck? Ay yai yai yai! I just want to bite it.”

“He reminds me of my Julio when he was younger,” Lucille cut in, looking at Frankie fondly. “He was quite the stunner, you know.”

The group continued to look on as the guys moved on to start nailing some of the planks in place. Olivia snorted, laughing to herself, the mimosas starting to take their effect.

“What’s so funny?” David asked.

“I mean, I just … my mind is in the gutter, no thanks to you,” she pointed at him. “But, like with them using the nail gun, I can only think of dirty puns.”

“What, like how long it’s been since you've been nailed?” Ty smirked.

“She has three kids, Ty, I think we all know she fucks,” David chuckled.

“Ok, everyone, my son is literally using the nail gun right now, can we not?” Megan put her hands over her ears shaking her head.

“I just think it’s so sweet how they’re including Connor, it would have been so easy to have him do something small but he’s been involved in every step,” Lucille smiled warmly as she looked out of her kitchen window.

"Ugh, yes! They're getting sweatier now. I’ve never been more grateful for the Florida heat," David raised his hands in praise.

___________________

“Ok, that should about do it, I think,” Will said as Connor put the last nail in. He pulled his shirt up, using it to wipe the sweat from his forehead. 

“Nice, this looks great. That was fun…Uh, thank you guys. I honestly don’t know if I could have done this on my own.” Connor said as he looked at the four men.

“Oh, I’m sure you would have figured it out, man. You picked things up really fast,” Frankie gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 

“Do you think our audience liked the view,” Santiago motioned over to Lucille’s back patio. 

“Well, you sure were flexing anytime you could Pope. Could you get a tighter shirt next time?” Benny joked as Pope slapped him on the chest.

“I can’t help but put on a show pendejo, especially when I have an audience,” he winked. “And don’t give me shit, your brother was doing it too. I saw you eyeing Katie, Ironhead.”

“See,” Benny said under his breath to Connor, raising his eyebrows.

“She’s…nice. And she needs help with her house. It’s not in as bad of shape as ours, but I can tell she has a few projects just from the outside alone. I can only imagine what’s going on inside.”

“Yea, you’d like to know what it’s like inside, wouldn’t y-, oww!” Santiago yelped as Will hit him upside the head and Frankie shook his head laughing.

“Dude, can you fucking cool it in front of the kid,” Will motioned over to Connor who was doubled over laughing along with Benny at the scene in front of them.

__________________

“Oh shit, Will has a six-pack?!” Ty said from behind his binoculars. “Do you want a look, Katie?”

“I can see just fine from here,” Katie smirked. It was obvious that Will was a fit guy and she was grateful to get a little peak at what he was working with. Although she wasn’t usually attracted to blondes, there was something about Will that she was drawn to.

“It looks like they’re about done, so I’m going to go out there,” Lucille grabbed a tray and a basket with water bottles.

“We can all come!” David started to get up.

“Wait. Maybe just Lulu and I go out there first, we don’t need to overwhelm them with all of this…energy,” Megan chimed in.

“Ok, but we’re all coming out at some point,” Melissa laughed, eyes still focused outside taking in the scene.

_____________________

The glass sliding door opened and Lucille and Megan walked out with water and snacks in hand.

“This looks great, boys. You did amazing,” Lucille beamed, she loved seeing Connor so proud of himself.

“Connor did a great job, he’s a natural, Ms. Lucille!” Benny squeezed the boy's shoulder as he smiled at him. 

“Yeah, careful Megan, or we may need him to come over to our place to work on some stuff,” Will added.

“Oh, I’m sure that would be totally fine,” Megan smiled. 

“Who are all of your friends?” Santiago motioned toward the house with his chin.

“Ah, that’s our little crew. We get together every now and again, you’ll like them. We’ve become a little family,”

It was true, this specific group of neighbors had become pretty tight-knit, getting together for Super Bowl or Stanely Cup parties, celebrating birthdays, hosting barbecues and game nights, and just generally looking out for one another.

“We actually were thinking of having a pool party soon, you all in?” Megan asked.

“Hell yeah, we’d be down!” Benny smiled, excited to be included.

“Even us? I mean, we aren’t technically neighbors…” Frankie asked.

“Ay, por favor Francisco,” Lucille shook her head, lightly slapping Frankie’s arm.

“Of course! You two basically live here!” Megan chuckled.

“Is it settled, are we down for a pool party?” David yelled from the porch, waving at the group in Lucille’s backyard.

“That’s David,” Megan rolled her eyes, laughing and shaking her head. Turning back to the house she gave a thumbs up, signaling for the rest of the crew to join them.

***

Everyone shook hands with each other and started talking. Will managed to work his way over to where Katie was standing.

"The fence looks great!" Katie glanced over to Will and she surveyed their handiwork. "You just casually know how to fix fences?"

"Ha, well not entirely. I definitely had to call and get some pointers from my cousin, he's a lot handier than I am, but I can manage just fine," he smirked.

"Well, that's good to know," she felt her face getting red.

"So, you said you needed some help around your house? What projects d'you have?"

"Oh, there's a ton. Seriously, I need to get off of Pinterest because every time I open that damn app I add something new to my list," she chuckled.

"Ha yeah, I've heard it has that effect. My...uh…ex used to constantly be on that…" he trailed off as if he was reliving a memory.

"Was she into home repairs too?"

Shaking his head, "Ah no…wedding planning." He picked up the hem of his shirt again, wiping his forehead.

Seeing his stomach up close made Katie's eyes almost bug out of her head, but she tried to keep her cool.

"Ah yea, been there done that." 

***

“So, the party is at your place then?” Santiago asked Melissa, lingering a little bit longer with his handshake and eyeing her up and down.

“Uh, yeah, my fiancé and I just finished our pool, so it’s a great excuse to have people over,” she blushed, biting her lip and looking down. 

“Oh,” Santiago withdrew his hand. “N-nice, we’re…uh…looking forward to it.”

Melissa snapped out of it and cleared her throat. "Hey everyone, is tomorrow too soon of notice for the party? We can do it next Sunday if that's better?"

A cacophony of "No, tomorrow's great" and "Let's do it" rained down, which then turned into everyone chatting about what to bring. Once everything was settled the Neighborhood Watch crew went inside to clean things up as the boys and Connor collected all of their things.

___________________

"Thanks again for letting me come and help you guys," Connor said after they got everything situated back in Will and Benny's garage. "I had fun."

“You did great, man! And seriously, if you want to help us with other stuff that's cool. Sounds like Katie may have some projects," Will said as he wiped his hands.

"Oh does she, now? Those projects in her bedroom or what?" Benny started to tease his brother, but Will punched him in the stomach. "Ow!"

"You made plans to see what she needs help with?" Santiago raised his eyebrows at Will who shook his head.

*Well, figure it out tomorrow at the pool party then," Frankie shrugged.

As Connor started to head back, Benny stopped him. "Hey, wait. Here gimme your number. I'm serious about what I said earlier. If you wanna get started working out, just let me know, but…don’t feel like you have to." He handed the boy his phone and Connor put his number in.

"Thanks. You aren't going to go all drill sergeant mode on me are you?"

"Ha, nah. I used to train all kinds of people, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach." Benny offered him a warm smile.

"Sweet. Ok, well I guess I'll see you all tomorrow then?"

"Yeah, sounds good. See ya bud!"

Next Chapter

A/N: I can't remember who made the comment that rather than a reader insert this is a group insert, but hopefully the Neighborhood Watch is fulfilling that role! We’re headed to Melissa’s house next for a pool party in the next chapter! 

I’ve loved the asks I’ve received about this universe! In case you missed it here are the two most recent ones:

The Cars: The boys' cars are mentioned in Chapter 2, but it wasn't specified who owned which car, now you know!

Vanity Plates: Going off the cars post, I received an ask about whether the boys would have vanity plates on their cars.

Let me know if you want to be on the tag list moving forward!! Apologies if I accidentally left you off, I added it all manually … just let me know!

@goodwithcheese / @gemmahale / @trulybetty / @patti7dc / @periodtsparadox / @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin / @maggiemayhemnj / @mysterious-moonstruck-musings / @avastrasposts / @meveispunk / @chaoticfestninja / @beholdbebravethings / @casa-boiardi / @katw474 / @linzels-blog / @laughing-in-th3-purple-rain / @primosworld / @lynnchun / @anoverwhelmingdin /@lilmizmoz / @pedrit0-pascalit0 / @titlee78 / @noisynightmarepoetry / @inept-the-magnificent / @perennialdoll247 / @for-a-longlongtime / @readingiskeepingmegoing / @harriedandharrassed / @musings-of-a-rose / @anavatazes

#delta landscaping #triple frontier fanfiction #triple frontier fic #triple frontier au #triple frontier fanfic #triple frontier #frankie morales fanfiction #benny miller fanfiction #will miller #santiago garcia

[importantgalaxyrunaway]

Vecna (Steve Harrington x y/n)

(Billy is your sh#tty ex in this)

WARNINGS: pre concussion writing, possession, Billy being an awful ex, angst, Harrington being best boy, angst with a happy ending so fluff, sorry it’s so short, vecna. Had this in my drafts for a while and debating on wether I should post it let me know I tried my best

“y/n!!!” Dustin waved his fingers infront of you face and shook you but with no response “Steve!” He called

Steve then ran from where was near his car to you.

“she’s not responding. I think vecna is taking her”

“y/n” Steve begged his voice laced with concern and sorrow “y/n please” his voice cracking as he had started to cry “fight this please I can’t lose you”

Dustin had never seen Steve like this before he felt he was intruding on a private moment.

“get her tape!” Dustin scrambles to grab the cassette tape of Kate bush

—————————————-

I was back,… back to the worst years of my life. Or it least the memories of them.

“Y/N” he practically screamed at me “TELL ME WHY THE FUCK YOU WERE SEEN TALKING TO A GUY”

“I-I-it wasn’t like t-that b-billy” I trembled in a smal voice my hands already up scared of him hitting me. He raises hand but as he does I look at him again. He is no longer billy. No instead the form of vecna was standing over you. He pushes my up against his wall with vines ready to kill me like the other victims

“you know you deserved this y/n” he taunted

“NO” I shout back fiercely. Adereline was pumping through my veins.

“yes you have deserved everything he did to you” he said “i bet your new boyfriend doesn’t even love you. Sooner or later he will be just like billy”

“no” my voice cracks a bit with hands shaking he is not choking me with his vines

then I hear it. The firmilair tune of running up that hill. I gather up enough courage and rip one of vecna’s veins out. He screams and stumbles letting me out of his grip. I fall and run. I run for my life. Faster than I have ever ran before. Vecna throws giant rocks at me but I doge them. One of them knocks me over. But I quickly get up. I think of what I’m fighting for and all my happiest moments flash before my eyes. I see me and robin in the arcade. I can see me and my friends together l. And I see Steve but particularly a special moment with him. Our first kiss. I break from the this trance of happy memories giving me the will to live. I hear me named being called and I can see the way out. I’m here I’m still breathing! I thought. I wanna live! I wanna live! And I ran through the window of light.

then I feel my body falling and my friends catching me together. I gasp for air I’m hyperventilating. Look over and see my boyfriends tear stained face. I see the looks of concern on my friends faces. I quickly pull them in for a hug. I am still crying and Steve takes my head a put it against his chest comforting me.

——-

it’s lucky that my parents are in the outer banks right now, I would have a hard time explaining this situation.

He tucked me in as he comforted me. I was still crying. He shushes soothingly me as i touch my to his cheek. He catches my hand and presses it against his lips. Kissing my fingertip.

“w-when vecna showed me billy” my voice quavering. “Everything came back. He said….that it was only a matter of time before you became him”

“oh baby” he said pulling the soft blanket over me “never ever think that. I love you so much” he wiped away my tears with his thumb. He took my face in his hands and kissed me. Not fiercely or roughly but tenderly. With sweetness and an air of gentle to it. Billy never kissed me like that. He kissed me rough or not at all. But I felt Steve show me what a real kiss was. One tender and full of love. I had never experienced that with anyone else. Eventually we have to break the kiss. he leaves to go by I say “stay, please Stevie” he obeys and I fall asleep in his arms I’m my soft bed.

——-

#stranger things x reader #stranger things steve #steve x y/n #steve x you #steve fic #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington #steve harrington x fem #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x y/n smut #steve harrington imagine #st fic #stranger things #stranger things fic #fanfiction #fanfic #fanfic writing

[reheatedpizza-rey]

dark!Wanda Maximoff x gn!reader - All the Same

Summary-> Wanda takes you in after she finds you all alone in the street. She seems nice at first but there's a hidden darkness to it which you realise all too late. (non-avenger au)

A.N-> This is my english story writing activity from when I was 14 so it's gonna be pretty shit. I just had to post something cuz my blog is high-key dead cuz of exams.

Word count-> ~2k

Content warnings-> ⚠️SUICIDE⚠️, ⚠️VAGUE EATING DISORDER⚠️, manipulation, what was I thinking when I wrote this, shitty writing

I ran and I ran through the forest, unsure of where I was going. The only thing on my mind was getting away from that hell. The hell where I was always walking on eggshells, where I was afraid of even breathing wrong, where I felt so lonely despite someone always being there watching my every. single. move. But now it would all be over. I could finally run away. I could finally be free. I could see the house where I had been tormented for so many years disappear into the darkness of the night and get hidden by the many trees and bushes of the forest. I could see a faint light in the distance. I rushed towards it, despite my legs feeling like they were being pierced through by a million knives all at once. 

I was on a road now. The bright street lights stung my eyes since they were only accustomed to the deep, damp darkness of the forest. Now that I was finally out of that hellscape and had a chance to breathe, it inevitably dawned on me that I had no idea what to do. I had been trapped inside that house all my life, so I didn’t know anyone in the outside world. Suddenly, I felt my vision going blurry; my head was spinning, water was gushing out of my eyes, my knees could barely support my body, and I collapsed. It all hurt so, so much. Out of nowhere, I felt a tap on my shoulder. 

  It was a beautiful girl. 

  She asked, "Are you ok?" concern laced into her words. It was like she actually cared. It was something I’d never experienced before.

I couldn’t respond. I was too overwhelmed with everything going on. She didn’t pry any further. She carefully helped me to my feet as she held my hand. I almost fell over again, but she caught me. We walked in silence for a few seconds before we reached a door. She unlocked it and led me inside. She had me sit on the sofa as she sat down next to me.

  She questioned, "Are you calmer now?" 

She waited patiently for my answer, which I delivered a few seconds later in the form of a small, barely audible "…yes." 

  "That’s great! Let’s get you cleaned up!" she exclaimed. 

  She left to go get something from the other room. I was confused for a second before I looked down and saw a huge cut on my left leg. "That must be why my legs hurt so much…" I quietly mumbled to myself. 

  She came back holding some antiseptic, cotton balls, and bandages. As she was cleaning up the wound, I finally got a chance to observe her features. 

  She had beautiful long red hair, which cascaded beautifully down her back, and shimmering green eyes, which looked beautiful in the moonlight. Truthfully, she was really beautiful. 

She first cleaned up the blood on my leg and the wound with the antiseptic and the cotton balls, which stung a lot. Tears were forming at the corners of my eyes as I winced at the pain. 

  She calmly shushed me and said, "Just bear with it for a second; it’ll be over soon." 

After a few seconds, she wrapped my leg with bandages. I tried to stand up but fell back onto the sofa. 

 She commented, "Your leg is hurt pretty badly." She continued, "I’ll help you get around until it heals." 

She then said, ‘’The night is still young; why don’t we get to know each other? If you’re up for it, of course." 

  I replied, "Sure, what do you want to know?" 

She responded, "Well, I still don’t know your name yet, so how about we start with that?" 

  I blushed slightly and replied, O-oh, sorry about that! My name is Y/N." 

She responded, "It’s fine." She giggled, "My name is Wanda!" 

  ‘Even her name is pretty…’ I thought to myself. 

We talked for a few more hours, and I got to know that she was studying to become a nurse and was thus away from her parents. I didn’t tell her much about me other than the fact that my parents were fairly wealthy and we used to live in a cabin out in the woods. We didn’t seem to realise that time was flying by as we were talking, and soon it was 12:30. We were both tired, so we decided to go to bed. She had an extra bed that I could sleep in. I tried to get up, but it hurt too much, so she decided to carry me to the room. 

The next morning, Ruby woke up first and woke me up as well. She was shocked to see me. I didn’t understand why she looked so shocked. 

  She then got closer to me and held my arm, and said in a worried tone, "You’re so thin! You look sickly; have you been eating well? I couldn’t see you that well in the darkness last night." 

  I was confused about what she meant by that since my mother would always say that I ate too much and should eat less. She must have noticed the confusion on my face since she didn’t ask any more questions and just decided to hug me and hold me close instead. 

  After a few seconds, she let go and went to the kitchen, gesturing for me to follow her. I rushed after her into the kitchen, where she was preparing breakfast. 

  She told me to go sit at the table. I waited for a few minutes before she came out, carrying two plates with two pancakes each. She placed one in front of me and one in front of herself as she sat down. She started eating, and so did I. 

  I could only manage a few bites before I felt full. I wasn’t used to having this much food. 

She must have noticed and asked me, "What’s wrong? Are they not to your liking?" 

  I hurriedly replied, "N-no they’re good; I’m just not used to eating this much." 

She looked confused and said, "This is very little food; how much do you normally eat?" 

  I replied, "Like half of this usually..." 

She looked extremely concerned and said, "Well, you really need to start eating more... Just finish half of it, ok?" 

  I didn’t know if I could eat that much, but still, I replied, "Ok, I’ll try…" 

She looked pleased at that response. A few minutes later, I was done with my food. 

  She then informed me that she had to leave for university and told me I could watch TV or something while I waited for her to come back. She came back pretty late and prepared dinner for the both of us. She gave me a pretty small portion, which was more than enough to fill me up. After eating, we both went to bed.

I continued to live with Wanda for a few more weeks. I learned how to cook from her on the weekends, and now I prepare dinner for the both of us when she was away at university. I’d even started eating slightly bigger portions. Everything was going well. One day, she came back pretty late again, but it was even later than usual. We were eating dinner as usual when she randomly started commenting on how much I was eating. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but it went on for a few more weeks. She would comment on everything I did, from how much I ate to how I sat. I started eating less and less, and was soon back to eating barely anything. 

  One day, as I was waiting for her, I heard talking outside the door. I tried to listen to what they were saying but couldn’t really make much out at first, but then I heard Wanda’s voice. She was saying something about taking someone in because she felt ‘so, so bad’ for them. At first, I didn’t know who she was talking about, but soon I realised that it was me. 

  But the way she talked about me didn’t seem affectionate. Rather, it felt fake. Like I was just a pitiful object to show others just how kind she was.

  I went to the sofa because I didn’t want to listen anymore. I didn’t want to believe that I was just an object to her. I didn’t want to believe that the person who was so kind to me and the one who was the only reason I’m not dead just saw me as a trophy to show people. 

  She soon came inside and greeted me as if it were just any other normal day. Well, it might have been for her. I greeted her back, not wanting to seem off. We had dinner like normal, and she brought up that some people from university would be over tomorrow. 

 I just said, "Ok." And that was it. We both went to bed, and the next morning went as usual, with us eating breakfast together and her leaving for university. 

  That night, she came back with a few of her friends. They were all looking at me like I was just some object to be gawked at. I felt so uncomfortable under their gaze. They stayed for some time. They all mostly just ignored me as I sat beside Wanda as they all talked. They were all gone after a few hours. We had dinner as usual, though I didn’t talk as much today. We both went to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t shake off the feeling of betrayal.

The next morning, after Wanda had left, I was just sitting on the sofa all alone with my thoughts. Thoughts of all the negative things she had said to me. Comments regarding how much I ate, how I sat, how I dressed, and how I looked. Anything regarding my appearance was always commented on negatively. She reminded me of my mother. The very woman I had risked my life to escape. 

  Last night was the last straw. She really did just see me as a trophy. Something to boast to people about. I completely lost control of my body as it made its way towards the roof. 

  All I could think was, why am I even living anymore? I’d risked my life to escape my mother, but even after escaping her, the person I thought was the complete opposite of her was, in fact, just the same. If everyone is just the same, why should I even continue looking for someone different? 

  Soon, I was at the edge of the roof. All that was between me and my sweet escape from this world, which was worse than hell, was one single step. 

  Suddenly, I broke out of my trance-like state. I backed away. What was I even about to do? How could I be so stupid as to attempt to do something like that? Sure, Wanda might not care for me like I thought she did, but she’s still the reason I’m still alive. 

  But then, memories of last night flashed through my mind. Memories of being viewed as a mere object. Memories of people not even acknowledging my existence outside of the pitiful girl Wanda helped. 

  My vision got blurry. All I could see was the edge of the roof. I didn’t care about anything else. I just wanted to escape. And escape I did. 

The wind brushing the skin of my face felt so nice. The sound of the wind rushing by blocked out any other noise. It was rather calm, considering I was falling to my death. After a few moments of rare tranquility, Thud. And then it all went dark.

#angst #original story #original stuff #writing #writeblr #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #wanda maximoff #wanda x reader #wanda x you #scarlet witch #wanda marvel #marvel #dark!fic #dark!wanda maximoff #dark!wanda x reader #gn reader #gender neutral reader #gender neutral y/n #y/n #marvel x reader #marvel x you #marvel x y/n #wlw post #wlw love #wlw

[obxone]

Assumptions (Part 7)

Rewritten/Edited. ~2.23k words

Warning: post smut descriptions

Master Page

Rafe's mouth ghosts across your shoulder, his fingertips digging into the soft underside of your thigh as he finishes buried inside of you. You whimper, eyes squeezing shut as another orgasm washes over you. 

"Rafe!" You whine, nails dragging over the width of his shoulders. "No more, please."

He shushes you before kissing you, letting your walls squeeze him until he is sure every last drop is inside of you. "You did so well, Baby."

“We are ruining the sheets.” You whisper after he withdraws to leave you naked and exposed on his bed. The feeling of your mixed orgasms dampening the sheet under you makes you blush. “I should shower and head home.”

"Home?"

"Yes, I need to go home." You respond before watching as he disappears into his closet before coming back out wearing a pair of gray sweats with a t-shirt and boxer briefs in hand. 

"You are not going home," he says, tossing the clothing at you. "You are staying here tonight. But you can shower."

"Rafe!"

He shrugs. "My girlfriend is staying the night."

You huff before slipping from his bed. "At least change the bedding."

He smirks, watching you disappear into his bathroom without much of an argument.

 You turn the shower on and wait for it to steam up as you browse his product selection. For a man, he seemed to require a number of items, but is also wealthy and could afford anything he wanted. 

You huff, setting his mouthwash down and glancing in the mirror. Your hair is mussed, and your skin is pinkish from your time in the sun. But your face is flushed for other reasons, reasons that involve the man on the other side of the door, your boyfriend. Your first boyfriend in almost a year, and he has weaseled himself into the role. Your fingertips trail over the blooming love bites littering your neck, and shoulders. He could be a condescending bastard, but he knew what he was doing In bed. 

Your body tingles with the aftershocks still rolling through you as the room begins to steam up around you. 

After a shower and taking a moment to shut yourself off to him for the night, you emerge from the bathroom to see him sitting on the bed. Fresh sheets now replace the ones you had mussed not thirty minutes before. 

“I’m going to have to tell the Pogues, aren’t I?” You ask. 

"Yes."

You close your eyes for a moment before breathing out a harsh exhale. “Fuck.”

After you toss the towel into the hamper you cross the room to him. 

"They are going to hate me," you mutter, staring at him. "I hope it makes you happy."

"Not happy about them hating you," he says, reaching for you to pull you down onto his lap. His hands travel over your thighs to your hips as he leans in. His lips are a bruising mess against yours. Your hands press to his chest, easing him back. He watches you, his hand moving to your face. "You don't need the pogues if they decide to hate you for dating me."

"Can you blame them?" You question. Your hands tremble as you drag them down his abdomen. "The pogues think the worst of you Rafe, because of how you treat us."

He shakes his head. "I don't care what they think."

You sigh, dropping your head to his shoulder. His hands slip under the t-shirt to touch your back. 

"If they are your friends, they'll understand."

Your laughter drips with sarcasm before you withdraw and fall into the space beside him. "You really are out of your mind if you think that is going to play out with some kind of happy ending."

He rolls his eyes before turning off the bedside lamp. "I got what I wanted. I got the girl."

You are silent as you lay next to him in the darkness as you realize he did. He played you and got what he wanted at the end of the day. As you fall asleep, you think about how you are going to break the news to your friends and how to navigate their reactions. You close your eyes, worry spreading through you.

----

“You what?!” Kie stares at you with wide eyes. 

“No fucking way,” JJ shakes his head, outrage masking his face. He storms out of the Chateau without looking at you. You sigh, head hanging. You know this is hard, but if they could understand what you did to save JJ from being arrested, it would help. 

“It’s temporary,” you whisper, fingers tangling together before you look up again. “Rafe is not going to leave me alone until he gets what he wants. And he's using yesterday's fight as leverage. He gets me, and JJ stays out of jail."

"Fuck!" John B groans, dragging his hand over his face, and Sarah shakes her head, not surprised in the least by what her brother is doing. 

"Rafe will get bored like he always does, and I will have $5k for college saved up.”

“Smart,” Pope shrugs, agreeing. 

Sarah looks at him with a confused expression before turning back to you. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” you respond, glancing at Sarah before exhaling. “I got the $5k this morning.”

She closes her eyes temporarily before agreeing with you. Pope shrugs, telling you he trusts your judgment call. Kiara and JJ are the only ones left. Kiara and JJ would probably never agree, and you know that, so you decide to let it go.

“He’s not coming around here, is he?” Kiara asks, looking at you with her hands gripping the counter's edge. "I can't pretend to like him."

“Definitely not,” you say quickly. “That is part of the plan. Limited access.”

“But he still has access,” JJ states from the doorway. His worried ocean-colored eyes are on you. He shakes his head with his lips pulled into a line. “I trust you. I don’t trust him.”

“I’ll be okay,” you whisper and cross the room to wrap your arms around his waist. He hugs your back, his face pressing into your shoulder. “If not, you will be my first call.”

“Promise?”

“Promise."

"I could have fake-dated you, you know." He mumbles.

"Not with the rules," you reply. "P4L comes first.”

He frowns before tipping his head back to look at you. “Be careful. Please.”

“Always. Limited access starts now.”

And you do manage it for four days. You continue your normal routine with a few extra shifts mixed in. Mike understood when you requested extra shifts to cover the repair costs, but it is nearly running you ragged. 

As you exit with a tired 'see you tomorrow' you find him leaning back against a truck in the parking lot. His hat is on backward as he waits for you with those toned, tanned arms across his chest. 

“You know,” he says as he stands and moves to you. His hand reaches out to take your bag, and you let him. “I thought having a girlfriend meant I got to see her.”

“It’s only been four days.”

He smirks. “So you do know how too long it has been.”

“Don’t be an asshole,” you say to him as he opens the door for you. "How did you know I was working and when I got off?"

He smirks. "I have my ways."

"Did you bribe someone?"

"Yes, but you left me no choice." His hand is on your hip as he helps you in before you meet his gaze again. He frowns, seeing how tired you are. "You look exhausted."

“I had work. I told you I’m not the kind of girlfriend you want. You are proving me right, you know that right?”

He huffs, lips pulling down in a disappointed frown before he closes the door and goes to get in on his side.

“I want to see you every day,” he explains, leaving The Wreck’s parking lot and heading into Figure 8. "If I can't, then every other day. Four days is too long for me to not see you."

"Okay," you whisper, fingers knotting together in your lap. "So what now?"

"I'm taking you on a date tonight."

“I want to shower and nap first,” you say, looking out the window at the upscale properties. “And then you can do whatever you want with me.”

He is silent before he reaches over, turning your face to his once he parks outside Tanneyhill. “Shower, and then we will go to dinner. You are sleeping here tonight, just sleep. I don’t want only sex from you, you know that, right?”

You study him before closing your eyes briefly. You worry if you keep them closed too long, they will not open again until you have had some rest. “Then what do you want?”

“You.” He unbuckles and gets out before coming to help you, and you take his hand, letting him lead you into the mansion and to his bedroom. “Go shower. I bought a dress for you, it is in my closet when you are ready. I have some work to do for my dad before we go.”

After you shower and get changed into the dress, you lay on his bed, watching him focus on the papers in front of him. His desk is littered with college textbooks, which he is no longer using, and folders with stacks of papers. Likely all related to Cameron Development projects since that is his legacy. Your eyes grow droopy, and you shift, groaning as you roll on your back. 

“Rafe?” You question. He turns from working at the desk to be looking at you. A small smile on his face, and you know it is because you are exactly where he wants you. You are wearing a dress that he has bought for you, and in his bed, waiting to go on a date night with him. At least he is content. "How much longer?"

He drops the pen onto the desk before standing and moving towards you. That charming smile he had probably mastered at a young age takes over his lips. He leans over you. His hands are against the mattress on either side of your waist. 

“Not much longer. You can take a nap if you want. But you are still sleeping here tonight."

You close your eyes briefly, and he takes the opportunity to brush his lips over your forehead. 

“I want to enjoy you tonight in public. I want everyone to see the beautiful girl that is all mine.”

You inhale sharply at his words. It scares you, but also sends a thrill through you. This Rafe is different from all the sides of him you have seen so far. You disliked most of the other sides of Rafe, hating how he tried to break down those that got in his way, and how much he disregarded everyone else’s feelings or needs for his benefit. 

His hand moves to cup the back of your neck, his touch warm and firm against your skin. You inhale shakily at his declaration and the dread that fills you at the look in his eyes.

“I’m obsessed with you.” And then he kisses you. His tongue tasted your mouth in a dominating and needy way until you are moaning into him. He ends the kiss before searching your face. “What do you want?”

You pause at his question, surprised that he would ask that, and he chuckles. 

“You do not even know, do you?” He murmurs before he kisses your forehead. "You can have anything you want now, Baby."

“Would you actually give me what I want?”

“Yes,” he says with a small smile. “I would not have asked if I didn’t want to know.”

“Be honest with me, that is what I want,” you say, your gaze glued to his. “Honesty above all else.”

“I’ll always be honest with you.”

You stare at him, your lips parting for a second before closing again. You look away, heat flaring through you at the thought of how much this all seemed to mean to him. “Promise?”

“Yes.”

“Anything I ask?”

He nods, his frosty blue eyes searching yours before he leans in and presses his lips to your forehead. “Yes, but there are also some things you won’t need to know.”

The realization sets in that yet another side of Rafe does exist beyond what you know. He watches you but does not move back to give you space.

You look at him, searching his face as you try to ignore the feeling of him getting closer and closer to who you are as a person. You want to have this conversation with him, but you worry it will only give him more power over you. “I don’t need to know things?”

He clues in. “That is what you are worried about?”

“Yeah, whatever that is.”

He clears his throat, dropping his head to yours. “It is nothing important. Nothing that could hurt you.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.” His lips find yours again before he straightens and returns to his desk. “One more hour of work, and then we can go. Take a nap, Baby.”

“Okay,” you whisper, your eyes fluttering shut and sleep pulling into her dark depths as you try to worry about what that thing is.

Part VIII

#outer banks #obx #rafe cameron #rafe cameron x reader #outer banks rafe cameron #obx rafe cameron

[adelaidedrubman]

What if the strap could prematurely ejaculate? (Or, Jestiny gets knocked down a peg.) read on ao3.

notes: if i ever accidentally posted something good enough to trick you into following this account, i truly apologize. anyways here’s part two of the john/jestiny failstrap series. set hl&s adjacent and spiritual sequel to mine’s bigger. also new year’s eve themed, i meant to get it posted then but ironically didn’t finish in time. wordcount: 3.8k warnings: explicit sexual content, toxic relationships, emotional manipulation. (neg ’em and peg ’em, the jestiny rook method.) i feel like secondhand embarrassment and cringe dialogue is something of an implicit blanket warning for all my stuff, but. i feel the need to explicitly flag it in this one. that should tell you something. (please also see ao3 end notes or post tags for disclaimers.)

As with all holidays, Jestiny would ideally prefer to spend her New Year’s Eve outdoors. 

She would gladly take her midnight kisses whilst guzzling craft beer and watching fish leap from the water over sipping champagne and watching pixelated footage of a ball dropping — if only the temperatures of December bleeding into January in Montana would agree with her preferences. 

And sure, a sharp chisel and thick jacket could guarantee she would still be taking home her share of trout from a frozen solid pond. A good set of crampons strapped to her favorite hiking boots was all she needed to scale the highest mountain peaks, even covered in ice. A durable tent and well-insulated sleeping bag meant she could still feel wind-nipped cheeks warmed by the flames of a real campfire no matter the season, instead of settling for the store-bought logs currently crackling in the hearth behind her.

But even a rugged outdoorswoman the likes of Jestiny had to admit the blistering, unforgiving cold of Big Sky Country winter required some activities be strictly indoor-only until the first wildflowers of spring poked up from the hard, frozen earth. 

And even with all the proper equipment packed, when it came to the activities that required removing clothing… 

“God, I’ve needed this so fucking bad,” John whined against her jaw, pulling her along by the arm as his other hand impatiently finished her work of centering her strap-on properly in its harness. “I want you to fuck me all night long, right into the New Year. I want you to fuck me in every room of this house, until I can’t look anywhere without thinking of you.” 

What Jessie didn’t have to admit — at least not out loud — was that the spacious yet cozy faux rustic interior of Seed Ranch, with its pervasive scent of leather, pine, and woodsmoke wafting from the fireplace; the vista of sprawling snow covered mountains offered up by its grand far-stretching windows; the lurking presence of hoards of taxidermy animals around every corner, made it the best substitute she could imagine for the thrill of fucking outdoors. 

Yes, it was all blatantly, dreadfully fake — but fake was better than nothing.

“I want you to take me right here on my dining room table,” John continued to lustfully monologue to himself as his thighs hit the edge of the table on his path backward with Jessie in tow, turning from their embrace just long enough to sweep an arm along its length and knock all the stray clutter atop it to the floor. “Don’t hold back. Be rough enough to break it. Just give it to me and don’t stop.” He hopped atop the table to sit, then wrapped legs around Jestiny’s waist to pull her into place. “Then I want you to lay me down in front of the fireplace. Hold me close and take your time with me, give it to me slow until I’m fucking begging. Then drag me upstairs and bend me over the railing. Pound me until I can’t stand, until I cry. Then I want you to carry me into the model plane room and…”

“Yeah, yeah,” she shushed as she pushed him back to his elbows, popping the top off of the bottle of lube clenched in her fist. “I’ll fuck you on every tacky ass piece of furniture in this ugly fucking house.” She forced an extra grumble of irritation to hide the tremor of desire threatening to slip into her words from the sight of him laid back for her with legs spread, brow slick with sweat and the dew of melting snowflakes still clinging to his eyelashes. “I assume you want me to lube it up first, though…”

“Let me,” he cooed, grabbing the bottle from her just as it had begun to drip onto sleek silicone. “I want to do it…”

She shrugged in disinterested agreement, placing her hands behind her head and jutting her hips forward as he poured along the length, palm cradling its underside and sliding along to catch the excess. 

“Fuck,” he cursed, biting down on his lip as he began to pump his hand faster along the attachment. “Already so fucking hard for me.”

She crinkled her nose and cocked her head to the side. “What the fuck are you talking about?” she questioned. “It’s a fucking dildo, John — it’s always hard.”

“It’s — It’s a turn of phrase,” he huffed, tightening his grip and jerking towards him so that she near-stumbled into him. “Are you not familiar with the concept of dirty talk? Not everything has to be so damn literal. Use some imagina —”

“And why the hell are you jerking it off?” she demanded, thrusting a hand against his collarbone. “You know I can’t feel that, right?”

“Well, I’ll try to be more realistic, then,” he snapped as he leaned forward and shoved a hand between her legs. 

Fingers spring-loaded with lingering fury moved to roughly pull her harness to the side, barely stilling or softening their touch before sliding inside her. His other hand remained stubbornly wrapped around silicone to pump it at a now comically harsh pace, as if to prove just how aware he was there was no delicate flesh and blood to be concerned with suffering beneath his vice grip — beginning the spectacle with a rough shove forward of its base to press against her with a pressure that did incidentally send a rewarding flicker of pleasure through hungry nerve endings. 

“Fuck,” he ground out in repetitive correction, his tone wilting midway from a sarcastic hiss to a reverent whimper as he curled his fingers. “Already so fucking wet for me.”

Well, it wasn’t her fault he looked so good flushed and panting, even through the ridiculous theatrics. 

“Like you got room to fuckin’ talk,” she scoffed as she reached to quickly coat her fingers with lube, sliding inside him and finding right where they needed to be with a practiced ease that made her cheeks warm with satisfied pride at her own expertise. Her thumb traced a line up his cock to find and leisurely smear the precum dewing at his tip. “Fuckin’ dripping the second I get my fingers in you.”

The surrender in his next whimper was complete, paired with a bucking of his hips to beg for more as he mirrored her steady pumping in the pace of his own fingers, thumb tucking itself beneath her harness to find and stroke her clit properly — all while still uselessly jerking off the dildo resting atop it, of course. 

Well. Maybe it was useless, but she had to admit — privately — his hands did look nice doing that. 

Even if the curve of his spine restyled itself into a distinctly unnatural, exaggerated arch as he regrettably regained the faculty for words. “God, yes, do you — ah, do you like how it feels inside me?” 

Another stupid question. Reaching past the contrived, polished exterior to find the depths at which he was all warm silk fluttering to the touch? Delving inside him to feel the promise of all the power to reduce him to a stuttering, pleading mess pulse beneath a single fingertip?

How could she not be positively intoxicated by it? How could the rush of adrenaline it stirred be contained to anything less than electricity prickling along every inch of skin until the air itself felt charged with the intensity of her desire? 

“It feels like an asshole, John,” she deadpanned, dragging her finger to tease shallowly. “Felt one, you’ve pretty much felt them all — and until science finds a way to implant a g-spot in the human finger, I’ll be getting just as little out of it every time.” 

She gave a swift upward thrust for one last prod of his prostate in punctuation before she slipped fingers out entirely in the same fluid motion of her shoulders shrugging. “I’m more interested in finally getting to fuck you so good you can’t even talk to ask dumbass questions like that.”

She used the hand sticky with lube to smear a last glob onto the head of her strap as the other cradled his face, smoothing a thumb over his pouting lip as she added, “Just as soon as you ask nice.”

His pout deepened. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t play dumb now, baby. You know the drill.” She pushed him to lay with back flat on the table. “Beg me for it.”

“No,” he said testily, lifting his chin to give her a look of pure defiance. “You beg me.”

Her breath caught, for a moment — as if his words sank to snag in her chest before her mind even processed them, lunging back up as sharp barks of laughter the moment it did. 

“Alright,” she sighed, breathless, as she dropped her head to rest against his collarbone and reached down to line up her attachment. “That was funny enough I’ll let you get by without the begging, this time.”

Her hips barely canted a single centimeter forward before they were stopped by a rough fist grabbing at the base of her dildo to hold her in place. 

“It wasn’t a joke,” John hissed, eyes icing cold with determination, like a pond freezing over. “You’re going to beg to fuck me, or you won’t fuck me at all.”

She allowed her confused blinks to pick up pace into a sarcastic batting of her eyelashes paired with a sweet, dimple framed smile. “John, darling. My most cherished love. Light of my life, fire of my silicone sporting loins. Could you, kindly —” she scrunched her face into a scowl, “tell me what the fuck it is you’re talking about?” 

“You’ve done nothing all night but mock and belittle me, and act as if you’re somehow begrudgingly doing me a favor,” he snapped. “Now you’re going to admit you want it as badly as I do,” he said, allowing his tone to melt and soften as he circled a finger around delicate, rosy skin. “If you want this, you have to beg for it.” 

Oh, he was serious. 

Heat flared in the pit of her stomach at how serious he was. 

All the better. She loved a challenge. 

“Now is not the fucking time to be a brat, John,” she growled, threading fingers in his hair and tugging in the way that pulled a needy moan to the surface to tremble in his adam’s apple. “Now is the time to be a good boy and spread your legs.”

“Oh, and I will,” he moaned, craning his neck so the pull of his hair was tautened — a dare, a meet and raise of a bet. “I’ll be so good for you, as soon as I hear that magic word.” 

This time, the hand around her strap stayed still as he reached down to wrap one around his own cock. 

“Say ‘please’ for me, Jessie,” John begged with wide eyes as he began to stroke himself. “I’m already so close — don’t make me cum from touching myself alone. I want you to fuck it from me. I need your strap.”

That bastard. But two could play that game. 

“Are you begging me to beg you?” she scoffed as she began rolling her hips in steady rhythm, the tip of her strap just barely bumping against him as she fucked the grip of his hand in a promise of what she could do. “Why would I beg for something I won’t even feel?”

“Because you want to take me, don’t you, Jessie? Don’t you want this ass to be yours?” Fuck, he did not play fair — spreading his legs wider and pushing forward to rub the head against slickened, puckered skin, make it look so easy to slide home and fuck the attitude out of him. The sight alone made the friction of grinding against a held still strap-on swell to an unexpected thrum of ecstasy trickling through her veins. “God, I want it. I want to feel the way you move inside me. I want to belong to you, every part of me. I want to cum for you, only for my Jessie.”

Christ, when did the cheesy, unnatural porn lines start working on her?

“Must not want it t-too bad,” she grunted with a particularly harsh snap of her hips. The electricity in the air had heavied, absolutely saturated it. It fizzled with that strange feeling of being up high during a thunderstorm, everything so strongly charged that hair stood on end. “Since you won’t just let me —”

“Oh, I will, Jessie,” he panted, training his eyes on her impotent thrusts as he stroked himself faster. “I’ll let you do anything you want, as soon as you’re ready to —”

“Just —” She glared, thrust harder as if she could break right through his grip and end the standoff, only managing to increase pressure. “Move your fucking hand, and I’ll —”

“You’ll what?” he teased, squeezing the thighs wrapped around her waist. “Please tell me, won’t you? At least talk me off the way I like, since you’re not going to —” 

“You’re not going to get off at all, until I —” Fuck, how was this happening? How could she feel every fiber of authority she possessed suddenly unraveling to slip from her fingers? “Say you’re fucking allowed —”

“I’m so close,” he gasped, tossing his head back and arching towards her — the tip of her strap just barely disappearing as he did. “But feel so empty. Oh, Jessie, won’t you —”

“Can you just —” Her cheeks were scalding as she fumbled to grab his hips and grumbled, “For the — the fucking love of god, could you please just —”

She found herself falling forward before she’d even realized the damned word had fallen from her lips, his hand pulling away the second it was spoken and his legs flexing to pull her in, sliding inside him as her knees smacked against the table. 

And every volt of electricity hanging overhead came suddenly crashing down with her as she buried to the hilt as the coaxing of his eager rocking hips — as if lightning finally crackled through the air to ripple down her spine and spread through her body. Spread so forcefully she could taste it in her mouth, feel it tingle along her tongue and shoot down her jaw as the current seemed to hone on the place the base of the strap pressed just right against her clit — suddenly overloading from the sensation, short-circuiting into blissful oblivion. 

And it felt as if she really had been struck by lightning — the way her flesh crawled with searing heat, the way her insides turned and convulsed, the way every muscle twitched and trembled in pure surrender to its force. 

“Did you, um —” he shifted beneath her, pausing and clearing his throat as if for once in his life he realized what a ridiculous thing he was about to say and managed to think twice before saying it, “did you finish?”

“Did I —” she coughed weakly against his collarbone, wishing it had come out closer to a scoff than it did. “I’m genuinely fuckin’ curious — do you even bother to try to make the shit that comes out of your mouth make sense? Or do you just start flapping your jaws and see what happens?”

She did not wait for an answer before summoning her remaining wisps of strength to wind her hips back, forcing wobbly legs pleading to collapse beneath her to instead power a proper thrust forward. 

She yelped, a jolt of pain shooting up through sensitive, overstimulated nerves as the base of the strap pressed against her clit at the full extension of her stroke. 

John craned his neck, eyes scanning far too knowingly along the flush of pink sprawling along her cheeks and chest. “We can stop, if it’s —”

“I’m fuckin’ fine!” she barked. “I just —” She coughed, reaching down to slip a thumb beneath rubber ring and wedge under the dildo to put space between its base and her sore clit. “Gotta adjust a bit — you put this thing in at the wrong fuckin’ angle, fucked everything up.” She wriggled her hips back with a final grumble of, “Why you should never trust a man to do a woman’s job.”

She began rocking forward with hand still in place to lighten pressure against nerves pleading for rest — she could do this, she just needed to fake it through a few minutes of recovery period. She just needed to — 

“Shit!” she cursed, jittery thumb pressing too hard against the base to push it free from the ring with a taunting pop, staying lodged stubbornly inside her lover as she reeled back. She lurched forward, hurrying to retake her place, looking down to gauge position and hopefully reattach herself before he noticed. “Goddamn…” 

“Seriously, are you alright?” John questioned as he pushed himself up to his elbows. “Would you like ten minutes and a glass of orange —”

He was interrupted by a thud as he rose to sit fully upright and meet her face to face, Jestiny’s eyes barely catching to follow the shiny black blur that shot from between his legs to land heavy at her feet. 

“Fuck.” 

Her clumsy rush (since when was she clumsy? first saying ‘please’ and now this?) to turn and reach for the fallen dildo (was her sleight of hand good enough to reattach it without him noticing? what skills did she still have?) resulted in her kicking it with the heft of her combat boot (was it not a good idea to wear them during sex? who even was she?) before she’d even managed to bend down. 

She whipped around, finding hardwood bare save for a slight glistening streak. When she lifted her head to follow the snail trail of lube, she found the strap-on had rolled itself across the greater length of floor — losing little momentum as wood broke into granite. 

The slight rise of the granite platform barely impeded it at all, in fact, as it rolled right past the wrought-iron guard that had been haphazardly left ajar by Jestiny as she built the fire, tenderly welcomed into the roaring inferno of the fireplace. 

The dead lump of a scream in her throat seemed to creep down to spread its decay, making her insides shrivel into brittle rot. As the stench of burning plastic filled the air, her eyes began to water from the sting of chemical smoke. She wondered if she might actually cry for the first time in her adult life.

“Wha — ! Aah,” A confused, devastated noise caught in the back of Jestiny’s throat, withering there to die at the first crackle of silicone as her prized strap-on went up in flames before her eyes. 

The world swirled around her, buffeting at her senses like the cruelest of snowstorms.

Past the whistle and crackle of flame devouring silicone and the whoosh of her own pulse in her ears, Jestiny heard the muffled garble of a television set she hadn’t realized was on blare suddenly loud from the recesses of the ranch, cheers of ‘Happy New Year!‘ over discordant symphony of paper horns blown in celebration conjuring images of ceremonial ball reaching the denouement of its annual journey to the base of its pole into her mind unbidden.

On cue, somewhere in the background, a grandfather clock solemnly chimed to announce the turn of the hour.  

And there stood teary-eyed, gaping mouthed Jestiny — some bizarre sex toy Cinderella whose impressive phallus turned back into a puddle of cheap plastic polymer at the stroke of midnight. 

“Well,” John’s bemused hum pierced through the cacophony rattling around inside Jessie’s brain as he peered past her to the spectacle of silicone bubbling down to black ooze in his fireplace. “I guess it isn’t always hard.”

“Fuck!” Her shout crumpled back into a weak whimper as plain splintered through her knuckles before she even realized she’d swung to strike the table. 

She kept fist loosely clenched and eyes glued to the grain of the table as John turned back towards her. 

She caught in her periphery the falling of his sly smile. His brow pinched inward as he looked back and forth between Jessie’s flushed, scrunched face and the empty rubber ring at the front of her crotch, his eyes softening with the most genuine look of sympathy she thought she’d ever seen him wear, a level of earnest compassion she would have thought him incapable of even faking properly.  

The kind of condescending pity that made her stomach curdle, made her blood boil hot as a melting strap-on. That she would normally lash out to reject, were she not already so thoroughly defeated and stripped of pride. 

“It’s alright,” John whispered softly, reaching over to give a few comforting pats to Jessie’s curled fist before bringing his hand up to cup her jaw and lift her chin, guiding her to look into gentle blue eyes. “It happens to everyone, sometimes.”

“That —” she jabbed a thumb over her shoulder in gesture to the strap-on cremation still blazing strong behind her, drawing in a ragged breath, “has literally never happened to anyone before.”

“Well, it was... innovative,” John innovated the world’s first performatively horny purr that doubled as bland diplomacy to reply in, throwing his arms around her neck in embrace.

“We —” Her voice sounded so uncharacteristically small to her own ears as she stumbled over her words. “We can do other stuff. I can still finish you —”

“That’s alright. It was enough just to feel close to you,” John shushed, nuzzling against her neck. “All I want now is for you to carry me to the fireside and hold me.”

God, it was such obvious, manipulative fawning; such a poorly disguised consolation prize. She should storm out in offense. 

In no position to refuse consolation prizes, Jessie slid an arm beneath the bend of his knees, wrapping the other around his middle. She gave a slight grunt as she hoisted his weight, at this point truly just grateful she managed not to drop him on the short walk over to the bearskin rug she lowered him to sprawl atop. 

“You —” The impulse to counter with a comment that the firelight made him look much older from the shadows cast into the creases of his face extinguished itself as quickly as it sparked. “You would look even prettier by the light of a real campfire,” she muttered as she fell limp, allowing John to tangle their limbs as he saw fit. “That’s what we should do next New Year’s Eve. I hate being cooped up inside.”

“You always look so beautiful, bathed in firelight,” John sighed, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. 

“And do you envision our rugged adventures would begin with a first-class flight to the southern hemisphere?” he asked with a soft laugh, a hand smoothing along her sides. “I don’t have your outdoorsy expertise, of course, but I’d say it’s hardly pleasant camping weather around here.”

“It’s not so bad, actually,” she sighed pleasantly. “Pitching a tent in the dead of winter,” she continued, absentmindedly threading fingers through his hair. “So long as you —”

She coughed, clearing her throat and hiding her face and its burning cheeks against his chest as she finished the statement. “So long as you have the right equipment.”

She definitely should have just gone fishing.

#nsft #otp: stop bothering these nice folks #oc: deputy jestiny ellen #writies and wordies #hey at least i did manage to post it before january ended. still kinda the new year #i think maybe. they are good for each other #plot twist: SHE gets brat tamed. mostly by her own hubris but still. john dom moments they said i couldn’t do it. #also: jenna would reprimand me if i did not mention pure silicone will not melt like that. #assume jestiny is wearing a cheap blend regardless of how she refers to it #i also took some liberties with ranchsion redesign for this #in the actual game the platform of the hearth is raised and the guard does not have doors so this could not have happened #these are the only unrealistic parts of the fic.

[kazumiwrites-fanfiction]

A Birthday Date With Mikey

SUMMARY: How Mikey spent his birthday with you ♡ WORD COUNT: 1.4k (phew)

WARNINGS: Toman Mikey (lil 15 year old guy lol), semi-suggestive at times, lots of domestic fluff and kisses, mild angst/panicking near the end because apparently I need my angst in every single thing I write for myself.

A/N: Since it is our favorite Mikey’s birthday today (the wording in that I’m-), I thought I’d write a little something (instead of doing my summer homework lol- school starts in a little over a week, I should be doing it-). But anyways! Hope you enjoy! (Can’t believe the guy is turning 32... Lol.) A/N PART 2: This is probably chaotic and OOC but! I wanted to write a fic for Mikey. So yes <3 Also the ending is a mess but I don’t want to change it soooo- yeah. A/N PART 3: Originally posted here

© kazumiwrites - All rights reserved; please do not steal, edit, copy, repost (etc) my work without my express permission.

Mikey let out a soft yawn, rubbing at his eyes a bit as he answered the door. “[Y/N]...?” He mumbled before he wrapped his arms around you, clinging to you happily.

“Hey, Mikey.” You smiled softly as you wrapped a gentle arm around him, rubbing his back. “Sleepy?” You laughed a little as you pulled away slightly to look at his face. “You really need to get more sleep... Maybe you should have the meetings end earlier.”

“No- A gang needs its meetings to be at night.” He huffed softly at you, dark eyes almost begging for you to understand. 

You rolled your eyes a little. “Yeah, yeah, I get it, Mikey. Now, c’mon, let’s go to your room.” You were probably the one to have remembered his birthday, Mikey himself didn’t think too much of it.

You hummed softly as you held Mikey’s hand, walking to his room. Well, it was mostly full of Shinichiro’s stuff, but... It was nice. You had been friends with Mikey and knew Shinichiro that way... It was comforting to see that his memory still lived on. You then shook your head slightly to clear those thoughts. Today was for Mikey. Though, the birthday boy seemed more asleep than anything.

“Mikey, love...” You gently poked his cheek. “You need to wake up. I have some stuff planned for today; c’mon.” You sat down on the bed, dragging him down beside you. “Would a kiss wake you up?”

That got his attention. He leaned in to you, tilting his head slightly to the side. “Mhm... Lots of kisses.”

You laughed softly before leaning in, peppering gentle kisses over his face before kissing his lips. “Good enough?”

“One more.” You smiled softly before indulging him. 

“Now wake up, c’mon.” You ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it slightly. “I’ll do your hair for you, too, while you try to wake up more.” 

He nodded sleepily before just letting you, which you soon finished (it wasn’t the first time you fixed his hair up for him—and probably wouldn’t be the last).

“There. All done. You can change out of your clothes, can’t you?” You raised a brow as you watched him. “‘Cause we’re going somewhere today.”

“Really?” He blinked up at you, almost like a small child before he grinned playfully. “You sure you don’t wanna see me changing?”

You rolled your eyes with a soft laugh, feeling your cheeks heat up slightly. “I would, but I know that if I do that, we’ll never be able to go out. So shush and go change. I’ll wait outside.” And with that, you walked out.

Mikey quickly got himself dressed, wondering what was going on. Now that he thought about it, you had dressed yourself up a bit differently than usual... More pretty. He shrugged to himself before walking out, rubbing the last bits of sleep from his eyes. “[Y/N]-channnn- where are we going?”

You gave him a smile as you grabbed his hand, almost skipping as you walked out. “You don’t remember what today is?”

That made him pause. What was today...? But before he could think of it any more, you started running, forcing him to run after you. 

He quickly caught up to you, but you just continued to sprint, soon reaching a cafe—one that you knew he liked. “Here we are,” you panted a bit, but soon caught your breath. Your boyfriend, on the other hand, was just as normal; a little run didn’t tire him out.

“Why are we here, though?” He blinked slightly at you.

“Well, if I told you everything, that would ruin the fun.” You blinked back at him before a teasing look flashed in your eyes. “And that would make things boring.” You shrugged slightly before walking inside, grabbing his hand as you did so.

You hummed softly as you ordered two parfaits, a happy smile on your face. Your boyfriend was just confused, but happy to see you happy—and that you had remembered him saying that he loved parfaits here. Last time he went, the cup had been filled completely. And also? It didn’t cost too much, either.

As you got the two parfaits, you nudged him toward a booth. “Go sit.” You followed after him as he sat down, placing the parfait in front of him before sitting down in front of him. 

You watched fondly as he started eating, a content smile on your face as he let out soft exclamations of happiness. It was cute, after all.

After you both had finished eating, you brushed a finger over his nose, getting a bit of cream. “...Anyways. I just wanted to give you something, since it is your birthday, and all.” A faint smile flickered over your lips as you watched his eyes widen. 

“It’s my birthday??”

“Yes, you dumb child,” you laughed softly, poking his cheek. “It’s your birthday. Do you think I would do all this without reason?”

“...Yes. You would.”

“I’m not like you, love.” You shook your head in amusement, before letting out a soft sigh. “I just, wanted to give you this.” You pulled a small box from your pocket, before giving it to him. “I dunno... I just thought we should match.”

Inside the box, there was a small silver bracelet, with both of your initials surrounded by a heart. You watched his reaction, uncertain—was this too much?

Before your thoughts could spiral down, he looked at you with a soft, almost uncertain smile. “I... I love it...” He whispered, glancing down at the bracelet again before sliding it on. He marveled at it. “Must’ve cost a lot...”

“Mhm... But, but, that doesn’t matter as long as you’re happy.” You smiled a little at him, searching his gaze; was he really happy, or trying to placate you?

“I love it. [Y/N], don’t you dare try to think otherwise.” He let out a soft huff before getting up, walking to your side and sitting next to you, giving you a small kiss. 

Your eyes softened as you nodded. “Mkay...”

“Now, put yours on.” He let out a soft grumble as he waited.

“Okay, okay.” You laughed softly as you grabbed yours, putting it on your wrist. “There, happy?” 

He nodded slightly before grabbing your hand, placing a gentle kiss on your bracelet before moving to the palm of your hand, licking it a tiny bit—just enough to make you squeal. A playful glint was in his eyes as you pulled your hand away. 

“Mikey- Ew!” You laughed again, shaking your head. “Don’t do that-”

“We’ve done worse-”

“No we haven’t, stop trying to act like we did something.” You let out a soft huff, shaking your head a little. “And anyways, if we keep on being this loud, we’ll get kicked out.”

“Whatever.”

“Oh hush.” You rolled your eyes a little before leaning in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. “Anyways. Happy birthday, Mikey.”

“Mm... Thank you.” He paused for a moment. “..Would you laugh at me if I said that I almost said ‘happy birthday to you too’ to you?”

You let out a soft snort. “Mikey, I-”

“You’re laughing-”

“No I’m not-”

“You are-”

And with that, chaos ensued and you were yelled at/almost kicked out. Though, you had a fun time, and that’s what counts, right?

BONUS:

Hina and Emma were watching over the two of you with a happy smile.

“See, I told [Y/N]-chan that they’d be okay.” Emma shook her head slightly. “Mikey’s head-over-heels in love. They could literally punch him and they’d be fine.”

Hina winced slightly as the memory of her slapping Mikey came up. “Well... I mean, he wouldn’t hurt his friends, and [Y/N]-chan is also a friend...?”

“True, true, but [Y/N]-chan is special. Like, anything is okay.” Emma let out a soft laugh. “C’mon, I got some good pictures... Let’s give them to the guys, yeah?” Her eyes glimmered mischievously.

“Emma-chan, I don’t think that that’s-”

“It’ll be fine, Hina-chan! He won’t do anything, don’t worry.” Emma smiled happily before getting up, grabbing Hina’s hand and skipping away. Thankfully, Mikey didn’t see them go... Though he definitely was confused when people started complimenting his partner that they were “really going for it” and that they “were a good partner for him.” Like- where did that come from? (Someone (probably Mitsuya, Takemichi, or Draken) eventually showed him the pictures of you two... That did not end well-)

#sano manjiro #sano manjiro x reader #sano manjiro x gender-neutral reader #sano manjiro x y/n #sano manjiro x you #manjiro #mikey x reader #mikey x gender-neutral reader #mikey x you #mikey x y/n #mikey's birthday #august 20 #birthday #sano manjiro's birthday #emma and hina duo #tokyo revengers x you #tokyo revengers x y/n #tokyo revengers x gender neutral reader #tokyo revengers x reader #tokyo revengers #mikey #kazumiwrites

[wundrousarts]

I was going to save this until I reread Hollowpox, but that last ask reminded me that I should share this here, so I present:

Musings on Maud: Why is she considered so powerful, how does this affect her dynamic with Squall, and why is he so scared of her?

(Bonus: How can I connect it to Silverborn?)

Two disclaimers: I haven't reread Hollowpox in ages, so if there's anything that could prove or disprove stuff in this post, send it my way. Honestly send any discussion my way. I love discussing theories. Second, this was originally a reply to a Reddit comment on a post, to which you can find here. The comment discussed Maud being a signatory for a Squall safeguard, so since this comment is copied verbatim, it references that.

---

If it’s not outright stated, it’s at least heavily implied that Squall helped create/build up the Republic. It’s only existed for about 90 years, and Squall has been exiled for about 100. He mentions in Hollowpox how he knows that Maud’s plan is to take over Nevermoor/The Free State, because the Republic took over the other states in the realm and he “helped them do it.” However, unless Maud is immortal and also 100 years old, she is not the one who started the Republic from the side of the Republic. Also, no clue how long it’s been around, but Squall Industries has likely been around for awhile as well (this is how he gets his connections and power in the Republic), with Squall just constantly grandfathering himself in with the vampire trick or something.

Interestingly, Squall says two things in this scene (Chapter 34 of Hollowpox) that stick out to me:

“I made the so-called Hollowpox,” he raised his voice above hers, “because I was asked to. Because I was compensated handsomely for it. And because when the most powerful person in the realm asks for a favour, even I don’t refuse.

And

“But you’re a Wundersmith.” Morrigan was utterly baffled. “Why can’t you just stop them if they’re such a problem? I don’t understand!” “Do you THINK I HAVEN’T—“ Squall shouted, then cut himself off abruptly.

He also mentions how the Hollowpox was initially meant for the Republic, but Maud snuck in an infected otter across the border into Nevermoor— “That was never part of our deal.”

There’s definitely a business relationship between the two of them of likely consistent deals, one favor for another, quid pro quo. However, we also see that Squall can’t really go against her, something he seems to have tried before. Two chapters before this scene (Chapter 32), has this moment:

“Yes, shush. Maud said the Wintersea Party might help if there was a squid crow po.” “Quid pro quo?” “Right, one of those. She said they won’t do something for nothing, but if we could convince Prime Minister Steed to meet with her, just to have a conversation, then she would try to convince her party to share their cure.”

While it could be easily explained as part of her job, Maud seems to get most of her power and do things by extracting deals from other people. Maybe she’s knackless, or maybe she has some sort of connection to Puppeteering or a knack related to that. Not Mesmerism, but something that allows her to be persuasive, manipulative, convince people of things, and get them to do what she wants. A sort of parallel or companion to Squall’s connection with Puppeteering that we see in Wundersmith.

It’s interesting that when we first meet Maud, there is this exchange directly after she tells Mog that the Wintersea Republic would only agree to help the Free State if there was some sort of deal:

“But they’re your party,” Morrigan pointed out. “Aren’t you the one with the power? Maud stiffened slightly and cast her a wary, calculating look.

And then soon later she says this:

“Even if I could persuade my party to do the right thing – and I’m not saying I won’t try – there’s no guarantee Steed and his government would come to the table.”

The whole exchange seems very manipulative, like, “oh, I’d LOVE to talk and get this figured out, but I can’t…” There’s a big focus on conversation. Maud is wary when Mog mentions power— she thinks she means a magical power, something secret that gives her an advantage, when really she just means politically— so I wonder if she was worried for a moment that Mog realized she had some sort of coercive power.

I wonder what exactly her power is that makes Squall so scared of her, and why it possibly makes it so that he can’t fight make and overthrow her. Aside from their business relationship, which allows Squall access to Wunder and being a Wundersmith, there’s this other layer as well.

As for safeguard: I don’t know if Maud would be a signatory for a Squall safeguard, as that seems to just be for Wunsoc students, but I think that whatever their deal is and whatever her power is allows her to keep him in check. Jess said that we will learn more about safeguards in Silverborn, and I think it would be interesting if Mog learns more about them from Squall instead of Jupiter— and maybe it does end up being similar to whatever he has going on with Maud, who knows! I don’t really have any safeguard theories myself, but I will keep an eye out for what you add to your comment.

A Silverborn “silver” side note: A “silver tongue” means that someone is persuasive when they speak….. perhaps this idea, theme, power, etc. will be expanded upon in the future 🤔

#nevermoor #nevermoor theory #hollowpox #president wintersea #ezra squall #maud lowry #whatever their deal is it prob involves squall's access to wunder #anyways. enjoy folks! would love to know people's thoughts on this lol #difference between reddit and tumblr in allowing you to do new lines or not in indentations is so funny to me lol #hollowpox is so crazy bc the chapters in the 3rd act are like BAM BAM BAM so much important stuff happening and being revealed #'jam why do you use so many quotes' bc I am insane and like to have sources #but also when you spent months putting 1016! quotes into a quotebot you develop a decently specific memory for a lot of this stuff lolll #anyways turns out somehow I had the chapter numbers TOTALLY WRONG so had to go back and fix them lol. how did that happen. #this theory wasn't noticed on reddit. tough crowd. so hope some folks here appreciate it lol #real question is 'why is Maud + Mog so similar and is there a reason for this. and is this related to Mog saying Maud reminds her of a mom. #might develop it more once 1. i'm no longer in a heat wave that's frying my brain and 2. after I reread. bc might be hints I'm missing idk

[sevi007]

FF 16 spoilers

Spoilers right up til the ending lads and ladies

Are you kidding me. Are you. Kidding. Me

Ahem. Excuse me. I needed to get that out of my system.

Like. I‘m still reeling. I „only“ had the final fight to finish, thought yea, easy - and now this rollercoaster ride of feels right here. Ugh. Uff

I will get more into depth on the whole game in a seperate post later, but right now I need to jot down my first impression

From the start just - ugh. UGH. Gav openly crying into Clive‘s shoulder. Mid almost doing the same as they talk about Cid. Byron seeing his brother‘s sons off into a suicide mission

(Where was Otto though? Needed Otto, Goetz, Charon and Blackthorne here too! And Terence while we‘re at it. Aggressively promoting the NPCs here)

And Jill. Jill. I‘m almost glad she stayed behind and wasn‘t in danger but ouch. Now is so not a good moment for a love confession children (I know, I know, it might be the last chance, but that makes it so much more difficult). Why must you hurt me so, you two.

I will get back to that though

Then the journey and the final fight. Can I say I‘m almost disappointed there was no big aerial battle as Bahamuth against the many thralls? That would have been cool. But alas

I WOULD have liked for the battle of the three Eikons against Ultima to be. A real battle? Like the the Cinematic clashes are rather slow compared to other QTEs, I didnt feel a lot of excitement in this part of the battle compared to the rest of it

Changed with the next cutscene though. I mean, I had already suspected there is more of Ultima‘s people - one for every Eikon - but I had thought the Mothercrystals are there to power them up, and destroying them would stop that. I was just as shocked as Clive to here we basically helped them with it.

And then. Then. Here‘s the yelling part, the are you kidding me -

WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE LOSE JOSHUA?!

We JUST got him back! After 18 years! We had all these sidequests to gather him medicine! He is literally the Phoenix - Undying! Nope. Nu-uh. Square I am not accepting that. Did not happen in my book

But also thos is quite possible one of the visually most beautiful scenes, what with the Phoenix wings and reflecting in Joshua‘s eyes. And the voice actors, especially Clive‘s, really knocked it out of the park. The gasps and sniffles and the pain? Holy shit. I cried mostly because of the voices

The unholy rage I felt man - I felt very much in Clive‘s position there. Very immersive. Just absolutely get WRECKED Ultima, you made the wrong brother angry

The battle was so, so awesome. I‘m sorry but this might just about be cooler than the one in Rebirth, hands down.

The music - that was a remix of Find the Flame, yes? It sounded different but alike.

Then that it was one on one, and Ultima almost humanlike - fit really well in showing how he is no different from us, from Clive. And the way Ultima got more and more desperate and lost all cool, INCREDIBLY satisfying

the part where Ultima and Clive kept meeting Eikon with the same Eikon - combined with the Voice overs from Clive‘s friends - so good, I cheered.

The Eikon fight part was also very cool. Hate to say it, but blue-fire Ifrit also looks damn cool. Can we get blue and red fire please XD

Just. The entire fight was wellrounded and fun, really had my blood pumping, I loved it.

And then. Then, the end. The flashback to baby Clive and baby Joshua. Come on. Dont turn the knife in the wound you sadists!

Well. Obviously. They are all okay. It‘s clear as day. Clive healed Joshua, so he‘s gonna be okay. Dion only fell into the sea, and OBVIOUSLY the Enterprise had followed them and picked him up. And Clive already got to the beach all alone, now we just need to go get him. Yup. Mhm

(But Sevi the game made it clear - shhhh. Shush. No. Not in this house. In this house, we live in dellusion)

#sevi plays ff16 #ff16 #ffxvi spoilers #ffxvi #ff16 spoilers