Tumgik
#I said no to my family today because I wanna be alone
superbattrash · 1 year
Text
A friend asked if we could hang out today which gave me so much anxiety that I couldn’t get out of bed for four hours
20 notes · View notes
ereborne · 2 months
Text
Song of the Day: March 25
"Groovy Little Summer Song" by James Otto
#song of the day#it's not at all summer yet but it is spring!!#it's chilly when the wind blows and the dew-damp sticks around until noon but the sun is out and the sky is maybe not clear but close!#spring!!!!#I put my first early plantings in the garden today#I had planned for a bunch of marigolds but I got a different batch of flowers instead#so now what's down is rootings for a bunch of perennial flowers#sea holly and red-hot pokers and butterfly weed and hollyhocks#and then my little pea plants#I told Kelly I'd share pictures but for today it only looks like a square of dirt--I'll definitely share pics when my sprouts come in!!#beautiful beautiful garden times#summer of 2010 when this song came out was the first time in three-ish years I'd spent much continuous time with my family#my littlest siblings were old enough to be away from Mom for a while and still young enough to be lulled to sleep by the car#and Mom was very eager to be left home alone to sleep (and play this weird chicken bowling game she was briefly addicted to)#and so we went on a lot of long leisurely pointless car rides and we listed to a lot of#(I will never not hear this in my head) 96.9 The Kat! country music radio#and this got added to the short list of songs I sang to myself#it's so catchy!! cute fun moderately-bouncy little earworm and my voice cruises up and down it so easy#'when the days start gettin warmer / the sun starts sinkin slower / weekends go by faster / and beer starts tastin colder#wanna tune into a station / takes me on a soul vacation / hey there mister dj / come on won't you please play'#and crucially Dad did not mind this song--which could not be said for 'There Is No Arizona' by Jamie O'Neal#or (after I sang it approximately ninety million times) 'Just What I Do' by Trick Pony#we also had--this was very fun for me--we had exactly one CD we could play in the car (because it was stuck in the disk player)#and that was Joe Diffie's 'Third Rock From The Sun'#so many songs of absolute joy on that album. lucky as hell that Dad agreed because it meant we'd crank it up so loud#close my eyes and let the sun shine all red through my eyelids#sing some real dumbass enjoyable-as-all-getout songs at the top of my absolute voice#Dad laughing and singing along and the littles sleeping through the all of it like the precious babies they were#these are the songs of sunshine and pointless happiness! it's not summer but it will be! my garden doesn't have plants yet but it will!#sing a song!!
5 notes · View notes
getosbigballsack · 2 months
Text
Random thought! - Husband Gojo x Wife Reader-chan #inside the diary
Hear me out! Gojo read your thoughts in your diary and came to realize that he was a terrible husband to you.
He knew he was a good lay, hence the reason he managed to knock you up three times. But as of lately, he came to realize that you weren't interested in having sex with him.
At first, he thought it was just because you were too tired, having to take care of the kids while he works, all day by yourself (in which he understands, and he praises you for being such a wonderful mother).
But that wasn't the case. He just happened to come home early from work while you were out shopping with the kids, and he got a hold of your diary.
Interestingly, he took it upon himself to skim through the pages of your book, just to see what's inside your little head. Nothing out of the ordinary, just little notes and reminders to yourself about the task you had to complete and a few words of encouragement here and there.
He usually doesn't read through your thoughts, always thinking that if you had an issue you'd come and talk to him, so he was about to put your diary back where he found it because he didn't want to pry further into your thoughts, but that's until one page in particular caught his eye.
I find it difficult to enjoy sex with my husband nowadays and I don't know why?
Words in blue handwriting are written beautifully on the paper. He kept on reading, and as he continued to move further down the line, he felt his heart break.
It’s just me, but I don't think I'm attractive enough to have sex with my husband.
I wanted to suggest the last time we had sex [that was a month ago], but I didn't wanna ruin the moment for him because he looked like he was having fun.
Satoru came home today and wanted to have sex. I told him no. He never forced himself on me. He only kissed me goodnight and left to go sleep in the guest room. I know he was upset but did he really have to leave?
It's been 2 months, and Satoru hasn't tried touching me since that night. Am I not worthy of loving anymore? He doesn't even buy me flowers anymore or take me out on dates.
He doesn't compliment me anymore, doesn't tell me that I'm beautiful. He doesn’t even call me baby girl, doll or even honey.
No more I love you, only kisses to the forehead and peck on the lips before he leaves for work in the morning.
He comes home late, I'm always alone with the kids, no more family dinners, no more kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom conversations. No more late-night kisses, no more holding me tightly in his arms while he sleeps.
Does he not want me anymore?
Sometimes I wanna visit his office with the children but I’m afraid that he’ll find my presence a bit annoying. I feel lonely without him here with me.
I should've said yes that night and spread my legs for him,
That's my duty as his wife.
To have fulfilled all my husband's needs without complaint.
But it hurts to have sex, I'm just not in the mood. I'm too tired, I just need my husband to hold me, but he's not there.
I can't complain, he's the reason I don't have to work.
But is it so bad to ask my husband to love me without having the need to touch me?
The last entry to your diary reads.
I'm going to do it today, bare the pain and have sex with my husband, just so that I can feel his love once again. 
Now he knows the real reason you won’t have intercourse with him, or let's say the reason you don’t enjoy having sex with him. You feel as though he doesn’t love you anymore, and he needs to fix that. So, until he can figure out a way to prove to you just how much he loves you, he’ll have to deprive himself of your warm loving touch. 
Later in the day when you came home with the kids, you saw your husband cooking up a storm in the kitchen. “Hey baby girl, want something to eat? It’s been a while hasn’t it.” too stunned to even say a word, you just watched as your kids, ages 3, 4 and 6 ran over to their dad and engulfed him in a big hug. He giggled and stopped whatever he was doing to bend to his children’s height and kissed every single of them on their cheeks. “Hey boys. Did you all take your mom out shopping today?” Oh, that’s right you’re a boy mom. You managed to pop three boys, all of them came out looking just like their dad, especially your eldest son. 
The boys chatted away with their dad until he excused himself and walked over to you and wrapped his arms tightly around your body. You're in a state of shock, unable to move for a moment until he whispers, “can I get a hug back?” and you did give him a hug. 
“Welcome home, have a seat, dinner’s almost ready. I cooked vegetable curry today, I know it’s your favourite,” and indeed it is your favourite. For the rest of the day, he spent time in the kitchen cooking while chatting with his kids, not without taking small glances at you. You all ate dinner together, got the kids ready for bed when night falls, before preparing for bed yourselves. 
You remembered that you wrote in your diary that you were about to try and have sex with your husband, all for the sake of feeling his love again, but that didn’t happen. Instead, you found your husband already waiting for you on the bed, fully dressed in pjs, a cup of your favourite tea in his hand and a warm loving smile on his face. 
He immediately started up a conversation with you, asking you about your day and your trip to the shopping centre. You had no clue what was going on inside your husband’s head, but it’s been a while since he last sat down and had small conversations like these, and you weren’t about to miss this opportunity. 
So with a smile on your face, you told everything that happened today and even the fact that you had to buy a bag of grapes you had no intentions of buying, but you did so because your 3 year old son stole and ate a few while you picked up a bag of oranges. The conversation went all a while until he sighed. 
“Y/N,” he whispered in a serious tone. “We need to talk. I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I can’t bear the fact that my wife would be going to bed with doubts about our relationship and my love for you.”
You swallow thickly and rest your now empty cup against the nightstand before turning to face your husband fully. He reached his hand out for you, and you gently placed your left hand in his. He wrapped his large hand around your finger and gently pulled you until you were straddling his lips. You swallowed that thick lump yet again, before whispering, “So what is it that we need to talk about.”
“Why do you always refuse to communicate your feelings with me?” he asked as he let go of your hand and wrapped both hands around your waist and rested his head up against your chest. “I know I haven’t been a good husband to you these past few months, but I don’t want you to think that I don’t love you or that you’re not worthy of loving.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
He sighed heavily before taking a deep breath. “I found your diary in the living room when I got home, and I read through your notes.” Your body tensed up in his lap, your mind immediately racing towards negative thoughts. Is he angry? Why did you have to carelessly leave your diary out in the open for him to see. 
“Oh!”
“I’m sorry for reading through your diary, but I’m happy that I did because my wife won’t communicate with me,” he said with a frustrated sigh. 
You frowned, “Would you have listened even if I tried?”
“I would’ve dropped everything and listened to whatever it is that you have to say. I know it's my duty to ensure that my wife is living her best happy life, and that it’s also my responsibility to take care of your wellbeing, but I can’t always know what's going on with you if you don’t communicate with me.” 
Communication on your end has always been a big issue in your relationship with your husband. It bothered him and he’d hope that after a while you would’ve grown out of your bad habit, but he guess he’s wrong, because here you are now after 8 years of being a relationship total and that includes the four years of marriage, and 3 kids later, you still struggling to figure out a way to communicate your feelings with him. 
“I broke my heart when I read that you thought that as my wife, your duty is to only provide for me sexually or even the fact that you don’t think that you’re attractive enough to have sex with me. What hurts me the most is that you have so many doubts about my love for you. Y/N you know that I love you right?”
“I do,” your voice trembled slightly as you answered. 
“Then why are you doubting my feelings for you? I apologise for leaving you to sleep in the guest room that night, it was wrong of me to be upset all because you told me no.” There was a moment of silence, you figured he was waiting for a response in which you never gave.
“I know I don’t say this as much as I need to, but I love you. I LOVE YOU so very much. I love you as my best friend, my wife and I love you even more as the mother of my children.” Tears started to obstruct your vision as you stared off at your wedding portrait that was above your bed and listened as your husband poured his hurt out to you. 
“I need you to stop thinking that you are not worthy of loving because you are more than worthy. You’re an amazing woman, an amazing wife, and an amazing mother to our children. Just the fact that you're a mother makes you worthy of loving.” 
“Satoru… I- I,” you stuttered, trying to formulate the words inside your mouth, but even if you did, what are you going to say to your husband? You had not one clue. 
“I’m not a mind reader Y/N, so you need to start communicating your feelings with me, because if you don’t tell me, I’m not going to always know,” he said to you as he snuggled his head against your chest. 
“I- I’ll do better.” 
“I’m happy to hear that, and I promise to show you just how much I love you and do whatever it is to ensure that my wife is happy, because your happiness means the most to me. I’ll get you those flowers you want, and I’ll try my best to buy you loads of flowers in the future. And about visiting my office.”
“Yes?” you said. 
“I would love for you to pop up at my office one day with the kids and surprise me. My workers have been dying to meet my beautiful wife and children. And about the late-night work meetings. I can’t promise you that there won’t be any more late-night meetings, but I'll do my best to get home as early as I can to be with you and the kids. I don’t want you to feel as though I’ve abandoned you with the kids. I’ll take a few days off from work too and take the ends out. You’re right we barely have family time.”
“Thank you,” you said smiling as you allowed those tears to run down your cheeks. 
“I’ll do better as your husband. It wasn't my intention to not cuddle and hold you tightly while we sleep. Baby you know you can always smack me in the head or do that cute silly little thing you do and crawl underneath my arms if you want to cuddle with me,” he said to you, and you let out a small giggle. 
He chuckled too as he removed one hand from around your waist to cradle your cheek. “Lastly, this is about our sex life. If I make you feel physical pain, or uncomfortable at any time during intercourse you need to let me know because the last thing I want to do is hurt you. In your diary you said that you wanted to suggest the last time we had sex. I want you to tell me what it is.”
Your face heated up immediately, why would he have to bring that up now. Couldn’t he have waited until a better time. But nonetheless despite the obvious look of embarrassment on your face you whispered, “I was wondering if… if…”
“Yes?” 
“I was wondering if we could try something outside the usual vanilla sex,” you said to him, and he cocked his eyebrow towards you. “It’s not that I don’t enjoy vanilla sex, I love having vanilla sex with you and you know how to be rough when you need to be. But I thought it would be nice if we could do something different.” 
“What do you suggest?” he asked with a sunning grin on his face. 
“Maybe we could try using some sex toys.” 
“Sex toys heh?” he said, and you quickly covered up your face with your hands. “I’m open, I don’t mind getting a few sex toys here and there for us to use. I can order us a few online on another day.”
“Ok…”
“Good girl. I love you.” he whispered as he kissed your lips. "I promise I'll be a better husband for you."
“I love you too, Satoru.”
2K notes · View notes
Note
Can I request a fluffy cuddle bug Yandere Luffy x Oblivious Reader.
Harmless
Yandere Luffy x GN Reader
1.1k words
Tumblr media
"Are you not worried about that?"
"Worried about what?" Everything seemed to be going fine today, you're not sure what your cousin was getting at. Your eyes lingered on him briefly before refocusing on the food in front of you. This food stall wasn't going to run itself after all.
Malachi shot you an incredulous look while gesturing at you, "That! The whole-ass man on your back!"
"Oh, that's just Luffy. He's excited to see me after being gone for awhile, that's all." You suppose the prolonged piggyback ride was a little odd to see. Not that it bothered you much, Luffy was surprisingly light.
"Why are you talking about my ass? That's dumb. Of course I have a whole ass," Luffy's head lifted from your shoulder and you could see him sticking his tongue out at your cousin from the corner of your eye.
"It's just an expression, Luffy," his attention is quickly drawn back to you when you held up a skewer of expertly roasted meat. "Here, the marinade is a new recipe. What do you think?"
You barely get the chance to finish the sentence before his head snaps forward and inhales the meat like a starving man, even though he last ate approximately seven minutes ago when he decimated the previous batch. His teeth grazed your fingers and you withdrew your hand, "Easy! How am I supposed to make your food if you eat my fingers?"
Luffy swallows the mouthful, including half the stick much to your cousin's horror, and grins at you, "Sorry!" His hand juts forward and grabs two more skewers off the grill, "These are really good, (Y/N)!"
"Are you really just gonna let him eat all the food?" Malachi huffed.
You slapped his arm, "Be nice! He's the whole reason you can even come over to visit now. If it weren't for him, those marines would still be taxing us all to hell and barring other people from stopping by and seeing how bad everything was."
Those bastards kept everyone poor while also draining the island of its natural resources. After they left, it was honestly shocking to see how much food your home had to offer when it wasn't being ravaged. Before Luffy's help, you would only be able to operate the food stall for a couple of hours a day because of how little food you were allotted. Now you could run it from sun up to sun down if you so pleased.
Malachi rolled his eyes, "I guess that's true. Don't get why he's only bothering you, though. There are several places to get food around here."
Luffy answered for you, "Because their food is the best here!" The compliment came from him so naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. You couldn't help the genuine smile that pulled at your lips.
His rubbery limbs squeezed you a little tighter, "I wanna eat this every day! You should join my crew!"
All you did was chuckle, this wasn't the first time he made the proposition. You took a brief break from rotating skewers to pat the arm wrapped around your chest, "I can't do that. I need to help my family run this place, remember?"
The pirate slumped against you and whined dramatically, "Come on, please?! Can't that guy help them instead?"
While Malachi was certainly helpful, he was only ever here temporarily. His parents lived on a different island and he didn't like to leave them alone for long.
You shook your head, "No, Luffy. He has his own family to help out, he's going home in a couple of days."
This wasn't enough to deter him, he pressed further, "Why can't they hire someone else? I want you on my crew!"
"It's a family business, and my parents want to keep it that way. Besides, I'm sure Sanji can make these just as well as I can." If not better.
"It's different when you make it! Plus I want you on my crew because I like you, not just for the food!" His neck stretched so he could look you in the eye while making the most pitiful face you've ever seen.
Malachi slammed a hand down onto the counter, "They said no, drop it already!"
That definitely caught both of your attentions, as well as drawing the eyes of some passersby. "Hush! It's fine, he doesn't mean anything by it, you need to calm down," you scolded him.
He looked like he wanted to say more, but his irritated expression went cold. His eyes widened and he abruptly took a few steps back while staring at Luffy.
You look down to try and figure out what's got him acting like that, but find no answers. Luffy had already gone back to staring at you with an innocent look on his face as if he was just as confused, "Machete is weird."
"Yeah, he is," you conceded while snorting at the incorrect name. It seems like Luffy hasn't gotten any better with names since the last time you saw him.
"It's Malachi, and I think I'm the most normal person here." He untied his apron and hurried out of the stall, "We're almost out of meat, I'm going to go get more."
"Alright, thank you!" You called after him. Your family home was just up the hill, he wouldn't be gone long.
Luffy's head settled back on your shoulder as you readjusted him, and he sighed. With all the food eaten, both of his arms were securely wrapped around your torso again. His fingers toyed with your shirt collar, "Please join my crew?" His voice was uncharacteristically quiet.
He sounded so morose that it tugged at your heart strings. It was flattering that he was so dead set on keeping you around, but it wasn't easy to just up and leave your whole life behind. Still, you couldn't bring yourself to turn him down outright again, "I'll think about it, okay?"
He shot up instantly, "Really?!" You were crushed against him in the tightest hug of your life while he nuzzled his head into yours. The second he was done, he let go and finally got off your back, "Awesome! I'll go tell Franky to make a bed for you!"
"I just said I'd think about it, I didn't say yes!" Your attempt to backpedal did nothing, Luffy had already taken off and was sprinting to the docks. You doubt he heard you.
"Oh boy," you heaved out a sigh as you dumped some more skewers into water to soak. "I hope that doesn't come back to bite me."
608 notes · View notes
melminli · 3 months
Text
Vanilla Pudding II
pairing: young coriolanus snow x fem. reader
summery - of course, coriolanus had his principles. but before he had them, he had you. he didn't want to lose that no matter what. you were his only exception in this game, and you would remain to be that.
word count: 1.3k
contains: district reader living in the capitol, fluff, slightly dark themes, coryo being a simp, flashbacks, fluff, possessiv behavior
a/n: well, i didn't really expect this to turn kinda darkish since the first chapter was so wholesome... but here we are. part 2 to blueberry tartlet!
part I
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Not everything was easier back then, but most things were. As a child, he didn't have to worry about his family's reputation. He hardly cared about his own since he was more concerned about what he had for dessert after dinner. Coriolanus was fine with just about anything most of the time, except for this pastrie with jam his grandmother used to make. He hated the taste of that. Well, he ate it anyway, but he would have been happier if it had been bread pudding instead. Coriolanus loved that shit.
He remembered once when he was a little kid and played alone on one of the swings at the playground outside. He thought of kindergarten as okay because he didn't like most of the kids there, and that still hadn't changed today. Most of them grew up to be idiots just as expected.
"Ya wanna have some puddin'?" You asked him, and this was the first real encounter he had with you. Back then, you still had your district accent, which Coriolanus had found very strange, but for whatever reason, you were still quite popular among the others. They liked you a lot.
He thought you were weird. "Is it bread pudding?"
You didn't seem to know for sure yourself as you looked into the container and thought for a few seconds. "No, just normal vanilla puddin'...sorry." you said in a whisper. "Ya can still have it if ya want? The other like chocolate puddin' more..."
Coriolanus watched your figure for a few seconds, and you didn't really dare to meet his starting gaze at first, so you looked to the side, slightly embarrassed. "I don't want it, but I'll take it." He finally said and held out his hand. It was better than nothing.
His answer brought a smile to your face. "My ma made it, I'm sure ya gonna like it!" You replied and happily placed it in his hand.
He didn't have a spoon. How am I supposed to eat this? He looked at his hands and considered it for a few seconds before shaking his head. No, I can't do that. "Why don't you eat it?" He asked you, suddenly noticing out of the corner of his eye how your braided hair was held in place by a bow. He thought it looked kind of cute on you. It suited you.
"I also like chocolate more." You admitted a little shyly and then realized yourself that he didn't have the necessary cutlery to eat the dessert. "Oh, I don't have a spoon with me. We can ask someone in the cafeteria, I'm sure they'll help us out!" Your voice exclaimed as you grabbed his hand and pulled him along without a care in the world.
He wished he could still see you with the same eyes he did back then. When it didn't matter who was called what, what clothes you wore, or just the fact that you could say what you thought without worrying about how it might sound.
But you weren't kids anymore. He was no longer clueless and all that stuff was important now. The only thing that hadn't changed from back then was that you were still a District girl, and that was one thing you would remain forever, no matter how long you lived in the Capitol.
"Are you okay, Coriolanus?" Rang your sweet voice suddenly in his ears, leaving him stirring only to be greeted with your figure in front of his table. Your eyes looked down at him with concern, and he only now realized that class was over. Most of the students had even left the classroom already. It seemed like he had been caught up in his thoughts for quite a while. "...yes, everything is fine. Don't worry about it, it's nothing." He said and packed up his bag.
You weren't entirely convinced but decided to let it go. Maybe he just hadn't slept well. He seemed to walk around with dark circles under his eyes a lot. "Oh, okay." You just said. You've been making a bit more of an effort to get in touch with your childhood friend lately. You didn't really know why, but somehow, along the way, you just seemed to stop being friends. It was only the other day at the graduation party of your elders that you realized how much you had actually missed him.
"So, I heard you're taking part in this year's Hunger Games." You broached the subject and saw him raise an eyebrow. You suddenly noticed how that may have sounded. "As a mentor, of course! Yeah, sorry if the way I just put it sounded a bit weird..." You apologized to him and mentally smacked yourself on the head.
He shook his hand. It was cute how nervous you suddenly acted around him. He liked that, liked that it was him who made you feel that way. "It's okay. As I said, don't worry about it." He replied and walked down the stairs with you after he was finished with his bag. "I'm afraid I couldn't find your name on the list. It's a real shame that you have to miss out on such a great opportunity."
You disagreed. "Well, I'm actually a bit relieved about that, if I'm being honest." You admitted, looking a little worried at the thought that you could have been in his place. "Yeah, I'm not really a big fan of the games. I hate to admit it, but I'm kind of sensitive to this type of stuff. Like, just seeing blood freaks me out, so I can't really..."
Coriolanus watched you struggle a bit trying to skate around the actual goal of the games. You didn't even seem to be able to say the word kill or dead. He'd bet you'd be the first to fall if you were a tribute. His eyebrows furrowed slightly at the thought. It's better that she isn't. She's not like those other animals. "Don't be absurd. It's completely valid that you feel that way, trust me." He assured you, bringing a slight smile back to your lips.
He stopped you briefly so he could hold your hand comfortingly. "We don't even have to talk about the games if you don't want to. How about this, I know this good ice cream place near the academy." He suggested charmingly. "Do you still like chocolate? I've heard that's their specialty."
You couldn't stop the broad smile that spread across your face at his words. "It still is, actually. let's go! My treat!" You said and pulled him along by his hand without a care in the world, and like then, he just let you do it.
"No way, I'll pay and there's nothing you can do about it."
You shook your head stubbornly. "I don't want you to do that, and you can't stop me."
He had decided then and there that he wasn't going to let himself get in the way of the only good thing that had ever happened to him in his usually so miserable life. And what if you were a District girl? Even if he could never change that, it would make no difference in the future.
After all, no one would dare question the decisions of the President of Panem - especially when it came to choosing his first lady. Coriolanus was sure that something could easily be arranged with those who still couldn't hold their tongues.
Before you could take another step, Coriolanus suddenly stopped behind you and almost let you fall to the ground had he not caught you. "And that's where you're wrong." He said, smiling as sweetly as a poisoned apple. "Because I can."
394 notes · View notes
blackhairedjjun · 1 month
Text
it's you that i'd lie with. - c.yj
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
pairing: choi yeonjun x gn reader | genre / tropes: angst, apocalypse au (no literally), the end of the world but make it slice of life, non-idol au, best friends to lovers, last-minute getting together (and i really mean last minute!!) | word count: 923 | warnings: implied death, natural disasters, mentioned existential crises, kissing, brief food mentions
part of my 300 followers event (event masterlist)
prompt - LAST: believing it to be their last chance to confess their feelings for the receiver, the sender tells them that they love them. (requested by @beomnoullitheorem - "I don't mind any kind of ending as I love both happy and sad endings, so I'm leaving it all upto you and I'm gonna love any of your work be it having any kind of ending!")
author's notes: hi noulli! unfortunately i don't have a copy of the stuff we talked abt for this prompt since i answered your asks privately, but i tried to remember what we said as best as i can! also i was in a very "wow i wanna kiss him sooooo bad" mood when i wrote this so uh. yeah sldkfskldjf. also the title is from "as the world caves in" by matt maltese!
Tumblr media
“do you really think the world will end today, y/n? like what the reporters said?”
you cast a glance up at the cloudless sky, its color a gradient of deep blue to pale yellow. meteor showers fall constantly like rain made of light. “well... if it isn’t ending, it’s putting on a hell of a show.”
yeonjun lets out a soft giggle and pulls you closer in his arms. you sigh happily and rest your head on his chest; his heartbeat is a bit faster than usual, though it is his last day on earth after all. you’ve always been touchy-feely with your best friend, but you’ve never been this close.
as soon as the news reports announced the end of the world a few weeks ago, the two of you instantly knew that you wanted to spend your last day here, at the open-air rooftop restaurant where you first met. you spent the next few weeks saying goodbye to your friends and family, checking a few things off your bucket list, and just... making peace with your life. today you and yeonjun claimed a table overlooking the deserted city below, though there wasn’t any competition anyway 一 the cooks and waitstaff had abandoned the place to spend their last day with their loved ones.
you lift your head up from yeonjun’s embrace to take in one last look at the sky, beautiful yet terrifying, a canvas of light and shadow. you wonder what everyone else is doing: maybe they too are looking at the sky, or maybe they can’t see it at all from the makeshift underground shelters they’ve gone to. maybe some are watching it alone, maybe others are watching it with a loved one, just like you.
just then you feel soft lips on the crown of your head, and you look up to see yeonjun pulling away from his brief kiss. he’s gazing at you with those warm brown eyes, and you can’t help the heat spreading across your cheeks.
“you’re quiet,” he says.
“so are you, jjunie.”
“it’s just... a lot.”
“i know.”
perhaps your brain is making you see things because this is the last time you’ll ever see him, but this is the most beautiful yeonjun has ever looked. strands of black hair fall over his eyes, and as you lift a hand to brush them aside you feel an ache in your heart.
“i was supposed to take you here again for your birthday, y’know,” he says with a small smile.
“really? you didn’t think i’d be sick of it here?”
“nah, you love it here. you’re always ordering their cheesecake.”
you laugh. “i mean, no one makes it like they d一”
just then the earth begins to shake and the whole building sways. yeonjun grabs onto you as you’re both thrown onto the ground. you bury your head in your friend’s chest and grip onto his hoodie; his own grip around your waist tightens and he curls around you. the table topples and nearly lands on your head, only for yeonjun to grab you and roll you away from the spot.
the ground beneath you rumbles, and you can hear the crashing of plates and bottles from the restaurant kitchen. tables and chairs are knocked over. you screw your eyes shut, yet the world doesn’t stop spinning...
and then an alarm starts blaring in the distance, and it’s over as soon as it started. you remain lying on the floor clinging to yeonjun, your knuckles trembling from your grip on his hoodie. he doesn’t move either, holding on to you so tightly as if you might slip away if he let go.
then you feel it again 一 that feather-light kiss on the crown of your head, lingering for longer this time. then another one, further down on your forehead. yeonjun pulls away to look at you, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes, and the ache in your heart gnaws at you even more.
“y/n, i...”
words leave him and the next thing you know, his lips are on yours. he tastes as sweet as you’ve imagined, and you wrap your arms around him to kiss him deeper. the world is spinning again, but for a completely different reason 一 with your body flush against his and his mouth moving roughly against yours, you feel as if every piece of you has been set alight.
you let out a sigh against his lips as he breaks away. he pants slightly, still holding you close, his eyes wide. 
“i love you.”
yeonjun is still breathless when he says it. had he said it on any other day, your mind would be full of questions: how long? since when? why are you telling me only now? what happens to us next?
but you don’t have time for questions. instead you lean towards him, meeting those beautiful eyes of his, and whisper, “i love you too.”
you leave a gentle peck on his lips, then another, then it’s his turn to kiss you back. next thing you know his hands are tangled in your hair and you melt into him completely, this new kiss slower than the first yet more desperate. in your last moments you’re going to love him the way you should have when you still had time.
neither of you notice the way the sky darkens to a complete black. the ground shakes again and you hold on to each other.
his warmth is the last thing you ever feel.
206 notes · View notes
mina-saiyat · 14 days
Text
Twice Interactive Story Part 1149.5-1164.5 FFW (Sana)
Tumblr media
'Ding.' You check your phone, it's a message from Sana, she sends you a selfie that she is wearing an unbuttoned red shirt, and she is sitting on your chair. 'Boss, Your Sana is waiting for you at office.🤫🤫, I am like a fountain when you are on sick leave the last few days.'
Tumblr media
I don't respond until I get back to the office. "Well, I'm back today." I send back before strolling into my office. I start to plan out how I'm going to mention I'll be going away for a little bit.
You slowly walk into your room, Sana is still sitting on your chair, you only find out she is wearing but a pair of long stockings at the lower half of her body now. Her legs purposely rubbing your desk, catching your attention.
'Boss, our baby daughter is not here today. We can have as much fun as we can.' Sana smirks.
Tumblr media
You walk closer, caressing her legs, and move your hand up to her jaw. You grab her jaw, giving her a gaze. 'Is my slut being loyal to your master when I am not here?'
'Yes, yes! Of course, Sana is loyal to boss! But Sana is so needy these days. Please, boss, reward Sana for her loyalty.' You can feel her lust in her eye, she is really being hungry for days.
You get her up and make her sitting at the table. Before everything starts, you need to tell her you will be on leave for a long time, actually you wouldn't mind Sana joining you, but Mina is seriously negative to this idea, you can only give up. You already left a room for Sana after the renovation, but the unstable emotion of Mina is making you not sure about it.
I get behind Sana and sneak my hands under her shirt where I squeeze her breasts. "Is my little slut going to be loyal to her master when he's gone on a trip?" I ask her before getting behind her ear and whispering, "because I'm going on a little business trip."
'A business trip? Where?' Sana seems a bit interested about your trip. 'Do you need your slut's accompany? She can help you to ease stress in the lonely night...' Sana whispers to you
'Or you are going to try some foreign taste? Wait, no, me and Mina are already a foreigner to you, isn't?' Sana seems confused herself when she tries to tease you.
You do not give her the chance to think. You squeeze her breasts harder and leave hickeys on her neck. The scent of her perfume slips in your nose, making you go more furiously. Sana loves using perfume. She would even make it herself after asking what scent you like.
Your another free hand is squeezing her legs, it's the first time you see Sana wearing stockings, and she is only wearing stockings. Your cock already harden and poking her ass, Sana knows you are ready, but her questions makes you stop.
'Are you going with Mina?'
"She said she couldn't go. Something about going to visit family." I start to rub Sana's cunt through her stocking in an attempt to distract her. "Let's just focus on you right now. We're all alone for once."
'Umm... Can you feel how wet I am?' Sana immediately forgets what she wanna say, and just moaning. You go rougher, and Sana moans louder, her stockings start to wet because of her nectar.
'Ah!' Sana squirts all over your hand, you gently flip her over, ready to give her what she has waited for too long.
Sana sees you start to untie the belt, she removes her stockings at the same time. You immediately stop her. ' No, Sana, keep it on.'
'Oh, you love stockings, do you, boss?' Sana winks at you and uses her legs to rub your crotch. 'Oh... Sana...' Your legs feel weak when Sana starts footjobing, and you sit on your chair.
Seeing your reaction, Sana smirks and increases her pace, 'Mina never do that for you huh?'
"No, she's never done that before." I thrust to help Sana with her footjob.  "This is the first time I've gotten a footjob, I like it, but I think I'd like something else a little more." I say while rubbing Sana's thighs with my hands.
'Boss, why don't you try a complete footjob from me first? It would definitely feel good. We have a whole day, and both Mina and Tzuyu are not here today.' Sana smirks, one of her legs is jerking you, another one is rubbing your tips. The smooth stockings bring you to a new level of pleasure, Sana leans closer to let your play with her tits, and she guides you to squeeze her tits outside from the shirt.
The clothes on her make her look even more sexy than just naked, you just relax and lie on the chair, enjoying the services from your slut. 'Oh... Sana... you always give me so much surprise... Yes, there...'
'If Mina is not going with you, why don't you let I go with you. I can be your little secretary at the day and your little slut at the night. You are gonna have so much fun.' Sana teases you as she rubs your tips quickly, making you get lost in the sensation. 'Ah...'
"I would love to have my little slut come with me, but I'll be going alone. This is important, and I can't have any distractions."  I repsond while I pinch and twist Sana's nipples.
'Am I a distraction for you, boss? I am glad that you think I am a distraction. It means I am still attractive to you.' Sana smirks.
'You really don't need someone to jot minutes for you in the meeting? Or seducing others for you?' Sana asks as she raises one of her legs right in front of your face. It is not as smelly as you expected. Instead, the mixture of her scent and sweat makes you even horny.
'It's even harder! I really don't know you like that, maybe I should not bath before you come to my place next time.' Seeing you keep breathing the scent from her legs, Sana smirks and rubs your face with her legs, teasing your lips with her toe.
I push her legs to the side and press myself against her body. "Enough of that. Let's get to the good part." I rip her stockings near her crotch and push my fingers into her cunt.
'If it's enough, then put it in, boss. I want it.' Sana licks your finger and seduces you. 'You wanna fuck me in those stockings, don't you?'
'Shut up, slut. So hungry, are you?' You playfully slap her face and withdraw your finger. 'Beg for it, prove how much you need me.' You rub her clit with your cock, waiting for her answer.
'Please, boss, master! I need your cock. I don't know when we can fuck again if you go on a trip. Please.' Sana says and starts sucking your finger.
'Good girl, turn around and get your reward.' You pat her ass, signaling her to turn around so you can fuck her from behind. Sana follows your instructions and arc her ass even higher, making her body shape more stand out.
'Do you want to cum on my stockings?' Sana turns around her head, biting her lips.
I ignore her and impale her with my cock. "I'll cum wherever I want." I pull her arms back as I thrust, feeling my cock go deeper. Sana's moans only make me go rougher on her.
'Please, boss. Please cum for me! I need your cum. I want to join your trip because I want your cum everyday. Please fill me, boss! Ah!' Sana reaches the orgasm quickly as you play with her body. Her legs feel weak and nearly fall down.
You hold her waist and keep fucking her, her moan is not as loud as before, the orgasm is too intense, making Sana loss control of her body. Sana sticks her tongue out and you can see saliva dripping from her lips. 'Ah... boss... fuck me...'
"I'll fill you up, Sana!" I hold onto Sana's waist pulling her onto my cock as I thrust. Knowing that I'm going to cum I bury my cock inside her and unload inside her.
'Ah!' Sana's body jerks when you start to fill her, your cock keep throbbing and unloading your seed in her tint pussy. After resting from the long sleep, your cum is much more than usual, although you reach her deepest spot, her pussy cannot contain all of your cum, the cum start dripping out from her clit.
You sit on your chair again and put her on your lap, the cum dripping out faster, the white seed slowly penetrate her black stockings. You squeeze her tits and kiss her neck, leaving handprints and hickeys on her body. You are declaring your ownership of Sana in the purest way.
'Boss... you bring me to heaven...' Sana says tiredly, she does not have the stamina to resist your naughty hand. 'I will be your slut forever, I am all yours.'
"My little slut forever. I'll make sure to use you well." I whisper into her ear while I squeeze her tits. "Clean me up," I say to her. Sana doesn't resist falling off my lap onto the floor, where she plops my cock into her mouth and starts to clean my cum and her nectar off it.
'Good girl.' You pat Sana's head, appreciate her effort on cleaning your cock. 'Any reward you want? You want more of my cum?' You ask and you push her head towards your crotch, only release it when she starts to chock.
'Ugh...' Sana did not stop sucking you despite her being out of air. 'Of course, I want Boss's cum. But I want to go with boss more. I can warm your bed at night. We can even fuck on street as no one know about us there.' Sana gives you a slutty eye.
'I am thinking of going for a sterilization, so you can use my more freely.' Sana whispers to your ear as she stands up.
"That’s not necessary, Sana." I grab her waist and pull her in my lap. "Is there anything else you want?" I say as I start to tease her ass. We've done your mouth and your pussy.
Sana winks at you and bites her lips, 'I wanna do more for you, boss. Please don't be hesitant to share your fantasy with me, Sana will satisfy your wish.' She says as she leans and sticks her tongue out, your tongue dancing in the air.
You tear another hole near her ass in the stocking, your teasing makes her horny and she grinds on your cock. 'Boss, you want my ass?' Sana removes her butt plug. 'Now I feel uncomfortable if it is not in my ass, would you help me?' Sana shows you the butt plug you give her.
"Of course, Sana," I press my cock against her gaping asshole and ram it inside without giving Sana a chance to adjust. I hold her down on my cock while whispering in her ear. "How does that feel? Does my little slut love having my cock in her ass?"
'Oh, yes. I can't live without something in my ass now, it has to be your cock. Ah, it's so big...' Sana moans in your ear as you start to moving her by grabbing her waist. Everytime she goes down, you thrust your hip to go deeper in her.
As Mina is not here today, you do not need to worry about her today. You go rougher and rougher as your lust takes over your mind. 'It's so big...' Despite Sana moaning in pain, you have no intention to slow down, you are focusing on your own pleasure. you already leave several handprints on her tits, the ways you squeeze her legs may leave lots of bruises if Sana removes the stocking later.
'Boss... Please cum with me... fill my ass...' Sana screams when she is on the edge of the orgasm. You find that something is missing despite Sana's ass milks you like a sucker, 'Oh, it's Tzuyu, she is not her today.' You suddenly remember, the absence of her moan makes you feel like something is missing.
I put Tzuyu out of my mind for the moment and thrust harder into Sana. Her moans push me closer to the edge, and I feel her ass grow tighter as she cums. Momenta later, I reach my climax and fill her ass with my cum. I hold onto Sana’s waist, forcing her to grind against me while I ride out my orgasm. “Did you enjoy getting your ass filled? We have to plug it up quickly so it doesn’t spill out of you.” I tell Sana.
'Ah... so warm...' Sana moans again as she feels your cum filled her ass. 'Can I use you as a plug? It's much more better than the real one.' Sana lays her head on your shoulder.
You fix her messy hair that stuck with her forehead, 'You really love my cock so much, do you?'
Sana grabs you for a kiss before she answers, 'I promised to be your slut for life, I won't cheat on you again. Of course, I love your cock and ...'
You kiss her again to stop her before she can finish, 'Then my slut need to behave well when I am not here.'
'I can't go with you for real? Mina won't know if it's a normal business trip.' Sana looks at you with a poor face. ' Ah, I got something.' Sana gets up from your lap and let you plug the butt plug in her.
Sana gets something from your drawer, she hides it behind until she sits on your lap again. 'Do you like it, boss?' Sana says as she shows you the thing, it's a chastity belt.
“I do,” I tell Sana, “You’ll be wearing this while I’m gone. I hope you got all your urges out right now, or else this will really be torture for you, Sana.” I play with her clit, “I’ll be gone for quite a while” I fuck Sana until the day is done, making sure she’s satisfied for the moment before looking back at the chastity belt. “Are you going to wear it now, Sana?”
You look at Sana, who is resting on your couch, waiting for her answer. Her tits bouncing heavily as she is still recovering from the orgasm.
'I am ready, but are you satisfied already, boss? Your trip is gonna without any girls. Or you wanna bring my stockings with you, so you can fap at night?' Sana teases you again as she sees you are rubbing her legs.
You never found that you have such an interest in Sana's legs until she wears stockings for you today. Her stocking is now full of scent of the mixture of her sweat and nectar, and even your cum. Her stocking is nearly damaged in the furious sex, especially her crotch area, the cum is keep dripping out from her pussy. The wrinkles on her red shirt makes her even look horny, she is just like a whore in this dressing, inviting any men to fuck her.
You slowly remove her damaged stocking so you can fit the chastity belt on her, but Sana stops you by stepping on your crotch with her legs, 'You really don't wanna cum on my stockings, your hands never leave them today?'
"Maybe when I come back. It'll be something to look forward to." I tell Sana as I continue putting the chastity belt on her.  After that, I'll go take a bath at a bathhouse before returning home.
You help Sana to change in the spare clothes before leaving the office. Knowing you are addicted to her stockings, Sana did not throw the broken one, instead she put it in your drawers.
'You can bathe at my home, you know, I can help you clean your body.' Sana says before leaving your car. You are nearly tempted to the idea, but you know you ain't gonna leave very soon if you enter her house body.
'Goodnight, boss.' Sana kisses your cheek and leaves the car.
223 notes · View notes
sturniolos-blog · 4 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Panic Attack - Matt Sturniolo x Y/n oneshot
warnings - kissing, fluff, panic attack
requested by anon ‼️
—————————
6:37pm
I was laying down in my house, watching the triplets new video before my phone rang, it was nick.
“Hey nick! What’s up?” I said cheery into the phone.
“Y/n, you need to come here now, Matt’s been in a bad mood all day and he keeps telling us to fuck off.” Nick says, i sit up already starting to get ready.
“Where is he right now, nick?” I asked.
“In his room, he’s being an ass and you better get over here before i smack the sense back into him.” Nick scoffs.
I let out a laugh, “I’m on my way.” I then hang up the phone.
———————————
6:43pm
I walked into their house after Nick called me.
I start to hear some yelling,
“Well why don’t you fucking leave me alone!?” I hear come from Matt.
“You’re being a complete asshole!” I start to walk towards the voices, it sounds like chris.
“Yeah, Matt the fucks your problem dude?” I hear Nick chime in.
“You guys all need to fuck off-”
“Matt?” I said, they were all in the living room, yelling at each other.
Matt sighs and runs his hand through his hair, “What are you doing here?” He says, his voice lower now.
Nick clears his throat, “I called her.” He says, looking down.
Chris’s face is red with anger. “Yeah, you need her to fucking relax.” He says.
Matt shoved Chris harshly.
“Matt!” I yelled, going in between them as Chris shoved Matt back.
“Stop! The fuck is wrong with you guys!?” I scolded, Matt scoffing and running to his room.
“Seriously?” I sighed to chris.
“Sorry..” He whispered.
“I got him.” Nick adds in, sitting down on the couch with chris now.
I nodded and walked to Matt’s room, walking in without knocking.
“Get the fuck out.” Matt snaps, he was sitting on his bed his face in his hand.
I shut the door, “Okay you can sit here and pout but you are not going to disrespect me and treat me how you just treated your family. Sorry but that’s not happening.” I said, sitting down on the bed.
Matt stays silent.
“Talk to me, baby..” I sighed, putting my hand on his back.
He shooks his head and took his bottom lip between his teeth.
“Okay, we can sit in silence.” I made myself comfortable against his head bored, my legs straight out. “Or…you can come here and give me a hug.” I said, arms out for him.
Matts head turned and looked at me before turning back and looking at his hands, fiddling with them.
“I know you wanna..” I urged, my hand tugging on his shoulder.
He let out one of his anxiety breaths and climbed on top of me, his head going on my chest and his body in between my legs, one of my hands went through his hair while the other rubbed his back.
“Oh baby..” I whisper.
“Everything’s been so hard and overwhelming lately, i feel like i’m not enough and that i should be doing more like in videos because everyone flames me for not talkin’ so much but i just have no motivation and i can’t-” Matt’s breaths pick up.
“You can’t what, baby?” I ask him as he sits up, sitting next to me, resting his back against the headboard.
He puts his hand on his chest, his breathing a lot quicker.
“Matt?” I ask him, my hand going to his cheek.
“I can’t- i can’t-” He struggles, “I can’t breathe.” He breathes out, huffing and puffing. Hot tears now streaming down his face.
“Why can’t i breathe? It hurts, everything’s blurry.” He began to list out,
“You’re stressing yourself out, baby. Stop, okay.” I began to freak out myself, my hand rubbing his back.
“Uh- so today before nick called me, i was watching your new video that came out yesterday. You looked um- so so good.” I laughed, Matt’s breaths weren’t slowing down but he looked at me.
“You’re right, you don’t talk a lot but you bring a lot to the table when you do, and it’s okay you sit there with your pretty face, looking incredibly fine.” I tease, Matt lets out a breathy laugh.
“But you’re more than enough Matt, and you need to stop bottling that all up and taking it out on other people, especially the ones you love because Chris didn’t mean anything he said, he loves you so much and he wants the best for you, but his anger is fast like yours. As well as nicks. So whatever happened in the argument can just be labeled as an ‘in the moment’ thing.” I said softly.
Matt nodded, “Thank you.” He sniffled, “Sorry for being a big baby.” He apologized.
“Don’t apologize, now come here pretty boy, i missed you.” I put my arms out for him, he laughs and gives me a big hug, kissing all over my face as i laugh.
“Say that again.” He said into my neck.
“What?” I laughed.
“Say that again.” He repeated, his soft kisses going to my collarbone.
“say what? pretty boy?” I teased.
“God, that’s hot.” He groaned against me.
“Yeah, you like it pretty boy?” I laughed as he nodded and kissed my lips.
—————————
that was it! hope the anon who requested liked it! enjoyyy ! and mixed signals part two coming whennn ? (i actually have no clue i haven’t started it)
364 notes · View notes
imaginespazzi · 3 months
Text
Part 1: Don't Be A Stranger
Tumblr media
Masterlist - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6
But if (my) world was ending, you'd come over right?
(In which UCLA anon's roman empire became this writer's roman empire and we've finally reached the beginning)
Pairing: Paige Bueckers X Azzi Fudd
Themes: Angst, Pining, Hurt/Comfort and a little bit of Fluff
Words: 8.4 K (other parts will be shorter....maybe)
TW: Swearing, Alcohol, Injuries, Alludes to Sexual Content
A/N: Hello my lovelies <3 Gonna keep this as short and sweet as possible but we've finally, finally gotten to the UCLA fic. A huge shout out to UCLA anon, because this is their master idea. Couple of things, I've never been to LA or UCLA and therefore some things are out of whack. The timeline is also a little out of whack but I swear I will try to keep it as consistent as possible. In the mean time, just ignore some of the inconsistencies pretty please. As always, feel free to let me know what's bad, what's good and what else you'd like to see. I hope y'all enjoy this first part and let's get another W today!
August 2021
where are you 
i literally have to be at the airport in an hour paige where are you 
dude 
are you on your way?
you better be driving and that’s why you’re not answering 
PAIGE
i’m sorry about last night i shouldn’t have said that 
but you said a lot of shit too so call it even?
this isn’t funny where are you?
i have to leave in 15 mins 
are you actually not coming?
wtf????
this is actually bullshit
get over yourself bueckers 
wow 
fuck you
just landed 
thought you might like to know 
sorry my plane didn’t crash i guess 
September 2021
dude enough okay 
can you just call me back??
i just wanna talk 
i know you're mad i get it but i miss you   
November 2021 
hi i’mma be in dc over christmas
nvm 
idk why i’m trying again  
maybe i should block you 
this is kinda pathetic of me what the fuck 
December 2021
i thought i saw you today but idk
couldn’t have been you cause if it was 
would you really not even say hi?
i’m done trying paige 
merry christmas i guess
March 2022 
i misz you 
lyke a wot
love uuuuu pppppp
even if ur a bwtich 
pkese pick up 
ignore that 
people drunk text exes apparently i drunk text you 
wait 
i don’t need to tell you that 
you already ignore it all anyways
 
August 2022 
i heard about the acl 
i’m sorry 
idk if it means anything, but if you wanna talk
nvm 
***
September 2022 
When the doorbell rings, on a quiet Thursday afternoon during a rare moment of alone time, Paige expects it to be a lot of people. One of her parents deciding that they actually weren’t going to leave her alone. Someone else in her family showing up out of the blue to provide comfort. Maybe one of her teammates popping up to keep her entertained. She even thinks it might be some random fan who got too invested and figured out the address for her air BnB. It’s the saddest testament to how broken they are, that the idea of it being Azzi Fudd standing outside her door, never once crosses her mind. But there she is, when Paige opens the door, dressed in ripped jean shorts and a light blue tank top, the girl that had been her best friend, and maybe a little bit more. 
Silence stretches between them as Azzi fidgets with her hands and Paige continues to stoically stare at her. It’s been almost a year since they’ve seen each other, even longer since they’d last shared a happy smile. And you’d have to go back to before she’d told her about her future plans, to find the last time Azzi had properly looked Paige in the eyes.  
“Hi,” Azzi says finally, mustering up a small smile. Paige doesn’t know if hearing that voice, soft and subdued but still so familiar, fixes a crack or breaks her heart even further. She wills herself to be polite in response, to match Azzi’s polite greeting with a greeting of her own. But there’s clear discord between her mouth and her head, because her words are harsh and hollowed. 
“What are you doing here?”
Azzi swallows, smile disappearing as she immediately digs her fingernails into her palms and Paige feels the guilt settle into her stomach. It’s like the night before all over again. If she closes her eyes, Paige can still hear her voice loudly echoing in Azzi’s childhood bedroom. She can hear the angry words that she’d hurled at her best friend, each one like a well-aimed arrow piercing the other’s girl's heart and tearing into Paige’s own soul. Some would call what she’d done self-preservation. She’d call it her biggest mistake. 
“I um-,” Azzi sucks in her bottom lip, “I was in the area and thought, maybe I’d check in.”
“How did you even know where I was?” Paige hates how cold and accusatory her voice sounds. It’s a version of herself she doesn’t quite know how to deal with, one that hasn’t ever appeared for anyone other than the girl in front of her, “I know I didn’t tell you.”
Any semblance of calm is gone from Azzi’s face, as she seems to realise that she’s not going to be getting any cordiality from her old friend. 
 “And we’re off to a great start,” she mutters under her breath before replying to Paige’s exact question, “no you didn’t. Your dad-”
“You talked to my dad?”
“Yeah. I mean you know Drew looks up to Jon and José so much and they still talk and stuff and he came over- Drew I mean- and then your dad was there and we just got to talking and you came up and yeah. He told me and well I live here, kinda, so I thought- well I thought maybe you’d like some company?”
As Azzi’s rambling explanation comes to an end, Paige doesn’t miss the tinge of hopefulness in her voice at the last bit. The younger girl shuffles her feet, as she stares at the blonde expectantly. 
“I don’t-” Paige struggles to draw in a breath as the voices in her head argue, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Her words are met with silence as Azzi stares at her blankly. 
“I- you,” she blinks rapidly, clearly at a loss for what to say at the blatant rejection, “I can’t come in?”
“It’s just- I’ve had a lot of people visit you know,” Paige bullshits, suddenly feeling very exhausted, “and my family were here a couple days and my friends are coming soon and-”
“And I’m neither of those things,” Azzi says, her tone low and breathy. 
“That’s not what-”
“It is,” Azzi closes her eyes for a brief second, when she opens them, the flash of hurt in them feels like a dagger through Paige’s chest, “it is like that and it is what you meant and it’s- it’s fine.”
“Az-” Paige chokes out, feeling her lungs collapse when the other girl moves to leave, “please,” and she’s not even sure she’s asking for, but it’s not this. It’s never been this.
Azzi stops and when she turns back around, there’s a determined look on her face.
“I just-” she rubs her face, composing herself before focusing her eyes on Paige, “you’re the strongest person I know. And you’re going to come back from this, better than ever. I know it. The whole world knows it. Because you’re Paige Bueckers. You’re something else.  You’re the hardest worker, you’re just- you’re the best.”
“You don’t-”
“Just- just let me finish okay and then, then I’ll go or whatever but Paige, you’re all of those things you know? Strong, brave, the best fucking player- but, it’s also okay if sometimes-, if sometimes you aren’t. It’s okay because this- this is hard, I know it is. So if sometimes you’re not strong or-, or brave- or not feeling like working hard- it’s okay. And if there are moments where you- where you want to give up, that’s okay too. It doesn’t make you- it doesn’t make you any less than what you are. It just makes you human, and it’s okay you know- to be human. It’s okay if- if you hurt and it’s okay if you’re not okay. It’s- it’s okay.”
The two girls stare at each other, eyes shining with tears, as Paige let’s Azzi’s words wash over her. She’s been told a lot of platitudes about her injury, from her coaches to her teammates to her family. And she knows she has plenty of people in her corner, who root for her and who genuinely do believe she’ll have the greatest comeback ever. But the motivational speeches get draining after a while and all she’s wanted to do for the last couple of weeks is wallow. Then she felt guilty about wallowing, that little voice in her head yelling at her to be productive and work on getting back to herself because that’s what everybody expected. Paige hadn’t even realised how badly she needed someone to give her permission to not be okay, not until the only person who’d ever known that part of her, had finally said the words she so desperately needed to hear.
The thing is, when she was younger, Paige used to keep everything bottled inside. She’d always been hyper aware of her privilege and her problems had always just seemed so insignificant in front of her parents’ or her friends. So she’d kept them to herself, trapping herself in a web of her own burdens that sometimes threatened to strangle her. And then she’d met a girl at a USA basketball camp when she was 15, a girl who had gently flicked her fingers and Paige’s walls had fallen like dominoes. She hadn’t even known she was drowning, until Azzi had shown up with a lifeboat.
“I just-,” Azzi breaks Paige out of her trance by breaking the eye contact between them, “I didn’t know if anybody had said that to you yet and I just- I wanted you to hear it.”
In the span of a minute, a thousand and one phrases take birth in Paige’s mind and then die on the tip of her tongue. She opens and closes her mouth, trying to express even one of the myriad of emotions that are swirling like a tornado in her brain. But nothing comes out except a litany of incomprehensible noises. And Azzi seems to find the wrong answer in the silence, giving the blonde a timid nod. 
“Take care of yourself P,” her voice catches on the familiar nickname, as she shoots Paige a sad smile, before beginning to walk away. When Azzi chose UCLA, she’d lit Paige's heart on fire. So, Paige had drowned their friendship. And while all this time Azzi has struggled to breathe, Paige has burned but god, is she so fucking tired of it. 
“Fuck, Azzi wait,” Paige curses, hobbling to catch up to the brunette, who stops with a sigh but doesn’t make a move to return. Stubborn as always, Paige thinks, continuing her way over. When she does catch up, she’s not fully sure what to say and so,  “I uh- I’m out of milk.”
Azzi raises her eyebrows in question, crossing her arms protectively around her chest. 
“I can’t drive,” Paige explains slowly, “or walk obviously.”
Realisation dawns on Azzi’s face, “you’re asking me to drive you to the grocery store?”
“I guess,” Paige shrugs, trying to be nonchalant. 
“Seems like the kind of favour someone asks of their family, or their friends,” Azzi emphasises bitterly, never one to let go of an opportunity for sarcasm. 
Paige flinches, “right, I kinda deserved that one.”
She gets a raised eyebrow in response that very much says “ya think?”
“I’m trying here,” she says quietly, and Azzi’s hard demeanour softens, “I’m raising a white flag Az, calling a truce or whatever but it kinda needs to go both ways.” 
“What do you think me coming here was supposed to be?” the younger girl says exasperatedly, but she’s smiling again. It’s the third one Paige has gotten out of her today, and finally, she smiles back. They look a little foolish, standing in the apartment hallway, cheshire-cat-grinning at each other like idiots, but it feels like something has clicked into place again.  
“I’ll go grab my wallet, you go heat up the car.”
“It’s like 110 degrees dude.”
“Bro shut up, you know what I mean,” Paige huffs and when it makes Azzi laugh, she feels like she’s floating. It’s not as if she hasn’t been happy in a year because won’t you look at that, her world did keep turning after that one decision. But this is different. She feels airy and light, like she could jump off a cliff and fly instead of fall. 
“Well hurry up, I have things to do outside of just being your chauffeur.”
“Poor passenger princess, how the roles have reversed,” Paige mocks and it earns her an ever so familiar fond eye roll and for the first time in a year, she feels free. 
***
When she gets downstairs, Azzi’s leaning against her car door, a pair of sunglasses shielding her eyes. The hot California sun shines brightly against her tan skin, and Paige’s heart stutters because fuck, Azzi is golden. She looks every bit reminiscent of the girl Paige still has memorised and yet, every bit the promise of a girl Paige wants to learn by heart. 
“Nice car,” Paige smirks, alerting the younger girl of her presence.  
“It does the job,” Azzi says, looking up with a smile of her own, opening the passenger door for Paige to get in, “not all of us are raking in NIL deals to get the big guns, but we make do.”
“Steph Curry brand ambassador say what now?” the blonde girl teases as she slides into the car. When she looks up, Azzi’s frozen in place, “what?”
“Nothing I just-” she’s wearing sunglasses, but Paige knows Azzi's trying to avert her gaze, “I’m kinda surprised you know that.”
It’s Paige’s turn to look away, their newfound comfort giving away to that old awkwardness, “I keep up with most basketball news.”
To Azzi’s credit she doesn’t push. Instead, she makes her way into the driver seat without another sound. She’s about to connect her phone to the aux but Paige beats her to it. 
“Hey,” Azzi squeals, making grabby hands, “my car, my rules, my music.”
“Nuh-uh injury privileges,” Paige gloats, sticking out her tongue. 
“That’s not a thing.”
“Is too.”
“Fine, we’ll listen to your crap music.”
“I resent that,” Paige retorts, as Drake blasts through the speakers. The sound of it makes Azzi groan, and she dramatically bangs her head against the steering wheel. Paige spends the rest of the car ride singing at the top of her lungs. Azzi spends the rest of the car ride alternating between shaking her head and joining in with the singing. It’s like they’re back in 2020 all over again, back before they found themselves in the whirlwind of life, back when they were just Paige and Azzi.
*** 
Their trip inside the grocery store takes less time than the ride to get there, even if Paige takes her time dilly-dallying in the dairy section, pretending she’s going to get anything other than just regular milk. She’s overly conscious of the fact that their time together might be coming to an end, that this time she might actually have to deal with saying goodbye. But she’s not ready to go back to missing Azzi just yet. 
“Maybe you can show me your dorm,” she says quietly, once they're both back in the car, playing with the hem of her shirt. Beside her, Azzi draws in a sharp intake of breath, clearly not having expected Paige to want that of all things. In all honesty, the idea of stepping into the world that had stolen Azzi from her is not all that appealing to Paige but she wants to hold onto this moment just a little bit longer. 
“You wanna see my dorm?” 
“A chance to see how the non-blue blood peasants live? I’d never pass it up.”
“Non blue blood,” Azzi scoffs, "Ever heard of John Wooden?”
“I was talking about women’s basketball but yeah I have heard of him. I won the award last year. Over you,” Paige smirks, wiggling her eyebrows. 
“Not everyone’s a phenom their freshman year,” Azzi retorts fondly, unable to mask the hint of pride in her voice. 
“Well we’ll see this year-” Paige stops herself, cold seeping into her lungs, as she remembers why she’s in the stupid state of California in the first place. The lighthearted mood in the car goes tumbling out the window as her words hang like a dagger in the air. 
“Paige,” Azzi whispers, trying to wrap that one syllable in comfort. She reaches out to touch the blonde’s shoulder but must think better of it because her hand hovers mid-air for a second, before she pulls it back. Paige is suddenly hyper aware of the fact they haven’t touched yet. It’s a reminder of the fact that whatever progress they’ve made today, there’s still so much they haven’t even begun to unpack. 
“It’s fine,” Paige’s voice is steely, “just drive.”
Azzi opens and closes her mouth a couple of times, before simply nodding and starting the ignition. She’s clearly holding back and Paige doesn’t know how to feel about it. There’s a part of her that wants Azzi to push her to talk like she would before, but there's another part of her that knows this new rope they’re trying to string between them is fragile. 
They ride in silence to Azzi’s apartment, both of them too caught up in their own thoughts to bother with music this time. As the UCLA campus nears, Paige can’t help but hate it just a little bit. She’s aware she’s being petty. Acting like Storrs, Connecticut is some hub of beauty is probably a stretch of the imagination for anyone but she’s determined to dislike this place out of principle.
“Hmm not too shabby but like where’s the fucking cows?” Paige jokes, as the car comes to a stop in front of Azzi’s apartment building. She steps out gingerly, pretending to inspect her surroundings, making tsk-tsk noises at the most random things. 
“I’ve seen your apartment Bueckers, don’t even try,” Azzi retorts. 
It shouldn’t surprise Paige to see one of Azzi’s teammates when they enter her living room. It’s just like UConn really in the sense that there’s always someone there when you walk in but something about seeing Charisma Osborne just chilling in Azzi’s space suddenly makes it more real that the younger girl is definitely a UCLA Bruin. 
“Oh,” Charisma gives Paige a once-over, clearly not having expected to see her, “hi Paige.”
Paige waves, shuffling her weight on her crutches, unsure what to say. It’s not like she doesn’t know Charisma, they’ve literally won a gold medal together for USA basketball. She’s even met the girl a couple of times after and she likes her, she does. But her bitter brain is focused on the fact that this is one of those girls who had gotten Azzi as their teammate, one of the girls who got to see Azzi everyday. All things Paige had not gotten. 
“You didn’t tell me you were bringing company Az,” Charisma says pointedly, looking at Azzi and Paige bristles at the use of the nickname. She’s being all sorts of ridiculous but at least she’s self-aware of it. 
“Last minute decisions,” Azzi replies airily. The two girls lock eyes and Paige can tell they’re having some sort of unspoken conversation and now the green-eyed envy monster is out in full force. 
“I insisted on seeing her dorm,” she says finally, breaking into whatever staring competition the two UCLA guards are having. 
“It’s not a problem,” Charisma reassures, standing up from her position on the couch, and coming over to give Paige a tentative hug, “I just didn’t know you were coming. But it’s good to see you, Paige.”
“Yeah,” Paige tries to muster up a proper smile as she leans in to return the hug but it comes out more like a grimace, “you too.”
“We’re gonna go chill in my room,” Azzi says, beckoning to one of the doors in the hallways and Paige obediently follows her, waving a half-hearted goodbye to Charisma. She’s secretly pleased to have Azzi back to herself. 
The room is nothing out of the ordinary except it has Azzi all over it. She’s in the pink comforter that is thrown haphazardly over a clearly not made bed. She’s in the unicorn plushies laid delicately over a dark blue couch. She’s in the little flower stickers that outline the mirror on the far side of the room. There’s a wall dedicated solely to pictures and fairy lights on one side and Paige is immediately drawn to it. A familiar ache reverberates in her chest as her eyes flicker over the pictures of Azzi’s family. She’s missed them. Then there’s the photographs of Azzi in her UCLA uniform, her teammates surrounding her and Paige has to resist the dangerous urge to rip those off the wall. Be happy for her happiness, the logical part of her brain yells, not seeming to realise she’d left any chance of that in the dirt a year ago. As she tears her eyes away from those offending pictures, they land instead on a whole other set of photographs and she feels her heart catch in her throat. 
It’s a set of three images of her and Azzi, taken at various moments. Paige brushes her thumb against the one of the two of them with their arms around each other at the Minnesota  state fair. Azzi’s beaming at the camera and Paige is beaming at Azzi. They look so young, so naive, so happy. 
“I’m on your wall,” Paige breathes out, turning to face her best friend, “Fuck, I’m on you wall.”
“Of course you are,” Azzi affirms, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world but she shuffles nervously, giving away the reality behind her stable demeanour. 
“I never answered your texts. I didn’t call you back,” Paige lists quietly as the first tear falls from her eyes; she’s been holding them back all day, “and I’m on your fucking wall.”
Azzi looks away, unsure how to deal with the fact that apparently they’re no longer tip-toeing around the past. She doesn’t know how to tell the blonde that there had never really been a second thought about whether or not those photos were going up on the wall.
“Doesn’t matter,” she shrugs finally, “you’re my best friend. You’re always gonna be my best friend. Ride or die right?”
“Ride or die,” Paige repeats in a whisper before she all but throws herself at Azzi, practically moulding herself into the younger girl’s body. Caught off guard, Azzi stiffens for a second, before relaxing into it. It’s late outside and the sun has set, but in this moment, the world shines the brightest it has in a year as two stubborn girls finally find their way home to each other. 
***
That night, Azzi asks her tentatively if she wants to stay over and of course Paige agrees. Lying awake next to a familiar stranger, she lets herself finally remember the day things had first started unravelling.
November 2020
“You’ll probably get one of the upstairs apartments, so we probably won’t actually be living together which is good because can you imagine if I had to see your goofy ass 24/7?” Paige puts a dramatic hand to her forehead, as she leads Azzi into her room.
She’s too caught up in her excitement having Azzi at UConn, and planning what’ll happen next year, to notice that the girl in question isn’t participating at all in her enthusiasm. Paige has been waiting for what feels like a year (in reality it’s only been a few months) to finally have her best friend come visit. The minute the car had pulled up, she’d taken it upon herself to start her sales pitch all over again, missing the sympathetic smiles she’d gotten from the rest of the Fudd family as she pulled Azzi away to show her the glories of the campus. 
“Did you see my assist to Christyn today?” Paige gloats, falling onto her bed with a smirk. 
“It was pretty great,” Azzi concedes. 
“It was fucking perfect thank you very much. I set her up perfectly, exactly how she likes it.”
“Right.”
“And then did you see how excited the team was for her? For everyone? Never gonna find a greater group of girls.”
“They seem wonderful P.”
Paige furrows her eyebrows as she catches Azzi still lingering by the door instead of joining her on the bed. The brunette fidgets with the sleeve of her sweater, chewing on her lips.
“Are you allergic to my bed?” Paige waits for some smartass response. When she doesn’t get one, she frowns, instincts going haywire, “Az, you good?”
“I- '' Azzi looks away, swallowing nervously, “I need to tell you something and I- I’m not sure how you’re gonna react.” 
“You get a boyfriend or a girlfriend or something in the last few months that I don’t know about?” She says it light-heartedly enough, but the thought of it sends a sharp sting through Paige’s heart. In hindsight, she thinks maybe she could have dealt with it having been that. 
“What? No. Just- just don’t- dont take it personally okay. Like you can be upset about it but- but don’t hold it against me yeah? My parents- they said- they said you’d get it. You’d be upset but you’d- you’d get it because you- you get me right?”
Paige’s chest hammers as she watches the younger girl draw in a deep breath, “you’re scaring the shit out of me right now.”
“I’mcommittingtoUCLA” Azzi says all in one breath, the words blending together. 
She’s sure she’s heard it wrong. There’s no way. After all this time, after all their conversations, all the pitches, how hard she had worked, there was no way this was going to be the end to all of Paige’s efforts. 
“What?” she whispers, crossing her fingers that she has in fact misheard. 
When Azzi averts her eyes, she knows she hasn’t, “I’m committing to UCLA.”
The first time Paige and Azzi met was somewhat awkward, what with Azzi’s shyness and Paige being slightly overeager to make a new friend. When they’d become bus buddies, they’d progressed to being casual acquaintances who could small talk and share smiles. And then the flight back to Minnesota happened and everything had changed. Every moment after was filled with conversation or laughs or a comfortable silence. Until this one, where the sudden silence between them foreshadows an ominous future.
“Say something,” Azzi says finally, her voice shaking. 
Paige stares at her for a second before, “you named your dog Stewie.”
“What?”
“You named your dog Stewie. After Breanna Stewart who played at UConn. It’s not-” Paige wracks her brain, hands flying animatedly “it’s not Meyers or something, after someone who played at fucking UCLA. You named your dog after a UConn great. How are you going to take him to UCLA with you?”
Azzi stares at her, clearly not having expected that level of questioning of all things. Who could blame her when Paige herself feels a little insane. 
“This is a joke right? You’re fucking with me? Ha ha ha very funny,” she claps deliriously,  “hilarious prank seriously, like hats off you’ve outdone yourself but enough okay? Say sike right fucking now.”
Azzi makes a strangled noise, “it’s not a joke Paige. That’s- that’s my decision.”
“Then change it,” Paige yells, catapulting off the bed.
“Paige-”
“Have you told UCLA yet?”
“I wanted to tell my family and you first.”
“Oh wow, how kind of you. How fucking generous of you to do that Azzi,” Paige bites back sarcastically and Azzi flinches. 
In a flash, Paige’s expression goes from angry to desperate, “you still have time to change your mind . Please just- just think about it again okay? You still have so much time and you know what, stay here for a couple more days. Spend time with the team, with the coaches, with me and you’ll see-. UCLA just sounds nice you know? California, the sun, I get it, of course it’s tempting. But just- just stay here okay? And you’ll see this is where you belong,” she leaves the, with me, unsaid. 
“Paige,” Azzi’s voice cracks. She takes a step toward her and then pauses. It’s the first time in a long time that Azzi’s hesitated when it comes to Paige. It won’t be the last. And when she looks at Paige through her long eyelashes, tears threatening to fall from her dark brown eyes, Paige knows she’s lost. 
“No,” she’s pacing now, chest heaving up and down in a combination of frustration, anger and misery, “this is not fucking happening. We’re not doing this. I made you a whole recruitment video. Did you watch it? Do you know how long it took me to make it? Has the last year been a fucking joke to you?”
“Of course not-”
“Don’t even. Because clearly- clearly it has. Must’ve been hilarious watching me beg and plead with you when you already fucking knew you were going to committ somewhere else.”
“That’s not fair,”  Azzi’s voice rises at the accusation, “I had no idea where I was going until a couple of weeks ago. You can’t seriously think that low of me.”
“Not fair? You know what’s not fair, Azzi? We’ve been talking about playing together, about finally being on the same team, the same fucking state, for years. What’s not fair is you throwing all of that away on a whim.”
“I’m not committing to UCLA on a whim. This is my whole future we’re talking about. You don’t even know how much thought I’ve put into it. And I’m choosing what’s best for me. You can’t hold that against me Paige. You can’t.”
They stand on opposite sides of the room, taking in harsh staggered breaths and glaring at each other. The tension in the room is electric as the string connecting them frays. Paige and Azzi bicker, they don’t argue. Or at least, that’s how it used to be. 
“Az?” their stare down is broken by a knock on the door as Katie Fudd lets herself in. Immediately, as she stares between her daughter and the girl who’d become just as important, Katie knows what has happened, “we’re going back to the air BnB, are you staying here?”
The answer should be obvious, like it used to be. Of course she would stay here. It was meant to be a no-brainer. But before Azzi can say that, Paige intervenes and the string snaps. 
“She’s going with you,” the blonde says firmly, before turning her back. She won’t let Azzi see the tears, she won’t. For her part, the brunette stares at Paige’s back silently for a couple of seconds, before a mask of determination slips on. 
“Fine. If that’s what you fucking want,” Azzi sneers before brushing past her mom, eager to get away and hide her own tears. 
When Paige turns back around, Katie is already looking at her. The older woman walks the length of the room and pulls the younger girl into a hug that she readily melts into. Paige sniffles as Azzi’s mom soothingly rubs her back. 
“We’re driving back tomorrow morning,” Katie whispers quietly into Paige’s hair, “I know you’re mad sweetheart but come say goodbye okay?”
And she does. She shows up with only half an hour or so remaining before Azzi leaves, but Paige shows up. They hug stiffly, exchanging maybe a sentence or two but in that moment it’s enough. They’ll call later when Azzi gets home and it’ll be awkward for a little bit but they’ll break through. They’ll figure out a way to go on without having to talk about the “big thing”. They’ll hold on as long as they can, until they can’t anymore. 
***
September 2022
After the night Paige stays over at Azzi’s apartment, they're attached at the hip for the next few weeks, just like old times. They’ve fallen into a routine of sorts. Azzi shows up without fail every day after practice to pick Paige up from her rehab, and then the rest of the younger girl’s time is Paige’s. The first time she’d seen the brunette leaning casually against her car, Paige had had to stop herself from jumping into her arms. She’d played it as nonchalant as possible, joking about Azzi being stalker, but inside, she could feel it again, the dangerously familiar tap of this is all I’ll ever need. 
On days Paige doesn’t have rehab, Azzi still shows up right on time on her doorstep with a board game or food or something.  It’s gotten to the point where every time the doorbell rings, Paige opens it expecting Azzi. The couple times it’s not, she tries and fails to hide the disappointment on her face. It earns her an eye roll from the delivery guy but it’s worth it for the laugh it elicits from Azzi when she tells her the story. They fall back together as if they’d never fallen apart. And what’s more terrifying than finding out that she’d never truly gotten over old Azzi, is realising how easy it would be to fall in love with new Azzi. 
When Caroline, Nika and Piath come to visit the weekend after, all three of them can immediately tell that something's changed. Their teammate seems lighter, as if she’s finally found a sense of calm. But their incessant prodding and raised eyebrows are only met with shrugs from a tight-lipped Paige. It isn’t until Azzi calls, and Nika snatches the phone out of Paige’s hands, gasping at the callerID, that they finally figure out why their point guard has a new kick in her step. 
“You should invite her out with us tonight,” Caroline is the first to speak, giving Paige an encouraging smile. 
“Carol,” Nika hisses, “we can’t just invite the enemy.”
“She’s not the enemy,” Paige defends immediately, “we don’t even have a rivalry with UCLA.”
Nika scoffs indignantly, “of course she is. She picked a different school over us. Over UConn! That’s weird. Who even does that?”
“Lots of people do,” Caroline, who occasionally texts Azzi (albeit she’s kept that somewhat of a secret), supplies helpfully, shrugging when the Croatian glares at her. 
Piath nudges Paige when she notices the other girl has gone quiet, “ignore Nika. She doesn’t mean it, you know that. If you wanna invite her, invite her.” 
And she does, she wants to so badly. It’s insane really because it hasn’t even been a full day since they’d last seen each other but Paige swears something inside her has been missing since. There’s something awfully terrifying about letting Azzi back into the UConn version of her world, the world that the younger girl had once rejected. Still, if they’re going to try this again, she supposes sooner or later, it’ll have to happen. 
“Put her on speaker,” Nika orders when Paige grabs her phone back from her. 
“Nika,” Caroline, younger only by age, warns, pulling the other girl away, “we’re supposed to be cheering her up, not making life harder.”
Azzi answers on the third ring, her voice teasing  “miss me already?”
Yes, Paige thinks, sometimes I think I miss you even when you’re right here next to me, sometimes I think I’ll miss you forever. But she doesn’t say any of that. 
“Not a chance,” she scoffs instead, “besides you called me first.”
“Butt dial.”
“Mmmhmm I’m sure.”
“Shut up,” Azzi laughs and Paige is glad her teammates aren’t here to see the goofy grin that appears on her face at the sound of it, “I just wanted to see if we were doing something tonight?”
“Yeah- umm- you remember I told you about the girls coming down this weekend. They- uh- they wanted to go out tonight and uh- you could come along?” 
There’s a pause on the other end and Paige knows Azzi’s going through the same thought process as her. 
“I don’t wanna intrude on your time with your team P-”
“You wouldn’t be intruding,” Paige cuts in immediately and although she figured her teammates were definitely eavesdropping, Nika cursing about her being “pussywhipped” followed by in-sync shushing from Piath and Caroline, gives them away. 
On the other end of the line, Azzi’s quiet again, “it’s okay P, you go have fun with your friends. We don’t have to spend every night together. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
What she doesn’t say is that maybe they need to learn how to live like that again, how to live apart again. Paige is almost done with the LA part of her rehab, something both of them are still in denial about. It’s only a matter of time before they return back to their two separate worlds and neither of them are sure they’ve managed to repair their friendship enough to not slip back into their foolishness again. 
“But I wanna see you tonight,” Paige whines, her tone teetering on the edge of sounding like a desperate girlfriend, “please.”
“Paige-”
“Pleaseeeeeee. I’m literally injured and begging Az, it’d be mean to say no.”
“What does your injury even have to do with any of this?” Azzi sighs exasperatedly, “but yeah okay fine calm down Bueckers. Send me an address, I’ll be there.”
“You don’t wanna come pregame here?” 
“Dude, let's not push it, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah okay see you,” Paige pauses, “hey Az?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m really happy you’re coming tonight.”
“I’m really happy you’re happy P.”
***
Azzi Fudd is a menace. See, people often get fooled by her soft-spoken nature and shy demeanour, but Paige has been around her long enough to know the truth. In the beginning it was the witty quips the younger girl always had ready whenever they were having some ridiculous argument. After that, it was the direct pranks that wreaked havoc on Paige’s life. But tonight, in Paige’s opinion, tonight is Azzi’s worst offence. She had to have done it on purpose, had to have known the sheer effect it would have on Paige to see her dressed like that. The red criss-cross tank top fits her like a mould and the way her ripped jeans shorts cling to her hips leaves little to the imagination. Her diamond belly button piercing shines against her skin, taunting Paige. She wants to touch, she wants to feel, she wants to do all the unspeakable things in her mind but she’s forced to just watch. 
What she hates most though, is that everybody else is watching too. Since Azzi’s walked into the club, Paige has had to fight the urge to strangle every stranger who had given her best friend an appraising once-over. Some of them let their eyes linger long enough to give her time to plot out the perfect murder strategy (it’s the only way she can stop herself from actually committing a crime tonight). And, as Azzi dances with Caroline, hips swaying to the beat and holding the other girl a little closely, Paige has the irrational urge to hit sweet, kind Caroline of all people. 
The thing is, Azzi’s been a little too attached to Caroline since she got here in Paige’s opinion. And she gets it. Piath, bless her soul, is trying but has always been a little awkward around new people. Nika is definitely not trying, loyally holding onto a grudge on behalf of Paige. Which leaves Caroline, who’s already familiar territory and the younger girl has grasped onto her like a lifeline. But enough is enough Paige decides, as she slips out of her seat with a determined look. Smoothly, she cuts right in between Caroline and Azzi.
“Nika’s a little wasted and I don’t want to deal with,” it’s a blatant lie but Paige knows appealing to Caroline’s more motherly instincts will get her what she wants. She gets a raised eyebrow in return, her teammate clearly catching her ruse because Nika looks visibly fine. But it works anyway and Paige gets Azzi to herself. She reaches for the other girl’s hand, twirling her just so she can hear that stupid silly laugh, and then pulling her back so she’s facing Paige. 
“You having fun?” 
“Always have fun with you P,” Azzi replies. She’s clearly tipsy but there’s no hint of insincerity in her voice. It makes Paige’s breath hitch. 
“Yeah?” she whispers, taking a step closer, “more than with Carol?”
Azzi giggles, “more than anyone.”
The song in the club changes and as the crowd adjusts to it, someone jostles Azzi and immediately Paige grabs at her hips to steady her. As she finds her balance, Azzi’s giggles subside, realising just how close she is to the blonde now. They’re stuck in slow motion as the world dances around them. The combination of adrenaline and alcohol pumping through her veins is what convinces Paige to test the limits. One hand still squeezing at Azzi’s bare waist, revelling in finally getting to touch, she brings up her thumb to trace around Azzi’s lips. The younger girl gulps, but when she doesn’t try to move away, confidence pulses through Paige. Her heart is beating frantically out of her chest, years and years of want and need that she’d shoved as far away as possible, desperately fighting to get to the surface. 
Pushing herself closer, so their chests are now pressed to each other and Azzi’s hands have no choice but to latch onto her biceps, Paige places a delicate, teasing kiss to the corner of Azzi’s lips. She wishes she could record the whine it elicits and listen to it on loop for hours. Smirking, she moves to place another one on the other side, this time pressing her lips a little harder, a little longer. Azzi’s eyes are closed shut, hands gripping onto Paige so tightly, she knows there’ll be a mark on her biceps tomorrow. She cups Azzi’s face with both hands now, her own eyes shutting involuntarily, as she finally, finally brushes their lips together. 
This time, the strangled noise that leaves Azzi’s throat, is one Paige wishes she could forget as the younger girl rips herself away from Paige, the force of it creating almost a foot of distance between them. It doesn’t take long for the familiar sting of rejection to make itself home in her heart. Azzi’s eyes are brimming with tears as she manically shakes her head. Without a word, she rushes through the crowd, making a beeline for the exit, leaving Paige confused and craving for another taste. 
***
It takes Paige a second to gather her thoughts before following the brunette. She ignores the confused glances from her teammates, making some bullshit excuse about fresh air as she fights her way outside. When she gets there, Azzi’s leaning against the wall, eyes closed as she takes in long deep breaths. 
“That’s not usually how girls react when I try to kiss them,” Paige says after a second, trying to make light of the situation, even if her heart is heavy with anxiety. 
It’s the wrong thing to say because Azzi scoffs, “you kiss a lot of girls don’t you.”
“Yeah and most of them kiss me back,” Paige bites back. 
She’s taken aback by the fire in the darker-skinned girl’s eyes as Azzi finally opens them, heaving herself off the wall. 
“I won’t be one of your groupies Paige. I won’t be one of your desperate one night stands. I won’t be just some other hookup. I won’t!”
Frankly she’s a little offended Azzi would even think that of her. She’s aware of her reputation. In fact she’d probably fed into it a little bit, exaggerating her escapades to Azzi on the phone her freshman year, when they had been on the verge of combusing and she’d been desperate to get a rise out of the younger girl. Last year though, last year was different. But Azzi doesn’t know that. 
“I don’t want you to be any of that,” she replies feebly. 
“Then what, do you want me to be?” Azzi’s voice rises with each syllable. 
Paige stutters, the words getting stuck in her throat. The truth is she wants Azzi to be everything. The truth is, Azzi already is everything. Except there’s too much between them and she just can’t say it. They stand in silence until Azzi finally breaks it.
“I think these last few weeks of summer might have been the best of my life,” she says miserably, “and that might be the worst thing ever you know? Because it’s not real. You’re gonna go back to your world and you’ll- you’ll stop replying to my texts and you’ll stop- you’ll stop calling me and I- I don’t know if I can do that again.”
“That’s an awful lot of assumptions you’re making about me,” Paige is on defensive mode now, feeling a fight brewing. 
“Because that’s what happened. Go back through your fucking phone Paige. Look at all the times I tried. And all the times you never did. You just- you cut me out Paige.”
“That’s not fair. You chose fucking UCLA. Over me.”
“No,” Azzi corrects immediately, anger seeping into her tone, “I chose UCLA over UConn. You made it about yourself.”
Paige swallows back a bitter response in favour of trying to prevent a full-fledged argument, “okay, okay let’s not- let’s not do this okay. It’ll be better this time- I- I won’t ignore your calls or texts or you okay? Just- can we just go back inside please?”
“That’s the thing,” Azzi’s anger is gone, replaced by a sad wistful smile, “I don’t know if I believe that you will,” a single tear rolls down her cheek, “I- I don’t fully trust you and you haven’t fully forgiven me. So where do we go from here?”
It’s a lie what they say about the truth setting you free, Paige thinks as Azzi’s words squeeze at her heart, because all it’s done is unleash shackles of despair that holds them both hostage. It had been easy the last couple of weeks, to pretend the last year had never happened. It had been easy for Paige to pretend that she was over what happened, to ignore the part of her brain that still felt so utterly betrayed. 
“Azzi, what are you saying? You don’t- you don’t wanna be friends?” Paige feels nauseous even saying it. 
“No I-” Azzi chews at her bottom lip, “I’m saying this- us- we’re too fragile to complicate even more. I barely- fuck- Paige, I barely survived losing my best friend. I don’t think I could survive losing something more.” 
The worst thing about it all, is that it makes sense. And really, Paige doesn’t know what she’d expected to happen if Azzi hadn’t pulled away when she did. They’d kiss, maybe give in and do more and then what? Shake hands and walk away? Or make false promises that would ultimately lead to resentment? No, Years and years of something deserved better than either of those masochistic endings. It makes sense, it does but it doesn’t mean Paige has to like it. 
In front of her, all the fight evaporates from Azzi’s body, as the younger girl leans back against the brick wall of the club, sliding down and pulling her knees to her chest. She looks every bit as miserable as Paige feels and all the blonde wants to do is wipe away the stress lines creasing against the younger girl’s beautiful phase. She moves to sit down next to her best friend, shuffling so their shoulders are pressed together and intertwines their fingers together. A sigh of relief escapes her when Azzi doesn’t immediately pull away. Instead, she squeezes their hands tighter, as if she’s scared that if she lets go, Paige will disappear. 
“You didn’t lose me you know,” Paige says softly after a second, nudging Azzi’s shoulder when the other girl lets out a noise of protest, “I know, I know it feels like you did. It felt like that to me too except- every time something good or bad happened to me, I heard your voice or- or maybe I just really wanted too. We got lost a little bit but I didn’t- I didn’t lose you and you didn’t lose me. There’s a difference. I don’t think we could ever lose each other like that. Not really.”
When Azzi turns to look at her, the golden glow of the street lights illuminate the emotions in her eyes. She gives Paige a soft smile, “well Bueckers, if basketball doesn’t work out, maybe you have a future in poetry.”
“I could do whatever I wanted,” except what I want to do the most. 
It doesn’t take long for the Uber Azzi’s already called to start pulling up and that familiar ache of longing creeps into Paige’s spine. She knows tonight isn’t their final goodbye; they still have a couple more days. But those days will be spent ignoring and pretending, unlike tonight and the firm grip they have on reality. They rise off of the cold pavement together, dusting themselves off. It takes a second of awkward glances before they’re surging into each other’s arms, squeezing each other so tightly that it’s hard to breathe. Paige wills herself not to cry, hiding her face in the crook of Azzi’s neck. 
“We’ll be okay,” she whispers, unsure if it’s more for her benefit or Azzi’s. 
The unwanted beep of a car is the only reason they reluctantly pull away, hurriedly wiping away unshed tears, they pretend the other can’t see. Azzi musters up a brave smile, before slowly moving away and it takes everything in Paige not to crumble and begs her to stay. Azzi’s halfway to the car when she turns back and it feels like Paige can breathe again. The brunette’s face is conflicted for a second before turning determined, as she starts walking back up. 
“Az-”
Paige’s confusion is stifled as Azzi fists her shirt, pulling her into a searing kiss. It’s desperate and needy and it’s only a few seconds before the dark-haired girl is pulling away again, but it sets Paige’s entire world off balance. 
“I just-” Azzi’s breathing is rapid and uneven, “I’ve wanted to do that since I was fifteen and- just- fuck- I just-,” she blinks up at Paige, “I hate- I hate leaving things unfinished and for fucks sake if you don’t call me back this time Bueckers- just- don’t be a stranger.”
Paige doesn’t get time to answer, she doesn’t think she could even if she did, because Azzi scurries away almost immediately. She stops when she gets to the car, turning back to give Paige one final look, a look that will haunt Paige forever, before getting into the backseat. As Paige watches the back of Azzi’s uber gets smaller and smaller, her tongue darts across her lips as she tries to memorise the faintest taste of Azzi’s strawberry-flavoured lipstick. And she knows, she’s so utterly and completely and terribly fucked.
177 notes · View notes
harmshake · 6 months
Text
Party Favors
🖤 Pairing: Reader (black fem) x Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso 🖤 Warnings: 18+ only, strong language, NSFW, it's smut, girl. 🤭 🖤 Word count: ~2,100
Well, well, well, guess whose birthday is today?! None other than my lovely, amazing, talented, and good Scorpio sis, @theninthwonder! 🥳✨
I hope you enjoy your special day and these Samoan-shaped party favors! 🫠❤️
Tumblr media
It had been a long night but a good one because your boyfriend, Sefa, went out of his way to throw you a birthday party you'd never forget.
You told him not to make a big deal of your 33rd trip 'round the sun because you didn't, but you knew his fine, big-headed behind wouldn't listen. Not when he adored you and tried to make every day count when he was home from work—so your birthday was indeed a big deal to him.
Sefa invited your closest friends and family to the home you both shared for a night of laughs, drinks, good food, and, of course, a birthday sing-along that saw you sitting pretty on a golden and red crushed velvet throne he bought to surround you with matching balloons as your loved ones all made you grin from ear to ear with their off-key yet cute vocals. 
You had a blast but now that it was almost midnight, you were ready to strip out of your red velvet dress and gold tiara and into one of Sefa's shirts to crawl in bed with him for some beauty sleep. Yet there was still a guest packing up a to-go box of cake in your kitchen. You watched Sefa's brother, Jey, as he chatted with his little brother, his smile warm when he pointed it your way. You shot him a tired, brief smile back, trying to ignore the tingle that flitted across your spine. 
"I'mma get out y'all hair in a minute. Lemme just use ya bathroom real quick," he piped up when he noticed you still waiting for him to leave so you could get to bed. 
"I'll lock the door behind him, babe. You can head to bed if you want," Sefa said. 
You nodded and that's when Jey came up to you, gave you a hug, and spoke in your ear, "Have a good rest of your birthday."
You thanked him and quickly disappeared into the bedroom. Thankfully, your boyfriend didn't leave you alone for too long when he approached you from behind as you stood in front of your mirrored dresser to take off your earrings. You felt his muscular arms drape around your waist as he pulled you close to him. His soft lips planted kisses on your shoulder next to the spaghetti strap of your dress, and you already knew what he was up to.
“Mmm, I think I'm ready for bed, baby,” you mumbled with a little moan when his kisses reached your neck. It felt lovely but you truly were worn out from the fun night.
“I'm ready for bed, too…but I don't wanna sleep,” Sefa whispered with a kiss on your cheek that made you grin.
“You know I appreciate you and I love you, but I'm sleepy,” you said honestly as a yawn escaped out of you. It made you both laugh as he squeezed you in his arms.
“Damn…guess you don't wanna see your final birthday gift, huh? I made it special for you…” Sefa said softly. Now he had piqued your interest as you didn't know your boyfriend to be crafty unless it was in the kitchen where he could craft yummy meals for you. You spun around in his arms to hang yours over his neck and made him smile when you pecked him on the lips.
“You made it? Hmm…I guess it would be rude not to see what it is,” you replied.
“Yeah, it would.” He pecked your lips back as he teased you and added, “After, I'll let you sleep all day tomorrow, promise.”
“Damn. I don't know if I'll need the whole day, but thanks, babe,” you said as Sefa took you by your hand and led you to the bed to have a seat. You expected him to retrieve a birthday box from the closet, but he didn't. Your eyes scanned the room for the gift he made before he walked over to the nightstand and pulled something out, but it wasn't wrapped. You saw that he held a black, satin blindfold in his hand.
“You gotta put this on to get your gift,” Sefa demanded as he secured the blindfold over your afro curls to cover your eyes. “Can you see anything?” he asked to be certain and you shook your head. “Aight, good…now lie down for me, baby.”
You did as you were told and you almost blurted why his gift required he peel off your dress as his kisses covered your body…but as he pampered you with his strong hands also massaging you on his way to your thighs, you forgot to complain and instead moaned softly to him.
Yet as Sefa pulled your panties down and slipped off your heels before he kissed his way back up your body, your curiosity got the best of you...“Baby, where's my gift?” you asked and tried to pull up your blindfold. Sefa reprimanded you with a kiss on your lips as he gathered your wrists into his hand before you felt something soft yet sturdy wrap around them. “Is...is that rope?!” you chimed and heard his handsome laugh.
“Yes, it is. I'm 'bout to grab your gift now…” he replied as he fastened you to the headboard and eased up from the bed. You heard him walk out of the bedroom and you lay there naked in anticipation. Was it your birthday cake he baked that he was going to eat off your body? Or maybe the rope and blindfold were the gift...?
Your mind spun with ideas as you heard him re-enter the room, his footsteps quiet and careful as they approached you. You trembled a bit when you felt his weight shift the bed before his smooth lips met your inner thighs. He gripped them as he spread them far apart, making more room for his mouth that turned greedy to taste you. 
If this was ultimately your gift, you were no longer sleepy as he woke you up with lively and long licks, his beard tickling you as he hid his face in your moist warmth. Your back arched off the bed almost immediately as you sought more of his ravenous tongue that slipped and flicked between your folds that he made so wet they sounded squishy as he licked and pulled them between those full lips, suckled your clit, and lapped at it until you felt like you were levitating.
“Yesss, baby, mmmm,” you cried as you rolled your hips, rubbing your pussy up and down his tongue as he held you to his mouth to let you ride his face while your orgasm shuddered through your body. He didn't come up for air until you stopped shaking, mostly, making your heart pound as he kissed your collarbone.
And when his deep, gruff voice whispered in your ear, “Happy birthday, ma,” before he kissed your neck, you thought your heart would pound right out of your chest.
“Oh, my god,” you moaned and shook beneath a second seductive touch that cupped your breasts. You knew this touch to actually be Sefa and as his lips landed on yours, you moaned again into his mouth, “Baby, you didn't…”
“I did. Now relax and enjoy your gift, baby,” Sefa whispered and Jey wrapped his lips around your right nipple, making it taut with his teasing tongue as your boyfriend held your breast to his mouth.
You shook once more, wishing you could rip off the blindfold and see what the hell your boyfriend thought he was doing inviting his brother and your ex into your bedroom…
He was your friend with benefits from a lifetime ago, but you'd never forget how delicious the sex was. When you started dating Sefa last year, your past with Jey was the first thing you reminded him about as you didn't want things to get awkward. But he knew and he didn't care. You swiftly settled into a new and beautiful relationship with him, yet it never made those family functions less interesting as you always caught Jey watching you with hungry eyes, seemingly undressing with you them. You never gave into temptation as you had something good with Sefa, but it seemed even he noticed the spark still flickering between you two…
You wanted to be shocked but of course your boyfriend wanted to give you everything you wanted on your birthday. Which included his big hand caressing down your body with thick fingers that swirled along your messy and sticky lower lips to hold them open as Jey slowly pushed in his middle fingers to curl them along your sweet spot, your moans ringing out as that spark threatened to turn into another fire that both men stoked with their skilled touches.
“So fuckin' wet...you still like it like this, ma?” Jey's voice floated into your ears as he pulled one of your thighs to his chest and replaced his fingers with that dick, sinking his thick, blunt head into you and listening to you cry out as he ground his hips to get deeper, your other thigh resting on his as he sat up straight. You didn't need to see to know that's the exact way he looked as he clearly remembered the position that made you cum fastest. 
And he did so now, pulling you to him over and over as he tapped the back of your pussy with strokes that stretched you in a new yet familiar way, strokes that had you tossing your head back as you tried not to moan his name with your boyfriend right next to you sucking on your left nipple. Yet Jey tested your gangsta with thrusts he plunged into you harder...and harder... 
You whimpered unintelligible syllables instead from his dick knocking some sense out of you, yet Sefa’s fingertips kissed your clit, his lips now kissing your earlobe and grunting, “Speak up, baby.”
“Yeah, listen to him…tell me how you like this…” Jey grunted, too, leaning into you just a bit to wind his strokes up, hitting your g-spot that throbbed as soon as he found a rhythm that made you curse him. 
"Ffffuck, Jey." You couldn't hold in the moan or his name that fell from your lips. It made him let out a dark chuckle before a moan of his own as your pussy gripped him with your orgasm surging closer and closer. Especially with Sefa's fingers nudging your sweetest spot, lifting the hood to trace soft circles on it and make you see white beyond the black from the blindfold.
"Mmhmm...now tell me you like it," Jey growled with another hard thrust up on your g-spot to send tingles through your body.
“I like it, unhhh, god, I like it,” you nearly shouted as he pumped in and out along your spot and Sefa put his lips to your neck to give you love bites while his fingers and Jey's thrusts made you fall under their spell. You gushed and came so lusciously, so hard, you thought you did slip into another realm, both their hands roaming your body to remind you that you still even had one. 
“Don't fall asleep yet, baby…we ain't done,” Sefa purred to you when you finally returned to earth, the back of his hand caressing your face. You realized too late that it wasn't his hand but Jey's as he pressed his lips to yours. Your boyfriend had switched places with him and gently flipped you over onto your stomach, the rope around your wrists providing enough give to rest your elbows on the bed when he scooped your hips up so your knees could, too.
As you felt him tap his dickhead at your tender, little entrance that fluttered around him when he took his time pushing inside, you whined for him at the same Jey added in a husky tone, “Betta not be tired. Me and Sef got somethin' else for you...”
You wished you could see the sexy smirk you knew was on his lips…but you wished even more to know what he was up to when he climbed off the bed. But Sefa distracted you, stealing your attention with his hips moving with yours as he groaned with you, burying his long strokes in your stomach and giving you no space to run.
You wanted to clutch your pillow, he was hitting so damn good, but your arms remained stubbornly attached to the headboard and out of the way…and Jey's way as you heard him return to your side with something silky smooth and round that he twirled along your breasts and nipples beneath you. Yet when that smooth, round thing suddenly vibrated in languid, pulsing caresses on your clit, you realized the brothers planned on keeping you up all night, already tiring out your voice as your moans now flew out raspy.
From the blindfold, the rope, and now the bullet that made you see stars in the dark, you couldn't believe Sefa went to these lengths to sneak such party favors into the bedroom.
But with his hands clamped to your waist as he hammered into you while Jey nudged the bullet to your delicate spot, his voice low and hypnotic in your ear as he crooned, “So pretty like this...you gon' cum for us, birthday girl?" you felt sinfully spoiled by their gift made just for you.
.
.
.
Thanks for reading! 🖤
Tag squad 🫶🏾
@harlem11680 @mzv11 @visionarymode @miyuhpapayuh @cyberdejos2 @thesamoanqueen @vebner37 @dreamsinfocus @fame-ass-ers @southerngirl41 @jeyusos-girl @nayys-world @msbigredmachine @purplehairgawdess @dayjlovesromance @mohawkmama @smuts-whore @po3ticb3auty @alyyaanna @usosthetics @murrylove @papireigns-05 @vintage-pvssy @christinabae @bebesobrielo @urasunflower @iguessilikewrestlingnow @seeingstarks @555sage @unfriendly--blvck--hottie @tabletheofhead @weirdosandhopelessromantics  @venusesworld @ariieeesworld @sassginaswanmills @gomussy @theglamclosetsl @baeusos @2-muchsauce @empressdede @woahdude9481 @browngalmal @twocentuar
315 notes · View notes
writingforcuteppl · 7 months
Text
Hopeless
PAIRING: Monkey D. Luffy x Reader
SUMMARY: After Usopp left the crew, you knew Luffy wouldn’t like anyone to disturb him, unless it’s you.
GENRE: Angst and fluff 
WARNINGS: Established relationship. Mentioned of blood.
WORD COUNT: 595 words
A/N: I promised myself I wasn’t going to write about One Piece until I had my AOT series out, but I watched Usopp leave the crew yesterday, and this is my way to cope because that was heartbreaking, so enjoy!!!
Tumblr media
“Hey,” you whispered to Luffy, who was leaning on the fence on the rooftop of the hotel you were staying for the night, wanting to get his attention and also trying hard not to start crying again after watching the dreadful fight Luffy and Usopp had not long ago.
“I don’t wanna talk about it.” Luffy didn’t even look your way, something that wasn’t normal, at least for him. He always greeted you with a bright smile and sparkly eyes. And it hurt you to see him like this.
Also, this was the first time you ever saw him cry, and you couldn’t bear the thought of that happening again.
“I know, but maybe a little company can help.” You made your way next to him. You didn’t really know how Luffy was going to react in this situation. It’s the first time he not only lost a crewmate but also a friend. It felt like a part of all of you was missing.
“Do you think it was a mistake? Choosing to leave the Merry here?“ Luffy asked, wanting to know your opinion. Even if he was the captain, he knew sometimes he needed common sense from anyone in the crew. He knows he can be reckless sometimes.
“It was your decision, Captain.”
“Please, tell me what you really think. Forget just this time, I’m your captain. And tell me what you think as my girlfriend,” you sighed.
“I don’t know much about ships. I do know our ship holds meaning for all of us. And it holds even more meaning to Usopp. After all, Kaya gave us the ship.” Luffy only nodded. “I also think everything has to come to an end, and if this was the end of the Merry, then I would gladly say goodbye to it with a smile. It was the best ship we could’ve asked for.”
“And the fight..?”
“I also believe that was bound to happen. You heard Usopp. The Merry was just the final straw. He already made up his mind even before you told him about the Merry.” 
“I don’t think he’s weaker, that… That’s what he said.”
“ I think-“You stayed in silence before correcting what you were going to say, “No, I’m sure no one thinks like that, Luffy. Which makes me think everything that happened today with the Franky Family made him think so poorly of himself.” Without even realizing it, Luffy wrapped his arms around you, holding you in his warm embrace. You hugged him back, letting him know you were there for him. Your hands made their way to his hair, and you started to caress it. 
As you felt Luffy’s tears wet your shirt, you tried to think of a life where the crew wouldn’t have Usopp, and it made your heart ache. If it hurt you like this, you can’t imagine how bad this affected the others, let alone Luffy.
“I swear I didn’t want it to escalate so quickly,” he cried softly, and you tried to calm him down by patting his head.
“I know that everything seems to be crumbling down, and you feel hopeless. Unfortunately, I believe all of us feel this way. This was a long day. But believe me when I say everything will be alright, Luffy.”
“How?”
“I really don’t know how, but everything seems to resolve somehow. One way or another,” Luffy’s hold became stronger as if he didn’t want you to go. Fearing you would also leave him. “No matter what happens, I will never leave you, Luffy.”
“Promise?”
“Promise”
Tumblr media
REQUESTS ARE OPEN
n a v i g a t i o n
340 notes · View notes
sparkles-rule-4eva · 28 days
Text
Alrighty! @number-one-shadisper-shipper and I binged the Knuckles series today, so time for thoughts! SPOILER ALERT.
I'll admit the show wasn't perfect. I've seen the negative reviews, and I kinda get where they come from. BUT! I did enjoy this show greatly! And I'm not here to complain. Time for some happy thoughts, y'all! 💙🤩
I think you need to have a love, not just tolerance, for the SCU in order to properly enjoy this show. I do have such, so I had a lot of fun with it.
There were definitely scenes from every episode that had me either squealing, laughing, crying, or flipping out. But my favorite was likely the first episode, because come on, we saw the Wachowski family! Most of them, anyway! While I missed Tom's presence, I was grateful for that comment from Maddie about him being "out of town," so he wasn't just gone for no reason.
The SECOND it showed our three space babies hanging out together in their room?! I SCREAMED. THE BOYS!!!!
Tumblr media
Tails sitting on his bed tinkering with one of his gizmos, Sonic rocking out to music with an air guitar, and Knuckles exercising from one of the ceiling planks. IT'S THEM!!! They're just hanging out, doing their thing, looking oh so much like brothers. And Sonic's narration at the beginning was GOLD. 🤣💙
Even though we didn't get enough of Maddie being a parent, we definitely got a nice chunk for it only lasting part of an episode. Maddie called Knuckles "one of our kids" (that had me SCREECHING). The angry mama vibes were GOLDEN. 🤣 The way she made breakfast for them, the "Boys, breakfast is ready!" I love the normalcy of it! Can't wait to see more in the future! (Her calling to them with "boys" is somehow just the sweetest thing and I'm melting.)
The poor mailman being like "I just wanna go home, man" 🤣
We were right, fellas, Knuckles had no idea what being grounded meant. 🤣 Although the way Sonic piped up with "Oh, I definitely know what it means," has me suspecting that Sonic himself has gotten grounded a decent amount before. 😂
Knuckles trying to talk back, and Maddie going, "ExCUSE ME?!" then just making those tiny, terrifying noises and Sonic being like "Bro don't mess with Mom when she's mad" (okay, he didn't say "mom" and that made me sad, but the mom vibes were 110% there so I'm here for it). 😂 And since Knuckles snuck out and later Wade said, several times, "Aren't you grounded?" seems to confirm that this entire show is basically what Knuckles does when he's grounded. 🤣 Although ... his comment about not being able to be grounded because he had no home made me very sad. 😭
I did not have an issue with so much Wade screentime! Sure, he isn't my favorite SCU character, but I love what this show did with him! I'd already seen his moments in the movies (like nearly shooting Robotnik in the face with an actual handgun). I like how they gave him actual family issues; a dad who abandoned him and his family, a realistic sister, a mom. Bad family memories. Awkward reunions. They could've made it a joke, but they didn't, and I greatly appreciate that. Especially since I've witnessed firsthand how painful family separations can be. 😔
All the emotional talks Wade and Knuckles had caught me off guard in the best way! The way they talked about their different family issues, the way they talked of betrayal from friends, and being left alone, hit way harder than I was prepared for. Especially that talk they had at the burger place in the middle of the night? Oof. Good talk right there.
Also, even though they took a "show don't tell" take with it, I loved how Knuckles relaxed more and more throughout the show. In the beginning, he couldn't rest, he couldn't sit back and have a genuine good time. But the more he hung out with Wade and his family, the more he learned. He learned about music and found "his jam" (that was literally amazing btw). He watched movies with Mrs. Whipple and ate snacks in the hotel room in Reno and watched more movies. He had his teenager moments of rolling his eyes and rebelling, but he was so well portrayed here, I loved it. I felt for him.
Despite the bizarre nature of the episode "Flames of Disaster," (we were cracking up so hard) I'm trying to glean bits of the truth of Knuckles's story from the crazy musical play that Pachacamac put on in Wade's dream. I mean, "Longclaw" and her tribe were there, and ... what the heck was that giant demon thing?! Iblis?! Does our Knuckles Wachowski have an actual history with freaking Iblis?!?! 😱🔥
I was deeply intrigued by the two main antagonists, especially at the implication that G.U.N. did seem to exist before the events of the first movie?! Did it exist, get disbanded after the Maria incident, then get reformed?! My brain is exploding. 🤯 I was even more shocked that they apparently died? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, the Wachowski kids don't seem to have much qualms about getting rid of the baddies for good as the game versions do. That was a terrifying phenomenon, what happened with the two rings. 🫣
And then the Buyer getting crushed by the giant glass ball 👀
Although in those last two episodes, I admit I was freaking out and legitimately near tears at Wade's seemingly having to "betray" Knuckles. Before the reveal that all was in good communication, all I could think was how relaxed Knuckles finally seemed, chilling in the hotel room, being excited about whatever Wade wanted to "show" him, questioning whether it was a song, him declaring that he was going to bring his favorite hat, 🥹 all I could think was of their previous discussions about betrayal from friends and family, and when Knuckles called Wade "my friend" right before the elevator doors closed, I just about sobbed. I was like "please, don't let him be betrayed, don't let him have come all this way and relaxed so much only to get 'betrayed' once again by someone he's come to consider a friend." 😭 We heaved a HUGE sigh of relief when it revealed he was aware of the trap the whole time. 😪
Maternal instincts went nuts when he got so badly hurt in that final battle 😭 I literally reached for the screen several times and was right back to almost weeping 🥲 And someone tell me I wasn't the only one noticing the parallel in that scene with Wade standing in front of his unconscious body the way Tom did with Sonic in the first movie. That, PLUS Knuckles's epic comeback, and his retrieval of his own power?!?! EPIC!!!!
The ending was abrupt, sure, but the pure joy on Knuckles's face after everything as he jumped up to high five Wade was just too sweet. 🥹
Tumblr media
So yes, even though I would have loved just a little more, a return to Green Hills, a reunion with Maddie, Sonic, and Tails, I adored this show. It was a wild ride, full of laughs, tears, excited screeching, etc. 💙💛❤️ I don't care what anyone says, nothing will make me hate it.
112 notes · View notes
bellarkeselection · 4 months
Note
can you do a cole walter x y/n in the rain storm scene.
cole and y/n get into a fight and y/n get out of the car in the pouring rain and cole comes out too to try and solve the issue and they argue and then kiss at the end??
Rainy Night Confessions
Tumblr media
The car ride was the most silent it had ever been in my whole life of knowing the Walter family. Even though it was just me and Cole it was still strange as hell. Normally he would talk about something, make a teasing joke to try and get on my nerves. But in this moment there has been nothing said. Shifting in the passenger seat I did my best to face him. “So are you going to talk to me or are we just going to drive in silence?”
“I didn’t think you wanted to talk with me after you stormed out of the cafeteria at school today.” He pointed out keeping his eyes on the road.
Shifting my gaze to the front of the road I recalled what he was talking about. I had stormed out of the room after seeing him and Jackie spending time together. I got mad because I have basically had a crush on him for years but never had the guts to tell him. “I just didn't want to talk right then.”
“Do you want to talk about what happened now? I mean I can do a quiet drive but as your friend I thought you knew you could talk to me about something that upset you.” Cole glanced over at me and I could hear the hurt in his voice.
Tapping my fingers on my legs I started to say something to him but decided not to. “Cole, there's something I should have told you a long time ago. I have…forget it.” I grabbed the door handle and jumped out of the truck where he had to slam on the brakes so he didn’t nearly run me over.
“What the hell!” Cole cursed under his breath watching me standing out in the pouring rain. He gets out of the truck standing in front of the headlights. “You wanna explain why the hell you just jumped out of a moving vehicle on me.”
Wrapping my arms around myself I was now soaked from head to toe. It was likely I’ve even caught a cold out here but I couldn’t take being in a confined space with him. “I don’t wanna talk right now, Cole. Just leave me alone please.”
“I can’t do that. You’ll get a cold out here. So can we have this conversation inside the truck otherwise my mom will have my ass if you get sick.” He offered an alternative, not understanding why.
I throw my head back growling in his face. “You know everyone talks about the Cole Effect and how you are such a people person. But I don’t understand it because you clearly can’t see how I feel about you.”
“How I feel about you. Are you telling me that you have feelings for me?” He asked me slowly, walking towards me.
Slapping my hands over my eyes I growled kicking up some gravel with my shoes. “God, how blind can you be? Of course I have a massive crush on you, you idiot!” Stomping towards him I didn’t give him the chance to respond when I crashed my lips up onto his since he was taller than me.
Cole paused in his actions taken back by how forward you were in the moment. He was usually the one with girls to make the first move while they fell all over him but you were never that person. He put one hand on my waist and his other rested against my cheek kissing me back.
I gripped his jacket in my fingers leaning up on my toes deepening the kiss. Cole moaned into the kiss when one of my hands threaded into his dirty golden locks. He pressed his body up against mine where we searched for a way to be closer but couldn’t seem to find another way and sadly we needed air so we had to break both staring at the other heavily panting. “I didn’t say anything because I thought you just saw me as a friend.”
“So then why was Erin so upset the other day after school. I saw you two talking before she slapped you the other day.” I asked him resting my hands on the material of his jacket, while the rain was still pouring down on us.
Cole looked up at the sky dragging me back toward the truck opening my door quickly. I climbed back into my seat and he got in on his side shutting the door before he ever said something back. “I broke up with her for good this time. I finally realized the only person I wanted to be with is you.”
“I can’t believe you actually like me. And I’m sorry that I had to confess my feelings out here in the pouring rain.” I apologize to my friend and now boyfriend you can say to me with such joy.
Cole draped his arm over my shoulder and started turning the engine back on so we could go home and not get stuck out in the storm. “It's okay, darling. But please don’t do it again or my mother will have both our asses if we come to her house sick.” He kisses my forehead feeling me snuggling my head against his chest.
Comments really appreciated ❤️
Tag list- send me an ask to be added @cognacdelights @connieisthesun @bbabycass
159 notes · View notes
kazoosandfannypacks · 10 days
Text
same premise as a fake dating au, but make it platonic:
"I've never met you before, but you're the only other woman in this bar and this guy's been creeping on me; can you pretend to be my childhood best friend?"
"I told my sister I was going to babysit her son, but only because I accidentally told my date tonight that I'm a single parent and she wanted to meet my kid."
"This indie cafe offers cheaper drinks if you refer a friend; wanna pretend we know each other?"
"You jokingly said that we've been friends for years, but someone believed it, so even though we've never met each other this is objectively a very funny bit to commit to"
"oh shoot i told my parents i was hanging out with friends but it's actually a date and now my parents are here and can't know about this; quick, let's join these kids from school so it doesn't seem suspicious"
"oh the group discount is a family discount? well, I'd like to introduce my 'siblings'"
"This contest is father/son only and it's been my dream to win this for years, but dad's not in the picture anymore. I know you're just a good friend of my mom, but I know your angle; I'll put in a good word with her if you pretend to be my dad today"
"it's career day at school, but one parent is unemployed and the other one's gone. i know you're just an employee at the coffee shop i study at, but do you think you could take their place?"
"we're dating but if my parents find out they won't let you come on vacation with us so we'll have to pretend to be just friends"
"we're coworkers who look so much alike everyone asks if we're related and from now on we're going to say yes."
"i walked into the restaraunt and made eye contact with my ex while he's on a date with another girl. I can't just walk out and I can't eat alone with him right over there; can I pull up a chair and join you ladies?"
"i want to go on this father/son camping trip, but my dad's not around. you've been my mentor figure at church for a while; wanna pretend to be my dad?"
"i come in and visit with the ladies in the nursing home every month. one lady with dementia thinks I'm her granddaughter and it doesn't help to correct her. the nurses said her family doesn't ever want to visit. she keeps asking about my sister [I don't have a sister] and saying how much she misses her, and I know it's gonna sound really horrible if i ask you to help me lie to an elderly dementia patient, but....."
feel free to add more! tag me if you use these :D
130 notes · View notes
damiansgoodgirll · 5 months
Note
can you please do an story about Damian and Reader where her "friends" forgot her BDay and Damian is the only one who recognize something was wrong and she's telling him that's her BDay and he makes it an unforgettable weekend and later confess to her?!
damian priest x reader
Tumblr media
bday party
realising that it was your birthday and none of your friends wished you an happy birthday or asked you if you were doing something for that day actually hurt you.
you’ve been there for every one of your friends, for their birthdays, their weddings, whatever party they wanted to do. you’ve always been there but no one was there for you on your own special day.
being in an other city, away from your family, hurt you more. they were the only one to remember your birthday but the fact that they weren’t with you left you with a sense of sadness washing over you.
you hoped that maybe your gym friends remembered since you talked about it for the past week but once you hit the gym everyone greeted you normally, like nothing changed.
the only person to notice your humor was damian, you’ve met him when you started going at the same gym but everytime you talked it was mostly small talks. some about your personal lives and some about your jobs, a part of that, you weren’t that much friends. you were texting over instagram sometimes but not about anything in particular.
you’ve always found him attractive and truth be told you loved watching him in the gym but you knew you weren’t his type. you weren’t the type of girl a gym person like him would date.
but you couldn’t be more wrong.
damian had a crush on you. he developed feelings since the moment he saw you. he couldn’t get enough and his stalking abilities made it easier for him to find your instagram. he wanted to ask you out so bad but he didn’t know what kind of life he could give you. he was away from home all the time and he knew he couldn’t bring you with him.
he thought about those things all the time but that never stopped his feeling for you.
he wasn’t sure what was going on but there was something in your looks that was telling him that something was off.
“hey y/n! you okay?” he asked softly approaching you.
“hi damian” you greeted him with your soft voice “yes everything okay” you smiled.
“you sure? you know you can tell me if there’s something bothering you…” he smiled at you. a genuine smile you haven’t seen in months.
“it’s just…it doesn’t matter…”
“it does matter if it’s the reason i haven’t seen you smiling or laughing all morning” he teased.
“well, it’s my birthday and…well, none of my friends remembered it but it doesn’t really matter…” you awkwardly said, trying to not sound childish because in your mind it sounded stupid being mad for something like that.
“happy birthday hermosa” he said hugging you.
you never felt that hot in your life.
“t-thank you…i really appreciate it” you smiled.
“do you have any plans or things you wanna do today?”
“i actually have to finish some work but i was thinking of maybe watching a movie and ordering some pizza tonight since i’ll be alone anyway…” you whispered the last part and damian caught that too.
“text me your address after lunch, i’ll pick you up and take you somewhere nice” he said leaving before you could actually reply.
and so you did.
you had no idea where he was taking you so you tried to be elegant but not too extra at the same time.
he took you to a cinema and you both comfortably watched the new hunger games movie and ended up eating some pizza at the cute place near your home.
“you really shouldn’t have done it…maybe you had other plans today” you felt a little apologetic.
“no other plans, trust me…”
he loved spending the day with you. he got to know you better. definitely better than the usual ten minutes talk at the gym. he got to know what you liked, how you loved your pizza, what drinks you drink, what music you like to listen, what movies and shows you like to watch and more. he was comfortable with you and he wished every day was like this.
“still…you didn’t have to do it for me…” you smiled.
“i loved doing it for you” he said seriously, his eyes never leaving yours and you felt butterflies all over your body.
“then…thank you so much for the night” you whispered.
“you’re very welcome…even if you haven’t eaten the cake yet…” he said before taking a candle from his jacket and lighting it up for you “make a wish hermosa” he said with his deep voice.
“i think it already came true…” you teased back. before you could eat your piece of cake, he gently grabbed your hand and kissed the palm of it.
“it could be like this every night if you want to, you know…” he whispered, keeping your hand close to his lips “i really like you y/n and if you give one chance i could show you how i feel about you…”
“okay…” you whispered.
“okay” he smiled and kissed your hand again, making you forget about the cake.
honestly? fuck the cake if he could give you dessert every night.
170 notes · View notes
ultralightpoe · 5 months
Text
Full House llll l -Eddie Munson
Authors Note: And with this final chapter we say goodbye to the Munson family. Thank you to everyone who has read this series.
Warnings: angst, mentions of ptsd and fear of suicide but not a lot.
Word Count: 10,129
Part One HERE - Part Two HERE - Part Three HERE - Part Four HERE - Part Five HERE -
Tumblr media
(Thanks for the gif @spookynebula )
Enjoy! -Warning. This chapter had mentions of depression and ptsd. Reader hints at suicide-
It was insane how fast things escalated that night. 
Friday nights had become somewhat of a massive tradition in the entire group, since that was the one night that EVERYONE had off. It became a family dinner/ game night all around. 
Everyone brought over plates of food, the kids all got to spend time together and the DnD party got a night to catch up on their campaign. Anyone who didn’t want to play got some time to relax with friends. 
Tonight was an extra special night because everyone was celebrating Dustin and Erica’s son, Luke’s birthday. 
So the second you all got home from all the activities and clubs and meetings everyone got cracking and starting setting up. Ziggy cleaned the downstairs living room that became the kids play room with the help of Halen. 
You helped clean up the living room before leaving Eddie and Ozzy to set up their DND tables for their respective campaigns as you went to start the food. 
By 7, an hour earlier than her normal time, Motley comes in with a smile that has you on edge immediately. 
It’s not that she was a bad kid, you loved your daughter more than the world itself, you just didn’t like her current path. And you had gotten used to the coming in and stomping straight into her room  so this smile told you something was up. 
“Hey ma!” She smiles, moving forward to kiss your cheek. 
“Hi angel.” You mumble, making a kiss noise back as you focus on the food. “We’re doing chicken Alfredo tonight for everyone so-“ 
“I was actually hoping I could go to Samantha’s for a movie night.” She smiles, watching you pause and then look at her. 
“Again?” It had been a year since she had attended one of these family dinners since her and Samantha did movie nights. “Wait, I thought you were mad at Samantha for something. When I was doing laundry you were on the phone talking about her.” 
“You were eavesdropping?!” 
“No, I was doing your laundry and you were talking loudly!” You snap. “And I’m gonna have to say no to the movie night because it’s Luke’s birthday. A special event.” 
“And next week it will be Uncle Jonathan’s birthday and after that Sara’s birthday-“ a small smile spreads across your face at the mention of Sara, the cute toddler girl Mike and El had brought into the world. She was so sweet and reminded you of your kids back then. 
“That’s the thing about birthdays. They happen every year?” You mumble, confused on why you have to explain this as she curses under her breath. 
“I just mean it’s always something with this family.” 
“Okay. I already said no so suck it up buttercup.” You snap, turning back to the food. 
Eddie comes into the kitchen with an excited smile when he sees Motley home, and you already know what’s coming. 
“Hey Metalhead. You wanna see how cool I am?” 
“Sure.” She snaps, rolling her eyes at him. 
“People say I’m magic, cause I always have a few Twix up my sleeve.” Just as he says it he makes the Twix candy bar slide down into his awaited palm with such excitement. 
“Wow dad.” She sighs. “This is an all time low.” 
“Oh! Twix!” Halen snatches it and dashes to go fine his best friend. 
“You eat today?” Eddie asks Motley, trying not to let her mood get at him. “We have snacks set up already-“ 
“Why do you constantly feel the need to ask me if I’ve eaten?!” She snaps. 
“What?! I just want to make sure my daughter actually eats instead of that dieting smell a carrot bullshit!” 
“UGH! Just leave me alone! This house sucks!” She stomps downstairs and Eddie turns to you. 
“What’d I do now?” 
“I actually told her no to something before you came in so it was me.” You explain, using the spoon to pull out a noodle and move to feed it to him. 
And before you know it everything is packed with people. 
Steve and Nancy came in a bundle of hugs, Eddie making a tall joke to their tallest son which makes Vinny laugh nervously as he moves out of the way for his three younger brothers to come in. 
Vinny takes his spot at Ozzys table, getting his dice ready as two of his brothers join him while the third dashes to follow Ziggy to go play with Zeppelin. 
Steve takes a seat at Ozzys table as well, since he wanted to play but didn’t really know how he was playing Ozzys campaign to learn the basics of the game. 
Jonathan and his son arrive soon enough, Halen snatching his friend and they dash upstairs to play video games as Jonathan takes a seat on the couch where you Nancy and Robin always sit and talk shit about anyone and anything. 
Eddie tries to call Motley up for dinner but she doesn’t answer so he just shrugs and starts his campaign, missing the pointed eye roll Vinny had. 
“He prefers to be called Vince now.” Nancy explains over her wine. “And Steve found not one but 4 little notes from girls or guys asking him out. All unanswered and just shoved into his desk drawer.”
“I still can’t believe you’re raising a valedictorian. Any idea on where he’s applying to colleges?” Jonathan asks. 
“Oh come on.  The kid is tall, attractive, has amazing grades and an all around good student. Not to mention the star baseball player for the team. It doesn't matter where he’s applying because they are all going to be reaching out to him.” Robin scoffs, making Nancy smile. 
You hear a bunch of groans coming from Ozzys table and look over to see your son smiling just like his dad as the table is panicking on what to do. 
When you look over at Eddie you see he is already smiling from ear to ear as he watches before the sound of Zeppelin barking in the back yard pulls your attention. 
“What was that?” Mike asks, trying to look out the window. 
“Probably just heard a car door. Dogs on about everything lately.” Eddie sighs, focusing back up on the game. 
Then some more time passes and he begins to get to get more and more anxious. Motley hadn’t eaten so she should come up. 
“Hey Zig?” He calls. “Send your sister up please!” 
There’s a slight rustle downstairs and he hears Ziggy knock before swinging the door open. His first sign of trouble is when he doesn’t hear Motley immediately scream at her sister to get out of her room. 
But he thinks that maybe she managed to fall asleep, she did come from cheer practice after all. 
That is until Ziggy dashes upstairs and Eddie is met with her wide eyes that makes everything fall into a panic for him. 
“What’s up?”
“She’s not there.” 
“She’s not where?” 
“She’s not in her room-“ Eddie is zipping out of his chair to zoom downstairs and check for himself, barging into her room to find it empty. “You’ve gotta be kidding me-“ 
He moved to see that she had somehow shimmied out of the small window she had and he gets pissed. 
How long has she been doing that?! 
He storms back upstairs, snatching the phone angrily as you come closer, watching him dial Perez' number and wait. 
“Hello, this is Eddie Munson. I just need to make sure my daughter got to you house safely-“ he stops, heart thundering in his rib cage at the man’s response as you keep peering at him. “What do you mean she’s not there?” 
Vinny is watching you both, an annoyed look on his face as everyone’s mood immediately drops, once again for Motley. She ruined everything these days. 
“She’s at a party.” He sighs. “Her boyfriend Aaron and his best friend Henry are throwing a huge rager tonight.” 
“I thought she wanted to go to Samantha’s?” He asks you, confused since that’s what you told him earlier. 
“Her and Samantha haven’t actually been friends for months. Samantha is too nerdy now.” Vinny explains and Steve sighs. 
“Vin, why didn’t you say anything?” 
“She’s not my business. I try to stay far away from her these days-“ 
“Why?” You ask, getting defensive of your daughter. 
“Because they make everyone’s lives miserable. They just constantly bully Mickey about his stuttering. Samantha is bullied about her weight and all they do is walk through the halls making everyone miserable. And she just lets it happen with a laugh. She thinks it’s great.” 
Your heart breaks, imagining all the things he is saying as Eddie is losing patience.
“The party's address. Where is it?” He snaps, moving to grab his keys. 
“Eds..” you mumble, reaching out to stop him but the second he has the address he is out the front door. 
So you, and everyone else, wait. 
Sending all the kids including your twins down stairs to watch a movie as the adults and teens sit around and wait for Eddie’s car to emerge again. 
And when they do you already know it’s gonna be bad based on the way they both slam the doors. 
He’s yelling before they even make it to the front door. 
“I’m sick of this bullshit with you!” He shouts. “When’s it gonna stop, huh?!” 
“Fuck off!” She screams back, obviously crying. “You just ruined my life!” 
“No Motley, I just helped it!” He yells, opening the door. “I can’t fucking believe you.” 
“Why do you care so much?!” She screams as they both come into view. “IT WAS JUST A PARTY!” 
“YOU WERE DRINKING AND SMOKING!” He screams back, both red in the face. “I HAD TO PULL THAT FUCK OFF OF YOU! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED MOTLEY?!
“Right. So you’re the hero once again right? You barge in and take control over everything and now everyone is gonna say what a wonderful guy you were and how my mom is so lucky she found you.” She sneers, tears streaming down her face and makes her eyeliner stain her cheeks. “Thank god for Eddie fucking Munson. My family was fine before she met you! We were fine without you!”
“I don’t know what you’re on about but you’re on thin ice tonight.” He warns. 
“Just fucking say it! Say I remind you of my dad! That’s why you hate me right?!” She snaps and his eyes widen. 
“Motley- you don’t. Wait-“ your husband tries, you see the panic on his face as he realizes that this situation was spinning out far too quickly. 
Meanwhile Eddie felt like he couldn’t breathe. He had just found his daughter half asleep with some jock on top of her at a party and he was freaked the fuck out. He was mad and stressed and scared but the feeling he was getting as she glared at him made him go cold. 
He had his tiffs with her, these days all he could seem to do was irritate her but this was something entirely different. 
“I’m Billys kid right? That’s all I am to you? I look and act like him! That’s all you see! Right?!” 
“You’ve had a lot to drink.” Eddie sighs, rubbing his face. “Maybe you should go get some rest.” 
“You talk all this bullshit about how it’s the people that raise us and not the ones we’re made from. But you know what I think? I think you’re lying because you know that’s not true. I’ll always be like Billy and you will always be like Alan.” She continues and Eddie feels something cold in his chest, a cracking feeling as his ears start ringing. He hears you shuffle closer already trying to diffuse the situation but neither of them look at you. 
When he doesn’t respond she keeps going, like a feral animal backed into a corner. 
“You think I haven’t heard the stories?! Huh?! Alan Munson arrested for drug abuse and manslaughter. Eddie Munson, the schools fucking freak that sold drugs and killed Chrissy Cunningham.” 
“I am nothing like him-“ Eddie snaps, skin hot and fists clenched. Alan was an abuser, who had hit Eddie more than he hugged him.  Eddie had never hit you, or the kids. He had never killed anyone, not even Chrissy and sure he sold drugs but he always made sure everyone was safe when using them. 
Is that how she saw him? 
“You’re just like him! Nothing but a low life fucking freak. You can take your cheap fucking necklace back, freak.” She sobs, tearing off the necklace he made her and chucking it at his chest. Some of the chain hits his cheek at how hard she threw it, and it falls to the floor beneath him with a clank. 
And just like that he’s back to nothing. All the hard work he’s done to run from his name and all the hard work he’s put into supporting people is gone. She’s right. He’s nothing but a freak. Always has been and always will be. 
Her face falls from one of pure anger to shock and sadness as she watches him. He doesn’t know what he looks like but by your devasted face it can’t be great. 
“I’m going to bed.” He announces, voice sounding bland and empty, kicking his mothers ring away from his feet and moving upstairs without another word. 
“W-wait dad-“ she gasps out, sobering up a bit. “Please just-“ 
He doesn’t hear. Or he just blatantly ignores her as the bedroom door slams harshly. 
“No. No no no.” She sobs, falling to her knees to try and find where the ring had gone after Eddie kicked it. Her fingers grasp around the chain, sobbing harder when she sees it snapped and broken. 
Ziggy comes into view then, eyes wide as she watches her sister scramble across the floor. 
“Ziggy. You need to go downstairs-“ you try and control the situation, moving your daughter to head back only to find that all of the kids were standing in the kitchen and had heard everything. 
“I think it’s time we go.” Steve mumbles, not looking at Motley as everyone begins to grab their kids and make their way out. 
She can’t breathe, she can’t breathe and she can’t find the ring. 
“Z-zig- help me p-please. I can’t find it.” She sobs, reaching her arm under the couch to try and feel for it. 
Ziggy doesn’t move to help her sister, and you can only watch with tears streaming down your face as your oldest breaks down. 
“Ididntmeanit!” She sobs. “Pleasebelieveme-“ 
“I think everyone needs to go to bed.” You state calmly. “Motley we will discuss all of this in the morning once we’ve all had room to breathe. Okay?” 
She nods, still violently sobbing as Ziggy walks away from her and storms downstairs. Halen has tears streaming down his own face as Ozzy grabs his arm to lead him upstairs, hearing nothing but silence coming from their parents room. 
You shuffle away too, trying not to look at her and trying not to cry. You had no clue what to do right now. 
She searches for a couple minutes before realizing the point was mute since she couldn’t actually see from her eyes anymore with how hard she was crying and finally she gave up, shuffling downstairs. 
At first she walks to her room, but the second she hits the door she realizes she doesn’t want to be alone so she moves closer to Ziggys door and knocks softly. 
Back when you first moved in, Motley and Ziggy were terrified to sleep in the basement, both so sure ghosts were real. Motley often let Ziggy in her room so they could sleep together. 
Now it was her knocking on her baby sister's door, chest aching as it opens a bit. “C-can I sleep with you Zig? I-I don’t want to-“ 
“Why do you have to ruin everything?!” Ziggy cries, shoving Motley away. “Why do you have to chase him away?!”
“Zig-“ Motley sobs but her sister doesn’t hear her. 
“You ruin everything! And he’s gonna leave because of you!” And then the door is slammed in her face once more. 
So Motley shuffles to the couch, curling into the cushions as she sobs. Eddie’s face stuck in her mind. 
She had never seen him look so…. Broken and empty. She did that. 
And he had never walked away from a fight with her. 
“I want dad…” she sobs, shoving her face into the pillow to sob. “I’m sorry dad.” 
You were going to be sick. 
Never before had you seen such silence from your husband. 
By the time you made it to the room he was just sitting on the bench in front of your bed, just staring at the wall. 
“Eddie?” You mumble, moving closer to him and try to rub his cheek. “Do you want to talk about it?” 
He just shakes his head no. Not actually looking at you as he brings his hand up to pull yours away from him. 
There’s a crater in your chest as your husband pushes your hand away, this gaping hole just gushing out blood as you try and figure out how to fix this. But before you can think of something he stands and walks past you to go into the bathroom, locking the door and turning the shower on. 
-
You’ve thankfully passed out by the time Eddie gets the courage to leave the bathroom, he can’t look at you right now. 
He’s a coward. 
A freak. 
We were fine without you.
She thought he was Alan. She probably heard everyone at school making fun of her dad. 
Nothing but a low life fucking freak.
Freak. Freak. Freak freakfreakfreak. 
“You’re nothing Edward. You hear me boy?” Alan calls, watching Eddie dash to his room to hide. 
Later that evening his mother would give Eddie a buzz cut, the hair being the thing that got him in trouble in the first place. 
He could do nothing but stare into the mirror as she did so, looking at the deep purple bruise that covered most his cheek as she worked on his hair. 
Nothing.
Nothing.  
He didn’t mean to stay awake all night, sitting there staring at a wall. But he somehow managed to. 
So he unplugs his alarm clock before it can wake you, shuffling around to get dressed silently. He was used to doing chores on the weekends, for the yard or the family cars. 
Today he chose to head out for a bit. Leaving a tiny kiss on your forehead as he grabbed his wallet and keys before heading out.
Motley wakes up to the front door closing, her neck aching from the spot on the couch she had slept on and her head blaring from crying so much last night. 
It takes her a moment to get up, shuffling upstairs half asleep until she is in the main part of the house, when she sees no one there she shuffled up the stairs to sneak into your room. 
Her heart plummets when she sees it’s only you, her anxiety and guilt heightening as she crawls into bed to lay with you, pulling the blanket close as you turn to cuddle your daughter. 
“I’m sorry mommy.” She cries. 
“I know.” You mumble, still half asleep as you keep her close. 
Soon enough the boys wake up, dashing downstairs, and you have to get up to go feed everyone. Motley stays close to you, sitting at the table awkwardly as you get the twins set up with cereal. 
They don’t look at her. Neither of them even look near her as they eat silently which upsets her more. 
“Have you decided what song you’re going to do for your performance, Oz?” She tries to break the tension, watching her brother shrug. 
“Dad and I were going over some stuff. Doesn’t matter.” He shrugs again, spinning his cereal around the bowl as you go downstairs to grab Zeppelin for his daily walk and wake up Ziggy.  
You rush Zeppelin out, the older dog excited as he is every morning and the second you leave the front door Ziggy emerges from downstairs. 
“Morning Zig.” Motley tries to smile, stomach clenching when her sister ignores her. 
“Hey Zig? Can I borrow your charcoal markers?” Halen asks, excited to see his sister. “I have this really cool idea to take my Halloween mask and make it look like the words are-“ 
Motley zones out watching all three of her siblings talk excitedly amongst each other. It had been a family tradition for as long as she’s known to have breakfast together on Saturday, just the 6 of them. A tradition she’s blatantly ignored in favor of spending time with her friends. 
“I have a new eyeliner, Zig, if you want to try it?” Motley offers, once again trying to break the tension. 
“I’m good.” Ziggys is quick to shut her down, moving to clean up her mess. “Remember guys. Dads birthday is coming up and we all gotta keep it a surprise what we got.” 
“Right.” Ozzy smiles, tossing his bowl in the sink before dashing off while Ziggy rushes downstairs. 
Halen is the only one left and Motley turns to him. “What’d we get dad?” 
“I don’t know what you got him. But we all chipped our allowance in for something.” Halen mumbles, hands clenched. 
“Why didn’t you guys tell me? I would have-“ 
“Why does it matter? He’s not your dad right?” Her brother mumbles out, getting up to slam his bowl in the sink as well. He stomps off soon after that, and soon enough the sound was mixed with the sounds of Ozzy practicing cello and Halen dashing around for his project. Ziggy playing music in her room. 
-
“DADS HOME!” Halen yells excitedly, dashing down the stairs to come into the kitchen where you were preparing lunch.  “I saw him pull in.” 
“Good.” You smile, some of the anxiety easing as the kids collect at the table around where Motley was sitting and doing homework. “We’re going to eat lunch together. No fighting guys.”
The front door opens and shuts and Motley stands up awkwardly, both of you waiting for Eddie to enter. 
When he does you are silent, eyes wide as he blinks at you slowly. “Y-your hair?” 
It was cut, short. There were still some curls at the top of his head but the rest was gone. 
“I….. yeah I thought I needed a change.” He mumbles, reaching a hand up to pull through it awkwardly. “Thought the mop head was a little outdated.” 
I didn’t want to look like a freak. You know that’s what he meant even if he didn’t say it. 
“Dad. I am so sorry about what I said. I didn’t mean any of it and I can’t believe-“ Motley begins, wiping her cheeks as some fresh tears roll down her face. 
“Hey hey hey.” Eddie stops her. “It’s fine. Okay? No hurt feelings Motley. You had some stress and needed to get it out. I get it.” 
She shakes her head. “I didn’t mean any of it dad.” 
“I know.” He nods. “I’m not upset at you Motley.” 
And that was settled. But he doesn’t move forward to hug her, he doesn’t even touch her, instead he shuffles to sit down and look at the others staring at him. 
“Does it look bad?” He asks as they all blink at him and his new hair. Immediately after he asks they all rush out to tell him no and that it looks good. 
Motley takes a seat again and so do you, everyone beginning to eat silently. 
Eddie had said it was fine, but everyone at the table knew it wasn’t. 
Eddie didn’t try to crack any cheesy jokes or pull you into an embarrassing kiss that would make them all gag. He didn’t ask about their plans or if they all wanted to hang out. Eddie ate in silence. And the silence was the loudest part of the meal. 
-
Things remained tense for the rest of the weekend and by the time Motley had to go to school she was tired and stressed. 
Her bad was still shut down, he tried not to be but he was. And things were just so…..wrong now. 
This morning was awkward enough. She had told Aaron she didn’t want a ride, and she really didn’t want her dad seeing him in general. 
But he left early for work and you had assumed she already had a ride so you took the rest of the kids, which left her to walk to school. 
She showed up drenched from the rain, bumping into Samantha by the door and dashing to the bathroom quickly. 
By the time she gets out first period is already over and the hallways were already packed with people moving for their next class. 
She just wanted to cry. She was cold and soaked and missed her dad. 
She broke her dad. 
“Motley! Hey!” Aaron calls, and she tenses, casting him a look before dashing down the hall and bumping into Vince harshly. 
He manages to catch her as her heeled boots slip, hauling her easily into an empty classroom the second he sees the tears rushing down her her cheeks. He closes the door and pulls the blinds of the window down. 
“Just take a moment.” 
“I have to get to class.” She sniffles. 
“It’s biology with Fitz. He barely takes attendance and we’ll be fine.” He tries to joke. “Just take a breather.”
“I can’t! I can’t catch my breath at all.” She snaps, and he moves closer to wipe at her eyes as she sobs before she is latching herself onto him with her face pressed into his chest as she sobs. “I’m sorry Vinny.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snitched on you like that.” He mumbles. 
“No. No. It actually was for the better.” She moves to sit down after breaking from the hug, sliding against the door and sitting with her back to it. 
He follows and they are side by side. 
“I’m thankful my dad showed up.” She admits. “There was a split second where I was so fucking happy he was there actually. I saw him when he tore Aaron off of me and I knew I’d be safe.” 
“Did Aaron….?” 
“Oh. It’s….. I was just too out of it.” She mumbles, trying to get comfortable. 
He moves slowly, unzipping her boot slowly to take it off and doing it to the other so it was easier to sit without the heels. 
“Then what happened?” 
“I…. Saw the look on my dads face when he dragged me out of there. And I just felt like….. Billy.” She admits, swiping the tears.  “I remembered what you said and-“ 
“I lied.” Vince blurts. “Motley you had to have known that I lied. Your dad would never say that.” 
“You lied?” 
“I lied. I was trying to hurt you because you…. I was being a dick.” 
She sniffles quickly, laughing a little. “Vinny.” 
“I’m sorry Motley.” 
“Oh my god.” She laughs and he can only blink at her from guilt. “I spent the past year bullying you with my friends and you’ve been holding back your punches.” 
“I just….there is no excuse.” He mumbles but she just keeps laughing with tears still springing down her face. 
“Don’t feel bad. I was…. Out of control and you ended up saving my ass.” She rushes out. “And then I just completely destroyed my life after.” 
“You didn’t. I’m sure this can all be fixed.” He sighs. “Your dad is one of the…. Best.” 
“He is.” 
“And he forgives my dad after years of king Steve’s bullshit.” He mumbles. “Now they are best frie-“
Before he can finish his sentence her lips are on his. Warm and soft. 
He can taste the salt from her tears, and his heart is beating through his rib cage as the girl he’s been dreaming about for years finally kisses him. 
But then he pulls back, blinking at her. “Sorry.” He blurts out. 
“Why are you sorry? I kissed you.” She blushes. 
“Motley.” He begins, not really knowing what to say. “You’re beautiful.” 
“I know.” She smiles, laying her head on his shoulder. “You are too.” 
Family dinner was quiet, and Eddie spent most his time pushing the food around on his plate and everyone ate in silence. 
Motley leans over, elbow pressing into his as she whispers. “Have you eaten today?” 
A tiny smile breaks out, and Motley can’t tell if it’s real or fake. So she leans back and keeps pushing around her own food. 
“I think I’m gonna drop out of the concert.” Ozzy blurts, pulling Eddie’s attention quickly. 
“Why?” 
“I’m just…. Not really feeling it.” Her little brother mumbles, shrugging. 
Everyone turns to Eddie, waiting for him to talk Ozzy into it. This is what he did. A problem arose and Eddie was there to make them all feel better. He would talk Ozzy into the concert, get rid of all the anxiety and stress he was carrying about it. 
But it didn’t come. 
“Okay well….. just let your teacher know yeah?” He mumbles, picking up his plate to clean it before heading out of the room quickly. 
“I hate you.” Ziggy snaps at Motley, storming off. 
-
“EW! Absolutely not!” Motley snaps, slapping Vinny’s hand away which makes him laugh. “I refuse!” 
“Go fish. Go fish!” He laughs, waving the card in her face again. 
“No! I refuse!” 
“That’s the point of the game!” 
Motley and Vinny had been eating lunch together in the abandoned science classroom everyday for the past week. They did homework together and played card games. He told her about his mom and dads most recent fight where Steve had managed to break their bedroom door handle and trap them both in the room on accident. 
“No it’s not. I win.” She mumbles, shaking her head as he groans out. “Which means I deserve a victory kiss.” 
Whenever she won he had to kiss her. And whenever he won she had to kiss him.  Oh how miserable life was. 
He smiles, leaning forward to kiss her lips nervously which makes her giggle. When he pulls back he scratches the back of his neck. “So… the Sadie Hawkins Hawkins dance is coming up.” 
“Yes. I hear them announce it every morning.” She teases. “Who you gonna ask?”
“Oh ha ha.” He scoffs right as the bell rings. “I have practice after school. You good to get home?” 
“I’ll be good.” She smiles, watching as he stands up and heads out. 
It was weird seeing Eddie like this, so bland and empty. It really scared you. 
He had never shut down like this before, and you were getting to the point where you had begun to hide all the sharp objects and pills. 
Today he sat on the bed, well more or less laid on the bed splayed out as he watched the ceiling fan turn slowly. It had been 2 weeks since that fight with Motley, and he had nightmares anytime he managed to fall asleep which wasn’t often. 
You knew what he was dreaming about of course, between his father, Chrissy or Wayne’s passing he always woke up calling one of their names in a panic. 
“Hey Eds?” You call, trying to get his attention. “Do you wanna try sleeping? I can lay with you.” 
“No.” He mumbles out, not moving as the bed dios while you curl into his side. 
“You need sleep.” You murmur, kissing his shoulder, taking your hand to rub circles on his stomach. 
“I just need…..” What did he need? You’d give him anything. 
“She didn’t mean it.” You whisper, tears beginning to burn your eyes. 
“I know.” He whispers back. “I just can’t shake it.”
“Maybe, we should look into some therapy.” Your whisper, watching as he finally switches to lay on his side facing you pushing until it’s his forehead against your chest. 
“If I start dreaming about them-“
“I’ll wake you up.” You promise. 
-
Eddie’s first therapy session falls on a Monday, so you drop the kids off at all their clubs before taking him and waiting in the car as he spends the next 2 hours in the session. 
You catch up on some of your book and when he gets back in the car you are happy to note that he seems a little better. Not a lot but he’s not too empty. 
“You haven’t eaten in a minute. Want to go get a burger?” You ask and he shrugs. “You wanna wait for the kids to eat?” 
“I just want to sleep.” He answers truthfully and you smile, because at least he was answering. So you turn down the radio and drive to pick up all the kids from their clubs. 
First are the boys, Halen still in his karate outfit and Ozzy without his cello. When you ask he simply mutters since he didn’t need to practice he was gonna leave it there tonight. 
Eddie closes his eyes like he is in pain when Ozzy says that, but no one says anything. 
Next is Ziggy, but you are shocked to find both sisters standing together outside of Ziggys school.
“Motley? Why aren’t you at practice?”
“They end at 5.” She answers.
“Then why did you keep coming home at 8?” 
She looks guilty as she shrugs, looking between you and Eddie as he keeps his eyes shut. “I’m sorry.” 
“Jesus.” You grunt, feeling like a crap mother. 
Later that night you knock on her door, and when she lets you in you shut the door, sitting her on her bed so you could have a long conversation about sex and boys. 
It was a little too late as you had come to find out. But she ended up telling you everything. 
-
Friday rolled around and it was DND night, but no one set up any campaign tables and no one bothered to get excited. 
Eddie helped you in the kitchen and Motley tried asking about any ideas he had for another campaign. 
“Have you ever done a dragon one?”
“Yes.” 
“Well maybe you can do a futuristic one then?” 
“I actually think I’m done for a bit.” He shrugs. “It’s a game meant for kids.” 
He shuffles off to the garage to grab the drinks for tonight as Motley looks at you. 
“Hey mom?” Ziggy asks, coming up the stairs. “I have this project I’m doing and it smells really bad cause of the paint. Do you think dad will let me work in the garage?” 
“I don’t care. Go for it.” Eddie snaps, walking in with the sodas. “Have at it. Take what you want.” 
He drops the drinks by the coolers before walking up the stairs. 
“He hates us.” Ziggy mumbles. “He hates us now.” 
“He doesn’t hate you. Enough of that.” You snap. “You two have absolutely no clue what he’s been through or what he’s done to be where he is now.  You throw Chrissy in his face and his father in his face and all he ever does is try to cheer you guys up constantly.” 
They both blink at you.  
“He’s upset. He’s gonna be upset from his trauma and it shouldn’t constantly be about you two. Have you bothered to ask if he’s okay ever?” You snap, irritable. “Go clean something.” 
They disperse quickly and you turn back to keep cooking, slamming everything as you go. 
“You okay?” Eddie asks, leaning against the door. 
“No I’m not.” You snap. “I’m so sick of everything. When did this get so hard and - and you’re listening to me complain again. Even when I’m stressed about you carrying all our burdens I still give you more.” You laugh bitterly. 
“I don’t mind taking in your guys’ burdens.” He sighs, moving closer. 
“This isn’t working.” You snap. “None of this is working.” 
“I know.” He sighs. 
“I think it’s time we take a look at the next step here.” You mumble, turning away from him. “Because I don’t think I can do this anymore.” 
“I don’t think I can either.” He whispers. 
“Then….” You can’t even put it into words, what are you saying? “I need to finish cooking.” 
He doesn’t say anything, just merely disappears again. 
-
“Divorce?” Robin scoffs. “You find out your daughter is a slut and this is where you end up?” 
“No. Not divorce. We just need another strategy.” You mumble, not looking in the direction that Eddie was sitting in. “It’s like playing tug of war through a brick wall. Whenever either of us begins to make movement the other just hits the brick at full speed.”
Tonight’s ‘family dinner’ was extremely different. It felt more like an awkward party than a family dinner. 
Motley sat on the stairs with Vinny, pretending to study as Ziggy sat in the corner sketching. 
No dnd, no fun conversations. Your family was truly beginning to crumble under pressure. 
“And I feel like absolute crap because how did I now see that my daughter had a sex life?” 
“I hear that Aaron kid is a jackass.” Robin sneers. 
“From Jonathan. His photography teacher.” Nancy clarifies. 
“What great intel.” You sneer and she sighs, rollling her eyes. 
You spend the rest of the night talking about Robins most recent girlfriend, and why it ended. By the time you said goodnight to everyone you truly thought you knew too much about her love life. 
You wave off her car, being the last to leave, and you shut the door before pressing your forehead to it with a sigh. 
When you turn around you are surprised to find Eddie standing there waiting for you and the kids still in sight watching you. 
“Goodnight everyone.” You mumble, locking the door and moving to start picking everything up. 
“I’m craving donuts.” Eddie blurts, making everyone look at him. “When’s the last time we had an actual Munson meal?” 
“What?” Ozzy laughs. “We had dinner together yester-“ 
“No no. I mean an actual Munson meal.” Eddie shakes his head. 
Ziggy catches on then, a smile spreading on her face as Motley soon gets it. 
“Guys, I’m tired so maybe we should-“ you don’t get to finish your sentence because Eddie is there, pulling you to the kitchen with the kids to prep for Munson dinner. 
-
A little while later you are all sat on the floor, knees connecting all of you together as you pass around the snacks and laugh. 
Homemade donuts and ham wrapped around cheese sticks. Sliced apples and peanut butter with grapes. Any snack you could think of was in the center of the circle. 
You all had pillows and blankets, and there was a cartoon playing in the background as Ziggy told you guys the story of how her math teacher broke his foot by dancing in class. 
You’re laughing too hard, tears streaming down your face as you try to breathe in while she imitates his crying. 
“Stop!” Motley cries. “He did the same dance thing when I had him!” 
“Do the dance one more time.” Eddie laughs. “I gotta see it.” 
So Ziggy does, looking like an absolute fool as she does but everyone is still laughing and having fun. 
Halen catches you up on his drama club, and how he got the old grandma as a roll. “It’s not funny!” 
“Its not!” Ozzy laughs. “But your costume is!” 
“Wait. Tell them about your concert!” Halen mumbles to which Ozzy shakes his head quickly. 
“What’s going on with the concert?” Eddie asks, leaning to snatch an apple slice out of your hand. 
“I…. They….. well they gave my solo up before I quit.” He admits. 
“What? Why would they do that?” You mumble, worry striking you. “Ozzy,” 
“They said I lacked control.” He blushes. 
“That’s not fair. You’re the best in that group.” Eddie snaps. 
“Every parent says that about their kid.” Ozzy groans. 
“Well yeah but I’m not just saying that because you are my kid.” He mumbles. “You’re fucking amazing Ozzy. And if they think you’re not then we need to look for another program.” 
“But-“ 
“Dads right, Ozzy. You play better than any of them.” Motley mumbles. 
“We’ll look for another program. Rather than the school.” You nod, and he shrugs with a small smile playing on his lips. 
“What’s going on with you?” Eddie asks. “How is life at school, you know after I….” 
“Life is better.” She cuts him off. “I actually…. I spend all my free time with Vince now and-“ 
She starts blushing, and Eddie and yourself are shocked by this image. It had been forever since you saw your daughter with no makeup and in her cheesiest pajamas. 
“Well I like all my makeup and outfits but there is no stress of how I look around him so I get to have more fun with it all. You know?” She’s getting redder and redder now. “And the Sadie Hawkins is coming up and Iwastryingtofigurrouthowtoaskhim.” 
She mumbles the last part out but everyone heard it, excitement jumping through the group. 
“Oooo. Motley and Vincent sitting in a tree-“ a pillow hits Ziggy in the face as Ozzy and Eddie are already talking over each other with ideas. 
“How about you write it on a baseball?” Halen asks, and everyone stops at his idea before Motley lights up. 
“That would be very sweet.” You smile. 
“I don’t have a baseball though.” 
“That’s easy. Send Zeppelin outside for 5 minutes and he’ll find one.” Eddie teases. 
“I have paint for it!” 
“Then we have a plan.” 
Eddie sighs, shifting a bit as he tried to conjure up what he needs to say. “I think we’ve been failing as a family lately.” 
“How so?” 
“When’s the last time we’ve actually talked? Actually sat down together and talked about life? We have all been so caught up lately that we haven’t made time for our best team and that needs to change.” 
“How so?” 
“I propose that we do family dinners like this from now on. Actually talk. Actually take time for each other and tell eachother everything.” He sighs. “But in order for that then there has to be complete honesty. And I have not given you guys that.”
It’s silent as everyone stares back. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out something. 
It takes you a minute to register it. It’s a bat tooth. 
“Who wants the truth about Chrissy Cunningham and my scars?” 
-
It’s around 3 am when you wake up, confused and groggy. 
Somehow everyone had managed to cuddle together on the couch, everyone connected somehow. You were all merged as one, sleeping in a pile, with Halen snoring loudly. 
You blink a couple times, wondering what had woken you up, so you sit up, making Halen stir a bit and try your best to sneak out. 
You limp to the sound that had been waking you up, tense from the awkward position you had been sleeping before you shuffle to open the window and look out at what was outside. 
A small laugh escapes you when you realize that you had left Zeppelin out and he was whining. “I am so sorry baby boy.” You coo, shuffling to the door quickly to let him in. He dashes to the couch to crawl his way into the pile. 
You catch Eddie staring at you, trapped underneath all the kids as he nods his head for you to come back. So you do. Finding your spot and falling asleep with your family once more. 
“Would you just take a breath?” Eddie laughs, watching his oldest daughter rush around in a flurry of panic. 
He is standing in the center of the living room, doing his best to help her as she struggles to find her shoe. 
“Dad I can’t find it..” she mumbles. “He’s gonna be here any minute and I-“ 
“Just sit down a moment.” He mumbles, moving her to sit before he starts looking. He instantly finds, throwing it at her to catch easily before shuffling back to the kitchen to find you sitting with Ziggy as she shows you her most recent project. 
“How’s it going in there?” You ask, looking up at him for a second.  
“Found her shoe. I came to get you for pictures.” And within a moment you are up, kissing Ziggys head and dashing to find your camera for the photos. 
Eddie shuffles closer, snatching a chip from her bag as he looks at the oil painting. “Jesus. Did a teenage mutant ninja turtle possess you?” 
“Huh?” 
“You know? Micheal Angelo, Donatello-“ 
“Oh my god dad.” She groans as he picks up the painting. 
“This is really good. You're gonna submit it for something?” He asks. 
“My art teacher says I should compete in this art show thing.” Ziggy mumbles, watching him look at the painting.  “That one is called lifeline.” 
An extravagant oil painting with a blurry faced female holding a leather jacket. And when he tilts the photo he realizes that she had hidden bats into the jacket, using another paint so if it moved in the light you might be able to see the bats she had hidden. His bats. His tattoo but with them in a purplish paint hidden just the same were 4 birds. 
“You’re really talented.” He mumbles, fingers tracing over the birds. 
“Yeah yeah.” She blushes, snatching the painting back and shoving him away. 
“HES HERE!” Motley screams from the other room and Ziggy moves to go into the living room to watch Vinny park the car and take a moment to prep himself. 
He fixes his jacket and Motley is inside making sure all her makeup is set and perfect as he walks up the pathway. 
“Oh my god. Oh my god. Be cool.” She warns you and Eddie, trying to breathe. 
“We’re cool. You’re the one over there hyperventilating.” Eddie teases and she snatches a pillow to throw at him. 
The knock sounds at the door and Motley rushes to answer, tripping unceremoniously so Eddie has to catch her before she breaks an ankle. 
He helps her stand straight and moves to answer the door himself. 
“Vincent.” 
“Mr. Munson.” He smiles, already blushing. 
“Is there going to be drinking?” 
“No sir.” 
“Smoking?” 
“No sir.” 
“Sex?” 
“N-no sir.” 
“You know I can kick your ass if you hurt her. Right?” 
“My dad said the same thing.” 
“That he can kick your ass?” 
“No. That you could.” And Eddie can’t help but laugh, letting Motley pass. 
It’s another 30 minutes of you taking pictures and him giving her a corsage before they are taking off in his car, Motley smiling from ear to ear. 
“Wait…” Eddie mumbles, looking at you with panic. “Something is wrong.”
“What’s that?” 
“She’s leaving and I don’t feel that punching feeling in my gut.” He murmurs, looking genuinely confused. “I don’t feel the need to follow her and make sure she makes it there.”
“Yeah. Well if I trust anyone to protect my daughter it would be Harringtons kid.” You laugh. “Because we all know she will be the one throwing the punches and he will back her up.”
-
There was a nervousness in her stomach that she hadn’t gotten before, a blush on her cheeks as she does her best not to seem like she is going insane with panic. 
“I’m…. shit- sorry. I am really nervous.” He mumbles after messing with the radio awkwardly. 
“I’m nervous too.” Motley admits, smiling at him. 
“You? Nervous? What for? I am the one dating way above my natural league here.” He mumbles. Before she can respond he is pulling into the school parking lot. The Sadie Hawkins Dance. Hawkins High School went all out. 
There are balloon gates leading into the front doors and streamers covering the door itself. She kept a firm hold on his arm as they went to get the tickets, ignoring the way Aaron and his friends snicker when they see the both of them together. 
“Drinks first?”
“Lead the way.” Motley smiles. 
Eddie lays on the couch, reading the eragon book that Ozzy and Halen wouldn’t shut up about, with your head on his lap as you doze off. 
You had spent the morning helping your daughter get ready, and now you were tired. So he offered to help you fall asleep, and you had taken the chance, letting him play with your hair as you closed your eyes. He made it seem like he was doing you some huge favor, but truth was you were doing him a favor. 
Laying on the couch with you was his favorite thing, well laying with you in general. Gone were the days of having to jump all over each other, now you both were getting to the part in life where you just needed to be near each other. You rooted Eddie to this earth and he needed you like a hurricane needed wind. 
He would be nothing without you or the kids. Would still be a freak, spiraling into the unknown but you had given him everything he never knew he needed. 
Soon enough he found himself dropping the book on the floor, focusing on you, doing his best to memorize all your features the best he could as you slept peacefully. 
He understood Ziggys painting now. Lifeline. You were his lifeline. 
By the end of the night Motley and Vinny sat side by side on her front porch, laughing loudly as they shared a gallon of icecream they had stolen from the fridge. 
Her feet ached so she had taken off her heels and when he walked her to the door (he was very serious about Eddies curfew) but he hadn’t been ready to say goodnight yet so they decided on hanging out on the porch. She was technically home so her curfew was fulfilled. 
“Oh my gosh, Mr. Fitz tried to dance when the YMCA came on!” She giggles. “Smacked Margaret right in the face.”
“WHACK!” He laughs, imitating the slap. 
“That poor girl definitely left with a bruise.”
“And Aaron left with a bruised ego.” 
“HE DID!” Motley cackles loudly before covering her mouth when she realizes someone might hear her. 
“I should get going.” Vinny mumbles, watching her. “But I…. I have something for you.”
“Yeah?” 
“I…. well I found this the other night at DnD night…” He murmurs, digging into his pocket to pull out a chain with a really familiar necklace linked to it. 
“Oh my god.” Motley gasps, dropping her spoon. “Vinny-”
“I should have given it to you immediately but then I had this idea to- that was wrong wasn’t it? I should have just given it to you I am so sorry-” She leans forward quickly, kissing him before he could keep rambling. 
“That was the sweetest thing you could have ever done.” She whispers before hearing a thump from inside and pulling her attention to the door. 
“Goodnight.” He murmurs. 
“Goodnight.” She answers back, he kisses her again at the door before making sure she gets in without a problem and then walks to his car. 
Eddie is shuffling to the couch, eyes wide when he meets his daughters eyes. “I was not spying. I went to grab a blanket for your mother and I.”
Motley smiles, moving to hug him. 
“Did you have fun?” He asks, kissing the top of her head.
“So much fun. He was the perfect gentleman.” She whispers. “Goodnight dad.”
“Goodnight metalhead.” She moves to walk away and he calls out once more. “Your mother and I’s first date ended on the kitchen floor of that apartment you guys used to live in.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. She had to get home to relieve the babysitter and I never wanted to let her go.” He smiles. 
“I’m glad you didn’t.” She smiles back before moving to go down the stairs. 
Time passes, quicker than Eddie would like, and yet as slow as they can be. 
He wants so badly to see his kids grow up and yet he just isn’t ready to let them go, he wants to see every second. 
Motley and Vinny go to prom together, and Steve and Nancy all get drunk with you and Eddie that night after you say bye to them. 
Soon enough he was saying goodbye to his firstborn daughter as her and her nerdy boyfriend drove off to college. He cried, so did you. Steve sobbed. 
Ziggy grew into this very hippie lifestyle, most of her clothes looked like they came from Steve Nicks closet and she smelled of incense more than anything. She focused on art, excelling at it truthfully, and as she went through high school Eddie found that he didn’t need to be as worried about boys taking advantage of one of his babies since she seemed absolutely disgusted by them. 
She came out to him in her sophomore year, he had been sitting with her in the garage, helping her staple a new canvas that was bigger than his car. She had been panicking all day about something, even Zeppelin had been feeding off her energy and whining. 
But then she blurts it out, a quick and simple “I like girls.”
He stops, unplugging the staple gun to turn and look at her, watching her face pinch with anxiety. 
“You got a girlfriend?” He asks. She shakes her head no and he nods. “You got a crush on someone?”
There was a nod on that one and he smiled. “Well any girl that gets ya will be a lucky son of a gun. And I mean that, because you are a very freaking special Ziggy. Always have been.”
She hugs him tightly, crying into his chest that night. 
Zeppelin passes away two months later, and Eddie finds himself with the grief of losing a child. He tells the kids that it was time, time for him to move on and find Wayne. He is completely devastated by it, but he tries to keep a brave face for Ziggy since she just lost her oldest best friend. 
He keeps his collar on the fireplace right next to Wayne's ashes and a photo of all of them at the park.. 
Once the boys hit freshman year their biggest fight starts…. Over another boy. Well more specifically Ozzy makes a friend and Halen gets mad that he never sees his twin anymore. 
The fight led to physical blows, and soon enough Eddie had to move Ozzy into Waynes old room just to get them to chill out. 
Ziggy graduates, barely (his poor sweet baby), and gets accepted into an art school so he has to say bye to yet another child. He had a gaping hole in his chest. 
When everyone comes back for Christmas that year it's a time for shock. Eddie’s two biggest shocks? The hole in his son's face and the ring on his daughter's finger. 
Ozzy looked different with his new piercing, a new punk grunge look that Eddie tried to support. He really did. But the piercing looked so infected and gross. 
“Did you do that in the bathroom with one of your moms earrings?” He teases, trying not to laugh straight in sons face. 
“Yes?” Ozzy answers which makes everyone laugh. 
“Next time just let me take you to get it pierced.”
 -
For the boys’ 16th birthday Eddie takes them to get a tattoo. They chose something silly, shocker. Eddie however added 5 bird silhouettes by his bats to symbolize the 5 most important people in his life. 
The day Vinny and Motley get married he walks her down the aisle, kissing her head once they reach the end and handing her off to Vinny. They get married with a red piece of yarn, just like you and Eddie had. 
They move into an apartment in Hawkins, and have a baby girl soon enough and Eddie is ecstatic to be a grandfather. He is at the hospital the day she is born, and once everyone is allowed into the room they rush to see the new baby while he rushes to see Motley. Kissing her head and wiping the hair out of her face as she cries happily. (I saw a tiktok where it said ‘everyone went to see my baby  and my dad immediately went to see his baby and immediately thought of Eddie)
He gets to hold the baby girl first, which makes Steve complain loudly but Vinny decided that Motley pushed her out so she got to decide who in the family held her first. 
For the boys’ highschool graduation Ziggy comes home and everyone takes a picture with them in their matching cap and gown. 
Ziggy in her fleetwood mac outfit, smiling from ear to ear as she hugs Halen close. Halen had decided on a buzz cut that suited him well, with one ear pierced. He smiled, arms linked with Ozzy who was a spitting image of Eddie. Motley hugged Ozzy tight, and the picture had caught the moment she realized her baby brother had a snake bite piercing, everyone laughing as she cursed out at him. 
Baby Stevie sat on Eddie's hip, smiling happily at her grandfather as he cooed at her. It had been a constant running joke on whether Stevie was named after Steve or if Motley had just been following the rock theme. 
We all know the answer. 
Ozzy went to New York after graduation while Halen ended up getting into a college in michigan. 
The very first you and Eddie have in your empty house is spent on the kitchen floor, eating macaroni and cheese straight from the pot as you both cry softly. 
It seemed like neither of you could decide whether you wanted to be upset or happy for your kids. 
It became a habit with you two, to sit on the floor to eat side by side just as you always used to. 
Stevie’s first Munson dinner happened the weekend of her first birthday. 
Everyone had come home for it, including all her aunts and uncles, and had chosen to stay in the house just like old times. This time with the addition of Vinny, who seemed so excited to be there in general. 
“Alright, you know the rules.” Eddie smiles at everyone, knees pressed to your own and Motleys. “I want to hear everything.” 
Stevie giggles in the center of the circle, tearing apart the muffin she had been given before marching over to where her uncle Ozzy was sitting and plopping herself in his lap which makes everyone laugh. 
Ziggy tells them about her classes at the art school, and all the paintings she had been selling. She talks about a new girlfriend and jokes about the time she got trapped in her bathroom for an entire day until her girlfriend came home from work. She talks about struggling with being so far away from the family all the time.
Halen talks about his classes, complaining very loudly about his grades before moving on to complain about his dorm mate that never stopped jacking off which makes Eddie laugh. He talks about wanting to drop out, and what he would do after. Eddie is quick to let him know they had his back no matter what, even if he wanted to sell all his stuff and go traveling around the world. 
Ozzy goes on a rant about the girl that lives across the hall. He rants about how he hates her hair and her choice in music, and how his roommate is constantly checking her out. He says she is the most annoying person on the planet and Eddie risks a knowing look with you. Smiles on both your faces as he continues to rant. By the time he is done he looks around the group as everyone holds in their laughter. “What?”
“You’re just…. So oblivious.” Vinny mumbles which makes Ozzy flip him off. 
“Says you!” Ozzy snaps. “You chased after my sister for years you whiny little-”
“Cuss in front of my granddaughter and I will end your life.” Eddie mumbles quickly which makes Ozzy roll his eyes while smiling.
Motley just tells stories about things that have happened with Stevie, which everyone loves. 
Eddie catches them up on his therapy sessions, and you catch the kids up on your health. The family close together once more. 
Eddie Munson was home, and he would have it no other way.
-And with that we say goodbye to the Munson family. I do have more Eddie works coming out. Let me know if you would like to be tagged and I truly hope you all liked the story. -
Taglist:: (lmk if you want to be removed)
@dontcrydaddy @valentine-ger @mariamayhemrsmunson @hippiefairy02 @alyisdead @thehuntresswolf @username199945 @peaches-roses-sins @bl1ssfulbaby @friendly-neighborhood-boricua @avenjames-anderson @nodont1 @bethanyzed @caseyqdilla @zooboomanfu @hazydespair @costellation-hunter @vanessav03 @r-a-d-i-0-n-0-w-h-e-r-e @kidd3ath @katzarantos @peaches-roses-sins @friendly-neighborhood-boricua @ilovetaquitosmmmm @emilyshortcake @jjsbongwater @morgthemagpie
179 notes · View notes