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sour--disposition · 3 years

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End Of The Road

harry lewis x fem!reader

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You’d met Harry whilst on a trip to Guernsey with friends from university and you’d never really gone home. You were visiting the hometown of one of your flatmates, after they’d boasted about the beautiful sea views that everyone had to see at least once.

And then you met Harry.

To you, Harry was the goofy kid you’d met in one of the hidden beach coves you’d been taken to. He was where you went on your holidays from university, wherever he was. You felt like you’d found a future in Harry, with Harry, on that beach that day.

Harry would fly you out to wherever he was as soon as you had time off from your studies, he’d pay first class train fares for you to come to London and get you the best tickets for a ferry over to Guernsey. Harry’s friends and family had made you feel welcome and loved and wanted, almost as much as Harry did.

Until you tried to surprise him.

Harry knew you were due to finish university soon, but you’d never given him an exact date of when to expect you. You’d given him excuses about moving out and seeing friends now that you had the time, all the while planning on coming down to London to surprise him as soon as you could.

You’d arranged it with Cal, who knew when you were coming. Even some of his friends knew when you were coming down, but you only told them if they promised to keep it a secret from Harry. And, so far, they’d held up their end of the bargain.

You were trudging through the middle of Kings Cross station, battling your way to the car park pick-up where you were expecting to meet your Uber driver. It felt like the day was trying to annoy you. Your train had been delayed before you’d even gotten to the platform, and then you had to wait in the rain since the waiting rooms at the station were closed, someone had taken your seat on the train so you had to argue with them over that, and now your suitcase seemed to slip into every single minute crack in the floor.

Once you slid your way into the back of the Uber, you let out a deep breath. The next person you saw would be Harry. You would see Harry and Harry would see you and all of the palaver you had been through would be worth it because, as much as the two of you tried, it had been weeks since you’d seen each other. FaceTime calls seemed to be getting less and less, too, but you chose to chalk that up to an over-critical, overactive mind.

You zoned out as you were whisked through the dark streets of London. A long final semester followed by a long day of travelling mixed with a dash of (possibly imagined) relationship doubt had started to take its toll on you. You wanted nothing more than a long, hot shower and to curl up into bed in Harry’s arms and sleep for a week or two.

Even though Cal had already told you he’d be out for the night, you sent him a text when you arrived at the apartment building, just so someone would know you’d made it into London safely.

You couldn’t help but tap your foot and fiddle with anything that was in reaching distance once you’d made it into the lift. The pent up anxiety and exhaustion mixing together was a strange feeling in of itself. You counted the floors and the lift rose, not taking your eye off of the moving counter until it drew to a slow stop, the doors sliding open in front of your face.

You walked down the hall to Harry’s flat, letting yourself in with the key he’d had cut for you as an anniversary present. You left your stuff quietly by the door, sneaking through the flat in the direction of Harry’s room.

You could hear noises coming from in his room, but you presumed he was editing a video or filming something for either his second channel or one of the Sidemen channels. You opened the door slowly, hoping not to make too much noise as you snuck into his room.

You turned around, expecting to see Harry lounging on his bed or hunched over his computer. You didn’t expect to see him with his tongue down another girl’s throat.

“What the fuck?”, the girl screeched when she moved her head and saw you standing there, eyes wide and already flooding with tears. “Who the fuck are you?”, she asked you accusingly.

Harry pulled his face out of the girl’s neck, expecting to see Cal or an intruder. “Y/N...”, he trailed off quietly. “It’s not what it looks like”, he started, “I didn’t realise - you said - you never told me-”, Harry stumbled, trying to stand up.

“It’s not what it looks like!? It looks like you’re about to fuck some other girl, Harry”, you all but shouted at him, shocking both him and the girl still awkwardly in his bed. “I didn’t tell you because I wanted to surprise you, because I haven’t seen you in weeks”, you told him. By this point, the tears that were building up had begun to spill over, slowly rolling down your cheeks.

“I-”, Harry started, mouth hanging open as he tried to find the words to say. “I think you should go”, he said quietly, turning to face the girl who was trying to awkwardly straighten out her clothes without making too much of a commotion.

She nodded, standing up and gathering her things before slipping out of the room. She mumbled a soft ‘sorry’ to you as she walked past, causing you to scoff and glare at Harry.

“Are you going to try and explain, or are you going to stand there looking like a fish out of water?”, you asked him accusingly. Harry’s face darkened.

“Explain? What do you want me to tell you? You’ve barely spoken to me the past few months, and when I’ve seen you you’ve been ‘too tired’ to do anything. You don’t want to spend time with me anymore, Y/N!”, Harry shouted at you.

“Harry, you’ve known since we met that I’m at university. I was juggling a long distance relationship, a part-time job that was asking too much of me, job hunting for once I graduate and writing my final year dissertation. What did you want me to do? I can’t be in two places at once, Harry!”, you shouted, moving your arms around in anger.

“You made me feel like shit, Y/N. Like you don’t fucking love me!”, Harry hurled at you accusingly, like this was somehow your fault. “I always made time for you, whether I was at home or here or somewhere else”.

“Are you forgetting how many days I sat here in the flat on my own or with just Cal because you were at shoots? I never said a fucking word about it, because I knew I’d signed up to that when I fell in love with you. You think walking into the room and seeing you all over some other girl made me feel loved? Made me feel appreciated?”, you yelled, ignoring how cool your tears felt on your burning skin.

“This isn’t my fault. Y/N!”, Harry yelled, storming over to you. You flinched slightly, making Harry stop short. “What? You - You think I’d hurt you?”, he asked quietly, recoiling into himself.

“Well, you clearly have no fucking problem hurting me!”, you snapped, wrapping your arms tightly around your body.

“I’d never hurt you, Y/N”, Harry murmured into the silence of the room.

“Really? Then why the fuck did I walk in here to see you with your tongue down someone else’s neck, Harry. That’s pretty fucking hurtful, if you ask me. And then you have the fucking gall to tell me it’s not your fault? Nobody made you bring her here, nobody made you cheat on me!”, you spat.

“It’s not been going on that long. Now that you’ve finished uni you can come down here and we can work on us again, right?”, Harry asked, awkwardly reaching out to you.

You took a step back, making sure he couldn’t reach you. Anger swirled inside of you, demanding to bubble up and lash out at Harry, and at this point to were too tired to even attempt to rein it in. “Oh yeah, sure”, you snarled. “I’ll just uproot my life and move down to London to be with a man who’d rather cheat on me than ask if everything’s okay between us”. You looked at Harry, waiting for him to say something, but he kept his mouth shut, looking around awkwardly. “Is you telling me it’s not being going on for long supposed to make me feel better? Woohoo, you’ve only been cheating on me for a month or two, not our entire relationship. No, Harry. We’re over. Done. You can’t come back from this”, you told him bluntly.

You turned around to leave his bedroom, storming down into the living room, coming face to face with Cal. “What’s going on? The neighbours called to ask if everything was okay because they heard yelling, you weren’t answering your phone so I came over”, Cal said softly, taking in the tears running down your face and neck.

Harry scoffed behind you. “And I’m the cheat, yeah?”, he snarked. Cal’s eyes widened before his face filled with fury. You put your hand on his chest.

“Can you call Freya and Josh to come pick me up? From the kitchen? Please?”, you asked, instructed him, pointing him over to the kitchen. He nodded, glowering eyes not leaving Harry until they had to.

“I wouldn’t dare cheat on you”, you snapped at Harry. “Every time you left me here to go film, I had no one to talk to but Cal. If me having the audacity to not sit in silence on my own for hours on end when I come and see my boyfriend makes me the unfaithful one here, then sue me. But last time I checked, the only person I’ve gotten into bed with in the last 18 months is you. You can’t tell me the same thing”, your voice raised as you spoke, your words all but nailing Harry to the wall.

Cal came over slowly, “They’re on their way over now”, he told you.

You marched back up to Harry’s room, collecting up everything that belonged to you in your arms. “What are you doing?”, Harry asked you from the door, voice sounding more fit for an innocent 5 year old.

“Getting my stuff”, you replied bluntly.

“Why?”.

“What about this situation makes you think I ever want to see you again, Harry? I could never trust you, ever again. You’ve ruined us. What about ‘we’re over’ doesn't make sense to you?”, you asked him incredulously, slipping past him to walk back downstairs and put your stuff into a bag.

“But - We can fix it, right?”, he asked, voice small.

“You blamed me, Harry! You said it wasn’t your fault! You think I don’t already feel bad enough? I know things have been rough and I know I’ve been distant and God, I feel like shit about it. I’m exhausted, Harry. I’m trying my best and clearly that’s not good enough for you, but don’t you dare go blaming me for that girl being in your bed. That one is all on you”, you told him sternly.

A knock on the door interrupted whatever Harry was going to try and say. Cal walked over, letting Josh and Freya into the apartment. “Y/N?”, Freya asked softly from the entryway. You turned away from Harry, walking over to Freya and into her arms.

For the first time that night, you let yourself cry. Heaving sobs were released into Freya’s chest and she held on to you, held you together. Over yours and Freya’s shoulders, Josh glared at Harry. A glare filled with anger and disappointment that made Harry shrink into himself even more.

“Come on, you need something to eat and drink and some sleep, you look shattered”, Josh told you. As Freya ushered you out of the door and to the lift, Cal handed Josh your bag and coat and pointed out your suitcase to him.

“Tell her I’ll speak to her in a bit, yeah?”, he asked Josh, who only nodded and showed himself out of the apartment, following you and Freya to the lift.

Cal took one look at Harry, his dishevelled appearance and the lost look in his eye, scoffed, and picked up his phone. “What do I do?”, Harry asked as Cal started to walk away.

“I’m not gonna start giving you advice, Bog. You’re one of my best mates but, man, you fucked up. Y/N is good, she was good for you. She would have moved heaven and earth for you if you needed her to, would have done anything you asked without a second thought. The one time in the 18 months you’ve been together she needed to be selfish, you were too pathetic to take it on the chin and you went and pulled someone else into your bed”, he told Harry.

“You like her, don’t you?”, Harry accused, no heat behind his words but the attempt was there.

“Of course I do, I have since the day I met her. But she was your girlfriend, I was just the accommodating best friend and flat mate who kept her company and bought her pizza when you abandoned her for days at a time for shoots”.

“I’ve really fucked up”, Harry whispered. Cal made a snarky noise in agreement, before turning his back and walking off to his room before he did or said something to Harry that he would regret in the long run.

At Freya and Josh’s, you’d showered and changed into sweats and a hoodie and were wrapped up in a blanket between the two of them on the couch as you all but cried into a bowl of Chinese food.

“I don’t want to lose of all you guys”, you whimpered quietly.

“You won’t, you silly goose”, Freya tutted. “You really think me, Gee and Talia would let you get away that easily. Or Josh and the other guys? No way. Sure, things are gonna change a bit, but just because...”, she trailed off, not wanting to even say Harry’s name. “Just because circumstances change, doesn’t mean we don’t love you, Y/N”, she told you, reaching over to squeeze your hand.

You had a long road ahead, there was no doubt about that. But with the friends you’d made over the last 18 months, you knew that you would never be taking that road alone. Freya was right, you couldn’t leave her, Gee and Talia now, you’d become too close. The boys were like family as well, albeit it a very dysfunctional family.

But, like all families, you’d find a way to make it work.

#harry lewis imagine #wroetoshaw imagine #w2s imagine #harry lewis x reader #wroetoshaw x reader #w2s x reader #harry lewis #wroetoshaw #w2s #sidemen #sidemen imagine #sidemen oneshot #calfreezy #josh zerker #freya nightingale #uk youtube imagine #uk youtube

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perriewinklenerdie · 4 years

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Don’t you leave me right here (Ethan Ramsey x MC)

Open Heart, Ethan Ramsey x MC

A/N: Hi guys! ARE WE ALIVE? PB DELIVERED, PERIOD. I haven't felt this on the edge of my motherf'n seat. This fic is a rewrite of the diamond scene in Chapter 11 plus my own spin on it and the aftermath because I have no self control.

Tag list: @paleweasels, @kittykatchoices, @valiantlychaoticbarbarian, @radlovedreamer , @usuallyamazinglyaverage, @awhmilkywey @palestazure, @cordoniaqueensworld, @universallypizzataco, @princess-geek, @faithhasnowords, @mightyfangirlofthefandoms, @drakewalkerfantasy, @timmagicktoad, @laceandlula, @greywitchyshots, @llamasgrl, @gingerjane15, @marywrites-things , @ethanplaysfavorites , @mfackenthal , @betelgeusebee , @simsvetements, @buzz-bee-buzz, @owleyes374, @cora-nova, @aworldoffandoms, @l822, @cream-ray, @ughhhxjazzy, @silverlitskies, @justendlesssummerfeels, @togetherwearerapture, @desmaranj, @edgiestwinter, @friedherringclodthing, @waytooattuned, @choicesgremlin , @lapisreviewsstuff, @the-soot-sprite, @writerapprentice, @chasingrobbie, @choicesobsessedd, @x-kyne-x, @thisperfectmemory, @drakewalker04, @rookie-ramsey, @jlynn12273, @thepinknymph @dr-brianna-casey-valentine, @a-i-n-a-a-s-h @justanotherrookie @mvalentine @starrystarrytrouble @akshara16 @maurine07

Enjoy! <3

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Ethan’s eyes haven’t left hers since he entered the room. Now, sitting next to her, she could see, clearer than ever, the desperation and panic, etched into them deeply, following him like a shadow. Her words had a clear effect on him, shocking him into silence, drawing the quietness around them out into what seemed to be infinity. When he spoke again, his voice was heavy with emotions, but his eyes were still firmly focused on her, never straying, holding all of his hopes and dreams.

“Since we’re sharing regrets, do you mind if I share one of mine?”

The question took her by surprise. Ethan was never a man to openly express his feelings, or regrets for that matter, and she could almost feel the change in his behavior, in his approach to the situation they were currently in, as though fate gave him a sudden shove into the direction he was eyeing for quite some time now, but was too terrified to pursue.

“Go ahead.” Claire nodded slowly, her movements expressing how tired and sore she felt, toxin draining her faster than any of them anticipated. He took her bare hand into his gloved one, deep regret striking him painfully when he didn’t feel her skin upon contact. The electricity he learned to anticipate, hell, welcome with every time they touched, wasn’t as intense, his brain relying on the memory of her closeness to induce the same sensation.

“I wish I hadn’t asked you to stay away.” he admitted quietly, lowering his head in shame slightly. Her tired face twisted in confusion and surprise, taking in the new information, the one she was waiting for, the words she wanted to hear so many times before.

“You do?”

“We’ve wasted so much time.” Ethan paused, his eyes becoming a shade darker to accommodate his growing shame and pain. Shaking his head, he rephrased. “I’ve wasted so much time.” His hold on her hand tightened, as though he could pass through it all that he was feeling. He was never good with his words when it came to her, only moments of brilliance here and there; she was always better at this than him. But now, he couldn’t run; he didn’t want to run. “I should have held you in my arms every single day and told you how much I-“

His voice broke. Unable to bring himself to say a word, he took a deep breath, searching her green eyes for anything that would tell him that she would make it, that it wouldn’t be the last time they were talking, that he would have the opportunity to do this properly. She deserved to be confessed to properly, not when fear was running through his veins and panic was making him talk like he’s never talked before.

“How much I care about you.”

A bright smile lit up her face, and to Ethan, she looked as though the whole massacre of the past day didn’t happen. To him, she was as beautiful as ever. Her fingers squeezed his in excitement, dimmed by the lack of energy. “I’ve always thought we should be together.”

“You have?” he chuckled, running his thumb over her knuckles. She nodded, grinning like she always did.

“Kind of thought it was obvious, actually. We were always drawn to each other, from day one.”

“I’d hate to presume anything.” He felt himself relaxing, falling into the comfort of their day to day bickering, feeling like he was coming home. And in a sense, he was. Somewhere between him trying to run from her and now, they built a safe place for one another, without realizing it, always being pulled towards each other in times of need. “Though… that feeling was very definitely mutual.”

Ethan’s hold on her hand became tighter, expressing his excitement. The smile that lit up his face must have been the biggest she’s ever seen to this date; he’s never been happier than in that exact moment. Claire’s face fell in disappointment, longing spelled out all over it. “I wish I could kiss you.”

“Soon. You will soon.” He promised, partly to her, and partly to himself, making himself swear to never let her get away again. Guilt was eating him alive, driving him mad, making him want to kick himself for being a fool for so long. “Claire? What’s wrong?” he immediately asked when he saw her expression change into a pensive one once more.

“It just hit me that Rafael might be the last real human contact I ever get to have, not through plastic.” She took the plastic surrounding his wrist between her two fingers, rubbing the material between them. His head told him to reassure her, but his heart couldn’t stand to be that far away from her, even if the suit was still separating them.

He moved from his chair, sitting down next to her, and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her to him; not as close as he’d like, but it would have to do. “Look at me.” he said, trying to keep his voice level, letting the emotions take control after some time. Their eyes met, same emotions reflected in them. “You can’t think like that. You can’t give up.”

His soft gaze made her feel as though she could almost touch him, through all the layers of thick plastic. Rip apart the barriers that kept them away from each other, hold onto him and never let him go again.

“But I can kiss you… sort of.” her voice was raspy when she said those words, her hand already raising his until she could press her lips to his knuckles, shielded away from her. He cupped her chin, stroking the line of her cheekbone with his thumb tenderly. He muttered her name, softly and quietly, trying to find the words for the impossible situation they’ve found themselves in, but found none.

With his hold on her never wavering, he maneuvered them into the horizontal position, allowing her head to rest, her eyelids drooping against her will slightly. Their gazes were still locked, like they were since the moment he stepped inside her realm of isolation, and they remained that way until she fell deeper into his embrace, nuzzling her face against his chest with a ragged breath.

“I’m glad I at least got to hold you one last time…” she muttered, inhaling the clean scent of the room they were in. His hold on her tightened, expressing how much he wanted to be confident in his own words.

“This isn’t the last time, Claire. I promise you that.”

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He was right. In the morning, her friends arrived with the cure, and hours later, she was showered and recovering in her very own, new and clean, room, taking every opportunity she had to rest. Her flatmates came by, but couldn’t stay for long, with their shifts starting soon. One person that was by her side every moment he could, was Ethan.

He visited her more times than a boss checking up on his colleague would be deemed appropriate, but he didn’t care. When he asked Sienna, earning himself a teasing grin from her in the process, he learned that none of their coworkers noticed or cared about him and Claire being close, the information being the last push he needed to spend as much time with her as he could or wanted.

The first time he visited, he lingered in the doorframe, watching her with a vulnerable and timid smile. She turned her head at the feeling of a slight heat on the side of her face, her eyes brighter at the sight of him. She beckoned him to sit next to her, neither of them saying anything yet.

His hand was shaking when he took hers gently, unable to believe that they were able to touch each other again, that she made it through and that they still had a chance. After last night, not much was left unsaid and they both knew where their feelings were placed. They still had a long way to go, but Ethan was ready to take the leap, follow her wherever she wanted to take him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, tangling and detangling their fingers nervously. Claire stretched a bit, sitting up in her bed.

“I’m much better now. Headache is letting up too.” He placed his other hand on her forehead, his cool skin meeting her slightly warmer one. A small moan escaped her lips as her eyes fell shut. “Now that is perfect.”

“Yeah?” he laughed, looking at her with utmost adoration. She nodded, breathing in and out deeply. When she gazed at him again, their faces were much closer than she remembered them to be. Her first instinct was to lean away, expecting him to do the same, as they were in the hospital and anyone could walk in on them. Their only ally was the fact that the room didn’t have a window, so one would have to open the door to actually see what was happening inside.

But he didn’t do that. After coming so close to losing her, every moment with her felt precious, and he had every intention of savoring it. The heat of her body, the scent of her shampoo, the comfort of simply talking to her and being by her side. Yesterday’s Ethan Ramsey would keep his distance and maintain a professional front, even if it hurt him. The new Ethan Ramsey simply didn’t care anymore. Or, rather, he cared more than he used to be able to admit. He’s spent past months wallowing in regret and drowning in endless ocean of what-ifs. To say that he was tired of his own rules would be an understatement.

Ethan pressed a soothing kiss to the inside of her wrist, whispering softly, his voice full of pain. “You don’t even know…” he trailed off, his voice breaking for a split second before he composed himself again, taking a deep breath to ground himself.

“I know.”

It became their routine. For the next five days, she would wake up just in time to see him walking through the door, two steaming cups in his hands, one coffee and one tea. Once she was cleared to eat normal food again, he also began bringing meals he’s spent every evening and half of his nights making, both of them talking quietly while eating.

“You’re going to spoil me too much with all this delicious food. How am I supposed to move back to eating instant ramen?” she gasped dramatically, her grin growing even wider when he smirked.

“You could always eat dinner with me. I wouldn’t complain.” He pointed out, words leaving his lips before his mind could filter them. He really wouldn’t mind if she agreed to spend more time with him. His own bold words made a wave of excitement run down his spine, endorphins rushing through his bloodstream. Her eyebrow shot up teasingly, making him sweat for her answer until, eventually, she nodded, so happy she could probably emit light.

“Is that a date, then?” her voice betrayed how nervous but hopeful she was. The same euphoric expression appeared on his face, just like it did a few nights ago; he decided, right then and there, that he’s been longing to feel like this for a long time. Since the moment the thought of them being together became a possibility, in fact. This feeling of fullness, of being exactly where he wanted to be.

“It’s whatever you want it to be, Claire. Though, I won’t lie, I would very much like to take you out on a proper date once you’re fully recovered.” He kissed her cheek, his eyes holding the streak of vulnerability when he leaned away. “And I’d like to be there for you in the meantime.”

They both visibly relaxed, tension leaving their bodies as they fell into their each other’s arms, the embrace warm, as tight as he dared to hold her given the circumstances, carrying the desperation that seemed to still have them in its hold.

“I’d like that very much.” she muttered, her words muffled by the material of his white coat, pressed against her lips.

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“Dr. Trinh, may I speak to you?” he called out, probably a bit louder than he should, a few interns stopping in their tracks, terrified and feeling sorry for the resident. Sienna, however, kept her face neutral as she followed the attending to his office, observing his face carefully, trying to decipher what could this possibly be about. As soon as the door closed and he got visibly got nervous, she had her answer.

“How are things going with Claire?” she asked lightly, cocking her head to the side when his gaze hardened for a second, coming to his senses immediately after he remembered their conversation a few days back. He cleared his throat before answering.

“I’d like to believe they’re good. Going in the right direction too. That’s actually why I asked you here.” He guided her towards the seat by his desk, twisting his fingers anxiously. “Claire is getting discharged today. We talked about me picking her up, and she suggested staying at my apartment, but I think she’d be more comfortable in her out home, in her own bed. Surrounded by things she knows.”

“No offense, Dr. Ramsey, but I’m pretty sure she knows your apartment pretty well too.” She giggled when a furious blush started creeping up his neck, unable to disagree with what she said. “But besides that, what is it that you’re asking me here?”

“I don’t want to be an inconvenience to you, and I’ll understand if you’re unable to help me, but I thought I’d ask.” He stumbled over his words, the whole premise causing him to lose the ability to think clearly. “Would it be possible for Claire and I to- uh…”

“Watching you stumble over your words is an unusual sight, I must say. Are you asking me if we could spend the night somewhere else so that the two of you could have the freedom to talk?” she made it easier for him, sensing his cry for help in the way he talked.

“Yes.” He blurted out, shocked at his own forwardness. “There are some things we need to discuss. I just want her to be as comfortable as possible.”

“We just so happen to have wanted a sleepover at Bryce’s place. What a coincidence, huh?” she smiled enigmatically, then took her phone and sent the message to the rest of her flatmates excluding Claire. Minutes later they had their answer. “We’ll leave the house at six thirty. Claire has the keys. Good luck, Dr. Ramsey.”

He breathed a sigh of relief, smiling to himself as he fell deeper into his chair. All that was left to do was get through the rest of the day, get her discharged and hope for the best.

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“Come on, let’s get you home.” He greeted her, waving a stack of papers in his hand. Claire’s eyes widened in excitement, swinging her legs over the side of the bed almost immediately.

“You’re kidding.”

“When do I ever joke, Dr. Herondale.” His features hardened momentarily, only to melt into the teasing smile right after.

“Ooh, so serious and professional.” she joked, walking over to him slowly. Her hand brushed against his, sparks flying up their arms. “I haven’t been to your apartment in a while.”

“Actually, I’m taking you back to your place.” He picked up her bag, turning to look at her. Her mouth opened in surprise and confusion, unsure what he was talking about.

“I thought you wanted to keep an eye on me.” she muttered, her spirit falling as her hopes for the evening began to fall apart.

“I still intend to do that. I just think that you’d be more comfortable in your own space, your own home and bed.” Ethan felt his cheeks reddening, holding his breath while waiting for her answer.

“Are you sure that you want to spend the night with all my flatmates? I wouldn’t mind if it weren’t for the fact that I… kinda hoped to be alone with you.”

“Oh, really?” he smirked, wrapping his arm around her waist and pressing them against each other gently. “Then I guess it’s good that they’re sleeping at Bryce’s place tonight.” He watched how the corners of her lips went up and up, forming a charming smile, a quiet question hanging between them. “I asked Sienna if she could arrange it. I think she wants us to talk.”

“She does, I have no doubt about that.” Claire’s feet moved on their own, bringing her even closer to him, stopping just as they were breathing the same air. Her gaze strayed from his eyes to his lips, staring at them shamelessly. “Take me home, then.”

Ethan offered her his arm, a warm sensation spreading in his chest when he felt her touch, firm and trusting. Gripping the bag in his other hand, they moved towards the exit, making sure to leave her discharge papers at the nurse’s station.

He held her hand throughout the whole way to her apartment, and even when they walked towards the elevator, he still wouldn’t let her get too far away. There was an intense need in every move he made towards her; she noticed it on the very first day after she was cured. His touch was lingering, his hands gripping hers for a moment longer than usual. His gaze swallowed her whole. His kisses that never reached her lips, no matter how much both of them wanted it, were tender but with underlying strength to them, fueling them both for the next couple of hours until they would meet again.

Claire dug up her keys from her purse, opening the door to let them in. Ethan set the bag down on the floor next to the entrance to her room, turning to look at her. She remained by the front door, hands folded behind her back, looking at him with the intensity that made him fall apart. With each step she took towards him, his heartbeat got faster, his senses gained sharpness, tuning into her frequency.

“What’s your plan?” she asked, taking one of the buttons of his sweater into her grasp, rolling it between her fingers. It was a genuine question, but she would be lying if she said that she didn’t mean to tease him. They were like that, always toeing the line, crossing it over and over again.

“You’re in control here, Claire. You tell me.”

“I’d kill for a shower. I would ask you to make yourself comfortable but…” she stepped on her tiptoes, her lips a mere inch away from his ear. “… you can always join me.”

He almost choked on air, his breath kicked out of his lungs at her suggestion. She kissed his cheek, giggling when she leaned away, seeing his face slightly redder than before. Figuring out that, at least to some extent, she was teasing him, he relaxed a bit, running his hand up and down her arm. “You go ahead and do that, and I’ll try to think of something to cook.”

With that, they separated for the next thirty minutes. She left the door slightly open in case something happened, or they needed to talk, their strategy from Miami still working wonders. Ethan managed to get the food cooked and waiting for them in twenty minutes, deciding to wait for her, sitting on the couch and observing the sun that was barely visible over the horizon.

He’s thought in depth about what he wanted to tell her. He knew what he wanted to tell her, so many sleepless nights spent on thinking of her, or rather, trying not to think of her. There always was a part of him that knew that all his desperate attempts at keeping his distance, pushing her away and denying what was so obviously in front of him, would fall short. He refused to believe it at the time, but here he was now.

The sound of the door closing and soft footsteps on the floor pulled him back into reality. Just as he was turning his head to look at her, she sat down, straddling him, her hands on both sides of his face, and the next thing he knew, her lips were touching his in a heated kiss. Surprised only for a moment, he placed his hands just above her hips, kissing her back with as much desperation and fire. She had her many ways of stealing his breath, but this one was one of his favorites.

She lowered herself onto his lap even more, a soft sigh escaping her lips at the contact. Ethan tried to keep his reactions at bay, letting her take over, giving himself over to her just as much as he was taking from her. He could feel her smile, his head leaning back a bit when her fingers pulled on his strands, a helpless moan echoing in the air.

He wasn’t able to tell how much time has passed, losing himself in her completely. Moving his hands to her face, he brushed her hair away, their eyes locked tightly as they stared at each other in utter silence. Water was dripping from the strands of her blonde hair, soaking his sweater and the T-shirt she was wearing. Ethan only now noticed that it was strangely familiar.

“How did you get ahold of my T-shirt?” he laughed, welcoming the sight of her in his clothes with familiarity he didn’t know he longed for. It barely covered her thighs, in their current position the material being bunched up around her hips, exposing a bit of her panties to his touch when his hands were holding her in place.

“A girl’s gotta have her secrets.” She echoed her own words from the very first day they met, his eyes sparking up in recognition. “Besides, we both know I look better in it anyway.”

They enjoyed their dinner, conversing quietly about anything other than the past couple of days or work. Ethan wanted her to relax, not think about her workload (which was already taken care of) or the horrific circumstances that led to her needing her rest in the first place. Once they moved back to the couch, Ethan having changed into more comfortable clothes, the blanket covering their legs, the conversation continuing. The biggest manifest of how comfortable they were with one another was all written in their moves, his arm draped over the back of the couch, his fingers playing with her hair while she inspected the lines of his other hand absentmindedly.

Suddenly, his smile dimmed, his shoulders falling with his heavy breath. Claire caught onto it immediately, squeezing his wrist with an underlying question. He looked into her eyes, blue irises gaining depth as he prepared to tell her the very thing that’s been haunting him for days now.

“I can’t get rid of the panic that takes over my whole body and mind when we separate.” He confessed, searching for more words, trying to come up with a way to explain it better. She listened to him patiently, her touch firm and reassuring. “It sounds crazy now that I think about it, but I’m sure the feeling will only increase when we’re both back to work. Every time I turn the corner or look inside the room, I’m scared that I- that you- ugh, goddamn it.” he let out a frustrated sigh, sliding closer to her and touching her cheek softly. “I’m terrified that I’m going to see you in danger again. I don’t think I can survive it the second time.”

He dove forward, capturing her lips in another kiss they shared his night. Only this time, the tone of it was entirely different. Gone was the fire, the heat and the lust that had driven them both to pull closer, to have, to own. Now, the need was greater, the desperation was more palpable, and the feelings were overflowing. Each time he leaned into her, she leaned back, until she was lying down with him hovering over her, barely keeping himself balanced on his elbows while her legs were wrapped tightly around his hips and her fingers were tangled in his hair once again.

Their faces were wet with tears, cleansing them of all the stress and anger they held within them. Ethan was the first one to lean away, resting his forehead against her collarbone, eyes still closed, breathing heavily. She stroked his back, basking in the warmth of his body, staring at the ceiling.

“I thought I was going to die in there.” she whispered, not trusting her voice to carry out the words. His entire body stiffened, eyes opening at once, his lips pressed to her skin. “Without telling you how much I need you. How much I want you, right here, by my side.” She lifted his head off her chest, making their eyes meet. “How much I care about you.”

“The moment I saw you in there was possibly the worst thing I could imagine. I’ve told you that before, but I’m never going to stop saying it. I’ve wasted so much time, trying to shield you from me; you and your work. I’ve never stopped to look at us.” He stroked her cheek, his smile full of pain but at the same time, hope. “There aren’t enough words in any language that could possibly express the grief I feel, or the sheer panic that froze me in place when I realized what was happening.” He paused, wiping first hers then his own face, just as a new batch of tears replaced the old one. “I want you to stay with me. I need you, Claire. In any and every way I can get you. I finally understand my feelings. And I won’t deny them anymore. The line is so far back that I don’t even remember what it looks like. You have me. You’ve had me for a long time now.”

She didn’t say a word for a long moment, searching for a confirmation. And she got it. In the way his eyes sparkled with utter happiness. In the way his hold on her never wavered, always believing in her. In the way his body relaxed after he finally told her everything.

Claire smiled so widely that her cheeks begun to hurt a bit, then hauled him onto her, kissing him with wild abandonment. “Let’s not wait for a next disaster to see where this leads us.”

#mc x ethan #ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #open heart #open heart fanfiction #fic #fanfiction #dr. ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #mc x ethan ramsey #choices #choices fanfiction

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thesleepy1 · 3 years

Text

Plants For Company

A/N: I wrote this ages ago and can barely remember where I got the prompt from. But hey. I haven’t posted in a bit and this wasn’t the worst thing I’ve done this week. Unbeta’d. Also when I say I unbeta’d I mean I found this is one of my notebooks and copied down what I could read out of my crap handwriting.

Pairings: Mycroft Holmes x Reader

Summary: How would you go about setting up a vigilante group to death with local drug dealers?

Word count: 1340

Warnings: Mentions of kidnapping, injures, gore, blood, body horror

The briefing room in Mycroft Holmes manor was unlike the one in your family home. Instead of a pristine stainless steel table that stretched across the room with cushioned rolling chairs tucked underneath. There was nothing but the knotted dark oak table, chairs that were more like thrones and cute little plants that you had started naming, that were similar. You had been in his manor before, having named every other plant but you had not yet entered the double doors on the foremost end of the manor.

Kingston, the potted catnip kept you company as the Holmes brothers, Dr. Watson, Dr. Hooper, Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, and your best friend and flatmate, Bert sat at the table with tension so thick, you could cut it with your nails. It was silent, as if everything that needed to be said could be with the look of an eye. Kingston disagreed with that statement, but you would rather not break the silence if not absolutely necessary.

“So how are you, Molly?” Dr. Watson the ever brave soul broke the silence, but the tension only grew.

“For being attacked at home, I’m fine, a bit bored,” Dr. Hooper replied, clearly uncomfortable in the older Homles’s brother’s home.

Kingston averted his gaze and you followed suit.

“Just admit it, Grend. You failed! Stayed out with that coffee brewer across town for too long. Two hours and twenty six minutes to be exact.”

Lestarade shuffled in his seat, guilt pushing his head down.

“Molly was under your care!” Sherlock shouted, a fix of rage boiling over.

“Sherlock, enough,” Mycroft said, exasperated, rubbing his eyes. From the gravel tone of his voice you knew he had lacked sleep. For several days if you heard correctly.

“Oh you shut up, Mycroft! First Mrs. Hudson, then Molly! This is why I should’ve never listened to you.” Sherlock sprung up from his seat, his chair scraping against the floor.

“I’m surprised he listens to anyone,” Lestarde mumbled to Dr. Watson.

“I’m surprised he came here on his own free will,” Watson replied.

“If you’d listen, Molly would be at home, but she isn’t is she?” Sherlock blamed, ignoring the two men.

All eyes except yours and Kingston’s darted towards the noticeable bruises on the doctor’s skin. Molly caved into herself with the attention. Mrs. Hudson whose own bruises had yet to heal rubbed her shoulders gently in that motherly way she’d mastered after being the landlady of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson.

“She would have been safe with me!”

“She isn’t property, Sherlock. She’s a proud doctor that can make her own choices,” Mycroft tried to reason.

“Her choices left her hospitalized!” Sherlock raised his voice above everyone else’s. If Kingston had hands he would have covered his ears. If he had those too.

“At least I wasn’t running around with so many drugs in my system that would put an opium den out of business,” Molly spoke in a brisk and stern tone which was out of character for the collected doctor.

“In Sherlock’s defense, he was sober this time. I checked,” John added, looking to his flatmate to confirm. The man in question blinked a reply and the doctor groaned, slamming his head to the table. Mycroft looked at his brother exasperatedly and Sherlock handed him a list.

Mycroft glanced it over, “He’ll live, though I don’t know how long.” Molly and Mrs. Hudson perked up at that.

“Sherlock-” Molly began, but Mycroft couldn’t hear the rest as you spoke to him in a contrasting calm tone.

“You know exactly how long he’ll last. And with the way things are now he doesn’t have much time left.”

“I know,” Mycroft sighed.

“You knew he was overdosing?” Dr. Watson asked in confusion, the look on his face was like a puppy with fangs sharper than a butcher’s knife.

Mycroft looked to you once more before speaking, “I didn’t know that he was overdosing, but I knew what he was up to. When Mrs. Hudson’s safety was compromised; Sherlock stopped at nothing to assure her safety.”

“None of this would have happened if I hadn’t listened to you,” Sherlock seethed, recalling his landlady’s call for help. Her voice would haunt his mind for the weeks to come. Sleep was no longer an option.

“If Mycroft knew what was going on then shouldn’t we listen to what he has to say?” Lestrade added, speaking above the mumble.

“No-”

“Yes-”

“He knows nothing,” Sherlock just about shouts, spit flying from his mouth.

“Think about it Sherlock, first Mrs. Hudson, then Molly. They’re going after people who mean something to you,” Lestarde continued.

Molly timidly blushed as Mycroft contributed to the detective inspector’s statement, “We both know who they’re after.”

“Dead Mycroft, absolutely and undoubtedly dead,” Sherlock screams almost as convincingly as Mycroft’s Lady Blackwell. Mycroft gave him a look that told as much.

“Are you talking about who I’m thinking we’re talking about?” John asks his mind connecting the dots.

“No, John, we’re talking about Redbeard, of course we’re talking about her!” John rolled his eyes as a reply.

“W-who are we talking about?” Dr. Hooper asks, looking between the men. Sherlock locked his eyes with Mycroft’s before answering.

“Irene Alder.”

You and Kingston looked up to Mycroft in question.

“Your brother fell for Irene? I’m not surprised to be trueful, but how do you two know she’s alive?” You asked, Kingston nodding along with you. Mycroft raised an eyebrow but decided against asking.

“I thought she was killed? You tested her head and everything,” Lesterade said, astonished.

“Irene’s alive but the organisation is after her as long as Mycroft keeps me here.”

“How is he keeping you here? Why aren’t you out with Irene right now?” John stares at Sherlock, dumbfounded.

“Because he knows why he’s here,” Sherlock points at Bert who up to this point no one has noticed or heard from.

“That is Bert,” Mycroft explains, Bert waves awkwardly. “He has dealt with the group before-”

“This much is obvious Mycroft! But why is he here, what does he matter?! Just look at him, he looks as if he just finished proofing a pot with glaze. Not fighting with a world wide gang!!!”

“It was a mug, and I didn’t use glaze, just a white wash. My mugs are better than that,” Bert defended his honor.

“Shut up,” Sherlock yelled, pointing at him again. “Why are you here?” Bert said nothing but looked over to the elder Homles brother.

“He’s the worst case,” Mycroft explained as if those four words were enough.

“The worst case? What’s that supposed to mean?” Sherlock spat, shaking with an uncontained anger.

“Their right arm was sent to me last night,” Bert said with melancholy. To his surprise everyone in the room looked to him.

“I-I was attacked last night,” Dr. Hooper stumbled, cradling her right arm. Mycroft’s eyes softened to yours, he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in.

“You said their arm, but as far as I can see, being a doctor and all, Molly still has it,” John directed at Bert who looked to Mycroft for guidance.

“He is referring to Y/N,” Mycroft said with a heavy tone, “They were taken by the same organization that attacked Molly and Mrs. Hudson. Only, pieces of them have come back,” Mycroft finished, his eyes glistening with tears.

Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly swallowed at the comment.

“I was sent their eye once word traveled that they were taken,” Mycroft stated, looking over to you and Kingston, who looked to be guilty for whatever reason.

“I prefer if you see me with an eye and arm. Sort of difficult to carry Kingston when you only have one arm. A prosthetic is fine if you were considering,” you said with ease, as Kingston nodded along, agreeing with being carried with two hands.

“You keep looking at that plant. You see them, don’t you?” John asked, glancing at Kinston with sympathy.

“I’ve seen them everyday for the past sixteen years.

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blueeyedgeorgie · 4 years

Text

Close My Eyes(4)

I close my eyes and I make believe You’re the one that’s holding me

Pairing: WillNE x Reader

Word Count: 2.3k+

Pronouns: She/Her

A/N: This is where I made the changes to the story. Big changes.

________________

Five months. It had been five months since Will had last spoken to Y/n. Will had finally caved into Everett's demands of him keeping his distance. He did everything he had to keep her away. He blocked her contact, blocked her social media. He told Gee if Y/n had ever shown up at their front door, he wasn't going to speak to her. Will couldn't even tell if Y/n had been trying to reach out to him, he couldn't tell how long it took for Y/n to finally give up on their friendship. It hurt horribly, but it was worth it if it meant Y/n would be safe as she could be. At this point, Will's friends had learned not to mention Y/n around him. Whenever her name had been mentioned, he'd practically shut down. He'd end up closing up, becoming stiff and tense. He'd try and leave the room or setting as quickly as possible to get away from the conversation. Will had soon taught himself to tune the thought of Y/n out. He learned how to forget her. He figured out how to forget all the memories he had with her. For the first month or two, it hurt like hell. He missed seeing her. He missed being able to be in her presence. He missed the way her smile could light up a room. He just wanted to hold her close. He wanted to be able to whisper sweet things to her, reminding her that he'd always keep her safe. Keeping her safe... it was strange to think he was keeping her safe by keeping his distance. The day Y/n had figured out Will blocked her out of his life was a heart-shattering day. She had sobbed for hours, the only person to comfort her was her maid of honor. Everett hadn't shown any signs of sympathy, he almost seemed proud to have Will cut Y/n off. Y/n had left voicemail after voicemail for Will, which he never received. When she snuck out to stop by his flat, she had been ushered away by his flatmate. Gaby had even tried to reach out to Will, only to be given the exact same treatment as Y/n. After a month, Y/n had finally accepted it all. But Will lingered in her mind almost every day. She missed him. She just wanted to be with him. She wanted to hear him say everything would be okay. As the wedding date rolled closer and closer, Y/n had become quite more anxious. At this point, she wasn't sure if she was ready to get married. Everything was moving so fast, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to be Everett's wife for the rest of her life. But it seemed to be too late to cancel things. "How do you feel?" Gaby spoke behind Y/n, tightening the back of Y/n's white gown. Gaby. She had been Y/n's rock throughout all of this. She had been Y/n's shoulder to cry on. Gaby felt sympathetic for Y/n. She had watched everything happen from the beginning. She was clever enough to not call Everett out on his decisions and choices, otherwise she wouldn't have been in Y/n's life anymore. "Gaby. Get out." The room had gotten cold of all sudden. Everett walked in, a look of distaste on his face. "But I was-" "You heard me," he snapped in a stern voice. Without saying another word, Gaby took her exit, leaving the engaged couple alone. At this point Everett had started to circle Y/n, his eyes roaming her body. Y/n felt so vulnerable, she didn't like it one bit. She stared at herself in the mirror that sat in the corner of the room. She felt scared to even look at her soon to be husband. "Why are you wearing your wedding gown, Y/n?" Everett spoke in a low tone, sending a shiver down Y/n's spine. "I just wanted to try it on one more time before our wedding." Y/n couldn't help but speak in a low tone. It sounds so abnormal for Y/n to be speaking in such a tone. Everett stopped his circling, walking up behind Y/n. As soon as he stood right behind her, his hands reached out, grabbing onto her arms harshly. It felt like he wanted to leave bruises on her, as though they'd be some type of cruel trophy showing his ownership of her. He made eye contact with Y/n through the mirror, they stared at each other for a moment before Everett made a tutting noise. "Y/n... you're quite the fool, aren't you? You're going to ruin your dress. And a week before my wedding?" He yanked Y/n, turning around to face him, his grip tightened on her arms as they faced each other now. Leaning down, he raised his voice, almost growling. "How dare you? You don't realize I'm tired, overworked all for my wedding? I've been trying to make it perfect, yet you keep getting in the way. What a disappointment you are. Have anything to say?" Y/n debated with herself, should she really say anything? Or was this another trap to give him a reason to get angry at her? Y/n kept their mouth shut, their eyes emotionless as they fought back tears. "Answer me!" His voice dripped with venom as he began to shake Y/n by the grip he held on her poor arms. He definitely would leave bruises now. Again, Y/n stayed silent. That had only made Everett so much more infuriated. Within seconds, Y/n fell to the floor, her cheek stung. That's when she realized it. Everett punched her. The tears immediately started to fall as soon as his fist collided with her face. Glancing up, all she could see was the scowl on Everett's face. He had shown no sign of regret for putting his hands on her. Muttering a small 'clean yourself up,' Everett disappeared out of the doorway. "Oh my god, Y/n! What happened?!" What felt like seconds had only been minutes when Gaby appeared again to find her best friend crying. By now Y/n had finally gained her strength to stand up from where she crashed to the floor. "I-I need to go," Y/n whimpered, passing by her bridesmaid. There was only one person she needed right now. And she was willing to go and see him even if he didn't want to speak to her.

Will had invited the Eboys over for drinks and future video planning. So far they only had three video ideas planned out, but no idea where they'd be filming the videos. "I just think we shouldn't even try to film a football video-" George had flinched at the sound of the front door being pounded on. "Will, it's me. It's N/n. Please, I need you. I only need you right now," Y/n could be hear on the other side of the door. "Is she... crying?" Alex raised a brow, his eyes looked on the door. Will froze, staring at the door. If he didn't answer it, she'd go home. 'But she's crying you asshole.' "Will, I'm so sorry. He was such a bad man." Y/n had slid down to the floor, leaning against the front door as she sobbed. "You've got no balls, Will." George gave his friend a look before making his way to the front door. As soon as the door opened, Y/n sat up, quickly rushing into Will's arms. Will automatically wrapped his arms around Y/n, holding her as tight as possible, he didn't want to let her ago again. He could feel his eyes water, was this actually her? This wasn't some cruel dream? When they finally pulled away from the hug, Will kept his arms around her waist, still holding her near. As soon as Will got a good look at her the first thing he had noticed was her gown. 'Runaway bride?' But the most important thing he noticed was the bruise forming on her cheek. He knew exactly who did this to her. "I'm going to kill him and no one will find his pathetic body." As Will made his way to the front door, he had been stopped by James. Somehow, Y/n had gotten Will to calm down after a while. She had promised to set charges against Everett for assault and to put a restraining order against him. After getting that all sorted out, Y/n had explained the whole story to her old friends. She told them about the way he yelled at her. She explained how he made her cut everyone out of her life. She mentioned how he chose everything for their wedding, even the gown she was wearing at the moment. After spending the day with her friends, catching up on everything and being comforted by them, James, George, and Alex decided to head back to their homes for the night. "Not to sound as demanding as your fiance-" "Ex fiance. I'm not gonna go through that marriage." Y/n cut Will off for a moment. "Yeah. Not to sound as demanding as that jackass, but you're gonna stay here tonight. We still have your old room from before you moved in with him and if you need clothes you can borrow Gee's or mine." "Yeah, sounds like a smart idea," Y/n nodded. "By the way, Y/n." Will smiled a bit, "You look good in a wedding gown." "Thanks, Will. But I think you're gonna have to help me upstairs in this gown. You would believe how hard it was to drive here." Y/n replied in a sheepish tone, trying to fight back the small blush on her cheeks. Will grinned, looking from the staircase to the love of his life. "We can make that work." Quickly, he picked her up in bridal style, making Y/n let out a small squeal. As the pair made their way up the stairs, Y/n decided to mention another thing to Will. "Also, I'm gonna need you to loosen this dress and get me that one t-shirt I use to steal all the time. You still have it, right?" "Why wouldn't I have it? I remember the last day you gave it back to me I didn't wash it until it didn't have your scent anymore." "You're a dork," Y/n giggled, hiding her face in the crook of his neck. "How am I the dork? You're the one asking for the t-shirt." "You offered your clothes, stupid," Y/n smiled as Will put her down. They reached the top of the stairs. "Am I stupid or am I a dork?" "You're both." Will was laying in bed scrolling through Instagram. He had unblocked Y/n, only to scroll through the Instagram posts she made in the past three months. At first, he hadn't noticed the figure standing in his doorway. But as soon as his eyes landed on her, he knew it was Y/n. "Will?" "Yes, N/n?" "I thought... nevermind. It's stupid." "What is it?" Will sat up, turning off his phone. "Can I cuddle with you? I just need you." "Of course," Will nodded, patting the spot next to him in bed. "C'mon." Y/n climbed into bed, laying down on Will's chest. Will put his phone down, wrapping his arms around the girl laying down. After all this waiting, maybe he would be able to have his happy ending with her.

Will jumped at the sound of pounding. He glanced down, noticing the sleeping girl in his arms. So it wasn't a dream. His mind had been pulled away from Y/n when he heard the pounding for a second time. Slowly, he got out of bed, trying not to disturb Y/n. As soon as she was out of his grasp, Will made his way downstairs. The pounding got louder, someone was knocking on the door. When Will realized who was at the front door, he opened it. "Give her back, Lenney-" Everett had been interrupted by being pinned to the wall. "How dare you put your hands on such a sweet girl. Y/n didn't deserve any of the pain you put her through. I'm not gonna let that keep happening. Instead of stooping as low as you and resorting to assault, I'll be getting in contact with the police. Also, you might want to leave before someone calls security from how loud you've been." When Will had finished speaking, he had shoved Everett, shutting the door on him before he could have the final word. He waited for a minute, wanting to make sure Conway wouldn't bother to knock on his door for a second time. After being sure he wasn't going to try anything, Will turned to go upstairs, only to find Y/n standing there at the end on the staircase. "You weren't in bed when I woke up." "Sorry," Will sighed, approaching her. "I had to deal with something. Do you want to go out for breakfast?" "Breakfast sounds great." Within a week Y/n had divorced Everett, pressed charges against him for assault, and placed a restraining order on him. Just as she promised Will. Everyone was happy, except for the one person who didn't deserve happiness. When fans saw Will and Y/n were back to hanging out, they were excited. They had missed Y/n so much, people adored seeing they had reunited. Months after Y/n's divorce, Will had finally asked Y/n out. He didn't want to rush her into a new relationship after her last one was a dumpster fire. When Y/n was able to call Will her boyfriend, it seemed like everything was going right for once. Everything was perfect now, and that's how it'd stay.

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nostalgic-pancakes · 3 years

Text

Watching the starlings as autumn draws in

Summary: Tommy and his friends try on some skirts, and he reflects a bit on how they all got here. (It's a happy story) Title from September by Sparky Deathcap

Pairings: None! Platonic everyone (esp in irl fics_)

Read on AO3 (preferred place to read)

Word count: 2570

Warnings: None, except for surface-level references to the exile/prison arcs, but not much.

Other notes: I wrote this in a fit of madness last night in like three hours at 2 am, so i’ll probably edit it honestly but for now, enjoy! (If the CC’s ever display discomfort with this type of fic I will take it down)

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"WELCOME BACK TO THE STREAM, BOYS!" Tommy exclaims, rubbing his hands together as he starts rapid-fire answering questions about the stream, and the stream title from chat. It's funny, how over time, Tommy's come to see Chat as this one entity- an old friend. The nervousness of answering questions as a fifteen year old with nothing but a big personality, a twitch account and a copy of Minecraft is all but gone now, nineteen years old and happier than he's ever been.

Dreadfulzombie19: what are u doin this stream

"THANK YOU FOR ASKING, Dreadfulzombie19, today is gonna be a bit different, innit Tubbo?" Tommy raises his voice a bit at the end of his sentence, just loud enough for one of his flatmates to hear him. When Tubbo yells back an affirmative, Tommy turns back to his setup. Chat's gone a bit wild again, even though he, Tubbo and Ranboo have been living together for over a year now.

"Okay, okay, calm down chat- so recently I was at university, as usual right? And I had an eight AM class again, and… yeah I can see you all can relate."

"BUT! BUT! On my way back to the flat, I saw something really cool." Tommy hesitates in his speech to take a sip of coke again- his blood pressure's been acting up lately and watches Chat to wild again, asking him what he saw.

"Okay, so there was a shop- new place, which doesn't happen often this is fucking Brighton- and they sold skirts and dresses and stuff with adjustments for AMAB sizes!" Chat goes a bit bonkers, but Tommy's mod team- a little smaller than it used to be, now that he isn't the centre of YouTube or Twitch attention anymore, none of them are- are handling it, and pretty well.

"So I had to go, right? As many of you probably know, last year, I made the astounding discovery that gender-based stereotypes and expectations are, in fact, fake and I should not give a SHIT. And so I go in and look through the stuff- it's a really poggers shop by the way, and I find the perfect thing- it was the most poggers skirts and shit, okay? So, today's stream is going to have me wearing this pogchamp shit and wearing it right, with the help of…" Tommy ends his monologue by picking up the joke shaker-things that Phil had gotten him as a housewarming gift last year and indicates for his first two helpers to enter the office.

In walks his mother, face obscured from view as always, waving to the camera, and Wilbur, also wearing one of his only skirts for this occasion. Eret had taught him, on a phonecall in the skirt shop that week about the different types of skirts with a handy diagram. Wilbur's was a pleated circle skirt, brown to offset the bright yellow of his sweater and beanie, the same colour as his hair. It's very swoosh-y, so he's wearing black leggings with his regular shoes too. Motherinnit's also wearing her favourite skirt, a baby blue prairie skirt, Tommy thinks, and it's one he's seen fairly often.

Wilbur ducks down in order to show his face to Chat, and ruffles Tommy's hair while he's at it. Tommy's taller, but not by much, so Wilbur still fucking makes short jokes, That fucker.

Chat is now going so fast that he simply cannot read anything but some of the all caps messages and can barely make out some of the emotes.

"Okay, OKAY, CALM DOWN CHAT! WE HAVE TO GET TO FUCKING BUSINESS!" Tommy yells into the mix, like he did when he was sixteen and used the 'many people find me annoying at first' intro. Nowadays he just lets the content speak for itself. Anyone who wants to be here already is, by now.

Wilbur laughs a bit, and that hasn't changed at all. "Tommy, how is chat supposed to calm down if you're not calm?"

"I am their god!! They will obey via sheer digital willpower!" Tommy replies back, pretty zealously (What? An English Literature class is mandatory for his film degree, and The Great Gatsby by Zelda Fitzgerald is a good book, as are most of the other assigned ones. He's had entire conversations with Techno with just lit quotes and it drives everyone insane. Tommy loves it.) Chat seemingly has listened to his godlike abilities, with a few OG's spotting his half-quotation of one of Dream's last lines in the Dream SMP. The rest are spamming 'MOTHERINNIT'.

"If having a shitty magic trick book from a washed-up politician makes you a god, then what does that make me?" Wilbur replies, with one of Foolish's lines and swatting his hand at Tommy. Tommy swats back.

"Bitch" "Arsehole" "Shithead" "Fuckface" Wilbur finishes cheerily, as if this happens all the time. It does. Chat's used their antics now, four years of consistently making content together will do that for you.

Eventually Motherinnit reminds them both to get back on Topic, and Tommy goes back to facing the camera, addressing Chat directly.

"Today, my beloved mother, and my idiot brother-" "hey!" "And maybe my flatmates will be joining me to show off some cool as SHIT skirts! And a dress or two. We all have our selections, right?" Everyone nods in affirmative, even Tubbo and Ranboo. Though the camera can't see them. Ranboo's just come home from his final class, then. He should probably take the first hour back off, and judging by how Tubbo is forcefully judging Ranboo to the shower, he probably gets it. Tommy signs an affirmative to both of them, and gets back to the camera, where Wilbur's showing off all of his (very poggers) very stupid brown or yellow skirts. Tommy's are in cool colours, for fuck's sake.

"Oh yeah, Puffy just confirmed she'll be on stream! She'll be here in about twenty minutes, accounting for fucking traffic, and Niki' going to get onto VC after her own stream, what game is it this time?"

"GRIS." Wilbur answers.

"Poggers- she is the SHIT and will join us soon! So expect some QUALITY QUALITY content this stream!! Remember to not spam her chat to finish faster." Exclaims Tommy, even if it ends up as a light warning, as he picks up his own very poggers skirts from the extra armchair in his office to show the camera.

One is the classic red and white, mostly white but with bright red on the waist (elastic) and the bottom, and it reached to about Tommy's knee, if worn at the hip. It had no pleats, but the red bits were a very nice velvet texture, and while the skirt was heavy, it still had very much swoosh value, and pockets!! Big ones!! He slips the skirt on top of his jeans before entering camera view, the skirt visible in all its classic Tommyinnit glory, as he takes his place right next to Wilbur, who just took. a quick spin at the behest of several dono's., Skirt spying out from his lower shins all the way to his knee, making visible one of his (many) petticoats. ("What? It's cold all the fucking time here, Toms.") Tommy also makes a quick little spin, skirt flying outward, not upward, so it looks like he's hula hooping for a moment there. Lastly, Motherinnit spins around too, and while her skirts do not swoosh, she looks opulent, like she was about to go to waltz with the enemy, for whom she has a dagger in the back of her dress for. (He finished Anna Karenina and the Six of Crows duology within the same week and has not yet recovered. Jack Edwards is laughing at him as he thinks in his English Lit Graduate glory.)

It's fun, trying on different skirts- he and Wilbur accidentally bought the same dress at one point, which they paired up to wear, darting off into their respective changing rooms while giggling like idiots with their checkered blouses and the grindl skirts that Niki had sent over when she heard of this stream idea, laughing the whole time. Tubbo enters as dramatically as possible with Puffy, and while Tubbo looks really fucking good in his handkerchief skirt with embroidered bees and plain white shirt, it's Puffy who steals the show with an exact, real life version of her red banquet dress.

Fans from way back in the SMP, before Tommy had started branching out start going insane and are bringing back emotes Tommy wasn't sure were still available, but she is fucking stunning- deep shades of red and crimson, with slits on either side of her waist and all the detailing. She'd gotten the contact for her dressmaker through Bernadette Banner, Tommy recalls- she was so fucking cool when she streamed with him once, and gotten him to swear less and supplant those world's with bigger ones to intimidate instead. While he still curses like a sailor as part of his persona, it's less so and he does way less in real life these days, unless the situation calls for it. It's also just rude, especially in uni libraries, where he spends too much time these days wondering why he didn't read more as a kid.

Puffy's stolen his audience for a WHILE, and Niki coming on hasn't helped any, so Tommy exits camera view for a while to hug Ranboo really quickly- he's had midterms and has basically been dying all month.

Everyone on this stream- Tommy, Wilbur, Motherinnit, Tubbo, Puffy, Niki and Ranboo enter the camera frame after entering their dressing rooms for the last time on this particular stream, Puffy with full in-character wigs and makeup, Tommy in an Edwardian-Gothic reminiscent black and red dress, Ranboo in something he bought when he gap-yeared in Japan, punk lolita or something, Niki flaunting her pink in a Marie Antoinette style show of finery, Tubbo dressing in all green this time, something like a very deranged biology teacher who hasn't slept in days (Tubbo hasn't-Tommy has to get into that), Wilbur like a forest-nymph, all earthy tones and swishy fabrics and nature highlights, and finally Motherinnit, who hasn't changed but is here to take pictures as they all lean in together to fit into frame, as drastic as their height difference is. Niki is going to be edited in later, and everyone on the 'Dream SMP but nobody does Dream SMP and we're all fucking nerds' discord server is going to get a copy.

The stream wraps up there, after about two hours, and it's only about six in the evening- a far cry from the late nights and long hours from the beginning of Tommy's career, so everyone runs to their changing areas for the last time, into pajamas now, and packs away all of the clothes they wore, properly, as to not incense Karolina Zebrowska, and Jemma, Dan's wife, who would look at them disappointedly and nobody wants a sad Jemma because that means no cooing at their son. Also it just feels shitty.

Everyone huddles in Tommy, Tubbo and Ranboo's living room, and they out on UP for like, the millionth fucking time (they still cry when Ellie dies), and Tommy is leaning into Wilbur's side and feeling his mum play with the hair in his very small, stubby ponytail he's developed by being in Uni as he and Tubbo intertwine their legs together and Ranboo rests his head in the tangle of limbs, playing with his fidget cube. Puffy stays on Wilbur's side, intently texting someone and smiling the whole while, and Tommy takes a moment to reflect (something he's been getting better at doing) on how the actual hell they all got here.

The Dream SMP was always going to end- everyone knew it, if course, they were the fucking writers. But by the time they did, not only were their respective brands too closely intertwined to just… sever that quickly, but they'd become too close to even want to. So the SMP discord never shut, even though Dream and George had planned it months ago, and they continued supporting each other with their interests. Wilbur made a lot more music solo, with his band and even just random ass streams where he practiced guitar for an hour. He kept playing Minecraft, but it wasn't his main focus. A bunch of people left. More stayed. YouTube left him alone.

Dream, George and Sapnap are still Minecraft streamers, but their YouTube channels are mostly blogs of them being poor excuses of adults with other former SMP members joining in sometimes. Tommy and the Dream Team were closer than ever, even though the seeds of their friendship had been sowed when they used to linger after heavy streams together, reassuring each other that none of that was true and that nothing like… that would happen in real life, because Dream had used real abuse tactics, and those still hurt unless immediately taken care of. So they were. It was a running joke that Dream was stuck at 99 million subscribers since nobody really wanted the face reveal anymore. The other Dream team members were doing peachy.

Phil and Techno were also still primarily Minecraft streamers, but they also released things like advice videos and mental health stuff, especially for relationships. They had a new scripted series where Tommy was a minor character. The dadza jokes were still as real, and yes, outside of streaming, both of them were lovely people and responsible adults (mostly). They collaborated with DanTDM and co a lot more now.

Puffy and Niki kept doing games, but did lots of different ones, testing point and clickers to triple A titles, and making it all fucking hilarious while they were at it.

So where had that left Tommy?

After the Dream SMP, he'd kind of had no idea what to do, and he was going to University for the first time, so he just… did whatever he thought would be fun. He learned about vintage fashion from the queens themselves- Mina Le, Bernadette Banner and Karolina Zebrowska and had fun learning how to sew for the first time, fixing and making his own clothes for the first time, clunky as they were, Wilbur had cried, genuinely, when he saw the Lovejoy shirts that Tommy had made for the band. He'd found a genuine love for literature in university, so Tommy started talking to booktubers and studytubers like Jack Edwards and Noelle Stevenson. Tubbo and Ranboo had joined him, fucking around in any YouTube niche they found even remotely interesting. Eventually, they all found a happy medium- a bit of everything.

Some people obviously weren't happy with that but Tommy was happy as he was, making what he liked with his best friend's, living together close enough to most of their friends (family) to have fun and drop in on one another at ass-o-clock in the morning to comfort, to laugh. His sub count hasn't gone up in a while- most of his audience is static, with about 80-90k online on a stream at any time.p

It was a nice feeling, to have carved out a space for himself and the people he loves, and be is so, so glad that he got this chance.

Looking at his mostly asleep family, Tommy thinks 'yeah. Life is good.' as the last thought before he sleeps.

#dream smp #mcyt #irl fic #tommyinnit #wilbur soot #tubbo #nihachu #ranboo #vee's writing #2021

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winryofresembool · 4 years

Text

Things We Lost in the Fire, ch 14

aka Caleo uni au

Fic summary: Calypso starts studying at a new university, but to her annoyance her new flatmate is a loud mouthed mechanic who also likes to sneak his dog in whenever. But as she learns to know him better, she realizes they might have more in common than what she first thought. Eventually, even the darkest secrets come out…

Chapter summary: Leo's fear raises its head at the worst possible moment.

A/N: Finally some (slight) drama after I've drowned all of you in fluff in the previous chapters. Also, it was pretty exciting for me to finally get to explore Leo's studying life a bit more in this chapter.

I also want to take this opportunity to advertise a future fic of mine that I /hope/ to finish by the end of this week. The past week I've been working on a post ToN Caleo one-shot which is already over 4000 words long and at this point mainly needs some heavy editing to be posted. So stay tuned for that too if you like this ship!

Big big thanks to Cris for helping me a whole lot with this chapter! I really needed your science knowledge :’)

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! And remember that comments are the only reward I get so they would be much, much appreciated!!

Characters in this ch: Calypso, Leo. Jason, Percy, Annabeth

Words: 3000+

Genre: romance & hurt/comfort

Warnings: none

previous chapter / next chapter / AO3

...

“Mister Valdez? Are you listening?”

Leo snapped out of his daze. He was at his engineering math class and for the past 15 minutes the professor had been explaining to the group a problem that had taken Leo about 2-3 minutes to solve. Usually he did something else while listening to his professors; finish more calculations (sometimes even ones they weren’t assigned to do), doodle blueprints and ideas for future inventions into his notebook, write down a new joke he had come up with, or text Jason that he was bored. Weirdly enough, doing all that other stuff helped him to focus on what was going on in the lecture.

However, this time his mind was elsewhere; it kept showing him images of a girl with shoulder length reddish brown hair, dark brown eyes that seemed a bit harsh at first but softened when she laughed at his joke, a couple of freckles on her light skin… He could also hear her laughter and smell the cinnamon scent that probably came from the shampoo she used in his head. The previous evening had gone so well but he had no idea what to make of it; even if he did like Calypso (which he wasn’t quite ready to admit yet), could anything ever happen? They were flatmates. Things would sure get complicated if they got together and then broke up and would barely stand each other’s company… Besides, who was to say she’d ever like him? Sure, sometimes she seemed amused by his jokes but what other reasons did he give for her to like him? Not much, he felt.

Leo started to get frustrated because he couldn’t get those thoughts out of his head and he might have started to growl to himself if the professor hadn’t called him at that exact moment.

“Yes?” Leo answered unsurely, not having heard what the professor had asked.

“Good. Then you can tell me what the solution to this problem is.” The professor pointed at the long and complicated looking problem on the whiteboard.

Leo sighed of relief on the inside. They were still talking about the same problem that he had solved over 10 minutes ago. He could do this.

“X is 3,65, Y is 5,51 and Z is 7,24,” he said, sounding almost bored.

“That is correct,” the professor said, badly hiding his surprise. He had thought this kid who seemed to be living in his dream world would be utterly confused by his question. He turned his attention back to the rest of the class and continued: “Of course, the easiest way to solve this equation is to divide X with… Yes, Mister Valdez?”

“Actually, I disagree,” Leo said, now completely awake. “Why would you divide it when you can…”

“Which one of us is the professor here, Mister Valdez?” the professor cut him off. “You may think you know how to do this but there are plenty of students here who aren’t quite as advanced and that’s why it’s better to show them one way to do it rather than to confuse them by....”

“Yeah, right, my bad,” Leo said sarcastically. “If these students are so simple minded, then why don’t you give them more practical problems to solve? You know, things we might actually need in the work life instead of… that,” he pointed at the whiteboard.

A couple of people were brave enough to nod and hum in agreement to Leo’s comments but there were also a few that started laughing.

“Alright, that’s it, Mister Valdez. Leave my class.”

Leo obeyed gladly (that class was such a waste of time anyway). He packed his things and headed out of the room, grinning widely as he left to let the professor know he hadn’t won that battle. It was almost lunch time so he decided to already go to the cafeteria to wait for Jason whose class wasn’t too far either.

About 15 minutes later Jason showed up, and to Leo's surprise he also had company. Percy Jackson did occasionally join them for a game night or a sparring session but Leo almost exclusively saw him outside the university. From what he knew Percy was currently focusing on his swimming career and wasn’t studying anything. Now he had however joined Jason for lunch and that made Leo wonder if there was some specific reason for that.

“Hey, man,” Jason greeted. “You’re early today. Are they having enchiladas or something?”

“Nah,” Leo shook his head. “I may have gotten kicked out of the class.”

“What did you do this time?” Jason rolled his eyes.

“Nothing, really!” Leo exclaimed. Jason kept looking at him suspiciously, though, so he had to add eventually: “Fine, I may have disagreed with the professor about some of his methods, but really, that’s all. Didn’t blow up the lab or anything like that.”

“One time when I was in the high school I told the teacher his pants were unzipped and I wasn’t allowed to participate in his classes for a whole week after that. Didn’t miss much, though, he sucked as a teacher,” Percy joined the conversation.

“That’s exactly what I thought about this guy!” Leo said and gave Percy a high five. “Anyway, what are you doing here? I thought you’d be in the pool at this hour.”

“Just checking the places,” Percy shrugged. Leo raised his eyebrow questioningly. “Fine, Annabeth thinks that at some point I should start thinking about my career after swimming so Jason said he could show me around today so I’d get an idea what it’s like here. Oh and, he promised me a free lunch.”

“Makes sense,” Leo said while already looking at the menu eagerly. “I’d come here for a free lunch too.”

“You pay for this one, though,” Percy pointed out.

“Back to the actual topic ,” Jason said, looking at Leo a bit worriedly. “You didn’t get into big trouble with that professor, did you?”

“I think he’ll go back to ignoring me again in the next class. “ Leo replied. “So no need to worry.”

“Good. It’s just that, after that last lab incident…” Jason started, referring to an incident that had happened in the previous semester, but Leo stopped him.

“I said no need to worry,” Leo said a bit louder. “I’ve got things sorted, OK? Just… let’s go to get that damn lunch now. Chili con carne, anyone?”

In reality, Leo knew that if he skipped one more lab class, the professors wouldn’t be that understanding. The saddest part about it was that he actually enjoyed the lab classes way more than the boring theory classes because there you got to try things out with your own hands, but… there was one big but. He couldn’t be there when…

“Leo?” he heard Jason’s voice somewhere nearby

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“You were just totally zoned out, I was talking to you like a full minute and I don’t think you heard anything I said,” Jason pointed out.

“Oh, sorry. Lots going on in my mind. So, what did you say?” Leo asked.

“I was asking about when we should meet up on Saturday? I have soccer practice in the morning and Piper has a meeting with her theater group at 1 pm but we’re free after that.”

“I have to ask Cal but I think I can organize my work so I’d be free any time after 4 pm.”

“Alright, sounds fine to me,” Jason said, but Leo could sense that he was still wondering what had been bothering him that much.

“So who’s this Cal person?” Percy asked when the boys made it to the buffet tables.

“My new flatmate,” Leo said simply, currently more interested in filling his plate than elaborating on his living situation.

“OK. I was just wondering because Annabeth mentioned that she’d been at your place, and apparently she’d helped to give this flatmate of yours a makeover.”

“Oh, yeah!” Leo said, remembering that meeting quite vividly. “From what I’ve heard they’ve been hanging out quite a lot lately. That’s good because… well, she’s new here.” Leo was going to say that she doesn’t seem to have a lot of people in her life, but decided that he didn’t want to reveal too much to someone who had never even met her.

“Where is she from then?”

“I think she moved here from New York,” Leo said. “And she’s around your age. Who knows, you might even know her.”

“New York is a pretty big place,” Percy pointed out. “I guess Cal is a nickname? What’s her full name?”

Leo was going to answer when he spotted the chemistry lab professor in the crowd and he quickly hid behind Jason.

“Don’t let him see me,” Leo said hastily. “He’s gonna…”

Leo didn’t have a chance to finish his sentence when he heard the said professor say loudly: “Mister Valdez!”

Leo peeked from behind his friend.

“Hola, professor,” he said awkwardly. “Didn’t see you there.”

“Yes you did, you were just trying to hide from me. I wanted to remind you that today is the test day which is 60% of the mark. And that means that…”

“If I skip that test, I will fail the class,” Leo added, looking down at his feet. He didn’t remain like that long, though. “I’ll be there, professor.” He put up a brave face and saluted him as the professor just ‘hmmph’ed and turned away from me.

“I thought you said you have everything in order.” Jason raised his eyebrow once the boys had paid for their lunches and started to look for a table. “That didn’t seem like it.”

“Take care of your own business, Sparky,” Leo grunted and pointed at one empty table not far from them. “Let’s go there.”

“I’m serious, Leo,” Jason continued once they got seated. “Something is bothering you. We are your friends and we do care. You can trust us on this.”

Leo let Jason’s words sink in. Friends. Care. Trust. Since his mother died, he had always been the oddball, the outsider until he got a family who actually cared about him, Jo, Emmie and Georgie, but he still got a bit overwhelmed every time he realized that he really mattered to someone.

“Thanks, man.” Leo said finally. “I’ll… keep that in my mind. Promise.”

“Good.” Jason smiled at him encouragingly. “You can talk to us whenever you feel like it.”

After that the discussion moved to other things. Percy was hopeful that he was fit enough for a new record in his next competition and he didn’t forget to praise her little sister as well. Jason mentioned having seen his father at the campus but he had barely acknowledged his presence. Leo threw a few sarcastic comments here and there to let the others know he was listening. However, he had lost his appetite after hearing about the test. He had barely tasted his lunch and was now moving the rice back and forth on his plate as it got cooler. If the others noticed that, they didn’t say anything, probably thinking that it was better to let Leo open up on his own accord.

The lunch time flew by too fast for Leo’s liking. After separating from his friends he started heading towards the lab where most of the other students were already getting prepared. Taking a deep breath, he stepped in, hoping for the best.

The lab class started with a brief written test that made sure the students were ready for the practice part. This time would be particularly important, though, because it was testing them about pretty much everything they had learned so far in that class, and would be graded accordingly.

The written test caused no problem to Leo. He’d be able to name the lab tools by heart even in his sleep and the calculations weren’t much harder to him. However, he was already dreading the actual practice part for a very specific reason…

In the practice Leo would have to mix a few compounds together to get a chemical reaction. That was the simple part. But unfortunately for him, these said compounds would have to be heated in order for them to react. And of course you’d need a flame to do that. Now that was the hard part for Leo. He hated the gas burners and it had become a habit for him to skip a lab class when he knew they would be used. Unfortunately for him, that was fairly often because apparently the university’s heating plates were used by some other group at the same time, and that was also why he was about to fail this class. But if he could handle using the burner just this once, maybe he’d be fine… He knew he couldn’t afford to fail it because if he did, it might be a sign that he wouldn’t be able to do the job he was so excited about, and that would be a huge slap in his face. Maybe even bigger than he was ready to admit.

He measured the compounds and was ready to heat them when he noticed that a fellow student nearby had accidentally mistaken two of the compounds with each other, ruining the mixture. That gave him an idea.

“Pssst. I can mix a new one for you if you heat this for me.”

“What?” The other student looked at him with confusion. “Why would I do that?”

“I just told you. I can fix that for you.”

“You just want to flex with your skills, that’s all,” the guy said, knowing Leo’s reputation as the genius who however refused to join lab classes. Probably because he felt he was too good for them. “May I remind you that this is a solo practice!” the professor yelled from the front of the class. “No talking allowed.”

“Yes, professor,” Leo said quietly, but rolled his eyes at him when he turned his back. He read the instructions one more time to make sure he hadn’t missed anything and when he was double convinced that he was in the part that he had dreaded, he breathed sharply and picked up his gas burner and some matches. He felt his heart starting to race and his hands starting to shake as he took one match from the box and tried to light it.

He tried once. Twice. Took a deep breath and tried once more. At this point his hands were shaking so furiously that the match fell from his hand. Realizing that he still couldn’t do it, he made a frustrated groan, dropped the match box on the table and started shakily collecting his things.

“Mister Valdez? Did you finish your task?” The professor raised his gaze from his desk and focused on him. A few others turned to Leo’s direction as well.

“No, sir.”

“And why not?”

“I. can’t.” Leo said with a voice so deep and raw that you rarely got to hear it from him. He left his unfinished product on the professor’s desk. Then he threw his bag over his shoulder and doors banging left the class.

He didn’t make it far when he felt his knees going weak and he had to sit down on the closest chair, burying his face in his hands.

…

“Thanks so much for showing me that place! It feels so good to see some nature even this close to the city,” Calypso exclaimed happily to Annabeth as they were walking towards the dorms. Calypso loved nature and she didn’t really feel at home in the concrete jungle, hoping that one day she could afford to buy a house from the countryside. She had once mentioned that to Annabeth who also enjoyed adventuring in the less crowded areas and had promised to take Calypso to one of her favorite parks nearby. They both had had free time from their classes that afternoon so they had decided to take the advantage of that and go to explore a bit.

The park had been pretty, having a small river running through it and little trails circling the trees. Calypso, who had grown near the sea missed seeing bodies of water so even the river had made her feel a little less homesick. The girls had been there for a few hours, taking pictures and having a small picnic while talking about anything and everything that had come to their minds.

Now, unfortunately, it was time to return back to real life and the assignments that were waiting for them at home.

“No problem,” Annabeth replied to Calypso’s comment. “Honestly, I think this break was much needed. I do love architecture and history and all that but sometimes my ADHD kicks in and I just need to get out of the house.”

“Yeah, it helps to focus again afterwards,” Calypso agreed. “Hey, do you have anything special to do this weekend? Leo, I, Piper and Jason are supposed to have a video game night on Saturday and I thought I’d ask if you want to join. You can ask your boyfriend too if you want, of course! I’m sure Leo wouldn’t mind.”

“What time would it be?” Annabeth asked.

“I haven’t asked Leo yet but he does work on Saturdays so probably not very early. Sometime in the evening. I can inform you when I know more,” Calypso promised.

“Okay, I’ll keep that in my mind. My boyfriend has a swimming practice twice a day so he may not be able to join us but I might!”

“Great!”

The girls had reached the area where Calypso lived so they turned to their own directions.

“I’ll contact you!” Calypso said before Annabeth was too far to hear. She waved at her in response.

Calypso was still smiling when she entered her flat, but the smile soon melted from her face when she saw Leo hunched on the couch, looking utterly lost. Calypso approached him cautiously, asking: “What happened?”

Leo patted on the seat next to him, gesturing to her to join him on the couch. She did, but when he didn’t say anything for a while, though, Calypso decided to be bold and wrap her arm around his shoulder. Leo looked at her with dark eyes, still appreciating the gesture.

“I may have to start making new career plans.”

#caleo #leo valdez #calypso #heroes of olympus #percy jackson and the olympians #trials of apollo #my fics #caleo uni au

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ayellowcurtain · 4 years

Text

Could you do something about the flat share being super protective afterwards and Sander coming to apologize and just fix it?? // and when Sander will push him away he's gonna isolate himself and he’s gonna self destruct soooooo can you write something about it?

It’s not at all an easy fix so I guess this will need some more parts...

---

His mom noticed his cut as soon as he got inside her bedroom on his first visit in a while, but she didn't insist when he said it was just an accident. Robbe’s phone is constantly off these days, Zoe is the only one that knows where he goes.

He was actually listening to his mom talk about her day, Robbe was trying to be present with his mom, sitting on a blue armchair, looking at her, with his feet on the white floor. Time flew by and Robbe didn't want to leave, he wanted to lie down with her and watch a movie, it didn't even have to be a good one, but he had to go. On every day of the week, he did the exact same thing.

He managed to stay just a little longer today, the nurse was nice enough to let him say goodbye for a very long time, she knew he didn't come to visit often.

The night was cold, but it was good to keep his mind busy, only worrying about keeping himself warm as he walked the long way back home, listening to music. He erased the playlist days ago and choose one that was as far away from that as possible.

It took almost double the time to get to his building, but unfortunately, he was freezing and he had to come inside, turning the notifications on his phone on again. It’s Friday and he receives a bunch of messages right away, but he just turns his phone off again and runs upstairs. He hasn’t really slept in days so he’s just trying to get his body tired enough to the point where he manages to close his eyes and disappear for days when he lies down.

Zoe found the beers hidden inside his closet days ago and Robbe didn’t have the strength to fight anymore, so he just told her. Everything. Thinking about it now that he is calmer, he can remember exactly how everything came out of his mouth without a warning. When he was done, he felt drained and she stayed with him for the entire night, worried that he could do something terrible.

He tried to tell her that he wasn’t going to do anything stupid, but she didn’t believe him. She slept on his bedroom that night and every few minutes ever since she has sent a message and if he doesn’t reply right away, she might call the cops to come after him and so he just answers even though he doesn’t feel like it.

That night at the bridge was one single thought that took him there and he never thought about it again, but he feels helpless and empty inside. There’s not a single cell inside of him that wants to leave his bedroom ever again. He only goes to visit his mom because she’s the one to give him some kind of hope that someday, he might feel again.

It’s hard to explain even for himself what it feels like. He hasn’t cried once, but that’s what people do when they’re at the bottom, right? Feeling like there’s no way out of their misery. Robbe doesn’t feel a thing. Maybe Sander taught him how to shut down completely, separating his mind from his heart.

But Robbe is willing to try. He can’t keep getting drunk every night. His beers are gone and Zoe is constantly checking on him. So he needs to restart somewhere.

Tonight, the first task that he gives himself is to clean his bedroom. It’s too cold outside, but he opens the windows anyway, letting some fresh and cold air get inside while he takes his sheet off, taking it to the laundry to wash. While everything is washing, he grabs the trash bag filled with empty beer cans and takes it to the recycling bin.

While he waits for his lasagna to be ready, he stares at his phone. Before he can feel pity for himself, he deletes Sander’s number, their conversations and every photo that he has of Sander.

The lasagna is not great, it’s a little cold in the middle, but he eats all of it anyway, washing the dishes as he drinks one of Senne’s fancy beers. He doesn’t wanna talk about it, Robbe can’t remember the last time he had an actual conversation with anyone else but Zoe and his mom, but he needs to explain what happened to Milan. Robbe is becoming a pro at hiding from everyone else, but he needs to talk to Milan and tell him everything.

In between their conversation in the bathroom that morning and seeing Sander back with his girlfriend, Robbe didn’t have the courage to tell him about why he was hurt a couple of weeks ago. He could see that Milan was worried and he’s smart and he’s gay, he probably has a very good guess of what happened to Robbe, but he waits for Robbe to be ready. And he’s not ready to talk, not at all, but he sits down and writes everything in a piece of paper, leaving it on Milan’s pillow.

Since he’s alone for the night and he hasn’t been the best flatmate, he decides to clean the entire apartment. He doesn’t feel like it, but he does it anyway. His music starts to bother him, like a mosquito following him, filling his ears with annoying noises so he turns it off, working in silence.

Robbe moves every furniture to the middle of the living room, cleaning every inch as perfectly as he can, but someone knocks on the door, interrupting his activities. He thinks about ignoring, but he knows he’s making some noises dragging the furniture and maybe it’s just a neighbor that will politely ask him to do this during normal hours.

As quickly as he opens the door, he closes it, but Sander stops him from doing it completely.

“Robbe, please, I just need to talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about.” He pushes the door again and Sander pushes back, managing to get inside.

“I’m sorry.” He starts and stops and Robbe doesn’t know what Sander is apologizing for. The list is so long he doesn’t care to know either. “I saw Britt and Noor talking and-”

“I don’t care, Sander. Leave.” His eyes finally meet Robbe’s, he opens and closes his mouth, but decides to just walk closer first and Robbe steps back, away from him.

“Robbe, I only meant to protect you. I’m too much fucking work and-”

“I went to the police.” Sander stops trying to come closer, he puts his hands inside his pockets.

“You...you did the right thing. I’m sorry about telling you to do it differently. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“We could have died that night, Sander. I thought I was dead. I never felt so scared in my life, but you looked so fucking chill the next morning that I thought it was ok. That we would somehow fix ourselves because we were fucking together. You told me that we had each other.”

“And we did.”

“No! We didn’t! I thought we were going to die, Sander! But the next morning I found some comfort in you, telling me that it was just stupid fucking bruises and that you loved me! I gave you so many fucking opportunities to get out of this mess, as far away as possible from me. I asked you a bunch of times if you were with Britt, I asked you! And you made the choice to lie to me over and over again! I only had you, I only wanted you next to me and you were living your life like nothing had happened! You were smiling and kissing and posing for pictures while I was ready to-” Robbe only realizes how loud he was talking when his last words echo around the nearly empty living room.

Sander looks like he’s about to cry. Robbe lets himself really look at him for the first time in forever. He doesn’t look good. His clothes are all messy, his hair seems dirty and it’s pointing to every direction, he probably looks as tired as Robbe, but nothing worries Robbe now except how he almost said too much to a fucking stranger. Because that’s what Sander is now. Someone he doesn’t know. The little that Sander gave him was standing on a weak base that shattered while he was kissing Britt at that party only hours after almost being killed, not even twelve hours after telling Robbe that he loved him and that they had each other. Robbe is weak and dumb and he fell for it so fucking easily.

It happens way too fast for Robbe’s exhausted brain to process, Sander comes closer and kisses him and it’s instantly like a wildfire ignited inside his heart, giving it some life back. Robbe can’t control how he feels when Sander kisses him. It’s not the same, but he can’t just not get carried away, kissing him back, tasting him slowly. His touch is careful, his fingertips barely touching Robbe’s neck and Robbe’s hands are on his chest, keeping the small distance between them.

As he hears the door being unlocked, Robbe stumbles away from Sander just in time. Zoe and Senne are at the door, looking at them.

“What are you doing here?” Zoe asks and she doesn’t sound happy at all. Robbe walks away from the three, covering his face, bending down, so angry at himself for still having feelings, for still being in love.

“I needed to talk to Robbe. I was just trying to keep him safe.”

“You two have nothing to talk about. You should go.” Senne walks closer to Zoe and Sander, constantly looking at the boy, but he’s still looking at Robbe, still a little in shock, his lips are parted, the front of his shirt is wrinkled from Robbe’s grip.

“Robbe, please, just let me stay and talk to you, I need to explain why-.”

“He’s not in the right mind space to make de-”

“You should go. Now.” Robbe says as he gets up, walking up to them, and Zoe and Senne finally look at him. “We have nothing to talk about.” Sander doesn’t seem like he’s gonna move anywhere so Senne comes closer, helping him walk out, closing and locking the door once he’s out.

Robbe doesn’t wanna talk, he can’t function right now so he walks back to his bedroom, leaving all the mess he made for Senne and Zoe to deal with. His phone starts vibrating in his pocket and he doesn’t check because he knows who’s sending the messages.

#wtfock #robbe ijzermans #sander driesen #robbe x sander #sobbe

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msjr0119 · 4 years

Text

Belated WIP/Six sentence Sunday (it’s Sunday in the Uk 🇬🇧)

Thanks for the tag on Wednesday @loveellamae

I’ve been very quiet recently due to personal issues, but I’ve tried catching up with all my series, so are posting the bits that I’ve done below. Thank you to everyone who has asked how I’m doing - love you all 💕

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*****

Cordonian Wags (can’t believe I haven’t posted since December 😱)

The Apples do not need anymore drama within the club- it looks as though Walker is arguing with his manager.

It’s such a shame that such a good match has come to this- I wonder what the argument is about? Walker has played well, but I’ve seen that he hasn’t been on the ball- get it?

Good pun- yes, even though he’s scored a hat trick his eyes have been scrutinising elsewhere around the stadium.

“Get back on the pitch, Walker!” Bertrand snapped towards Drake, he hated being stern towards him as he was his brother in law- but for some reason he was jeopardising the game.

“No!”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me Bertrand. Riley’s not well.... I saw her run off...she needs me.”

“She’s just been sick. This match is important... is she pregnant?”

“No! And Riley is more important to me than a stupid match....”

“Tell me what’s up with her, then we can determine what is more important!” She’s got cancer you fucking moron.

“Just take me off, I’ve done enough in this match....” Bertrand grabbed Drake by the collar- his grip was tight, not knowing what had got into him- he witnessed the team walk over attempting to calm the situation down.

“Get the fuck off of me Bertrand! I quit!”

******

One Temptation

Drake pressed the button in the elevator, taking him up to the highest floor. Walking towards the desk, the receptionist looked Drake up and down- wondering who he was and what his intentions were.

“I’m here to see Mr Rhys. Before you ask, no- I haven’t got an appointment.”

“Name?”

“Just tell him his worse nightmare is paying him a visit..” Panic was written across the woman’s face, leaning closer towards her desk- her hand hovered over the security button. “Just tell him, it’s Drake.”

Hello Mr Rhys, you have a visitor. His name is Drake.

Hanging up, she explained that Liam would be with them momentarily. Sitting down on the leather chair, Drake was unsure how Liam would react to seeing him- would he throw him out? Would he play mind games?

“Drake. It’s nice to see you.” Not. “Follow me into my office.” Drake followed his instructions, as the two men walked into the room. Liam poured them both a drink, however Drake politely rejected. Not knowing if Liam could have potentially added poison to it as revenge.

“What can I do for you? I never thought I’d see the day that you’d pay me a visit voluntarily.”

“Trust me, I don’t want to be here. I despise you. Have you seen or heard from Riley?”

“No. Why would I hear from her? She wanted to send me to prison for raping her.” Hearing that word, Drake grit his teeth- knowing that Liam was still in denial with his past actions.

“Well you did do that. Listen, you probably know her better than any of us. We need your help. She ran away, she left me in Texas.” Liam laughed in Drakes face, just picturing Riley riding off into the sunset wearing a cowboy hat.

“What did you do?” He asked Drake, assuming he was the reasoning behind her disappearance- from past experience he should know how her mind ticked. She did the same when he hurt her.

“I did nothing, my mom and aunt Leona spoke to her. Then she went cold towards me, and was gone. Do you know anywhere that she could have gone?” Liam now knew the reasoning behind her departure- he was the reason why. Instead of acting like a dick, he felt empathy towards everyone who was looking for her- guilt for his past actions.

“Bianca, this is Liam Rhys- a friend of Drakes.” Bianca recognised the name immediately- clearing her throat, she provided a fake posh accent.

“Hello, Sir. How may I help?”

“Has Drake arrived in Texas yet? His flatmate was just wondering but he’s broken his phone.”

“No, not yet. I assume he should be here shortly. I’ll get him to ring you once he arrives.”

“Okay, thank you Mrs Walker. I hope the prostitute he is in a relationship with doesn’t ruin your families reputation. Have a good day.”

******

Hold my girl

Freya stormed out of the ballroom, not knowing why. Both her and Drake had confessed their feelings towards each other in New York, they had both agreed to a long distance relationship. So, to see him so close to the mystery woman was like a stab to the heart.

What am I even doing here? She muttered to herself.

“Freya!” Ignoring him, she ran off to her room- not looking back as she wiped her tears. Liam has suggested going to speak to her instead along with Maxwell for moral support, whilst drake took the time to ‘chill out’ before he put his foot in his mouth again.

“Blossom?” Maxwell said softly, as the two men waited for her to answer the door. “Lady Freya, we just want to make sure that you are okay?”

Opening the door, the two of them had sorrow in their eyes- both pulling her towards them for a group hug.

“I’m sorry. Liam, stop calling me lady please. I’m not in your court anymore. I’m just an American nurse now. Not a suitor, or a Duchess, or a Cordonian.”

“Frey, you are a Cordonian even if not officially- you’re a Beaumont, always will be. That woman...”

“Don’t Max... I don’t want to hear it. I thought we had something good- was all the words he said to me a lie? Did he use me for sex? I don’t know what to think. It was Drake who suggested the long distance thing- insisting it would work because he loves me. Maybe he should have just stayed as a jerk!” The two men knew that Drake wouldn’t hurt her, Maxwell soon had a smile appear on his face- a mischievous look, that look made Liam’s mind work overtime, wondering what the lord was thinking.

“Freya, grab some things and meet me in my room. Slumber party time, Beaumont’s only- sorry, Liam. No invite for you.”

“I’m busy anyway, no need for an apology. Goodnight Freya, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Kissing her on the cheek, Maxwell mimicked the king’s actions before following him out of the room.

A couple of hours had passed, and there was no sign of Freya. Maxwell just assumed that she had fallen asleep- walking out of his room towards hers, he noticed her door was slightly ajar.

“Frey?” Scrutinising the room, his heart sunk as realisation hit him like a ton of bricks.

She’s gone.

*****

Return to New York

Liam shouted for the guard to allow his visitors into his study- turning to face them he was shocked as to why the familiar person was here, and not with Riley.

“Daniel. It’s nice to see you again.” Is he here visiting? Like on a vacation? These questions were soon knocked out of mind as he heard the tiny patter of footsteps enter the room. Libby? Lydia? Lily? Fuck what’s her name again? What’s she doing here?

“I wish I could say the same, your Majesty. I’m sorry to disturb you. Do you know where Riley is? I can’t seem to get in touch with her.”

“I’m not sure of her exact location, but I have an inkling of where that might be. I don’t mean to sound rude, but why is she here? Shouldn’t she be with her father?” Daniel sighed, not knowing how to explain the reason for the impromptu visit. Asking the guard to escort the young girl out- he didn’t want to upset her anymore than she was already.

“Lissy, she lost her father. When Riley ditched him at the wedding- he became drunk, he got into his car.... he had a crash, and didn’t survive. He was upset, humiliated that Riley couldn’t talk to him herself. Lissy has no one, she’s going to go into care if Riley....”

“If Riley what?” Liam interrupted, he had an inkling about what Daniel was going to say- but really hoped that he was incorrect.

*****

We Belong

My dearest Evie, I’m so sorry for all the pain I caused you. I always loved you, I was stupid to let a diamond like you go- all for the sake of nothing. I had hoped in time that you’d forgive me, I killed the man who tried to rape you- the man who you would cry in your sleep about. Stupidly I believed once you knew my true identity that we could get back together. I was part of a troupe, going against the crown- Bianca and Anton had reasons. I didn’t. I was just in it for the money- the money that I would have used to shower you with gifts, to pay for your dream wedding that we imagined. I didn’t mean to stab you, Bianca pushed you into me- id never hurt you again. I still don’t know if you survived or not, no one will inform me. I was an idiot. I can’t live without you knowing that it was always you- if you survived, I hope you find true happiness. Happiness that you deserve. Liam is in danger, Anton goes by a fake name known as Justin. He is Riley’s press secretary. I need you to tell someone, to protect my old friend and his family. I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done. But now I’ve told you this, I have no choice but to end my life. Toby xo

*****

The Greatest Show

“Ri?” Amber questioned, assuming she was hallucinating- seeing her friend stood in front of her. Liam held onto Riley’s waist, looking adorably towards her.

“Surprise!” Riley shouted enthusiastically, waving her hands in the air.

“I’m confused, what the hell are you doing here? Why are you so close together? Liam have you forgotten about Olivia?”

“I’ve no got amnesia, Amber. Olivia has been in a relationship with Leo, behind my back. I’m no angel, as I fell in love with Riley whilst I was supposed to be courting Liv.” Amber was trying to allow this information to sink in, trying to figure out what exactly was going to occur due to the burden being her friend.

“Well I’m happy to see you Ri, lets hope you don’t get stabbed...” Riley’s eyes widened, but Liam laughed knowing exactly what she was referring to- or who.

“I’ll see you both tomorrow? I’ve got one tall, dark, handsome commoner waiting for me...” Making her way out of the room, she quickly turned to the two of them. “Oh Ri, thanks for bringing Jackson- I’ve missed him so much, and he’s missed his Mom like you said on the note.” Before Riley could react, Amber had shot out of the door. But I didn’t bring Jackson.

Exiting the room, Amber couldn’t wait to get back to Drake- mainly to explain the new court gossip to him. Feeling arms go around her waist, she smiled- turning around, that smile soon disappeared in a flash.

“Thought you’d escape me, did you?

*****

Hold on (follow up)

“Brooks....” Feeling like this was a waste of time, Drake decided that the best option was to walk away, as she wasn’t responding. Jackson placed a hand onto his father’s shoulder, suggesting that Drake should leave. Listening to his son’s advise, he left in a swift motion- frustrated that he couldn’t persuade her to come out of her hovel and just talk.

“Aunt Ri?” Jackson said softly as he knocked on the door. Riley knew she was being stubborn whenever a visitor would knock on the door- but for some reason she could never ignore her children, or her friends children.

“Jackson.” Smiling at his auntie, he pulled her in for a hug. “What can I do for you?”

“Have a walk? Or just a little talk with me? We all miss you, and want to help you through it. Dad just wants to grieve with you. You could help each other?”

“You’re only twenty one Jackson, you should be out with your friends- enjoying life. Don’t take a minute for granted. Loving each day as if it’s your last.” Listening to her words, he knew what she was referring to. His heart sunk, the usual poised Queen stood in front of him absolutely broken. “I miss him so much Jackson, and I miss your mom too. Each day that goes by, doesn’t get any easier. I need to be strong for Ayah, Louis and Ellie but truth be told- they are so much stronger than I am.”

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artificialqueens · 5 years

Text

Not Nineteen Forever (14) (Branjie/Scyvie/Ninex)- Ortega

a/n: hey hey hey! welcome to chapter 14 of n19f and thank u all so much for the love (and tears) over chapter 13. i’m sorry for breaking all ur hearts! hold tight to see where things go from here. the only way is up, right? as always plsssssssss send love and ur fav moments to my blog or to AQ! my fav food is delicious validation yum xoxo

please note: this fic contains young adults often behaving in irresponsible/unadvisable ways with regards to alcohol, drugs and sex. if you are someone who feels as if they could be heavily influenced by fic and incorporate what happens in the plot into ur own life, pls steer clear!

summary: Brooke, Yvie and Nina are three flatmates who forged a friendship in their first year of university and picked up some other waifs and strays along the way. Now in their final year, there are feelings that need to be unravelled and confessions to be made whilst navigating drunk nights, hungover mornings, takeaways, group chats, library meetups, cafe gossiping, and the small matter of getting a degree.

last chapter: Brooke decided that she couldn’t give Vanessa what she was looking for, and headed to her flat to have an important conversation.

this chapter: the girls deal with the aftermath, Monet and her flatmates provide a distraction, and Scarlet has a revelation.

***

Scarlet looked at the door to the lecture theatre once, twice, three times, the biting of her nails an awkward accompaniment to her worrying. The clock seemed to tick in time with her heart, although she supposed it wouldn’t compare a bit to how Vanjie would be feeling.

Sighing deeply and drawing a little star on the edge of her notebook, Scarlet reflected on the events of the past few days. She and Yvie had been sitting watching some dumb Netflix show and procrastinating and had been contemplating what to have for dinner when a message came through on the old Branjie Sweepstake chat from Silky, Scarlet unable to believe it was her from the way she was typing.

Silky: Hey ladies so some of you prolly already know but Brooke ended shit with Vanjie earlier today. She’s pretty cut up about it understandably so just making you all aware so that none of you put your foot in it. Also just keep things on the chat as normal although V will prolly not be out at any nights out any time soon xxxxx

“Holy shit, Yves,” Scarlet had gasped, looking at her girlfriend who was also staring at her phone in shock.

“Well, fuck. She did it,” Yvie blinked at her phone, sighing heavily. There was a small pause of guilty silence, as if the pair of them were contemplating the knowledge they had withheld from Vanessa. Yvie gave a curt shrug. “Guess we can kiss goodbye to ending uni on a high, then.”

“Oh, Yvie, don’t be so selfish! We’ll all be fine, Silk’s trying to keep things as normal as she can for V’s sake!” Scarlet rolled her eyes at Yvie, her girlfriend ever the pessimist.

“Yeah, but you can’t deny things are gonna be a little bit awkward, babe. I’m not here for all that shit, we’re meant to be fully-functioning adults in, like, five months’ time. Not babies with drama issues.”

“The only baby with drama issues in our friendship group is me,” Scarlet raised an eyebrow, Yvie laughing and pulling her close. “We’ll all still be friends, Jesus. I’m just worried about V. God, I’m a shit friend, aren’t I? I knew this was coming and I sat by and let her think everything was fine-”

“You are not a shit friend,” Yvie insisted, squeezing Scarlet’s side so hard she felt her ribs might break. “I did the exact same. Besides, Vanessa’s an idiot if she didn’t see it coming. You can always tell when people are being off with you.”

“Hey, that’s unfair. You can tell that, but whether you choose to admit it to yourself or not is a different story,” Scarlet added thoughtfully. “Like if you started giving vibes that you wanted to break up with me. I feel like I would just lie to myself about it because I’d so desperately want it not to be true.”

“Aww, baby,” Yvie smiled, kissing the top of her head. “You’re adorable. You’re also dumped, by the way. Ha ha ha, dipshit. I broke up with you and you didn’t even know I was going to.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Scarlet thumped her girlfriend with a pillow.

After that, the pair of them had gone to Yvie’s living room in search of Nina, where they got two for the price of one- Nina and Brooke, sitting on the sofa, Nina talking gently to Brooke and the other girl staring so hard at the wall Scarlet was convinced she was going to rip a hole in the space-time continuum. They’d both sat down and spoken about the entire situation, but not in too much depth- Brooke explaining that her feelings towards Vanessa had changed, and she wasn’t sure she was what she wanted anymore.

“Wait, you weren’t sure? Do you not have to be pretty sure about something like that before you break up with someone?” Yvie had asked, her eyes narrowing. Nina had cast Yvie a glare and Brooke had tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling.

“I’m not really sure about any area of my life, Yves, so why should this be any different?”

Scarlet was jolted out of her daydream by the door to the lecture theatre swinging open, her heart rate rising only to find it plummeting again when two random girls from the course came through. A shot of adrenaline gripped Scarlet, however, when a girl traipsed in behind them that at first she didn’t recognise. Then swallowing a small bubble of horror as she approached Scarlet’s bench, she realised that the girl was Vanjie. Her dark hair hung like a witch’s over her face- matted and tangled with the frizz a telltale sign of Vanessa having slept in it and not bothered to brush it either. Her face was a pale, makeup-less mask with a decidedly grim, almost mournful expression. The outfit she was wearing was shapeless, a far cry from the ever-fashionable girl Scarlet knew she was, and the black joggers and huge navy jumper Vanessa had on could well have been the outfit she’d slept in. As Vanessa slid in beside Scarlet, she barely gave her eye contact.

“Hey babe,” Scarlet greeted her supportively, the other girl still not looking at her as she took her notebook out of her bag. “How’re you holding up?”

Vanessa gave a completely mirthless laugh as she scrambled at the bottom of her bag for a pen. “Aha. Not great, to be honest.”

Scarlet was hit by a wave of emotion. She reached out and squeezed Vanjie’s free hand. “Oh, Vanj, I’m so sorry.”

“Please-” Vanessa said, her voice choked and warped, two tears hitting the blank pad in front of her. “Please don’t be nice to me, it’s gonna set me off again.”

Scarlet could’ve cried herself at the state Vanjie was in. She watched their lecturer enter the hall and begin setting up. “Babe, we don’t have to stay here if you’re like this.”

Vanessa straightened herself up, tilted her head towards the sky and wiped two fingers under her lashes. “No, bitch. It’s been four days, I said I was coming to uni today and that’s what the fuck I’m going to do. The bitch might have broken my heart but I’ll be fucked if she’s taking a 2:1 from me either.”

Scarlet’s heart hurt a little hearing Vanessa talk about Brooke that way, but then reason kicked in and she supposed Vanessa wasn’t going to be down to shower Brooke with platitudes for the time being. She watched as Vanjie tilted her head back down, gravity doing little to stop more tears from rolling down her face. She gave a sniff and, in lieu of a tissue, wiped her nose on the sleeve of her jumper. Then, she used the other sleeve to mop up her tears.

“Stupid fucking cryin’, goddamnit,” Vanessa muttered angrily, growing frustrated with herself. Scarlet hurriedly reached into her own bag and brought out a small packet of tissues, wordlessly handing one to Vanjie. With gratitude, she blew her nose on it, the sudden noise causing a girl in the row in front of them both to turn around, her gaze lingering just a second too long on the crying Vanessa.

“What the fuck are you looking at, hoe? You want your face rearranged? You could fuckin’ do with it,” Vanessa snapped angrily, the girl quickly turning back around. Scarlet had had enough. In one movement she swept all of her and Vanjie’s things into her cavernous Hermes bag and shoved at her gently.

“C’mon. We can get the lecture notes later. You need a coffee and a talk,” she insisted, clamping a hand over Vanjie’s mouth as she opened it to protest. Scarlet rotated Vanessa’s shoulders towards the direction of the door and practically frog-marched her down the stairs and out of the door seconds before the lecture began.

“I need a fuckin’ wine and a talk,” Vanessa quipped, before the floodgates suddenly opened and the girl’s face crumbled like a ruin. Scarlet immediately crushed her in a hug. She rubbed her friend’s back and sushed her quietly as Vanessa’s chest heaved with sobs, her crying eerily quiet as if she had nothing left to give. Scarlet felt a wave of guilt crash against her, the thought of what she’d known and kept from Vanessa perhaps having been able to help the situation in some way being almost too much to handle. Just as she was about to let it out and confess it all to Vanessa she felt the girl take a huge deep breath and pull out of the hug. Her face was blotchy with red tear marks, but a small, albeit unhappy smile was plastered across her face.

“Sorry. It’s out now, no more cryin’. I promise,” Vanessa sighed, looking to the floor sheepishly.

“You don’t have to be sorry. Come on,” Scarlet slipped her arm through Vanessa’s, holding the girl up as if she was about to fall down. “Let’s go to the union. Then I can get a coffee and you can get a wine.“

They walked in somber silence, Scarlet giving Vanessa’s arm a supportive squeeze every now and then. She wondered what it would be like to feel how Vanessa was feeling in this moment. Like utter shit, obviously, Scarlet thought as she had to stop Vanessa from stepping into the path of a cyclist, so wrapped up was she in her own world. Somehow they reached the pub in the union without Vanessa suffering any fatal accidents. As Scarlet looked around and noted how quiet the place was, she felt relieved. At least they wouldn’t have any awkward run-ins with anyone they didn’t want to.

"I’m not even that in my feelings about it. Or no- I didn’t expect to be as in my feelings as I am,” Vanessa began, sitting down at a small table for two and shrinking into herself on the chair. “Like, we weren’t nothin’ serious or anything. So she technically didn’t even break up with me.”

“Yeah, but you still had a connection. That’s still shit to break off with someone,” Scarlet offered, shrugging her jacket off before she could give Vanjie her full attention.

“I know, but…ugh, I’m annoyed at myself, really. Like I shouldn’t have got so attached…but I thought maybe she…maybe we’d…whatever, I’m not makin’ sense,” Vanjie continued, shaking her head and running her hands through her hair to punctuate the end of her sentence.

“No, you are making sense! You’re totally valid. Of course you’re going to get your hopes up if you’re seeing someone that often and sleeping with someone that often,” Scarlet nodded, hoping she was reassuring her friend. There was a small silence where Scarlet wondered whether or not she should ask what she wanted to ask. “‘Ness, how did Brooke actually-”

“Dump me?” Vanessa gave another humourless laugh and shrugged, pulling the sleeves of her jumper over her hands. “In the nicest possible way, obviously. Fuckin’ bitch, can’t even give me anythin’ to be mad at her for. She came to my flat. Sat me down and was just like…yeah, this isn’t working. I feel like we want different things, and I can’t give you what you want right now. Did the whole you’re an amazing person schtick but by then I’d stopped listenin’ cuz ya girl was tryna focus on not cryin’ in front of her. Succeeded, though. Until the second after she left, obviously.”

“Fuck, Vanessa, I’m so, so sorry,” Scarlet sighed, guilt consuming her.

“No, bitch, don’t be. It wasn’t your fault-”

“But, fuck, it might have been,” Scarlet began, Vanessa’s face growing alert and curious. She sighed, wondering if she’d regret her decision. “At Monet’s party…Yvie told me that Brooke had said to her she was having second thoughts about the pair of you.”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes slightly. Scarlet held her breath. She could see the cogs turning in her head. “But that was weeks ago.”

Scarlet clenched her stomach muscles. “Yes.”

Vanessa’s face grew into a snarl, and she gave a bark of a laugh. “Oh fuckin’ Jesus, it gets better. So not only has she sat on this for about a month, but she’s also told the whole friendship group about it. Fuck, Scarlet, do you not think I would’ve wanted to know somethin’ like that?”

“I know, I know, fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to know! I didn’t even want to get involved, but Yvie told me and then I just had the information in my head and I didn’t know whether I should tell you or mind my own business, and I’d promised Yvie-”

“Oh, you promised Yvie, that’s alright then. Fuck your friend ‘cuz you made a promise to your precious lil’ girlfriend, that’s fine. Good to know how much I mean to you, Scarlet,” Vanessa spat out bitterly.

Scarlet’s stomach was now tighter than she’d ever felt it in her life. She thought back to what Yvie had said, about the friendship group and about how it would all start falling apart. She thought about if she’d told Vanjie sooner, if her and Brooke could have talked it all out and stayed together. Unexpected tears started welling in Scarlet’s eyes. Trying to calm herself she took a long, deep breath through her nose, which turned into a sniff. The noise made Vanjie look up from staring down at the floor, and her hard expression softened into one of regret.

“Fuck, Scar, I’m sorry. Shit. Please don’t cry,” Vanessa murmured, reaching across the table and squeezing her hand. “It’s not your fault. Okay I’m mad at you, but even if you’d told me what the fuck good would it’ve done?”

As Scarlet wiped at her eyes with her free hand, Vanessa gave a heavy sigh. “She still wouldn’t have wanted me.”

Scarlet drew her last tissue from her pocket and wiped her nose with it. “But I should’ve told you. Maybe you’d have been less attached three weeks ago-”

“Scarlet, three weeks ago I liked her just as much then as I do now. It was never a gradual increase with that bitch. Liked her just as much the day we met as I did the day she broke up with me,” Vanessa said the last portion of her sentence quietly, breaking Scarlet’s heart in the process. She gave a world-weary shrug as she spoke again. “S’just hard trying to un-like her. Well, in that way, anyway.”

“Do you think you can even be friends with her again?” Scarlet wondered, biting the side of her finger as she worried about the answer.

“I mean, yeah, I guess. I just kinda need my space from her just now, you know? Which is hard, ‘cuz…obviously we’ve all got the same friends and I don’t want to have to hide away from them just to make things less awkward,” Vanessa frowned, Scarlet nodding sympathetically.

“Well, you’ve always got me.”

Vanessa gave the tiniest genuine smile which made Scarlet want to squeal with joy. “I appreciate you, boo.”

There was a small silence in which Vanessa seemed deep in thought. Finally, she spoke. “Did Brooke say anything to Yvie about it?”

Scarlet wondered if she should tell Vanessa about the “wasn’t sure” comment. She decided that the last thing Vanessa needed right now was any potential false hope. Instead, she sighed. “She hasn’t been very talkative about the whole situation. Just basically told her the same as she told you.”

Vanessa put her palms against her eyes and rubbed harshly. “Well. That’s that then.”

Just then, Scarlet heard a small scream of delight. Looking up and over Vanjie’s shoulder, she spotted Monet with two of her flatmates heading towards them. Monique, the girl whose hair was previously lilac, now had a mane of huge pink chopstick curls, and Cracker’s blonde hair was loose over her shoulders. Anxiously looking to Vanessa, she wondered if this was the right time for more people joining them. Before she could make a decision, Monet had reached them and was leaning over Scarlet making to hug her.

“Oh my God, hey! Fancy seeing you both here,” she smiled, giving Scarlet a hug and moving to hug Vanessa. “V, how are you, baby? Nina told me. Oh, not in a bad way, just…so I knew.”

Monet held the hug with Vanessa longer than she had with Scarlet, the other girl smiling gratefully as she pulled away. “I’m alright, bitch. Not great but not the worst I’ve been.”

Scarlet watched as Monet’s flatmates hovered awkwardly. She gave them both a smile. “Hey! Cracker and Monique, right? We met at the flat party. You’re welcome to grab a couple seats! We were going to get drinks, but we got sidetracked chatting.”

Cracker gave a smile of gratitude and pulled over two chairs for her and Monique, then a third chair for Monet.

“Hey,” Vanessa greeted the pair of them, looking down at her outfit awkwardly. “Well shit, this is embarrassin’. I look like a bag of trash.”

“A cute bag of trash,” Monique replied casually, Vanessa blinking a little in response, taken aback by the compliment. Moving on as if she hadn’t said anything, Monique gave a curious gaze at Monet and Vanessa. “So wait, what happened?”

Monet gave an awkward grimace, but Vanessa filled in the silence for her. “I got broken up with the other day.”

Monique’s face dropped in shock. “That girl broke up with you? Girl, that’s a fuckin’ gag, what? You’re so stunning! An’ she’s like…a slice of white bread.”

Vanessa let out the first genuine laugh Scarlet had heard her emit that day. “Bitch, no, stop it. She’s beautiful too. She just didn’t want a girlfriend. People want different things.”

“Yeah, that’s true. My ex wanted somethin’ different too. Apparently that somethin’ different was Naomi with a model body an’ an onlyfans account. Stupid fuckin’ man, thinkin’ I wasn’t gonna find that shit out,” Monique reeled off, Scarlet barely able to keep up with the pace she was talking at. “But anyway, that was, like, six months ago now. Anyway the point I’m makin’ is that it didn’t take me long to feel better, baby, so don’t worry.”

“The ten rebounds probably helped,” Cracker quipped from beside her, Monique shoving her as Scarlet, Monet and Vanessa all let out a laugh.

“Seven, actually! Come correct, whore. Anyway, we can’t all be as loved up as Miss Monet over there,” Monique raised her eyebrows, Monet rolling her eyes in response. Cracker excitedly turned to Scarlet.

“Oh my God, do you guys know what she’s doing?”

“Cracker,” Monet warned, her voice tinged with caution. Scarlet was interested.

“What’s she doing?” she asked, Monique’s face lighting up excitedly. Monet waved a dismissive hand.

“Guys, this is notthe time or the place to be talking about sappy, cheesy, Valentine’s Day bullshit,” Monet said exasperatedly, with a glance Vanessa’s way. The girl in question was leaning forward with interest, resting her elbows on the small table in front of her.

“Well yeah, Valentine’s Day can suck a dick, but if this is stuff about you and Nina then I’m listenin’,” Vanessa smiled calmly, Monet going slightly red at the thought of having to explain.

“It’s really no big deal-”

“Oh my God, it IS,” Cracker jumped in, hitting Monique excitedly.

“Will you two fuckin’ chipmunks go and find Alvin and stop molesting us! It ain’t anything big, I’m just…maybe…gonna ask Neens if she wants to be my girlfriend.”

Scarlet’s mouth dropped open, unable to contain her excitement. She gave a little squeal and clapped her hands. “On Valentine’s Day?”

“On Valentine’s Day! With a treasure hunt!” Monique continued, gushing with excitement. Monet rolled her eyes.

“Oh my God, bitch, can you date me instead?!” Vanessa chimed in, her mouth wide open in shock. “A treasure hunt?”

“It’s honestly no big deal!”

“It IS a big deal, fuck off Monet!” Cracker snapped, clearly fed up with her flatmate downplaying the situation. “So she’s getting all these pictures of Wills…Will Schuester from Glee, Will from The Inbetweeners, Will Young…then she’s getting loads of umbrellas and putting them in a pile- ‘cause obviously they all start with a 'U’,”

“- then -” Monique cut in.

“Why do I feel like I’m no longer in charge of anything in my life?” Monet interrupted dryly.

“- then she’s getting loads of bee-themed things, like honey, yellow stuff, Burt’s Bees lip balm-”

“They know what fucking bees entails, Monique!” Monet exclaimed, Vanessa snorting and Scarlet suddenly so glad of these three girls for the distraction they were providing from her friend’s shitty situation.

“- then she’s putting loads of stuff in a pile that belong to her, so obviously if I was Monet, it would all be ‘MY’ stuff,” Monique continued, ignoring her embarrassed flatmate’s interruptions.

“What’re you doing for ‘girlfriend’?” Scarlet asked excitedly, on complete tenterhooks. Monet opened her mouth to speak, but Cracker got there first.

“She’s made a playlist. A playlist,” she repeated, full of glee. “Of songs with the title ‘girlfriend’. Which there are surprisingly many of.”

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ. Monet, I hate you. It’s amazing. She’s gonna love it,” Vanessa smiled, seemingly genuinely enthused about her plan. Monet was now incredibly flushed in the face.

“I mean, she might misinterpret the whole thing. She might go ‘Will umbrella yellow objects songs’ or some shit.”

“Which knowing Nina, she probably will,” Scarlet offered, eliciting a laugh from Monet. “But it’s cute. ‘Ness is right, she will love it.”

“Thanks, girls. But no telling her, okay? Shit, I’m already so fuckin’ nervous and it’s still ages away,” Monet wiped her (presumably sweaty) hands on her jeans.

“Are you two doing anythin’ cute and vomit-inducin’ for Valentine’s Day?” Vanessa asked Cracker and Monique. The pink-haired girl tilted her head and gave a little smile.

"Damn, you tryna ask me somethin’? You move on fast,” she winked, Vanessa covering her cheeks with her sleeves.

“Shut up, bitch! You got some amount of nerve, tell you that,” she rolled her eyes, trying to look annoyed. Scarlet could tell she was secretly flattered.

“Well, I’m just going on a date with a girl I’m seeing. We’re trying to downplay it, but I’m highkey freaking out,” Cracker smiled bashfully, Monet sticking her tongue out at her.

“Kaaaameron,” she mocked, batting her eyelids. Cracker swatted at her.

“At least I have a date, bitch! What’re you doing, sitting on Tinder all night offering your services to every person you swipe?"

"Ouch,” Monet half-gasped, half-laughed. Unfazed, Monique shrugged.

“Hmm, prolly. Well, unless something comes up out of nowhere,” she said nonchalantly, checking her nails. Scarlet cast a quick gaze between her and Vanessa. Cracker snapped her out of her rapidly snowballing thoughts.

“What about you and your girlfriend, Scarlet? You doing anything nice?”

“We’ve booked a nice restaurant. It’s a horrifically overpriced set menu, but neither of us have ever really spent Valentine’s with anyone before, so we don’t really mind paying for the experience,” Scarlet smiled, feeling herself grow excited at the thought of getting to sit at a fancy table with candles and prosecco and seafood and chocolate desserts and just celebrate the fact that the pair of them were in love-

Well fuck. Scarlet hadn’t seen that coming. Cracker was replying to her, but she couldn’t hear her. Scarlet was only consumed by the one thought in her mind. She was in love with Yvie. Really properly in love with her. Of course she was, it was so fucking obvious! Why hadn’t she realised it before? Scarlet wanted nothing more than to find her girlfriend and tell her, but with a pang she remembered the hurt Vanessa sitting in front of her and knew where she was needed the most. Although she didn’t seem too hurt at the moment. Monique was telling a story and the heartbroken girl was leaning in, listening intently, her eyes sparkling.

“Hey, were we not getting a drink? My mouth’s drier than Ghandi’s flip-flop here,” Monet said suddenly, cutting Monique off mid-story. She rolled her eyes and took her purse out of her bag, promising to buy everyone’s round.

“Uh, leave me out actually. I think I’d better head off,” Scarlet excused herself, the thought of having to tell Yvie that she was in love with her becoming her number one priority. Feeling guilty, she looked to her friend. “If that’s alright, Vanj?”

“Yeah, boo, don’t worry about it! I’m actually havin’ fun for the first time in days,” Vanessa smiled up at her, casting a gaze to Monet who smiled back.

“Yeah, we’re way better than your other friends,” she said, sticking her tongue out at Scarlet who did the same back.

“We’ll look after her, Scarlet, don’t worry,” Monique smiled, taking Vanessa’s hand and giving it a little squeeze, then letting go again almost as if the interaction had never happened. The only evidence to suggest otherwise was a small blush on Vanjie’s face. Scarlet was intrigued by that whole dynamic. On one hand, she wondered if harmless flirting with Monet’s friend might do Vanessa the world of good, especially if Monique kept showering Vanjie with compliments the way she was doing. On the other, she wondered if Vanessa was altogether ready for a potential rebound. Not allowing herself time to think it over too much, Scarlet said her goodbyes, blew a kiss in Vanjie’s direction, and headed out of the pub and down the stairs of the multi-floored union, immediately messaging Yvie.

S: Are you on campus???

A reply came back within seconds.

Y: yeah my lecture just ended babe! Want to meet?

S: I’ll come to you

Scarlet raced to Yvie’s building, the crowds bustling about in the square that separated the union and the lecture buildings blurring into the background as Scarlet half-walked half-ran to get to where she knew Yvie would be. At that moment she saw her- dressed in her ripped blue jeans and her enormous black puffa jacket, her hair swept up into two wild, untameable space buns. As soon as Yvie saw her her entire face lit up in a smile and if Scarlet had been in any way unsure of how she felt before that, she knew without a shadow of a doubt now.

“Hey, baby! How are you?” Yvie greeted, going for a hug. Scarlet instead took both of Yvie’s hands in hers, gripping them tightly. Yvie’s face was instantly awash with shock.

“I need to tell you something important,” Scarlet insisted, pausing for a moment before she could say it. Yvie blinked at her, confused.

“Right, so…you’re pregnant?” Yvie deadpanned, her face still concerned. Scarlet was unable to help herself letting out a laugh. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“Yvie, I’m in love with you. I’m so fucking in love with you, and I don’t know how I didn’t realise it until now. I’m ready, and I’m saying it, and I mean it. And I really hope that-”

Scarlet was shut up by Yvie pulling her close and kissing her gently in one swift movement. In that moment, it seemed as if it was their first kiss all over again, but so much better- the two girls fit together like pieces of a jigsaw, the way Yvie kissed and tasted so comfortingly familiar to Scarlet now as if she’d known Yvie’s lips her whole life. When they pulled away, Yvie instantly pulled Scarlet back in for a cuddle. With her head against Yvie’s chest, Scarlet could hear her heartbeat racing.

“Scarlet, fuck…I’ve been in love with you for so long. Since, like. The Christmas dinner.”

“Let’s never break up, okay? To go through what Vanjie’s going through, or to put you through that…ugh, it’s all so horrible,” Scarlet sighed heavily, tightening her grip around Yvie’s waist. Yvie gave a soft chuckle.

“So this is us, then, is it?” Scarlet could hear the smile in her voice, and she squeezed her eyes shut and willed this moment to stay as bright and clear in her mind as a memory as it felt right now living it.

“This is us, baby. You’re stuck with me.”

Yvie pulled away, and at once Scarlet could see the love painted on her face as she looked at her. “Well, I think being stuck with each other sounds pretty good to me.”

As they both walked away and Yvie held Scarlet’s hand in her own and spoke about what to have for lunch, Scarlet thought about how good she had it and how lucky she was.

She had to agree that being stuck with Yvie sounded pretty good to her too.

#rpdr fanfiction #branjie #scyvie #ninex #not nineteen forever #n19f #university au #college au #lesbian au #ortega #brooke lynn hytes #vanessa vanjie mateo #scarlet envy #yvie oddly #nina west #monet x change #monique heart #miz cracker #s11

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nemobookaholic · 4 years

Text

What if ...

Loki where a 21st century woman?

Part 2

Scene 8

Back at home, we enter a room where Kevin and Loki are sitting face to face. As Kevin had said, an hour a day - now we know he meant it. Yet, just because he looks like an Irish leprechaun, it doesn’t mean he has the same wit. Indeed we can assume that he has inherited more but the ginger hair. Loki seems like she’d figured it out already, according to her staring. It’s like the game we all played as kids. A staring contest, losers gonna look away first. Both of them want to be at the winning side. We start to wonder what kind of therapeutic use this game shall have, as Kevin breaks the silence, not looking away of course.

‘You really think that you are Loki of Asgard?’

‘I do not think so. I know who I am!’

Not the best opening line for a therapist. Here we see the trainee.

‘Good… had you ever the desire to — well, use the boy’s bathroom, or play with cars instead of dolls?’

We move our angle, so we can see what Kevin writes down on his notepad.

‘Seriously? That is what you want to know? — To be honest I was thought to play with knives and illusions, as well as with my brothers foolishness. Trust me, gender never was a big deal for me. I can be whatever I want to,’ Lokis boasts.

° narcissism

° dissociative identity disorder

° a lot of anger/rage

Is what we can read by now. Dr. Freud might had added hysteria.

‘Tell me about your brother,’ is Kevins next question.

‘I would not know why,’ Loki appeals stubborn.

‘We have a deal, remember?’

‘I don’t see any sense in it, as you obviously don’t believe me, but here you go. Thor, god of thunder. Not the brightest glowing candle. Likes his hammer… a lot. Future king of Asgard, if you’d ask him. Has a soft spot for Midgard. I came here to say hello,’ she’s checking on her fingernails while speaking.

‘To me it sounds like there is a rivalry between you and your brother?’ for a second we catch discomfort in Lokis eyes.

‘He’s not my real brother. It’s not that long ago when I was told, I am adopted.’

‘Who told you so?’

‘My fa…, Odin. He promised me a throne! Just to tell me, that I was nothing more than a hostage.’

°daddy issues

Kevins pen is wandering on the paper.

‘Tell me about your mum.’

‘She’s kind an loving. I’m afraid, I might never see her again, only in my dreams.’

‘Why do you think so?’

‘Never mind! There is witchcraft, even in dreams. You would not understand. — By the way, how come this reality is blocking out almost every magic?’ Loki’s time for questions.

‘Honestly? As you really seem to believe it, I have some bad news for you: There is no magic, and no gods or stuff like that. Most of us, including me, don’t believe in sorcery or different realms. I’m sorry to disappoint you.’

We don’t fail to notice how Kevin is struggling, to take the topic serious. Meanwhile Loki has an enlightening moment.

‘That must be part of the problem! People don’t believe…,’ she mumbles to herself. Aloud she says, ‘tell me about your world, please. I know a bit from Barton but me seems this one is unlike his. What is the history of this country for instance?’ Lokis eyes are glowing.

‘Are you kidding me? — You don’t know?’ Kevin looks puzzled.

‘Would I ask otherwise?’ annoyance is speaking out of her voice.

Kevin starts a lesson in english history. Loki is rather interested in the war of the roses and the Tudor King. We start to get a bad feeling, that this might won’t end well; with her question, ‘you are saying, England has never grown out of monarchy and is ruled by a Queen until today?!’

‘Yes and a King, - people always seem to forget about him, poor guy,’ Kevin sights.

‘Tell me everything about them!’ there is a lot of motivation in Loki’s behaviour now.

‘I think that’s enough for today. I’m not that interested into royal gossip, - if you want to know more, you can look it up on the internet, or go to the library,’ he sounds tired.

We suspect that this session didn’t proceed as planed. He has our empathy, cause he doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Or at least he doesn’t believe it. Not all of us would, but we have the benefit of knowing Loki, and we are just observer. We should feel sorry for Kevin, as he doesn’t realise what Loki’s mind is wandering of to. We remember well, how much Loki desires a throne. Not that she didn’t mention it while talking about Odin.

‘The leprechaun showed me how to use this thing called internet. I’m impressed! I had known that it could be a useful weapon, yet I had no clue how much. It’s like an addiction, all those informations. Makes it a pushover to take over this kingdom! Ehehehehe. I read on, a plan is growing, I like how it sparkles. The discovery of the actual age, of the monarchs, makes it even better. Their son isn’t that much younger. To my satisfaction, there are two princes next in row, to follow the crown. Not the baddest idea to become a woman. Nothing is going to stop me!

‘Helloho! I’m talking to you, freak. Stop that creepy laughing and help me to cook dinner, would you?! If you want to share our home, you can do something for it. Maybe Kevin is alright with you behaving like the Queen of England, well I’ll tell you something, I ain’t!’ the warrior has her hands pressed to her hips and usually I wouldn’t give much about her complaining, but for the sake of learning from them, I follow her into the kitchen.’

Scene 9

Picturing Loki and Beatrix in the kitchen, we feel a little smile stealing onto our faces. The idea, of Loki doing the cooking, is hilarious. Beatrix commanding her, comes close to a catastrophe and is a test for Loki’s self-control.

Let’s get a bit closer and listen to their conversation, shall we?

‘Did you never cut a tomato?’ we hear Bea.

‘Not with a dull knife. If you would have let me use my dagger, I would have been faster!’ Loki mutters.

‘Yeah, as if this dirty piece, wherever you hide it, was made to cut vegetables with. I don’t like to imagine your family dinners,’ Bea folds her arms, waiting for Loki to get the veggies ready.

‘Sure, the are awkward. I have to approve, you are right. The dagger was made to cut into meat,’ Loki let the knife run through her fingers, staring at Bea in disgust.

‘Sorry to disappoint you missy, but one of our rules is: No meat for dinner, nor in this kitchen. I am vegan and no dead animals will cross our door!’ Bea turns around to light the gas of the stove.

‘Who said I was talking about animals?!’ Loki mutters to herself.

‘What?’ Bea turns around with a pan in her hand, pointing it at the other girl.

‘Nothing. I’m done with the vegetables, what’s next?’ Loki grins, swirling the knife again.

‘Would you please stop?!’ she points a finger at Lokis hand, ‘it’s a bit dangerous, don’t you think?’

‘What, the knife?’ she looks at it impenitently, ‘not really, unless I decide it should.’ Loki grins again. Annoying Bea, gives her satisfaction.

The girl, almost done with her nerves by now, tries to take away the sharp object from her reckless flatmate. Unfortunately, Loki is a lot taller and has enough strength back, to use her magic pockets. What makes the knife disappear every time Bea comes close.

‘What are you, David Copperfield for the poor? Hand me the bloody knife, or I swear I’ll…,’ she doesn’t come any further as Kevin enters the room, in the exact moment things almost escalated.

‘I see you start to get along a bit better?’ he smiles naively. We start to wonder how he will ever be a psychologist? Maybe he just picked the wrong job?

From Lokis face we capture a innocent, but satisfied look into Kevins direction, as Beatrix let go of her to roast the vegetables.

‘Veggies again, … what are you cooking love?’ Kevin steps closer to see what is in the pan.

‘Rice with tomato, carrots and peas,’ Bea lists the ingredients.

‘Delicious, can’t wait for it,’ he rolls his eyes behind her back, ‘I’ll cook something proper when she has her night out,’ he whispers into Lokis ear, while handing her a towel. For a second she stands there holding it, not sure what Kevin wants. Soon enough she figures, he wants to do the dishes while Bea is busy at the stove. We might make a guess, that Kevin is frightened of his friend, when she’s in such a mood. Or maybe we have to admit, that he is more cunning than anyone could tell.

‘The food that the warrior princess has cooked, isn’t as bad as I’d expected. Not that I would tell her. She’s a ghastly person. I’ll have to tolerate it, until I’ve found a way into Buckingham palace. For now I can have my fun with both of them. Nonetheless I’ll have to keep an eye on Kevin. He hasn’t shown all his cards yet, I can sense it. Plus I’m unsure if I can trust him.

Anyway, it’s exhausting with them.

Maybe it’s because I haven’t had enough rest, but I’m dead tired. All I want to do, is to lie down and think of a plan, to infiltrate the royal family. To my disappointment, we have to do the dishes — again! For the warrior has done the cooking. Not enough that she forced me to help her with it.

‘Are we done now? I’m tired,’ I tell the leprechaun after the last, clean fork.

‘Sure, but don’t you want to join us? We have our movie night. Could be a good chance to get to know each other better,’ he shows me those puppy eyes. Something in them beg me to join, I can’t help myself.

‘Fine. If it’s that important to you,’ I sigh.

Plans can wait until tomorrow, I guess. Let’s see what kind of pleasures a movie night might bring.

‘Yay! I’ll make popcorn and get everything ready. Do you want to take a shower in the meantime?’

That’s a good idea. It has been a long time since water has seen my body. A short sniff approves my misgiving. I smell.

The ginger almost pushes me into the bathroom, while explaining everything. He hands me fresh clothes and faster than I can soak in all informations, he has left. I’m alone in the middle of the tiny room. The only space, to place my wardrobe, is the toilet seat or optional, the ground. I have to make a sacrifice, fresh clothes onto the toilet, the stuff I’m wearing onto the ground. I can’t wait to feel the water refreshing me. The only thing that keeps me away from it, is the bloody bra! What kind of sadistic person has invented this fastener?

Probably one of the torturers from Hel.

The quiet ‘plop’ as it opens, couldn’t be more satisfying. I almost jump into the shower and turn the water on. A mistake as it turns out. The water is cooking. It burns my freed breasts.

Who the fuck takes a shower this hot?!

The water becomes a moderate temperature, as I soap myself with a strange smelling piece, I’ve found on the tray in the corner.

Afterwards my hair is nearly impossible to comb — should I have used those bottles instead? Probably would have thought about it, if I had not been that distracted by my new body.

Anyway, time to get dressed and see what kind of night lies ahead.

I stop after entering the living room, not sure what is expected of me.

The two mortals are sitting on a sofa, cuddling.

‘Ah, there you are. Come, sit! We have waited for you,’ Kevin says.

‘Like forever. What have you done in there?’ the warrior is still grumpy, but not as much as during dinner.

I take the offered seat, on the edge of the sofa, cause the leprechaun is looking at me in expectancy, ignoring the comment of the veggie queen.

‘Come a little closer, or do you want to fall over? Allow yourself some comfort,’ he hands me a bowl with ‘Popcorn’ as he calls it, and I’m surprised by it’s buttery, salty taste. I like it!

I almost start to get comfortable but the strange behaviour of my seat mate destroys that feeling. Why is he sniffing at me?

My gaze must have made him aware of his doing. He stops, turning red.

‘I’m sorry! It’s just… which bottle of shampoo did you use?’ he wants to know.

‘None of them. Didn’t trust their substances. I’m all for the old-fashioned way in showering! I took the soap.’

The burst out of laughter from the girl disturb me, ‘what have I done wrong?’

‘Oh well — that was Hina’s special soap, against rash. We try to avoid it, because of this strong smell of marigold -‘

‘Now you smell like a granny!’ Bea’s giggles interrupt Kevin.

‘- you must know, sometimes it makes your skin burn or become itchy, if you use it without the need to ease your rash,’ he adds.

‘Great! Thanks for the warning.’ I almost yell at him.

‘Calm down. Here, have a nice glass of wine and a blanked, you must be cold.’

I suppose he never heard of Frostgiants, anyway, I take the blanked and if it’s only to cover this ugly thing that doesn‘t deserve the name pyjamas. A big sip of wine, helps me over the fact that the warrior is still laughing. I swear by Odin, I’m going to cut her throat , in her sleep, if she doesn’t stop soon.

‘ ‘kay ladies, enough silliness for now. Let’s get to the movie. Are you ready?’ Kevin asks, while he presses a button on the remote control.

The movie starts while Kevin explains to me that it is called ‘Star Wars’. After a few minutes I lose interest in it. This species has no clue what is going on in the universe. Not to mention the horrible special effects and this stupid emperor in a mask, calling himself Vader … they should meet Thanos!

At some point I decide to enjoy the food and the wine to let my thoughts wander. To correct the movie was fun, until they got angry with me because of the steady interruptions.

All those delicious details I’ve learned today!

The grandson of the Queen, Edmund, has been in the newspapers a lot, for his excessive party live. Would be stupid if I didn’t use it to make my way into the palace. The only problem will be my lack of patience. Every detail has to be perfect, so this croutons won’t realise how I infiltrate them. Maybe I should have ‘sight-seeing’ around Buckingham Palace tomorrow… ?’

As always, I’m happy about constructive feedback. Tell me what you think about it, if you’ve read until the end. And I’m sorry for the pic,.. next time I’ll draw a better one 🙈 it’s not that easy to transform him,...

#loki of asgard #loki fanfic #mcu fanfiction #what if #art

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belphegor1982 · 4 years

Note

All 50 for Jon/Tom :3

I LOVE YOU ♥

1. Who is the early bird/Who is the night owl?

Tommyis an early bird by necessity, but without an alarm clock he’ll beup by 8. Jonathan, OTOH, is absolutely a night owl who can and willsleep until noon if left unchecked. Also insomnia becomes a problemfor him as he gets older.

2.Who is the big spoon/ Who is the little spoon?

Theyswitch more or less randomly,but Jonathan loves when he’s the big spoon, because Tommy is sodamn soft.(they usually wake up wrapped around each other anyway.)

3.Who hogs the cover/ Who loves to cuddle?

Bothboys are big fans of cuddling – see above :o) Jonathan hogs thecovers. He’ll whine and say it’s because he’s used to the warmweather of Egypt; Tommy just grabs the covers right back.

4.Who wakes the other one up with kisses?

Tommy,but that’s because he usually wakes up before Jonathan.

5.Who usually has nightmares?

Jonathana little more often than Tommy. It gets worse as the years pass andbring experiences like WW1, Hamunaptra, and Ahm Shere.

6.Who would have really deep emotional thoughts at the middle of thenight/ Who would have them in the middle of the day?

Jonathanand Tommy, respectively. Jonathan’s way of dealing with deepemotional thoughts is to metaphorically put his fingers in his earsand go “I CAN’T HEAR YOU”; unfortunately they’re a lot lesseasy to ignore when it’s bloody o’clock in the morning and you’vebeen trying to sleep for two hours. When they hit Tommy, he’s morelikely to freeze and go really quiet until he’s dealt with them.

7.Who sweats the small stuff?

(tbhI didn’t really understand this question? I thought it wasabout little everyday chores but then maybe not?) Jonathan would liketo point out that what he tends to get anxious about isn’t small– like the consequences getting caught together would have, forexample. Not that Tommy isn’t anxious about that, but he has alittle too much on his hands with rightnow stuff – managinghis hours at the Turf Tavern andhis studies – to let himself worry about hypothetical stuff, especially since they’re being so cautious anyway.

8.Who sleeps in their underwear (or naked)/ Who sleeps in theirpyjamas?

Jonathanlikes his little comforts and likes to sleep in his pyjamas (unlesshe and Tommy engaged in specific activities that tend to leave a chaphappy and comfortable and closely pressed against his partner aftersaid activities – thenbugger pyjamas). In theirfirst year, when they sleep together it’s generally in Jonathan’sroom, because it’s on the ground floor, so Tommy usually sleepsthere naked or in his underwear; but the next year, when they’reflatmates, he starts wearingpyjamas, too. (Unless he and Jonathan just fall asleep wrapped aroundeach other. Then yeah,bugger pyjamas.)

9.Who makes the coffee (or tea)?

Idon’t know how widespread coffee was in 1910s England, but if itis, then it’s probably Tommy. Jonathan, OTOH, makes a rathersplendid tea (he learned from his mum).

10.Who likes sweet/ Who likes sour?

Jonathanhas a sweet tooth. Tommy will eat anything, but leans towards sweetwhen he can.

11.Who likes horror movies/ Who likes romance movies?

ModernAU? Neither likes either horror nor romance. They prefer thrillersand adventure.

12.Who is smol/ Who is tol?

Neither,they’re the same height, give or take an inch. Tommy is on theplump side while Jonathan is a toast rack, though. (That’s beforebasic training, which makes Jonathan’s shoulders fill out a bitand Tommy’s tummy just a little less soft. He still keeps lovehandles.)

13.Who is considered the scaredy cat?

Jonathan,although it’s less “scaredy cat” and more “utter lack ofchill”.

14.Who kills the spiders?

Both,especially once they move in together. They keep a monthlytally.

15.Who is scared of the dark?

“Scared”might be too strong a word for it, but Tommy is uncomfortable intotal darkness.

16.Who is scared of thunderstorms?

Jonathan.Since always. It got worse after WW1.

17.Who works/ Who stays at home?

They’reboth students (ancient history), butTommy works in a pub. Which means Jonathan spends a lotof his time in pubs (either to keep Tommy company or in another pub with him over a pint or two).

18.Who is a cat person/ Who is a dog person?

Jonathandespises cats, which Tommy finds hilarious because let’sface it, Jon is basicallya cat himself. Meanwhile, big dogs make Tommy nervous (he’s neverhad a dog) but he can’t really say he prefers cats.

19.Who loves to call the other one cute names?

Neither.Tommy calls Jonathan “Jon”, occasionally “mate”; Jonathancalls Tommy “Tommy” and the occasional “old chap”, and that’sit. It’s less about what they’re saying than the way they’resaying it anyway.

20.Who is dominant/ Who is submissive?

It’slike big spoon/little spoon: not really fixed. Their first time wasTommy inside Jonathan and it’s what happens 6 times out of 10.

21.Who has an obsession (over anything)?

Neither,really. Tommy is a fairly grounded person, and Jonathan a little tooeasily distracted to obsess over anything.

22.Who goes all out for Valentine’s Day?

Neither,even if they could be out without getting arrested.

23.Who asks who out on the first date?

Thatdepends on your idea of“first date”. It’s Jonathan who said “fancy a pint?” first,before they even became friends. Once they’re together they do theexact same things they did before as friends – play tourists inOxford, go see the occasional play, and of course, go to the pub.

24.Who is the talker/ Who is the listener?

Jonathantalks a lot, and Tommy – who works ina pub – is good atlistening. However, when Tommy talks, Jonathan willlisten.

25.Who wears the other one’s clothes?

Theydon’t really have the same body type (not even the same hat size),so they don’t, really, apartfrom stealingeach other’s clean cuffs occasionally.(modern AU Jonathan absolutely pilfersTommy’s sweaters.)

26.Who likes to eat healthy/ Who loves junk food?

Tommyis a little too practical to consider what’s healthy and whatisn’t; while he grew up poor, he didn’t reallygrow up hungry, but hestill has the reflex toeat what’s in front ofhim because it means someone’s been working hard (his mum orhimself)to put the food on thetable. Jonathan ispickier, but not about health, either. It’snot really an everyday concern in the early 20thcentury, anyway.

27.Who takes a long shower/ Who sings in the shower?

Jonathanloves long showers. Tommy either showers before him or with him, orgrumbles because Jon’s been using all the bloody hot water again.Neither really sings in the shower.

28.Who is the book worm?

Tommy.He loves books.

29.Who is the better cook?

Tommy,but only because Jonathan never had to cook for himself until theyshare a flat, while Tommy – a sailor’s wife’s son, and an onlychild – helped his mam in the kitchen from an early age.

30.Who likes long walks on the beach?

Beachesare hard to find in Oxford, but neither, really.

31.Who is more affectionate?

Theycan’t afford to show affection in public, and the fear of gettingcaught is so ingrained that they don’t really let themselves be asphysically affectionate asthey would like even when it’s just the two of them.But Jonathan loves to fall asleep snuggledagainst Tommy, and Tommy loves it when Jonathan sneaks an arm aroundhim while they read/study. It’s 50/50, really.

32.Who likes to have really long (deep) conversations?

Long/deepconversations are really, reallyrare and usually come after a pint or two too many. Bothboys are tooself-conscious to do otherwise.

33.Who would wear “not guilty” t-shirt/ Who would wear “sin”t-shirt?

Jonathanwould totally wear a “not guilty” t-shirt (not thatanybody would believe him). Tommy would enjoy the “sin” one,because he’s good at looking innocent (and Jon can be shady enoughto make anyone look innocuous in comparison).

34.Who would wear “if lost return to…” t-shirt/ Who would wear “Iam…” t-shirt?

Theywouldn’t.

35.Who goes overboard on the holidays?

Eh,neither.

36.Who is the social media addict?

ModernAU Jonathan has a Twitter he remembers once in a blue moon, and Tommykeeps a Tumblr mostly to reblog ancient Rome, Greece and Egyptthings. Neither can really be called an addict, though.

37.Height difference or age difference?

Neither,they’re the same height. Tommy is six months older than Jonathan.

38.Who likes to star gaze?

Tommy.You can see a lot more stars in Oxford than in the heart ofLiverpool. When they leavethe pub at closing time and he’s tipsy he’ll sometimes walk withhis head tipped back to really look at the night sky, knowing Jonwill catch him if he stumbles and falls. (Eventhough Jon’s usuallyjust as tipsy as he is and wouldn’t be of great help – walkingarm in arm with him still helps with his balance and it’s thethought that counts.)

39.Who buys cereal for the prize inside?

JONATHAN.And then if he finds theprize disappointing he’s not above buying another packet, whichannoys Tommy because it’s food and foodmust not go to waste.(modern AU, natch.)

40.Who is the fun parent/ Who is the responsible parent?

Imaginingthem as parents broke my brain? Jonathan Carnahan is not a parent inany shape or form. (but we all know who would be theIRresponsible parent.)

41.Who cries during sad movies?

(modernAU) Eh, neither does, really.

42.Who is the neat freak?

Neitheris a neat freak, but Jonathan is 1) kind of a slob (except whereclothes are concerned) and 2) completely unused to picking up afterhimself, so Tommy is neater by comparison.

43.Who wins the stuffed animals at the carnival for the other one?

Jonathanhas reallygood aim with a rifle.Tommy isn’t a fan ofstuffed animals, especially since their flat is small and wouldn’ttake much to feel cramped, but every now and then he likes to pointat a soft toy and say, “Bet you can’t get thatone.” Naturally, they end up walking away with it.

44.Who is active/ Who is lazy?

Jonathanis TheLaziest :P Tommy is much more active, if only by necessity (gettinghis degree is “do ordie” for him).

45.Who is more likely to get drunk?

BOTH.Together. (after life separates them it’s Jonathan, though.)

46.Who has the longer food order?

Jonathan,because he knows what/how to order and is completely comfortable withfancy restaurants while Tommy will instinctively look for thecheapest dishes even – especially – when he’s notfooting his own bill.

47.Who has the more complex coffee order?

Neither– they go for tea. Modern AU Tommy has a mild coffee addictionbecause there are not enough hours in the day for reading all thebooks and studying all the things AND working in a pub,but he takes his coffee simple, black as night with three sugars.

48.Who loses stuff?

Jonathan.Fortunately for every item he loses he finds another he hadpreviously misplaced. If Tommy loses something he’s sure it willresurface some time later, probably in a ridiculous place.

49.Who is the driver/ Who is the passenger?

Ihaven’t figured out yet how 1910s Tommy learns how to drive, but Ilike the idea of him driving pre-WW1; then he spent over two years inthe Army Service Corps (transport system – ammunition, food,equipment) and finished the war with a talent for driving in theworst conditions (and a horror of driving at all). Modern AU? It’s60/40 in Jonathan’s favour.

50.Who is the hopeless romantic?

Neither,really. Jonathan is a little too cynical and Tommy a little toopragmatic.

#ask reply #mon OT3 à moi #minus one #thatsoneginger

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vitanes · 5 years

Text

say it’s okay when it’s not

chapter 15: truth or dare

Lucas makes peace with himself, finally learns the whole truth about Eliott and realises that family is all the friends we’ve made along the way. Oh, and also gets a boy.

(a/n: so we’ve reached the end of this story. if anyone had told me id write over 80k words long story like a half year ago i wouldnt believe them but here i am. before writing for skam france, i had a long break but this show made me fall back in love with writing and no matter how detached i am from the series now, ill be always grateful for that. i want to thank every single person who’s ever liked, reblogged, commented or sent me an ask regarding the fic. im happy i could make you all feel something with my words thats my main goal as a writer. anyways, enough sappiness! enjoy the last part!)

Lucas knows that punching a guy when he isn’t alone is not the brightest idea, but it’s too late to think about it when his knuckles have already caused the damage. Buzzing with adrenaline, Lucas looks towards Tom. He’s backed away a few steps and is currently clutching onto his face. There’s blood running down from his nose.

There’s a wave of satisfaction hitting Lucas from all sides and it last exactly ten seconds before Tom’s friends are on him. One of them is holding Lucas by his shoulders while the other is glaring at him, coming way too close for Lucas’ liking.

He gulps, trying his best to maintain eye contact. He’s been crushed before because of how weak he was but this time he won’t let them hurt him without a fight. Not when he has every right to be furious in this situation.

The guy watches Lucas carefully, his eyes narrowed and after a few beats of silence, nods at the boy holding Lucas back. Much to Lucas’ surprise, he releases him.

“We don’t want trouble,” one of them says, looking meaningfully at all the people around them. Lucas follows his gaze and sighs. He was genuinely prepared to get beaten up again. Especially that they seemed like they wouldn’t care about the consequences.

But Lucas is still so full of anguish that he doesn’t know what to do with. He curls his fingers up into fists.

“I can’t let him get away with it,” Lucas grits out, his eyes downcast. They have no fucking idea what kind of hell he’s gone through because of Tom.

The boys look at each other, their faces troubled and then back to him. They still seem ready to stop Lucas from surging towards Tom. He can’t do anything in this case and it’s tearing him apart.

“Then don’t, but fighting won’t get you anywhere,” says the one that’s been previously holding Lucas. Look at them. Altruists.

Even when he wants to and has the occasion to get his revenge, Lucas can’t. And it’s unfair, isn’t it? He should be able to show Tom at least an ounce of the pain that was served to Lucas. After so many months, Lucas should be allowed to get back at him. But all he can do is stand there, helpless and trembling while they walk away, shielding Tom from him. That’s fucked up.

Once they’re out of sight, Lucas heaves out a deep breath and with it, the tears he’s been holding back start running down his cheeks. He’s crying out of frustration and anger because there’s no other way for those emotions to leave him. He can’t punch anyone or scream so all that’s left is crying. Right in the middle of the pavement, surrounded by people. Complete strangers that won’t even spare him a glance. Alone in his pain.

But he’s not alone, is he?

Lucas wipes his face with his sleeve and sniffs. There are people out there that care, that have his back no matter what. That’s what he’s learnt over the course of the last few months. No matter how much darkness is surrounding him, how lost he is, Lucas will find a way home.

Lucas is going to survive with the help of his friends, the family he’s made along the way. He’s been shown time and time again that he doesn’t have to face everything by himself.

That’s why he heads to the flat and when Mika sees the look on his face he doesn’t question Lucas reaching out for him.

Lucas hasn’t stopped fighting, it’s merely a break. He will go to the police tomorrow, he will handle everything. But now he’s bone-tired.

With no words said, Mika wraps his arms around Lucas and lets him rest.

“I know who blackmailed me,” Lucas mumbles into Mika’s shoulder and feels him tense.

“You do?” Mika asks, his voice breathy.

Lucas nods. “Is everyone in the living room?” Lucas can hear some muted noises but he isn’t sure whether it’s the girls or the TV.

“Yeah,” Mika lets out.

Lucas pulls away. “I want them to know, too,” he says. He’s gotten everyone too involved for him to keep it secret. At this point, he owes his friends that much.

“Of course,” Mika replies and nudges Lucas forward.

They enter the living room and their expressions must be rather grim because both Manon and Lisa stop chatting upon seeing them.

“Hi,” Lucas says, waving at them weakly before sitting down on the couch, next to Manon. Mika chooses his other side while Lisa is sitting comfortably in an armchair. “I found out who the blackmailer is. By accident.” He looks down on his hands. His right one still has some signs of what he’s done to it, but he long stopped bandaging it. Some fingers are a bit crooked, though.

“What?” Lisa asks.

“Who is it?” Manon sits up straighter.

Lucas snorts. “It’s a guy Yann and I were buying weed from. Last year. He just,” he shrugs, “wanted money for drugs. He got the pictures from someone else’s phone.” Lucas briefly glances at Manon, but she seems completely oblivious to it. So Daphne hasn’t said anything. Fine, he’s not going to, either. He has no energy to deal with this. “He didn’t have any ulterior motives. Fuck, he didn’t even plan to do it in the first place. I don’t…” he stops and drags a hand down his face. “…I don’t know if I’d rather have it be someone else, someone who hated me than this. It’s so fucking baffling that it wasn’t personal and yet I’ve been completely fucked over.” He pinches the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, letting out a shuddering breath.

Manon rests a hand on his shoulder and squeezes.

“This dude is completely fucked up. How could he?” Lisa asks no one in particular.

“At least now you can rest. You know the whole truth,” Manon says, her voice calm even though Lucas can feel through his shirt that her hand is shaking.

“Yeah, I– I feel slightly lighter. But I can’t fucking do anything and it’s killing me. It’s like I’m about to explode,” Lucas confesses, putting his hand down on his knee.

Mika throws an arm over his shoulders and pulls him to his side.

“How about we go to the gym?” he suggests out of nowhere and when none of them say anything, he huffs. “It could help Lucas. It’s better if he doesn’t bottle it all up,” Mika reasons. Well, if he’s putting it that way.

Lisa opens her mouth to say something, but Mika beats her to it.

“Like a family activity?” he offers. They can’t say no to that, can they?

***

Going to the gym helps. Lucas was doubtful at first, but after two hours of intense exercise, his mind is much clearer. With his whole body aching and sweaty, he no longer wants to go out there and fight Tom. All he is craving is a shower and a nap.

Everything else will come later.

***

“I can’t fucking believe it was Tom,” Yann spits out, shaking his head. “What a fucking dick,” he adds.

Lucas has gone to the police and told them everything. He was assured they’d take care of everything and contact him sooner or later. It didn’t satisfy him a lot. He doesn’t think he’ll be truly satisfied until Tom faces real repercussions. And the police’s vague affirmations don’t tamper down his impatience. So he called Yann.

He told him the exact same story as he recalled to his flatmates, with maybe more details and Yann’s been cussing Tom out for the past ten minutes.

“Yeah, Daphne must have bumped into him, asked to call Imane and that’s how he got the pictures,” Lucas says in a detached tone.

“Damn. What now?”

Lucas shrugs. “I was told to wait. Not sure I can do it any longer but what other choice do I have?”

“I’m still so shocked you found out by simply overhearing. Like? How’s that even possible?” Yann asks, grimacing.

“I know, right? That’s what I mean when I say that coincidences don’t exist,” Lucas replies, looking straight ahead. He hides his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “But you know what?” He gazes up at Yann to find him already looking back. “I’m so fucking glad I know. It’s been gnawing at me for so long and I thought I’d never find out. I had no idea where to look, there were nearly no clues. I can finally focus on other things.” It’s awful that he can’t seek the revenge out on his own, sure, but simply knowing gives him more peace than anything. There are still so many things, issues that he has to work through and he bets it’ll be a long process. Having fewer things on his plate is beyond helpful.

Lucas can heal and grow, take his time for as long as he needs to without having this at the back of his mind all the time. He can push forward with no more secrets holding him back.

“You’re so strong and I’m proud of you, you know?” Yann says fondly and bumps his shoulder against Lucas’. Lucas smiles under his nose.

“Thank you. I have no idea where I’d be right now without you,” he admits in a small voice. Yann has been nothing but giving and Lucas will try to repay his kindness for the rest of their lives.

“I’m your best friend, aren’t I? I’m not going anywhere. I love you lots,” Yann says with an audible smile in his voice.

Lucas feels warm.

“I love you, too,” he replies, so fucking grateful for having Yann in his life. In a way, Lucas thinks, he saved his life.

Yann is his anchor, his safe place and Lucas is sure that he’d drown without him. He can only hope that Yann feels the same.

***

By Monday, Lucas has already talked with his friends and mom about the blackmailer. There’s only one person that doesn’t know and it’s Eliott. Truth be told, Lucas didn’t want to bother him with the news. He has no idea how Eliott is currently doing and he doesn’t want to force him into unwanted interactions. The time to tell him will come.

His friends have been all kinds of shocked and surprised, but the people who personally met Tom even more so. Emma briefly wanted to kill him and Yann shared the sentiment. But everyone agreed that it was about time. Or at least, mostly everyone. Lucas doesn’t know and has no intention of finding out what Daphne thinks about it.

“How do you feel?”

Lucas looks at Imane. “Better than in a long time,” he admits. She smiles at him.

They are going to the library, having decided to study together earlier. Lucas has expected questions like this, but he isn’t annoyed. He no longer has to hide his true feelings, he’s not burdened. And Imane asking him about his well-being means that she cares.

It’s funny to think that before all this mess started, Lucas and Imane were only friends by association. Merely greeted each other in hallways. In the span of the last few months, everything has changed and as of now, she’s one of his closest friends. An unexpected development in Lucas’ life.

He lost so much but he also gained a lot. And he’s not sure he deserves all of that, but he’s learning to accept good things nevertheless.

Imane is one of those people whose presence you want to keep around. Lucas doesn’t really know how to explain it and maybe he doesn’t have to. Perhaps, he can be simply happy about the fact that Imane wants him around, too. He shouldn’t question it. She’s a good person and an amazing friend. She’s both tough and soft as well as incredibly smart. Lucas admires her and can proudly call himself her friend.

“Good. You can try to catch up to me when it comes to grades,” she teases.

She’s also honest.

Lucas snorts and looks at her. “Are you sure you want that? I don’t want to make you sad,” he retorts, adjusting his backpack.

Imane rolls her eyes. “You wish. I just wanted to be nice. We both know you could never get on my level,” she states matter-of-factly.

“Watch me. The school year isn’t ov–“

Imane stops abruptly and Lucas glances at her in surprise. Her brows are drawn together and he follows her gaze.

Daphne is standing in their way. They look at her in confusion and mild irritation in Imane’s case. Lucas notices that she’s anxiously fidgeting in place. She must have followed them up until now.

“Do you want something?” Imane asks and her voice is devoid of the earlier playfulness. Lucas only now sees the strain Daphne’s acting made on the girls’ friendship. Imane has never been this cold towards her before.

“Can we talk for a minute? In private?” Daphne asks, staring at Lucas.

God, the audacity.

“No, I’m good here. If you have anything to say, say it,” Lucas tells her. He almost pities her. Almost.

“I just wanted to ask you if there was any way I could make what I did up to you. I know it was wrong, but I was hoping I could fix it somehow,” Daphne replies, holding tightly onto the strap of her bag.

“Are you for real?” Imane mutters under her breath.

The thing is, Lucas knows Daphne had no ill intentions and the guilt must be eating at her right now. Rightfully so. He’s aware that she never wanted to hurt him, but still. He can’t find it in himself to forgive so easily. Maybe if she had come immediately after the pictures were leaked, but as the things are at the moment, Lucas doesn’t even want to talk with her.

“How about you finally tell other people?” he says which instantly makes her clamp her mouth shut. “Besides, the only way you could make it up to me would be if you invented the time machine. Can you do that? Can you do that, Daphne?” Lucas asks and he can feel himself getting worked up, but he’s unable to stop. “We won’t be friends anytime soon. But if it only bothers you because you feel guilty, then just forget about it. I don’t care anymore. Let’s say you’re forgiven or whatever,” he adds, barely managing to keep his voice calm.

Daphne is watching him with her eyes wide open and her chin wobbling. For a brief moment, Lucas wonders whether he wasn’t too harsh, but it all disappears when he thinks of all the months he was hurting because of what Daphne did.

Imane places her hand on Lucas’ forearm and he’s so grateful. Her touch is grounding.

“Be happy we haven’t told everyone. We are giving you a chance to at least slightly redeem yourself,” Imane says. She doesn’t let Daphne add anything as her grip on Lucas’ arm tightens and she starts dragging him in the opposite direction. Though, Daphne seems speechless anyway.

“But what about studying?” Lucas asks when she eventually lets go of him.

“Let’s get a cookie first,” Imane replies, trying to smile at him, but failing miserably.

Lucas purses his lips and sighs. “I’m so sorry. It’s my fault your friendship is so fucked up.”

She glares at him. “She did the bad thing. It’s not your fault, okay? None of it is. I can’t stand with her after that. I’m just upset.” She shrugs one of her shoulders.

Lucas opens his mouth to say something when his phone buzzes. Imane seems to be deep in thought so he decides to check the message.

When he sees who texted him, his heart flutters excitedly in his chest, Daphne forgotten.

can we meet tomorrow? i want to talk with you

Lucas quickly types out a response, agreeing to the meeting and locks his phone. God, it’s been so long since he last heard from Eliott.

Imane nudges him and when he sends her a quizzical look, she asks, “What are you grinning about?”

“It’s Eliott. He wants to meet with me,” Lucas says, feeling his cheeks hurt from how much he’s smiling. Huh, so that’s how it feels when you like someone and you’re aware of it? Crazy.

Mostly, he missed Eliott and was worried. So he supposes, there are more reasons for his excitation than only his crush. Eliott is his friend first and foremost. The romantic attraction is just an addition.

“How’s he?”

“We’ll find out,” Lucas says, wishing tomorrow could come sooner.

***

When Lucas approaches the gate, it’s already open. He only has to slightly push it forward and the abandoned park comes into sight. He enters the place and for a moment the time stills. He revels in the way the wind is blowing subtly at the leaves. Even the air feels different here.

Eliott told him to come and see him at the tunnel he once showed Lucas. Looking around, Lucas remembers how Eliott told him he’d never brought anyone here before. That Lucas was first and maybe, just maybe, it was one of the signs that Eliott liked him, but Lucas was completely blind to it. You don’t bring a random friend to a place that’s special to you.

Lucas’ palms get significantly sweatier as he comes closer to the tunnel. Eliott likes to come here when he wants to be alone and yet, he once again invited Lucas to join him. Perhaps he feels safer in these surroundings.

Lucas reaches the tunnel and it takes him a moment, but when he eventually notices Eliott sitting against one of the walls, he lets out a loud sigh. Eliott turns his head towards him and Lucas could swear he sees a shadow of a smile on his face.

Before saying anything, he takes his steps to Eliott and plops down next to him, brushing their shoulders in the process.

“Hey.”

“Hi,” Eliott replies, his voice a little uncertain. “Sorry I dragged you here. I just had to get away from my flat or I’d have lost my mind,” he explains apologetically.

Lucas nudges him playfully in the side. “No need to be sorry. It’s okay. I like it here. I don’t care about the place as long as I get to see you,” he admits, glancing down at his lap. He shouldn’t be saying things like that.

Eliott only snorts under his nose and sags against the wall. He seems tired. If it weren’t for the darkness, Lucas would probably see the bags under his eyes.

“Anything happen when I was out?” Eliott asks. Lucas thinks for a long moment. He can’t really say that he finally realised his feelings for Eliott after like months. So he goes for the only other thing he can think of.

“I caught the blackmailer.”

Eliott gasps subtly. “Oh. Is that so?”

Lucas tells him the whole story. He’d expect himself to get tired by now, since he recalled those events to so many people, but with Eliott it’s fine. Like always.

“I guess fate decided it was the time.”

“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Lucas says, glad that someone has finally seen his point.

What follows is a bit of a meaningless back and forth before Eliott asks the big question, “You’ve met Lucille, right?”

Lucas frowns. He isn’t very keen on talking about her, but he supposes it’s only the beginning of what Eliott wants to discuss. “Yeah.”

“It’s almost like she moved in with me. I hate that my parents told her to take care of me as if we didn’t break up. I can’t stand all of them. I know they mean well, but God seeing your ex without going through depression sucks enough,” Eliott rambles on, his voice monotone. “I already said that I’m feeling better, but no, of course, she still comes. At this rate I’m afraid she’s gonna ask to get back together,” he continues, letting his head slide to the side, right to Lucas’ shoulder. Lucas has probably uncomfortable shoulders, but it’s too late, Eliott is already propped up there.

“And will you? Get back together?” Lucas asks, anxious. Eliott shifts and Lucas can feel his eyes looking up at him.

“You know I won’t,” Eliott says calmly and the weight of his words makes Lucas realise just how close they are right now. “About that. I wanted to say sorry for being an asshole to you last time. I was all over the place. Embarrassed because of everything I did during, you know, being manic. I went out of my way to remind you of my feelings. It all just hit me and I lashed out on you. I was scared you’d hate me. So yeah, I’m sorry.” His voice is quiet, but in the tunnel, Lucas can hear every single word clearly. Eliott still seems scared. And ashamed.

“It’s okay. Nothing you did made me feel uncomfortable.” Quite the opposite. “And I could never hate you for that. Besides, I should have given you more time. You weren’t ready to talk, I can’t blame you for your reaction,” Lucas says reassuringly. All this time, he was angry at himself for overwhelming Eliott. There hasn’t even been a moment in which Lucas had considered thinking badly of Eliott.

“Yeah, but I’m bi– bipolar, not brainless. I should know when to shut up. It’s not an excuse to be a dick,” Eliott mutters and maybe he’s right. Maybe they both made some mistakes. It’s all in the past, though. “I just really wish you had found out in another way and not when it was out of my control,” he whispers and sighs.

“Then why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I wasn’t ready. I don’t like that part of myself. It’s hard for me to talk about and I didn’t want you to look at me differently. I was gonna tell you, but I kept putting it off because everything was so good and I finally felt happy. I thought that maybe… maybe it wouldn’t happen again,” Eliott says and nuzzles his face against Lucas’ shoulder. He seems so fucking sad. Lucas wishes he could do something to help him. Make him feel better.

“You stopped taking your meds,” Lucas states, remembering what Eliott’s parents said. He feels him nodding.

“I felt too happy,” Eliott admits. They sit there quietly for a few moments, both at a loss of words.

Lucas doesn’t really know what he could possibly say in this situation. He doesn’t think there is anything that he could think of. He’s never been good at that sort of stuff. And it doesn’t look like Eliott wants him to say anything. More like he wants him to listen and understand.

“Remember when I told you about everything that happened at my old school?” Lucas hums. “I skipped out on some things. I, um– I had my first episode back then. It was much worse than what you’ve seen. Yeah, I was in love with one of my best friends, but it got out because I kissed him in front of everyone when I was in the middle of being manic. He rejected me and then everything went to shit even more. I was losing it and people at my school were awful. I’ve done so many things. And after all that, I crashed. I crashed so badly I wouldn’t leave my room for weeks. I missed my exams because of that. And I…“ he pauses to take a deep inhale. He sounds choked up. “…I was so deep in that dark place I tried to… tried to kill myself.” Lucas’ breath hitches in his throat. He feels Eliott trembling against him. Lucas wants to tell him that he doesn’t have to go further, but Eliott isn’t finished yet.

“They saved me and then I spent over two months in a hospital. That’s when I got diagnosed. When I was out of there, about to repeat the year, some of my friends tried to reach out to me but I pushed them away. I wasn’t happy with Lucille. And as the first semester progressed, I had another episode. Less violent than the first one. After that, I decided to change schools. Start fresh and stop being regarded as crazy by everyone. I really hoped it’d be– it’d be different,” Eliott admits, his voice breaking halfway through. Lucas doesn’t look towards him, afraid that he might see him crying. He wouldn’t be able to hold back his own tears if that was the case.

“It is different. We won’t leave you. And no one at school knows,” Lucas says in hopes that it will make Eliott feel a tiny bit better. “Also don’t worry, we’re not going to start treating you like a toddler. But we’re going to support you and be there for you.” Lucas is sure of this. He’s not alone and he won’t Eliott be, either.” Thank you for telling me all of this. Thank you for… for trusting me enough.”

“Thank you for listening,” Eliott murmurs, a little bit strained. He’s fighting so hard not to break down right here, on Lucas and Lucas wishes there was a way for him to convey that it’s alright. That he doesn’t have to hide anymore. But he isn’t sure Eliott would appreciate that right now. He probably doesn’t want anyone pointing his weaknesses out. Not after everything that he’s been through lately. So this time, Lucas will let him be. Patience and baby steps.

He looks down again. Their hands are so close to one another. If only Lucas moved his a couple of centimetres to the left, he’d cover Eliott’s palm. He glances then at Eliott’s face and sees that he’s closed his eyes. He looks drained.

It’s not the time for Lucas to be daring. There will be another chance. They’re okay as they are.

***

Lucas keeps staring at the empty chair across from him. He knows it won’t magically make Eliott appear, but one can wish. Eliott still isn’t feeling well enough to come to school, but he said he might be back next week and that’s what Lucas is holding onto. It doesn’t change the fact that the table feels empty without him.

It’s funny to think that some time ago he’d feel overjoyed every time Eliott skipped school and there were only four of them. And now he’s moping. Oh, how the tables have turned. Lucas would even hope for Eliott not to come sometimes. Which, in perspective makes him feel guilty. Eliott tends to skip school on his bad days. So every time Lucas was happy that he had his friends all to himself, Eliott was being consumed by his own mind. Sweet.

Lucas sighs to himself, dragging a fork over his plate.

“Dude, it’s like the tenth time you sighed in the last few minutes,” Basile points out to which Lucas only shrugs.

“Let him be. He’s sulking,” Yann says, barking out a laugh. He’s the only one knowing about Lucas’ recent epiphany and the asshole is having great fun with it.

“Why are you sulking?” Arthur asks, poking Lucas in the forearm.

“Do you remember when you asked me whether I had a crush on Eliott?” Lucas mumbles under his nose.

Arthur nods, squinting his eyes. “Yeah?” Lucas looks at him pointedly and then Arthur gasps. “No way,” he lets out.

“Yes way,” Yann teases. Lucas scowls at him and kicks him under the table. Basile yelps and Lucas figures out he missed.

“How long? What?! When?!” Arthur exclaims and Lucas shushes him when too many people look their way.

“I don’t know how long. It hit me last week,” Lucas explains.

“Unbelievable,” Basile lets out, shaking his head. “All Eliott had to do was to have an episode. Bravo, Lucas, bravo.”

“Fuck you,” Lucas says, but there’s no bite in his voice. He knows he’s an idiot. In his defense, internalised homophobia is a bitch to deal with and repressing things is a way to go. He still has moments when he denies his feelings or thinks that he’s disgusting for liking Eliott. He doesn’t even want to think about the turmoil he’d be going through now if Eliott didn’t reciprocate this crush.

“And you know what’s even better? Eliott likes him back,” Yann singsongs with a shit-eating grin.

“He does?!” Basile asks in disbelief.

“He does,” Arthur simply states, unlocking his phone.

Lucas huffs. “First of all, don’t talk about this! It’s confidential and he isn’t even here. And second of all, you,” he points at Arthur who purses his lips into a thin line, “you knew?”

“Yes. I knew. Why do you think we kissed that one time? We were both sad because of our crushes and Eliott told me back then it was you,” he explains, scrolling down some website.

“Then why did you ask me if we were together?”

Arthur lets out an exasperated sigh. “Because he told me months ago, drunk. We never really talked about it again. You could have gotten together in the meantime.” He shrugs nonchalantly. Well, he does have a point. “There’s a party on Friday. Are we going?” Arthur changes the topic. He looks up at them expectantly.

They glance at one another and then collectively nod. It’s been some time since they last went to a party. And the other time they wanted to get some relax, it didn’t exactly work out.

Yann nudges Lucas in the elbow. “Do you think you could get Eliott to come?”

Well, he can try.

***

Lucas was pretty sure Eliott would immediately decline but turns out that convincing him to go with them was much easier than expected. Of course, he said he wouldn’t drink and would be there only for a short time, just to see all of them after almost two weeks. All of which Lucas understands.

They agreed that Lucas would come and pick him up before the party, since Eliott would feel too anxious to go by himself.

It’s a bit earlier than he was supposed to arrive, but Lucas thinks that Eliott will forgive him as he knocks on the door to his flat. It takes a good minute for the doorknob to move and the door to open. Lucas partly expects to see Lucille facing him so he lets out a breath of relief when it’s Eliott.

His hair is damp and his clothes are disheveled. He isn’t ready to go out yet and Lucas has enough decency to murmur, “Sorry for being this early,” before Eliott ushers him in.

“It’s fine. You can sit wherever I’ll go get ready,” Eliott says, sending his way a nervous smile.

Lucas watches him disappear in the direction of his bedroom. Eliott seems a bit shaky. Maybe he doesn’t really want to go to the party? But what can Lucas do, though? Eliott is a big boy and he won’t baby him. Lucas won’t act like Eliott’s parents and Lucille. After all, Eliott should know his limits.

With that in mind, Lucas goes to the living room and settles on the couch. He hears Eliott going around the flat, his steps loud in the silence of the walls.

Lucas looks out of the window and says, “Oh, fuck,” just as Eliott passes by the living room.

He sticks his head into the room, gazing at Lucas in confusion.

“It started raining,” Lucas mutters in the same exact moment a thunderbolt cuts through the sky.

When the loud thundering sound can be heard, they lock their eyes and Eliott says, “Fuck indeed.”

They smile at each other.

Lucas looks at Eliott since he finally has a clear sight of him and notices that his cheeks are a bit sunken and there sure are purple bags under his eyes. He is worn down and there is no beating around it.

“You don’t want to go to the party,” Lucas states instead of asking. Eliott sighs, looking down and it’s enough of an answer. The rain is rhythmically hitting the windows and it’s gradually getting darker. As yet another thunderbolt lights up the room, Lucas continues, “We could use it as an excuse and not go. We can hang out together at any other time.”

Eliott glances up at him, biting down on his bottom lip. “I’d like that,” he admits quietly.

Lucas grins towards him, feeling his heart racing. He likes this scenario better as well.

They both jump when there’s an especially loud clap of thunder and right after that the lights go out.

Lucas can only see the glint of Eliott’s eyes.

“Oh, great.” He chuckles nervously. There are a few seconds of silence and then Eliott turns the flashlight in his phone on. It doesn’t do much since they’re pretty much surrounded by darkness at this point, but it’s helpful either way.

Eliott moves towards the couch and then sits down next to Lucas. They stay in silence, letting the thunder outside fill it. It’s not exactly pleasant, considering the fact they keep flinching and jumping every few seconds. Lucas would really like to hold hands right now. But it’s not like he’s going to ask, right?

“I’m a bit scared,” he admits and feels Eliott turning his head towards him.

“Me too,” Eliott whispers when everything is lit up again.

Lucas hums thoughtfully. “Let’s play something so we can get distracted,” he suggests, breathing out evenly.

“Okay.”

“Truth or dare?”

“Sure,” Eliott agrees. “So what do you choose?”

Lucas is not about to do some things when it’s dark everywhere around them so he replies, “Truth.”

“Hmm. When was the last time you wet your pants?”

Lucas makes a face. “Come on, dude. Seriously?” He groans and closes his eyes. “I was fourteen. I was watching some dumb horror,” Lucas confesses. He doesn’t even remember what the movie was about, but it sure as fuck gave him a couple of sleepless nights. Eliott snorts. “Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

“Have you,” Lucas pauses, biting the inside of his cheek. “Have you ever been with a boy?” He can feel himself blushing as he says those words.

“Yeah, I have,” Eliott replies. He doesn’t say who or when it was, which is partly disappointing as it is relieving.

They take turns in asking each other questions throughout the thunder going on outside. Neither of them chooses dare, not wanting to move anywhere. They ask each other gross and mostly trivial questions. It’s not the time to go deeper, to unpack their traumas and they’re aware of that. They laugh and teases each other, and by the time the thunder is almost gone, they’ve moved so much closer to each other that their sides are touching. They don’t comment on the fact their hands are brushing and Eliott’s index finger keeps tracing the back of Lucas’ knuckles. Their words are hushed whispers and each time one of them says something, the other has to lean closer.

Something has shifted in the span of the last few minutes or hours; Lucas doesn’t really know how much time passed.

One wouldn’t consider asking someone whether they’ve ever eaten boogers romantic, but within the context, Lucas thinks it’s the most romantic setting he’s ever been in.

“Truth or dare?” Eliott asks, staring at the side of Lucas’ face.

Lucas turns his head for the first time ever since they’ve started this game. Their faces have never been this close.

“Truth,” he mouths, knowing that Eliott will hear him anyway.

Eliott gazes at him for a long moment, searching for something and he must find what he’s been looking for because he asks, “Do you like someone?”

Lucas swallows, his eyes falling down to Eliott’s mouth and quickly back up to his eyes. “Yeah,” he breathes out, shifting his body closer. “Truth or dare?”

Eliott looks over Lucas’ face and his index fingers move up to his wrist. “Dare.”

The only thing that Lucas can hear is the thump-thump of his heart. He parts his lips.

“Kiss me.”

***

5 MONTHS LATER

Lucas isn’t drunk. This time, he truly isn’t. He might have had a beer, but he isn’t looking forward to getting wasted any time soon.

He’s at a party, with his friends. He’s having fun and he doesn’t need unhealthy coping mechanisms to stay afloat.

The guys are talking about how they’ve been spending their summer. Yann mentions his part-time job, Arthur gushes about the girl he’s been flirting with and Basile recalls the two weeks his family spent in Greece. Lucas attentively listens to their words, dropping something from himself every few sentences.

His eyes keep straying over to Eliott, who’s standing in the corner of the room, chatting with Imane, but glancing time and time again towards Lucas.

A couple of months ago Lucas wouldn’t grin at a boy the way he does now. But a couple of months ago he didn’t have a boyfriend either.

The process of accepting, embracing his sexuality has been difficult. Trial and error, despite the support from everyone around and having started dating Eliott. It’s okay, though, because Lucas has learnt that he needs to do things slowly, be patient and gentle with himself. He’s currently in the best place he’s ever been. Things around him have changed and his way of thinking is far from the one he had in the past.

Lucas is healing. Sure, there are still nights he wakes up from nightmares of being beaten up or he can’t sleep altogether. He doesn’t have enough bravery to march in the Pride Parade, yet, but he hopes that next year he will find it in himself. There are moments he hates this part of himself and agonises over the fact he can’t change it.

Then again, there are times when he loves who he is becoming, loves being gay and lets himself enjoy the life he has.

It’s similar for Eliott. He wasn’t cured, there are still awful days he has to go through, they fight sometimes over stupid things. They work through their issues together, sometimes ending up hurting each other. But at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. Lucas can’t imagine anyone else by his side and no matter how many doubts he has, he knows Eliott feels the same.

Lucas’ struggles haven’t ended, but happiness isn’t out of reach. And he wouldn’t have made it without his mom or his a bit mismatched – and at times weird, Lucas thinks, as he watches Basile mix up the spicy sauce with his beer – family.

For the first time, it’s all looking up and Lucas wishes he could go back in time and tell himself that he wouldn’t be hurting forever. That he isn’t alone and everyone that’s caused him pain, would be punished. Tom and the boys that beat him up got what was coming for them, even though Lucas’ mom thinks it’s not enough. Lucas is simply glad his case wasn’t glossed over.

Imane leaves Eliott’s side when she’s called by Manon and Daphne and Lucas follows her with his gaze. Daphne has eventually come clean and initially, everyone pretty much resented her. Rightfully so. Lucas is still bitter at times, but he figured out there was no point in actively hating her so he just doesn’t care. The girls are still not so enthusiastically on board with her, but they haven’t abandoned her completely. Lucas is glad. It’s not like he wants her to have a miserable life. He’s not evil.

Lucas looks back towards Eliott who is now staring at him. Eliott cocks his eyebrow, his mouth stretched in a lazy smile. He nods his head towards the exit and winks at Lucas. Lucas rolls his eyes fondly and excuses himself from the guys.

He flips them off when they start wolf whistling as he approaches Eliott.

As Lucas is in front of him, Eliott reaches his hands to place them on his hips, but is stopped by Lucas’ fingers.

Lucas looks meaningfully towards the room full of people. “Let’s go outside, okay?” he suggests in a small voice to which Eliott only nods in understanding and grabs Lucas’ hand. He entwines their fingers as they leave the house the party is at.

Yeah, there are still some issues, bad moments and not everything has been magically fixed, but life is no longer hopeless and Lucas can finally say that there is a future for him. And maybe, for now, it’s enough.

#elu #elu fic #elu fanfic #skam france #skam france fic #skam france fanfic #lucas x eliott #eliott demaury #lucas lallemant

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heyyyharry · 5 years

Text

Last Chapter

(from the Flatmate!Harry Series)

…in which Harry and Y/N say goodbye to their flat.

Who’s ready for a continuation series and a Christmas special? (There are spoilers in this chapters, but are they really spoilers if you don’t know they’re spoilers? ;) )

Warning: a bit of smut, a bit of angst, a bunch of fluff.

“Do you want to keep these?”

Y/N holds up a box of old books she found in Harry’s closet and tries not to kick over the carton boxes, or step on random objects lying on the bedroom floor, as she brings it to him.

He picks up one book, checks the front cover, and the back, then puts it back inside the box.

“They can go,” he says.

“I know an old bookstore that may want to rebuy them,” she tells him, setting the box down and dusting off her hands. “Do you think we’re keeping too many stuff?”

“Well, you’re the one who wouldn’t let me throw away most of them, including those Christmas decorations from last year.”

“Christmas isn’t a one time thing, H! We can reuse them!”

“You might as well just pack the whole flat with you to our new one.”

Y/N rolls her eyes and sits down on the floor, sighing as she does. Harry’s right, she should probably get rid of what they haven’t touched in over a year. It’s impossible to bring everything to their new place, but she’s trying to keep as many as possible. Throwing something in this flat away makes her heart sting, because everything here holds a memory of her and Harry and she’s not ready to let go just yet, even though they’re moving out tomorrow.

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” Y/N mumbles when she pulls out a box from under Harry’s bed and opens it. Harry soon joins her on the floor and helps her unbox another one.

“Love, you said the exact same thing last week at our graduation,” he tells her, chuckling a little bit at her facial expression.

“It’s not me! Everything is just moving too fast!” She replies with a sigh.

It feels as if they’d only met yesterday, and their time in university had already passed in just a blink of an eye. Harry may not care a lot about leaving this place, in fact he seems like he’s actually happy now that they’re moving into a bigger flat. Y/N, on the other hand, struggles to let go of the past and begins anew.

“What?” Y/N questions when she catches Harry smirking at her.

“Just thinking about our new life together, s’all.” His answer makes her smile, but then he furrows his eyebrows and pulls a very serious face which gets her confused for a second. “You know, it’s still not too late for you to back out.”

“Love, you said the exact same thing when we first met!” Her almost accurate imitation of his voice cracks him up.

“That impression was spot on,” he admits. “I’ll give you that.”

Y/N responses to Harry with a proud smile on her face, then she resumes checking what’s inside the box between her legs. This one is full of her boyfriend’s old clothes, most of these Harry hasn’t touched in years. She goes through it real quick, then a piece of clothing really catches her eyes. She excitedly pulls out a red sweater with a huge Santa Claus head printed on the front and the words ‘Merry Christmas’ on the back. It’s pretty extra, she must admit, but that was why she bought it in the first place.

“I got you this on our first Christmas here!” She shows it to him with a wide smile on her face whereas he groans and covers his with both hands.

“Oh God, that sweater!”

“What? It’s cute! How come I’ve never seen you wear it again?”

“It’s way too…much, Y/N!”

Y/N puckers up her forehead and shoves the sweater back inside the box, pouting as she tells him, “fine! If you hate my Christmas gift so much I’ll throw it away then!”

Hearing her say that and seeing her facial expression amuses Harry, he thinks she looks cute when she’s pretending to be mad. So before she can close the box, he pulls it away from her and takes out the sweater himself. Without saying a word, Harry puts it on, smiling as he does a ridiculous pose in the awfully uncomfortable sweater.

Y/N cannot keep a straight face anymore. She tosses her head back and laughs, then finally agrees that he does look silly in it.

The two continues going through the rest of Harry’s closet. They need to get the work in here done so as to move to Y/N’s room, and take care of the mess over there.

While Y/N is folding the old t-shirts that don’t fit Harry anymore and putting them in another box, which she’s labeled “giveaway”, Harry cannot take his eyes off her. He likes to watch his girlfriend when she’s not looking, to secretly admire how adorable she is every time she does something unintentionally. Like the way she purses her lips, the way she scrunches her nose, how she furrows her eyebrows, the smile on her face when she thinks he’s not paying attention.

He just loves watching her do things, that’s all.

“Let’s go out tonight and celebrate us moving out!” He suddenly breaks the comfortable silence between the two of them, causing Y/N to look up from the shirt in her hands.

“Ugh…I wish I could.”

“You’ve got other plans for tonight?” He asks, sounding a bit disappointed because he thought they’d get to spend their last night in this flat together.

“My boss asked me to go see a client with him. I couldn’t say no, I’ve only been working there for a week now, gotta stay relevant, right?” she tells him, giggling a little bit to lighten up the mood, but Harry only replies with a simple nod.

He seems really let down and she can’t blame him for that. So Y/N gets up on all fours then crawls to Harry’s side, hugging him tightly and laying her head on his shoulder.

“How about tomorrow night?” She suggests, glancing up to watch his reaction. “If we cannot celebrate us moving out, we can celebrate us moving in.”

“Okay,” he finally says and turns his head to face her.

“Not mad at me anymore?” she questions.

“You’re lucky you’re cute.” He exhales a smile before leaning in and pecking her lips. How can he ever get mad at her to begin with?

…

Harry rises up from his bed, the naked brunette lying beside him begs him to stay, but he just gives her a quick kiss, and promises to make it up to her once he returns.

It’s around 2AM now, or so, he doesn’t really pay attention when he glances at the clock on the kitchen wall. He only intends to get a glass of water and heads back for another round with that pretty girl. He doesn’t expect his flatmate Y/N to still be awake at this hour, because why would she?

“Hey.”

The voice catches Harry by surprise. He looks up, a bit taken aback to see Y/N walk through the kitchen door. She stops in front of him with her hands laying flat on the kitchen table. He assumes the noises from his bedroom earlier woke her up, but she looks too happy for someone whose sleep was interrupted.

“When did you get back?” She asks.

“An hour ago,” he replies shortly. It takes her a moment, but somehow she figures it out on her own.

“Is there someone in your room?” The question comes with a nervous laugh. Harry has no idea how she knows it, but he’s not going to lie to her now.

“Yeah.” He admits without hesitation, but then instantly regrets it once he sees her smile fade away.

He’s never cared about what she thinks about his complicated “relationships”, why does he care now? Why does he feel guilty for telling her this? Why does she look so sad? Does she care who he’s with? Those questions are spinning around Harry’s head as he waits for her to say something else. However…

“Oh…,” is her only reply.

Harry puts the glass of water down and stares at her with his eyebrows furrowed. “I’m sorry if we woke you up, promise we won’t be too loud later.”

He honestly doesn’t know why he said that. Maybe he’s just trying to prove that he doesn’t care about how she feels (if she does feel anything about this), but the problem is, he does care about how she feels. He is worried and wants to know why she’s up so late, and whether she’s been waiting for him to come home or not. His pride doesn’t allow him to ask her.

“Okay, that’s good. I’m going back to bed now,” she tells him.

“See you in the morning,” he says when she turns away, However, she doesn’t respond, and Harry feels bad, really bad.

He walks back to his room and the naked brunette sits up as soon as she sees him. He feels her chest pressed against his back when he takes a seat on the edge of the bed. Her hot lips leave wet kisses from behind his ear down to his shoulder blade while she’s moaning his name and telling him how much she wants him. He, however, does not, not even a little bit, not at all.

“I heard you talking to your flatmate,” says the girl as she runs her palms up and down his bare chest. “Did she complain about us waking her up?”

“I think she stayed up to wait for me to come home.”

“Poor girl. I think she’s got a crush on you.”

“No.” Harry chuckles slightly, shaking his head. “She just worries a lot, which makes me feel guilty, because if it was her coming home late, I don’t think I would do the same.”

“Well, I still think she likes you.” The girl puts a finger to Harry’s cheek and turns his face to hers, then leans in to kiss him. “Can’t blame her, you’re irresistible.”

Harry furrows his eyebrows at the girl for two seconds. She tries to read his mind, he can tell, but before she can figure out what he actually wants, Harry removes her hand from his face. Without warning, he pushes her down on the bed so he can get on top, and starts kissing his way down from her lips.

This seems to her that he wants her just as much as she does him, whereas to him, this is nothing more than just goodbye sex. This girl obviously has feelings for Harry, and the last thing he needs right now is to deal with collateral damage.

…

Y/N carefully opens the fridge so as to not make a sound and wake up her boyfriend, whom she assumes must be asleep. She only just got home after a long night out, so after this glass of water, she’s heading straight to bed for sure. Tomorrow is their moving out day, which is really important. She won’t be able to get anything done if she wakes up at noon!

“When did you get back?”

The voice catches Y/N by surprise. She looks up, a bit taken aback to see Harry standing at the kitchen door, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“A while ago. Did I wake you?”

“No.” He shakes his head and walks over to hug her waist from behind. He loves holding her like this, and he knows she loves being held this way as well.

Harry shuts his eyes and buries his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent deeply, as if he hadn’t seen her in a really long time though it’s only been a couple hours.

“I couldn’t sleep. I missed you,” he whispers against her skin, causing his girlfriend’s head to fall back and her eyes shut tightly. She mumbles her apology for coming home late, and brings her right hand up behind her to stroke his hair.

“Need to feel you…” He sounds almost desperate, running his hands from her stomach up to her breasts, kneading them, while breathing heavily into her bare shoulder. It’d be a lie if Y/N said she wanted to turn him down and head to bed instead. Though they do have a lot of work to do tomorrow, she needs him just as much.

She arches her back and moaning his name. Harry’s completely lost his mind. He grabs his girl by the hips then spins her around, and effortlessly lifts her up to sit on the edge of the table, so he’s now standing between her spread legs. Harry thanks God that she’s wearing a dress because he’s got no patience left to take time removing her pants.

Y/N’s breath gets stuck in her throat when she feels his fingers pushing through her hot entrance. She’s already soaked and Harry loses self-control for the feeling of her squeezing around his digits. He attaches their lips, moaning into the kiss as he starts pumping his fingers, starting slow then gradually building up the pace. Y/N has her hands secured behind his neck while she’s gasping for air, but never breaks eye-contact. Watching her watching him drives Harry insane.

“Harry, I need—“

“I know baby…I know…” He breathes into her mouth and withdraws his fingers, causing Y/N to groan at the loss. In a split second, he somehow manages to push his pants down and suddenly enters her with a sharp thrust of his hips. The burn makes Y/N’s eyes roll back whereas Harry nearly explodes for how tight she feels squeezing around him. So they stay still for a couple seconds to get themselves adjusted, meanwhile they can’t keep their mouths away from each other.

“Want me to go slow?” He whispers against her lips, to which she answers by shaking her head quickly.

“No…fast…let me have you…”

“You already do...” He chuckles and starts bucking his hips into hers, the words “I love you” start pouring out non-stop from his lips as if he hadn’t told her enough already. But he still needs her to know. If he could, he would remind her every second of the day that he loves her. He loves her to the point it physically hurts thinking about her walking away from him. He would do anything for her.

It doesn’t take too long until both of them start chasing after their own orgasms together. Y/N is left seeing stars. She clings onto Harry as they ride through their the peak of their pleasure and it has to take her a moment to gain back her sight. Everything’s been blurry from the moment she felt them both getting so close.

When Y/N opens her eyes again, she almost freaks out seeing his tear-filled eyes staring back at her.

“Baby, are you alright?”

“I’m okay,” Harry tells her between soft chuckles as he feels himself slipping out, already making a mess on her thighs and her dress. “Can’t believe I’d be the one to cry after sex.”

His comment makes Y/N laugh as she leans in to kiss his lips again, at the same time wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes.

“Is everything alright?” She murmurs and the sound of her voice calms him down again.

“I just love you so much…” He admits. His eyes fall to the side. “I had a nightmare before you got home.”

“Yeah? What was it about?”

“You were leaving me. You said we didn’t spend enough time together and there was nothing I could do to fix us.” Harry puckers up his forehead as he recalls the unpleasant feelings after waking up from that bad dream. “I know I’ve told you that I couldn’t wait to start our new life...but in reality I’m also very scared..."

“You are?”

“I mean...We’re not students anymore…You’ve got your new job and I’m already so busy with mine. We won’t spend as much time with each other anymore…What if everything changes when we move into our new place? I don’t want you to leave.”

“H, look at me,” Y/N speaks softly and Harry looks at her as he’s told.

She gives him a reassuring smile then starts stroking his cheeks with her thumbs. It turns out it’s not just her, them moving out affects him as well.

“We’ve been through so much together. We were in different countries for three months and we’re still here, aren’t we? Do you really think we’re going to break up because we’re busy people now?”

Though Harry says nothing, but he’s beaming again. That’s all she needs to see right now.

“This is not the last chapter. We’re gonna be so happy when we move into our new flat. Nothing has to change.” She rolls her eyes, laughing softly. “You’re still the only man that I love, and we’re still us.”

Harry holds her hands on his cheeks then nods once. “You’re gonna love me no matter what?”

“Hey, I’ve loved you since you were an oblivious asshole. How hard can it be to love you now?”

“Okay, you’ve got a good point.”

She smiles at her boyfriend and pulls him into a hug, feeling his arms tightened around her waist. Maybe now, she is finally ready to say her goodbye to this place to begin anew. This is her home, yes, but home is not a place, it’s a person. So as long as she has him, she knows they’re gonna be just fine.

…

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

Y/N quickly walks in front of Harry and stands between him and the door to prevent him from carrying his boxes into this room behind her.

“Bringing my stuff to my room?” He barely looks at her, and she’s had enough with his arrogant attitude. If they’re going to spend the rest of their university years under the same roof, she’s not going to let him act all superior and treat her terribly.

“Your room?! We haven’t discussed who’s getting this room yet!”

“Let me make this simpler for us and say this is my room.” He smiles and takes a step to the left so as to get through her, yet she’s quick to block his path with her arms opened wide.

“This is not your room!” She asserts. “I walked in there first!”

She doesn’t actually need this room, she can just take the other one and spare herself an argument. It’s not about this one being bigger than the other, it’s about winning, and she cannot stand him thinking he can just get everything that he wants.

“Come on, the other one has its own bathroom inside!” Harry fights back, not letting this go easily. “You’ll get all the privacy you need, you can just live in there if you want to!”

“I don’t want to! I want this room!”

“Are you sure? Because if you forget to bring your clothes to the shower, you’re gonna have to walk out naked and I’m gonna see more than I anticipate.”

“Be my guest.” She lifts her jaw and puts both hands on her hips. “There’s nothing much to see anyway.”

Harry raises an eyebrow and sends his flatmate a cheeky smirk as he replies, “I’m gonna need proof to believe that.”

“You’re just sick!” She rolls her eyes in reaction to his words then crosses her arms firmly. “Rock, paper, scissors?”

“Seriously, are you twelve?”

“Well, got any better suggestion? It’s the only way we can solve this problem,” she tells him with a straight face. Harry sighs, still he assumes she’s got a point. As stubborn as she is, he’s sure she won’t let this go easily. He doesn’t actually want the bigger room that much, he just doesn’t want her to get it. And he has to make sure she won’t.

“Fine. ‘Rock, paper, scissors’ as you wish.” He nods with confidence, like somehow he knows he’s going to win.

And…

He wins.

“My scissors cut the shit out of your paper.” He chuckles at the look on her face as she cannot believe she’s been defeated. “Now can you move so I can bring my stuff into my room?”

“Fine! Take the room!” She says bitterly when he walks past her with a smug on his face. “I hope you sleep well at night knowing you’re an asshole that will probably end up alone for the rest of his life for being such an asshole.”

Harry opens the door, stops and turns around to look at the girl in amusement. “Look who’s talking. I’m sure by the time you receive my wedding invitation you’re still living alone with a cat.”

She snorts, eyes widened at him. “Well, whoever ends up marrying you is an idiot.”

“Okay you know what? You just got yourself uninvited to my wedding…if it ever happens.” He gives her a shrug and closes the door between them when he enters his new room.

Y/N clenches her fists and takes a deep breath. The little voice inside her head tells her to calm down. First day moving in and she already wants to leave, but from now until graduation, she’s gonna have to see his stupid face every single day.

…

Y/N lifts the weight off her feet and falls down on their newly made bed, sighing contently for how comfy it feels. She loves it. She loves their new bedroom, she loves their new flat.

“I’ll be late for work everyday just to stay in this incredibly soft bed, but it’ll all be worth it!” Y/N laughs, closing her eyes as she feels herself sinking into the warm bed covers.

Harry, who’s been watching his girl with a grin this whole time, finally decides to get in with her. He falls down by her side, on his back and reaches out to hold her hand.

“We’ve made it,” she whispers and lies on her side to run her fingers through his hair. “I’m so proud of us.”

“As excited as I am to start our new life here,” replies Harry. “I can’t wait to fuck you on our new bed.”

Y/N giggles and opens her mouth to say something, but all of a sudden, she’s interrupted by the female voice at their bedroom door.

“Yes please, we’d love a free show.”

The couple shoot their heads to the entrance and quickly sit up when they see Niall and Layla staring at them.

“While you horny teenagers were shamelessly planning on having sex in here, my boyfriend and I were cleaning your kitchen.”

“Sorry, L. I’m coming!” Y/N laughs as she stands up from the bed and follows Layla out of the room, leaving Niall behind with Harry. Both of them exchange smiles now that the girls are gone.

“So,” Niall begins, and judging from the look on his face, Harry can already tell what he’s going to ask next. “When are you gonna give it to her?”

“Not sure yet,” answers Harry as he rises from the bed. “I’m still waiting for the right moment.”

“And when is that?”

“Maybe not right after we’ve just moved into our new place?” Harry laughs, and so does Niall. “I’ll wait until she’s settled with her new job. If I’m gonna do this, I need time to do this right.”

“Well, I’m very proud of you, H.”

“I’m not.”

The two men almost scream when they hear Layla’s voice. Niall quickly turn around and receive a death glare from his angry girlfriend. Harry’s heart stops for a second thinking she’s heard more than she should have.

“You’re not what?” Niall swallows nervously, causing Layla to roll her eyes upward.

“I’m not proud of either of you! You’re gonna let Y/N and I clean the entire kitchen?”

“Oh, no, god no!” Harry cries out, however, he feels very relieved. “Niall, you go first, I need to pee.”

“Well pee fast!” Layla tells him then storms away, Niall quickly follows so as not to make her angrier.

When they’re finally out of sight, Harry shoves his hand into his trousers pocket and pulls out a small box which he’s been keeping a secret from Y/N for a week now. He puts it away in the bottom drawer in their closet, at the very back, underneath his newly folded clothes, where he’s sure she will never find.

He needs to hide it from her, just for now, until they’re both ready.

...

It’s one of those nights when Harry comes home really late (or early because it was nearly two in the morning). Y/N wakes up to the sound of him banging on the front door and calling out her name. By the tone of his voice, she knows he is very wasted, but to be honest, this is nothing. The worst time was when he refused to believe she was his flatmate and kept asking her to leave or else he’d call the police. At least this time he still remembers her name.

“Do you know what time it is?!” She stands in front of the door and grumbles to him instead of letting him in like she did the last few times.

“Y/N, open the door…”

“Where’s your key?” She inquires. Of course she wants to just open the door for him so she can head back to bed, yet if she keeps letting him get away with this, he won’t ever learn.

“I lost it,” he admits. Drunk Harry is very honest.

“It’s your third key Harry!”

“I think…” Harry stresses out the final sound then takes a really long pause, probably struggling to put the words into a sentence. “…I think…it fell out…when I was with…this girl…”

Of course. She should’ve known.

Y/N furrows her eyebrows then rests her forehead against the door, squeezing her eyes shut. There’s always “this girl”. Having known him for so long, she shouldn’t still feel disappointed. The problem is not him, he’s still the same him. It’s her who’s changed.

She likes him.

So if it’s anyone’s fault, it’s hers, for liking him even though she knows too well she won’t ever be “this girl” in his stories. However, right now she feels like he’s the one to blame.

“You may want to call that girl of yours, because I’m not letting you in tonight,” Y/N finally speaks with a lump in her throat, because she doesn’t mean a single word she just said to him. “Go crash at her place or just sleep outside, I don’t care.”

“Y/N, please…” He knocks on the door three times rapidly. “My tummy hurts, my head hurts.”

“You should’ve thought about that before deciding to come back at two in the morning and ruin my sleep!” Y/N firmly declares, though she knows this has nothing to do with him ruining her sleep. Had he not say he wouldn’t come back tonight, she would’ve stayed up waiting for him anyway. It’s just her being mad at him for hurting her feelings, even if it’s unintentionally.

She goes ahead and ignores Harry’s constant apologies and pleading to return to her bedroom, too angry to feel sorry for him…for now at least.

It’s not until she’s climbed back into bed, buries herself under the warm covers, and drowns in the sound of utter silence, does she start to feel guilty for what she’s done. Y/N cannot fall back into sleep. She begins to think about how it’s cold outside and her flatmate is left in the hallway without these soft and comfy bed covers to keep him warm.

Harry has stopped knocking or calling her name. He did say his head and tummy were hurting, and he’s also drunk. After spending the night outside he’ll be sick for sure. Y/N bites her lip as she puckers up her forehead. She doesn’t want Harry to be sick! It’s not fair that she’s making him pay for the crime he doesn’t even knows he committed…

That final thought sends Y/N out of bed. She quickly heads out to open the door and she hopes he hasn’t left yet.

He’s still in the hallway. Thank God! Y/N thinks to herself as she releases a sigh of relief and warches towards her flatmate who’s standing in front of the lift, just staring at the closed door.

“Harry, what are you doing?”

“Waiting for the door to open,” he grumbles in annoyance. His eyes are squinty and his brows are knitted together. She can’t help but giggle at how funny he looks. “Why’s it taking soooo long?!”

“Harry you haven’t pressed the button.”

“Ohhhhhh, thanks,” he replies then reaches out to press it but she takes his hand immediately.

“Come on, let’s go inside.” She tries to lead him back to their flat but he stands still and refuses to come along.

“I’m not going! You told me to leave!” He pouts and withdraws his hand from hers, crossing his arms in front of his chest like an angry little boy.

“Whose fault was that?”

“You! You were…very mean, Y/N…” he says drunkenly. Right now, Y/N is trying her best not laugh her butt off. She can just make fun of him in the morning, now she needs to get him inside before one of their neighbors start complaining.

“We’re not doing this right now. Come with me!” She doesn’t need his approval to grab his wrist and pulls him with her back to their flat. He starts talking nonsense again and she’s too exhausted to ask him what he means. When they’ve finally got into their flat, she locks the door and turns to see Harry still standing there staring at her.

“What?” She asks, unable to interpret the look on his face.

“Y/N don’t be mad at me,” he says while fighting to keep his tired eyes open. “I…didn’t…didn’t mean to lose the key…”

“Okay, you’re forgiven. Go to bed.” She holds his elbow to spin him around, pushing him to his bedroom. He walks with her a few steps then quickly stops and turns to face her again.

“What now?”

“I was sad when you locked me out.”

She swallows hard. The look on his face makes her heart stop for a second.

“You…You also made me sad…” she blurts out before she can stop herself. It freaks her out a little bit, but all he does is furrow his eyebrows at her. Y/N quickly realizes he’s probably too drunk to even remember this tomorrow morning. He doesn’t bother to ask her to explain what she just told him, he wasn’t sober enough to get it.

“Well…I’m happy now that you’re here!” He gives her a silly smile and intends to pull her in for a hug but he trips and nearly fall onto the floor. Lucky for him, she’s there to catch him just in time.

“Okay, bed now.” She rolls her eyes, one arm around his waist while his around her shoulders. She walks him to his room as he starts singing really off-tune. Harry keeps forgetting the words, so he just goes la-la-la for the rest of the song.

Y/N watches Harry fall onto his bed with a satisfied smile on his face, sighing to herself now that she’s finally free to go.

“Can you stroke my hair?” He asks, his eyes are still closed.

Y/N stands by the side of his bed and crosses her arms as she raises an eyebrow at him. “No.”

“Pleeeeeeease?”

“No, you’re lucky I didn’t let you sleep on the floor.”

“Fineeeeeeeeee!” He whines then turns to the side, facing his back to her.

Y/N doesn’t leave just yet, she stays for a little while, just standing there watching him falling asleep.

“If it was me who came home drunk, would you take care of me too?” She quietly inquires, not him, but herself. Of course there’s no answer, because she doesn’t know if there’s even a place for her in his heart.

...

“Harry! Your eyes are so greeeeeeeen! You’re the most beautiful person in the whole wide world!” Y/N sings at the top of her lungs which makes Harry laugh though they receive a few judging stares from the people they pass by on the street.

“Did you just make up a song for me baby?” He asks, tightening his grip on her waist so as to keep her from tumbling down on her wobbling feet. She’s a fun drunk he’s gotta admit.

“I’ll write you a song one day!” Y/N declares to the world as she raises one finger in the air. “I’ll write you a song about how much I loveeeeee you! I love you so much!”

“Alright, alright, I’m very flattered,” he tells her and sighs in relief when they finally arrive at their building.

When the young couple enter the lobby, their middle-aged doorman is in the middle of the conversation with an old lady, who’s also living in this building apparently.

“Albert, I’m serious! I saw Felicia bring home a new dog - the fifth one this month!” Says the woman. “She’s gonna get into so much trouble if her landlord finds out!”

“Give the poor woman a break, would you?” Replies Albert. “The only reason she owns so many dogs is to fill up her loneliness when her husband left her for a young girl. I’m telling you, Greta, everyone in this building has their own story.”

“Good evening!” Y/N happily shouts, causing the doorman and the old woman to both stare at her and Harry. They seem quite confused, but amused at the same time.

“Your wife drank a bit too much I see,” says Greta to Harry, who slightly shakes his head.

“My girlfriend.”

“Oh, my apologies, I saw the ring so I thought you two were married.”

Harry doesn’t make further comments about the promise ring on Y/N’s finger or the possibility of there soon to be a new one. He simply smiles and says he’s very sorry for how loud Y/N is.

“Harry,” Y/N finally speaks up with her eyes still closed. “Take off my clothes. They’re itchy.”

Her request makes Albert and Greta laugh. Harry, on the other hand, has to grab her hand before she can unbutton her own shirt and flash the two strangers here.

“Not here, baby. Keep your clothes on,” he whispers, making her pout, but she listens to him and drops her hands back to her sides.

“Good girl,” he softly says to her before turning back to give the door man and the woman an apologetic smile. “I should get her back to our flat now.”

“Wait,” Albert stops them before they can turn away. “Are you two the couple in flat 102?”

“Yeah, that’s us.”

“These are for you.”

The man gives Harry two spare keys for the flat and Harry assumes it’s a mistake, because they’ve received their spare keys already. Before he gets a chance to speak, however, Albert quickly adds in, “your girlfriend paid for two extras because she said you tend to lose your keys a lot.”

Harry rolls his eyes as he looks at his girlfriend, who somehow has fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder, and probably won’t have any memory of this conversation when she wakes up.

“You know me too well, don’t you?” He tells her before taking the keys and thanking the doorman one more time before leaving. “Have a great evening, sir, ma’am.”

“You and your girl too, young man!” Greta shouts out and waves at the young couple as they walk away towards the lift. After that she immediately turns to her old friend Albert. “I like those two kids. What do you think their story is?”

“Well...” Albert lets out a happy sigh as he watches Harry taking Y/N into the lift and kissing her hair “...I hope we’ll get to find out.”

#harry styles #flatmate!harry #harry styles series #harry styles writing #harry styles imagine #harry styles fluff #harry styles smut #harry styles angst #harry styles one shot #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles blurb #boyfriend!harry #bestfriend!harry

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she-is-tim · 5 years

Text

I love hating you | Elu enemies to lovers AU | Ch.13

Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Lucas is an angry, closeted and frustrated gay teenager, while Eliott is the handsome, smart and popular guy in school. They hate each other… but not forever.

Minute by minute

Lucas was in the flat, laughing his ass off on the couch as he watched Mika, Lisa and Manon trying to play twister. They were suffering here for hours now, Lucas even posted a hilarious photo on instagram. They always switched places on the couch, since they couldn’t let Lucas be the one who spins all night. He was having a lot of fun, drinking some beer while watching his flatmates getting their limbs intertwined with not much hope to get them free anytime soon. He noticed that his phone was buzzing in his pocket, so he put down his beer, checking who texted him. He started to breathe faster as he opened the message. It was a picture, a screenshot of an instagram post.

sofalaoui I don’t know what’s up with him, but Eliott just posted this

Lucas got up from the couch so fast, he almost stumbled over his flatmates. He grabbed the armchair and trying not to fall over. The others looked at him confused. His chest started to hurt like hell, eyes filling up with tears. He didn’t have time to explain, so he just ran to the door, putting on his jacket and his shoes, then he left with his keys in his hands.

As he was sitting on the bus, he decided to text Lucille, he wanted to make sure that Eliott was okay. He needed information about him, anything. He could feel his heartbeats thumping in his ears, making it impossible for him to listen to the sounds around him. When he recieved a text, he almost jumped in his seat. He was on his nerves, worrying about his boyfriend more than anything.

From Lucille He is fine, sleeping on the couch, why are you asking?

To Lucille Can I have some alone time with him? I’m heading to his place now

From Lucille Sure, I’ll be waiting for you, then I’ll go out and watch a movie

To Lucille Thank you

The bus ride seemed like an eternity to Lucas. He was extremely nervous, trying to plan what to say or do when he meets Eliott again. He had to be convincing, he had to do something serious. His boyfriend, because he still wanted to think of him like that needed to know that no matter what happens, Lucas is not going to leave him, that he will stay with him.

When the bus finally reached the right stop, he basically jumped off, running towards the building where Eliott was living. He couldn’t stop himself, he felt like he had to hurry, even if Eliott was safe. Everything happened so fast on saturday and sunday, he wanted to just hug him and whisper kind things into his ears.

As he got to the place, Lucille was waiting outside with a soft smile on her face. She was wearing a long, grey coat. Lucas remembered seeing that on her when he thought she was Eliott’s girlfriend back then. She looked stunning, like always, wearing just a small amount of makeup, her hair was curly and shiny. Unlike the boy who was now sweaty and exhausted, barely catching his breath. And even if he was disgusting, the girl pulled him into a soft hug, which almost made him cry. He hugged back, wrapping one arm around her waist.

“I’m so happy to see you.” Lucille said honestly and Lucas tightened his arm around her.

“I’m happy too.” he mumbled and let her go now.

“You can go up, the door is open. He’s sleeping on the couch, not sure when he’s going to wake up, but be patient with him. He was really grumpy and moody in the last few days.” she explained and kissed the boy on the cheek. “See you.” she chimed and walked away.

Lucas took a deep breath and entered the building, climbing up on the stairs to the third floor. He was nervous as he stood in front of that so familiar door. So many things happened to him here, so many good memories. He slowly opened it, walking inside as quietly as possible and closing the door behind himself. He took off his shoes and his jacket, walking to the living room. He felt like someone punched the air out of his lungs when he saw the tall boy laying on the couch, sleeping somewhat peacefully.

He looked pale and the living room smelled like weed. The first thing that catched his eye were the drawings on the coffee table. He gasped, walking closer and picking up one. It was a hedgehog playing the piano. He grabbed another which showed a crying hedgehog in a hotel room. He looked at the sleeping boy with a painful expression. He was thinking about Lucas all this time, drawing him in different situations, but mostly almost being sad and that broke his heart. He didn’t wanted Eliott to think that he was sad because of what happened.

He knelt down next to the couch and stroked Eliott’s hair gently. He only moved a little to this, but didn’t wake up, which get out of Lucas a relieved sigh. He didn’t know if he could form any decent sentence or even speak to this gorgeous human being. He was so perfect, even with that growing stubble on his face and the dark circles around his eyes. It was almost painful how much he missed to see those steel blue eyes, all the feelings Eliott could press into one intense stare.

He looked behind now, at the piano next to the bookshelf and had an idea. He found a nice piece of music not so long ago that he was practicing in the common room. He actually planned to play it for Eliott, since it was called I love you. Yes, a bit cheesy, but also kinda romantic, and his boyfriend was a sucker for romantic shit. He got up now, looking for the music sheet on his phone. When he finally found it, he walked to the piano, placing his phone down with the sheet opened on it. He opened the lid and ran his fingers through the keys, enjoying their coldness. It was such a long ago since he touched this piano, but now it was the time.

He took a deep breath and started to play, sometimes glancing at the sheet to make sure he’s playing the right notes in the right order. He totally got into the tune, moving his body only slightly to the music as he kept going and going, until he started to reach the end. When the piece was done, he turned around and was just a tiny bit shocked by the fack that Eliott was staring at him. His eyes were beautiful, just like he remembered. His face was pale, but he still looked like a fucking model. Lucas swallowed and let a smile appear on his face.

“You know what this music is called?” he asked softly, avoiding the awkward greeting and “How are you” stuff,just straight to the point.

“No.” Eliot murmured, voice sounding still sleepy and he even rubbed his eyes, which was inface, very cute. “Could you tell me?” he asked and the softness in his voice was melting the short boy’s heart. He loved to hear Eliott talking to him like this, it was like nothing happened between them.

“It’s called I love you.” he said proudly, turning fully around on the bench now to face Eliott. His cheeks started to heat up now as he tried to continue with his plan. He hoped that he won’t get rejected. “You know why I played this piece?” he asked softly and saw the nervousness on the other’s face. He tried to keep calm and not freaking out. He have to keep going with this and pour out his heart to this wonderful person in front of him. When Eliott shook his head, he took a deep breath and looked down at his hands on his lap, then back at the tall boy. “Because I love you.” he finally said it, a soft smile crawling its way on his face. He saw that Eliott was tearing up and all he just wanted was to run over there and pull him into a tight hug.

“I love you too.” he whispered now and Lucas couldn’t believe his ears. His smile quickly turned into a happy grin, tears rolling down on his cheeks. Then in the next moment he gasped as Eliott picked him up, wrapping his arms around him tightly. He laughed a little and grabbed his shirt, pulling him even closer, burying his face into the warm chest, taking in the smell he missed so damn much.

They were standing there for long minutes just hugging each other, crying and giggling at the same time, but then Eliott pulled back, stroking Lucas’ hair softly. There was a sad smile on his face which made the short boy feel something not really good in his stomach.

“Listen, Lucas... I think this can’t work between us.” he started and the boy looked at him in disbelief.

“Excuse me?”

“I know what I just said... and what you said... but these feelings might not last forever.” he mumbled, locking his eyes at the floor. “But my bipolarity is something that is not gonna go away... it’s something you have to deal with and to be honest, I don’t want you to have to handle it.” he continued and now looked at Lucas, eyes red, ready to cry at anytime. “I want you to have a happy life, with someone who’s not gonna yell at you or ran off naked at any point. Someone you don’t have to worry about all day, someone who is able to look out for you and not needing help.” he finished now, breathing heavily through his nose, trying to read the expressions on the boy’s face. Lucas closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. A lots of emotions were running through his brain at this exact moment, but he just took a step forward, placing his hands on Eliott’s cheeks, looking straight into his eyes.

“Listen here, bad things might happen and yeah, I might get sad or angry... but you are not the only one who will yell or try to close things out. I have a lot of flaws.” he said and smiled a little. “I even punched you in the face, Eliott. And you still decided to stick with me. You have no idea how happy you made me with that.” he said softly, leaning his forehead on the other’s. “You can upset me, scare me or make me cry, I don’t give a shit. I rather feel all that, than live my life without you.”

Eliott was quiet and Lucas would give everything to know what is going on inside his head. He wanted him to feel good, to feel loved and he had no intentions to become his babysitter. Of course, he was worried, scared and wanted to protect him, but on the top of all, he just wanted to make him happy, love him unconditionally. He felt his heart skipping a beat when a soft smile appeared on Eliott’s face. His own face lit up to that and cupped the other’s cheeks softly.

“We don’t have to take big steps.” He whispered softly into the space between their lips. “We can do it day by day.” he continued and his smile grew bigger. “No, I think we should do it minute by minute.” he said now proudly and rubbed their noses together. “Minute by minute, okay?”

“Minute by minute...” Eliott softly whispered and closed his eyes, nodding his head just a little. “Okay, I can do that.” he sighed.

“You know what are we doing in the next minute?” Lucas asked, softly rubbing away a tear with his thumb that started to roll down on his boyfriend’s face. Eliott shook his head slowly and the boy leant closer. “We’re going to kiss.”

And so they did. Eliott wrapped his arms around Lucas’ waist, pulling him close as their lips met. It ws slow first, searching, like they were kissing for the first time. The short boy ran his fingers into Eliott’s wild locks, grabbing on them, making him let out a groan. He used this opportunity to deepend the kiss, sliding his tongue inside, playing with Eliott’s. Things got sloppy and wild pretty quickly, hands grabbing everywhere, teeth bashing into teeth making them laugh between kisses.

When they were out of breath, they decided to just get on the couch and rest for a little. Lucas sit at the end, so Eliott could lay down, resting his head on his lap, which was just super cute. They were like this for a while when Lucas grabbed his phone and took a picture of Eliott.

“What are you doing?” he asked, voice slightly sleepy.

“I wanna post it on instagram.” he explained with a wide smile, hoping that his boyfriend is not going to protest. And he didn’t, he just chuckled and shook his head a little, but then started to shower Lucas’ palm with kisses that was resting on his face since a while now. The short boy chuckled and enjoyed this a lot.

Eliott smiled like an idiot, still laying on the couch with Lucas. He obviously unblocked the boy both on insta and in his contacts. When he saw the new post he was incredibly happy and just couldn’t stop smiling. And he thought he was the hopelessly romantic one out of the two of them. Turns out Lucas is also going for that title with much success.

“I’m staying here with you.” Lucas said suddenly, looking down at the boy, caressing his cheek softly. “I’m not going anywhere.” he smiled now and leant down to place a gentle kiss on the other’s forehead. Eliott let out a soft giggle and he reached up to touch his boyfriend’s face.

“I don’t want you to go either.” he said smiling. Lucas smirked and kissed his fingertips before reaching for his phone again. Eliott shot him a confused look. “You wanna take another picture?”

“No, I’m going to text your sister.” he smirked and opened his chat with Lucille, typing a quick message.

To Lucille Is it possible that you leave us alone for a couple days? Pretty please

From Lucille Sure, I’ll go to a hotel. No big deal

To Lucille Thank you so much

From Lucille Just make him happy, that’s all that matters to me

To Lucille And to me too

Somewhere around the evening Eliott decided that he’s feeling well enough to make dinner for both of them. Lucas tried to talk him down, convince that they can also order some takeout, but he was so determined there was no point in trying to stop him. So he followed his boyfriend to the kitchen and sat up on the table, just like he always used to, so he won’t be feeling so small. He watched Eliott in his sweatpants, black shirt and hoodie preparing some vegetables, cutting some potatoes. It was endearing to see him like this, they haven’t been in this kitchen together since a long time now and Lucas missed moments like this.

It took him not more than thirty minutes to put together a nice dish with steamed chicken breast, some vegetables and mashed potatoes. Lucas’ stomach was growling just by smelling it which made his boyfriend laugh. He put the food on two plates, walking to the table and giving the short boy a kiss before he got off and sat down on one of the chairs instead. Everything was so calm and perfect, like there weren’t a week long pause in their relationship. And it was good like this, because they belonged together.

“This is really delicious.” Lucas smiled softly and stroked his boyfriend’s arm. They were sitting close enough that their knees were touching, making both of them feel safe and comfortable.

“I told you I can cook.” Eliott said proudly and grabbed the boy’s hand, placing a soft kiss on it. “I would do anything for you.”

“I would do anything for you too.” Lucas smiled softly and ran his fingers over Eliott’s soft lips. The boy smiled and grabbed his index finger with his teeth, licking the tip slowly before letting it go. The short boy felt his face heating up, but he couldn’t tear his eyes from his boyfriend.

“I love you.” Eliott whispered, pulling him closer by the waist until he was sitting on his lap. Lucas smiled happily, placing himself into a comfortable position and wrapping his arms around the other’s neck.

“I love you too.” he said happily and gave his boyfriend a soft peck on the lips, then he kissed hs jaw, his cheek, his nose. “So many things I love about you.”

“Tell me, please.” Eliott started and smiled softly at his boyfriend’s confused look. “Tell me when did you know you fell in love.” he asked, finger caressing the skinunder Lucas’ shirt. He sighed and knocked his forehead to Eliott’s, closing his eyes, trying to think about the answer. Trying to pinpoint the exact moment when he felt like “Yes, this is the one I wanna live the rest of my life with”. And he felt like he knew the answer.

“When I saw you in the common room, when we painted the wall together.” he explained and opened his eyes, smiling brightly at him. “I think that was the moment when I realized how deep my feelings were. How much I loved you.” he said, softly caressing the other’s cheeks. “And I had no doubts since then, my feelings are stronger than ever.” he finished and gave a soft kiss on his boyfriend’s lips, who was now smiling like an idiot.

“Maybe that common room is the symbol of our love then.” he said when their lips parted. “Because I fell for you when I saw you playing the piano there.” his voice was soft, like warm honey, making the short boy feel tiny butterflies in his stomach. “I had a crush on your for a while, but both because of my bipolarity and my fear of relationships, I was being mean to you...” he admitted, which actually made sense now that Lucas was thinking back to it. Sometimes Eliott was annoying or even a real asshole, other times he was flirty and soft.

“Yeah, I remember that you laughed at me in first year when I slipped on ice in the school yard and called me a “clumsy idiot”.” he said smirking and enjoyed to see his boyfriend’s face turning a little pale.

“Yeah... that was a shitty thing to say.” he admitted and looked away. Lucas chuckled and kissed his cheek a couple times to get his attention back.

“Hey, that was a long time ago, I am not gonna bring up things like that again, okay?” he whispered softly, keeping his lips close to Eliott’s as the boy turned back and looked into his eyes. “We are together now and that’s the only thing that matters.” he said with a soft, reassuring smile.

“Do you think there are a Lucas and Eliott who weren’t as dumb as we? That they maybe got together right in first year.” he asked curiously, running his fingers through the short boy’s hair. Lucas chuckled as he thought about it, he totally loved how from his silly idea, the parallel universes became their thing.

“I’m pretty sure there is a Lucas No.635 who saw his Eliott on the school halls one day and thought to himself “Woah, that is one really attractive human being.” he said smirking and kissed the other’s lips gently. “What about Eliott No.795?” Lucas asked softly, enjoying this silly talk a lot.

“Hm...” Eliott was patting his index finger to his lips as he was thinking and then smiled. “Eliott No.795 transfered to school for his third year, after some inconveniences he had in his previous school. On his first day he felt like everyone was watching him, the mysterious new guy. Then he entered the school and a group of boys passed by him, one of them bumped into him, making Eliott to turn away. Then he saw Lucas No.837 talking to his friends with so much enthusiasm that he didn’t even notice that someone bumped into him. And Eliott just watched him until he was out of sight.” he told his little story with so much confidence and fondness, that Lucas just wanted to kiss him until one of them passes out. Instead he just cupped his face, placing soft kisses all around his face, making the tall boy giggle and damn if that wasn’t the cutest thing he had ever heard.

Lucas is smirking at his phone and then back at Eliott. They are now sitting in the armchair, well, the tall boy is sitting there and Lucas is on his lap, resting his head on his boyfriend’s chest. Eliott posted the picture a while ago now, but he still kept getting notifications from it. They thought it will be funny and the short boy almost melted when he saw the caption. His boy was so damn romantic and he loved it.

“So, I am the love of your life?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. They haven’t talked since an hour now, just sitting there quietly, enjoying each other’s presence. Eliott glanced at him from under his beautiful eyelashes with a cheeky smile on his face.

“Of course you are. Who else would be?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

“I don’t know.” Lucas pretended to be dumb. “Shouldn’t it be someone you are with since years now?” he asked playfully, tracing little circles on his boyfriend’s chest over his shirt.

“I don’t have to be with him for years to know that he is the one.” Eliott replied with so much confidence it made the short boy blush. “I might even marry him at some point.” he whispered into his ear now that sent shivers down Lucas’ spine. He gasped and looked into those steel blue eyes, seeing that this time Eliott wasn’t rambling or joking.

“You think he would say yes?” he asked with a playful smirk, sliding his hand up into the tall boy’s messy hair. Eliott blinked at him surprised a couple times before he let out a soft, heartfelt laugh.

“I really hope so, otherwise I wouldn’t know what to do.” he said smiling and kissed Lucas’ forehead gently. “And I really think he would look beautiful in a white suit.” he added, hands roaming around the short boy’s waist, wandering under the soft material of his shirt. Lucas let out a soft sigh, burying his face into the crook of Eliott’s neck, taking in his smell.

It was so good to be back here, not just in this apartment, but in his boyfriend’s arms, knowing that he loves him back, that he called him the love of his life. So unreal and at the same time the most real thing he ever experienced at the same time. All the soft touches, the kind words, hearing Eliott laughing and seeing his smile made him happier than ever. After so much suffering they’ve been through together, all that time apart, agonizing days and wondering what to do, it all faded away after each kiss they shared. Lucille once told him that there will be bad days, days when they will feel like it’s never going to end, but all of it will be worth to get through when the better days follow them. And she was right. Lucas wanted to capture these happy moments and put them into a jar, saving it forever.

Long fingers dragged him out of his thoughts as they started to tickle his sides under the shirt. He tried to suppress his laugh by burying his face into Eliott’s shoulder, but as he didn’t seem to stop anytime, he just grabbed the boy’s biceps, laughing loudly and fidgeting in his lap, trying to get away from the tickling fingers. Eliott seemed to enjoy this, letting his hands run up and down on his boyfriend’s sides, then he just stopped the tickling, starting to pull up the shirt slowly. Lucas was wiping the tears away he had because of all the laughing and let out a surprised squeak as the tall boy forced him to raise his arms so he could take off the shirt and throw it on the floor.

“Much better.” he mumbled, pressing his lips on the short boy’s chest, kissing it gently. Lucas could feel his skin heat up where his mouth touched him, but also felt his cheeks burning. They haven’t done anything like this since the hotel, and he couldn’t deny the fact that his body was craving for it. To feel Eliott’s skin on his, the tender kisses and to hear his moaning.

“Eliott...” the name just came off his tongue so much more erotically than he wanted it to, but hearing the boy’s satisfied groan resonating on his chest made him excited. His long fingers were circling over the waistband of his pants, stopping over the button, while his lips wandered up through Lucas’ neck towards his ear, biting his earlobe.

“Can I?” he was basically moaning into his ear and even if he wanted to say no, which was unlikely to happen, he wouldn’t be able to. Not when his boyfriend sounded like an animal in heat.

“Yeah...” that was all he could force out, feeling a soft cloud taking over his mind, making it impossible for him to think straight. But who would want to think when there’s a hot guy trying to take off your pants?

Eliott smirked and within a few seconds, he was pulling off the short boy’s pants, throwing it to the floor next to the shirt. Now he was sitting on his lap with only his underwear on. He turned his body to be face to face with his handsome boyfriend, knees resting to the arms of the armchair. Their smirked at each other before they started to make out wildly. Hands wandering everywhere on their bodies, searching, grabbing, scratching. Lucas pulled Eliott’s hair just a little, making him groan which sent shiver through his whole body. He slid his tongue between the boy’s parted lips, inviting his to a wild and wet dance. He could feel the bulge on Eliott’s crotch growing, rubbing against his own hardness. It was almost infuriating how the boy under him was still fully dressed. So he let his arms roam on the soft, warm torso down to his waist, pulling up his shirt slowly. He could see the cocky smile on Eliott’s face as he pulled the shirt over his head and dropped it on the floor. Then they continued kissing.

After long, sweet moment of making out, they finally got to the point where even Eliott couldn’t bear that he still had his pants on, so with some struggles and Lucas’ help they got rid of it without getting up from the armchair. The short boy moaned into his boyfriend’s mouth as their crotches rubbed against each other only being separated by the thin material of their boxers. Suddenly they were both aware of what was about to happen, so Eliott looked into the boy’s eyes, hands grabbing his waist gently. Lucas felt the clouds disappear from his mind, leaving more space to his thoughts about the handsome boy in front of him.

“You sure you want this?” Eliott asked carefully, looking up and down on Lucas, while licking his lips. He was clearly ready to go further with this and the short boy smirked at that, it was good to see how much this guy wanted him. Him, out of all those people out there.

“I want you more than anything, Eliott.” he whispered, their lips just an inch away from each other. “I am all yours, my soul, my heart and my whole body.” he continued, fingers sliding up to cup the tall boy’s cheeks as he gave him a tender kiss on the lips. “You have to deal with the consequences.” he finished smirking, biting Eliott’s bottom lip playfully.

“Fuck, Lucas...” he groaned and his hands slid down, grabbing the boy’s butt wildly. He let out a soft whimper, but was still smiling happily. “I will never let you go.” he whispered into his mouth before kissing him with such passion that Lucas felt like he sucked out all the oxygen from his lungs. He wrapped his arms around Eliott’s neck, ready to continue this to the very end.

Lucas was laying in bed, smirking at his phone. He only got out of bed to check out on Eliott and he happened to take a paparazzi photo of him while he was shaving. He had to post it out, because it was just a cute moment and of course he had to show off his boyfriend. Now he could understand why was the tall boy so obsessed with posting about them on insta, it was addictive.

Now his boyfriend was back in bed with him, resting his head on Lucas’ shoulder as he checked his phone. He laughed at the instagram post, looking up at his soft boy, kissing his jawline a few times before he started typing a comment. Lucas rolled his eyes when he saw it and playfully bit Eliott’s nose, who let out a surprised squeak. That was so cute.

“So, you’re stalking me in the bathroom now?” he asked, squinting his eyes a little. Lucas smiled and played with his hair now, eyes locked on his boyfriend’s face.

“Yeah, I guess you had no idea what you have to deal with when you agreed on being with me.” he winked at him smirking.

“That is my line.” he said pouting, like actually pouting. The audacity this damn boy has, Lucas couldn’t believe it, so instead he just leant down, locking their lips together in a soft, loving kiss. He could get used to being like this forever, staying in bed with Eliott, kissing, complimenting each other.

Okay, guys! I think this could be the end, BUT if you all want one more chapter of domestic Elu content with some sweet insta posts, let me know and I will start writing it. Also hit me up with AU ideas if you feel like it. I have one in mind, but I still need to work on the details and I might get inspiration from all of you! Also make sure to give me your opinions on this chapter. I LOVED to write it and I LOVE all of your from the bottom of my heart

#Skam France #I love hating you #Elu enemies to lovers au #Eliott Demaury #lucas lallemant #eliott x lucas #Elu

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