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hannieehaee · 6 months

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18+ / mdi

content: toxicbf!seungcheol, more like possessivebf!seungcheol honestly, he's kinda a dick but not THAT much, jealousy, possessive behavior, afab reader, reader mentioned to be shorter than him, smut, penetrative sex, public sex, oral (m receiving), etc.

wc: 2201

a/n: tysm to the person who requested this <3 i didn't make him super toxic but more possessive and annoying.

masterlist

"shit, baby. you look so good. any plans tonight?" seungcheol hugged you from behind as you stared into the mirror, doing the finishing touches on your hair.

'"what do you mean if i have plans? we're going out. to the monthly meeting with the guys, remember? seokmin's girlfriend said she's coming too"

"hmm? since when? wait, hold on. you're wearing that to dinner with the boys?"

you groaned against him, "you literally just said i looked good. what's the problem?", you already kind of had an idea, but wanted to confirm for some dumb reason.

"yeah, that's when i thought you were going out with the girls or something. do you have to dress like this when you hang out with the guys?"

you knew cheol was a bit on the ... possessive side. he would sometimes be a little too jealous when it came to you being around the guys too much (around any guy, really). despite always confirming to him that you would never look at any of them as more than friends, he would still keep his guard up. it was endearing at times, seeing as it was usually just lighthearted jealousy, but he was doing a really good job at pissing you off right now.

you turned around, now facing him directly, "what's that supposed to mean?"

"baby, cmon! they're guys! and you're ... well, you're you!"

"did you want me to repeat myself or are you actually gonna explain what that's supposed to mean now?"

"listen. you're so beautiful. i had no chance at resisting you when we first met. imagine if i'd met you while you were wearing a tiny little black dress. i would've lost my mind. they're men, baby. they're weak-minded. i dont wanna let them even see you like this." despite the stupid neanderthal logic he was feeding you with, his reasoning gave you a slight ego-boost, dissipating your annoyance a bit.

you approached him, grabbing onto the collar of his shirt as you adjusted his tie - today's theme for the monthly meeting had been strictly formal, courtesy of a hong jisoo – and stared into his eyes, flirtatious smile gracing your lips.

"cheollie ... the dress code's formal. and i know how strict you guys are about that. if you can wear those stupid leather pants on stage while performing for carats, – who, by the way, do wanna fuck you – i can wear a tiny little dress around my very platonic friends."

you were pretty sure seungcheol had tuned you out already, at least judging from how distracted his hands had become now that they were kneading your ass under the short skirt of the dress. in any other circumstances you would've entertained him, maybe even let him fuck you before leaving home, but you weren't about to reward his stupid comments from earlier with sex. separating yourself from him, you chided at him, telling him to get ready, because you'd be leaving together; with no need to change your clothes.

upon arriving to the restaurant of choice - an entirely rented out luxury restaurant joshua had seemingly been eyeing for a while - you and a sulky seungcheol (he had brought up the dress issue again in the car) quickly spotted a table full of people. it was all twelve members of seventeen, plus joshua's and seokmin's girlfriends, who would also be making their debut appearance at the monthly dinner. as expected, the boys were all wearing suit and tie, while the girls had dresses on. you had to admit, maybe yours was a bit more provocative, but you felt comfortable since you would only be around close friends.

the moment they spotted you walking in, jeonghan took the liberty of standing up, looking you up and down before smirking and giving you a quick hug, even going as far as pulling out a chair for you to sit. you appreciated the gesture, taking a seat and thanking him, completely ignoring seungcheol's annoyed grumble along the lines of 'i'm supposed to do that'.

the dinner went pretty okay after that, with one or two complimentary comments directed at your apparel. you'd also noticed a few of the boys staring a bit more than usual, but you'd dressed up, after all, so it wasn't very surprising to you. seungcheol, on the other hand, grew more and more annoyed every time a member directed themselves to you, even if it was with innocent intentions. he had built an idea in his head that everyone mustve wanted you the way that he wanted you. it also didn't help that you were sitting right by jeonghan and mingyu, members who were renown for being a bit flirtier than the rest. you knew it was just in their nature, and completely meaningless when directed towards you, but you could feel your boyfriend's fumes increase next to you as the night went on.

after a while seungcheol had begun to speak over you, acting as if you couldn't respond or interact with his members on your own. he was beginning to show his annoyingly possessive side, acting overly overprotective over you, almost as if you were a prize to keep under lock and key.

there were only a few instances in which he did this. he could sometimes act like a dick about it, wanting to show the rest of the guys how you were his and no one else's

then came what broke the camel's back. yoon jeonghan must've sensed some tension in seuncheol's behavior, adding two and two and figuring out that his possessive friend must've been feeling some type of way at any attention headed your way. so, he decided to have fun with it, amping up his flirting.

"shit, have i told you how beautiful you look tonight?," he smirked, eyeing his friend a bit as he complimented you.

"yeah, but maybe don't say that to my girlfriend, yeah?", interjected your stupid boyfriend, hand on your thigh as he attempted to show possession over you.

you ignored him, "oh, thanks hannie. you look really handsome too."

he puffed, as if out of breath, also ignoring cheol's comment, "no, but really. that dress is ... man, all i know is if i were seungcheol we wouldn't have even left the house tonight," the smirk wouldn't leave his face, knowing he was poking a bear.

those two simple comments were enough to get seungcheol to snap, loudly getting up and interrupting any other conversation going on at the table. without any other word, he completely ignored any questioning stares or inquiring comments and grabbed your hand, dragging you from your own chair and pulling you away from the room and into a more secluded area of the almost-empty restaurant.

"seungcheol what the hell are you doing?!"

he turned to you, now letting go of the hand he'd been pulling, "i told you not to wear that around them! do you think i enjoyed that?!"

"it's just jeonghan, cheol! he doesn't mean anything by it. he was just trying to tease you."

"i dont care about that! you're mine. you're not supposed to show yourself off like this to other men!" the fact he didn't see issue with what he was saying was peeving you off, making you scoff at him before he continued.

"you're mine, okay? and you responding to han's flirting is not helping me get that point across to them."

"you-"

"no, let me finish," he moved closer to you the more he spoke, eventually having you pinned against the wall of the restaurant, looking down on you, "i won't have any of them even think they have a chance with you. no one does. you're mine. is that understood?" by now his lips were just a hair away from your ear, heavy breath fanning against you as his hands slid onto your waist, pulling you against him, dick already semi-hard under his slacks.

you hated the way he was talking to you. kind of. an embarrassing part of yourself was keening on his possessiveness, enjoying how he felt as if he had to stake claim over you. as if even one look from another man had him having to show the world you were his and his alone.

when he unglued his lips from your ear and went back to staring down at you, eyes flicking down to your lips, neither of you could help yourselves anymore. you might've kissed him first, but it was probably him who crashed his lips into you first, almost swallowing you whole as he attacked you by shoving his tongue in your mouth.

he became intense with his movements pretty quickly, unbuttoning his pants with one hand while the other harshly felt you up. he disconnected his hand from you for a moment in order to pull down his pants and knead at his cock for a few moments, getting himself ready for you.

he disconnected your lips, chuckling at the way yours chased after his, "get on your knees."

with zero type of dignity, you got on your knees with no question, beginning to slide your hand up and down his dick before wrapping your mouth around his tip and sucking, giving him eyes as you did so.

he groaned at the sight, but quickly recovered, barking out a command for you to be a well-behaved girl and take it all in your mouth. you followed instruction pretty quickly, loving the weight of his cock in your mouth.

"that's it ... knew you could be a good girl after all."

"fuck ... that mouth is all mine, right baby? only for me to choke on my cock .."

"take it deeper, i know you can. trained that pretty mouth to take me."

his words were getting you wetter by the second, moaning mindlessly against his dick as he began to thrust into your mouth, groaning out even more expletives.

he suddenly pulled you away without allowing you to suck him into completion, once more slamming your back against the wall and shoving his tongue in your mouth. you both groaned at the feeling of his taste in your tongue, eventually making the kiss become a mess of wet tongues just licking at one another while he ground his hard dick against you.

you cried against him after a while of dry humping, feeling the heat of his cock so close to where you wanted him, but your mind being too empty for you to even beg for him to put it inside you.

he pulled away, "are you gonna be good and let me have that pretty pussy? my pretty pussy?"

all you could do was nod and whine against him as he pulled your panties aside, only having to lift your dress a tiny bit to give him room to enter your warm walls. you both sighed out in pleasure the moment he entered you, with cheol quickly finding a rhythm that had you throwing your head back against the wall, not caring for any pain you felt at the impact.

"you're mine. do you understand that? no one else can have you. can't even look at you. tell me you understand." he paused for a moment, smirking as he knew you had no way to respond with the pace in which he was slamming himself against you, "what? no answer? baby, what'd i tell you about being a good girl?" he was mocking you now, relishing on the effect he had on you.

"c-cheollie ... y-yours! just yours! won't ev-ever look their way again. pro- ah! promise!" you did the best you could to muster out an answer, being too high on pleasure from the way his cock was repeatedly hitting against you, impaling you completely.

your emotions were already very heightened, causing the two of you to be quick to reach your ends.

"gonna fill you up, okay baby? and you're gonna keep it all in, or else imma have to take you home and do it all over again, yeah?" he groaned out, knowing he was about to blow his load any second now.

"y-yes! fill me up, please!"

a few thrusts later and he was burying his head in the crook of your neck, groaning out at the feeling of your walls tightening against him as you came.

you attempted to catch your breath as seungcheol used his fingers to push in any cum that exited your hole, moving your panties back into place to try and retain the most he could. with no warning, he shoved those same fingers in your mouth, making you suck his essence from them as he groaned at the sight.

"c'mon," he gave you no time to catch your breath or recover before dragging you by the hand once more, walking back to the table to pick up your coats.

"i'm taking her home now. yoon jeonghan, i'll deal with you later," and with that he dragged you away, making no effort to hide your disheveled state as you limped behind him, beyond embarrassed all your friends knew what you and your boyfriend had been up to.

if cheol had wanted to make a public service announcement about how much you were his, he had achieved it.

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thequeenopower · 2 years

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Unplanned ; Sapnap

I don't even remember the night, never mind where I met him. But he was cute, kind of awkward, but cute. He was forward even though he seemed shy around girls. So I went home with him, it didn't seem like he knew what he was doing, but once he figured it out he was great at it. But then it ended and I snuck out before the birds began to sing.

And two months later came two lines.

I didn't expect it, I was half expecting some sort of STD but definitely not a baby. And the worst part was, I didn't have any way to contact him. I gave him a fake number and the goddamn state of Florida is so huge that I have a better chance of finding him in outer space.

I tried planning an abortion appointment but since I've never done it before, I was too far along to get the thing out so know I had two other options;

Keep it and live with it, or, give it up.

Now I was planning on giving it up, I was never fit to be a mother. I was still in college with a shitty job. I couldn't support myself, never mind a child. But there's something people never talk about when going through with giving a child up, its the connection you make with the baby growing inside you. Now I never believed I'd make a connection with it, but the second I saw his face on the ultrasound, I fell in love.

I became a better person for him, and because of him. I quit my job and worked my ass off to try to graduate sooner, which didn't quite work out. But, I was able to get a good job at a high up corporation doing their finances while continuing school part time. I was also able to get an apartment and split rent with a friend.

Then when 34 weeks came along, so did the baby.

What had happened was I was on a flight from Florida to California for a family vacation and then went into labor on the plane. They landed somewhere in Texas where I soon had my baby, Benjamin Michael l/n.

That was nine months ago, and two months ago I re-discovered his father.

~~ two months prior

"Hey, y/n! Whatcha doin'?" Ashley announces her presence which scares Benji.

"Not much. Just changing baby butts," I shake a diaper on Benji's face, it itches his nose a little which makes him giggle.

"Could I use your TV in here to watch a streamer?" I nod, knowing she only wants to use this TV so she could spend time with Benji before her trip.

The three of us got comfy on my bed as she started up the stream called, "FORTNITE TOURNY WITH PUNZ AND KARL". By someone named Sapnap. It's an odd name for a stream but maybe it was normal. I never normally had time to watch stuff anymore, if I did it was either TV shows, movies, or Markiplier, cause who wouldn't want to watch Markiplier.

The stream turns on and it's immediately on the lobby menu of Fortnite, a man in the top left corner goes on for some time talking about god knows what. For some odd reason, the stream stayed on for about 2 hours. Though I wasn't paying attention as I was doing my own thing, like school work and checking up on Benji and Ashley. It wasn't until I was done with my work that I finally laid on the bed and paid attention to the TV. The man on the screen looked familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. It wasn't till I heard him speak that I realized who it was.

"Nick?" Ashley looked at me confused before her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open.

"No way. It can't be." I nodded as I was entranced by the man laughing and playing with a ball on the screen.

"You have to contact him and tell him! His name on Insta-"

"No, I couldn't do that to him. It's best if we just leave it at this. It'd ruin him and his career." My eyes were teary as I had finally come to terms with Benji not growing up with a father.

~~ present day <3

You had taken a trip to TwitchCon with Ashley's little sister Jenny. Ashley couldn't make it since she had an art contest at her school to be in. Though she wanted to still be able to give art to her favorite creators so she paid for Jenny and me to go. It was very hard to handle two other people but at least Jenny was 14 and was able to take care of herself when I wasn't able to.

Jenny was going to be wearing costumes for the days we were there for and the first day she was dressing up as someone called 'Dream'. So I decided she couldn't have all the fun and dressed up as a Minecraft creeper, which was three sizes too small, and Benji dressed as a Minecraft panda. It was a regular panda suit but I put a Minecraft panda head as the hood and made it so it could stay on his head.

We walked around outside for a bit before the building opened. We took some photos of people who asked, Benji getting complimented every two seconds. He would just smile and kick his feet since I was baby wearing him. Then it was time for us to go in and we got straight into line for someone, I never checked the name. It was about an hour-long wait, but it wasn't bad as Benji was mostly quiet. He did get fidgety at times which is when I would take him out and let him stand or be held by Jenny.

Finally we made it to the front of the line and Jenny was getting excited.

"He's one of Ashley and mine's favorite streamers. You have the stuff to show him right?" I nod and turn my back a little so she can take out the items from my bag.

"Hello," The man greets as Jenny excitedly walks toward him.

She gives him the pictures which he accepts and thanks. I then take a picture of the two of them. He goes wide eyed as he looks at me, as if he knew me.

"Hey, uh, cute baby." He replies. He seems unsure of what to say and kind of awkwardly stands there.

A couple seconds passed as I thanked him for the compliment. We're then told we have to move along which lets us go into the next line.

As we stand in line I try to remember who the man was. The person floats in my mind a little, it's fuzzy and only there for a few seconds at a time, like clips of a movie.

"Hey, what was that guys name that we just met?"

"His name is Sapnap."

I couldn't get him out of my head for the rest of the day. It was like he was stuck there and I had no intention of getting him out. He knew, he had to of. If he didn't, then why did he stand there like a fish out of water when he saw me. I knew he didn't know Benji, but he most certainly knew me.

Jenny and I sat in our chairs at the panel, the creators sitting above us all waiting to be asked questions. Jenny asked me to go up and ask a question for her and to ask them if they had seen a certain art by her which she had accidentally posted on my account.

"Hello, I'm y/n, this is Benji," I wave his hand for him which got people to aw.

"My friend has a couple of questions, if you don't mind me asking two." They sat in silence waiting for me to ask. Sapnap whispered to a boy beside him which made the boys eyes go wide and look at me bewildered.

"So one, what's your favorite Minecraft animal slash mob?" They all answered with their respective answers, Sapnap's animal being a panda.

"And second, my friend wants you guys to check out a piece of art she created but accidentally posted on my account. Is it alright if I tell you the user so you could check it out?" The blonde one all the way to the right nodded and took out his phone.

I told him my account and he replied back with his reaction to it which got some others to ask to be shown it. As I sat down, the man's phone was being passed down the line of people. It stopped at Sapnap as he took out his phone to most likely copy the user to also like the photo.

The panel continued on for another couple hours until it finally finished. Jenny begged me to stay a little longer and go outside to meet some people we couldn't before.

I waited off to the side as she took photos and just played with Benji outside of his carrier. It wasn't long until we were interrupted by someone tapping my shoulder.

"Hey, y/n, right?" I turn towards the voice and see Nick. I nod and he smiles leaning against the wall with me.

"So we finally meet again, at last." I chuckle and see Benji looking at Nick with his big green eyes.

"How old is your son?" He looks puzzled, like he knows something but just wants the last piece to be sure.

"He's going to be nine months soon." He looks at me. Does he know? Surely not.

"Is he- is he mine?" His voice is low, like a scared kid.

I nod, not really knowing what to say. A tense air blankets us and there's nothing else said between us. It took minutes, a couple of photos that he took with fans, before he finally asked a question.

"Could I hold him?" I stare at him blankly, not knowing what exactly to do. Finally, I slowly started to move Benji towards him. He holds him under his armpits, far away from him like the second they'd touch they'd explode. I push them together which gets Benji to laugh and clutch onto Nick.

Nick smiles, realizing that this is probably the best feeling in the world. He fell in love that day, not with the woman standing next to him, but his son that was in his hands. From that day onward, he vowed to take care of them both. He put their needs before his and eventually stopped streaming for some time to fix the relationship between the three of them. After a while, he got back into streaming and showed off his newly wedded wife, who was pregnant once more, and his son, whom he explained he loved more than anything in this world, and outer space.

ill be honest, the time line is a little messed up but fuck me it was hard to find things that sewed everything together perfectly. please just go with it, im tired lol.

#sapnap x reader #mcyts x reader #mcyt imagine #mcyts #dreamsmp #mcyt x y/n #mcyt sapnap #sapnap x person #sapnap x y/n #sapnap x you #sapnap imagine #sapnap #sapnap mcyt #dsmp imagine #dsmp sapnap #dreamsmp imagine #dreamsmp sapnap #dream imagines #sapnap imagines

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angelbluediary · 1 year

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the healing work needed

[disclaimer for anyone reading, since people like to use my shouts into the void as proof for their own personal agendas: I'm allowed to vent about work. Any customer service position is often uncomfortable, because people are demanding and rude across all fields. Sex work is especially difficult when your mental health is already fragile.]

In the beginning, SW gave me confidence, a noticeable pep in my step, more money than I knew what to do with. It's the only reason my housing application was approved. I met cool, inspiring people through it.

But for the past year, it's given me more heartache than anything else, and a lot of that is my own fault. Instead of being a fun side hustle, SW became my only work. It became Everything. And when it became Everything, it became nothing -- the windfall suddenly a trickle, exhausting myself just to make rent, taking blows from most comments I receive. It's no longer good for my soul. I deluded myself for a long time waiting for the wheel to turn and things to magically become as they once were. But nothing in my life is exactly the same as it was, and I myself am so different. Why should I only expect what I once knew to be true?

I realize now how much healing I need to do away from SW. Healing my relationship towards men. Healing my relationship towards my body. Existing as more than a figment of someone's desire.

I need interactions with people that lift me up and make me feel connected to others and to the world. But most of the interactions I receive are random fantasy dumping from men who see me as less than human.

(and here again is a comparison between past and present I can't help but draw a thousand times over -- men used to pay hefty sums just to chat with me about mundane topics throughout the day. Now, they try to find how to squeeze as much sexuality from me as possible for free. They play at how much they can get away with. And my standards have become so low that I remember, this person gifted me shorts a while back, so I let them.

And the one person in my life I can talk to about these things doesn't understand why I don't just draw boundaries. As if I'm not working a job and trying to scrape up grocery funds by letting these men talk to me the way they wish. I don't get the luxury anymore of cutting out people the second they make me even a little uncomfortable. I've had to compromise on so much this year.

Always, there is an itch under my skin, but now it is a relentless buzzing. What direction will we go in? What am I to do with my life? I don't need these answers. I can't predict the full picture before I take a single step. I just have to MOVE. I have to do SOMETHING. As I sit here motionless for months and months, pretending I am content simply because I've gotten used to this routine, I become complacent in my own unhappiness.

But I have a job interview in a few hours.

I've rearranged my entire bedroom again.

Creative ideas are bubbling to the surface and demanding I change everything I had been working on, everything I've been so bored with. A strong gust of wind from a land I'd forgotten how to access.

It won't be easy to change how I am, who I've been hardwired to become. I've always been the girl who was able to entertain herself alone in her room. Patient and quiet and calm. But I've also always been relentless and passionate. It is easier to move forward when there are objects to bump up against. It is easier to want to make a life for yourself when you remember there is more than one small apartment and its contents.

I will keep rediscovering my passions and creativity in an endless cycle. I will keep struggling forward, because it feels good to want and to MOVE towards the want. To move, to move, to move physically and not just in mental circles every single day.

No more forcing myself into positions I don't want to be in, into outfits I don't want to wear. No more entertaining gross men who use even illness and fever as an excuse to say disgusting things to me. No more relying on people who don't truly care for me as a lifeline.

I choose to live for myself, always.

#off my chest

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boricuacherry-blog · 1 year

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As I drove along the dark, cobbled streets of Castelbuono, my hometown in Sicily, I turned on my phone. Text messages started rolling in, one on top of another. 'Is it true?' flashed up. 'Are you OK?'

But I had no idea what they were talking about. I'd spent the evening with friends and around midnight was heading back to the house I'd rented, following my cousin Dario. Suddenly Dario's car screeched to a halt. He leapt out and ran towards me, shouting: 'Michael's dead! Michael's dead!'

Dario could only have meant one person: Michael Jackson, who had been the centre of my world - as a friend, as his assistant and then his personal manager - for almost 20 years.

I had been part of Michael's inner circle and had helped him through his darkest hours. Memories rose up, then melted away again. Moments from the past, some happy, some sad, some triumphant, some disastrous. But the figure who dominated them all was Michael Jackson.

I was four when we first met. My father was general manager at the Helmsley Palace hotel in Manhattan and had struck up a friendship with the star who frequently stayed there. Michael gave me a big smile, took off his sunglasses, and shook my hand. He was 27 and his most recent album, Thriller, was already the best-selling album of all time.

I remember driving a toy limo over his head and down his arms. As we left he told us he would call next time he was in New York. A few weeks later, the doorbell rang at our home in Hawthorne, New Jersey, long after I'd gone to sleep. Michael was paying us a visit, the first of many over the next few years.

When I was 12, the whole family was invited to visit Neverland. Beautiful music played. There were trees, flowers, fountains, and acres of stunning landscapes. And, of course, the theme park in the garden. Neverland was by far the most magical place I'd ever been.

The following year, I went to stay with Michael accompanied by my 11-year-old brother Eddie. We were introduced to a boy named Jordie Chandler, who was about my age. Back then, I didn't notice that Michael's behavior wasn't what people expected to see in an adult. Since we weren't there with our parents, my brother and I asked Michael if we could stay with him in his room. We all bedded down on the floor.

Michael, Eddie, and I stayed up late that night talking. Michael filled us in on Hollywood gossip, telling us how he'd gone to Eddie Murphy's house and how Madonna had tried to seduce him.

'I was so shy, I didn't know what to do,' he confessed.

'You should have gone for it. I would have done anything for one night with Madonna,' I told him. I was young, but already girl-crazy.

Later, when I was older and joined Michael on tour, fans often visited him in his hotel room. We called the girls fish - because there were lots of fish in the sea - and the most aggressive ones, barracudas. We'd try to embarrass each other in front of women.

Sometimes we'd be standing in a lift behind an attractive hotel maid, and I'd feel Michael trying to nudge my hand toward the girl's bottom.

One spring night in 1994, Michael told me he had just married Lisa Marie Presley. I was incredulous. 'What? We never even knew you were dating anyone!'

At the time, Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal was his business partner in a newly formed company called Kingdom Entertainment.

According to Michael, the prince and his colleagues liked to do business with family men, so he wanted Michael to be married - especially after the Jordy Chandler allegations the previous year. The prince was investing a lot of money, so Michael had married Lisa Marie. Or so Michael's story went. Michael would confide in me about his marital problems.

'She likes to fight,' he said. 'When she complains, I start clapping my hands and smiling.'

'Does that work?' I asked.

'Well, it makes her stop, and then I ask her if she's done arguing.'

-Frank Cascio

#mj #michael jackson #frank cascio #story #grooming #quote

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mimisempai · 3 years

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Wait for me on the other side 5/8

Summary:

Une rencontre... un baiser... une mini dispute... Loki et Mobius se rapprochent et chacun dans leur temps se rend compte de ses sentiments...

Thank you for all the people who came aboard the ship of this story! Your comments are really the essence of my motivation. I hope you'll continue to enjoy your reading!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/32948254/chapters/82281988

BiFrost Bar - 2021

Thor exclaimed, "Why didn't you say it was your birthday? We would have had a cake for you or something."

Loki replied with a gentle smile, "It's just the time passing. I hate to make a big deal out of it."

Thor looked at him with his piercing eyes, "You keep a lot to yourself don't you?"

Although lately he was starting to open up a little more, Loki couldn't argue with him.

Thor continued, "There's nothing wrong with that. But I sometimes wonder what else you have in your life besides work. A family? A girlfriend or a boyfriend?"

Loki remained silent at first, then, faced with Thor's kindness, he finally began to talk about himself.

Sigyn's House - 2019

Sigyn introduced Loki with enthusiasm, everyone toasting him, kissing him, congratulating him.

Loki tried with difficulty not to show that he was slightly annoyed.

They arrived near Mobius and Sylvie, who was really looking forward to leaving.

"Loki, I'd like you to meet, Mobius and uh... Sylvie. He's going to help us find our lake house."

"Hello." greeted them Loki.

Mobius replied, "Hi." while Sylvie nodded.

Seeing that they were holding their coats, Sigyn asked, "Are you guys already leaving?"

Mobius looked at them, his gaze fixed on Sigyn's arm around Loki's waist and replied, "No, we're staying."

He felt Sylvie's irritated look on him.

"Very well." said Sigyn, "Come on Loki, I still have some people to introduce you to."

Loki gave a small pinched smile and followed his enthusiastic girlfriend.

A little later, Mobius was looking for a bathroom and in doing so, passed by the door of a room, half-opened. Inside, Sigyn was kissing Loki.

Mobius stepped back quickly and heard Sigyn ask, "Were you surprised?"

Loki replied in a tone that Mobius found dull, "Yes, I was. When are they going to leave?"

Sigyn asked worriedly, "What's the matter Loki?"

Loki sighed and replied, "Nothing. I'm fine... It's just I had a long day, plus the crowded train, I don't know. I guess I thought we'd be alone tonight."

Sigyn protested, "But these are my friends, Lo. They're going to be our friends. I want you to get to know them. We're going to make a life here."

"I know. I know..."

BiFrost Bar - 2021

"We moved in together when I finished college of the arts. He had rented this big house. A beautiful place, on the north side of town. We were going to live there forever. That was the plan."

Thor, who was listening intently, asked him softly, "What happened?"

Loki shrugged, "The problem is that it was his plan not mine."

Thor nodded, understanding.

Loki pulled himself together, "No, I'm not being fair. I thought I wanted it too. I don't know. Anyway, I ended it."

Thor put his hand on his arm and said, "That's your right Loki. You don't have to justify yourself, whatever your reasons, you had the right to end the relationship."

He took a sip of beer before continuing, "But then, who are you writing to?"

Loki didn't answer. He didn't know how to explain Mobius.

At Loki's silence, Thor added softly, "Sorry. It's none of my business."

Loki shook his head, "No, it's okay. You're right, there is someone."

He twirled his glass in his hands to give himself a little composure.

"It's kind of a... long-distance relationship."

"For how long?"

Loki sighed, "a long time."

Thor looked interested, "How did you two meet?"

Loki swallowed and replied, "We haven't met."

"What?"

"We just write letters to each other."

Thor laughed, "Is this a joke?"

Loki shook his head again, "No, I promise."

"You mean, it's like a pen pal?"

Loki nodded his head...

Thor laughed, but Loki didn't join him and drained his glass. before continuing, a little sadly, "It's the story of my life. Keeping everything at an appropriate and safe distance. Everyone... The girl who loved me, who wanted to marry me, I pushed her away, I run, I run away all the time. While now, the only man I can never meet... him, I want to give him all my heart."

Thor squeezed his hand and looked at him with a compassionate eye, "So you've never really talked face to face?"

" Nev-" Loki paused, suddenly realizing something, "No. Wait. One time..."

Sigyn's House - 2019

Loki left the house after his discussion with Sigyn. He really needed a break. He sat down on the stairs and suddenly realized he was not alone. Mobius was there too, alone.

The silence lingered, neither of them knowing what to say.

Then suddenly Mobius said simply, "Happy birthday."

Loki growled and replied, "If one more person comes up and says that to me tonight I'll kill them."

Mobius looked apologetic and stepped back a little in surrender.

Loki sighed, "Sorry for the reaction, I know it's not a big deal. Just one more year. I guess I'm not really in the mood to party."

Mobius replied, "Neither am I actually."

"So what are you doing here?" asked Loki, curious.

Mobius hesitated and replied, sitting down on the steps next to Loki. "I was hoping... to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Someone Sigyn told me about."

Loki nodded, "Ah. A reunion?"

Mobius chuckled, "Sort of."

"So what are you waiting for?"

Mobius sighed, "I'm trying to get some courage."

Loki smiled, "I understand." He tightened his arms around himself, feeling the coolness of the night and asked, "So you're the one who's going to find us a house on the lake, right?"

Mobius, sure of himself replied in a confident voice, "Yes, I will."

Loki was a little taken aback by the assurance of his answer.

"Are you a real estate agent?"

"No, I have a house above the lake."

Loki looked surprised and Mobius added, "And you're going to rent it after I move out." He coughed and pulled himself together, "I mean, you could. If you want to."

"When are you moving?

Mobius replied, "I'm...not sure. I guess once you finish your PhD in literature?"

Loki glared at him.

Mobius wanted to smack himself on the head and tried to make things up, "Sigyn said you were in the College of Arts and studying literature."

He paused and the silence was awkward.

Loki looked confused and Mobius felt he had lost the thread of the conversation, if there ever was one.

"What makes you think we would like it? How can you be sure."

Mobius replied seriously, "You'll like it."

Loki asked point blank, "Can you swim?"

Mobius replied, "Sure, I took lessons when I was a kid."

Loki shook his head laughing, "No, I mean, can you swim from home?"

"Oh."

Mobius laughed with Loki.

"Uh no. You can't. That's a downside. There's no path to the water."

"That's a shame."

Mobius nodded before adding, "Actually, I thought... You'd have to see it, but I always had the idea that I could change it. Nothing major. But a few new elements could really transform the house. A deck in the back that would be over the lake. And stairs…," Mobius paused, embarrassed by his enthusiasm when Loki wasn't supposed to have seen the house.

Loki continued his sentence though,"Stairs that go down to the water?"

Mobius nodded, "Yeah. That's it, like a gentle curve down... So you could go out the back door and down to the lake whenever you feel like it."

"That sounds really nice."

Loki turned his head toward the house where the party was still in full swing. He sighed, "It's pretty late. Shouldn't you go back? If you want to find the woman of your dreams tonight?"

Mobius replied with a wink, "Actually, that would be the man of my dreams."

"Oh..."

"Does that bother you?" asked Mobius.

"Oh no, I'm just surprised, pleasantly surprised to know that I'm not the only one here who's attracted to a little bit of both."

Loki gave him a teasing shoulder nudge. Mobius chuckled in response and added, "To answer your question, I'm not interested in finding the man of my dreams, I'm much better off here."

Loki blushed slightly at the implication of Mobius' words.

Mobius asked him gently, "Loki, have you read Persuasion by Jane Austen?"

Loki startled slightly and replied in surprise, "It's my favorite book. Why?"

"I have a friend who likes it."

Loki replied with a half smile, "Your friend has good taste."

"Yes he does." Mobius replied, a playful glint in his eye before adding, "I've been meaning to read it. Could you tell me a little about it?"

Loki waited a little and thought before answering. He wrapped his hands around his knees and began to speak with his chin in his lap, "It's about... waiting. These two people meet. They almost fall in love, but it's not the right time, and they have to part ways. Then, years later, they meet again. They have another chance. But they don't know if too much time has passed, if they've waited too long, if it's too late to make things work."

Mobius replied, "That sounds sad."

Loki shook his head, "It's not. Not at the end. I wouldn't have read it, I hate books that don't have a happy ending."

They were sitting pretty close to each other, Loki straightened up a bit and turned his head to Mobius who had also just moved closer.

They looked at each other for a long moment before simultaneously leaning towards each other until their lips met.

They kissed for a long time, forgetting everything around them. Both of them felt a sense of adequacy, of harmony at that moment. After a while, Loki pulled back and hesitantly said, "I don't know why I did that."

Mobius replied softly, "We did this, not just you, I'll try to explain..."

He was leaning again on Loki who did not move back when the door behind them opened on Sigyn and Sylvie.

Mobius and Loki quickly separated and both stood up at the same time, looking like children caught with their hand in the jam jar.

Sigyn and Sylvie could see that they had interrupted something. There was an awkward silence until Loki decided to break it, "Oh, Sigyn, hey. Uh, Mobius was just telling me about his house. It sounds really great."

Sigyn, his face set like stone, replied in an icy voice, "Great."

Loki turned to Mobius and continued, "We're, uh, definitely interested."

Mobius nodded and replied, "Good. I'll be in touch."

He stared at Loki for a few seconds and then whispered as he looked toward the ground, "I promise."

Sylvie, her eyes flashing, intervened, holding out his coat. "Mobius. It's late."

Mobius reluctantly followed her, taking one last look at Loki before heading for his pickup.

The return drive passed in dead silence and he dropped Sylvie off in front of her house. At the moment of closing the door of the car she said to him bitterly, "You know, if you didn't want anything to do with me, Mobius, you should have just told me. I know I'm intrusive but you never say anything, because you never want to hurt people. But not saying anything can hurt too you know."

Mobius felt bad that he had really hurt Sylvie.

"I'm really sorry. I... I'm not very good at this. I really like you as a... friend, but I don't want to go any further. I... I am in love with someone else."

He was surprised by the admission he had just made to himself. For the first time.

Sylvie seemed to notice and her face softened a bit.

"It'll take me a little while, but don't stop coming to the store or talking to me because of it, okay. I like you as a friend too, not just a love interest. I don't want to lose our friendship. So I'll probably give you a hard time the next few days, but that's okay."

Mobius nodded, moved by Sylvie's kindness, "I... Thanks."

She didn't answer anything, closed the car door gently and went home.

Mobius drove in a daze back to the house on the hill and was surprised to see that the mailbox flag was up.

He opened it and grabbed the little note that was inside.

Oh, my God. It was you.

I remember you.

Why didn't you tell me who you were?

I'm waiting by the box, I know you're home around this time, so you can answer right away

Two years apart, the same conversation, rhythmed by the movement of the small flag.

M -You would have thought I was crazy.

L -But I liked you. That was our chance. You should have told me.

M -And your girlfriend?

L -What about your girlfriend?

M -She's not my girlfriend!

L -Well, she's not my boyfriend!

M -She was then! I mean, she is now.

L -Your 'now', not mine! And maybe the 'now' would be different if you had said something back then. Maybe now would have come sooner, or maybe now would be our now, not just my now, you know?

M - No! I don't know!

2021 - Loki's apartment

Loki reread their conversation, grumbled in frustration, and threw the letter across the room, exasperated. A missed opportunity. Croki spun around his feet and rubbed his legs, as if to comfort him.

2019 - Mobius House

Mobius, equally frustrated when he saw that Loki did not answer, threw away his pencil and stomped toward the house. Once inside, he slumped in his armchair, sighed and looked thoughtfully through the bay window as Croki came to lie down and put his head on his feet, sensing his master's trouble.

_________

Fortunately, Croki is there to support them... but will they finally meet? How about a date?

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 (End)

#lokius fics #lokius #Developing Relationship #no powers au #Alternate Universe #Letters #penpal #loki series au #loki #mobius m. mobius #thor

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karlajoyner · 3 years

Text

Karaoke Night (Booboo Stewart x Reader)

A/n: So I hope you guys like it! I'm currently working on the rest of my requests. I'm probably gonna hold off on the sunset curve one cause I don't know if I'm gonna make that a smut yet. Also I do have a JATP groupchat for 18+ and a tumblr taglist so comment if you wanna be added to any of those!

Requested by: Perksofbeingjune34 (Wattpad)

Warnings: Drinking

————

I set Jadahs makeup in place smiling at her reaction.

"Thanks y/n! I look great" She grinned.

"I'm so ready for tonight"

"Me too Jadah. We should get going before we miss getting a ride"

"I'm sure Booboo will wait for you" She teased knowing about my small crush on the actor.

"He has to. We're roommates" I stated fixing my eyeliner in the mirror in front of us.

After a long day my uncle Kenny invited the cast and crew to a karaoke night to celebrate none other than the birthday of Jadah Marie who was turning 16. And like any good niece I of course said yes to the invitation being very good friends with the young girl. Fortunately enough, having talent in the makeup department gave me an opportunity to work with uncle Kenny on a lot of amazing projects. Including his current one. Julie and the Phantoms.

I had worked with some of the cast previously including Jadah herself, Cheyenne Jackson, and of course my best friend and roommate Booboo Stewart. Who I had met on the set of the very first Descendants. We've been close ever since. Even renting an apartment together in LA and of course begging my uncle to pair us as roommates here in Vancouver.

I sighed running to the back of the trailer pulling out my gift for Jadah, handing it to the girl.

"Here open it when you get the chance. But we should really get going" I said taking off my jacket showing off the nice dress I had put on for tonight.

"Thanks. You look great. I'm sure you'll catch someone's attention tonight" She spoke wiggling her eyebrows.

"Jadah I did not tell you about my crush for you to tease me all the time. I told you so you could stop accusing me of it"

I playfully rolled my eyes, shutting the door behind us.

"Crush on who?" A familiar voice asked from behind us making my eyes go wide.

"Booboo what are you doing here?" I asked taking in the boys appearance.

A nice navy blue suit paired with a pair of white shoes. His sleeves rolled up to his elbows and white button down opened just enough to show off the gold friendship necklace I got him for his own birthday.

"I waited for you. I promised everyone I'd get you two to Karaoke in one piece. Now answer my question. You have a crush on who?"

"Harry Styles" I replied.

The young girl clearly stifling a laugh from beside me.

"Oh" He replied with a frown.

"Well that's nothing new. We should get going. Don't want the birthday girl to be late" He smiled at Jadah as we made our way towards the parking lot.

The ride to the restaurant wasn't a complete loss. Jadah making the tension in the air float away. Starting off by playing I spy to telling stupid jokes causing laughter to fill the air.

"Okay we're here" Booboo stated as we pulled up to the front of the restaurant. I thanked the valet who opened my door waiting for Jadah and Booboo.

The two each took one side of me as we walked towards the karaoke bar. Immediately spotting the table that was making noise. I giggled as Owen waved us over crazily.

The hostess immediately walking us over.

"Jadah! Y/n!" Madison shouted getting up to hug us.

I smiled sliding into the booth in between Savannah and Booboo.

"You look beautiful sweetheart"

"Thanks uncle Kenny. This place is fancy"

"This place has drinks" Charlie stated holding up a menu"

"Hallelujah to being 21" I announced taking a menu.

"You want something?" I asked the boy beside me.

"Can't I'm driving"

"Right. Ones of us has be responsible"

"And sober enough to carry the other one to her bedroom so she doesn't trip over her own two feet" He teased bumping my shoulder.

"It was one time"

"It was twice actually" Booboo corrected me making me playfully roll my eyes.

"Did I mention you look beautiful by the way?" He spoke getting closer to me.

"Uh no. Thank you though" I shyly smiled looking over the menu.

"Your very welcome. I'm a lucky guy you know?"

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm going home with the prettiest girl here tonight" He whispered in my ear. My cheeks burning brighter than a thousand suns.

"Really? Where is she?" I attempted to joke to calm the blood rushing to my face.

"For your information she's sitting right next to me. You know since were roommates and all"

"Oh right of course" I spoke shaking off the slight tinge in my heart.

The waitress soon made her way over taking down our drinks. I ordered something semi strong knowing I'd need it to get through the night.

I loved the cast. They were amazing really. But they take a lot of energy to keep up with which I don't have on my own. Me or Booboo for that matter which is why instead of going out the two of us enjoyed to stay in and cuddle. Of course having a movie marathon. Usually comedies. Like all close friends do. Right?

"So who's gonna go up first?" Owen asked no one daring to speak up.

"Come on I get a cast full of talented singers and no one wants to sing" My uncle said as yet another person went up on stage.

"Oh can one of you go up there and like serenade me or something" I asked excitedly.

"Booboo your girls talking but I don't see you moving" Savannah said making everyone chuckle.

"Oh Y/n can go!" Madison yelled excitedly.

"No she's can't" I said playing with my fingers.

"Oh you totally could. We don't judge here" Charlie agreed.

"I really can't. I do makeup I don't sing"

"You do you liar. I've heard you when you think you're alone in the makeup trailer. Your amazing"

"I'm not singing Mads"

"Come on it can be my birthday present" Jadah grinned.

"Forget it guys. My own niece hasn't even let me hear her sing" My uncle spoke making me roll my eyes.

"I'm not doing it. There's no way"

"Come on y/n/n" Booboo finally spoke placing a hand on my arm.

I looked up at the man in front of me and back at his hand. He quickly moved it away sending me his signature smile.

"You know you have it in you"

"Let's get her drunk!" Charlie yelled raising his arms in the air making us all laugh.

"Charlie might actually be on the right track" I chuckled.

"I'll get the shots" Booboo spoke slipping out of the booth.

I took my 4th shot beginning to feel the liquid courage take over me.

"Are you drunk enough yet? Owen asked. I giggled nodding my head watching my uncle nod his head in disapproval.

"I brought you guys here to celebrate poor Jadah's birthday and you repay me by getting my niece drunk" Uncle Kenny spoke making me burst out in laughter.

"Your gonna be so proud of me" I laughed pushing Booboo out of the booth and standing up.

I made my way towards the stage with the help of Savannah. Watching as she walked towards the dj leaving me alone with the microphone.

I grinned upon hearing the beginning of a familiar song.

Yeah, everybody's got a thing

But some don't know how to handle it

Always reaching out in vain

Just taking the things not worth having

But don't you worry 'bout a thing

Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama

'Cause I'll be standing on the side

When you check it out, oh

I sang watching the reaction of the table I was previously sat at. They were shocked as they should be. But the tequila in my system couldn't care less.

They say your style of life's a drag

And that you must go other places

Just don't you feel too bad

When you get fooled by smiling faces

Don't you worry 'bout a thing

Don't you worry 'bout a thing, baby

'Cause I'll be standing on the side

When you check it out

When you get it off your trip

Don't you worry 'bout a thing

Don't you worry 'bout a thing, yeah

Come on!

Everybody needs a change

A chance to check out the new

You're the only one to sees

The changes you take yourself through

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Don't you worry 'bout a thing (thing)

Pa-pa-p, pa-pa-pa-pa

Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa

Pa-pa-p, pa-pa-pa-pa

Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa

Singing at the top of my lungs. I began to dance. Watching the mood of the place change. Everyone beginning to clap along. My eyes landed on the boy I had been crushing on for a while now.

Don't you worry 'bout a thing

Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama

'Cause I'll be standing on the side

When you check it out

When you get it off your trip

Don't you worry 'bout a thing

Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama

'Cause I'll be standing on the side

When you check it out

Oh, don't you worry

Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama

'Cause I'll be standing, I'll be standing

When you

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,

Don't you worry 'bout a thing

I finished with a bow before making my way back to the table. Taking the shot that sat in front of Charlie.

"Hey!" He yelled.

"That was amazing!" Madison shouted as the whole table began to cheer.

"Thanks guys. It was fun"

"This could be the start of your singing career"

"Thank you but no thank you uncle Kenny. Baby can you get me another shot" I patted Booboos shoulder.

"Did you just call him baby?"

"I meant Booboo" I corrected myself.

"I think you need some rest if your mixing up words" Booboo spoke standing up.

"I-I'm fine" I whispered looking up at him.

"We can rewatch Harry Potter"

"And suddenly I'm ready to go home" I shouted.

"Happy Birthday Jadah" I grinned at the girl.

"Thank you for coming. And my makeup. And my gift. And everything else"

"Your welcome. You deserve it all!" I shouted lifting my arms in the air. Immediately stumbling backwards only to be caught by a pair of arms.

"I'll get her home safely Kenny. Nothing to worry about" He spoke from behind me.

"Thank you. And thanks for coming guys" My uncle spoke as I was led out the place.

"I'm ready for movie night!" I shouted walking out of my bedroom in a pair of sweats and an oversized tee shirt. Booboos shirt to be exact.

"Me too!" He shouted from the kitchen.

"Hogwarts here we come" I spoke sitting down on the couch. Seeing he already had put the disk in.

I watched as he made his way over with a bowl of popcorn at hand.

He placed it on the table laying down on the couch. His head immediately falling onto my lap. I giggled running my fingers through his hair as the opening of the movie started.

We were only 6 minutes in before I glanced down at my lap. There he laid looking so peaceful. So adorable.

I sighed watching as his gaze moved towards me.

The sound of the movie that once filled the room now silent.

"Okay what's up?" He questioned sitting up.

"C-can I sing you something?"

"Like now?"

"Yeah it's a song I wrote"

"You write?"

"Every once in a while. So can I?"

"Of course"

I grinned running to my room pulling out the acoustic guitar inside my closet.

I rushed back outside sitting beside him once more. Biting my lip I began to strum away at the chords.

Your love is bright as ever

Even in the shadows

Baby kiss me

Before they turn the lights out

Your heart is glowing

And I'm crashing into you

Baby kiss me

Before they turn the lights out

Baby love me lights out

In the darkest night hour (in the darkest night hour)

I'll search through the crowd (I'll search through the crowd)

Your face is all that I see

I'll give you everything

Baby love me lights out

You can turn my lights out

We don't have forever

Ooh, baby daylight's wasting

You better kiss me

Before our time has run out

Mmm yeah

Nobody sees what we see

They're just hopelessly gazing, oh

Oh, baby take me, me

Before they turn the lights out

Before our time has run out

Baby love me lights out

In the darkest night hour (in the darkest night hour)

I'll search through the crowd (I'll search through the crowd)

Your face is all that I see

I'll give you everything

Baby love me lights out

You can turn my lights out

I love you like XO

You love me like XO

You kill me boy XO

You love me like XO

All that I see

Give me everything

Baby love me lights out

You can turn my lights out

In the darkest night hour (in the darkest night hour)

I'll search through the crowd (I'll search through the crowd)

Your face is all that I see

I'll give you everything

Baby love me lights out

You can turn my lights out

I strung the last chord watching as a small smile played at his lips.

"I-it was about you in case you couldn't tell"

"I was hoping you'd say that" He grinned leaning in.

Our lips met in the middle. Moving together in sync. And for a split second it was like the world had disappeared as his hand moved up to caress my cheek.

I giggled as we pulled away watching his face. His happiness radiate with the same energy as mine.

"I really like you" I admitted feeling that blood rush back to my face from earlier.

"I really like you too y/n/n" He whispered leaning in once more.

————

Up Next: Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Sunset Curve x Reader (Maybe)

Carrie Wilson x Reader

Owen Patrick Joyner x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Alex x Male Reader

————

@lolychu @headheartbellarke @bookish0918 @kcd15 @ifilwtmfc @moviesbooksandfandoms @lovesanimals @lavender-writer @kaitieskidmore1

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odyssey-system · 3 years

Text

Enchanted: Part of Your World #1

"Can you do me a favor, sweetheart?"

Fiona Seville was on the phone with her father Dave as she sat on the couch in her apartment. Her frizzy hair was a slight mess as she adjusted her legs. "Y-Yeah, of course, Dad."

She could hear him sigh on the other end of the phone, along with a cough. "I was supposed to go to a benefit masquerade ball tomorrow night. The one that I go to every year."

"Right! The one for state arts programs?"

"That's right. Well... I can't make it this year. I ended up with bronchitis and your brothers have to take care of me at home."

Fiona frowned. "I'm sorry, Dad..."

"It's alright. I was just wondering, since you were closer, could you make the donation in my place at the ball?"

She bit her lip. She was not typically a person to deal with large crowds, but for the only parent in her life, she'd take a leap of faith. "O-Okay but if I make the donation for you, can you transfer me replacement money after?"

"Of course, sweetheart. You have my word."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After a few phone calls with her agent, Ethan Blake, Fiona was able to donate money, book a ride and acquire an outfit for the night. She'd spent the past few days looking around for pop culture tidbits she might have missed over the past week or so. She practiced talking to people in the mirror, and she arranged to get out an hour early from work that day.

So now, here she was, sitting in the front seat of a Dryve car in a stunning silver ballgown made by one of Ethan's friends, Addison Sinclair. The driver wasn't much for conversation, preferring to listen to the radio, but she didn't mind.

Eventually, the car pulled up to the designated drop-off point for the masquerade in front of the Sheridan Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, a line of paparazzi along the velvet roped red carpet. Fiona put on her mask and took a deep breath.

Showtime.

Fiona made her way out into the stream of flashing lights, walking toward the start of the red carpet. She only recognized one face in the line of paparazzi: Ana de Luca of Trend Magazine, one of her favorites. She put on her sweetest smile as she heard murmurs about how no one knew who she was, and she prepared for the barrage of questions with a nervous glimmer in her eyes.

Surprisingly, none of them approached her but she was asked to pose for pictures, to which she obliged.

What mattered more to her was getting inside after speaking to both of the hotel's front door bouncers and the bellhop, who helped her find the ballroom in which most of the event was held.

The ballroom was massive, much more extravagant and intimidating than Fiona could have ever imagined. It felt like she was walking around in a fish tank full of people.

It terrified her.

"This place is pretty cool, isn't it?" A young man in his early twenties asked her confidently. "Definitely better than my prom."

Fiona smiled, the conversation alleviating some of her nerves. "Yeah, it's beautiful in here."

"Is this your first time going to this?"

"Yeah."

The man gave an understanding smile. "Me too. I'm Chadley."

"I'm Fiona." She fixed her hair and her mask, shifting her remaining nerves into movement.

Chadley smiled. "Do you want to go get something to drink?"

Fiona nodded back at him. "I'd like that."

The two made their way over to a table with refreshments, Chadley immediately going over to the flutes of champagne. "Bubbly?"

"No thanks." She tried looking for other drinks but only ended up finding water on the table. She grabbed a glass and a reusable straw kit, following Chadley.

"How'd you get an invite to this party? Did you have to pass some initiation or something?"

Fiona laughed. "No. Why, did you?"

"Yeah, kind of! Mr. Groot said that I needed to start sharing my brain cells with my kind and jump into a canyon with no braces for my teeth." He said it with nonchalance, making Fiona recoil a little. His eyes widened. "No no, it's okay! My agent Ethan told me that it was his way of saying I needed to venture out of my comfort zone or something.

She sighed in relief. "This Groot guy might need to find a better way to come across with what he's saying correctly... But at least you have Ethan. He's my agent too."

"Oh sweet! He always has the best suits."

Fiona could think of a few other outstanding qualities about Ethan that would rank higher, but she did have to give Chadley that. "What do you do?"

"I'm a film actor. What about you?"

"Oh! Um..." Fiona's cheeks tinged pink slightly. "I'm a barista but I do have this character acting gig. I do birthday parties and stuff."

"That's cool! Do you like it?"

"Yeah! It's fun to make characters on your own that you can help people with, you know?"

"Hell yeah! So are you working during this party then?"

She shook her head. "No, my dad's a composer. He comes here every year, but he got sick and couldn't make it this time. He wanted me to make a donation this year for him, and I'd do anything for my dad."

"I get you. I'm gonna go talk to more people but-" He took a napkin and wrote down a set of digits. "Here's my cell phone number if you need something. I've gone to some stuff like this, I can help you."

Fiona smiled warmly. "You're so sweet, Chadley! I appreciate this, thank you."

"No worries, Fiona! Hope I see you around." He went off into another portion of the ballroom.

Afte watching him go and making sure he was alright, Fiona went to go sit next to the stage. It was sparsely used at the moment, a few musicians tuning and doing mic checks. She took a few minutes to browse her Pictagram feed idly, pausing on a post by the Wilshere siblings when she noticed something familiar about the backdrop.

"Excuse me." A tall male with shoulder-length hair and a beard said as he approached, gentle and calm with his security badge visible on his belt. "I need you to not block the stairs, ma'am."

Fiona blushed and glanced at the stairs. "Sorry, sir..."

"It's okay. Some of the acts are just ready to sound check."

"Right, of course." She followed him out of the way before spotting a pair of blondes approaching the stage: the Wilshere twins.

Fiona was in awe.

The male of the pair nodded to the security guard. "Thank you, Damien." He turned to Fiona. "Sorry for making you find a new wallflower spot. We just don't want anyone to get hurt, especially a charming young thing like you."

"Arthur! Don't tease the poor girl!" His sister strode over and gave a wide, warm smile. "Sorry about him." She took Fiona's hands. "You seem overwhelmed, love. Are you alright?"

Starstruck but true to Avery's observation, Fiona bit her lip. "I'm not used to navigating parties like this."

"I understand. These things can make a girl feel so small in a world so big, especially for your first time at one of these parties." She squeezes her hands. "There's a few different rooms next to the ballroom being rented out for the ball as well. Those might help you find a smaller group of people around here."

"Avery? Your turn for sound check," her brother called out.

The blonde sighed. "I have to go. But you've got this. I believe in you."

Fiona watched Avery go onto the stage, still anxious but more hopeful than before. She gave both her and Arthur a wave before walking around the ball a bit more.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After half an hour of roaming all of the other rooms, Fiona found herself in one that resembled a casino. It was a bit smaller than the other rooms, which helped her anxiety, but it felt very much like a boys' club in there with the amount of older men. Several men stared at her as she walked in, appraising her like jewelry. Or worse. She did her best to not give them any ideas or pay them any mind.

Unsatisfied playing games with any of the older men, she made her way over to the bar that was for the most part unoccupied. She sat on the other end of the bar, ordering a coffee instead of alcohol because of her need to have a clear head to survive the night.

When her coffee arrived, the waitress also placed a notebook in front of her, a pen tied to the spiral. She opened it cautiously, seeing neat handwriting on the first page.

Are you alright?

Fiona looked up from her spot and noticed the only other patron at the bar: a younger male but still considerably older than her, nursing a glass of scotch in his hand. His eyes met hers, and he smiled genuinely back at her. She pointed to him and then down at the notebook. He nodded in response. She quickly wrote a response after grabbing a pen from her purse:

Yeah. My first time at one of these events. It's a little scary.

She slid the notebook over to him so the waitress didn't have to do it. She watched him write, moving his hand in a gentle and elegant fashion, before he slid it back to her.

I understand. I didn't want to scare you and add to that. Do you want to sit with me?

Fiona took a moment to collect her thoughts before sliding her purse onto her shoulder. She collected the notebook and her coffee, walking over to sit next to him. "Sorry. I-I just figured if my answer was yes, I didn't want to be redundant.

He nodded in reply. "That's alright. I'm Thomas, by the way."

She smiled. "I'm Fiona."

I want you to know I'm a mirrorball I'll show you every version of yourself tonight

Thomas crossed his legs, right over left. "So what got you to come out here tonight, Fiona?"

"I-I came for my dad. He normally comes down here but he's sick this year."

"What's your last name?"

"Seville."

The name seemed to click in Thomas's head. "Ah yes, I believe I'm somewhat familiar. Dave's his name, right?"

"Y-Yeah."

"I remember him. We've met in passing before, I believe. The most I know is that he's a composer. Are you in the music industry as well?"

I'll get you out on the floor Shimmering beautiful And when I break, it's in a million pieces

Fiona shook her head. "Not exactly. I'm a barista most days, but I also do children's birthdays and other stuff like that as a costume actor. Sometimes it involves singing, but it's not the bread and butter of what I do."

Thomas smiled. "Impressive. You definitely achieve the Disney princess aesthetic tonight."

She blushed. "Thank you. You look nice too."

Hush, when no one is around, my dear You'll find me on my tallest tip-toes Spinnin' in my highest heels, love Shinin' just for you

The two could hear the bartender turn on the television, and a picture of Thomas without a mask on flashed across the screen as part of a television tabloid, along with his full name.

Mortified, Thomas partly covered his face with his hand.

Fiona looked at him sympathetically, reaching for his empty hand. "Is everything okay?"

Hush, I know they said the end is near But I'm still on my tallest tip-toes Spinnin' in my highest heels, love Shinin' just for you

"I... I have a problem with fangirls sometimes." He held her hand gently. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "D-Don't be." She looked around. "In all fairness, half of the people here look like you because of the masks and everything."

He uncovered his face. "You're not even a little starstruck at me?"

Fiona smiled and shook her head again. "I-I mean, I *do* know who you are now. But... I mostly look at Trend and music industry magazines, so I don't get your exposure a lot."

I want you to know I'm a mirrorball I can change everything About me to fit in

Thomas took another sip of his scotch, contemplating her words. "Well... What is your impression of me, then?"

You are not like the regulars The masquerade revelers Drunk as they watch my shattered edges glisten

She looked at him thoughtfully. "I-I think you seem like a hard worker. You have ambitions that aren't always in the realm of reality, but you try. And you make every effort to keep your private life and your work separate. You think art is a second life in and of itself."

Thomas sat silent for a moment, stunned. "And how did you manage to decipher all of that?"

Fiona's smile hinted at a hidden laughter. "You don't seem like you've sold your soul to any towel rack of a tabloid, Mr. Hunt."

He knew the game she was playing now. She seemed to warm up to him quickly, something that could hurt them both if they weren't careful.

But the angle she was going for now? Two could play at that game.

Hush, when no one is around, my dear You'll find me on my tallest tip-toes Spinnin' in my highest heels, love Shinin' just for you

"You'd think correctly, Ms. Seville," he said with a regal and teasing side-smirk. "However, seems it's my turn to pick your brain."

Fiona flushed, almost retreating from the teasing as her fingers on one hand started playing with the edges of her frizzy hair. "G-Go ahead."

Thomas was gentle as he shifted on the barstool, taking a full look at her. "You are definitely in touch with your inner child in a way I don't see often around here. Not necessarily the innocence, but you tap into that with your curiosity, your sincerity, your kindness."

Fiona shied away slightly at the very accurate read of her.

He let her have a moment to recover before continuing to speak. "I would love to have more time to figure you out fully, to get to know you, person to person... if you'll have me."

Hush, I know they said the end is near But I'm still on my tallest tip-toes Spinnin' in my highest heels, love Shinin' just for you

She looked up at him with soft silver-blue eyes, searching herself for the answer as she contemplated his request. "O-Okay. Can some of that time be without a crowd...?"

He smiled. "I know just the place." He took her by the hand and led her out to an open balcony, pulling her into a slow dance as the door closed after them when they got outside. He led her, one arm around her waist and the other holding her head protectively to his chest.

And they called off the circus Burn the disco down When they sent home the horses And the rodeo clowns I'm still on that tightrope I'm still trying everything to get you laughing at me

She pulled away from the close embrace, moving to hold his hands again. "I-I..."

Thomas smiled, a patient ease to his posture. "Yes, Fiona?"

"Can we have... more than just tonight to know each other?"

He held her cheek. "I would love nothing more."

And I'm still a believer, but I don't know why I've never been a natural All I do is try, try, try I'm still on that trapeze I'm still trying everything to keep you looking at me

In an instant, her lips tilted to reach his.

And nothing else that night mattered for a weightless, ethereal, eternal moment.

Because I'm a mirrorball I'm a mirrorball I'll show you every version of yourself tonight

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brookeolin · 4 years

Text

TRIGGER WARNING/TW: emotional and physical abuse and violence

Hi! I've been paying attention to the stories of assault that have been shared by brave survivors over the past week... and years... Every time a movement to share revives, I consider talking about something I've been through... but usually by the time I feel like I can, I tell myself "it's too late, the moment passed". I am finally realizing that this mentality was a stupid way of silencing myself--and it's truly never too late to speak up.

I don't have a games industry person to call out. I'm sharing my story just to get it off my chest.

A couple years ago, in my late 20s, I was dating a guy named Mike. The relationship was pretty toxic from the start, but I was naiive as hell (yes you're still probably naiive about a lot of things in your late 20s btw) and thought his mean streak was sort of... refreshing? I fooled myself into thinking that I'd finally met a guy that would be honest with me about my flaws, and who would love me despite them. Because of this infatuation with a mean streak and the emotional highs and lows that come with it, I ignored all of the red flags. Some examples related to games: If we played a new game and had different opinions about it, mine were always wrong. If I tried to make an argument for my opinion, he'd accuse me of trying to make him feel stupid. My opinions were always invalidated without a discussion. We would play games together--he would tell me I was bad at it. He wouldn't even play the games I'd worked on, and told me he didn't like them. Everything I did or said was bad or wrong, but he'd always sugar-coat it and comfort me with encouragement that I could "do better". It was a rollercoaster of emotions every day. My self-esteem was so low that... I believed he was right. His gaslighting prevented me from seeing the reality of the situation--I was being emotionally abused, constantly.

Time flew by during this relationship. I was always either ecstatically happy or deeply depressed, and so I developed intense anxiety and panic attack problems. I would have a panic attack and would try to talk to him about it, and he would get mad at me or ignore me. The next day, he'd apologize and we'd make up. This happened more times than I can count. The relationship was so all over the place all the time that my emotional energy was always spent. I got too tired to talk to friends, and cut myself off from everyone without realizing it. I was also shipping a couple games at the time, and stopped working on them in the normal way... I didn't playtest, I didn't proofread, I just hacked things out as fast as possible so I could get back to putting out fires in my relationship. Every single disagreement about games or anything else was always turned back on me, and used to further belittle me.

Things continued to escalate with Mike, and maybe... a year into our relationship, one day, he was mad at me for arguing with him about... something. I was probably mad at him about rent--at this point, he was playing games all day and not working. I was paying for our entire existence, including rent, so we'd fight about that a lot. Anyways, we were fighting and it escalated and he started to hit me. He then shoved me onto the couch and started strangling me. I couldn't get him off. I was seriously at the limit of being conscious when I managed to pry him off of my neck, and then he hit me some more. That went on for a bit, until I managed to run out of the apartment. I wandered around in the streets for a while before coming home.

Guess what! Even after something like that, I stayed with him! People aren't kidding when they talk about how difficult it is for abuse victims to leave their abusers. Why? He convinced me that he beat me up because I pushed him to that point. He managed to manipulate me into believing it was my fault. Turns out, this kind of gaslighting is pretty typical in these abuse situations, but I didn't know that at the time and was... so traumatized and fucked up that I believed him. It took me almost another year, and more physical abuse, to finally leave. I almost died multiple times while dating this guy. On the last occaision, he strangled me again after slamming my head into the wall. He stopped strangling me at my breaking point again and started running towards the kitchen, saying something about a knife. I sprinted out the door with only a shirt and underwear on.

An old guy was closing up at a bar nearby and he let me in and called the cops. Of course, the cops weren't helpful--they stood there asking me "but how bad was it, really"... even asking me to rate my fucking beating on a scale of 1-10 while I was sobbing and covered in bruises. Eventually, they finished questioning me and taking pictures of my neck, and finally drove me home. We got there and they asked... "Do you want us to arrest him? You need to decide." These fuckers made me decide if I wanted my abusive boyfriend to go to jail, outside of my apartment, while I was shaking like a leaf, with no pants or shoes on. It was the lowest point of my life, by far. I was like... seriously in disbelief that they were asking me, the victim, to make this decision. Thankfully, I said yes, and he went to jail. I went back into my apartment, alone, surrounded by broken furniture. I called my mom and a friend. I'll never forget how strange it was to just lie there in my ruined apartment, not really knowing what to do. I went to the ER the next day and the nurses there told me they see girls like me in this condition every day, and they told me that a lot of those girls go home and it happens again and again. They asked me sincerely to never speak to Mike again, and I didn't. I have not seen him since. Oh, but I was still effected by the gaslighting so deeply that I gave money to a friend to bail him out of jail a couple days later, because I still felt like everything was somehow my fault. It was NOT my fault. He chose to violently assault me. That was his choice. It took me a long time to recognize that, because his gaslighting really effected me to my core. The power of abuse is truly incredible and horrific, and the power an abuser has remains even after they are gone.

I was was lucky to come out this alive and on my feet. I am no longer in that relationship--I am safe and happy. As lucky as I've been to come this far, I've been through some very real PTSD since then, and still struggle with the physical and financial repercussions of my assault to this day. Things have gotten a lot better though, so I thought it'd be a good time to share this with folks.

I hope that anyone out there who is also a domestic abuse victim can see that they're not alone, and that they can get out of the situation... hopefully faster than I did. I can't advise anyone personally--I'm a victim, not a professional. However, I can promise you, if you're a survivor/victim of domestic abuse, that there's hope. You can get your life together, as impossible as it might seem--I am living proof of it. Trusted friends, therapy and local domestic abuse centers are incredibly helpful. I have personally literally used all of these methods to help with my own situation, when it was at its worst. There is no shame in asking for help.

If you're not a victim, or don't personally know anyone who is... I hope that you might now recognize that domestic abuse is a very real and pervasive thing. It doesn't happen to one specific kind of person--it can really happen to anyone, and often for long, drawn out periods of time. Relationships are complicated things that can be incredibly difficult to get out of, especially when abuse (emotional and/or physical) is happening. Please keep this in mind, watch out for your family and friends, and support victims as much as humanly possible.

-Nina Freeman

#domestic abuse #partner abuse #nina freeman

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lousimusician · 6 years

Text

Cheater -- Part 2

Pairing: Mob!Tom x Reader

Warning: Sexual harassment, violence

A/N: I wanted to get this out sooner but I've been so busy recently. So sorry for the wait

______

It had been three months since you caught Tom. Three months since you walked out on him forever.

You hadn't seen him since that day. You had been relying on Tom's money for so long, you had to stay over a friend's house until you made enough money to rent an apartment.

It had been hard, but you refused to go back to him. Leaving him had its perks. You didn't have to live in fear for his or your own life anymore, you got to focus on your education, and you got to fix old friendships you lost. Overall, you felt like a normal person for once.

But at the same time, you were in so much pain. The two of you were engaged. You were supposed to get married. You loved him, you didn't believe you could ever love someone that much again. He made you feel beautiful and loved. He was a drug that you had been addicted to, and at some points you believed the withdrawal symptoms would kill you. But you were strong, and you wouldn't run back to him.

Tom on the other hand had been doing much worse than you had. Nothing in Tom's life brought him joy. You were always the one to make him genuinely happy. So with you gone from his life without a single word, he had lost himself in his work. He gained more and more enemies every day because of it. The more money and power he gained was never enough, he was insatiable, craving something that would make the pain a little more bearable. And he found that one thing that made the pain lessen, was to make sure you were safe. He had you followed, had tabs kept on you every week. He knew everything. He even knew that you had gotten a little better from the break up every week while he continued to worsen.

Tom sighed, throwing the papers down on his desk and leaning back into his seat. Frenetic knocking sounded from his office door.

"Come in," Tom shouted, annoyed.

The doors swung open revealing one of his men. "Sir, (Y/N) was kidnapped." The man panted.

Tom's eyes widened and he stood up abruptly. "Go and get Harrison."

~~~~

(Three hours earlier)

You laughed at your friend who decided to visit you at the bar you worked at.

"You actually made him cry?" You laughed.

Your friend nodded her head, "Yeah, it was so funny. Like why be in a debate class and not be able to carry your own argument. He got so frustated he literally stood there and started crying."

"I'm impressed Liza-" You noticed someone sitting down at the bar. "I'll be right back." You said nodding towards the man's direction. She nodded back taking a sip of her drink.

You approached the man nonchantly. "Anything I can get for you?"

The man seemed a little strange, and it was hard to see his face since it was covered by his hood. He lifted his head glancing at your nametag. "Nothing right now, (Y/N)." He said as an unsettling grin formed on his lips.

"Um, alright. Just call if you want something." You hurried away. You felt your heart beat quicken.

You weren't stupid, you had met plenty of terrifying men while you were with Tom. The only question was if this man was part of a mob or just some creep.

"You okay?" Your friend asked as you approached her. "You look pale."

"I'm- I'm fine. Uh, so what were you saying before?"

The rest of the night seemed to go by smoothly enough, about an hour after you spoke to the unsetting man he had left, making you feel much better.

It had gotten pretty late and unfortunately you were the one that was left to close that night. You finished wiping down the bar and all of the tables.

"So, Tom Holland, huh?"

You snapped your head towards the bar, your eyebrows furrowing. It was the same man from before. "How-?"

"That lock." He nodded towards the door. "Child's play. Now, I'm very interested in you (Y/N). Would never peg a girl like you to go around fucking men in the mafia. I see why he would fuck you, though." He said raking his eyes up and down your body.

You scoffed, and crossed your arms. "It was one man. And we're not together anymore so I can't help you with whatever it is you want."

"Oh, but sweetheart. I think you can." He said standing up.

A flash caught your eye and you found a gun hanging loosley from his hand. Of course there was a gun. There was always a gun.

He came closer and slowly began circling around you. You stood completely still. "You two were supposed to get married weren't you?" You nodded. "And it turns out Tommyboy is still in love with you."

You felt your heart jump. Of course you were terrified for your life, but Tom still had this power over your heart.

"Oh what's this? You're blushing. Do you still love him too?"

You swallowed nervously. "No, I hate him."

"Hm, I don't believe you-."

"What do you want? You're not really here to talk about my love life, so what do you want?"

"Ooh, okay, I think I'm starting to understand why Holland likes you so much. You're firey. But you're right, what I'm actually here is for leverage."

"Wha-?" But before you could finish, you felt the butt of the gun slam into your head and you were out.

"She's pretty isn't she?"

"Keep it in your pants, that's not what she's here for."

"Yeah but still. Do y'think the boss will let us have a little fun with her before we have to kill her."

"Shut the fuck up and do your job, alright."

"Well he isn't wrong." A third voice interjected. "Holland was a lucky bastard."

You slightly groaned, as you blinked your eyes open, your head pounding. You lifted your head finding the three men that had been speaking, circling around you.

"Good morning, princess. How's your head?" You recognized this voice from the first man that had spoken. He was tall with black hair.

"Don't call me princess."

The two other men laughed. "I'm gonna get the boss. James come with me." The more serious one said before leaving the room with James leaving you alone with the black haired man.

"So you were really gonna marry Holland?" He asked, but you looked away from him and ignored what he said. "Tell me why a girl who seems so obviously innocent would go for a freak like Holland. Hm? Is it cause you like it rough, cause sweetheart if you like it rough, I can have you cumming in seconds."

"You're disgusting. I'd never let you touch me." You spat.

The man slowly started to approach you. Once he reached you, he gripped your chin pulled your face close to his. "Such a filthy mouth." He grinned in amusement. "Did Holland let you speak to him like that or do you like to be put in your place." He leaned in closer so his lips were by your ear. "I bet you're a dirty little slut betwee-"

"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you." An all too familiar voice said.

Both your head and the man's snapped towards the door seeing Tom and Harrison standing there covered in blood with raised guns pointed at the man.

The man stood up, "Holl-" but before he could finish both Tom and Harrison shot him dead.

"T-Tom?" You choked out.

"Shh, darling, I've got you." He said, walking over and untying you from the chair you were in. Once the tape was off, you pulled Tom into you, and hugged him tightly, despite the blood that was on him.

You hated him so much but you also loved him and seeing him after being kidnapped all logic left you. You cried into him as he held you tightly to him. You hated to admit how much you really missed him.

"Let's get you out of here, darling."

You sat across from Tom in the back of his car. Harrison was driving.

Neither of you said a word, as you gazed out the window and as Tom took glances at you.

"...Thanks for saving me." You mumbled.

"Of course, da-"

"But just so you know. I still really fucking hate you."

Tom sighed. "I figured as much."

"How did you know where I was?"

"I...I've had some of my men watch you since you left."

You snapped your head towards him. "You what?"

"I had to keep tabs on you. I'm still in love with you y'know. And my business is messy, I wanted to make sure you were safe." You stayed silent understanding his reasoning. "...Just so you know, I really miss you princess. If it means anything, I haven't had sex with another woman since you've left."

You scoffed. "Nice to know you only have sex with other women when you're with me."

He sighed again and ran a hand through his hair. "Come on darling, please. I need you so much, please just come back."

"...You really fucked up Tom."

"I know, but it'll never happen again, it should've never happened in the first place. I was a fucking idiot. I love you so much, I don't know how to function without you and you're all I think about and it kills me that I don't get to see your beautiful face anymore. Please, give me one more chance."

You gave Tom a pained look. You were so confused. You sat in silence for a few minutes, thinking.

"Fine, this is how it's going to go." Tom perked up. "Basically, you destroyed the last five years we've been together. So if you want to get back together we're starting on square one again. Which means I'm not moving back in, we're not going to have sex for a long time, and we're obviously not going to get married anymore, until you can build my trust back."

Tom nodded, "Yes, please, I'll do anything you want."

"And Tom, I swear if you do anything to break my heart like that again, you will never see me again."

"I will never break your heart again. I can't live without you."

"Then... I guess we're back together."

He smiled widely. "I guess we are."

_____

Cheater Taglist: @roses-hxlland @ladyblablabla @xxomgitsjustinexx @thealexaworld12 @gwanpool @thollandx @pure-sunflower @avengersthotty @simplysushii

Permanent Taglist: @spiderdudeparker @peterparkers-waffles @smexylemony @ultimategalaxyprogram @xxxxdelenaxxxx @chonisberonica @meaningoflifeisfandoms @aegis-s-s @Just-random-stuff-18 @etherealhollandd @roi-yang @ironspiderstark

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mercurygray · 5 years

Note

I'd love to have you come up with a Medici OC

I couldn’t just…come up with a character, you know. I had to do something with her. And I’ve figured out that one of the things that’s really been grinding my gears on both seasons of Medici was how…alone…the women are? And I am all about women helping women.

So…here she is! The family she belongs to is real enough, but the person herself (and her mother also appearing here) is a fiction.

This was not home.

It had been nearly four months since Clarice Orsini had married Lorenzo, three since she’d arrived her in Florence, but despite the renunciation of her name, her family, and her city, the Palazzo Medici still made her feel like a stranger. Oh, she lived here, inasmuch as it could be called living - said her prayers in the chapel, and had her confession heard in San Lorenzo, entertained with her mother-in-law in the great rooms of the Palazzo, under the watchful eyes of all the Medici ancestors painted up on the walls - but this was not home.

Nor, at the rate she was going, did she think it ever would be. Her days were empty, her husband was a stranger to her - and it seemed no matter what she did, she was always found wanting in the eyes of her mother-in-law.

The bell at the front door was ringing - another visitor? What was so important in this city that all these women came visiting each other every day? Clarice laid aside the shirt she was mending for Lorenzo and went downstairs to greet their guest.

Lucretiza, of course, was already there, all smiles and politeness for the two women in their veils and cloaks. “Guilia!” They exchanged polite kisses, obviously on very familiar terms.

“We came to pay our respects on the occasion of your son’s marriage,” the older of the two women was saying. “It should have been sooner, I know, but my husband…”

“Is his gout not improved?” A shake of the head. Lucretiza looked upstairs, as if just noticing Clarice, and beckoned her down. “Ah, there you are, my dear. My daughter-in-law, Clarice. Clarice, this is Guilia de Bonsi - and her daughter, Bartolomea.”

Madonna Bonsi looked to be one of those matrons made along the old Florentine model, a stern woman of sound business principles that Clarice was realizing she would need to become quite well acquainted with if she was to survive here at all. Her curtsey was stiff and formal, her eyes dark, direct, and not a little unforgiving, and gave the distinct impression that she disapproved of something about Clarice she did not yet want to name. The daughter was clearly her mother’s child, with the same dark hair and determined jaw, but there was a little levity in her eyes that suggested she was not as inflexible as her mother. “Very pleased to meet you, madonna,” the younger de Bonsi said with a smile, making her curtsy.

“The de Bonsi are good friends of the Medici,” Lucrezia said, stepping in and looking a little worried that her daughter in law could not speak for herself. “Signore de Bonsi deals in silk, and spices - they supply the kitchen here.”

“An account we are very glad to handle,” Madonna Guilia said with a thin-lipped smile. “I was hoping to hear, Madonna Lucretiza, if your son has news from Venice regarding this new tax we are hearing about…”

And with that, the two older women departed, leaving Clarice and Bartolomea standing awkwardly in the hall, Clarice unsure of what hospitality dictated she do. In Rome they had not done much entertaining, and Florence had its own customs - of which she was being constantly reminded, it seemed, by her mother-in-law, how she must dress and how she should speak - or what she should speak on! In Rome women were not expected to speak of business, whereas in Florence, among the great families it was all anyone ever talked about. And to be left alone to fend for herself, when she did not know the first thing about Bartolomea de Bonsi save her name!

“Would you…care to come into the garden? My husband’s gardener has some…very fine orange trees that are just coming into fruit.”

Bartolomea nodded, following Clarice inside the center of the palazzo. “I can…ask someone to bring wine,” she offered, as they found a seat on one of the benches just within sight of the fountain, Clarice carefully arranging herself so she wouldn’t have to spend the entire visit staring at one of Lorenzo’s half-naked heroes over her guest’s shoulders. (That was another thing she was getting used to, though she did not like that she should. Here Hercules stood staring at Venus, admiring her mirror without a stitch of clothing on. Madonna Ardinghelli had posed for it - she’d heard one of the servants saying so - and it was hardly seemly that her husband could look at another woman’s nakedness.)

Had her guest said something? She’d been so busy thinking she’d not been listening. “You must forgive me if my manners are bad; I am…still learning Florentine ways.”

“I was saying that I can’t imagine it’s very easy to marry into this family,” Bartolomea offered with a smile, glancing around at the impressive walls of the surrounding palazzo. “Or this city, for that matter. But you mustn’t let Mother frighten you, or anyone else. She’s just very old-fashioned and thinks that Florentine men should marry Florentine women.”

Had she looked frightened, standing at the door? She supposed she had. Since her marriage, she’d met most of the great families of the city and all of them seemed to find her…wanting. Clarice nodded, unsure of what else to say. Her guest, however, did not have that problem. “Your husband has a very fine collection here, madonna.”

“Yes, he does. I’m…still learning all the names, and the artists. My mother-in-law is in charge of the flowers here, and their arrangements.”

“It’s very pleasant. My mother doesn’t much go for flowers; she thinks they’re a waste of money. But then,” she said, giving a little unconcerned shrug, “my parents’ house does not have a courtyard quite so fine as this. Is this one of my father’s silks?” Her hand rose to inspect the trim on Clarice’s dress, her gaze professional. “It looks very well on you. I wish more women wore deep colors like this, this sudden fashion to outfit ourselves like peacocks does not sit well on some women.”

Again she was caught out! “I…it may be, madonna. I’m not sure. I brought some dresses with me from Rome, but…they were not deemed suitable for the wife of a Medici.” Nothing except my family was suitable, it seems.

Bartolomea dropped her hand, her smile apologetic, Clarice looking for something, anything, that might save her from herself and her abominable lack of conversation. A passing maid saved her from the silence. “Maddalena!” Clarice stood up, the better to channel the imperiousness of her mother-in-law. “Wine, please, for Madonna de Bonsi and myself.”

“Of course, madonna,” the servant said, curtsying and going on her way, coming back in short order with the wine, which she poured and passed to the two women.

Clarice was so busy watching the maidservant that she hardly noticed her guest, until she sat back down and saw Bartolomea was smiling again, one of those maddening, superior smiles that indicates the wearer is about to say something out of turn. Clarice was learning to dread those smiles - for often as not, the woman who bore them said nothing to her and chose instead to whisper to their friends about some mistake she’d made. “Will you allow me to make an observation, Madonna Medici?” Bartolomea asked, hands light on her wine cup. “I do not know what it is like to be a woman in Rome, but here in Florence, we say that a woman is happiest when she bakes her own bread.”

“I’m…afraid don’t understand you.”

“We Florentines do not go in for shy, retiring women, as a general rule. It’s against our civic character. Those of us who come from merchant families are taught from the cradle to fix our terms very carefully, because we know that if we don’t, then others will set terms for us. What to say, what to do - what to wear. I think you are not baking your own bread at the moment, but rather eating someone else’s. And it is very much not to your taste.”

Clarice looked down at her dress - the dress her mother-in-law had picked out for her, amid the flowers she was not allowed to alter, in the courtyard her husband would not change, tears pricking at her eyes that this total stranger should say it so easily. God in heaven, yes! "Am I so obvious?“ she asked, blotting at her eyes. I am a married woman and I should have charge of my own house and instead I have charge of nothing and I am completely alone!

The other woman reached forward, clasped her hand. “Only to someone who knows what that’s like. My brother’s wife is much the same - and you’ve already met my mother.”

“But how do you manage?” Clarice begged. Please, someone tell me what to do, for nothing my mother ever told me prepared me for this.

“Only you can know what will make you happy. I’m unlikely to marry, save for my father’s business prospects - I cannot change that. So I have a charity, for orphaned girls, so that they can learn to read and write and go into service. I pay the rent on the building, the teachers’ salaries, and I keep investments so that I can continue to do so. It gives me purpose, just as my own children would, it looks well on my family, to be associated with such an endeavor - and it drives my mother mad,” she added with a satisfied smile. “My own terms.”

Clarice sniffled, blotting her eyes again. “Marriage was not what I thought I wanted from life. I thought I was to go into holy orders.”

“And you …regret it now?”

“I regret not being useful,” Clarice said bitterly. “In Rome I had my work in the hospital, my prayers, my patients. Here I have…nothing.”

Bartolomea laughed. “And we have no beggars and hungry mouths here in Florence? We shall find you a hospital, madonna, if that is what brings you joy.”

“It would not be seemly, for the wife of -”

“Seemly? For the wife of one of the city’s most prominent citizens to involve herself in charity work? I can think of nothing more seemly! It is a level of Christian practice to which we should all aspire. Perhaps you are not bathing lepers yourself, but there are many ways to care for the sick. Besides, what use is being married to one of the wealthiest families in the city if you cannot spend their money?”

The suggestion, and the smile of joyful conspiracy that went with it, made Clarice smile, despite herself - the first time she’d remembered smiling in quite a while. “Are you usually this forthright on first acquaintances, Madonna de Bonsi?”

“My mother says it is another one of my failings,” she said, almost proud. “You looked very helpless, standing behind Lucretzia in the hall and letting my mother look you over like a prize pig. It is my joy in life to help others - and I’ve decided I want to help you.”

“Bartolomea!” The meeting between the two older women was obviously at an end. "We are leaving.“

Bartolomea rolled her eyes. "Coming, Mother.” She turned back to Clarice with a knowledgeable smile, the look of someone who is on the verge of sharing a freindly secret. “I pray you will think on it, Madonna Medici. Perhaps when I call again I can be of some assistance?”

Clarice was so stunned she hardly realized that the last words out of her guest’s mouth had, in fact, been a question - and a polite request to be invited back. “Of course, Madonna,” she said, rising from her chair and nodding.

“And we can talk more about new silks - of your own choosing,” Bartolomea added with another conspiratorial smile. And, with another squeeze of her hand, she was gone, back to the front hall.

“I don’t like that girl,” Lucretzia was saying in the outer hall. “Your daughters should take a lesson from her, Clarice - a woman her age ought to be married, not chasing a pack of orphans in the Campo.”

“I liked her,” Clarice said, faintly smiling. “She sets her own terms.” Her mother-in-law stared a moment, but said nothing, returning to whatever domestic task was demanding her attention.

…That’s the first time I’ve disagreed with her aloud.

And, beaming with pride, she went back upstairs to return to mending Lorenzo’s shirt - and, just perhaps, to change her dress.

#i have written a thing #clarice orsini #clarice de medici #i medici #medici: masters of florence #bartolemea de bonsi

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undeservedfavor · 4 years

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The Bucketlist

Mini-Series of Short Stories

St. Valentines Day [EN]: Chapter 2

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Gisela almost jumped and screamed at the sight.

"Who are you?! What are you doing in my room, here in my bed?! What did you do to me?! Why can't I remember anything?!" She held her head due to headache.

"Don't scream, they might think that I'm doing something to you." He said.

"To a loser you shouldn't give a damn about... Yes, you already did something!" She tried to sit up but she did not succeed with her attempt.

She winced because of the pain she felt down there, tingling on her sensitive part.

He held her close and rubbed her back.

Like he's trying to calm her as she breathes in and out.

"Shh... That's it. Breathe. Tsk. Don't move so harshly, does it still hurt?" He asked.

She almost cried nodding to him.

"Can you stop breathing on my neck?! God. What a mess. So much for the freedom that I asked for." She uttered.

"We all search for freedom. Why do you look so sad? Tss, sorry, don't mind my question. I don't wanna intrude. By the way, nice place you got here. I haven't found a place yet, so I think I wanna stay here, even just for two or three weeks. You wouldn't mind, right? Since misery loves company, oh my bad, it's misery meets misery. Why do I get the feeling that we've met before?" The guy said.

"I don't even know you, you don't know me and what I'm going through! If you're gonna stay here, we have to set the boundaries and the rules." She reiterated.

"Shoot." He said.

"One, since I just bought this house and I'm struggling to survive the rest of my days on earth due to financial instability, you have to pay me rent. Two, no opening up or asking about 'too' personal details. Three, no more sexual activities with the landlady, last night was enough..." She stated.

"I think I can do number one and two, but I doubt that we both can resist number three, for we're still cuddling until now." He said and she moved away from him and covered her nudeness with the white blanket.

The man laughed a bit, which she found weirdly sexy.

When Gisela did not feel any pain anymore, she stood and wore her robe.

The man's smirking as he lit up a cigarette from the pocket of his jacket while his eyes are feasting on her features and curves.

She was about to enter the bathroom to clean herself up from the dried 'juices' stuck on her skin but she heard the doorbell rang from downstairs.

She walked downstairs and opened the door, she saw the old lady, Olivia...

"We're leaving for almost a month. I'm taking Larry to the city hospital which is really far from here, as the old man will prepare for his heart operation. We're taking our grandson with us, which means I will be leaving this beach to you. We're not locking it up unless it's night-time but... Can you look after it for us until we get back?" Old Olivia asked.

Gisela nodded.

"Yes, I'll pray for his speedy recovery. In this world, prayers are our sword for battle." She said and the old woman gave her the keys.

She went upstairs and she broke the news to the man who got her first.

"Who was that?" He was curious.

"The lady who sold me this house. Her entire family's going to tne city for almost a month. Which means, it's just you and me in this isolated island and damn life." She said.

"Which is good right, if you're in charge, we can do more public se-... S-sessions of swimming." The guy changed what he was about to say when the woman glared at him.

"You don't wanna be stuck with me in a place for a long time. No one does. I'm boring and worthless as hell." She said.

"I don't know, I find you exciting as hell. With that bod? There's no way that anyone doesn't wanna be stuck with you, I'd even probably prefer to be stuck in a manhole with you than not at all." She just rolled her eyes at his comment.

Then, she continued talking about the rules she thought just right about now.

Adding some things to it.

"As I was saying... Number four, you'll sleep on the couch downstairs and I sleep on my bed, here in my room. Don't dare to barge in here. This is not porn. Last and final rule, we don't have to know who we are." She said.

"I love the porn part but I was a bit confused on the last rule." She rolled her eyes at the hot naked guy on her bed.

"No names. We're gonna go separate ways anyway. You can call me Piggy and I can call you-...?" She said.

"Dinosaur. Don't look at me like that, isn't it obvious why based from what you just saw?" She glared at him.

"Kidding. I collect dinosaur figures back in the city. I'm a fan of Godzilla and Jurassic Park." She just nodded.

"Let's make it more exciting, if we found out each others' names, we part ways without a word. That's how pro one-night-standers do it." He said.

She shook her head smiling a little to him and entered the bathroom to shower.

Dorian followed her and she was shocked when he kissed her and lifted her to the bathtub...

Dorian opened the tap to fill it with water, he then poured soap in it and joined Gisela in a bubble bath as they do what they wanna finish doing...

They started living together.

The no sex rule was always being disobeyed by the male and the female was just letting him, like she had no choice for she also loved the relaxed feeling after the unexplainable and tiring skinship.

There was a time that when Dorian turned on the radio...

He heard his song played...

~I remember we were living like Kings and Queens

In the little tiny castle made of hopes and dreams

It was destiny

It was meant to be

We were so complete

The perfect team...

I always think about her (Aye)

Try to not overthink about her (Yeah)

I always dream about her (Uh, Uh)

Try not to dream about her (Oou)

I'm feeling so lost without her I try to come home

And it's so hard being out on my own

It breaks my heart to leave you alone

And that's all I get from you but I give my all to you

And that's all I hear from you

All dressed up nowhere to go

So I'm Dancing (Dancing)

On My Own

I've been waiting way too long (I don't want you dancing alone)

Dancing (Uh-huh)

On My Own

Play one more song (Play one more song)

Song (I'll be home)

Song But you're not coming (Yeah)

Song Song Song But you're not coming home

I told you I'll be home

I told you I'll be back (Play one more song 'til you g-...~

The song almost come to an end but Dorian turned it off when Gisela came out of the bathroom, because if Gisela, recognized his voice and knew who he was, it will be the end for them...

"Why have you turned it off? I was listening to the song... It's good..." She said.

"You know, you should re-think your taste when it comes to music." Dorian commented.

Gisela just shook her head, smiling.

They are getting to know each other more day by day but they still have not talked about why they ended up on the island...

On day, preparing brunch on the beach side, Piggy was sitting on the hammock while writing something on her notebook as Dinosaur is grilling fish for their meal.

Piggy was shocked as she heard a familiar voice alarmed.

"Ahhh!!!" Dinosaur winced in pain as he grabbed the neck of the snake who bit him and threw it on a far away bush.

He may not be showing it, but he's panicking.

Piggy ripped her skirt to get a piece of cloth and she tied a tight knot on the Dinosaur's ankle.

Piggy ran to the house and quickly came back with an alchohol, a clean knife, a roll of bandage and a cotton on her hands.

"I thought Dinosaurs are tougher than Pigs and Snakes. Then, why are you screaming like a girl? This is gonna hurt a bit but..." Piggy pierced the swollen wound.

Blurry liquid came out of his leg.

"Ahhh!!! Sh*t! Can you be more gentler as I was with you in bed?! Ouch!" He said shouting.

"Even your leg is filled with lust. It's wet and cumming. We're hopeless. You'll die in five minutes. Like me, alone, miserable and lonely." He glared at her for the comment.

"Kidding. Let the goner go, will you?" The woman said.

Dinosaur's eyes almost fell from it's sockets when Piggy put her mouth over the wound and sipped it thoroughly.

He almost drool over the sight.

Everytime her mouth is filled by the poison, she spits it out on the side.

When it was done, she cleaned the wound and replaced the cloth with a bandage.

"Where have you learned that?" The man asked.

"I was a nurse. A shitty one." She answered.

"Was. Why did you quit?" He asked.

"Can you stop being so nosy? Let the personal details go." The woman said she sat back on the hammock and continued to write on her notebook.

"What's that? I'm starting to get jealous with that notebook." He said.

She walked toward Dinosaur to ask for his opinion.

"Tell me what you think for a woman who's busy isolating and distancing herself from society?" She showed her writings to him.

"Without even reading this, I can say we're explicitly productive." The woman just glared at him for what he said.

Then, he read the book seriously.

"Writing strory scripts eh? This is good and intense but... I think it will suffice for the readers. Try to write about us next time. Is this why you quit? For the so called "Absolute Dream'?!" He overreacted his expression on the last sentence with his arm streched out high pointing at the sky.

"You talk a lot. How about you go back to the house and I'll bring the fish to you. And I thought I saw a Spiderwisp plant near our house's front yard. I'll go get some to treat the snakebite. Don't look at me like that... Unlike other things, just be thankful that it can be treated." She ordered the man.

Even if it's against his will, he just followed what she said...

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frostedpuffs · 7 years

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A Simple Suggestion - Ch.3

A Simple Suggestion Summary: Breaks from patrol often allow time for Ladybug and Chat Noir to talk and be themselves. But when a silly joke starts to seem all that…well, not silly, the two find themselves considering something neither of them had ever before: moving in together. The tricky part is still keeping their identities a secret. Rated: T+ Pairing(s): Ladybug/Chat Noir

Chapter 3 - A Bad Idea Word count: 5,849 Also read on: ao3

<< Previous Chapter | Next Chapter >>

"You're what!?"

Marinette winced at the loud tone of her best friend's voice. Smiling meekly at Alya's face on the screen of her laptop, she nodded. "Yep. I'm...I'm moving out. Soon, actually."

"How soon?" Alya asked. She sat in her and Nino's little bedroom in the apartment they rented in southern California clad in orange fox pajamas, stuffing a bite of her breakfast into her mouth. Marinette chuckled at the sight of her best friend with her curly hair up in a bun and a half-eaten omelet sitting on the desk in front of her. While it was only eight A.M. in California, it was already dinner time in Paris.

"Probably in less than a month," Marinette replied. Pausing to add lace to a design she was sketching, she smiled, listening to Alya congratulate her from miles and miles away. "I think I've decided on the place, too. It's a little away from central Paris but it's roomy and-"

Alya grinned through a mouthful of food. "Do you have any pictures?"

Marinette nodded and opened up her web browser. "Yeah, I've got the website right here. Want me to send it?"

"Duh."

Sending the link over Skype, Marinette blew her bangs out of her face and leaned back in her chair, lifting her sketchbook up to look over the design. It was supposed to be a ladybug-patterned sundress she would wear around the house, but something was off... "Let me know what you think."

Alya went quiet for a moment. Marinette could see on her screen that her friend was looking at something on her own computer, and after about a minute of scrutinizing, Alya's eyes widened comically.

"What?" Marinette asked.

Continue reading on ao3 or under the cut! ↓

"Um…well, for starters, it's a super cute place. Suits you. I could totally see you living in an apartment like that." Alya sat back in her rolling chair and offered an uncomfortable frown. "But, no offense, Mars...nearly three thousand euros a month just for rent? How in the hell are you going to afford that along with utilities and food and stuff?"

Marinette looked away. Right. She'd forgotten to mention that she might be living with someone else.

(Oh god, Alya was going to kill her when she found out that she was going to live with a guy she'd never met!)

"Well…" Marinette said, twirling a loose strand of hair around her finger. "I've already found myself a roommate."

Alya nearly choked on the last bite of her omelet. "What? Who is it?"

Marinette blanked.

How in the world would a person go about explaining her situation? She couldn't just say, "I don't know, he's Chat Noir and his identity eludes me, oh by the way I'm Ladybug so I trust him," could she?

"Um." Marinette blinked. "A friend."

Both girls went completely silent. It reminded Marinette of the old "pin dropping in a room" cliché. Her cheeks flushed involuntarily and she wasn't even sure why. What was the reason for feeling embarrassed?

Alya leaned closer to the screen and gripped the sides of her laptop. Her eyes burned with questions, and her face was frozen in a serious expression—one that made Marinette slightly frightened of her fate. "Girl," Alya said, voice calm. "In the past year I've been away did you get a secret boyfriend that you haven't told me a single thing about? Because if you did oh my god I don't know what I'd do-"

Marinette's jaw dropped. "N-no!" she squeaked. "No, Alya, I'm single. He's not my boyfriend! He's just a friend and I-"

"So it is a he?"

"What does that matter? You know I'm not straight!"

"Well-!" Alya held up a finger and paused. "You're bi. So it could still be a secret boyfriend."

Marinette buried her face within her palm and snorted. "Alya, oh my god. I do not have a secret boyfriend or girlfriend or datefriend or anything. He's just...he's just a friend I've known for a while. You don't know him."

At least, Marinette assumed she didn't. How could she? It was Chat Noir, not a friend from collége or something. Just Chat. Her other best friend. The one person she trusted with her life and the only person she could imagine herself one hundred percent comfortable living with. Besides Alya and her parents, of course.

"I'm offended I haven't heard anything about him," Alya said. She rested her back against the chair and crossed her arms, a playful smile on her face. "What's his name?"

"Cha-" Marinette clamped her teeth down on her bottom lip before she let "Chat Noir" slip from her clumsy mouth. "Chaaaaa….Shhhaaaa...Chad."

Alya cocked her head to the side. "That's an odd name. Is he American?"

"Yes," Marinette answered without any second thought whatsoever. "Moved here...last year."

God, if this ever got back to Chat he'd never stop laughing. It would be a mix of both hilarity and humiliation. At least him "moving to Paris a year ago" was a valid excuse for Alya not to have met him.

"What's he look like?" Alya asked. She stood from her chair to get dressed and threw her pajama shirt onto her and Nino's bed—who was conveniently out of the room—and Marinette was met with an eyeful of her best friend's bare chest.

"Alya!" Marinette laughed. She cupped a hand over her mouth and shut her eyes. "What are you doing?"

Alya's voice rang distantly through the laptop speakers. "Um, I'm getting dressed? Nino and I are actually going to spend the day together for once since he's not working. He's gonna be home any minute and I wanna look cute. Why are your eyes closed? You've seen me naked before. Need I remind you that we've been best friends for six years and have undressed in front of each other plenty of times?"

Marinette chuckled, eyes still shut. "I'm trying to be polite here."

"Yeah, yeah. Girl's polite and all, whatever."

After a few minutes of shuffling and other related noises, Alya plopped herself back down into her computer chair and Marinette finally opened her eyes to see her friend in a red flannel and jeans. She watched as Alya friend ran a brush through her curly red hair, and grinned when she tugged on a knot. A giggle bubbled from her lips as Alya cursed at the hair brush as if it was at fault for the discomfort.

Once the monster of her hair had been tamed, Alya set the brush down on her desk and scooted the dirtied plate from breakfast to the side. "You didn't answer my question, Mars."

Marinette resumed her sketching. It was best to act nonchalant. "What question?"

"I asked what M. Mysterious Roommate looked like."

"Oh."

Well that was certainly a question Marinette hadn't been prepared to answer. Chat Noir was…hm.

Chat was something. Blond with green eyes, tannish skin, tall and skinny like a professional model; skin-tight suit as black as the night; perfect white teeth and a smile as wide as the sun.

Ugh, but that all sounded so fake. What features could she possibly describe without sounding like she was talking about a character from a young adult novel or a celebrity, for crying out loud?

Glancing up at her laptop screen, Marinette ripped the failed design out of her sketchbook and crumpled it within her hand. So much for that dress. It would get redone later. "He's, um...blond. Green eyes. Wears a lot of black? Pretty skinny…"

"Sounds kinda emo," Alya said.

Marinette squawked out a surprised laugh and began a new sketch on a clean page. "He's not emo!"

"How old is he?"

"Twenty." It was one of the only pieces of personal information Marinette had learned about her partner.

"Aw, same age," Alya cooed.

Marinette gave a playful roll of her eyes. It was always like Alya to tease. That was just how she showed her love.

"What kinda stuff does he like?" Alya asked.

The lead of her pencil snapped, and Marinette cursed. "The same kind of stuff I do, I guess? Video games, art, staying up late…he really likes puns, and cats. Oh god, he loves cats. They're like his whole life. He's practically obsessed."

"So he's a furry?"

"No! Oh my god, Alya-"

Alya turned her head to the side as the sound of keys jingling in a door came from another room. "Nino's home," she said, enthusiasm in her voice. "I'll talk to you later, okay Mari? Love you!"

Giving a wave, Marinette returned the sentiment and went to end the call, but-

"Oh!" Alya exclaimed as she threw her purse over her shoulder. Marinette's hand stilled atop her mouse. "I forgot to tell you! Nino and I are coming back to Paris for a visit next month! I can meet your roomie. He sounds cute. We should all hang out and get drinks or something."

Excitement flared up within Marinette's chest before she froze.

Oh, shit, she thought, mind reeling, heart pounding, eyes the size of the moon. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! We can't do that!

How in the world would she break the news to Alya that she couldn't meet her roommate because he was, dunno, Chat Noir? Savior of Paris? The number one flirt in the whole city (she assumed)? Ladybug's most trusted partner and friend?

"Uh…" Marinette blanched. Blinking, she shook her head and forced a toothy grin to her face, nodding a bit too vigorously to be entirely convincing. "S-sure, Alya! Sounds fun. I'm so looking forward to see you again!"

"Kisses!" Blowing a kiss to the screen, Alya reached out and ended the call. The screen switched back to the text chat they'd started up an hour ago.

Well.

This was bad.

Marinette's heart felt like it was about to burst from her chest. While she was beyond elated to see her best friend in person again, the fact that Alya wanted to hang out with her and her roommate—Chat Noir—was immeasurably concerning. After all, nobody could find out Marinette was Ladybug, just like nobody could find out Ladybug was Marinette, and the thought that the whole idea altogether was spiralling into an absolute mess made her want to run and hide and- and- she didn't know!

"Tikki," she breathed after a moment. Her head felt heavy and her stomach felt sick. Grabbing a pillow from her side, Marinette stuffed her face within it and screamed. "We're so screwed."

"I'm beginning to think this is a bad idea."

Adrien snapped up from the roof he'd been lying on and regarded his partner with a startled frown. Her face was scrunched up with worry under the low light of the evening sun, and her gaze was thoughtful as wisps of black hair kissed her cheeks in the faint breeze. He raised a brow as she nibbled on her lower lip. She appeared to be nervous...but why? What was causing her to be so distraught?

"Bad idea?" Adrien asked. "What's a bad idea?"

Ladybug loosened her messy hair from her ponytail before fixing it and attempting to put it up again. It took her a few tries, which was unusual; it wasn't like Ladybug to have trouble with such a simple task unless something was really bothering her. "Us. Moving in together," she said, voice quiet. "It might not be too great of an idea."

Adrien's heart sank like a brick hitting the bottom of the Seine. Ouch. Okay, so...they weren't doing this now? The past three days of planning and talking and figuring it all out had been for nothing? But they'd both been so excited! He'd been so happy to think about the possibility of moving out...being on his own...away from his father's eye...

After a moment of internal deliberation, "Oh," was all he could say.

"Don't get me wrong," Ladybug said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I want to more than anything. But everything right now is looking so...difficult. And I'm starting to think it might not work out."

"It's not like you to give up so easily," Adrien said. He turned to face his Lady and cocked his head to the side, hoping the hurt didn't show on his face. "What's worrying you? You can talk to me about it, Buginette."

A chilly gust of wind blew past them, giving the air an icy tinge to it. A minute passed, then two, and Adrien was beginning to think Ladybug was going to leave his question unanswered before she finally found the courage to speak.

"I'm just fretting over stuff that doesn't need to be fretted about," she said, sounding defeated. Lowering her head, Ladybug examined her fingers, as if she was trying to find something other than the current subject to focus on. "You know how I get sometimes…"

Adrien hummed thoughtfully. There had to be something rooted within her that was causing her to feel anxiety over the notion of them moving in together. Something was bothering her, something recent, and he wanted to find out what. A calm Ladybug was a happy Ladybug. Poor 'Bug got stressed out so easily these days and he wished he knew why.

Giving his partner a reassuring smile, Adrien patted her back. "Tell me what's bothering you, L.B."

Ladybug was silent for what felt like ages—which in reality was only a minute tops—before she let out a breath she'd been holding and submitted. "I had a Skype call with a friend in America today. She's flying in next month for a visit and wants to meet you."

Oh. Well, that was definitely a problem. Adrien could see why something like that would bother her.

"But she can't," he said. Ladybug nodded in agreement.

"No, she can't. And she's not the only one who will want to meet you. I mean, I don't know how my parents would react to learning they'll never see you—probably not well—and I have other friends who'll want to visit." She laid back against the roof and stared up at the sky. "I'm scared we won't be able to work around that and someone, someday, is going to find out who we are. On accident. And it'll be a huge mess."

Ah. Ladybug was worried about people discovering her identity. That's what this was all about.

"Don't worry, 'Bug," Adrien said as he lay back with her. Their shoulders brushed, and he allowed himself a twinge of delight at the touch. "We've kept our identities safe for six years now. We're good with that stuff. I'm sure our friends won't find out so easily, not if I have anything to say about it."

"How do you know for sure?" Ladybug asked. She fiddled with her gloves and nibbled on her bottom lip in a way that shouldn't have been absolutely endearing.

Feeling his lips curl upwards into a smile, Adrien reached out and placed a hand over her own, hoping to calm her nerves. He gave her knuckles a squeeze, and Ladybug responded with a turn of her head. Her eyes sparkled curiously.

"What's on your mind, Chat?" she asked, allowing him to hold her hand for longer than he'd anticipated.

Adrien grinned. What was on his mind?

Even when she was lost in her anxieties, Ladybug was beautiful. There was no denying that. Her bluebell eyes, the way her dark hair had grown down to her lower back, her voice and freckles and how she always knew what to do. Her bravery, her stubbornness, her fiery personality and her absolute everything…

Ugh. He was so far gone. So gone to the point that he'd drowned in Ladybug and never felt the need to breach for air.

"Nothing about how you're the most gorgeous person I've ever met," he said. Ladybug clicked her tongue and pulled her hand away; Adrien mourned the loss of her warmth. "And I was absolutely not thinking about how I'd love to spend the rest of my life with you."

Sitting up, Ladybug sighed restlessly. "Not now, Chat Noir. Stop flirting."

Oh, well. It was worth a shot. Didn't stop him from loving her. Her feelings were more important at the moment however, just like they always were to him, so the compliments and affections could wait for a better time.

"You okay?" Adrien asked, sitting up with her. "You seem really on edge."

"I'm just so worried," Ladybug whimpered. Her voice cracked, and Adrien felt a deep pang of sympathy. "I'm scared we're going to screw up really bad, like what if one of us sleepwalks when another is awake and we're not wearing masks or we come home at the same time or accidentally see each other when we do, or if something terrible happens to either of us-"

Adrien sat down in front of his Lady and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Woah, hey," he said, tone calm; soothing. "It's okay, Ladybug. We'll be alright. There are plenty of ways to prevent accidental reveals, okay? Trust me. We're gonna be extra careful, and we're gonna be okay. I know that. We're gonna be okay."

"I don't know if I can go through with this."

Scratching at the back of his neck, Adrien frowned. Ladybug had a tendency to be overdramatic and blow things out of proportion from time to time, but hopefully she wasn't saying that she wanted to eradicate the idea altogether. It had already been three days since they had decided they would be officially moving in together...which was plenty of time for them both to think things through and make a decision.

(Well, enough time for Adrien specifically to think about how much he couldn't wait to be closer to his partner.)

"Okay," he breathed, black ears drooping against his hair. He sat back beside her and his tail twitched in tune with his nerves. "If you're not comfortable with it, we can totally call it off-"

Ladybug shook her head. "It's not that I'm not comfortable with it," she said, her blue, blue eyes meeting Adrien's, "I'm more than okay with the thought of us living in the same space. The problem is how we're going to get to that stage. We've still got so much to figure out, and the whole 'can't reveal ourselves' thing is going to make it a whole lot harder."

With a thoughtful hum, Adrien nodded. Things were going to be incredibly tedious. They had a lot to discuss, and even more to think about. "Yeah," he said. "Yeah, you're right..."

A heavy feeling of sadness washed over him.

Who were they kidding, thinking they could move in together at the drop of a hat? Both he and Ladybug knew that there would be trouble behind the idea, and a plethora of difficulties to overcome. At first, it had admittedly been a nice thought, living under the same roof as the girl he loved...but Adrien knew better. He didn't get that lucky.

No, luck was reserved for the Lady herself. But in this case it seemed that even she was getting the short end of the stick.

Still, it didn't stop Adrien from believing.

"We can figure it out," he said, voice full of what he hoped didn't sound like faux confidence. "If we can defeat akuma on a near daily basis, then we can find a way to get this to work, right? We're a team in and out of the masks."

"I hope so, Chat Noir," Ladybug said. She hugged her knees to her chest and rested her head upon them, eyes cast wistfully at the city below. "I haven't told anyone besides my parents and one friend that I plan on moving out yet. I don't know how I'm going to tell my other friends, because they're going to want to visit, and, well...they don't know I'm Ladybug."

Adrien hadn't really given any thought about friends visiting. What would he do if Nino randomly turned up to hang out and he and Ladybug were both home? Would she have to hide in her room the entire time—pretend she wasn't there? That would be tough, and unfair to his partner. It would be her place too, and Adrien didn't want to force her to stay locked in one room just because he had a guest.

"Maybe we can plan around it?" he offered, voice cracking slightly at the end of his question. "You know, make a day where I can hang out with my friends at our place, you can hang with yours...whichever one of us has company gets a few hours alone at the apartment and the other can have a day out or something. I dunno."

A groan rose from beside him. Adrien looked over to see Ladybug throwing herself backwards against the panels of the roof with a soft clunk. "This is so hard," she whined, draping her forearm over her face. "Why can't stuff like this be easier? I just want to move in with my best friend. That's all I want."

Adrien smiled at his partner's dramatics and reached over to pat her on the shoulder with a chuckle in his throat. "We could just disobey our kwamis and drop the transformations right now and be done with it."

"Chat." Ladybug's expression flattened. She glowered at him from underneath her arm. "No way."

"Hey," he laughed with a shrug, "it was just a simple suggestion." Standing up, he brushed his suit off and stretched, mouth opening in a wide yawn before he placed his hands on his hips and let his gaze fall down to the world below. Cars flowed down the street like a river of red and yellow beams. People walked along the sidewalk, entering and exiting shops left and right. In the distance, Adrien could see the Eiffel Tower's lights switch on just as the sky grew dark, and the sound of a jet zooming above caused his ears to twitch.

He needed to be heading home soon. He had a dinner with his father to attend to within an hour. The news of his leave had to be broken somehow, and he'd thought a peaceful dinner would be a nice way to ease into it. He'd admittedly been surprised his father had accepted his invitation for a "family dinner" on such short notice.

"You know," Adrien began. "I think we'll be okay, Ladybug. I know we have quite a bit of legal stuff to figure out, but what's a few signatures and adult conversations? In the end, it'll be worth it. We'll have our own place and be able to do whatever we want. I could eat cereal at four in the morning and nobody would judge me."

"I would," Ladybug snorted. She kicked her legs over the edge of the building and as her eyes met his, she blessed him with a smile. "I think we'll be okay, too. But I have this feeling that even though I am an adult, I'm not-" she paused to laugh, "-I'm definitely not ready to be one. I mean, learning how to do my taxes was hard enough. How do I take care of a place that's mine? How do I handle that responsibility?"

"Same way you do now, I guess," Adrien said as he sat back down. "Wash the dishes after you use them, take out the trash every night, clean your room once a week and don't leave the oven on while you're out. That's what you do to keep a place clean and safe, right?"

Not that he would know. He'd had people to clean up after him all of his life.

(He was too embarrassed to admit that he had no idea how to use a washing machine.)

"I'm warning you now," Ladybug cautioned. "I'm going to set the apartment on fire. Whichever one we choose, it's going down in flames because of me. That or I'll flood the place."

Cocking one of his felt ears, Adrien laughed. So much for reassuring her. "Jeez, Buginette. Have some faith in yourself, okay? Also in me. I can totally keep you from igniting the kitchen or something."

"How? You have no idea how clumsy I am at times."

"I seem to recall that the first time we met, you called yourself maladroit after nearly giving me a concussion with your yo-yo."

Ladybug grinned as she playfully punched him in the side. "You shut your mouth."

"Meowch," Adrien snickered as he rubbed the spot she'd assaulted. Despite her best efforts to be gentle, it still hurt. "You know, I change my mind. I think living with you is gonna be unbearfurble. Absolutely catastrophic. Pawful. A hissterical-"

Ladybug buried her head within her palms and groaned. "Oh my god, one more pun and I'm going to punt you across the city, Chat Noir, I swear to god-"

"Wait," he pleaded, laughter in his voice, "one more, one more. It'll be appawling-"

Adrien squawked as Ladybug began to push him off of the edge of the roof. Oh, now he'd done it. He'd punned too much. He had punned one pun too many. Somehow, he had always known this was the way he would die: from puns. His fate was sealed. Done. Completed. Do not pass go, do not collect the twenty euro reward.

"Imagine the headlines," Adrien said, clapping a hand over his head dramatically as his partner attempted to throw him off of the music shop they'd been resting upon. "Paris' most beloved hero, Chat Noir, was murdered to death last night by renowned super-heroine Ladybug. He was thrown off a building around seven P.M.-"

"Murdered to death," Ladybug guffawed. She paused her attempts at homicide and placed her hands on her hips to squint up at him, chest heaving with laughter. "I'm pretty sure murder and death aren't mutually exclusive!"

"You would know," Adrien retorted with a toothy grin. "You're about to murder me."

(As if Ladybug would ever purposefully harm him.)

"Chat, this is only a two story building," Ladybug deadpanned. "Besides, you have your baton to break your fall. Also your fat ego."

"I take offense to that."

The heel of Adrien's boot slipped on the edge of the roof and he wobbled, teetering over the edge with his arms flailing. His heart leaped and he gasped, but just as he was about to fall Ladybug caught him by his bell. Adrien smirked down at her and felt a flutter in her chest as she returned the expression almost just as flirtatiously.

"How many times am I gonna save your ass, chaton?" Ladybug asked, slowly pulling him down by his bell so she could look him in the eye. "Isn't this the third time this week?"

Adrien's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. He loved how she teased. Their faces were so close he could practically taste her breath on his lips.

Leaving her question unanswered, Adrien instead chose to grin as his reply. "To be fair, you were the one who attempted to murder me over too many puns."

Ladybug snickered. "I only dislike them because they're terrible. Now, if they were good puns, maybe I'd have a different mindset."

"You know," he said as Ladybug grasped what was essentially the zipper to his suit, "when we finally move into our place, I'm gonna get those magnetic fridge letters and wake up every morning around five A.M. to make a horrible cat pun out of them, just so you get to wake up to a new one every. Single. Day."

"You evil, evil boy," Ladybug snorted. She let go of his bell—which jingled merrily—and crossed her arms, sticking her tongue out in a very mature fashion. "I'll just take those puns and rearrange the letters to make bad words."

"Of course you would," Adrien said, to which Ladybug nodded proudly. "That's why I love you so much."

"Because I would make bad words out of other words?"

He booped her nose with the tip of his finger. "Because you're so creative."

"Stop." Ladybug waved his hand away. She feigned annoyance, but the smile on her face convinced Adrien she felt otherwise. "Shouldn't you be getting home? I thought you told me you had an important dinner with your dad to get to."

"I do," he admitted. "But can't I just enjoy my Lady's company for a moment longer?" Reaching out for her hand, he grabbed it within his own and nuzzled his face against her palm. Even through the fabric of her suit he could feel how warm her skin was. It felt so nice against his cheek…if only he could keep it there.

Ladybug pulled her hand back, pink lips stretched into a sweet smile. "Go on, kitty. Can't be late for dinner."

"Beautiful and punctual. You're out to steal my heart."

Ladybug rolled her eyes. "Leave already, fuzzbutt."

"I'm going, I'm going." Adrien blew her a kiss and stood, walking to the edge of the roof as he made to leave. He hopped onto the ledge, did an exuberant pose just to get some giggles out of his Lady, and extended his baton to his full height before bounding into the air.

Landing on the roof adjacent, he paused mid-crouch and froze as he remembered he'd had a very important question to ask before he left.

"Wait!" he called. He did a one-eighty and leaped right back next to Ladybug, who raised her brow at his speedy return. "I forgot to ask: did you decide between the two apartments yet?"

"Sort of," Ladybug said. She placed her yo-yo back on her waist, which she'd produced as soon as Adrien had left.

"Well?" Adrien asked. One of his black ears twitched with interest.

Ladybug's gaze fell downcast. "I know which one I want, but really, I don't want you paying more per month than I am, Chat-"

"Your happiness is important."

"I'd be happier if you weren't covering most of the rent."

"I honestly don't mind," Adrien assured her. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, I prefer the bigger place too. I've kind of lived in a big house all of my life and to be honest, I would feel super cramped in the cheaper apartment." He reached up to rub at the back of his neck. "But ultimately what I care about most is you being comfortable. If you feel you would be better off in the small place, then-"

"I don't like the small place," Ladybug admitted, quite stubbornly. "Well, I mean I do, but it's just...we would have no room. And since we can't reveal ourselves we really need the space…"

"You've got your pouty face on," Adrien said. He smiled, offering a hand to help his Lady up onto the ledge. She took it and climbed up, but crossed her arms as soon as she righted herself and looked away with her lower lip jutted out.

"I am not pouty," she pouted.

Adrien poked her cheek. "C'mon, Mlle. Pouty Face...tell me the truth. What is it you really want?"

"Food," she muttered, not meeting his gaze. "It's past dinner time and you should be home with your dad."

Adrien laughed. Was she avoiding the subject?

"Besides food," he said. "Which apartment can you see yourself being happier in?"

Ladybug murmured something under her breath. She kicked a stray pebble off of the roof and turned her back to him.

"What was that?" Adrien asked.

She mumbled the same unintelligible reply as before. Her lips were sealed and the brow of her mask was lowered in irritation, and Adrien had to resist the urge to squeal at how absolutely adorable she was in that moment.

Oh, she was too damn cute. She was so cute when she pouted and she was so cute when she wanted something but was too embarrassed to say it.

Was it that hard to admit that she liked the spacious apartment more than the other? Because it was pretty easy for him. If only he could get it out of her.

"Bug-Bug," Adrien whined. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin upon her shoulder, head butting into her jaw. "Come on, you can tell me."

"Okayyyy," she admitted with a huff and a stomp of her foot. "Okay, okay. I like the expensive place better, okay? I just feel really bad because if I can't contribute as much as you can, then I-"

Walking around to face her, Adrien pressed a clawed finger to her lips and leaned down to her eye level. "Hey," he said. "Don't you worry your pretty little head, Ladybug. If it's really bugging you that much-" he snorted as her expression soured at his pun, "-then we can figure something out. But have you made your decision? Because I've made mine."

Ladybug hesitated. She blinked, her gaze lowering to the floor...before she met his eyes and smiled. "Yeah. Yeah, I have."

"Good." Grabbing her hand, Adrien placed a kiss to her knuckles. "I've gotta go now, but tomorrow we can meet at the Tower and talk some more, okay? No matter what, the only thing that's important to me is your happiness. Even if we end up in a cramped, one-bedroom apartment with no heat, I'll be happy so long as you are."

Much to his delight, Ladybug blushed. "Fine," she said, looking away. "But we're meeting at six P.M. tomorrow on the dot, and we're going to figure this out. We're a team no matter what, right? Akuma fighting, apartment hunting...both deadly, deadly forces." Her lips quirked upwards into a smile. "I'm actually really excited."

"Me too, 'Bug," Adrien said. "Me too."

Ladybug pulled away from him and gave him a lighthearted shove. "Now go on," she said, grinning. "Go meet your dad and have some father-son bonding time. Talk about cats or Camembert or whatever it is you do."

"Wow," Adrien laughed. He grabbed his baton and gave her a wave. "I'll have you know that the Camembert isn't for me or my dad. It's for Plagg, and you know that."

"Tell Plagg I think he's gross."

"He'd take that as a compliment, Ladybug! You'll inflate his ego-filled head with that talk!"

Ladybug threw her head back with a chortle. "Go already! Your dad's gonna be sitting at wherever it is you live waiting on your slow butt!"

"Fine, fine." With a salute, Adrien extended his baton and prepared to leap. "Goodnight, my Lady. I'll see you tomorrow."

Smiling, Ladybug waved. "Get outta here, you silly cat."

"I'm going," Adrien chuckled. With one last kiss to her hand, he was off into the night, mind already reeling with fantasies about what living with his Lady would bring. The only thing that spoiled those wonderful thoughts was what events would occur during dinner with his father. Cold stares, an entirely one-sided conversation...the possibilities were endless.

His heart, however, pulled him towards the hope that the evening would go well, and that breaking the news would be as easy as pie.

#ladynoir #miraculous ladybug #ml #ladybug #chat noir #ml fic #ml fanfiction #a simple suggestion #my writing #my fics #my writings #im gonna start doing links to continue reading on ao3 #bc the readmores here get annoying #dont Like Em #my fic

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eeveedel · 7 years

Note

Ahhh I love the newest louis/alex drabble! Can't wait to see more from the two of them. If you're still taking prompts I'd love to see something about the first time they realized they liked each other as more than just friends

This is a short lil fluffy smut-free thing but I still hope you enjoy it. This is part three of this oncoming verse and here’s part one and part two.

This one takes place about three years before the events of the first two drabbles and thus three years before the events of Dunkirk. Warnings for allusions to period typical homophobia and apologies for any errors, I do these drabbles unbetaed x

The paper bag in Alex’s hand crinkled as he walked down the street, the thickness of the summer air pushing down hard on his shoulders and making his shirt stick to his back and underneath his arms.

It wasn’t even close to getting dark despite being closer to evening than afternoon, and Alex really should’ve gone straight home to the four-person shared room he rented during the summer while the university was out. His hands reeked of the smell of medicine, marred from another day working at the pharmacy, shoveling pills and tonics into bottles or ringing up orders for customers.

He rounded the corner and made his way to the small corner store, the place he used to go just for a few random groceries, but now he was there nearly every day, trying to stagger some of his visits to different times, sometimes just waiting outside, always having a different excuse prepared and ready for why he was there.

He should go home. But once a month, the paper bag in his hand gave him a decent excuse to be here, and he wasn’t about to waste it.

Alex pushed his way into the shop, letting the bell above the door ring loud and clear. Mrs. Lawrence still ran the store, but she was nearing ninety and did her managing from a chair at the back of the shop, so when he walked in, he was only greeted by one person, who was standing on a step stool restocking some front shelves and who turned at the sound of the bell.

“Hi,” Louis smiled, and then dropped his hands from the shelf as he climbed back down the step stool

“Hi,” Alex returned, and then held up the bag, “I have your medicine,”

“I know,” Louis laughed, “I expected that much,”

Louis went over to him, taking the bag and folding down the top of the bag even tighter, and then wandered to the front counter of the shop, scribbling in the employee ledger that usually only he filled out.

“She’s asleep,” Louis said, “I’ll just go put this upstairs and I’ll be right back, alright?”

Alex nodded, and Louis smiled again and then wandered to the very back of the small shop and then to the back door that led to the stairs that would take him up to the small apartment above the store that Mrs. Lawrence had let him rent out of his pay.

Louis didn’t talk about it much anymore, but he had stayed here when his family had moved away a few years ago and left him in the dust. This was what he had left, now.

That, and Alex’s insistence that they see each other as many afternoons as they could when they were both in town.

He had met Louis when they were kids, didn’t bother to speak to him until years later, and then kept him close right up until he went off to uni on his grandfather’s inheritance and wrote him letters after. He liked Louis, and not many other people seemed to give him the time of the day, so Alex always made sure that if Louis had a story to tell, or a frustration to talk about, or was just in need or company, Alex gave him his time.

There were other reasons Alex snuck to him so tight. He just couldn’t quite say those aloud yet.

Louis came down the stairs not too much later, wearing a fresh shirt and carrying a jacket he wouldn’t need in this heat.

“Do you have to get home soon?” he asked.

“Not really,” Alex shrugged, “My shift’s over now and I’m not making dinner,”

He probably would’ve given him the same answer even if he did have to get home, but for tonight it was the truth.

“Good,” Louis smiled, “Let’s go for a walk,”

“A walk” always meant the same thing.

There was a park in town. It was a joke of a thing; the grass was dead and the trees were skinny and not even kids would come to play, but Louis liked it for whatever reason, and Alex would go where he would follow.

It only took them a few minutes to reach the park, and then another few to reach Louis’s favorite spot, the opposite side of a small slope of a hill. It was properly getting dark now, the sky changing its mood quickly. Louis settled into the grass, propping himself back on his elbows, and Alex sat next to him.

“How was your day?” Alex asked. Every day, it was the same question, and Louis snorted.

“Just fine,” he said. Again, it was always the same answer.

The bugs droned in the distance, and Alex closed his eyes and took a breath, feeling like he could swim in this heat. Louis was a healthy distance away form him, but he could feel him there, could sense his movement and the rise and fall of his chest even from far away.

He had spent too much time with him. Sometimes Alex would be in class hours away and still think he could feel Louis’s breath inside his own chest.

“When do you leave me again, huh?” Louis asked, and it was enough to make Alex open his eyes and look over.

“School starts first week of September,” he said, “I’ll probably head in a week before,”

“Mm,” Louis hummed, “That’s what, a month for us?”

“Give or take?”

“I’d take a few more days if you’re offering,” Louis said, and Alex smiled and shook his head.

“This town is shit without you,” Louis said softly, “I don’t wanna think about you not being here anymore,”

“Could take you with me,” Alex said easily. The words always came easy with Louis, “Pack you in my trunk, let you sleep in my room,”

“And what?” Louis grinned, “Hide when you brought a girl home? Tuck myself up in your chest of drawers?”

Alex’s breath hitched and he shook his head, his voice hardening.

“Haven’t brought a girl home in a long time,” he said, and Louis snorted and shrugged.

“Then I guess this plan is seamless,” he said, and Alex laughed, but it sounded hollow in his ears.

Louis turned forward, letting out into the sad, dead landscape of the park, and Alex should’ve moved his gaze away to look forward, too, but instead he found himself fixating on Louis’s profile. The sun was still out, enough to reflect off the slope of Louis’s nose and the height of his cheekbones and the slight pout of his mouth. His hair was freshly cut, close to his ears but still long over his eyes, and Alex wondered, not for the first time, if it was soft.

Louis was beautiful.

He had thought that for a while, and he still felt his belly surge when he thought it. It was a thought that was wrong to have, he’d sat through enough Catholic services and heard enough chatter from his classmates to know that much. But he couldn’t stop the thought. It was there. He could barely remember how it had started. Maybe it was when he was fourteen and they went swimming together in the public pool for the first time, or when he was eighteen and Louis had nearly given his bum heart an excuse to implode when he had sprinted to tell Harry good-bye at the station. Maybe it was earlier than that, when Alex was six years old and saw Louis for the first time in a schoolyard. He couldn’t trace the start, the first raindrop. He just knew he was in the midst of a storm now.

Louis didn’t flinch, didn’t look back over at him, and part of Alex was glad, but part of him wished he would look over, give him a knowing smile.

Alex had less than a month of staying here before the semester started again. For now, Louis would be here, working in that shop and tucking away what cash he could. But one day, Alex could come home and Louis might be gone. He deserved as much, but one day, he might be standing outside that shop, waiting for his beautiful, forbidden face to appear, and he would never get it.

The thought made his chest tight. He could chase it away; that wasn’t now, that wasn’t even soon, and Louis was here now and he was beautiful and they were sitting in the summer heat in an empty park and it was fine, it was all fine.

But the thought wouldn’t leave him, and soon Alex felt himself move, until his hand shifted and settled between them in the grass, close to Louis’s leg. A bit too close.

He could hear his own heartbeat in his ears, coupled with the hammering of his heart.

If he listened closely, he could hear Louis breathing, too.

He could pull his hand back right now and say it meant nothing, but the fact it was there, and there for so long, now, meant that it did mean something.

Louis could slap him and spit in his house and tell the whole town about him and Alex would deserve it, but the fact he didn’t do that had to mean something, too.

But Alex didn’t dare more any closer.

Not when his hand right there was already something big, and coming closer…

That was something massive.

Then, he heard Louis breath in, and his voice came softly, so dangerously soft.

“You gonna put that hand anywhere useful?” he murmured.

Alex’s breath hitched, and when he looked over, Louis was looking straight at him, his mouth straight, his eyes wide, his bottom lip shifting. Shaking.

He knew. He knew what Alex and had done, and he wasn’t mad. He was welcoming it, and Alex barely had time to take in what that meant for him and his lingering thoughts. He was already thinking what this meant for Louis. He was taking a risk, too, in acknowledging it. In asking for something else.

Alex let out a breath, let the tension in his chest release for one brief moment.

He kept his eyes close on Louis’s, and then he let his hand drift closer, until his fingers were curling against the fabric of Louis’s trousers. Louis closed his eyes, his exhale so loud in Alex’s ears, and then he bobbed his head, nodding.

“No one ever comes here,” Louis said softly, still not looking up, and Alex knew what he meant.

No one ever bothered to come here. No one would see.

So he let his hand shift over Louis’s thigh and tighten on the inside of his leg. Louis’s breathing hitched and his eyes cast down, looking at Alex’s fingers on his thigh, and Alex didn’t dare move to do anything else. This already felt like too much.

Louis still wasn’t looking at him, and Alex felt like he hadn’t been able to see Louis’s eyes for years instead of seconds.

“You fancy me, huh,” Louis said softly. Still so softly. A fragile type of soft that was in danger of breaking.

Alex swallowed, and his fingers shifted on Louis’s leg.

“Yeah,” he said.

He didn’t try to add anything else. Didn’t try to say “I think so” or “Maybe” or “I’ve been trying to figure it out. Trying to think maybe it’s your eyelashes or your hips or your voice or the parts of you that are so like a girl, but it’s not that. Because I fancy your hard shoulders and the bulge in your throat and your laugh and your smile and you, it’s just you that I fancy.”

He didn’t say any of that. But Louis nodded, like he could understand everything Alex couldn’t dare say.

And then he lifted his head, and Alex finally got a flash of his eyes, like a slice of summer sky.

“You gonna kiss me or leave me waiting?” Louis asked, and his voice was maybe a bit stronger now, but if anyone would have been around, his words still would’ve been drowned out by the crickets and mosquitoes and the one owl that always seemed to come out too early.

Alex didn’t think he could remember how to breath.

Louis shifted, and Alex’s hand molded over his thigh, tucking into the inside of his leg, his fingers feeling Louis’s warm skin through his trousers. Louis’s hand lifted up, tucked itself against Alex’s chest, right over his hammering heart and his useless lungs. Louis’s fingers pushed into his skin, enough to ground Alex and make him look up and into Louis’s eyes again, which were so, so close now, closer than he had ever been.

“I don’t – “ Alex said, and then swallowed, “What do I do if I wanna kiss you? Afterwards?”

Louis just blinked, once, shook his head.

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

Alex swallowed, nodded. It was so hot. So hot and so quiet and so normal. Like every other evening where his life hadn’t changed in a moment, in the touch of a hand, in an offer too good to pass up.

He felt himself moving forward, and then Louis was moving forward, too, and Alex had the good sense to open his lips just a bit right before they connected, and then he was kissing Louis and Louis was kissing him.

Here was the thing.

It could have been nothing.

Because Louis’s lips…they just felt like lips. Alex knew what those felt like, knew the movement of chapped, wet skin on his own. But this was Louis, and somehow, that made all the difference. He felt like he could taste Louis’s laugh on his lips. With each movement of Louis’s mouth, he could remember seeing him the first time, the second time, and every time after that.

He finally pulled away because his lungs were burning, robbed of air not for the first time, and he panted and shook his head, looking up at Louis, meeting his eyes, perfectly round now. Louis’s gaze flickered to Alex lips and then he looked back up.

“What do we do now?” Alex asked, and Louis looked at him steadily.

“Kiss me one more time,” he said. Alex opened his mouth, about to tell him that that wasn’t a real plan, but Louis shook his head hard.

“If you get scared and run off and never see me again, I’ll forgive you,” Louis said firmly, “But I want one more thing to remember you by,”

Louis was shivering, now, and Alex was damn sure it wasn’t because of the weather.

He grabbed Louis’s jacket from where it was resting in the grass, draped it over his shoulders, and then drew him close to his chest.

“Louis,” he said firmly, “I would never do that,”

The other boy didn’t speak, and Alex squeezed him tighter.

“I’ve liked you for a fair long while,” he said, “Not gonna let go of you now that I’ve got you,”

Louis stilled in his arms, lifted his chin enough to meet his eyes.

“A while, huh,” he said, and Alex nodded.

“Then show me that,” Louis said. His voice was hard but still shaking, his eyes firm but still open, and Christ, Alex had Louis’s beautiful, fragile heart nearly cupped in his hands, but Louis had his, too, and he didn’t have a choice of what to do next, but even if he did he still would’ve moved forward to kiss Louis again.

His mouth still tasted like laughter and Alex’s daydreams, and Alex’s hand was still on the inside of his thigh, and he felt Louis exhale against his lips, his muscles relaxing against him.

This time, when he pulled away, Louis went to rest his chin on Alex’s shoulder, keeping his body pressed tight against him.

“You ever kiss another bloke?” he asked softly, and Alex shook his head.

“No,” he said, “You?”

“Once,” Louis admitted, and Alex started a bit, tightening his hold on Louis’s back.

“Once?” he parroted, and Louis nodded, his chin bobbing against his shoulder.

“Why do you think my parents packed up and left me here?” he asked.

His voice was soft and didn’t even sound bitter, but Alex gasped softly and gripped him harder.

“Oh, Louis,” he said.

“Don’t you go feeling sorry for me. That’s long past now,” Louis said, his voice muffled in Alex’s shirt, “You’re more handsome than the other bloke I kissed. I just thought you’d like to know,”

Alex couldn’t find it in him to laugh.

Louis had been left behind, and now he was in his arms, and Alex wasn’t about to let go of him.

“Maybe I won’t go to uni next year. I’ll stay here with you,”

“Maybe I’ll smack you in the mouth if you even think about giving up on that for me,” Louis said, and then pulled back, looking at him full on, “Really, though. If you get the hell out and don’t even come back, at the very least I finally got to figure out how your mouth feels,”

Alex’s mouth twitched, growing into a smile.

“You’ve been thinkin’ about me then?”

“No shit,” Louis sighed, “You’re the worst kind of pretty, you know that? Know you’re pretty,”

“Pretty enough to kiss me again?”

Louis snorted, his mouth straightening.

“We’re tested our luck too much tonight,” he said, “I can try to give you that some kiss some other time,”

Alex blinked at the boy in front of him, his features dark now in the lost sunlight, and he swallowed hard.

“There’s gonna be another time?”

“I’ll be really fucking pissed if there’s not,” Louis said.

Alex laughed and shook his head.

“We gotta figure out what to do now,” Alex said, “Gotta figure out what to do next now that I kissed you,”

“Right,” Louis nodded, and then quickly looked ahead of him, blinking out at the span of the park for so long Alex thought he was thinking over their whole future, counting out the days and years and planning every one of them.

And then he turned back and smiled.

“Walk me back home,” he said, and Alex nodded.

“I can do that.”

#drabbles #larry fanfiction #larry fanfic #alex x louis #do alex and louis have a ship name? idk #another drabble is coming tonight after I get back from seeing this movie for a third time lol #Anonymous #ask

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