#but yeah my heart ached for sara in this scene | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nothing-but-dreamy · 3 years

Text

HAUNTED

Pairing: D:BH!CONNOR x HUMAN!READER (gender neutral)

Words: 4.058

Warnings: TRIGGER WARNING! mention of suicide; odd behavior; cursing; hurt - comfort;

A/N: Another day - another request...

I really hope you like it! Thanks again for your idea.

Synopsis: You are a Detective of the DPD and had worked many cases with Hank. Until something went utterly wrong. Since then, you get haunted by your past until you see only one last way out. Luckily, Connor is there to help you.

"You know you don't have to do this.", you said serious.

Sara pulled the wire of the bug underneath her shirt before it got taped on her back, "Yes, but I want to. I have to. I owe it to my sister to do this. She shall find peace finally and like the Lieutenant said, me as her twin, I have the best chance to get this bastard. He doesn't know that she's dead. Therefore, I'm your best chance to get the information you need, Detective."

"Detective..."

"Detective."

"Detective, YLN!"

As if awakening from a deep trance like state, you focused back on reality as your name got called out. Haunted by your typical dark memories, you hadn't even noticed where you were. Slowly, you opened your eyes. The owner of the calm male voice stood on the outside of your car, next to the window of the driver seat, and looked concerned at you through the glass.

You blinked several times. The sun, which already fell through your windshield because it stood so high in the morning sky, made you blind for several moments and as you moved, you noticed your aching back and neck from sleeping in the car in an unhealthy position. Obviously, you had knocked yourself out with booze again.

"Detective YLN, my name's Connor. I'm your new partner. I'm the android sent by CyberLi- I got sent from Captain Fowler to meet you. Rather, he sent me to find you because you missed a meeting this morning. And now, he wants to see you.", Connor said and watched you. Even if he had already learned a lot about human behavior from Hank, there were still some mysteries to solve.

Like: why are you sleeping in a car in a position that harms eighty percent of your muscle tissue through soreness and lets your bones and joints burn like fire when you move?

Or: why are you drunk this early in the morning-

"Hey, tin can! Shut the fuck up!", you shouted.

Connor stared at you in shock as he realized that he had asked the questions out loud instead of just thinking about them. A habit he started with as Hank had left the DPD to retire finally, "I'm sorry, Detective. I haven't notice-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... what do you want, Carlos?", you asked, searching for your flask you couldn't find.

"My name's Connor, Detective. And as I said, Captain Fowl-"

"Oh, yeah... the meeting... right. Get in the car.", you ordered and even if Connor was sure that it wasn't a good idea for you to drive in the state you were, he also knew that any kind of discussion would lead to nowhere. He still knew that from his time with Hank.

Twenty minutes later, for a way that only took ten minutes usually, you, followed by Connor, entered the DPD which was crowded with androids, policemen and people who were complaining about some uninteresting nonsense. You made your way through all these people, trying to dodge as many colleagues as you could - but of course, one of them caught you. Like always.

"Hey, YN! This is the DPD and not some bar. You won't find any kind of booze around here."

"Just shut the fuck up, Reed! Or otherwise, I will tell everyone that you own some pair of bright pink panties- oh, upsi! My bad!", you called out, gleaming at him with a smirk. Everyone started to laugh.

Gavin stared at you with a hate-filled glance, he was fuming, "Fuck you!", he muttered.

"Oh, sweet. That's all you got, Reed?", you shot back with a grin.

But before Gavin could respond to anything, Captain Fowler stepped out of his office, "Detective YLN! In my office!"

"And? Who's laughing now?", Gavin said with a smirk and winked at you before he left the DPD to do some work.

Connor closed the door of the office behind him as you were inside. You walked over to the Captain's desk to sit down in one of the chairs but even without looking up you sensed the anger radiating from your boss. It was tangible in the air. Without asking, you took one of the fresh glasses on Fowler's desk to throw an aspirin into it. Then, you pulled out the flask you had found finally to fill the glass with a transparent liquid.

Fowler watched you, half shocked and half concerned, "What are you doing?"

"Taking an aspirin, Sir. I have a murderous headache."

"And what was in the flask if I may ask?"

"Vo- uhm... water. Just water, Sir.", you answered before you gulped down the bubbling mixture.

Fowler looked from you at Connor who also seemed to be concerned about the fact that you had mixed pharmaceuticals with alcohol before the Captain looked back at you, "Where have you been this morning? We had a meeting."

You put the empty glass back on the desk, "Oh, yeah... the meeting. I'm sorry, Sir. I was on observation and obviously, I lost track of time.", you explained, leaning back in the chair, waiting for the aspirin and ‘water’ to do its magic.

"Observation, huh? For what case? What's the file number?", Fowler asked, leaning back in his own seat, folding his hands in front of him while waiting for your answer.

"Oh, yeah... the file number. One moment, Sir-"

Fowler slammed his plane hand on the desk's surface that you were jumping in your seat, "Cut this shit, god dammit! You have no file number because you have no current case, Detective! Let me guess, Connor had found you sleeping in your car, right? How many nights had it been this time?"

You kept eye contact but you gave him no answer. You just gritted your teeth and pressed your jaws together.

Fowler sighed, "Listen, YN, you're a great Detective but since the things with Sara happened-"

"No!", you called out, jumping from your chair and stopping the Captain mid-sentence with your sudden outburst, "We won't talk about this!", you said serious before you turned around to let your glance roam through the office with all the busy people, "Alright, Sir. What's the matter with the android? Monitoring what I do and what I don't do?"

"Connor is the former partner of Hank-"

"Oh and now, Hank doesn't want to play with it anymore so you give it to the next screwed up cop you can find?", you asked, turning around to look at Connor with his fancy clothes and neat hairstyle before you looked back at the Captain.

"Hank retired two weeks ago. I thought you knew that.", Fowler said and looked even more concerned at you.

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't get invited to any funny parties nor did I got a notification. But who cares. So, the android's with me then? How long?", you asked emotionlessly.

"It's your partner now. Brief it into your cases-"

You stepped forward, aiming for the door, "Cases, Sir? What cases? You already said I have none.", you pointed out while leaving the office.

Fowler watched after you, not amused about your unpredictable behavior and the fact that you were carrying a gun.

"Sir?", Connor asked and brought the Captain back from his thoughts.

"Yeah... Listen... as you can see YN has a few problems. They used to be a good cop in the past until one of the cases they and Hank had operated went wrong. The anniversary is in two days and I fear... well...", Captain Fowler stopped himself, watching you grabbing a coffee from the kitchen.

"I will keep an eye on them.", Connor said and left the office as well.

Connor was surprised how carelessly you were in managing your cases - even if it were just a few. There was nothing special or difficult and yet, you weren't able to file the cases properly, "Detective, this report here, I'm not sure to which case it belongs.", Connor asked as he had read an interview of a woman who had reported her dog as missing. Added to that, the interview was part of a file about an armed theft in the heart of the city. There was no connection at all to these two cases.

Without looking up, you took a folder from your desk to hand it over to Connor, "Yeah...here. That's the case you're searching for."

Connor took the case and skimmed through the pages several times before he looked at you, frowning, "Detective, this is a file about a stolen android.", he pointed out.

"Yeah, just ... put the page in this file. I'm sure it will be right.", you said, ignoring the android's expression.

"Detective, I'm not sure-"

"Excuse me, I need some more coffee.", you cut him off, standing up to aim for the kitchen with your mug in your hands.

"And I thought Hank was challenging.", Connor whispered under his breath and shook his head while he still tried to figure out which pages were parts of which cases.

"You're a murderer, Detective! That you still think yourself as worthy enough to call yourself a cop is way out of my understanding!", a jarring, female voice echoed through the office and drew the attention of everyone to her and to the person that stood in front of her - you.

Connor craned his head to watch the scene like everyone else did. But while the attention of the others was because of curiosity and spitefulness, Connor watched you and your bodily reaction to the woman's accusations. You stood there like a timid fawn. The cockiness you presented before seemed to be gone completely. Your heart rate increased, you were shaking and your eyes became big as if you were intimidated by the woman in front of you. The woman stepped even closer and Connor watched, surprised, that you stayed where you were. Easily, you could have escaped the unknown woman and yet you stayed rooted to the spot.

"Because of you I lost both of my daughters! I already have lost the one and yet, you thought it would be fair to take the other away from me as well!", the woman screamed erratic, tears were already running down her cheeks but she was still not able to stop herself and no one else was brave enough to step into the scene, "You and your partner will pay for what you have done! You will burn in hell for that!"

"Chris! Escort Mrs. Mason into my office!", Captain Fowler ordered and stopped the woman's outburst even if it was a bit too late.

Connor saw tears building in the corners of your eyes. Quickly, your glance scanned the area but the only way you could find was the way out. You aimed for the precinct's main entrance to leave the building in a hurry. Connor followed you. He ran through the office and left the building as well but as he stepped onto the pavement you were nowhere to be seen. Like a ghost, you had vanished between all the other pedestrians.

Hank had just taken a new beer to watch the next half of the Detroit Gears game as someone rang his doorbell. In the penetrant way how this person used his doorbell and the way how Sumo reacted, Hank knew who the visitor was, "Connor, hey. What are you doing here? It's a bit too early to go for a walk with Sumo.", the older man said but he already saw that something else was bothering the android.

"Yeah, actually, I'm not here because of Sumo.", Connor said.

Hank let him in and Connor came straight to the point that kept him busy, "One year ago, you and Detective YLN had a case together. But something went wrong. What exactly happened? I couldn't find the case file."

Hank frowned, "Why do you ask?"

"Captain Fowler teamed me up with Detective YLN because of the anniversary of this case. He's concerned about the instability of their constitution."

Hank shook his head. He missed working with the android but he didn't miss the long-winded explanations of him. Then, suddenly, he became serious again, "Instability, huh?"

"Yes. They seem to be so unpredictable in their behavior that Captain Fowler fears something worse will happen because the anniversary would be in two days. I ... I found them this morning sleeping in their car.", Connor explained with a frown.

Hank raised his brows in surprise and at the same time, he felt worried, "YN and I, we... In the past, we worked together on some cases. Well, that changed with our last case. Lynn and Sara Mason.", he said slowly, feeling the pain stinging his heart as he remembered what had happened one year ago.

"Why couldn't I find much about it in the archives of the DPD?"

Hank stood up from the couch, walking over to the book shelf to pull something out that was hidden between his several jazz vinyl. He walked back to Connor, offering the android the case file but stopped as Connor was grabbing for it, "You just can find the basics of this case because I kept it printed. Some wounds are so deep, it's better if not everyone is able to find a tool to reopen them all over again.", he said and gave Connor the file finally.

***

The next day, Connor drove again to your place and was happy to see that you weren't sleeping in your car again. As he knocked at your door, you opened him with a smile. You had taken a shower, your hair was still damp and your clothes were all fresh and clean. Connor noticed that you weren't accompanied by the scent of alcohol and he even couldn't smell anything in your breath as you talked with him.

"I... I want to apologize, Connor. Our start yesterday wasn't the best. I'm looking forward to working with you. I'm sure we will make a great team."

Connor knew you just one day, not enough to understand a person completely, and yet he had the strange feeling of something going on that occupied his mind suddenly by the way you acted.

"Oh, can you call a taxi?", you asked while sipping on your coffee.

"What happened to your car, Detective?", Connor asked surprised while ordering the vehicle.

You smiled at him, "Oh, I sold it. I will have no use of it anymore. And please, call me YN."

To Connor's surprise, your behavior stayed kinda strange even if he couldn't say what it was exactly. You and Connor went early to the DPD. On your way in, you talked with colleagues. You joked with Chris and as Gavin entered the kitchen, you pressed a cup of coffee into the Detective's hand which left him utterly confused.

Gavin stopped Connor by stepping into his way, "Hey, tin can. Is this coffee drugged or what is going on here?"

In the way Gavin looked at Connor, the android noticed real unease, "No, Detective. The coffee is not drugged or anything. I guess others would call it 'tasty'. You can drink it.", he said but looked frowning at you. As Connor left Gavin, the green-eyed man was still sniffing suspiciously on the hot liquid as if the mug might contain acid instead of his most favorite beverage.

Connor went back to the desk opposite of yours and was surprised to see how you cleared out the different pages of the case files. Several small piles were lying in front of you while you tried to bring them into the right order and to collate them.

Later that day, Connor was puzzled as you went to the Captain to apologize to him as well as you had done it with Connor in the beginning of the day. You apologized for your behavior the day before and of all the past weeks, "I know I did a few things wrong, Captain. But I promise to change that in the future. In fact, the change will happen soon and then, everyone will be pleased with me again.", you said before you took your jacket to leave the precinct.

Connor looked at the Captain and saw on the man's face what he was thinking: strange.

‘Strange’ was the only word Connor could find to describe your work day even although you were acting practically perfect. You were nice. You had sorted your cases. You had apologized for your behavior. And yet, something was odd. Something felt wrong. Connor sensed that something was ... going on. But he couldn't put his finger on it. So, out of instinct, Connor followed you and drove to your place with a taxi.

As he knocked at your door, you opened, smiling at him and dressed in a bathrobe, "Oh, Connor, hey. What is it? I just wanted to take a bath."

Surprised, Connor looked at you. He was sure you had taken a shower this morning so there was no need to take a bath and then, he reminded himself that he still had not much knowledge about humans and their several oddities, "Yeah, I ... I just wanted to ask if everything is alright, Detective.", he said honestly.

You smiled at him, "Of course, Connor. Everything is more than alright. I just need some time to relax and tomorrow, everything will make sense to you and the others. Thanks for checking on me, that means a lot to me. Goodnight.", you said and closed the door.

Connor stared at your closed door for several moments before he stepped slowly back to walk down the hallway. Since he turned deviant, Connor's systems needed a bit longer to process information - not much, it were just seconds, but sometimes that could be more than enough.

As Connor was still connecting the different dots and hints you had spread the whole day, Hank called him, "Connor! Where are you?"

"I'm leaving YN's place. They want to take a bath. Why? What's the matter?", Connor asked as he sensed the slightly concerned undertone in Hank's voice.

"You have to go back, Connor! Go back to them! YN hates to bath!", Hank demanded worried.

Even if Connor was confused, he turned around, walking back the way to your apartment, "Hank?"

"I just got a letter from YN. It got brought by a delivery man. It's a handwritten suicide letter. Hurry and stop them!", Hank ordered.

Connor ended the call, hurried down the corridor and without knocking, he broke down the door of your apartment. Quickly, Connor ran through your small apartment, already seeing the door of your bathroom ajar. He stormed into the room and the second his eyes landed on you lying in the bathtub with the razor blade between your fingers, he was by your side, taking the blade away to throw it into a far corner before you could even cut. Slowly but demanding, Connor dragged you out of the water, took a towel and laid it around your shaking frame because you already were ice cold. Obviously, you had filled the bathtub with cold water to support a fast sleep while your blood would have drained from your body after the cut.

You were screaming and yelling for Connor to let go of you. You demanded the razor back and that he should leave your apartment but Connor ignored everything. You punched against his chest with your fists but Connor stayed unimpressed, determined to save your life. With a strong grip, he wrapped you into the towel and also laid the bathrobe around your shoulders before he guided you out of the bathroom. You were still struggling in Connor's arms to get free. All you wanted was to end what you had started. Desperate, hot tears were running down your cheeks as you were crying violently about the fact that you were still alive. Alive and alone with the memories which were still haunting you like mean demons.

Connor placed you on the couch, sitting next to you and wrapping his arms around your frame to give you even more support and comfort while you cried against his chest, "Please, just let me die...", you cried out between two heavy sobs.

"No, Detective. I have to refuse your request."

"Cut this 'Detective' shit. Just call me YN, god damnit.", you whimpered helplessly because now, everything was just worse than you had expected. You had planned everything and yet, the android was there to destroy your neatly made plans, "What are you even doing here, Connor?"

"Hank received your letter and called me right on time."

You leant closer against Connor's chest with closed eyes, seeking the android’s presence while cursing about yourself, "Hell, the letter. I should have changed the delivery time to a later one. Then, everything would be over. All the pain. All the guilt. All the haunting.", you breathed with a sad voice.

Connor tightened the embrace around you even more, "It's about Sara Mason and her sister, isn't it?", he whispered softly, placing his chin on top of your head to enclose you even more.

You nodded, not surprised that Connor already knew it, "Yeah... it's my fault that Sara died. It's my fault that her mother lost both daughters.", you cried out, clawing into Connor's white shirt with your fingers.

"Well, I read the file. Sara came up with the idea to get bugged and to infiltrate the drug dealer who had killed her sister Lynn. I mean, the idea was good. It was just bad luck that the dealer already knew about Lynn's death and looked right through the façade you and Hank had planned.", Connor said softly. To calm you even more, he stroked soothingly over your back with his hands.

You leant back to look into the android's face and for the first time, you noticed the incredibly intense, brown color of his soft eyes, "Y-you don't understand. Not even Hank knew that but Sara didn't come up with the idea to get bugged on her own. I dropped this idea as I was alone with her and manipulated her to think it was her own idea. I mean, how evil can someone be to do this, huh?", you asked, closing your eyes about this painful memory.

Connor cupped your face, knowing that humans needed physical contact to feel secure and safe and he wanted to provide you both as well as he could. He was glad to see that you opened your eyes again and that you stayed where you were, "Listen, neither you nor Hank nor someone else could have known every single possibility in this case. The idea was good. The Captain said the same in his official statement. But ... Look, kid, sometimes bad things happen, and you can't do anything about it.", he said softly.

Through a sob of new tears because Connor was the first for a very long time that was caring about you this much, you chuckled low, "Have you... did you just quote the Lion King to cheer me up?"

Connor looked slightly caught with a sheepishly smile playing around his lips, "Yeah... Hank said I should improve my knowledge about pop culture. I binge watched all the Disney movies I could find last week. I thought this quote was suitable... Or did I have done it wrong?"

You chuckled a bit more about his innocence and strong will to help you, "No, it was pretty good. Thanks for... you know... thanks for being here with me.", you whispered low, feeling your cheeks reddening.

Connor leant back on your couch, bringing you close to his chest so you could snuggle against him, "I'm your partner now, YN. And partners are looking out for each other. You can count on me no matter what it is.", he said softly and after five minutes where he just stroked comforting over your back, he noticed your even breathing that told him that you had fallen asleep. Hank called and without making too much noise, Connor briefed his former partner that you were alright.

You were still alive. You still had a long way to go to leave your haunting ghosts behind but Connor was sure you would make it. You were strong enough to do it - and he would be by your side to support you as promised.

#detroit become human imagines #detroit become human connor #rk800 x reader #dbh connor x reader #connor #detroit connor #connor rk800 #dbh connor #rk800 #detroit rk800 #dbh rk800 #rk800connor #detroit become human rk800 #male reader #female reader #gender neutral reader #hurt comfort

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bethpeaches123 · 3 years

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So I loved the Oh it’s You update! I was dying when they were talking at the end of the chapter and Peeta is clearly entranced with Katniss...would you pretty please write an outtake of that scene in his POV- I would love to know what was going through his mind when she was talking to him about his marriage....about what he really wants lol

Okay my friend, here you go! It got a little long...hope you enjoy!

I'll be posting this to AO3 soon too, I just don't know if it'll be separate from the rest of Oh, it's you or if it'll be a separate thing.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Peeta sat at a table in front of the window of Brewed Awakening, his hands wrapped around the steaming mug of tea that Sara, the cashier had just placed in front of him. He smiled his thanks as she turned and walked back to the counter, him turning back to stare at the tea bag floating at the top of the mug.

It had been a rough few weeks since he and Delly had broken the news to Connor. Every time he thought about his son’s sweet little face peering up at him as he told him he’d be moving out of their house, and Mommy and Daddy wouldn’t be together any more, his heart physically ached in his chest. He hated that he was causing his favourite person in the world any sort of upset, especially his precious boy.

Peeta felt guilty. He’d tried for so long with Delly. They’d been together since high school, when they were just kids.

Back then, he’d been so fixated on Katniss Everdeen, ever since the day he’d met her, but could never work up the nerve to talk to her, let alone ask her out. He’d been so frustrated and disappointed with himself over it. Peeta had himself so worked up over it, he pushed her away as much as he could and vowed to move on.

The day Delly asked him to go to the Halloween dance in junior year, he accepted. She was a pretty girl who was sweet and bubbly, and he liked that. Liked how she made him feel. There was no real stress with Delly. No real excitement, but it was comfortable. Safe.

He didn’t really think much of the state of his relationship - he just thought it was normal to not be madly, hopelessly in love. He loved Delly, yes, but it was never passionate or all-consuming like the great romances in movies made love out to be. He went through the stages of a relationship with her, did all the things he thought he was supposed to. Delly seemed happy and so did both their families, so when they’d been together for a few years and she started leaving links to engagement rings open on her laptop, he took the hint and proposed. All the while thinking maybe things would become more passionate or...loving, once they got married.

But it didn’t happen. In fact, six months in, he realized things weren’t going to get better and was prepared to ask for a divorce, but then Delly announced she was pregnant. And he knew he couldn’t leave then. Becoming a father was terrifying but it was something he’d always wanted, more than anything else in life. So he decided to once again dedicate himself to his marriage and the mother of his child. And it worked for a little while. But forcing a marriage never works in the end, no matter how much you may want it to, no matter how much you want to put up a united front for your child.

The bell on the coffee shop door chimed as someone opened it and out of the corner of his eye he saw Katniss step inside. His body immediately started to tingle like it always did whenever she appeared. It was like his senses became heightened and hyper aware of her when she was around. He could feel almost like an electric current running through his veins.

She approached the table a few minutes later with her own mug and said softly, “Hey Peeta. How are you doing?”

He was about to reply with a smile and his prepared front, ready to fake it, when he looked at her and read it all over her face: she knew about the split.

He sighed. He should’ve known Madge would open her mouth about it. It wasn’t exactly a state secret, but he would’ve liked a heads up that people knew. That Katniss knew.

“You know,” he said blankly. She hesitated and then replied, “Yeah. Madge and Gale told me. I’m really sorry.”

“Yeah...not exactly great news.”

He pondered it for a minute and then just decided to be honest. “Is it weird that I’m...almost relieved?” he said softly. “Kind of like a weight’s off my shoulders?”

He thought about the way Delly had looked at him that last day. How resentful she looked. He never wanted a woman to look at him that way again. Suddenly, he realized who he was saying this to, and jerked back. He shouldn’t be discussing such personal things with Katniss. “I mean - I don’t mean that, I-I just...just feel...fuck. I don’t fucking know.” he stuttered. “I don’t mean it like that. No one wants their marriage to fail. I just tried for so long to make her happy but nothing seemed to make her happy. Or I never seemed to get it right. Could never get it right for years.”

He felt so defeated. But he didn’t want to talk about this with Katniss. Didn’t want her to think he was pathetic or a failure. Even though he felt like he was both. He was about to change the subject when she spoke up.

“Peeta...it could have been four years or forty years, it doesn’t matter. If it’s not right, it’s never going to be right. It doesn’t matter how much time you dedicate. Some things just aren’t meant to be. You shouldn’t have to try so hard in a relationship. Yeah, they take work, but not that much work. Not that much grief.” He watched her as she continued, entranced by her words.

“It should be...effortless, in some ways. Like when you meet someone, and you click, and it’s like… ‘oh. It’s you. There you are.’ Like you’ve been waiting for them this whole time and didn’t even realize it.”

Peeta stared at her, frozen at the words that seemed to tumble from her mouth. The click she spoke about. Oh, it’s you. It’s...you.

Like you’ve been waiting for them this whole time and didn’t even realize it.

Well, he realized it now. He still liked her. The pull he’d felt all those years ago to Katniss Everdeen was back. As much as he forced himself to try and forget about her, being around her the past few months had dragged those feelings right back up. Oh.

“Oh.” He hadn’t realized he’d said the word out loud. And that he’d been staring at her this whole time. He briefly watched as her eyes left his and flickered down to his mouth. Woah. What was that? Was she…?

Katniss coughed lightly and said quickly, “well, like I said: some things aren’t meant to be, no matter how hard you try. As shitty as this is, and as much as I’m sure it’s going to be difficult to work through, maybe this is the start of a new chapter for you. Where you can figure out...what makes you happy, without having to focus so much on making someone else happy. Besides Connor. Take some time to figure out what you really want.”

What he really wanted. What did he want? Right now...he could finally admit to himself that he wanted what was right in front of him. He wanted...her. He realized that the split from Delly meant that he was...free. He wasn’t elated by that, but it did make him realize that he was essentially on his own, once the paperwork went through.

What did he want?

“Yeah...what I really want.” Possibilities and future scenarios began to run through his mind. He didn’t realize he’d been staring at her, lost in thought, until she spoke again.

“Um, maybe we should take a look at this menu, hey? See what you’re thinking for it?”

Peeta was jerked from his reverie. Woah. Slow down. Collect yourself. Get it together. You literally just separated from your wife like three weeks ago. Calm down.

“Yes, of course. Um, there’s a few different options we could go with, like having a savoury package and a sweet package. I was thinking of a herbed goat cheese biscuit for one, but also…”

He pressed on, determined to push his earlier daydreams aside and focus on the task at hand. She seemed to space out for a minute and then made some comment about being concerned about keeping the hot items warm because it was cold in the winter, which made him laugh harder than he had in months.

When they had finalized everything, Katniss made to leave, saying something about another meeting. Peeta was reluctant, but he knew he had to get back to the bakery anyway. He stood up to pull his coat on as she thanked him again, when suddenly, she reached up and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

He froze.

It was the first time they’d ever hugged. Katniss Everdeen had her arms around him. Katniss was touching him. He couldn’t let this moment pass him by.

He stiffly moved his arms around her and felt her warmth underneath his hands. He took a deep breath and inhaled. Fresh linen. Sandalwood. Vanilla. She smelled heavenly. He exhaled slowly and tightened his grip on her waist. He could feel her slight curves as he breathed in again and felt the electricity buzz through him even stronger. He could also feel the stress he’d been holding onto for so many months start to slowly pour out of him. It was incredible what a simple hug could do. But this wasn’t a simple hug. Maybe it had to do with whom he was hugging.

This was a turning point and he knew it. He was a goner.

~*~*~*~*~*~

#oh it's you #bethpeaches123 writes #oh it's you outtake #peeta mellark #katniss everdeen #the hunger games #everlark #everlark fanfiction #everlark fanfic #mrspeetamellark

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a-cure-for-writers-block · 4 years

Text

#100 Song Lyric Prompts

No one specifically requested, but I wanted to do this so bad! Here we go...

“Will nature make a man of me yet?”- The Smiths, This Charming Man

“If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?”- Lynyrd Skynyrd, Free Bird

“When my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold dark earth. No grave can hold my body down, I'll crawl home to her.”- Hozier, Work Song

“I don’t think that we should be alone together, when we’re in a room you get my eyes, you open your mouth I’m hypnotised”- The Neighbourhood, Single

“She looks as if she’s blowing a kiss at me and suddenly the sky is a scissor”- Arctic Monkeys, That’s where you’re wrong

“You think you want to be alone, just wait until you’re crying on the shower floor” “They’ve got a pretty face, but they’ve got a pretty empty head.” “But how the hell do you fall in love, the last time I checked you can’t fall in slow mo”- LANY- The Breakup *There were too many good ones in this song, I couldn’t help myself*

“I know it’s mad, but if I go to hell will you go with me or just leave?” - Panic! At The Disco, Do you know what I'm seeing?

“I don’t know who’s protecting me, but we hit it off”- Drake, Sandra’s Rose

“Do me a favour and break my nose, do me a favour and tell me to go away?”- Arctic monkeys, Do me a favour

“Baby just came back around, said she needs time to explore, said I can’t love her no more”- The Neighbourhood, Baby came home

“Just one mistake, you say you’re not in love no more, but was it really love if you can leave me for something so innocent is this the end?”- LANY, Thick and thin

“You can have Manhattan, I know it’s for the best, I’ll gather up the avenues and leave them on your doorstep. I’ll tiptoe away so you won’t have to say you heard me leave.” “You can have Manhattan, the one we used to share, the one where we were laughing and drunk on just being there. Hang onto the reverie, could you do that for me?”- Sara Bareilles, Manhattan

“You don’t love me, big fucking deal, I’ll never tell you how I feel.” “I'll send my best regards from Hell”- Marina and the Diamonds, Starring Role

“I been writing these songs ‘bout how I can’t be with you. I don’t want to be a monster, but I’ve been here for days, drinking too much now I want you, can’t get you off my brain.”- Henry, Monster, Eng. version

“Change lives, get better, yeah that be the plan” “That’s why you see me winning, yeah, even after I lose”- Jay Park, Ask bout me

“Love is not looking over shoulders, Love is you should trust what I told you” “Love is not struggling to say I love you”- 6LACK, Disconnect

“All these people taking miles when you give them an inch, all these followers but who's gonna follow me until the end?”- Drake, Emotionless

“She’s in the rain, you wanna hurt yourself I’ll stay with you, you wanna make yourself go through that pain, It’s better to be held than holding on,”- The Rose, She’s In The Rain *Absolutely love this one, don’t @ me, I will die for the The Rose**

“Sex by the fire at night”- Bruno Mars, That’s What I Like

“I’ve got the good side of you, sent it out into the blue.”- Troye Sivan, Good Side

“Standing by the window, rain falling, I want to have you full in my embrace and tell you, even when I’m born again and love you, even then, will you be with me?”- KREAM, 선물 Gift *Translated*

“It all passes, Someday, For sure, Certainly”- RM, ft. NELL, everythingoes *Translated*

“Please stay as long as you need, can't promise that things won't be broken, but I swear that I will never leave. Please stay forever with me”- Sleeping With Sirens, Scene One- James Dean & Audrey Hepburn

“When you move, I'm put to mind of all that I wanna be, when you move I could never define all that you are to me”- Hozier, Movement

“Wake up and smell the coffee, is your cup half full or empty?”- Billie Eilish, come out and play

“Am I a bad person? Or am I just in pain?”- DEAN, Sulli, Rad Museum, Dayfly *Translated*

“Kiss me on the lips, a secret just between the two of us, deeply poisoned by the jail of you, I cannot worship anyone but you and I knew the grail was poisoned but I drank it anyway”- BTS, Blood Sweat & Tears *Translated*

“When the sun sets and darkness comes, I only remember your warmth, where the stars wrap around us. I’m going there, I’ll be there”- SEVENTEEN, Highlight *Translated*

“I don't ever wanna feel like anything I do ever had a fucking resonance or meant a thing to you.”- Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, I Hate You

“You can’t take this away from me, the way I hit the melody, the waves bring clarity, running through me”- Tom Misch, Del La Soul, It Runs Through Me

“It was a lie when they smiled and said you won’t feel a thing”- My Chemical Romance, Disenchanted

“The fog has lifted and things get clear, all the lies pass by like a reel of film. I hate you”- EXO, 내가 미쳐 (Going Crazy) *Translated*

“I’m sorry- no, I’m not sorry, I’m just getting started and my life’s a party”- DEAN, Eric Bellinger, I’m Not Sorry

“Ain’t it fun, living in the real world?”- Paramore, Ain’t It Fun

“Ready or not, we are coming back- yeah, we’re over, we can tell you ‘bout what you need. You can look it up when you’re older”- Evergreen, Cargo Cult

“You, you got so much potential, every moment spent with you I bet was always eventful”- Aminé, Kehlani, Heebiejeebies- Bonus

“Could you imagine the taste of your lips if we never tried to kiss on the drive to Queens? 'Cause I imagine the weight of your ribs if you lied between my hips in the backseat”- Halsey, Roman Holiday

“Forever isn’t for everyone, is forever for you?”- Arctic Monkeys, Snap Out Of It

“Wish you good luck being lonely, I’mma push red every time you phone me. You vow to be a memory”- Ella Mai, ft. Ty Dolla $ign, She Don’t

“I’ve been dazed and confused from the day I met you, yeah I lost my head and I’d do it again”- Ruel, Dazed & Confused

“I just want you closer, is that alright? Baby let's get closer tonight”- Paolo Nutini, Last request

“You have no idea how pretty you are when you wake from sleep, you have no idea how beautiful you look as you get ready for bed”- Zion.T, No Makeup *Translated*

“I was thinking I could fly to your hotel tonight, baby, ‘cos I can’t get you off my mind”- Shawn Mendes, Lost In Japan

“She's soothing like the ocean rushing on the sand, she takes care of me, baby, she helps me be a better man. She's so beautiful, sometimes I stop to close my eyes, she's exactly what I need”- Jeremy Passion, Lemonade

“And her lips are like the galaxy's edge and her kiss the colour of a constellation falling into place”- Arctic Monkeys, Arabella

“It's how you look, not how you feel. A city of glass with no heart”- Queens of the Stone Age, If I Had a Tail

“I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife”- Hozier, Take Me To Church

“Bitter and hardened heart, Oh, aching- waiting for life to start”- Keane, Bend & Break

“When you move I'm put to mind of all that I wanna be, when you move I could never define all that you are to me”- Hozier, Movement

“She said, ‘Baby, I'm afraid to fall in love, 'cause what if it's not reciprocated?’ I told her, ‘Don't rush girl, don’t you rush, guess it's all a game of patience.’”- Pink Sweat$, Honesty

“Share a casket with you, we’ll be buried alive, me and her playing truth ‘til the day we die.”- Granata Ft. Phoniks, You Dont Need Me

“And hope that I had survived yesterday, and today is jealous of tomorrow.”- Emeli Sandé, Breathing Underwater

“Heaven if you sent us down so we could build a playground for the sinners to play as saints, you'd be so proud of what we've made.” Stephen, Crossfire

“Tell me how do you cope with it? How do you sleep with yourself at night? How do you cope with it? How do you sleep with yourself at night?”- blackbear, make daddy proud

“If anyone looks perfect, you look perfect next to me.”- Nick Wilson, Obsolete

“When I meet you after time passes, I’ll know (you were my future), I’ll know (I was your yesterday). When I meet you after time passes, I’ll know (you protected me), I’ll know (I desired you).”- SEVENTEEN (Wen Junhui & Xu Minghao), My I *Translated*

“I need my sex n’ drugs, I need my money first, bless me with all my sins.”- Abhi The Nomad, Ft. Harrison Sands & Copper King, Sex ‘n Drugs

“Naked and fallin' in love, look here I got you. Safe where there's no one to judge, keep it insightful.”- Keiynan Lonsdale, Preach

“All alone, all we know is haunting me, making it harder to breathe, harder to breathe.”- The Neighbourhood, Leaving Tonight

“Now I see you get off of the subway, haven't seen you in months but it's okay. I'd forgotten but I feel the same, hate that I still wish you were...”- Claud, Wish You Were Gay

“A perfect stranger lying next to me, he's playing God with broken figurines. He keeps calling me his little queen and I believe.”- Jake Wesley Rogers, Little Queen (This song deserves way more recognition, make sure to give it a listen!)

“Hell is so close to Heaven, hell is so close to Heaven. Hold on don't look back, you know we're better- we’re better than that. Lost and thrown away, you know we're better- we’re better than that.”- Sleeping With Sirens, The Strays

��Alone tonight, I’m drawing my dreams across the sky farther than I can imagine- She wants it.”- CIX, Movie Star *Translated*

“Yeah I mixed words and some whiskey on the flight just to make sure I landed on time and I wrote me a song I could sing just in case I forgot everything.”- Marc E. Bassy, Last One I Love

“Don't ask questions you don't wanna know, learned my lesson way too long ago.” “Deadly fever, please don't ever break, be my reliever 'cause I don't self medicate”- Billie Eilish, my strange addiction

“And it's worth it, it's divine, I have this some of the time.”- Hozier, Cherry Wine

“And I realize you're mine, Indeed, a fool am I.”- Queens of the Stone Age, No One Knows

“Look in the mirror ‘til I forget everything I know, everything I did was just a way to make the time feel faster.”- Miya Folick, Stock Image

“Do you feel how I feel? Are you numb? Do you tread crystal waters, bound to be stung? Are you scared? If I see you, we're upon, will you dye your hair dark so you're no longer blonde?”- Isaac Dunbar, Cologne

“Tell me; To you I’m bad & hurtful. Because I’ve been busy, you’re hurting. Bad, bad, bad, I’m bad, bad.”- Crush, NAPPA (나빠) *Translated*

“Just for the record, the weather today is slightly sarcastic with a good chance of: A. Indifference or B. disinterest to what the critics say.”- Panic! At The Disco, London Beckoned Songs About Money Written By Machines

“‘Cause you don’t say what you feel, I'm the one driving but you take the wheel. You wanna wait, 'til we're older, I'm the one who started this, but now I just want closure.”- Ieuan, Closure

“Our names carved in the pavement, sealed by what's left of our handprints, now. I told my mom, she'd love to meet you, but it's too bad she won't get the chance to.”- COIN, Malibu 1992

“I'm running outta time to hold you close, running outta time to be your man. I'm just lost in this moment, I've been zoning.”- blackbear, 4u

“Standing on your mama's porch, you told me that you'd wait forever. Oh and when you held my hand, I knew that it was now or never”- Bryan Adams, Summer Of ‘69

“I'll go out, grow my hair too long, sing your least favourite songs at the top of my lungs. I'll go out, kiss all of your friends, make a story and pretend it was me who made this end.”- The Vamps, Hair Too Long

“Getting my mind right, I'll wait 'til the time's right. I'm meaning to tell you why it's hard to sleep at night. There's nothing to fear now, girl, we should be here now. So why don't you hear me out?”- Jeremy Zucker, Ft. blackbear, talk is overrated

“We haven't spoke since you went away, comfortable silence is so overrated. Why won't you ever be the first one to break? Even my phone misses your call, by the way.”- Harry Styles, From the Dining Table

“Look overhead at the stars and the ocean, foggy emotions, moments, erosion. This supernova could cause a commotion, my minds of the notion, you'll still be my motive”- Ansel Elgort, Supernova

“I love that new dress you bought, yeah, you sure look nice. Heard you liked that new restaurant, you know, I've been there twice. And the way that you switch up your hair, all of the moments we've shared, strolling the streets back in Rome, oh, how I wish I was there. It ain't fair.”- Ruel, Face To Face

“Welcome to your life, there's no turning back. Even while we sleep we will find you acting on your best behaviour, turn your back on mother nature.”- Tear For Fears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World

“I'm wide awake, not losing any sleep, I picked up every piece and landed on my feet. I'm wide awake, need nothing to complete myself, no.” Katy Perry, Wide Awake

“If you don't realize, all of the things your life can do you will be left behind, swept up by the storm of those you knew.”- Meltycanon, thankful

“I always knew that we'd be by each other's side forever, now our time has come and I'd be satisfied if we died together. Yeah, our climate's fucked, we might as well enjoy the weather, our time is up and I'd be satisfied if we died together.”- Samsa, Anthropocene

“There's still so much to say, I'm faded, broken, pretending you're on the line, wasting my time. Sinking deeper, watching you spend your night, like I'll be fine and I'll be over this.”- NYK, Faded

“I’d rather go to hell, than be in purgatory, cut my hair, gag and bore me, pull this pin, let this world explode.”- My Chemical Romance, Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)

“I reached for a shooting star, it burned a hole through my hand Made its way through my heart, had fun in the promised land.”- blink-182, Wishing Well

“Let go of your baggage, but don’t think I don’t understand it’s probably a challenge,”- Isaac Lewis, Fly

“It's been a long night in New York city, it's been a long night in Baton Rouge. I don't remember you looking any better, but then again, I don't remember you.”- John Mayer, Who Says

“They say that love kills, it ain't quite what it seems, don't be shocked when you lost what you called ‘meant to be’.”- StayLoose, Bryce Fox, Sociopath

“When they come for You, I will shield Your name, I will field their questions, I will feel Your pain.”- Kanye West, Ultralight Beam

“Two steps forward, one step back and it won’t be long til my heart attack, yup! And common sense falls second place to the way it feels when you kiss my face, yup!”- The Band CAMINO, 2 / 14

“Leaving empty souls when he avenged, evil spirits flowed, he drank the blood like lemonade.”- Morcheeba, Blood Like Lemonade

“Your smile will become a classic; the brilliance of sunlight, the haziness of the moonlight exist for the sake of promises.”- WayV, Moonwalk

Dear God, I hope you got the letter and I pray you can make it better down here. I don't need a big reduction in the price of beer, but all the people that you made in your image- see them starving on their feet.”- Lawless, Sydney Wayser, Dear God

“Down below, sandy, like the ocean floor, quiet, like I like it; here I'll never be alone.”- slenderbodies, anemone

“I love everything, fire spreading all around my room, my world's so bright, it's hard to breathe but that's alright- hush.”- Sub Urban, Cradles

“I'm telling myself, I'm telling myself, ‘I don't need you anymore’.”- Lia Marie Johnson, Cold Heart Killer

“So I moved to California, but it's just a state of mind, it turns out everywhere you go, you take yourself, that's not a lie. Wish that you would hold me or just say that you were mine- it's killing me slowly.” Lana Del Rey, Fuck it I love you

“See, she knows that I love her, but I don't think she'll stay and she knows that I need her, but my love's lost its weight. Spend my days longing for something real, spend my days stuck in the way I feel.”- JOBA, Sad Saturdays

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peaceoutofthepieces · 3 years

Text

Sink Or Swim

tag list: @cleocc @feeling-kinda-so-so @hopelessromanticvirgo @dreamy-slytherin @adora8 @lockerfivethreefive @painfully-oblivious @poeticinemaa @jjustonemorething @sassy-sara @wedarkacademia @coolguyssyndrome @hischbabe @suckerforsobbe @tayspots @starmansander @theah0lt @zoenneforever @invisibleme @chibibanane @odi-et-amo85 @watermelonlover-123

~^~

Wednesday, 17:47

Song: Troye Sivan - for him.

“This technically wasn’t fair, because I’ve only been here a month and I had no idea if somewhere like this even existed, so you can’t judge me too harshly.”

Jens is already smiling at him, shaking his head as he bumps their shoulders together. “It’s okay. It’s hard to live up to such a perfect first date, I get it.”

Lucas huffs, but he can’t help quickly glancing around. He isn’t sure why it worries him quite so much—even if they were overheard, it can be brushed off as a joke. Jens had said it jokingly. It would be easy enough.

There is no one close enough to hear them, anyway. Not a single person, as far as Lucas can see, is paying any attention to them at all. The rather cluttered place makes it easier, creating an odd sense of privacy even with the crowd along with the strangely intimate ambience of the neon blue lights. Lucas doesn’t feel so scrutinized in this setting, where everyone is having their own fun and doing their own thing.

“Can that be considered a first date when neither of us thought it was?” Lucas questions, both dubious and hopeful.

Jens shrugs, glancing around them as well as he walks slowly side by side with Lucas. “It can be. But an arcade is also a cool first date. It’s not what I expected.”

Lucas’s lips twitch, unsure which way to turn as he looks over at him. “What did you expect?”

“I don’t know. Snuck back into your room, maybe. Some more alone time.” Jens wiggles his brows.

Lucas snorts and gives him a light shove, smiling when Jens bounces right back to his side. “That’s up to you. Like I said, I don’t know anywhere. And it was short notice.”

Jens nods, and the conversation lulls as they stop at the change machine, before Lucas begins to get nervous for a whole new reason.

“Are you disappointed?” He twists his ring—the one he’d stolen from his father’s room, just for this occasion—around his finger as Jens turns to look at him. He’s frowning, and even though Lucas is pretty sure it’s at the question itself, he can’t help but grow more jittery. There’s a sudden, uncomfortable tightness in his chest. In an attempt to make light of the question, he adds, exaggeratedly, “Did you expect to be romanced?”

Jens rolls his eyes as he fishes his money out of his pocket, but there appears to be a more reddish tinge to his cheeks. “I thought you might be the romantic type. Maybe that you’d cook us a candle-lit dinner or something.”

Lucas raises a brow. “Serious?”

His nerves have turned into surprise, and it must show in his expression, as Jens laughs upon glancing at him. “I didn’t say that’s what I wanted, though.”

“Well to be fair, I probably could manage a burger and chips. I’m guessing that’s the dinner you’d want.”

Jens turns to him after feeding his notes into the machine and wipes away a fake tear. “You already know me so well.”

Lucas hums. “I also know there’s a cafe that offers such a delicacy right down the street.”

“You, sir,” Jens points at him, bright-eyed, “know the way to my heart.”

Lucas huffs a laugh and Jens collects his change from where it has clattered into the metal pocket. His fears haven’t been curbed, but he doesn’t want to press further and ruin the experience before it has even begun. He’d thought about a handful of other options. Taking Jens to a cafe or a coffee shop, booking them into the back corner of the cinema, retreating back to his room as Jens suggested. Every idea seemed too bland or too much. He didn’t want to force them into conversation across a table. He also didn’t want to feel like he was having to hide Jens away. This had seemed, somehow, like a safe middle ground.

He’s a little worried now that he has misjudged.

“Shut down whatever’s going on in there.” Jens snaps his fingers lightly in front of his face and Lucas drags himself back to the surface. Jens’s gaze is soft with a tint of concern. Lucas’s stomach roils. “I don’t know why you chose it exactly, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great choice. In fact it’s a fucking amazing idea.”

Some of the tension seeps out of Lucas at the conviction in Jens’s tone, and he’s left with a slight smile. “Yeah?”

“Luc, it wouldn’t have mattered to me what we do. It’s a chance to be with you. I don’t care about anything else.”

Lucas feels a flush creep into his cheeks. He waits as a small group of girls pass them before nodding agreeably at Jens. “That’s kind of why I chose this. Above anything I was just really happy to be friends with you. I like how easy it is. How I can just hang out with you and have fun. And to have it just feel chill.”

Jens’s lips curve up in a soft smile, and Lucas watches the entire process. “I like when everything’s chill, too. This is very chill.”

“More your scene than a candle-lit dinner?” Lucas teases. Even though it has come to his own mind. He can’t be blamed, surely, for having a few romantic or cheesy thoughts enter his brain when it comes to Jens. It might not be his thing, but that doesn’t mean that Jens doesn’t deserve to be romanced. Lucas, really, would gladly put in the effort.

It’s possible that this is another thing that stems from his slightly-less-chill mindset.

“Definitely more my scene,” Jens laughs. “I told you, you know me well. You’re full of surprises.”

Lucas brightens, feeling another blush creep into his cheeks that he fruitlessly attempts to stave off. He clears his throat in an attempt to retain some control before saying, “I just don’t know why you changed your money. This is my organised date. I should be paying.”

Jens sets a hand on his shoulder and uses it to pull him against his side as they begin walking again, speaking slowly. “You assume we’re only playing like five games and leaving then?”

Lucas is torn between leaning into his side and subtly stepping out of his touch. He can’t quite bring himself to do either. He also can’t help but flick his gaze around as he answers with a huff. “Okay, splitting is fair. But I’m buying dinner this time.”

“You say it like I’m going to argue,” Jens snorts. He drops his arm as they reach the middle of the aisle in order to turn and face Lucas, brows raised as he takes a few step backwards. Lucas’s breath slips out of him in quiet relief and aching loss. “What are we doing first?”

Lucas smiles at him. “Your treat, you pick.”

Jens rubs his hands together, grinning like a child before leading Lucas through the aisles until he finds what he wants. They start off with a few chance games that their change is wasted on, then move on to the slightly more adventurous areas, having a few competitive shots at skee-ball and basketball. They even have a simulated bowling game, which Lucas finds only slightly easier than actual bowling. The embarrassment is worth it for Jens’s responding laugh—which he valiantly tries to bite down—and the comforting kiss he presses to his cheek after a quick glance around. It makes Lucas’s cheeks flame and leaves him shoving Jens’s face away, heart racing a mile a minute with the pure affection in his chest.

It overwhelms him enough that he has to look away, swallowing down the tumultuous mixture of excitement and nerves that seems to be warring in him. He wants to pull Jens in and give him a real kiss. He wants to get out of sight first.

“Okay, your turn to pick something, because that was truly pitiful.”

Lucas narrows his eyes at Jens, but smirks slightly as he catches sight of their next attraction.

Air hockey.

It’s free, blessedly, as most things have been; Wednesday is a surprisingly good choice for a quiet date. Jens raises his brows as Lucas moves to one end and picks up the paddle, sliding it across the table testingly. “Really?”

Lucas hums.

“What are we, twelve?”

“What’s wrong with air hockey? My mom has always loved it, and she’s far past twelve.”

Lucas isn’t sure why Jens’s expression has gone suddenly serious until he, now stationed at the opposite side, says, “You’ve never mentioned her before.”

Then Lucas realises his mistake.

“Not that you have to,” Jens backtracks quickly. “Sorry, I don’t know if it’s a sensitive subject or—“

“It’s fine,” Lucas cuts him off, even though it is. Any mention of his mother strikes a nerve, leaves a panging ache. The idea of talking about her himself—even to Jens—feels too treacherous. Yet he feels that he owes something. “It’s, uhm. It’s just more frustrating than anything, I guess. They split up. My parents, I mean. So she’s back in Utrecht.”

Jens seems to have expected something worse. The sag of his shoulders makes Lucas glad he hadn’t given him the full story. Not today. “I guess it makes even more sense why you wanna go back so badly,” Jens says softly. “Have you talked to your dad about it again?”

Lucas lets out a breath as his own shoulders slump, shaking his head. “Not yet. Things are going good, somehow, at the moment. But I think once I bring it up that will change, and...it’s been kind of nice, living in peace.”

That earns him an understanding smile. “Still, you should try. It’s important to you. He’ll see that.” Jens slots the money into the machine and adds, “If not, I’ll come break you out and we can go together.”

Lucas smiles slowly. “Someone’s a rebel now, are we?”

“Just for you,” Jens winks at him, leaving Lucas to roll his eyes in an attempt to hide his blush. Jens taps the table impatiently, nodding at him through the screen. “Come on then. Show me how it’s done.”

It’s teasing, and his scoff is equally so when Lucas shrugs off his jacket first, tying it securely around his waist. Jens’s amusement doesn’t stop him from admiring, however. Lucas notes the lingering gaze on his collar followed by the sweep down his arms to watch the movement of his hands. Lucas has begun, happily, to notice Jens’s lack of subtlety in such moments of appreciation, and it never fails to leave him grinning.

“Really?” Jens questions again. “Air hockey requires this?”

Lucas merely raises a brow, challenging. “Ah, now I understand why you were against it. You’re just scared of losing a kids’ game.”

Jens rolls his eyes in vague disagreement. “They’re all kids’ games,” he mumbles. When Lucas only continues to look at him, he waves a hand in a gesture to start.

Lucas collects the puck from the pocket on his side and drops it on the table. He aligns it carefully before leaning down, shooting one last glance at Jens before taking his shot.

It fires right into Jens’s goal before he even has a chance to move.

Jens snatches his hand away and stares at the table before lifting his eyes to Lucas in astonishment. Lucas merely offers him a smug smile.

“Okay,” Jens says slowly, while, to Lucas’s pleasure, shrugging off his own jacket. “It’s on, Van Der Heijden.”

#van der stoffels #vds #wtfock #skam nl #sink or swim #vds season fic #sos clip

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some-days-we-get-sundays · 4 years

Text

sigh... that deleted avalance ending scene

Imagine how Sara getting abducted woulda hit even more if they had kept that ending deleted avalance scene in. They have the heart to heart, express how much they love each other, Sara talks about how scary it was for her this past year and realizes how it must have been for Ava, Sara again apologizes for being a screw up Ava tells her to hush up with that nonsense because she isn’t a screw up - a chaotic mess maybe but Ava loves it. And then BAM, Sara gets snatched. But no. They had to take the whole damn thing out. -_- I’m not saying it still doesn’t suck but I was feeling like something was missing and it turns out there was. I felt like the impact of Sara getting taken was just supposed to be more heart wrenching because honestly it felt a little out of nowhere. And that’s because of the whole missing ass scene! Ava and Sara finally for the first time since forever get to have a actual discussion about the scary traumatic shit that they’ve been through and it’s trashed. Well Sara mostly talks but they acknowledge the year they’ve had- Ava reassures Sara that she’s in it with her for the long haul and she loves the mess that is the Legends and then they tell each other I LOVE YOU. And not just like love ya bae :P but actually, I love you.. I love you more.

Now imagine we see that scene that is clearly foreshadowing for Sara’s abduction, and then Sara is gone. It would just have been such a stronger ending for me and it would have had me aching in the best way possible. Now it’s kind of just like welp Sara’s gone again *shrugs*. I wish they would stop taking out the quiet moments between Sara and Ava. In those scenes I believe we truly get to see how in love they are. We saw it in the deleted scene after Sara gets Ava out of purgatory and they’re in the kitchen. We saw the rawness, the vulnerability, the unspoken I almost lost you, -but you didn’t. This last cut scene from season 5 had that same energy of the deleted season 4 kitchen scene, and it really bothers me that a scene like this was scrapped again. I love Avalance but often times I feel like we don’t see enough relationship development. They move on from things so quickly. Like oh yeah, Ava got her soul taken over, oh yeah Sara died again and so did a ton of her friends and family :P, oh yeah, Ava saw Sara die, oh yeah let’s not really acknowledge any of it and move onto the next tragedy. Like no I don’t wanna move on! Stop deleting shit. I want my babies to heal and talk about their pain for the love of GaWD.

#avalance #sara lance #ava sharpe #pls stop and look at what you're doing damn showrunners

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lallemanting · 4 years

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sara!!!!!! may i ask for a lil 'eliott coming home to lucas after the film shooting' fic🥺❤️ hope you've been well!

of course!! (though I’m gonna apologize now for the cheesiness) also happy birthday!!! 💛💛 hope you enjoy this little fluffy thing

never not thinking of you

His muse, he’d called Lucas once, when he showed him the completed script. Lucas had blushed, staining his cheeks a pretty pink and then rolled his eyes and called Eliott lame.

or, Eliott comes home to Lucas after shooting his film

Eliott is buzzing by the time he makes it home to his and Lucas’ apartment.

It’s late. Or early really, the sun just about to rise, but Eliott hardly even feels tired, too amped up after finally managing to shoot the film he’s been worried about all semester. It wasn’t exactly how he imagined it, for obvious reasons, but he’s proud of it all the same, thrilled at the idea that he finally created something and managed to bring it all the way to fruition. Something he’ll be able to hold in his hands that started in his head.

He expects Lucas to be in bed as he turns the key and opens their door, stepping into the darkened hallway. He had told Lucas he’d probably be late and to not stay up and wait for him, knowing how exhausted he’s been recently studying for the bac. He’d been texting Lucas updates on the filming all night but when Lucas finally stopped responding around 1 in the morning, Eliott had hoped he’d finally let himself get some sleep.

But when he walks into the living room, the light is still on, and Lucas is passed out with his face in his books on the couch.

Something in Eliott’s chest picks up then, and all that excitement and energy he’d taken with him from the film set funnels down into a surge of affection for the boy sleeping there so peacefully, his cheek pressed into the pages of his biology textbook. Lucas looks so small and soft, and worry-free, a far cry from the anxious boy that’s been running around from study session to study session for the past few weeks. It’s like that first morning all over again, after the first time they kissed, when Eliott woke up and traced the lines of Lucas’ face with his fingers, so calm and happy that Eliott was beside him. The kind of thing he’d never felt before.

Eliott thinks for a moment about leaving him there, not disturbing his sleep and letting him rest, but he worries that his sleep won’t be as good if he stays there. Especially when they have such a comfortable bed in the other room. The last thing he wants is for Lucas to have a stiff neck in the morning.

And there’s something else there, a selfish piece of Eliott that just wants to hold him close. The shoot, even though it had gone well with Lola, had just reminded him of all the ways Lucas had made him feel, the feelings and emotions he had had such a hard time articulating before that had just spilled out onto the pages when he sat down to write the script. His muse, he’d called Lucas once, when he showed him the completed script. Lucas had blushed, staining his cheeks a pretty pink and then rolled his eyes and called Eliott lame. But it’s true, how Lucas has inspired him, and later, when Eliott had pulled him close and kissed him deep and called Lucas his muse again, Lucas had let him.

Part of that energy that flows through him now: the excitement, the inspiration, rooted in his love for the sleeping boy in front of him. It’s the all-consuming, heart-wrenching kind of stuff that had taken Eliott a long time to believe he deserved. It rears up now and all Eliott wants to do is hold his boyfriend. Sue him.

He lays down his bag gently on the floor and takes off his jacket and his shoes. He’ll put them away in the morning. Then he gently moves over to where Lucas is sleeping and begins moving the books and papers onto the table, careful to keep them in the same stacks and to mark the pages Lucas had open.

And then he gently brushes the hair off of Lucas’ forehead and leans down pressing a soft kiss to his sleep-warm skin.

“Lucas, baby,” he whispers, as Lucas begins to stir. “Let’s get you to bed.”

Lucas blinks once, then twice, before he seems to register the fact that Eliott is there at all. But then his face breaks into a wide smile and Eliott can’t help but fall in love all over again.

“Eli, you’re home,” Lucas says, his voice rough from sleep. He tilts his head back, asking for a kiss.

And Eliott can’t say no to that, so he leans down and kisses Lucas gently, a press of lips as Lucas reaches out and wraps his arms around Eliott’s neck.

“Lets go to bed,” Eliott says quietly, Lucas’ body soft from sleep as he holds him close.

“Okay,” Lucas replies. And then, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” Eliott whispers back.

They walk together to their bedroom, Lucas tripping over his own feet as he fights his fatigue and Eliott holds on and breathes deep, something entirely Lucas filling his nose and calming him down, Lucas’ hair soft against his cheek.

“Go lie down,” Eliott says when they finally reach the bed.

“You’re coming too?” Lucas asks, eyes blinking and barely staying open. He clings to the bottom of Eliott’s t-shirt.

“Yes, in a minute,” Eliott promises. “Now go.”

Lucas climbs gratefully into bed, pulling the covers up around him as Eliott strips down to his boxers, kicking his jeans off to the side. Then he goes to brush his teeth, fully expecting Lucas to be asleep again by the time he leaves the bathroom.

But he isn’t.

Eliott climbs into their bed and slides into the sheets, his head hitting the pillow before he shuffles closer, nearly brushing noses with Lucas where he lies near the center of the bed, facing Eliott’s side.

Lucas opens his eyes as Eliott lies down and smiles when Eliott leans over and kisses the side of his mouth, sweet and soft. The fine line between what counts as late night and early morning hanging around them.

“How did it go?” Lucas asks him, snuggling closer.

The question makes a thousand things flit around Eliott’s mind all at once with all that he wants to say about that night. He wants to talk about the lighting and the shots and the way Jo had proposed his next film be about a ninja princess. He wants to talk about the rain that had just appeared and the way Lola had transformed when Maya showed up, but he knows that can wait for when Lucas decides he wants to hear about it. For now he settles on something simple.

“Really well,” he replies, smiling at the sheer lightness of the relief. It had been weighing heavily on him, the stress of that project, and to finally have it done is exhilarating.

“I’m glad,” Lucas replies, but he closes his eyes and again and Eliott can sense there’s something else there.

He swallows, unsure of what to say. On one hand he would never want to make Lucas feel guilty for focusing on the bac, as he should, instead of helping him on his project. It all worked out in the end. But on the other hand, hearing Lola say the lines he had written imagining he’d be able to say them to Lucas had made his heart ache, wishing it could have been Lucas there instead. And he wants Lucas to know that, to know that he will always be Eliott’s first choice.

The film was meant to be Eliott’s love letter to Lucas after all, to finally tell him all the things he had been keeping inside for so long, afraid that voicing them would make it disappear. But Lucas had stayed – he always stayed.

“I still wish you could have done it instead,” Eliott says quietly.

Lucas opens his eyes again and smiles. “Yeah?”

“Of course,” Eliott replies. And it’s too much, Lucas all the way over there, three inches away across the mattress, so Eliott reaches out and pulls him to his chest. Lucas goes willingly, shuffling closer and tucking his nose into Eliott’s neck.

“You can tell me about it if you want to,” Lucas murmurs. “And I know you want to.”

And Eliott does, but not tonight. Tonight he just wants to hold Lucas in his arms and breath him in and thank whoever sent him his way and saved him in the process.

“I will, but tomorrow.”

They breathe together for a moment, Lucas moving with the rise and fall of Eliott’s chest and he’s hit, for the thousandth time that night, with just how much he loves him.

“I know you’ve read the script,” Eliott whispers, “but when we were shooting that last scene tonight, all I could think about was how much I wished I could be saying it to you.”

Lucas shifts a bit, propping himself up on Eliott’s chest as he looks at him. “Say it to me now,” Lucas says softly, leaning down to kiss Eliott gently, their lips brushing as Eliott inhales.

“Now?”

“Now. Like a bedtime story.”

Lucas settles back down onto Eliott’s chest, and Eliott can’t help but hold him tight. He loves that Lucas knows he has it memorized. Loves that Lucas wants to hear it.

“Okay,” he whispers in Lucas’ hair. “It goes like this:

I don’t want you to go. Because if you’re not here, it’s not worth it. Because I’ve been alone for years, and I thought it was better this way, but it’s not true. Because we barely know each other but I feel like I’ve been waiting for you my whole life. Because I love you, and I don’t want to be scared anymore and I don’t want to wait any longer. Because life is now.”

And as the sun breaks over the horizon, two boys, in a little flat in Paris, hold each other as they fall asleep.

#skam france #elu fic #elu #my writing #sorry for the fic spam!!

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amjustagirl · 3 years

Note

Hi Nikki!! I’ve been reading your works for a while and I’ve just finished reading chapter 6 of a sea in bloom and if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes in my message today then that’s because I’m crying rn so bear with me please

First of all, I love how you’ve paced the story so far. There were a lot of emotions and pining and a lot of building up which you then calmed down with the chapter of reader revival ofc. I love it. So well done.

Secondly, this: “The sun rises as it has done for a thousand years before him. The sun sets as it always will a thousand years after him.” I’m in love with these sentences. My heart aches every single time I’ve read it in your story. Idk what it is about it, my heart feels calm but it also aches. There’s so much depth and feeling in just those sentences alone that I can’t express it through words.

Thirdly, this:

““What does it mean if you blow all the seeds away in a single breath?”

A shy smile playing at the corner of your mouth is all the answer he needs to know.

He should’ve pruned any budding affection you might have for him in that moment, but his judgment is impaired. Eyes off the steering wheel just for an instant and his heart bursts into a wilderness of flowers, a sea in bloom. ”

I love how you included his memories of reader. And the section above really tugged on my heart. Like he knew. He knew but he didn’t believe he was enough for her. I look so ugly right now from all the crying I’ve done.

I’m always here on anon but like I always say, you truly have a way with your words, oh my gosh I can’t even explain how many times I’ve cried today since I started reading the series.

I hope you have a lovely day, I’m going to go finish the last two chapter and hopefully try not to cry anymore because I need to go to work tonight. Hahaha but thank you for putting so much effort and beauty in your writing. I remember you were posting that you were struggling whilst writing this kita long fic but you honestly outdo yourself every single time. I love all your works. Every single one of them. I’ve made this message way too long so apologies but I hope I got my point across and made some sort of sense 🥰💗

oh sara <3

*gently wipes your tears away and gives you a hug*

i feel like the trick to my pacing is...actly i just try to give my characters room to breathe and live, and it's in those little moments and spaces that we discover the story through them. it's truly a build up of pining and loving until the devastating tear down and rejection and i hope you enjoy the final two chapters :)

ahh that line "the sun rises as it has done for a thousand years before him. the sun sets as it always will a thousand years after him.” it's that feeling of muted despair i think, that i was trying to get at. that kita chooses to be trapped by his familial obligations that stretches back in time, and that sense of inevitability like his future will be without the reader, without happiness.

ooh that little moment. when i was writing that scene i saw it (idk if it sounds weird) in pastel tones, the dandelions seeds blowing away into the summer breeze before bursting into colour as Kita's love for the reader hits him but it's just interspersed with cut scenes of a car wreck and ugh i hurt that lovely boy so much adlksfjsdlk;jfasd.

omg no i just rly try my best ahhhh. i don't feel talented by any means but...yeah i struggle ALOT when i write and i don't write the fastest bcos i keep rethinking my words and plot points and it can take forever for me to even write a sentence so...im glad y'all enjoyed it cos THIS FIC WAS SO DIFFICULT TO WRITE COS IT HAD TO BE JUST RIGHT.

pls now i wanna cry cos you said you love all my works (pls come here and let me give you a hug cos im always so grateful whenever my lesser loved fic babies get love ughhh) and DON'T APOLOGISE i love having you in my inbox and i rly hope hope hope you love the last two chapters <3

#Nikki chats!#Sara<3 #a sea of flowers in bloom

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an-angels-blessing · 3 years

Text

Song Prompts #1

“Will nature make a man of me yet?”- The Smiths, This Charming Man

“If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?”- Lynyrd Skynyrd, Free Bird

“When my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold dark earth. No grave can hold my body down, I’ll crawl home to her.”- Hozier, Work Song

“I don’t think that we should be alone together, when we’re in a room you get my eyes, you open your mouth I’m hypnotised”- The Neighbourhood, Single

“She looks as if she’s blowing a kiss at me and suddenly the sky is a scissor”- Arctic Monkeys, That’s where you’re wrong

“You think you want to be alone, just wait until you’re crying on the shower floor”

“They’ve got a pretty face, but they’ve got a pretty empty head.”

“But how the hell do you fall in love, the last time I checked you can’t fall in slow mo”- LANY- The Breakup *There were too many good ones in this song, I couldn’t help myself*

“I know it’s mad, but if I go to hell will you go with me or just leave?” - Panic! At The Disco, Do you know what I’m seeing?

“I don’t know who’s protecting me, but we hit it off”- Drake, Sandra’s Rose

“Do me a favour and break my nose, do me a favour and tell me to go away?”- Arctic monkeys, Do me a favour

“Baby just came back around, said she needs time to explore, said I can’t love her no more”- The Neighbourhood, Baby came home

“Just one mistake, you say you’re not in love no more, but was it really love if you can leave me for something so innocent is this the end?”- LANY, Thick and thin

“You can have Manhattan, I know it’s for the best, I’ll gather up the avenues and leave them on your doorstep. I’ll tiptoe away so you won’t have to say you heard me leave.”

“You can have Manhattan, the one we used to share, the one where we were laughing and drunk on just being there. Hang onto the reverie, could you do that for me?”- Sara Bareilles, Manhattan

“You don’t love me, big fucking deal, I’ll never tell you how I feel.”

“I’ll send my best regards from Hell”- Marina and the Diamonds, Starring Role

“Change lives, get better, yeah that be the plan”

“That’s why you see me winning, yeah, even after I lose”- Jay Park, Ask bout me

“Love is not looking over shoulders, Love is you should trust what I told you”

“Love is not struggling to say I love you”- 6LACK, Disconnect

“All these people taking miles when you give them an inch, all these followers but who’s gonna follow me until the end?”- Drake, Emotionless

“Sex by the fire at night”- Bruno Mars, That’s What I Like

“I’ve got the good side of you, sent it out into the blue.”- Troye Sivan, Good Side

“It all passes, Someday, For sure, Certainly”- RM, ft. NELL, everythingoes *Translated*

“Please stay as long as you need, can’t promise that things won’t be broken, but I swear that I will never leave. Please stay forever with me”- Sleeping With Sirens, Scene One- James Dean & Audrey Hepburn

“When you move, I’m put to mind of all that I wanna be, when you move

I could never define all that you are to me”- Hozier, Movement

“Wake up and smell the coffee, is your cup half full or empty?”- Billie Eilish, come out and play

“Am I a bad person? Or am I just in pain?”- DEAN, Sulli, Rad Museum, Dayfly *Translated*

“When the sun sets and darkness comes, I only remember your warmth, where the stars wrap around us. I’m going there, I’ll be there”- SEVENTEEN, Highlight *Translated*

“I don’t ever wanna feel like anything I do ever had a fucking resonance or meant a thing to you.”- Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, I Hate You

“You can’t take this away from me, the way I hit the melody, the waves bring clarity, running through me”- Tom Misch, Del La Soul, It Runs Through Me

“It was a lie when they smiled and said you won’t feel a thing”- My Chemical Romance, Disenchanted

“The fog has lifted and things get clear, all the lies pass by like a reel of film. I hate you”- EXO, 내가 미쳐 (Going Crazy) *Translated*

“I’m sorry- no, I’m not sorry, I’m just getting started and my life’s a party”- DEAN, Eric Bellinger, I’m Not Sorry

“Ain’t it fun, living in the real world?”- Paramore, Ain’t It Fun

“Ready or not, we are coming back- yeah, we’re over, we can tell you ‘bout what you need. You can look it up when you’re older”- Evergreen, Cargo Cult

“You, you got so much potential, every moment spent with you I bet was always eventful”- Aminé, Kehlani, Heebiejeebies- Bonus

“Could you imagine the taste of your lips if we never tried to kiss on the drive to Queens? ‘Cause I imagine the weight of your ribs if you lied between my hips in the backseat”- Halsey, Roman Holiday

“Forever isn’t for everyone, is forever for you?”- Arctic Monkeys, Snap Out Of It

“Wish you good luck being lonely, I’mma push red every time you phone me. You vow to be a memory”- Ella Mai, ft. Ty Dolla $ign, She Don’t

“I’ve been dazed and confused from the day I met you, yeah I lost my head and I’d do it again”- Ruel, Dazed & Confused

“I just want you closer, is that alright? Baby let’s get closer tonight”- Paolo Nutini, Last request

“You have no idea how pretty you are when you wake from sleep, you have no idea how beautiful you look as you get ready for bed”- Zion.T, No Makeup *Translated*

“I was thinking I could fly to your hotel tonight, baby, ‘cos I can’t get you off my mind”- Shawn Mendes, Lost In Japan

“She’s soothing like the ocean rushing on the sand, she takes care of me, baby, she helps me be a better man. She’s so beautiful, sometimes I stop to close my eyes, she’s exactly what I need”- Jeremy Passion, Lemonade

“And her lips are like the galaxy’s edge and her kiss the colour of a constellation falling into place”- Arctic Monkeys, Arabella

“It’s how you look, not how you feel. A city of glass with no heart”- Queens of the Stone Age, If I Had a Tail

“I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife”- Hozier, Take Me To Church

“Bitter and hardened heart, Oh, aching- waiting for life to start”- Keane, Bend & Break

“When you move I’m put to mind of all that I wanna be, when you move I could never define all that you are to me”- Hozier, Movement

“She said, ‘Baby, I’m afraid to fall in love, 'cause what if it’s not reciprocated?’ I told her, ‘Don’t rush girl, don’t you rush, guess it’s all a game of patience.’”- Pink Sweat$, Honesty

“Share a casket with you, we’ll be buried alive, me and her playing truth ‘til the day we die.”- Granata Ft. Phoniks, You Dont Need Me

“And hope that I had survived yesterday, and today is jealous of tomorrow.”- Emeli Sandé, Breathing Underwater

“Heaven if you sent us down so we could build a playground for the sinners to play as saints, you’d be so proud of what we’ve made.” Stephen, Crossfire

“Tell me how do you cope with it? How do you sleep with yourself at night? How do you cope with it? How do you sleep with yourself at night?”- blackbear, make daddy proud

“If anyone looks perfect, you look perfect next to me.”- Nick Wilson, Obsolete

“I need my sex n’ drugs, I need my money first, bless me with all my sins.”- Abhi The Nomad, Ft. Harrison Sands & Copper King, Sex ‘n Drugs

“Naked and fallin’ in love, look here I got you. Safe where there’s no one to judge, keep it insightful.”- Keiynan Lonsdale, Preach

“All alone, all we know is haunting me, making it harder to breathe, harder to breathe.”- The Neighbourhood, Leaving Tonight

“Now I see you get off of the subway, haven’t seen you in months but it’s okay. I’d forgotten but I feel the same, hate that I still wish you were…”- Claud, Wish You Were Gay

“A perfect stranger lying next to me, he’s playing God with broken figurines. He keeps calling me his little queen and I believe.”- Jake Wesley Rogers, Little Queen (This song deserves way more recognition, make sure to give it a listen!)

“Hell is so close to Heaven, hell is so close to Heaven. Hold on don’t look back, you know we’re better- we’re better than that. Lost and thrown away, you know we’re better- we’re better than that.”- Sleeping With Sirens, The Strays

“Alone tonight, I’m drawing my dreams across the sky farther than I can imagine- She wants it.”- CIX, Movie Star *Translated*

“Yeah I mixed words and some whiskey on the flight just to make sure I landed on time and I wrote me a song I could sing just in case I forgot everything.”- Marc E. Bassy, Last One I Love

“Don’t ask questions you don’t wanna know, learned my lesson way too long ago.”

“Deadly fever, please don’t ever break, be my reliever 'cause I don’t self medicate”- Billie Eilish, my strange addiction

“And it’s worth it, it’s divine, I have this some of the time.”- Hozier, Cherry Wine

“And I realize you’re mine, Indeed, a fool am I.”- Queens of the Stone Age, No One Knows

“Look in the mirror ‘til I forget everything I know, everything I did was just a way to make the time feel faster.”- Miya Folick, Stock Image

“Do you feel how I feel? Are you numb? Do you tread crystal waters, bound to be stung? Are you scared? If I see you, we’re upon,

will you dye your hair dark so you’re no longer blonde?”- Isaac Dunbar, Cologne

“Tell me; To you I’m bad & hurtful. Because I’ve been busy, you’re hurting. Bad, bad, bad, I’m bad, bad.”- Crush, NAPPA (나빠) *Translated*

“‘Cause you don’t say what you feel, I’m the one driving but you take the wheel. You wanna wait, 'til we’re older, I’m the one who started this, but now I just want closure.”- Ieuan, Closure

“Our names carved in the pavement, sealed by what’s left of our handprints, now. I told my mom, she’d love to meet you, but it’s too bad she won’t get the chance to.”- COIN, Malibu 1992

“I’m running outta time to hold you close, running outta time to be your man. I’m just lost in this moment, I’ve been zoning.”- blackbear, 4u

“Standing on your mama’s porch, you told me that you’d wait forever. Oh and when you held my hand, I knew that it was now or never”- Bryan Adams, Summer Of ‘69

“I’ll go out, grow my hair too long, sing your least favourite songs at the top of my lungs. I’ll go out, kiss all of your friends, make a story and pretend it was me who made this end.”- The Vamps, Hair Too Long

“Getting my mind right, I’ll wait 'til the time’s right. I’m meaning to tell you why it’s hard to sleep at night. There’s nothing to fear now, girl, we should be here now. So why don’t you hear me out?”- Jeremy Zucker, Ft. blackbear, talk is overrated

“We haven’t spoke since you went away, comfortable silence is so overrated. Why won’t you ever be the first one to break? Even my phone misses your call, by the way.”- Harry Styles, From the Dining Table

“Look overhead at the stars and the ocean, foggy emotions, moments, erosion. This supernova could cause a commotion, my minds of the notion, you’ll still be my motive”- Ansel Elgort, Supernova

“I love that new dress you bought, yeah, you sure look nice. Heard you liked that new restaurant, you know, I’ve been there twice. And the way that you switch up your hair, all of the moments we’ve shared, strolling the streets back in Rome, oh, how I wish I was there. It ain’t fair.”- Ruel, Face To Face

“Welcome to your life, there’s no turning back. Even while we sleep we will find you acting on your best behaviour, turn your back on mother nature.”- Tear For Fears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World

“I’m wide awake, not losing any sleep, I picked up every piece and landed on my feet. I’m wide awake, need nothing to complete myself, no.” Katy Perry, Wide Awake

“If you don’t realize, all of the things your life can do you will be left behind, swept up by the storm of those you knew.”- Meltycanon, thankful

“I always knew that we’d be by each other’s side forever, now our time has come and I’d be satisfied if we died together. Yeah, our climate’s fucked, we might as well enjoy the weather, our time is up and I’d be satisfied if we died together.”- Samsa, Anthropocene

“There’s still so much to say, I’m faded, broken, pretending you’re on the line, wasting my time. Sinking deeper, watching you spend your night,

like I’ll be fine and I’ll be over this.”- NYK, Faded

“I’d rather go to hell, than be in purgatory, cut my hair, gag and bore me, pull this pin, let this world explode.”- My Chemical Romance, Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)

“I reached for a shooting star, it burned a hole through my hand

Made its way through my heart, had fun in the promised land.”- blink-182, Wishing Well

“Let go of your baggage, but don’t think I don’t understand it’s probably a challenge,”- Isaac Lewis, Fly

“It’s been a long night in New York city, it’s been a long night in Baton Rouge. I don’t remember you looking any better, but then again, I don’t remember you.”- John Mayer, Who Says

Prompts 101-119

#song prompts #prompts

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robronsecretsanta · 4 years

Photo

play it again, sam

Robert Sugden has everything he could possibly want: fame, fortune, and a successful music career. What he doesn’t have is Aaron Dingle.

+ playlist

For @saras-almanac; Hope this holiday finds you happy and well, and that you have a wonderful next year! I wanted to give you something that you requested, so I hope I hit all the right notes. (Pun intended!)

:::::

He knows he’s probably not welcome here again, not after all the things he’s said and done since. But it’s Christmas Eve and there’s nowhere else he wants to be, so he ends up driving back to Hotten. (He knows he could technically take his sister up on her standing invitation to spend the holidays with her and her husband, but Robert’s gone five years without doing that even once, so he doesn’t want to break and give up this year.)

His first thought when he walks up to the bar entrance is just how the exterior is still exactly as he remembers it; a piece of land that time forgot as the world around continued to tick by. The windows are still frosted, diffusing the warm yellow light from within, even a gentle coat of snow can’t seem to change that. It looks like something you’d sing songs about, and maybe in another life he would have.

Robert pauses outside the door, rethinking his decision, wondering if the price he may have to pay is even close to worth it. But the part of him that made him drive all the way up here insists that yes, it is, and it would still give up more than double. After all, who can weigh the price of home beyond a heart that does nothing but miss it?

So he takes a deep breath in, and pushes through the front door, dread creeping up his spine speedily. He has a lot to answer for, and yet more to make amends for, so he’s back to where it all started.

:::::

If the outside is the same, the inside has changed, and his eyes are quick to notice it. There are decorations covering every inch of surface that’s not currently in use, and even Christmas music playing overhead. (It’s a cover of a song that he can’t recognise, but still sounds vaguely familiar; a niggle of an itch at the back of his brain, but right now he’s more focused on other things.)

The lights are dim, and there’s a fire burning in the hearth, adding extra warmth to the cozy atmosphere. There might have been some change in The Scrapyard’s management’s policy since the last time he was here because there are pride flags hung on the brick back wall. However the handwriting on the chalkboard hanging right next to them is that same messy scrawl, so he doubts too much has changed besides that.

“What are you doing here?”

Robert turns to find himself faced with a much younger man than he’d been assuming to find, though his countenance is just as hard as he’d been expecting. He steps up to Robert with a fire in his dark eyes, and the promise of a threat in his clenched fists. “Thought Aaron told you you weren’t welcome here.”

“Ellis, it’s alright.”

Robert heaves an internal sigh of relief. He’d never admit it, but the other man had had him worried. He’s clearly in shape, and between Robert giving his security guard the night off, there’s no way he could have taken him. (There’s also that niggle at the back of his brain, confirming that he would have deserved whatever was coming.)

Ellis takes a step back, folding his arms across his chest, staring him down before eventually turning away. “You sure?”

“Yeah. Go on home. Marlon won’t stop texting me.”

Ellis turns to look at him, before finally nodding, then turns to look at Robert one last time. When he speaks again, his eyes are a hard steel, though his words are aimed at Aaron. “Call me if you need any help taking out the rubbish.”

He fires one last glare and heads out the door, bumping into Robert’s shoulder forcefully on purpose.

Robert doesn’t react, doesn’t say anything else, not wanting to have made a bigger scene that might draw attention. With Ellis now gone, it’s just the two of them… along with a few of the regular late-night punters. People who have nowhere else they’d rather be either. So in a way, he’s one of them.

Robert slowly exhales, and brings his gaze up, finally letting his eyes settle on Aaron. He’s wearing an old green jumper and skinny black jeans — not unlike when they’d been dating.

And just like that, it’s a kick to the chest; a quick punch that sends his heart careening. Aaron hasn’t changed at all, and yet he’s changed so much, a man where a boy used to be. He’s grown out his close-shaved hair — now curlier on top — and is wearing it completely gel-free. Robert’s heart pangs as he wonders who caused that to happen, which of the men who might have come after him. (He has no doubt Aaron dated again — and that’s without Victoria messaging him.)

“New boyfriend?” He tries to joke, his voice barely holding steady under the weight of those blue eyes. Aaron’s gaze is fixed and firm, scrutinising every last inch of him. (For a second Robert wonders what he might see in his face, and what changes he might be finding. Robert’s fashion hasn’t changed, though his hair’s a bit more styled, and his skin is a bit more tanned than it was when he was last here. He’s taller and broader, with a slightly deeper voice. No longer that skinny lad of 22.)

“New bar keep.” Aaron eventually replies, his tone flat and perfectly neutral. If he’s had any reaction to seeing Robert suddenly turn up in his pub, he’s sure as hell not showing it. And somehow that cuts more than anything else, despite Robert knowing he’s not owed anything.

“Suppose there was an opening.” Robert tries again, hoping for any inch of give from the man in front of him. But Aaron simply turns and heads behind the bar, green jumper pulling tight against bigger biceps.

“What do you want, Robert?” He says it like a sigh; a long-suffering parent looking for answers. Robert almost feels like a wayward child as his stomach starts to lurch, his face growing hot from the question.

“Thought I’d get a drink,” he replies as pleasantly as he can, still intent on ignoring everything about Aaron’s general demeanour. He unzips his big brown coat to further underscore his point — and show off the fitted white shirt he has on underneath. If Aaron checks him out while he takes a seat in front of him, he completely misses it.

“There’s plenty of pubs in London.” Aaron points out, making no move to serve him.

“Missed the service.” The charm offensive continues, though much less assuredly. “No one pours a pint quite like Aaron Dingle.”

“Not my problem,” Aaron shrugs and leans against the back wall, crossing his arms against his chest.

Sitting this close, Robert’s taking in every detail that he can, doing his best to update his memory. His beard is thicker, fuller, and much better maintained, and his chest is now broader and more muscular. (Robert remembers Vic mentioning Aaron training to box, but he’d never really asked after that. The thought of Aaron sweaty and half-naked and fighting other men would have caused his resolve to break completely.)

“It is a little,” Robert eventually insists, ignoring the growing tightness in his chest space. It’s the ache of his heart slowly tearing apart and being shredded like strips of paper. He’d thought he had a shot, but he’s less sure now. He’s starting to rethink this whole plan.

“You need to stop being so memorable.” He perseveres on, not willing to give up without one last fight.

Something seems to crack, because Aaron finally moves, reaching below the bar to pull out a pint glass and fill it. He slides it to Robert without another word, though the force and speed of the gesture cause some of the beer to spill around it. A few drops splatter onto Robert’s jeans, not that he even notices.

“£1.50. Leave when it’s done.”

Aaron turns and heads into the backroom.

:::::

SIX YEARS AGO

The melody is fine, but then he plays a wrong note, and the effect is immediately jarring. Robert flinches and tries it again, but stops as soon as he hits it.

“It sounds fine,” Aaron says after his fifth attempt, walking over from the bar and standing by the piano. He’s wearing one of his biggest and baggiest shirts, paired with baggy jeans and a hoodie. It’s early enough in the evening that the pub is still empty, so Robert’s trying to squeeze in some extra practice.

“You don’t know what it’s supposed to sound like,” Robert chuckles, shuffling to the side and making space on the bench for his best friend.

“Not my fault I’m not inside your head,” Aaron shrugs, taking a seat beside him. “Don’t think I want to know what goes on in there.”

He pretends to shudder in fear as Robert’s cheeks grow warm, thinking of all the time he spends thinking of him.

So he pretends to ignore that comment and play a few more notes, hoping that repetition will lead to an answer. But as he approaches that same part again, a mental wall starts to build until he comes to a complete standstill. The song won’t progress and so he can’t either, the whole experience nothing but vexing.

He runs a hand through his hair — longer in the back — and pounds a frustrated fist on his upper thigh lightly.

“I can’t seem to figure out what comes next,” Robert complains, tapping a high note repeatedly. “Nothing I play seems to sound right.”

“Then play something else,” Aaron suggests, like he always does any time Robert’s blocked in this way. He’s the only person Robert allows to see him compose his songs. The only other person he’d ever go for help to.

“Any requests?” Robert asks, because he can never say no — at least not to Aaron — and because his fingers have found the keys he’s looking for already. The start of the song is already playing in his head, and his hands are itching to play it.

“Surprise me,” Aaron smiles, like he can really read his mind, giving him a playful nudge in the side to confirm it. They both know what’s coming next, because Robert can never resist, playing this song any chance he gets.

Robert takes his time, feeling each note, letting the intro build to the first line of the lyrics. With each second he plays, his tension starts to ebb, as something in his chest begins to open — though that may have something to do with Aaron’s presence beside him, seeing as Robert’s been in love with him since he was in Year 11. (He knows it’s a cliche to fall for your best mate, especially when he’s the only other gay guy he knows. But every time he sees him, his heart starts to swell, making him want to burst into song like he’s about to.)

“And you must remember this… A kiss is but a kiss… A sigh is but a sigh…”

He turns to look at Aaron — just like every time he sings — eager to see his early reaction. He may not have Springsteen’s presence or Sinatra’s voice, but he can still carry “As Time Goes By” like nobody’s business. Aaron smiles, blue eyes lighting up from within, as his head bobs to the melody. Robert can see him mouth along the words, though he’d never really dare to sing it.

Pleased with the response, Robert turns away, closing his eyes as he gives himself over to the music. He lets himself forget where he is, this time and this place, just holds on to the melody and the thought of Aaron.

He only opens them again, when the song is long done, having slowed down and held that last note. Next to him, Aaron’s sitting still, patiently waiting for him to return to him.

“Mum loved that song,” Robert exhales. He turns to look at Aaron. He gently lifts his hands from the keyboard, and lets the cover drop. “It’s the reason I first started playing.”

Aaron’s eyes light up, and Robert smiles to himself, shaking his head as he tells him, “I’d wanted to surprise her for her birthday.”

The memory of those lazy Sunday afternoons plays fresh in his mind, long stretches spent squashed into his mother’s side, watching all her favourite old movies on the telly. Casablanca had been her favourite by far, Sarah quoting each scene under her breath her whole time. (When Robert had asked why she’d loved it so much, she’d simply said, “Love isn’t always easy.”)

“What did she say?” Aaron quietly asks, and Robert realises he’d never told this to anyone. But something about this song and the way Aaron’s looking at him now, makes him understand what she’d meant then.

“She signed me up for lessons the very next day,” Robert tells him, chuckling ruefully. He shakes his head as he recalls her expression. “The whole thing was terrible. I couldn’t play or sing. Don’t know what I’d been thinking.”

“Can’t say much has changed,” Aaron teases him with a nudge, only this time Robert can’t muster up much enthusiasm. He’s sent out his demo to a few different record labels, and he’s yet to hear back from any of them. All his recent gigs got cancelled, and he hasn’t written a new song in a while, so he’s due a bit of a wallow.

“Feels that way sometimes,” he sighs out loud, running his hands over the smooth mahogany cover. He traces the line of the edge, feeling it dig into his finger pad, as his hand moves further away from Aaron.

“I don’t know what I’m thinking.” His finger comes trailing back. “Dropping out of uni to become a singer. I should probably give up and go work on the farm with my dad. Maybe then I won’t be such a failure.”

“Don’t be daft.” Aaron’s serious now — more serious than Robert’s ever heard him. “You’re the best singer I know, and I love your songs. I’m not just saying that because you’re my best mate.”

He grabs Robert’s hand, holding it in his, using it to gesture back at him. “Your dad doesn’t know what he’s talking about. You’d make a terrible farmer.”

He indicates Robert’s fingers, long and smooth; the fingers of a trained pianist. Aaron’s always teasing Robert for his lack of calluses — or any roughness at all — as he works to keep his nails short and hands moisturised. (Not that Robert’s absorbing any of this, his single focus on Aaron’s fingers wrapped around the backs of his. He’s always run cold, but Aaron’s touch is nothing but hot, and it’s all he can do to not get consumed by it.)

He forces himself to meet Aaron’s gaze, only to find a certain softness waiting in his expression. It says, You’ll be okay, and You’re the best man I know, and Robert, I think you’re amazing. (Maybe he’d added in that last part for himself, but he’d really had a dream like that; Aaron looking at him like he’s his whole world, just like Aaron’s always been his.)

“Thanks,” Robert whispers, nodding a smile. He can’t help but notice how close Aaron’s lips are, and how he can smell the faint traces of his new aftershave. It’s one Robert picked out himself and gifted to him last Christmas.

“Don’t mention it,” Aaron jokes back, grinning at him cheekily, before growing more serious. “Really don’t. I don’t want to be responsible for your ego.”

It’s as Aaron’s joking, that Robert takes the plunge, throwing himself off the deep end. He lunges forward and kisses Aaron on the lips, cutting him off mid-sentence.

The fundamental things apply… As time goes by…

There’s that second of a pause, where Aaron doesn’t move, and Robert’s convinced he’s ended their friendship. He’s about to pull back, apologise and run away, when Aaron starts kissing him back just as ardently.

It’s a flood of relief, then joy and pure bliss, as Robert discovers it’s better than he’d imagined. It’s a warm beam of sunlight on a cold winter’s day, when he’s stood around on the farm freezing.

When they each pull away, they’re both out of breath, though neither of them can stop grinning. Robert would say something, but his heart’s in his ears, rapidly thudding, he likes me, he likes me, he likes me.

“Robert Sugden, I am not paying you to sit around and hang out with my son,” Chas declares when she enters. “The evening rush’ll be here soon, so finish setting up. You can do whatever this is, later.”

Robert looks down at his hand, still clasped in Aaron’s, his fingers curled around Robert’s tenderly. He’s yet to let go, but it seems like he doesn’t want to yet, Aaron enjoying this moment of contact as much as Robert.

“Later?” Robert asks, voice just above a whisper, wanting to keep what happened between just the two of them.

“Later.” Aaron confirms, giving Robert’s hand a gentle squeeze.

He doesn’t stop grinning for ages.

:::::

He knows what Aaron said, but he’s hesitant to leave. At least not without a proper conversation. But knowing him, he’s locked the front door to his flat at the back, and he won’t be opening it up for Robert. (Calling and texting won’t work either, because Robert’s certain he’s blocked his number. Even if he hasn’t, he wouldn’t answer now, not knowing Robert’s sitting at the bar there.)

So Robert looks around, for the only idea he has. The only way he can think of to reach Aaron. It’s a long shot, but it just might work, and right now, Robert’s desperate.

It doesn’t take him long to find it again: the piano now tucked away in a corner and covered in tinsel. But by the looks of things, it’s in pretty decent shape, even if it is a little bit dusty. Robert lifts the lid and taps a High C. The note rings out perfectly. The instrument may be in disuse, but it’s clear that someone’s been looking after it since — or at least enough to have it tuned regularly.

“Excuse me. D’you take requests by any chance?” An older man seated nearby asks him. He’s immediately interrupted by his slightly drunk friend, who demands, “‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’!”

“Rodney! You have to say ‘Please,’” The first man exclaims, aghast at his friend’s behaviour. “Honestly, you’re worse than Gabby and Arthur. At least they remember their manners.”

He then turns back to Robert and introduces himself. “I’m Doug, and this is Rodney..”

“Robert,” he replies, glancing back at the bar, but Aaron doesn’t emerge and both men are looking at him expectantly.

“Yeah. Why not?” Robert nods, unzipping his jacket all the way, before sitting down at the piano. He glances across the room, looking for hidden cameras or phones, anything that could record it or put it on the Internet. He doesn’t need a group of his fans to swarm the pub — on Christmas Eve of all nights. He’s already in the news enough as it is. He doesn’t want to subject Aaron to that kind of hassle.

He forgets all that when he studies the keys, the whole experience so strange and unexpected. He’d never imagined coming back like this. He’d always hoped it would be under happier circumstances. But it still feels like home when he starts to play, the piano still producing that same deep and rich tone. None of his keyboards in the studio come close to capturing this sound, not even his private grand piano. And more than that, it’s also the instrument’s response, his fingers’ muscle memory starting to kick in. He doesn’t need to think about how much pressure the keys and pedals require, or how far in advance he needs to prepare for it.

Now standing next to him, Rodney starts to sing, and he’s quickly joined by Doug’s voice. As they proceed to belt out the lyrics of the song, Robert can’t help but chime in. Maybe it’s the piano, or maybe it’s being back in this pub, or maybe it’s the lack of pressure that comes from performing for a slightly drunk audience, but the notes start to flow — and with it, Robert’s voice, though he knows he’s supposed to be resting it.

The singalong attracts the rest of the late-night patrons, who’re still at the back of the pub drinking. So soon after the song wraps, Robert gets his next request, Rodney yelling, “Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’”

After another quick check, but no Aaron at the bar, Robert begins to play it. The song starts out clunky, a little hazy in his mind, but he’s heard it enough on TV that he can reproduce most of it. (Not that Rodney or the rest would know, seeing as their singing is off-key anyway.) But it feels nice to get this kind of break, focus on playing and singing just for the sake of it. He makes plenty of mistakes and sings in a silly voice, something he hasn’t done in ages. The other drinks seem to enjoy that a lot, as they soon start copying that in later verses.

They’re midway through the reprise when he feels a familiar flush of warmth on his back, the sign of a very specific spotlight. But Robert doesn’t falter, or even miss a beat, as he keeps on playing and occasionally singing.

When he wraps up that song, they’re all out of breath, so he doesn’t wait for another request to come in. Robert just launches into the one he’d been planning on playing from the start, his fingers finding the keys easily. Thankfully, no one seems to notice it’s not quite in theme; “As Time Goes By” having nothing to do with Christmas. In any case, he’s the only one singing this time, so he dispenses with the silly voices. The second he does, his voice starts to carry, soaking through the pub effortlessly. Robert’s grown as a singer over the years, having trained his voice much like one would with an instrument.

But still, he can’t shake that frisson of nerves that causes a knot deep in his belly. It’s been a while since he’s played this particular number for more than himself, having only intended it for one particular person. And with Aaron’s presence, the song pulls him under quick, sucking him in like a lullaby. And through it all, Aaron’s gaze never seems to waiver, remaining fixed on his upper back and locked between his shoulder blades. It’s the only thing that pierces his music-filled haze, as happens when he plays any song that reminds him of Aaron.

When Robert finishes, he gets a smattering of applause, the loudest of which comes from Doug, who solemnly nods, “Sinatra would have loved it.”

Robert nods in gratitude, but he’s already turning around, only one reaction that he really cares for. Only when he looks back at the bar to see what Aaron thinks, there’s no longer anyone standing there.

:::::

FIVE AND A HALF YEARS AGO

The second the call ends, he runs back into the pub, grabbing Aaron by the arm and pulling him into the men’s washroom. He can hear Chas complain, but he doesn’t give a fuck. The door swings shut behind them.

“Whoa whoa whoa,” Aaron exclaims, doing his best to track his boyfriend’s excitement. Robert nearly trips, almost pulling them both down in his rush. Thankfully, Aaron maintains his balance. “What’s going on?”

He’s barely done asking before Robert pins him against the first stall and kisses him hard, not even caring if there’s an occupant in there behind them. Aaron doesn’t resist, going along with the flow, his hands coming to rest on Robert’s elbows.

When Robert does pull back, Aaron looks a bit dazed, pink cheeks a perfect compliment to his purple hoodie.

“Not that I’m complaining,” he says, a bit out of breath. “But what’s brought this about?”

“Lawrence White called,” Robert tells him, breathing slightly hard as he practically shakes with excitement. His volume is wavering between a whisper and a shout, getting louder at the end of each sentence. “He heard my demo and he wants to sign me as a client. He wants to produce my first album!”

Aaron’s jaw drops, registering the shock, before it comes back up to form a big smile. His eyes shine bright, twin blue stars, sparkling with pride and excitement.

“Told you he would,” Aaron says, voice falling just shy of smugness. Then again, it’s true. He’d never doubted for a second. “He does have an eye for talent.”

“But he’d never have heard me if it wasn’t for you slipping him my CD,” Robert tells him, trying to convey his gratitude. The shock of that phone call is just starting to set in, as he slips down the mountain of that initial high; the realisation of what this means really starting to hit him. His long-held goals finally coming to fruition.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

Aaron looks at him like he’s grown two heads, both of them spouting nonsense.

“Robert, this is your big dream,” he points out, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “How could I not do everything in my power to help you?”

Robert doesn’t know what to say, just stands there gaping. He’s not sure what more he can say other than a million thank you’s. He doesn’t deserve Aaron, and he never really has, his boyfriend easily the better half of their relationship.

But Aaron’s not done, a proud look on his face, as he eyes Robert carefully. “You’ve wanted to be a singer for as long as I’ve known you. It’s time other people know how good you are.”

Robert’s still speechless, so he just kisses Aaron instead, hoping to show him everything he can’t say. His hands wrapping around Aaron’s waist to pull him closer, hands bunching in the extra folds of the baggy fabric. Aaron responds immediately, deepening the kiss, his hands moving up and squeezing Robert’s upper arms through his leather jacket. (It had actually been a present for his birthday that year, Robert turning a ripe 22 in April. Aaron had joked he’d needed to look the part, if he was ever going to be a “world-famous” singer.)

“Just don’t forget me when you get all famous,” Aaron teases when they eventually break away, having had to come up for air sometime. He means it as a joke, but there’s a look in his eye, that tells Robert that he really is quite serious.

“Why would I?” Robert asks, bewildered at even the thought of it. If there’s one thing he’s sure about, it’s definitely this. His heart won’t stand any quibbles. “You’ll be right there, next to me the whole time. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Dingle.”

:::::

He knows he should leave, but he figures it’s worth one last try; his most desperate of Hail Marys. A sorry may not heal the past of its wounds, but he’d at least like Aaron to hear him.

So he goes to the back of the pub and stands outside his front door, steeling himself to go inside any moment. It’s currently ajar, Aaron probably having rushed in and not taken the time to shut it properly. Dim light from inside his living room is spilling into the hallway outside, falling on Robert’s legs where he’s standing. He’s never been one to walk away from an opportunity like this — a guiding principle of his life thus far — so he knocks on the door and walks right in.

He needs to speak to Aaron Dingle.

:::::

When he enters the flat he sees Aaron right away, standing across the living room at his kitchen counter. There’s a bottle of whiskey sitting on it uncapped, and a glass in hand that Aaron’s drinking from like it’s oxygen.

Robert doesn’t want to intrude so he says nothing right away, glancing around the space where he’s standing instead. Things are mostly the same as when he’d once lived here, the sofa and television still resting in the same place. But the photos in the frames have been slightly revised — or at least edited to omit any glimpse of Robert. (There’s also the addition of a blanket lying rumpled on a chair, quite new from what Robert can make of it. It’s entirely like something he might have bought them once; a present for himself and Aaron.)

“Why are you here?” Aaron asks after several long seconds have passed by, his tone sharp and voice raspy. He places the glass on the counter with a loud thunk, but he doesn’t turn around. Just stands there with his back turned to him.

“Needed change for a fiver.” Robert’s first instinct is to joke, but then he sees the muscles of Aaron’s back tense. So he reaches for the truth, presenting that instead. It’s about time he came clean and addressed it.

“…and I wanted to say that I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” Aaron barks a bitter laugh, finally turning around to face him. “Lying to the world? Or lying to me?”

He waits a quick beat. “Or dumping me on live television?”

“I didn’t dump you-” Robert frowns, and attempts to correct. It’s the same argument from five years ago.

“You said you were dating someone else! You told the whole world you loved her!” It’s clear Aaron still feels that pain as fresh as it was yesterday. His voice is rough with it as he recounts it. “You promised it would always be the two of us. Not us and Priya Sharma.”

He spits her name out like it’s something rotten in his mouth, Robert flinches from the force of it. He’d known at the time it would cause friction between them, but he’d still foolishly gone ahead and done it. Of course, he hadn’t thought he’d still be feeling the effects of it five years on, that his fake relationship would still be a point of contention.

“I told you,” Robert sighs, an attempt to explain yet again, lay out his side of this old argument. “Nothing ever happened between us that you didn’t see. It was just a publicity stunt so we could boost record sales.”

“That’s not the point!” Aaron states, stepping forward and gesturing with his left hand. “You didn’t think we were worth enough to take a chance on. You didn’t believe in us.”

“Of course I did!” Robert insists, because he knows what he’d felt and it was real. “I would never have asked you to come with me to London if I didn’t. I wanted us to make a proper go of it.”

Aaron rolls his eyes and shakes his head, clearly not believing him.

“I was young and stupid,” Robert points out. He knows it’s not an excuse, but he really hadn’t known better.

“Well, that hasn’t changed,” Aaron fires back, when he actually tells him that.

“You know, you said you were fine,” Robert argues next, feeling that same rising irritation. He’d come here to right a wrong, not hash out the past ad nauseum. “When I told you about Lawrence’s proposal, you said it was okay. And that it wouldn’t come between us.”

“I was trying to support you. I didn’t know what that meant!” Aaron yells back. “I didn’t know I’d have to sit around watching the man I love kiss some other woman, all so he can make an extra bit of cash on his album.”

Robert winces, but bites his tongue. He really does deserve that. He’s imagined himself on the other side of that fence plenty of times, and he’s hated every second of it.

“That’s why I’m here. I want to make this right. I’m trying to tell you I’m sorry!”

“It’s been five years!” Aaron exclaims, his tone and body language entirely disbelieving. He lowers his voice as he then asks, “What changed? Lawrence ask you to come here?”

“I fired him,” Robert tells him the truth. “That’s not the kind of artist I want to be. I don’t want to have to lie to sell my music.”

He swallows roughly, and looks at his feet, he still hasn’t figured out what that other answer is. He’d simply woken up at the start of the week, aching for Aaron like a missing limb.

“And I don’t know what’s changed. Nothing really, I suppose. Other than me realising I still love you.”

Aaron stares at him, slowly starting to deflate, all fight slowly leaving his system.

“Robert, go home.” He sounds just about done, too tired for the rest of this argument.

He leans his hands on the back of the sofa, and looks at his feet. “You made a mistake coming back here.”

“My mistake was saying yes to Lawrence in the first place.” Robert explains vehemently, knowing where the original sin lay.

“I never should have done that.” He sighs out loud. Then softly adds, “Maybe then we’d actually still be together.”

Aaron still doesn’t look at him, but he doesn’t protest out loud. So maybe he believes that also. Robert tries to imagine a world where they’re still a couple right now and it hurts his heart to do so. He could have had this, instead of what he ended up with, and it’s all his fault and he knows that.

In any case, he doesn’t want to wear out his welcome any longer, so he just asks the question he came to get the answer to. He already knows the answer, but he cannot resist. It’s that little bit of fight still left in him. If there’s even a sliver of a sliver of a chance Aaron would take him back, he’s going to do his best and seize it.

“I don’t know if you’re seeing anyone…” It pains him just to say it. “But do you think we could try this again? Give it another try as a couple?”

Aaron doesn’t answer, and it’s like Robert expects. At least now he can close this chapter.

So he starts to leave, but then stops in his tracks, turning around to face Aaron once more. “I brought you something. I know it isn’t much. But they say don’t go anywhere empty-handed.”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver USB, shaped like a mini silver Porsche. He doesn’t try and slip it into Aaron’s hand. Instead he just steps forward and places it on the coffee table.

A part of him had hoped he wouldn’t be leaving here alone, but understands where Aaron’s coming from and gets it.

“Merry Christmas, Aaron,” Robert says with one foot out the door, before pulling it closed behind him.

:::::

FIVE YEARS AGO

He’s leaning against the counter and sipping his morning coffee, watching Aaron make their weekly Sunday fry-up. Neither of them has to be anywhere else for a while, so they’ve got their whole day in front of them; Aaron in Robert’s navy t-shirt and pants, Robert in just Aaron’s black jogger bottoms.

The radio is playing like it always does, a happy compromise for the both of them; Robert getting to listen to contemporary singles of other artists on the charts, while Aaron gets his mix of classics and throwbacks.

“The garage next door says they’re hiring,” Aaron informs him, tending to the sizzling bacon. “I was always helping Cain fix cars back home in the village. Thought I might give it a try and apply there.”

“You know, you don’t have to look for work,” Robert says gently, looking at his mug as he says it. “We haven’t even made a dent in the signing advance that White Records gave me.”

“Yeah, but I can’t stay home with you all day,” Aaron says, glancing over at him. “No matter how much I want to.”

Robert pouts, not liking what he hears. Even if he does get what Aaron’s saying.

“But I’ll miss you when you’re gone.” He looks sorry for himself. “The flat won’t be the same without you.”

“Use that then,” Aaron retorts, only sounding like he’s half-joking. “Finish that song you’re stuck on.”

Robert groans and makes a face. “I suppose you’re right. Guess I’ll be busy while you’re off at the garage.”

“They haven’t hired me yet!” Aaron points out with a chuckle, though he’s blushing a little as he says it.

“They’d be fools not to,” Robert insists, just as an idea strikes him. He grins at Aaron, expression growing cheekier. “See if you can get one of those overalls home. I can help you… practice.”

Aaron rolls his eyes, even as his lips curve upwards. “And here I thought you liked me in a suit.”

“I can like both,” Robert grins and wiggles his eyebrows. “All part of being bisexual.”

He hears Aaron snort and sees him shake his head, thrilled his joke landed. He’s about to say something about how his favourite outfit involves “nothing at all,” when he sees his boyfriend go stock-still; shoulders stiff, spine as stiff as a lamppost, ears listening intently.

“What’s wrong?” Robert asks, but Aaron shushes him loudly, turning the gas down and reaching for the radio. As the volume increases, so too does the sound, where it was once just playing in the background.

It takes him a second, but soon Robert stills too, unable to believe what he’s hearing. It feels like he’s dreaming. But it’s all real. That’s his voice coming through the radio. It’s his first single and it’s out in the world, broadcast to millions of strangers. People all over the country have heard his first song, and are sitting and passing judgement.

But none of that matters, at least not right now, because he doesn’t care about their opinion. There’s only one that matters, and he’s standing in front of him, in danger of burning the bacon.

“What do you think?” Robert puts down his mug, jittery without the caffeine. Hearing his own song is like a shot of adrenaline in his veins, his heart just won’t stop racing.

“That you’re brilliant.” Aaron smiles proudly at him, not hiding behind snark and teasing. “And that your mum would be proud of you. Robert. This is amazing.”

He can feel his cheeks burn, but he doesn’t care, not embarrassed of his feelings. “You know, I couldn’t do any of this without you. Especially moving to London.”

“You’d have been fine,” Aaron insists, moving to turn the gas off. “You were always going to make it.”

“But I don’t think I’d want to without you here,” Robert replies, stepping forward to slowly embrace him. “Aaron, you’re the best part of this.”

“You’re just saying that because I’m making bacon,” Aaron says, letting himself be held as Robert presses a kiss to his shoulder.

“Don’t think so,” Robert’s lips move towards Aaron’s cheek. “Don’t love bacon half as much as I love you.”

:::::

He wakes up the next morning and checks his phone, but there’s no messages or missed calls from Aaron. So it’s safe to say that maybe he hasn’t checked out the drive — if he hasn’t thrown it out completely.

Robert sighs, and tosses his phone to the side, doing his best to avoid trying to call him. Aaron’s made his choice, and Robert needs to accept it. Going out there was always a long shot and on some level he’d always known that. After all, there are some mistakes you can’t always fix, and sadly this is one of them.

But maybe it doesn’t need to be that way. There are other apologies he’s due for. So he decides to do the next best thing and patch things up with the other major person he’s been neglecting.

“Hello? Rob?” Vic picks up quickly. The concern in her voice is evident. Not that Robert can focus on that now, he’s struck by how much she sounds like their mother. “Robert, is that you? Is everything alright?”

“Uh yeah,” he finally responds. “Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.”

After not calling or wishing you for five years.

There’s a beat as neither of them speaks, and he fears he’s made this whole thing too uncomfortable. But then Vic joyfully replies, “Merry Christmas to you too!” and it’s like all’s forgotten.

She sounds happy to hear from him, cheerful even, and Robert begins to think this wasn’t a bad idea. Maybe he should have gotten over himself sooner so he wouldn’t have wasted so much time. But at least now he’s learned that lesson.

“So how’ve you been? How’s Adam?” He attempts a proper catch-up.

He can hear the results right away, because Vic sounds thrilled. “He’s good. We both are. I’m the head chef at the restaurant.”

“Congratulations,” Robert grins, genuinely proud of his sister. The last time he’d been there, ‘Hotten Spicy’ had just opened up and she’d been working as a sous chef. “I’ll have to come up and try it.”

“I’d love that.” She sounds like she would, and he couldn’t be more grateful. “But enough about me! I should be congratulating you. What you did was incredible.”

Robert frowns, unsure what she’s talking about and with no clue what she might be referring to.

“What do you mean?” He finally asks, searching for clarification. Had Aaron told her about the previous night and how he’d gone up to Hotten and not seen her?

“You coming out,” Vic replies, sounding like it should be obvious. “It’s all over the Internet.”

When he doesn’t respond, she goes on to add, “The interview with NME, where you told everyone you’re bisexual?”

“Oh…” Robert says, relieved at that news. He’d done this interview weeks ago, but it had slipped his mind, what with his being consumed by thoughts of Aaron. (He makes a note to text his manager, Jai, seeing as he hadn’t known this rollout was coming on Christmas.)

“Yeah, well, it felt like the right time,” he adds. “I got tired of keeping it secret.”

“Well, I’m proud of you,” Vic says, and she sounds like she is. “And I know Aaron is too.”

“Why?” Robert asks, now on high alert and trying not to get too excited. “Did he say something?”

“No,” Vic replies, sounding a bit sorry. “But he only ever wanted you to be yourself. He really did love you.”

“Yeah, he did,” Robert agrees. Though that’s less for her than himself.

A long beat passes where they say nothing again, and at the end of it Robert blurts out, “Sorry.”

But as much as he says it, it won’t be enough. Aaron was right on that front. Robert was an idiot for so so long. It’ll take another five years to make up for it.

“I should have kept in touch more, Vic,” he goes on to say, intent on making a proper apology. “I should have been there for ya when dad passed. But I guess it was easier to stay away then.”

“I know. But it’s not your fault,” Vic says, gentle and warm and reassuring. “But it’s not your fault. You were just 22. We all make dumb mistakes at that age.”

“You didn’t,” Robert points out. And he’s right, because she’d kept her head on. As soon as she’d completed her GCSE’s, she’d gone after her dream and started apprenticing in a restaurant.

“Of course I did,” Vic argues back. “I just went ahead and married him.”

Robert chuckles, not expecting the joke. He’d forgotten how funny she could be.

She must be reading his mind, because when the laughter fades she says, “It’s not too late. You can still come over. There’s plenty of food for everyone.”

Robert bites his lip, turning it over in his head, and he finds himself quite liking the sound of it. Maybe home didn’t have to be a fixed place in time. Maybe it could be where you choose to make it.

“You know what? Maybe I will,” he tells her, starting to smile. “Been a while since I’ve had your cooking.”

When Vic doesn’t reply, he thinks he may have killed her with shock, but then she bounces back with ten times her enthusiasm.

“Hold on! Let me send you our address! Bring wine if you have some!”

:::::

He knows he should get back and mingle with the rest of the guests, but right now Robert really can’t help himself. He’s walking around Vic’s home, giving himself an impromptu tour, on the pretence of having to go to the bathroom.

Exploring the space, he can see much of Vic here, but also both his parents. There’s his father’s love of hardwood and clean classic shapes, and his mother’s flair for decor and textures. Vic’s accents come through in the colours she’s chosen, Robert highly doubting Adam has anything to do with this. Aside from the occasional eye-hurting object or display, his taste has been kept to a minimum.

It’s as he’s wandering around the downstairs floor he finds the piano, hidden in the corner of a family room. Robert’s not sure why it’s not sitting in the living room out front until he pulls off the sheet and sees that it’s the one he’d grown up with.

He almost calls Vic, but then he stops himself. He wants just a moment alone with it.

So he pulls out the stool and carefully takes a seat, the piece of furniture much smaller than he remembers it. (Then again, that had been 20 years ago, when he wasn’t as big as he is now.)

He lifts up the cover — made of a lovely rosewood — and runs his fingers across the ivories. He stops on the lowest note and gives it a tap. The sound that comes out is pitch-perfect.

So he tries another.

And then one yet again.

Each key is perfectly in tune now.

Before he knows it, his fingers have found their places, itching to launch into the song that started off this journey. Only now he no longer needs sheet music or to watch his hands as he plays. Now it’s all a matter of memory and showmanship.

You must remember this… A kiss is but a kiss…

Despite his resolve, he quickly gives in, unable to resist the temptation. He may not have his mother or Aaron in his life. But he has this song and his ability to play it.

It’s as he’s in the middle, playing and singing along, that he feels the return of a familiar spotlight. It’s there gently burning a circle on his back, sinking through his jumper and into the skin below it. But just like the night before, he doesn’t even pause, barely even bats an eyelid. It’s one of the virtues of playing this song. It’s truly hard to really pull him out of it.

When he does finish, it doesn’t go away. Just stays there, steady and burning.

Robert waits, and doesn’t say a word. Not sure what he has left in him to say, anyway.

But then a minute goes by, but Aaron’s still there. So Robert does what he’s always done in this situation. He slides to the left, making room on the seat next to him. He then quietly asks, “Any requests?”

He nearly jumps, when Aaron responds, “Surprise me.”

He knows Aaron’s waiting to see what he’ll do, but he’s been preparing for this moment for a long time. It’s taken him five years, but he finally has that request. He finally has something that might actually surprise him.

It’s a simpler arrangement, the melody too. As simple and stripped back as he can make it. He’d always planned for his voice to carry this song, even if he may not be the world’s best vocalist.

If I didn’t care, more than words can say…

Robert closes his eyes as he does his best not to look over at Aaron. But even though they’re sitting pressed up against each other — thigh touching thigh — he can’t feel or sense a reaction.

If I didn’t care, would I feel this way?

He tries to throw himself in the song like he has for days now, gently walking into it like a pool of water. But Aaron’s presence makes it all but impossible; the warmth of him a constant reminder.

If this isn’t love, then why do I thrill?

There’s a brief second, that he thinks he imagined, where he could have sworn he heard Aaron singing along with him. But that might have been his own nerves or his growing desperation, wanting to see Aaron’s reaction.

And what makes my heart go round and round while my heart stands still?

He tries counting to three in his mind and closing his eyes tighter, but all that does is conjure Aaron.

If I didn’t care, would it be the same?

He finally gives up and opens his eyes midway through, unable to bear not seeing Aaron’s face now.

Would my every prayer begin and end, with just your name?

When turns to his right, he finds Aaron looking right back, eyes as wet as his own feel.

And would I be sure that this is love beyond compare?

There’s no hardness in them like there had been last night, just something that looks like… forgiveness?

Would all this be true if I didn’t care for you?

Robert starts to smile, despite himself, hope blossoming in his heart for the first time in a long while. He’d been scared Aaron might never hear the song, let alone give him a chance to play it — only now he has the best of both worlds.

But before he can even bring himself to sing the next line, it’s Aaron who’s leaping forward and kissing him. Robert doesn’t wait, kissing him back, trying to pour all his love into that. He wants Aaron to know how sorry he is, and how he never intends to repeat the mistakes of his past. How he intends to keep them together.

Aaron seems to hear him, because he starts to slow down, the kiss going from fast and furious to slow and steady. It feels like maybe they have all the time in the world. All the time for Robert to make up for it.

“What changed?” He asks right away, the moment he’s able to think again.

“Don’t know,” Aaron admits, his cheeks a nice pink. He’s still wearing that old aftershave.

“Guess you just surprised me.”

#robron fanfiction #robron secret santa

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joycecarolnotes · 5 years

Text

The wonderful @itsevidentvery sent me the prompt “and then the autumn leaves were the color of his hair” and I wrote this odd little thing. Why is it set in an alternate universe I think about sometimes, where Jared is Big Head’s foster brother? Don’t ask me!

Donald put a skip in his step, kicking through brittle autumn leaves in his secondhand Converse sneakers as he hurried down the path from the school bus. No one would be home yet, and Donald took care of his shower and personal grooming exclusively when no one was home. He hitched his well-worn backpack up on his shoulder, dug the silver door key on its long red string out of his jacket pocket, and let himself into the Bighetti's vast and silent house.

Fleetwood Mac's “Sara” blared noisily from his earphones, and Donald rushed to shut the music off. There was something sacrilegious, he thought, about defiling the quiet with the sound of himself.

Something about it all still felt illicit, as if he were trespassing here.

Donald dropped his books off in the extra ground-floor bedroom (extra, he thought, with only the tiniest pang of heartache, hesitant to call it his own). He discarded his battered Walkman atop the quilt laid over the small bed, collected his toiletry kit, the thick, lush towel Mr. Bighetti had given him, and made his way on the gentlest of footfalls to the master bathroom upstairs.

Outside the door, his hand on the knob, it shocked him: the sound of voices, low and snickering, coming from inside.

"Shit," Nelson said. "I think my dad's home." And the door swung open to reveal Donald gawking in the entrée, Nelson and his best friend Richard, perched on the edge of the bathtub on the other side.

"Oh dear." Donald blushed. "I didn't realize."

"It's okay, man. We're just uh..." Nelson held up one gloved hand, gestured toward a jar of white paste on the counter, and to the plentiful helping of it applied to Richard's scalp by way of explanation.

Donald tried not to stare. He always did, when he had cause to look at Richard: when Richard came over to watch scary movies in the den, or help Nelson with his computer homework, or when he sat in front of Donald in his advanced senior calculus class. On a regular day, Donald found it well-nigh impossible to draw his eyes away from Richard, but this—the scene in front of him, here—was an entirely new sort of challenge.

Richard looked bashfully down at the floor, shrugging his delicate shoulders under a scrap of blue flannel towel. He had his shirt off, and the weedy patch of hair on his scrawny chest was the same shade as the russet autumn leaves.

Not good, Donald thought, not good. How quickly would he be sent back to the group home if Nelson and his father caught wind of his traitorous feelings? He tried his best to push them down.

It was bad enough, really, that they thought his name was Jared. He hadn’t tried to correct them, out of fear of being sent away.

"Jared," Nelson said, "uh, if you need the bathroom, we can - "

"No, no." Donald shook his head. "It's alright. Please don't leave on my account.”

"Are you sure? Because I don't actually know how long this stuff takes." Nelson looked quizzically at the jar of bleach.

Donald felt something then: an ache but a good one, a chance to be useful. Here was something Richard and Nelson needed, and which Donald so longed to provide.

"Well," he asked, "you did a patch test first, no?"

"The, uh... wait are you asking if we did a patch test, or if we didn't do a patch test? Cause - "

"We didn't," Richard spoke. "No. There was no patch test."

Donald leaned in. Was that the fumes, he wondered, or was he getting woozy at being so near to Richard? The paste was thick and abundant in some spots, but missing altogether from others. Much of it had been applied directly to his skin. Donald asked politely if he might borrow the gloves, a damp towel, and the jar of bleach, and set to work remedying Nelson's haphazard craftsmanship.

"May I ask," said Donald, "Richard, why are you bleaching your hair?"

"To dye it green."

"He wants to ask out Lizzie Adamian."

"Big Head," Richard said through his teeth. "Shut up."

It wasn't that Donald expected or even hoped anything might happen between them. Other than a few words here and there in class, or under cover of darkness when Richard slept over, they barely spoke. It wasn't that Donald thought he could compete with Lizzie Adamian, or that his dreams of being with Richard would be anything more than what they were: idle, escapist, doomed fantasies. But that Richard believed he needed to change something about himself to capture another's attention—that Richard’s brain and his passion and his hard-working, fair-minded nature weren’t enough—that thought broke Donald's heart.

"There." His voice came out a fragile whisper. "Leave this in for twenty minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly, and you should be all set."

"Cool." Richard nodded. "Thanks, Jared."

Donald stopped in the doorway. He turned back to Richard, who was looking up at him. He missed the riotous auburn of his curls already.

You shouldn't have to change yourself, he thought. Donald had spent years molding himself to fit whatever home he was a temporary guest in. He hated the thought of anyone else doing the same. Richard, he thought, you shouldn't like someone who wouldn't like you back the way you are.

"Richard," he said instead, "use a toner. Before you dye it green."

"Yeah." Donald could've sworn he saw a flash of something in Richard's eyes. Disappointment, maybe. Or maybe the bleach was beginning to burn. "Yeah," Richard said. "Thanks."

#there is more set in this universe that i think about finishing or posting sometimes #*shrug*#jcn writes #itsevidentvery #jarrich

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agentmarymargaretskitz · 5 years

Text

My Name’s Jeff

Happy birthday to my birthday twin @somebodyhelpthenotdeadfreds! I love our shenanigans with Legends and Hannibal and Constangreen and everything. Even though we’re angst monsters, I couldn’t help but make something on the side of fluffy. Here’s to hopefully surviving the finale tonight and angsting and self-projecting on Gary more!

Ao3

“Wakey wakey.”

John sat upright in the armchair he’d crashed in the night before. He had vague memories of splitting one of Rip Hunter’s last bottles of whiskey with Charlie and Mick in the parlor. Based on the minor ache in his skull, he’d had his fair share of it. There had been worse hangovers though,

“What’s happening?” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes to get a clearer image of Charlie perched in front of him. “Did we break time again?”

“Nope,” the shapeshifter snorted. “Another missions. Up and at ‘em, Johno!”

He groaned and rolled off the chair. Mick was absent from the parlor, but soon appeared on the bridge a few moments later looking as miserable as John felt. At least the arsonist had made it to his room the previous night. The rest of the team, including Ava, was already waiting for the three of them to be ready for duty.

“Sharpie,” John raised his hand in greeting. “Good to see you. Where’s the rest of the Bureau entourage?”

“Mona and Nate are holding down the fort,” the director replied curtly. “Gary took the day off. Something about picking up his dad from the airport, but that’s the point. We’ve got a new alert that came up this morning.”

“Well, what’s cropped up this time?”

Ray pulled up a few newspaper clippings on the central console. “Our latest mythtery-”

The reactions to that ranged from cringes to sighs.

“-is in Minnesota, 1989. People in a small town start getting attacked and killed by some kind of wild animal. Authorities are never able to figure out what it is, but people reported hearing dogs or wolves nearby the crime scenes. No normal animal can do this much damage.”

A photograph enlarged to display a severely mauled corpse. It was hard to tell it had been ever been human.

Zari shuddered. “Gross.”

Sara nodded. “Whatever did this wasn’t originally from our world. What kind of creature does this though?”

John walked forward and took a closer look at the pictures. An involuntary shudder traveled down his spine. He had seen bodies in this condition before and knew what could do that kind of damage. The worst part about it was that theses creatures were only able to do bidding for another.

“You recognize it too, don’t you?” Charlie said.

“Hellhound,” John confirmed.

“Those are a thing?” Ray asked.

“Oh, they are,” Charlie nodded. “Except they weren’t in the slammer with me. They’re from-“

“Let me take a wild guess, hell?”

John nodded to answer Zari’s question. “They can be summoned from there, but it takes an immense amount of energy.”

“What’s the point of summoning a hellhound?” Mick muttered. “Get a hitman.”

“Oh, if you really want revenge, then you call up a hellhound,” John told him. “They will do all your bidding and cause as much destruction as your black heart desires. Controlling them ain’t easy, and they can go on a rampage if you lose it.”

“Okay, so now we know what it is,” Sara said, bringing the conversation back to the mission. “So someone could have lost control over the hellhound, that explains the massacre. Four people died in total during this, so any one of them could have been the original target. My money’s on the first dead guy.”

“Makes sense,” Ava agreed. “We find out who did it, get to them, and then deal with the hound. I’m going to have to call Mona and see how much she needs to prep to care for one.”

“Don’t bother,” John shook his head and turned around. “This one is going straight back to hell. You can’t keep a killing machine like this in the Bureau.”

“We’ll see about that,” Ava muttered. “Okay, who was the first victim?”

Ray scrolled past a few articles. “A plumber. He was killed outside his home in the middle of the night. No witnesses.”

“Why would someone want to kill a plumber?” Zari asked as everyone made their way to their seats to strap in for the time jump.

“No idea,” Sara shrugged. “But clearly someone bit off more than they could chew with revenge.”

~~~

The plan was straightforward. Half of the Legends would tail the plumber. The rest of them would search for any sign of the hellhound and piece together the trail of destruction to see if there was any connections between the attacks. Unfortunately, John hadn’t been able to find any sign of a summoning from hell occurring recently. However, there were traces of other magical presences in the town, but John and Charlie couldn’t figure out what it belonged to.

“You sure this is the one who died?” John asked as he, Ray, and Charlie sat out in a car outside the plumber’s house. “He doesn’t seem to have done anything to piss anyone off.”

“Z thinks he’s clean too,” Charlie agreed. “She ran his record. But then again, there’s always something deep down.”

“Hey, he’s coming out,” Ray pointed ahead of the house where their victim was now exiting with a bag of trash. “Be quiet.”

“He won’t be able to hear-” Charlie began as John started rolling down the window. “Hey, what are you-”

“Shhh,” John frowned. “You smell that?”

Ray’s nose wrinkled. “Smells like sulfur.”

“It’s here,” Charlie opened the car door. “Let’s do this.”

The men followed after the shapeshifter as the smell became even stronger. A different man was coming down the other end of the street in a nice suit while the plumber lugged the trash bag towards a can on the burn. From the shadows, Charlie swore someone was chanting in a different language before the pavement on the street cracked. The Legends, along with the men on the street, turned towards it and watched it grow larger. A massive dark beast burst out of the ground, snarling and slobbering. The plumber screamed, but the hellhound was more focused on the other man. Charlie had a sudden realization that they might have been following the wrong victim.

“Uhhh,” the new man took a step back. “Nice dog?”

The hellhound growled and lunged- only to be clipped across the snout by a laser.

“Stay back!” Ray shouted, his gauntlet aimed at the beast as it turned towards him.

“And now you’ve pissed it off,” John grumbled, turning to the stunned plumber while Ray shot the hound again. “Get inside, now!”

The plumber didn’t need to be told twice as he scampered back to his house. Meanwhile, the other man was backing away as the hellhound got back on its paws and crept towards him. Ray hurried forward and did all that he could to keep the hellhound distracted. Charlie made a move to grab the man off the sidewalk and run him back to the car. Ray was right behind with the Atom gauntlet still on his arm and pointed at the hellhound. John was doing some kind of spell, one Charlie recognized would send the creature back to the pits of hell.

Except it wasn’t working.

“John, come on!”

“Hang on!” he shouted before swearing and chanting something else that sent the hellhound flying back into a streetlight.

“Why didn’t you send it back to hell?” Charlie yelled as John ran back to the car and drove inside.

“I couldn’t!” John shot back as Charlie stepped on the gas. “Someone’s keeping it tethered to Earth.”

“Uh, what’s happening?” the man they’d brought from the street whimpered in the backseat. “I don’t know who you people are, but you can’t take me. I have to go home.”

“Do that and you endanger anyone there that you love,” John snapped while they all kept running red lights. “I managed to slow that thing down with a spell. Its tracking will be messed up long enough to give us a day. Sooner or later, it’ll wear off and then it’ll come after you again. Right now, the safest place for you is with us.”

“Oh god,” the man murmured, eyes wide in terror. “I can’t go home. They’ll be in danger. Wait, you’re in danger too now if you’re with me, right?”

“Danger’s just another Tuesday for us,” Ray offered lightly. “Don’t worry, we’re going to help sort this out. Then you can go back to your home.”

“Will my kids at home be safe from the hellhound if I’m not there?”

Charlie frowned at how calm he was while calling the thing a hellhound, but John nodded. “They only go after your live scent.”

“So they’ll be okay. Oh, thank goodness. Wherever you’re taking me, can I get a phone to call my sister? I had a date and she’s the one watching my kids.”

Ray smiled. “Definitely, but don’t mention this whole…situation just yet.”

“Yeah,” the man nodded. “Do you people work for the government or something?”

“In a way,” John shrugged, turning around to the backseat. “You gotta a name?”

“Jeff. Jeff Green.”

Charlie looked away from the road long enough to meet Jeff’s eyes and could tell he was hiding something. “Well, Jeff, don’t worry. We’ll get this all sorted.”

~~~

Once they got back to the Waverider, they put Jeff in the old brig with a cot and a phone that he could call his sister with. The group listened in on the conversation and were relieved that he didn’t giver her too much information about the circumstances. Meanwhile, they all tried to figure out what to do next, since the plumber hadn’t been the target like they suspected. Gideon did find out that the last person to die in the string of attacks had been Jeff Green, and the activity had ceased immediately after. Since the plumber had been saved, they now had figure out how the other two deaths could have connected to Jeff and how to stop all three from being killed.

“The hellhound’s still out there, but he can’t track Jeff right now,” Ray told the others. “John put a sort of spell on it that gives us a day before it strikes again. So it can’t go after Jeff for a while.”

“That’s good news,” Sara nodded. “Can it go after anyone else?”

“It’s like blindfolding someone’s senses,” John told her. “The beast can still run around, but it won’t be certain of what it’s following. Daytime also makes it weak, it’s sensitive to light and it’ll hide. So We’ve just got whatever’s left of the night to worry about now, then time to figure this out in the day.”

“Okay,” Sara nodded. “Ava and I will go stake out the other two just in case for the rest of the night. The rest of you stay on board and see if you can figure out why the hellhound went after Jeff.”

“Speaking of that,” Charlie turned away from the screen. “Either of you boys notice that he knew what a hellhound was, even though we never told him.”

Ray frowned as he recalled the conversation. “We…we didn’t tell him.”

Everyone looked at the screen where Jeff was now pacing back and forth in front of the phone.

“He seemed pretty concerned that he couldn’t go home to his family,” Charlie said. “If I was more a bleeding heart, I would focus on that too.”

“So what, he knows monsters are real?” Mick asked.

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” John sighed. “Town’s got a magical stench about it. There’s more than just a hellhound here. But Jeff is a human.”

“Doesn’t mean he might not know anyone who is secretly a fugitive,” Ava suggested. “Where was he before the hellhound attacked?”

“A date. He was coming back from it, I think.”

“If I might interrupt,” Gideon called. “But Dr. Green appears to be making a call to a second number. Perhaps that will shed some more light on the situation.”

“Turn the audio on,” Sara ordered. “Everyone hush for this.”

On the screen, Jeff stopped pacing and stood where he was in the cell. “Puck, it’s Jeff. A hellhound came after me when I was heading back to my car. I’m safe with some people, don’t worry. I don’t know if you’re in danger because of it, but please be careful. I can’t lose another person I love.”

With that, he hung up and sat back down on the cot.

“Well then,” Sara spun to face the rest of the team. “He does know about hellhounds.”

“And so does this Puck he called,” Ava added. “That’s two people so far.”

Zari cracked her fingers. “I’m going to see if I can find anything on this guy. Or Jeff for that matter.”

“Ava and I will watch over the other two,” Sara told them. “The rest of you watch over Jeff or see if there’s anything to break the spell keeping it here.”

~~~

“How much did you find on Jeff or Puck?” Sara asked as she stumbled into the kitchen at sunrise.

“Nothing on Puck,” Zari reported. “I don’t have a last name, but I can’t find anyone with one that name anywhere in this time. Jeff Green, on the other hand, is about as normal as you can get. He’s a dentist in the town and has no priors, no arrests, not mob ties. His wife died a few years ago and he has three kids, but there’s nothing remarkable about him at all.”

“A hellhound attacked him,” John reminded them. “Which means he did something.”

“Well, he did say he had that date,” Charlie said as she sat on top of the counter with a box of cereal. “And with other magical creatures in the town, it’s possible he could have been on a date with one of them. Maybe it went poorly and this was revenge?”

“Pretty strong revenge,” Sara muttered. “But what if…what if Puck was the date?”

Zari nodded. “Jeff did say he couldn’t lose someone else he loved, right? Makes sense to me.”

Sara yawned. “John, can you talk to Jeff and see if you can get him to tell you anything about Puck? Zari, keep digging, there’s got to be something. Maybe Puck’s a fake name or-”

“Oh, bloody hell!” Charlie slammed her hands on the counter before sliding off and storming out. The others stared in confusion before turning back to each other.

“I’m going to look into Puck,” Zari announced.

“Gonna sleep soon,” Sara yawned. “John?”

“Yeah, I’m going.”

~~~

When John entered the brig, Jeff was awake. He looked up quickly as soon as the doors of the cell opened. The unease on his face was all too obvious. Clean record or not, he’d clearly been involved in something. Time to find out what that was.

“Just me,” John said as he entered the cell. “Captain asked me to check up on you. Quite the scare you had last night.”

“I’m okay. Have you dealt with the thing yet? Not to be impatient, but I really want to get back home.”

“As soon as it’s taken care of, you can,” John promised, pulling out a cigarette. “You wouldn’t happen to know why it would want to attack you, would you?”

Jeff shook his head. “No. Last time I checked, I haven’t pissed off any hellhounds.”

“Okay,” John flicked his lighter and lit the cigarette. “Although we never told you it was a hellhound. You knew it all on your own, didn’t you? Now that makes my job a little easier, but it doesn’t explain why a mortal like yourself knows about them.”

The dentist grinned weakly. “Lucky guess?”

“Did Puck tell you about them?” John pressed, stepping closer. “After all, you did call and tell him about it after you made that call to your sister. How ‘bout you tell me how he fits into all of this?”

“You listened in on my phone call,” Jeff sighed. “Well, he didn’t pick up, so I had to leave a message. He won’t be any help until he gets it. But when he does, he’ll be the one who comes and finds me with the people who took me off the street.”

“Sorry for saving your life,” John muttered as he exhaled a stream of smoke. “But you’re going to need to start telling us stuff. For starters, you know about magical creatures? Was it Puck who told you?”

Jeff nodded.

“He’s one of them, isn’t he?”

“Not my story to tell.”

“Alright, then how about one you can tell? What is your relationship with Puck? Secret lovers? Boyfriends? An affair?”

Jeff stared at him. “Why would I tell you a thing when I don’t even know who you are? Maybe you did save me from getting dragged to hell, but I’m going to need a little more information first.”

“John Constantine. Exorcist, demonologist, master or petty dabbler of the dark arts depending on the day. Also a time traveler, I can add that to the resume. Now with that out of the way, tell me about Puck.”

It seemed to satisfy Jeff, who gave a nod. “Yeah, he’s my boyfriend. We’re not public about it though.”

“Small town problems, right? How long you two been together?”

“Five months next week. We were talking about him meeting my kids soon.”

“Isn’t that charming?” John smirked. “Think they’ll like him?”

Jeff’s lips twitched into a smile. “Levi’s still a toddler, and he’s pretty happy with anyone who doesn’t take a crayon away from him. He draws on just about anything. Paper, the walls, books, his clothes. My oldest could go either way. JJ was so close with Miriam, and he really misses her. But he also told me that he’s glad I’m happier lately. I’d rather my kids remember me being happy in their childhood instead of sad.”

Jeff sighed. “But the middle one…I really hope he likes Puck. He takes more after me than Miriam. I know he’s been having problems fitting in at school and making friends. Hopefully this will be a good thing for him and not make the other stuff worse. He’s got a heart of gold, but he’s so shy and lets himself get beaten down so much.”

John flicked some ash onto the floor. “He might grow out of it.”

“I hope so,” the dentist chuckled. “JJ used to be shy too before he was loud and chaotic, but Miriam was the one who got him out of his shell before she died.”

“Well, losing a mother is hard,” John murmured. “Some fathers become the worst versions of themselves when that happens. But that doesn’t seem to be you. You care about your family. You don’t want them to be in danger. That’s why you came willingly with us, because you couldn’t endanger your sons.”

“Well, they’re the brightest parts of my life,” Jeff told him, opening up his wallet and passing a picture to John. “I want them to be okay and safe.”

John studied the picture of Jeff, a woman who must have been the dead wife, and three boys sitting on a couch.

“Stacey, my sister, took this when Levi was four months old,” Jeff explained, reaching over and pointing out each child. “He’s on Miriam’s lap. JJ’s right next to her. And between him and me, that’s the middle boy. That’s Gary.”

“Gary,” John frowned as pieces started to fit together. “Gary…Green?”

“Yes.”

John looked back down at the picture and little Gary’s face before passing it back to Jeff. “I have to go.”

~~~

“Is there a reason why we’re on the bridge?” Ava asked as she stretched out again. “Did we find a way to corner the hellhound?”

“What about Charlie?” Ray added. “It’s been hours since she left the ship.”

“Yeah, and she still hasn’t come back yet,” John told him. “So I did talk with Jeff. Puck is the one who told him about creatures, so he’s probably one of them. Also, he is Jeff’s boyfriend. Zari, are you sure you didn’t find anything else interesting on Jeff?”

She shook her head. “No, I checked twice.”

“Not even that he’s Gary’s dad?” John challenged.

“We have Time Dweeb’s dad?” Mick frowned. “Ugh,”

“Mr. Constantine is correct,” Gideon confirmed. “Jeff Green is indeed the father of Gary Green. An earlier check of Bureau records confirmed the birth certificate.”

“And you never told me?” Zari exclaimed. “Gideon, come on!”

“Well, you didn’t ask about his children.”

“We know now,” Sara ended the argument. “So Gary’s dad could be killed by a hellhound. Ava, you mentioned that he was picking up his dad from the airport. What else do you know about his family?”

“Ahhh,” Ava frowned. “His mom’s dead. He has a dad. That’s it.”

“Helpful,” Zari mumbled. “Well, I did find out that a street over from the plumber, a man named Puck Shakespeare is renting a house. While I have a difficult time believing that’s a real name, he’s our guy.”

“Could he have summoned the hellhound to go after Jeff?” Ray inquired, eyes moving to the feed of the brig.

“According to Jeff, they were talking about introducing Puck to his kids,” John said. “Things sound good between them. It doesn’t make sense that he’d summon a hellhound because he didn’t want to meet his boyfriend’s kids.”

“Well, we don’t have a trace of the hellhound,” Sara sighed. “Gideon, what’s the effect on the timeline if we don’t stop this?”

“Current projections place Gary Green as an FBI analyst in 2019 instead of joining the Time Bureau,” the AI answered. “Mr. Rory would die at the hands of Captain Lance while she was under the influence of the death totem. Director Sharpe goes missing and the Time Bureau is headed by Director Neil McNeil, who enacts a series of regulations limiting activity of the Legends and prevents you from completing several missions critical to protecting the timeline.”

Sara shook her head. “Things take a turn for the worse.”

“He’s the one who came up with the strategy to track the death totem,” John said. “And he came to you when Ava was missing. Gary’s got brothers too. Gideon, would this impact their timelines?”

“The art community never discovers Levi Green’s works, and a bestselling book is never written. A popular travel vlog, Adventure Man!, is also a victim.”

“That’s Nate’s favorite series!” Ray looked horrified. “No, he can’t lose Adventure Man!.”

“Okay, so we’re saving Jeff,” Sara decided. “Wherever Charlie ran off to, it better pay off in the end!”

“Oh, it will!” the shapeshifter announced as she made her entrance. “Lucky for you lot, I’ve been seeking out help, and I knew exactly who to look for. He’s helped me fill in all the gaps.”

A man entered the room after Charlie, raising a hand in greeting with a smile. Ava frowned, unsure of what his purpose was. John, on the other hand, was regarding the newcomer with open suspicion.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to Puck,” Charlie said. “He’s a fairy from the High Court of King Oberon.”

Puck bowed with a cocky smirk, a shower of sparkles falling from his hands.

“Well, the name on the rental agreement makes sense now,” Zari sighed. “Took it right from Shakespeare.”

“Bold of you to assume I copied Billy,” Puck replied. “Without my help and influence, your world would never know of that night.”

“Puck’s an old friend of me before and during prison,” Charlie explained. “His cell was two down from mine. When the jail busted, he ended up here, met Jeff after a while, and started dating him.”

“Speaking of him,” Puck glared at the Legends. “Who’s going to tell me where my boyfriend is?”

“Not until we make sure it wasn’t you who sent the hellhound after him,” John responded, stepping forward.

“I swear by the High Court, by the King and Queen, that I would never do anything to harm a hair on Jeff’s head.”

“He’s right,” Charlie nodded. “He really wouldn’t. Puck likes mischief as much as the rest of his kind, but this isn’t his style. I should know, I was on the receiving end of it and it’s not hellhounds.”

Sara’s arms were folded over her chest, but she did relax somewhat. Ava knew it was a sign she didn’t totally trust Puck yet. “So do either of you know who it is?”

“We do,” Charlie confirmed. “I heard someone chanting when we were stalking the plumber. I didn’t recognize it at first, but then I remembered what it was. It’s Lilim, the language of the demons.”

“Once Charlie told me that was it, I figured out who it was,” Puck continued. “One of my exes was a demon who calls himself Michael. He was with me when we first came to Earth after the prison broke and wanted to get back together. But I refused to let myself fall into his darkness again and rejected him. He’s always been jealous, so it’s most likely he’s the one behind this as an attempt to get me back. Like killing the mortal man I love is going to send me running back into his arms!”

“A jealous demon,” Mick looked interested by that. “Can I kill him?”

“By all means, you may,” Puck nodded, “Make sure it sticks.”

“What about the hellhound?” Ava asked. “It’s still going after Jeff, right?”

“Fairy magic can fix that,” Puck promised. “Just get me close enough to Michael, and I can break the spell. But night is falling soon, which means the hound will return. Now that I’m here with Jeff, it’s likely that Michael will show up.”

Ava sighed. “So that means we’re getting ready for a fight?”

“Indeed,” Puck informed them. “But before we do this, may I please see my boyfriend!”

“John and I will take you,” Sara volunteered, grabbing John by the arm. “Babe, can you get everyone else ready?”

“Not a problem,” Ava looked behind her at the front windows of the ship. “Hey, Gideon, how resistant is the Waverider to hellhound attacks?”

“I don’t know, but I am not ready to find out today, Director Sharpe.”

~~~

John wasn’t sure why he and Sara were both supervising the reunion, but it was shorter than he had expected it to be.

“I was so worried when I got the voicemail,” Puck said to Jeff once the mushy stuff was out of the way. “I thought the hellhound got to you until Charlie showed up and told me I wasn’t too late.”

“Yeah, they rescued me,” Jeff told him. “But the hellhound’s still out there. It wants to hunt me down.”

“It is and it does,” Puck sighed and took Jeff’s hands. “It’s my fault, Jeff. The hellhound is after you because of me. I brought my world into yours, but I’m going to fix it all. I love you, okay?”

“I love you too.”

Puck smiled, but it barely masked the sadness on his face. “Stay here until I get back.”

With that, he left the cell and went out of the room. John and Sara followed after him.

“You really do care about him, don’t you?” John asked as they walked down the hall.

“I do,” Puck nodded. “Which makes what I’m about to do even harder.”

“We have a plan all worked out,” Sara said. “The hellhound will be here soon with your ex, and we’ll send them both back to hell.”

“She’s right, it’ll be a piece of cake with your magic.”

“Oh, I know,” Puck looked back at them. “But loving Jeff and letting him into my world, it’s too dangerous. He could have been killed by that hellhound. I can’t put him in danger anymore.”

John stopped. “Hang on, you’re not letting a jealous ex break up the two of you, are you?”

“It’s more than him,” Puck sighed. “This hellhound would never have gone after him if I hadn’t fallen in love. Jeff will get hurt because he loves me, but I can’t let that happen. It’ll be safer if I leave and take his memories of me away.”

“That would just hurt him more,” Sara said.

John nodded. “You’re going to leave him with a blank space in his memories if you do. Not to mention that you damn yourself to feel the pain of breaking your own heart while he never knows.”

“Listen, exorcist,” Puck snarled. “You and I both know there has to be a balance of the light and dark in the world. Jeff lives in the light. People like you, Charlie, and myself, we are the dark. When we love people who don’t walk our path, it darkens their brightness. Breaking the balance…it hurts them.”

John opened his mouth to argue back, but he couldn’t find the words. Sara gave him a pointed look before leaving him alone with the fairy. The way Puck was speaking had been how John turned Gary away from him. He’d even used the bloody light and dark balance line. John knew he had broken Gary’s heart as well as his own, but he hadn’t wanted Gary Green to become another Desmond, another Gary Lester. But that had been before he traveled with the Legends, before he met Sara and Ava. John knew he hadn’t entirely changed, but some things had.

“Maybe it does sometimes,” he told Puck. “But it doesn’t always.”

The fairy rolled his eyes as if he was dealing with a child. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“That’s where you’re mistaken,” John shot back. “Because I do. I know exactly what you think of yourself after what Jeff’s been through!”

“Oh, do you really?”

“Yes! I had someone I cared about too. He’s more like Jeff than you could ever imagine. He cared about me the same way Jeff does with you, but he had so much light that I couldn’t let myself tarnish that. So I broke his heart, gave him the same light and dark speech, and moved on right up until I met Sara and Ava, that other blonde on the bridge. Two different worlds, Sara came back from the dead, and she found she could be happy with Ava. Now I regret what I did because there is no way I can fix it! That’s what’s going to happen to you if you break Jeff’s heart!”

Puck glowered at him before walking away quickly.

“Do you really regret not taking the chance with Gary?”

John hadn’t realized that Sara had been waiting by the corner. “How’d you know it was Gary?”

“The light and dark speech. Gary told Nate, and he told the rest of us.”

“Blabbermouth,” John muttered. “I messed things up with Gary to the point where I can’t fix them. If Puck truly loves Jeff, they can work out. He just can’t see every terrible thing as a sign that it’s not meant to be.”

Sara smirked. “Look at you having hope for Gary’s dad.”

“Don’t ever tell him that.”

“Captain Lance,” Gideon said. “The hellhound is approaching our location, and it’s not alone.”

“Time to get ready for a fight,” the captain sighed. “John, get Puck and the others ready. I’ll be there in a moment.”

~~~

As the Legends and Puck exited the ship, the hellhound was sitting obediently beside a tall man in a blue suit. When he saw Puck, an icy smile crawled onto his face. “Hello, darling.”

“Michael,” Puck’s tone was venomous. “You should have never done this. We’re over. Move on. I have.”

“With a human,” the demon sneered. “Come on, Puck. Really?”

“And you think killing the man I love would make me go back to you?” Puck shook his head, magic swirling around his hands. “Think again. Now release the hound from its bond to kill.”

The smile grew wider as Michael giggled. “I’ll release it!”

He said something in another language and the hellhound was on its feet. With a loud growl, it charged at the assembled group. Mick was the first to fire off his heat gun, eliciting a howl of pain when the flames met fur. It only slowed the creature down for a moment before it swiped at them with a large paw. The arsonist went flying into a tree as the hellhound turned to the next people in its path. When she realized it was them, Zari grabbed Charlie and flew into the air with her totem.

“Okay, you’ve had your fun!” Charlie yelled as Zari tried to avoid the lunging beast. “Cut it out! You’re not going to get what you want!”

“Oh, I’ll kill as many people as I have to in order to get him back,” Michael shouted back. “Starting with you lot!”

Ray and Ava made a move to go after him, but the hellhound cut them off. It was then that John realized Sara hadn’t rejoined them yet. He only had a second to process this before Puck suddenly tackled him to avoid being taken out by the Atom flying back from a blow.

“I need to get closer,” Puck said, getting back up on his feet. “Ugh, Michael had to get a big one. He’s really overcompensating.”

John made a face as he thought through the spells that he knew. Settling on one, he began to chant in Latin, trying to trap the beast in a sigil.

“You’re a clever one,” Michael sounded impressed. “But it’s not enough.”

Michael spoke something in Lilim, and the sigil dissolved. Another phrase in Lilim, this one sounding much like a command, made the beast turn to face John head on. Its eyes glowed like embers as it started running at him. John started to summon up another sigil.

A yell came from behind him. “Hey, pooch!”

The next thing John knew, a rod was being jammed into the hellhound’s eye. It screeched and backed away quickly, the rod swinging around haphazardly. John took the opportunity to run out of the way. Looking up, he saw Jeff standing there, hands shaking and eyes slightly widened. Sara was standing next to him, a proud look on her face.

Michael stared at his hellhound, then back up to Jeff. “The mortal.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Jeff shouted. “I am. Maybe it’s not a demon, or some other magical creature, but I still love him. And I’m pretty sure that he loves me!”

“I do!” Puck appeared from behind Michael. “And I’m not letting anyone take him away from me!”

Michael spun around and Puck grabbing his chest. His hand started to glow as did the demon’s chest, the dark outlines of his ribs prominent. Puck pulled his hand back after a few moments. Michael sunk to his knees and the hound stopped flailing around. It started to whimper in pain now.

“It’s been freed from its task,” Puck announced as the Legends and Jeff moved forward. “Now it’s time for them to return to hell.”

“I’ve got that bit,” John looked down at the demon and started to summon the opening to hell.

Michael scowled up at Puck. “You’ve made a mistake. We’re immortals, he isn’t. You’re from two different worlds. It won’t be a happy ending.”

“So what if we’re not the same?” Jeff asked. “Everything that makes him different is part of why I love Puck. It doesn’t change how I feel about him.”

Puck reached over with a smile to take his hand. “Me neither.”

The portal to hell was wide open now. The hound was cast inside first, then John set his sights on Michael.

“I hope you get what’s coming from your pals down there,” he snarled.

With that, he kicked the demon through the portal and closed it.

“Is that it?” Sara asked as Zari finally made it back down to the ground with Charlie.

John nodded silently. Puck and Jeff turned to each other and started to kiss.

“Let’s get cleaned up and get him home,” Ava said. “Plus, I’m pretty sure Rory has a concussion over there.”

“Eh, he’s got a thick head,” Sara replied. “He’ll be fine.”

“Are we ever going to tell Gary about this?” Charlie inquired, pointing over to Jeff and Puck. “That his dads dated a fugitive and we saved him?”

Ava shook her head. “No. If he remembers this, then he’ll tell us. Right now we just need to get his dad home.”

“And what about Puck?”

Zari’s question had them all looking towards the couple again.

“He hasn’t done any harm,” John murmured. “Let them be happy for as long as they can.”

“For once, I agree with him,” Ava said. “They’re two people in love. They deserve a chance.”

~~~

“Thank you again for saving me. I owe my life to you.”

“It’s what we do,” Sara smiled at Jeff. “Just have a good life.”

“And look after your kids,” Ava added. “They’ve got a good dad.”

“They really do,” Puck agreed with her, kissing Jeff. “I can’t wait to meet them tomorrow. I’ll see you then, my love.”

With a puff of smoke, he vanished.

“Fairy magic,” John shook his head. He gave Jeff a pat on the shoulder. “Let’s get you home to your kids.”

Together with Ray, they loaded into the car they were “borrowing”. The drive to the Green house was silent, save for Jeff pointing out where they’d need to turn. John did catch Ray looking over at him a few times, but he thankfully kept his mouth shut. He was glad for the silence right now.

Once they arrived at the Green home, John got out to take Jeff to the door. “Here you are. Home sweet home.”

“Yeah,” Jeff looked up at it happily. “I’m glad to be back here alive.”

“I’ll bet,” John agreed. “Listen, mate, I have two things I want to say.”

Jeff turned to him, waiting. John exhaled and glanced at the house quickly, wondering what little Gary Green was up to right now while little John Constantine was sleeping with his latest bruises.

“First, don’t give up with Puck. I saw tonight that you two really love each other. Two different worlds or not, you can find a way. Don’t make my mistakes.”

“I won’t. We won’t.”

“Good,” John nodded. “Second, I know you love your kids, and that you’re worried about Gary. You see that he’s going to be amazing, but he doesn’t know that, so tell him. Tell him everyday that he is incredible. Tell all your boys that, but make sure Gary knows it. Someone needs to.”

“I will,” Jeff smiled as he pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the door. “Thank you for everything. Goodbye, John.”

As soon as he pushed the door open, John could see a little boy with glasses sitting on the carpet at the end of the hall. He lifted his head from a book to see who it was. Then his face split into a grin and he ran over to attach himself to Jeff’s legs. “DADDY!”

“Gary!” Jeff dropped down so he could hug his son properly. “Hey, kiddo, I missed you so much!”

“Aunt Stacy didn’t say when you were coming back,” little Gary mumbled into Jeff’s neck. “Where were you?”

“I was with some friends. This is one of them. You’re going to meet another one tomorrow.”

“Cool!” Gary grinned up at John, revealing a missing tooth. “Nice to meet you.”

John couldn’t help but smile back. “You too.”

“Hey, where are your brothers and aunt?” Jeff asked, standing up now. “Are they already asleep?”

“Levi is. Aunt Stacy’s with JJ in the backyard. He climbed the tree and he isn’t wearing pants.”

“Well, we better go deal with that then,” Jeff chuckled. “How about you tell me about that book you were reading?”

John watched them go inside and close the door before heading back to the car.

~~~

“The timeline is back to the way it’s supposed to be,” Sara said once they were back in present day. “No massacre was ever reported in that town.”

“I was hoping serial killer when this first came up, but I’m glad it’s been fixed,” Ava murmured. “Gary’s still at the Bureau, so that’s good.”

“Oh yeah,” Sara’s eyes glinted with mischief. “I made a lie about something being broken and might have told John to check on Gary himself.”

“I suggested it,” Gideon reminded her.

Ava raised an eyebrow. “You’re playing matchmaker with them?”

Sara shrugged. “Maybe a little…”

~~~

John knocked for the third time on Gary’s apartment door. “Oh come on, squire. You better be in there.”

Just then, the door swung open, revealing Gary. “John? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?”

“You know me,” John sighed in relief as he came into the apartment. “You still work at the Bureau, right?”

“Yeah, I do, you know that. I took the day off today, I had to pick up my dad at the airport, although he did have a surprise there.”

John froze. “What kind of surprise?”

“Gary? Who are you talking to?”

“Who’s there?”

John remembered those voices. It had been hours for him, but decades for them. Lifting his head, he could see Puck and Jeff coming around the corner from where Gary’s kitchen was. Jeff’s hair had gone gray and there were more wrinkles now, but he had aged gracefully. Puck looked older too, which should have been impossible for fairies, but his aging looked slower compared to Jeff’s. John couldn’t help but smile when he saw their joined hands.

“Hey,” Gary looked back to his father and Puck, then John. “Uh, John, this is my dad. And that’s Puck. He’s my dad’s boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” John raised an eyebrow.

“We were together for a long time, but then we had a bit of a break,” Jeff explained. “Puck helped me raise Gary and his brothers.”

“But now we’re trying things together again,” Puck finished, smiling lovingly at Jeff. “So, Gary, who is this?”

John glanced quickly at Gary, who cleared his throat. “This is John Constantine. He’s a friend from work.”

Jeff tilted his head. “Do I know you?”

“Just got one of those faces,” John lied.

“I don’t think you’d know him,” Gary told his father. “John’s kinda into the occult.”

Jeff grinned. “Hey, I was in a cult once!”

“Occult, and he doesn’t need to hear that story!” Gary panicked, waving his hands back and forth.

“Hey, Gary, can you give me a hand in the kitchen?” Puck interrupted. “I need to get the rest of the sauce together so it can simmer.”

“Sure, Puck.”

John watched them leave before turning back to Jeff. The older man had a knowing smile on his face.

“It’s been a while, John Constantine. So, are you a petty dabbler or master of the dark arts today?”

“You…” he faltered. “You remember me?”

“Hard to forget an introduction like that after nearly getting mauled by a hellhound,” Jeff laughed. “You and everyone on that ship did so much for me and Puck back then. Not only did you stop a hellhound, but you told us it was possible to be together.”

John glanced towards the kitchen where Gary and Puck were. “Thought you two said you had a break.”

“We did, but it didn’t mean Puck wasn’t part of the family. Besides, we’re giving things a second chance and it’s been amazing.”

“Well, that’s good to hear.”

“Puck told me everything you told him all that time long ago,” Jeff continued. “Including how you let someone go because of your darkness. And then there was the advice you gave me about Gary. Since you told me you were a time traveler, I wondered if you knew him. But Gary was the one you let go, wasn’t he?”

John exhaled heavily. “He was.”

“Do you still really care about my son, John Constantine?” Jeff asked, his eyes steely behind the glasses he now wore.

The question hung in the air before John nodded. “I do.”

“Good,” Jeff smiled. “Because he still likes you too. If you want something with him…well, I think you remember the advice you gave to me.”

John snorted softly. “Time will tell if it works again.”

“So, do it, then wait and see. That’s what Puck and I had to do.”

“Jeff, where did you-” Puck started to shout. “Never mind. Can you give me a hand?”

“I’ll be there in a moment,” Jeff called back, then looked to John. “Good luck. And if you ever break his heart again, Puck will come after you. You’ll get to see the kind of revenge he can dish out then.”

“Not meddling with a fairy,” John promised. “Speaking of which, do Gary and his brothers know about Puck? What he really is?”

“They do, but the secret is safe within the family and it will stay with family.”

Gary came back around the corner. “Hey, Dad, JJ’s calling. Levi’s with him.”

“I’ll get it,” Jeff told his son. “You talk with John for now.”

“Sure,” Gary grinned until his father left the room, then looked back to John. “Hey, he didn’t tell you the cult story, did he?”

John laughed. “Nope. No cult story, but now I’m curious.”

Gary reddened and scratched the back of his neck. “I can…tell you tonight? Puck’s suggesting that I invite you over for dinner tonight. It’ll be them and my brothers here. It’s okay to say no though. My family can be a lot and-”

“No,” John shook his head. “I’d like to stay.”

Gary seemed surprised. “Wha- really?”

“Yeah,” he smiled. “There’s something I want to talk to you about, if you’ll hear me out.”

Gary beamed back at him. “Sure.”

#legends of tomorrow #somebodyhelpthenotdeadfreds #happy birthday #constangreen #john constantine #gary green #team legends #green family #constangreen server #fanfiction

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firesoulstuff · 6 years

Text

True Love’s Kiss (Part 2)

Read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/16213211/chapters/37982033

“So this is where you found him yesterday?” Mick asks as the three of them near the top of the last staircase in the West Family Boarding House. He was a little surprised when they ended up here, if only because Joe West is known for being a little, and understandably, cautious with clientele. But, he supposes Constantine isn’t the worst nutcase to ever roll into town.

“Yeah, right here.” Haircut says; pointing to the door they’re coming up on. He knocks once on it but there’s no answer. “John?” He calls but again nothing.

They don’t have time for this.

When Ray moves to knock a second time Mick reaches forward and turns the knob, which opens.

Maybe he should’ve let Ray keep knocking.

The door opening is met with a mix of shrieks and curses, not to mention shrieked curses, and Mick spins fast as he can to advert his eyes.

“Good God!” Pretty shouts, turning to advert his eyes as well and nearly smacking into a wall.

“Ray?!” A voice, that belonging to the woman in the room, demands.

“Zari?” Haircut splutters, and Mick just knows he’s still looking.

“What are you lot doing back here?” Constantine demands, sounding only mildly annoyed by the sudden intrusion, though Mick doesn’t dare take that as a signal to look.

“We came for you!” Pretty answers; also still staring at the wall.

“Why?” Constantine asks, “I told you where you’re friend is-”

“And now you’re gonna help us find him.” Mick interrupts, “We’re not getting out of there alive without a magician, and you’re the only one of those around here. So get dressed, both of you, unless you want to go walking naked through the forest.”

“Why do I have to-?”

“Because I said so,” Mick cuts Zari off. Despite the circumstances of running into her he is grateful they did, they’re going to need someone other than him who’s half decent in a fight, and it won’t hurt to have another sane mind around to defuse his housemates and Constantine.

Though, with Zari, betting on her helpfulness can be a gamble.

Oh well, the more hands he has the smoother this will go, and the sooner they can get home with Snart and welcome Sara back to the land of the living.

Amaya can’t help but to smile at the sight of Jax, curled up at Sara’s side in the way he spent so many nights back when she was first cursed.

“It won’t be long now,” she says, setting a candle down on top of a nearby stool.

The boys have been gone all day, and bless Jax’s heart he spent the entire day trying to make sense of Mick’s woodworking tools, so that they’ll have something to sell in town this week.

He looks up at her words, watching her carefully while she lowers herself to the ground and she can’t help but to chuckle. Once she’s seated next to him he returns his attention to Sara’s sleeping form, his eyes trained on the rise and fall of her chest.

She frowns as she takes in the sight, how broken, lost, and hesitant Jax looks; too much so for a boy his age. He’s lost so much in his short life. First his parents, then his sort of adoptive grandfather from what she understands, she never knew him. But from what Sara once said that man had been a saint, taking her in after the deaths of her own family. Once he was gone she couldn’t abandon Jax, barely six at the time, and so their little family of misfits began. He looked up to Leonard too, from what she’s heard, she’s never met the man; but hopefully that will change.

Seeing Jax still appears worried she glances around the dim cottage for something, anything, to lift his mood; and smiles when she finds it.

“She’ll be impressed with all the lines on that post,” she muses, taking the candle and holding it to illuminate a nearby wooden support of the house, one with various lines etched into it courtesy of a slew of different knives; every one of them a marking point for Jax’s height.

The boy smiles at her with pride, and a hint of wistfulness, not yet ready to raise his hopes that not only will the boys actually be returning with Leonard, but that he will awaken Sara.

“Before we lived here,” he starts, “She measured me on herself.”

“Is that so?” Amaya asks, happy to indulge him in a happy memory.

“Yeah,” he beams, “She’d tell me to stand in front of her then she’d put her hand on my head, and when I moved away she’d tell me ‘ok, you’re this tall!’” He explains, straightening up and pressing the side of a flat hand against his stomach to demonstrate.

Amaya snorts a laugh; she can very easily picture Sara doing such a thing in the absence of a permanent place to mark her surrogate brother’s height.

“Well it’s a good thing she found this place,” she remarks, “By now you’re nearly tall as she is.”

Jax smiles at that, his cheeks glowing with pride even in the limited light. Amaya hopes he’s too caught up in it to notice the wistful frown on her face, her hand sliding over her belly to sooth her child’s kicking within. The thought of something happening to her one day, of closing her eyes one minute and opening them what she thinks is the next only to find her baby has grown up without her, is enough to make her feel sick. Jax isn’t Sara’s son, but still, for a time they were all each other had and he was so young in those days… it won’t be easy for her to wake up and find he’s already a teenager.

“We should get some sleep,” she finally says, and he doesn’t look particularly fond of the suggestion, but he nods anyway.

With a small smile Amaya places one of her hands on the stool with their candle, and then gratefully accepts Jax’s offered hand with her other; she is going to be grateful when she no longer needs help with acts as simple as getting to her feet.

Mick barely sleeps that first night.

They’re in the forest, camping out under the trees in a way that Mick once spent the majority of his nights. Back when it was just him and Snart, not a care in the world other than their next score.

How times have changed.

He’s up before the sun, not exactly unusual, and after rousing the others they set off for another day full of walking under the direction of John Constantine.

If Snart does turn up alive at the end of this, Mick is going to kill him for putting him through this.

“I’m telling you! The last time we were out here it was that way!” Pretty insists for what is probably the trillionth time, trying again to snatch Witch-Boy’s map.

“Then the last time you were out here you must have eaten some poison roots or something!” Their “guide” shouts back, and he isn’t wrong, though Pretty denies it.

The two of them keep arguing about the right direction to go in while Haircut and his friend keep avoiding each other, namely he keeps trying to bring up the scene they walked in on yesterday and she keeps avoiding it.

“So what’s your deal?” He finally asks the girl, after she’s brushed Haircut off yet again. “Never took you two for a thing.”

“Ugh, we’re not.” She practically gags.

He hums in acknowledgement, “You realize I’m taking about Haircut, right?”

She rolls her eyes at him, “Yes,” she levels, “And not that it’s any of your business but Constantine and I aren’t anything either.”

“Didn’t look like it yesterday.”

She gags again.

“But if you’re not,” he decides to say, “Why are you avoiding Ray?”

Though he won’t admit it, he does care. He’s seen Zari around before, she’s at the cottage a lot, usually while he’s out, but still. She and Amaya are good friends, and Ray, there’s something special between them. He’s never thought much on it, never would’ve called it anything greater than friendship, but if she’s avoiding him…

“Ray’s my best friend.” She finally says, looking him in the eye to confirm for him that there really is nothing romantic between them.

Still, that doesn’t mean there isn’t more than friendship.

“My oldest friend,” she continues. “Since we were kids, and when you know somebody for that long… he just wants what’s best for me.”

Ah, that makes sense.

“Wants you taken care of, you mean?”

Zari nods, “He means well,” she assures him, like she knows he’s already thinking about how he should have a talk with Ray. “He knows I can take care of myself, but at the same time he’s never going to stop worrying about me. I’m sure you can relate.”

“How’s that?” He asks, only mildly offended that she would ever compare him to Ray Palmer, and she snorts.

“Come on,” she says, “You have been hovering around Amaya the past few months.”

She has him there, which she obviously knows. He tries coming up with some kind of retort but he can’t, not before he hears the rushing of water that his, at which point his mind goes blank and the only thing he registers is Witch-Boy’s announcement.

“We’re here.”

Amaya curls her fingers, digging her nails into the wood of the counter. Her back has been aching for months now, but these little twinges down low are starting to get sharper. She looks out the window, at Jax still trying to make sense of Mick’s woodworking tools. Perhaps she should send him into town, just to be safe, but who would she send him for? Maybe Caitlin, though she’s been handling some family things lately and might not be around. Still, it might be worth a try. Then again, what if he doesn’t get back before Mick and the others? He should, but what if he doesn’t? He’ll want to be here when Sara wakes, and if things take a turn and she’s here alone…

She doesn’t want to think about that.

But another twinge hits her just then, dull and low, but there. She hopes Jax won’t resent her if he doesn’t make it back in time, but he should, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Putting down her knife she makes her way over to the back door and, only hesitating for a few seconds, she heads outside.

“Jax,” she calls, one hand resting on her belly as though to show him the problem. “I need you to go into town.”

“What?” Jax asks, voice a mix of scared and heartbroken. “But-”

“Please,” she cuts him off, and he must see the worry in her own eyes, because his eyes bug out and his gaze flits down to her belly. “Just go get Caitlin, or Iris, or whoever you can find who will help if we need them. I’m sure you’ll make it back before the boys.”

Jax nods frantically, jumping to his feet and starting to run down the path before doubling back.

“Wait!” He calls back to her, “Are you gonna be ok?”

She nods, “I’ll be fine, just go.”

He doesn’t look like he completely believes her, but he does as she’s asked.

Mick feels like an idiot when Constantine leads them into a cave behind the waterfall. All this time Darhk was hiding right here in plain sight, less than two days away from town.

Still, he can’t let on that he feels guilty about not finding it.

“Where’s Snart?” He growls and Witch-Boy snickers at him.

“Should be somewhere below.”

“Below?” Mick demands, “Below what?”

Witch-Boy opens his mouth to answer, or possibly tell him off, but he never gets the chance.

“Guys,” Haircut calls out, getting them both to look over at where he is by the very edge of the falls. “Maybe below here?”

He’s looking at a hole in the lower wall of the cave, a very deep hole just wide enough for a grown man to fit through. Thinking the same thing, Zari picks up a decent sized rock and tosses it down. They hear a thud, thud, thud, and then nothing. No smack of a hard landing, just more echoing thuds.

“Alright,” Pretty says, “Whose going first?”

Mick wants to suggest that he go first, if he’s so convinced someone should, but it’s his partner down there. So he stalks forward and puts one foot into the hole, then the other, and then he’s carefully inching his way deeper into the cave’s wall, hoping he won’t get trapped and die.

Then, suddenly, the rocky walls and floor around him grow slick and smooth, and they he’s sliding down into the depths of the earth.

#DC's Legends of Tomorrow #sara lance #leonard snart #Mick Rory #amaya jiwe #Captain Canary #Mixen #snow white au

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cheneyq · 6 years

Text

Body Language - (Billy + Reader) Part 1

THIS IS A SERIES!! I’LL BE UPDATING WHEN I GET A CHANCE!!

Parts -

Short Description – Sara bumps into the bad-boy at school, makes new friends and gets invited to a party.

Pairing - Billy + reader

Warnings - Swearing + Sexual remarks and scenes (Smut, not in this part) + Violence + There are Season two spoilers, so if you have not yet seen season two, don’t get mad, this is the !!!!SPOILER WARNING!!!!

(A/n) - Send me a message to tell me if it is good or comment on here. I am adding my old tag list, if you're not a Billy fan please comment and ask to be removed. If you like it you can comment and I'll add you. This started as a request and I turned it into a mini series.

Words – 1938

I DO REQUESTS!!!!! - Fandoms mainly include: Stranger things + Supernatural + Dexter + Vampire Diaries + The Originals + Teen Wolf + Tru Blood etc. (I do A lot more, just didn’t want to type everyone.)

"How could you be more of a dork than you already are?" Jonathan asks his younger sister, Sara, who rolled her eyes and climbs out of her brother’s car. "Maybe it runs in the family." She slapped back, not giving her brother a chance to say anything else as she walks off towards the old school building.

Suddenly a loud engine roaring attracted her attention and she turned her head to the side just in time to see Billy climb out of his car, looking handsome as always. Her heart fluttered, and she forced herself to look in front of her and ignore the attractive Cali boy whom she's been infatuated with for maybe a month now. Something she would never admit to anybody.

She smiled brightly at the sight of her best friend in front of her locker, his face buried in a science book he held up. "Hey Sean." She greeted, opening her locker and removing some of her books she'll need for her first few periods. His only response was a subtle grunt. "What are you reading?" She questioned only to be shushed by him, his blue eyes met hers.

"No distractions, Sara. A little birdie informed me that we might have a surprise pop quiz in science today." She frowned at him, "Then why are you standing in front of my locker?" Sean cracked a smile and side hugged the girl, "I wanted to at least see your face before I enter the hell zone." Sara smiled and turned to walk with her friend in the other direction, but instead she collided with something hard

"What the fuck, watch where you're going." She looked up from her fallen books on the floor into Billy's magnificent eyes. She didn't even stutter. "Maybe you should look where you're going, asshole." She scoffed. Not backing down. She might have a slight crush on his face, but she was no fan of his horrible personality.

"Excuse me?" He asked, raising a dark eyebrow. "Did I stutter?" She said and crossed her arms over her chest. Billy looked at a loss for words. He opened his mouth to say something, but she raised one finger and shushed him. "Rather not. You've already wasted a lot of my time,-" she bent down and picked up the two books on the floor "-I'd appreciate it if you didn't waste anymore."

Sean struggled to keep his laugh to himself as Sara stepped around a speechless Billy and Sean followed. "What was that?" Sean laughed. Sara blushed, "I don't know. Just didn't feel like dealing with more asshole guys today, Jonathan was more than enough." She admitted and stopped in front of her homeroom door. Sean didn't question her, just gave her a quick hug and walked off to his own.

The day slowly passed, and Sara found herself seeing Billy everywhere she went. In classes, in the hallways, in the Cafeteria. EVERYWHERE. And it started to bother her. Especially since every time her eyes landed on the boy, he was already looking at her.

Sara sighed as she slowly took her sweater off exposing her band shirt she rocked underneath it. A few girls caught a glimpse of it and snickered and whispered among themselves. Sara ignored it, she knew she didn't fit in with the rest of the crowd and that she was a loser or a 'nerd' like they would call her. But she didn't let that get her down. At least she was her own person and knew what she wanted and how to stand up for what she believes.

"No wonder she only has one friend." Monique whispered to her group of slaves and they burst out laughing like it was the funniest thing ever. Sara ignored them and pulled her gym shorts on quickly before they could make fun of her undergarments.

She placed everything in her locker and quickly locked it so the asshole girls couldn't get in there and mess with her shit again.

Sara grunted when the coach informed the class that they will start off by doing laps, as you may think, she wasn't exactly an athletic girl.

She started with the rest of the class and soon fell embarrassingly far behind the rest of the student body. Her face was on fire and sweat dripped down when suddenly she heard footsteps from behind her, someone was about to pass her. Embarrassment flooded through her as she tried to push herself to go faster but the footsteps got closer, faster.

Within seconds someone was casually running next to her. She looked to the side to see the one and only Billy running next to her, looking majestic as fuck with his hair bouncing around his head. "I really want to punch you in the face right now." She huffed and heard the boy next to her laugh, but he stayed running next to her until the teacher blew his whistle indicating that they can stop.

Sara fell down immediately and huffed, sprawling out like a starfish. "You're okay, right?" The boy questioned and she just raised her hand, holding her thumb up.

"What are you doing running with her?" Someone asked and you groaned as you sat up slowly. Folding your aching legs underneath you. You looked up as Monique forced her body as close to Billy's body as possible. You rolled your eyes out of instinct.

"She looked lonely." Billy stated with a shrug, of course he'd be fucking around with someone as shallow as Monique.

"Oh, she is always lonely. It's not fun being at the bottom of the social ladder, is it?" Monique hissed at you. For once you didn't have anything to say so you just stood up and walked to the other side of the gym as far away from the assholes as possible. You kinda wished you had this class with Sean.

"Okay everyone, partner up. We're doing some routines today!" Coach shouted and you awkwardly rubbed your arm, looking around as everyone found someone to partner with and you were left alone.

"Wanna partner up?" Someone asked you and you turned quickly, startled. Steve was standing there smiling at you, you didn't really have a choice. It's not like people were fighting for your presence as a gym partner.

"Sure." You smiled and nodded your head. "I'm Steve" he said and stuck his hand out, "I know, we've met." You said with a blank face as you shook his hand with direct eye contact. Steve blushed and looked uncomfortable. You watched as his hand reached up and his fingers danced through the mop of hair. "Sara, by the way. Without an H." You smiled, trying to be kinder. Steve visibly relaxed.

You were having a great time with Steve, smiling at things he said and comments he made about his 'ex' best friend Tommy. H. You were in the middle of laughing loudly, doing wall-squats against each others backs when you looked over and saw Billy staring at you and Steve while clearly not listening to what Monique was telling him at all.

"Byers, Harrington! Do you want to do more laps!?" Coach yelled at Steve and yourself who were busy talking intently about how boring English class was. "Sorry coach." You and Steve both said at the same time. "Yeah, you're a distraction." Billy pipped in loudly gazing at you from the other side of the gym. The way he looked at you made your skin tingle and heat spread out through your entire body. He winked at you then looked away.

You were actually disappointed when the bell rang indicating it's time to go home. "Well, I had fun, Harrington." You said and saluted him before walking away. Steve just laughed as he watched you go. Your entire face was blood red, not because of the exercises, but by the fact that you just saluted another human being who isn't one of your brothers or your only friend, Sean.

You found an open stall and quickly got dressed, deciding to shower at home. You left the locker room quickly and made your way to your locker to get everything you need when you saw Steve and Nancy walk towards you. "Sara without an H!" Steve greeted, "This is my girlfriend Nancy, and we were just talking." While Steve introduced you, you smiled at Nancy and shook her hand. "That you should totally join us at the party tonight." He said with a huge smile, his arm lightly dangling from Nancy’s shoulder.

"Oh, thanks! But I don't do parties." You said back, thankful for the invite. "It would be fun, you can even drive with us. And all the alcohol you want." Nancy insisted, smiling brightly. You couldn't help but think it was fake. "Can I bring someone?" You asked and both of them nodded. "Then sure, what time would you pick us up?" "Eight?" Nancy said and looked up at Steve for approval, Steve nodded.

You said your goodbyes and stopped at your locker, your stomach turning at the thought of going to your first party. You got everything you needed then walked outside, the warm sun feeling great on your skin.

"Byers!" Someone called and you turned your head, seeing Billy leaning against his car, cigarette hanging from his lips. Your eyes moved back towards your brother’s car and saw that he was not yet there, so you walked over to Billy.

"What?" You asked, trying not to stare at his exposed chest, rather resting your eyes on his damp locks from the shower a few minutes ago.

He slowly took the cigarette out of his mouth and blew the smoke out. "What are you doing tonight?" He questioned, catching you off guard. "What?" You stumbled, trying hard to recompose yourself.

Billy smiled. "Do you want to meet at the party tonight?" You frowned. "Meet who?" You asked, instantly regretting it, your cheeks heating up. "Me." Billy smiled and pushed away from the car, standing a few inches away from you, his tongue flicked over his bottom lip and you couldn't help but stare at his mouth as he came closer to you. The smell of nicotine attacking your nostrils. It was a welcoming smell, because your mom smoked.

Your breath got caught in your throat when his chest slightly brushed against yours. Suddenly Billy pulled away and smirked at you. Flustered, you scowled at him. "For a second there I thought something was wrong with you." Billy commented and leaned back against his car. "Now I see you want me just as badly as the rest of the girls at school here."

You were shocked as you watched him take another drag from his cigarette, then he dropped it to the floor and then stepped on it with the front of his shoe.

Anger rushed through your body as you stared at his cocky face. "Just because I was flustered for a second by your weird godly features does not mean I want you. You might be good looking, but that does not make up for your shitty, boring, regular ass personality." You spat, stepping closer towards him while you spoke. His jaw clenched.

And just like that you turned and walked towards your brother’s car. Where, luckily, he was not there yet. You leaned against your side when you heard the Camaro's engine roar to life and speed off.

You might not have seen it, but Billy stared at you like he's never stared at anyone before as you walked away from him, where you just slightly bruised his ego.

Tag List: @wontst0ptilwesurrender @moonysmemes @thinemineours @agirlwholovesfandoms @allkindfangirl @negroneon @0-lost-in-stereo-0 @fightmeandmy100fandoms @tiarrasmith @plantmumma @sebbysbucky @love-your-little-thingss @klassxies @lilo-1398 @captainspangles16 @weasley---twins @jhonnysodyssey @allybeario @gwendolyngonzalez @thehakunamatara @myshakespeareandarling @oldwanderingsoul @theecoolestgeek @writevanna @anamcg317 @tothetardissterek @lydiaforstiles @frickin-bats @afroditesx @mooniessuniverse @klassxies @teenwolfimagination @shaerose98 @tiarrasmithxoxo-blog-blog-b-blog @top-spookey-dj @wishyouhadstayed @diamond-girl513 @redvelvetwithacherryontop @serendipity-moments @reclusive-chicken-nugget @yepthatsame @lahey-the-loving-wolf @cupcaitlyn96

#Billy Hargrove #steve harrington #the upsidedownwhat #love #body language #byers #imagine #fanfiction #Nancy Wheeler #johnathan byers #in love

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poweredbycoffeeandwine · 7 years

Text

Snapshots from Haven

Elina Trevelyan x Cullen Rutherford - Pre-relationship - DA Inquisition AU. Here lies all the fluff, and a mabari named Atticus, because I can.

Atticus grumped at the front door; his owner sat, coffee cup in hand, small half smirk on his lips as he observed. The usually stoic, no-nonsense mabari had begun a strange new ritual of pacing, leash in mouth, at a new time of day. Cullen Rutherford made a career as a soldier, and his personal life mirrored that militant style. He had never questioned the need for structure and schedules, even at his leisure things were done according to plan. What was surprising, however, was noticing the aberration in his faithful companion. They were much alike; his four-legged friend and he. He thrived on on routine, and always questioned changes with his massive head cocked to one side. Cullen found it strange to remember a time when he didn’t have his loyal mabari. Old memories had faded from agonizing to a dull ache.

The choice to leave the military had not been an easy one, but the PTSD and the daily battles it caused had made the decision obvious. Coming home to his brothers and sisters, broken, battle wary and heartsore, was almost too much. They had suffered at the unexpected death of their parents, but they had moved past it, healed by mutual love and affection; grown beautifully despite trials and hardships. He never wanted to bring that taint to them.

He almost fled into the night. No reasons, no goodbyes. It had been a magical Santinalia holiday. One he hadn’t thought to experience again. He had felt like such an outsider - a guest, apart from the brilliant light his siblings and their families had created. Watching the glowing faces of his siblings, as they exchanged presents, his infant niece sleeping in the arms of his sister looking fragile and at peace. The shame inside him clawed it’s way up and made him feel like a charlatan. Someone pretending to be Cullen. Holding all of his belongings in a couple of suitcases, creeping down the stairs of his sister’s home, he made out her figure sitting on the bottom step. Mia had known, because of course she had, and was waiting for his escape.

Her warm hazel eyes held no pity or disappointment, only sadness and maybe a hint of anger. She didn’t yell at or judge him, she only held out her arms. In that moment she reminded him so much of his mother; her grace and unconditional love. He took solace in her, and explained his demons as well as he could. Everything laid bare for her to examine. They cried together - for innocence lost, for him, for her, and when the sun peaked into the window with the dawn, he agreed to stay.

His sister suggested he consider meeting a counselor and perhaps find a therapy dog to help him cope. He promised to give thought to the therapist, but readily agreed to seek an animal. Atticus had become more than Cullen could have hoped for. He had saved him, he was family, a constant companion and best friend. Nearly two years had passed since that night, and he could not be more pleased with the life he had created. He still had hard days, and likely always would, but he was content. A comfortable home, his siblings, a few close friends, and a job he enjoyed were things he wouldn’t have dreamed for himself just a short time ago.

Cullen had rarely taken time from work, and that is why he was at home on a Tuesday morning, sipping on his second mug of coffee. Cassandra, his partner at the precinct and friend, essentially forced him to take some leave. He knew when to pick his battles, this was one he wouldn’t win. He usually could not sleep past 4, and after a light meal he took Atticus for his walk. Early morning had always been his favorite time of day. There was a freshness to the world, it was undisturbed and it reminded him that everyday he could choose to start again. To leave his ghosts behind. This morning had been no different, there had been a light storm customary with the changing of Summer to Fall. The weather had shortened their walk, but even over the last couple of days when their time was uninterrupted, Atticus hovered at the door at 8 o’clock.

“Well, boy,” he said, clearing his throat, “did you not get enough outside time?”. As he picked up the newspaper to see what reaction he would get; he chuckled at the annoyed huff the dog gave. It turned into a full laugh when he tossed the leash at his feet, and placed his paw on his knee. “All right, I suppose we could go out again.” Atticus sprang up from the ground with a happy bark. He gave the leash to his master and sat dutifully while it was attached to his collar. Cullen grabbed his umbrella and stepped out into the crisp autumn air.

Haven was a quiet tourist town full of picturesque shops and spas, and he had grown quite fond of it. Atticus’ favorite path lead them near downtown towards the bakery. The owner, Flissa, always had a small treat just for his pet. Cullen allowed the adoration and the tiny cookie because… how could he say no to the charming animal? They continued past the coffee/book shop towards the small side street that led to their favorite haunt. There was a park, with flowers, trees, and a pond. Atticus was too well trained to chase the ducks and other birds, but Cullen could tell there were days his puppy side surfaced and he wanted to.

The light drizzle of rain had begun again. It was the kind of rain that didn’t bother short term, but Cullen opened his umbrella since he was walking based on Atticus’ whim. Reaching their turn, his pet began to pull them forward and across the street. The mabari hardly ventured that direction, but he allowed him to lead on. Once they reached the opposite side he made a great show of examining a fire hydrant in front a a pretty shop, “Snapshots from Haven” the sign above the window read.. Cullen, in turn, looked at the display in the large window.

Deep greens, rich browns, blues and gold blended; creating a painstaking whimsical forest scene. Various pictures were showcased amongst the trees. A series of loving couples, weddings, newborn babies, young girls in tutus twirling across glossy and matte prints. At the center was a beautiful portrait of a familiar dog beneath a large tree, leaves of different colors falling gracefully around him. In the background there were birds touching down in the pond. What startled him most was the solitary man standing nearby. He recognized himself, and it looked as though he was waiting for something. His profile staring off into the distance. It was eerie just how life like the picture seemed.

He started at the sound of a tiny cough from just behind him. He turned and found himself looking into the deep chocolate eyes of a woman he was sure he’d never seen before. “It’s a great shot, isn’t it?” Her voice was soft and sweet, “Never thought I would meet the subjects of my favorite photo. Hope you don’t mind?” She looked slightly nervous, as if he would be upset at the invasion of his privacy.

He was openly staring. The woman was striking. Her raven hair was pulled into a ponytail, small fly-aways framing her face. Her lips stretched into the most breathtaking smile ever directed at him. She was also absolutely soaked. “Yes, of course. I mean no. I have no problem with it. I only wish I’d seen it sooner.” He took a step closer, telling himself it was to give her some measure of protection from the drops of rain misting from above. “Do you own this shop?”

“Um, yeah, I opened it about six months ago. Last year I was here to photograph a friends’ wedding. After I left I couldn’t get this place out of my mind. I packed up my studio in Ostwick, and here I am.” Cullen couldn’t help but notice how prettily she blushed.

“You’re beautiful….I mean your work. It’s beautiful.” Cullen stammered, turning red, and rubbed the back of his neck. “I, uh, should let you get on your way. Rain and all, is wet, you’re wet.”

She laughed, a wonderful tinkling sound that he would love to hear again. “I don’t mind the rain. In fact, I was going to grab a cup of coffee and call it quits for the day. Perks of being the boss. I’d love the company if you and your handsome companion would be so kind?” She motioned towards Atticus. His dog was sitting perfectly still, a knowing look in his intelligent eyes. The only movement was a nearly imperceptible wag of his stubby tail. “My what a good boy you are, so perfect and agreeable.” She fell to her knees in front of him, paying no mind to the puddle on the sidewalk continuing to coo and praise him, leggings and boots suffering.

Maker preserve him, but if she carried on that way, he knew he was in trouble. “We would certainly join you for coffee. I’m Cullen, and this is Atticus. Mind you, he will let all of those compliments go to his head, and there will be no living with him.” He held out his hand to help her stand, and he swore his heart skipped a beat or two when she took it.

“Lovely to meet you both. I’m Elina Trevelyan.” She replied, mischief sparkling in her eyes. She tucked her hand into the arm he offered with a smile. “I see where he gets his impeccable manners from.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure, perhaps it is the company that inspires us,” he managed with a great deal more blushing. The rain ceased shortly after reaching the shop, so they decided to sit outside at a table that had escaped most of the water. They sat and talked for hours about books, movies, and favorite locations around Haven.

“You haven’t been up the peak to the waterfall yet? I honestly can’t believe it. I’d bet you could get some beautiful photos there.”

Her lips quirked off to the side as she replied, and Cullen was transfixed by them, “No, I haven’t been able to go. Sara warned me not to make the trip alone, and she and Dagna have been too busy to take me. I am hoping they will agree to it soon before the snows come.”

A far off look in her eyes had him opening his mouth against his better judgement, “Atticus and I could take you. I’m on vacation from work. It really would be no trouble, and I’ve been meaning to go.”

She squealed, grasping his bicep with both hands hugging his arm, “Really?? Cullen that would be amazing!”

“Sure, we can go whenever you are available, I really have no other plans.”

“Can we go Friday? I have a few sessions and editing to complete over the next few days.”

Cullen fighting a smile threatening to overtake his entire face answered, “Yes, that works. Do you want to meet here, or should I pick you up at your studio?”

Elina beamed back at him, and grabbed for his hand. “I don’t have any of my cards with me, so this will have to do.” With a final flourish, she returned his hand to him, and stood. “I’ll see you Friday, Cullen.” She tossed a wink at him, collected her bag, and walked away.

He looked down, dumbstruck. On his palm she had written her name, number, and the small message, “I can’t wait.” It felt like high school, but he couldn’t help feeling giddy. With his other hand, careful not to smudge her neat flowing message he knelt and gave Atticus a pat. “Don’t think I am clueless about what you’ve done.” He pretended to scold, “Well, what do you think, boy? Do I have a chance?” The mabari gave him a doggy grin, and licked his cheek. They walked home together, Cullen, for once, pleased for deviating from a schedule.

#cullen rutherford #female trevelyan #trevelyan x cullen #dragon age inquisition #da: i fic #dragon age fic #elina trevelyan #dragon age #da fic #steph did a thing #my writing #elina x cullen #snapshots from haven #mabari #elina trevelyan x cullen rutherford

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ladysaraholt · 7 years

Text

Caught Up In A Current

(( the following is taken from RP over the past month and change; only those mentioned were present in the various scenes as I roll them out. Enjoy ^_^ ))

continued from Part II

Part III

Ardan shifting slightly, his arm circling her waist more and hugging her to him, brought her abruptly out of the memory from Dalaran. She took a moment to catch her breath again, blushing deeply. That night had been a long one as well.

She thought of everything they’d been through, a frown tracing her lips as it flitted back to the night she’d found out that she was with child...

3 weeks prior...

“My first check up is in four weeks…”

“I’ll be present at your request,” his voice had been cold, professional. “Rest well, Lady Starbreeze.”

“Good night, Doctor…” She watched him go, feeling her eyes begin to sting as she chewed the inside of her cheek. She was vaguely aware of Laraanna standing by her side, a gentle hand rubbing her back. After several long minutes of heavy silence, she turned to the Draenei, quietly crying into the woman’s robes.

“Please... please can we go home?” At this, Laraanna had nodded, helping lead Sara out of the office.

They walked the long way, the priestess leading Sara through the city for some much-needed fresh air. As they walked, Lara handed Sara her folding fan, motioning to a shop across the way, “I’ll go and get you something you can eat tonight. You should go walk through garden behind the Cathedral. The air there is usually quite nice in the evenings.”

Sara’s brow furrowed, but she nodded, making her way toward the Cathedral district. It was as she walked slowly, head bent down, through the archway there, that she heard a familiar voice:

"Well, if it isn't my favorite member of the Sterren House." She did not lift her gaze to him, feeling embarrassed that she was such a mess at the moment. But the concern in his voice that followed touched her heart, made it ache a little, "Are you okay? You look... either sick or tired."

Sara gave a gentle nod, looking him over. "Yeah... it's been a little of both... I wonder... if we could sit and talk for awhile?"

Ardan nodded almost immediately, moving to offer her his arm, "Of course.. is everything okay?"

Sara took his arm, trying to gather up her nerve while they walked toward the Cathedral. "I... I just... I need to talk to you... and I don't know how to... say it... and..." She could feel the panick rising in her chest, making her breathing erratic. It was taking every ounce of her strength to fight it down.

Ardan squeezed her hand in his, bringing her focus back to him. "Sara, it's okay... We'll find somewhere quiet and you can tell me whatever you want to say. It's gonna be alright." He gave her a big smile, trying his best to put her fears at ease, despite not knowing what was causing her such stress. But he held her hand on his arm securely, leading them behind the Cathedral and stopping at one of the stone benches that was secluded and quiet, motioning to it.

Sara 's heart was pounding in her ears. She gave a gentle nod, sitting on the bench with his help, one hand over her stomach tentatively.

Ardan ran his hand up and down her arm, his face full of concern as he looked her over, "Now, what's going on?"

The young maga turned to look back at him, her mouth open. She very clearly had something she wanted, -needed- to say. She spoke his name, a tremble in her voice, "Ardan..." Emerald orbs misted over, and her fingers tangled into her skirt nervously.

"Yeah?"

Sara 's lower lip quivered, her cheeks darkening as she turned her gaze down slowly. "I... I..." she inhaled slowly, closing her eyes, "I'm pregnant." After the first debacle of revealing the news to someone, nothing could properly describe the overwhelming dread at what his response would be, but that feeling was like the weight of the Cathedral itself slowly sitting on her chest, crushing her attempts to breathe.

Ardan slowly looked her over, trying to see if it was some kind of joke but it clearly wasn't. "Are you... sure?"

Sara nodded, trying to hold in her desire to break down in tears. "I saw Lady Benison... I'm sure..." This was it. She knew he was going to take one look at her and either laugh or scoff or simply make an off-handed comment before walking away. There was no other option. Her fists clenched in her lap, her shoulders turned inward as she accepted her fate, waiting and listening.

But he squeezed her arm supportively, a hand moving to her cheek in a caress, his throat clearing lightly.

"Is it... mine?"

A jolt shook through her at the words. She hadn’t even thought of that! Sara struggled with finding words for a long time. She opened her eyes to look back at him, the overflowing worry clearly evident, "I... I don't know... the timeframe Lady Benison gave me..." She bit her lower lip, shaking her head and lowering her gaze to her lap, "I just... I wanted to... to tell you... because... there's... there's no pressure on you." Her heart pounded louder in her ears, making her head ache all over again, but still she remained there, waiting to hear what he would say. Everything in her logically said that while he likely would be her friend, he would not remain by her side the way she secretly hoped. His duty would simply not allow it.

Ardan shook his head, taking her hand and squeezing it softly. "There is absolutely no chance that I would -ever- leave you to this by yourself!" He took a deep breath, a genuine smile unfolding on his face at the endless possibilities running through his head.

Sara looked back at Ardan, her hand squeezing his in return. Her emotions very quickly got the better of her, and she leaned into his shoulder, just holding onto him. "Oh, Ardan," her voice sounded both relieved and frightened.

Ardan held her close, laying his chin on her shoulder. "It's going to be okay, Sara. Remember what you told me, when I first came back? When we REALLY started talking again? You're going to be a mommy, Sara... you're going to have a baby!"

Sara looked back at Ardan, her eyes sparkling - mostly because of the tears - and she gave a nervous chuckle. "You're right... I am... I'm going to have a baby." Before she could stop herself, she pressed her lips to his. Several moments later, she caught herself, pulling back nervously.

Ardan was smiling, really smiling. For the first time in his life, he was not himself. After everything that had happened, and now Sara had fallen into his arms... with the World ending around them for seemingly the 30th time... he was happy to be here with her. She pulled away, but he followed, pressing his lips against hers passionately.

Sara blinked in surprise, her cheeks growing warm from blushing when he kissed her back. She pushed gently against his kiss, not wanting to break it. After what seemed like a lifetime of a perfect moment, Sara broke the embrace, giggling softly. She moved his hand to her stomach, holding it there fondly. She had no bump, but it didn't matter to her. This felt right, truly right.

@ardantahmasholt @thalsianiii @the-rose-priestess @mistresslaraanna for mentions

#Ardan #Sara #the lion and the wolf #friendship #love #RP #part 3 #Sara's Pregnancy

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amercurialbeing · 7 years

Text

Pink-haired Woman

Rating: T

Summary: "Why don't you stay in the village for a while?" "Too dangerous." "At least show yourself to your wife." "Did something happen?" He sighed, sounding a bit disappointed. "Nothing. But it'll do something right." And the words came out as if he's also lecturing himself.

a/n: A short story for Sakura this mother's day. And this is my entry for Day 7 of SasuSaku Week: Free Choice. Hope you guys like it :)

I don't own Naruto. Also posted in AliceInRealWorld.

"Why don't you stay in the village for a while?"

"Too dangerous."

Time of arrival: 7:00 pm.

"At least show yourself to your wife."

"Did something happen?"

Mission status: Ongoing.

He sighed, sounding a bit disappointed.

"Nothing. But it'll do something right."

And the words came out as if he's also lecturing himself.

I arrived earlier than expected. So, with my chakra scrupulously hidden, I decided to use my limited time watching them from the shadows.

The first thing I saw was her pink hair. It had grown long, flowing down to her slim waist. She tied it into a loose braid to keep it brushing her face as she chopped vegetables. From the shadows, I could hear the boiling broth and smell the calming aroma. I also observed the changes she had done in the manor: it's now brighter and more welcoming, contrary to the daunting abode from a memory of my youth. Before, returning here was a curse. Now, it's tempting me to come out of my hiding, inviting me to join their perpetual supper.

And I almost did. But I held my ground as the door noisily opened and an unfamiliar voice announced, "Tadaima!"

"Okairi," Sakura replied, turning her body slightly to give the person a gaiety smile. Eventually, a child maybe around six years old came into view. She bore jet black hair that framed her spectacled face. "How's your day, Sarada-chan?"

"Sarada..." I mumbled as a part of me wondered, ‘When did she get so tall? How did she get so tall? Aren't those Karin's-' I counted with my fingers. 'How long have I been traveling through dimensions..?'

"For a while now," Sakura replied lightly. With a flinch, my attention returned to the scene. I reminded myself that her words were for Sarada's question which I didn't hear.

"Okay, I'll go change." Sarada disappeared upon ascending the stairs.

Sakura went back to her task. She started to prance around the kitchen, accomplishing multiple tasks at once. Her thick locks swayed along her practiced movements. Her skilled hands moved about her domain.

And I mused when the last time I was this thoroughly amazed as...

She tested the broth, added a little bit of salt.

She shaped the rice balls, placed them artfully on a plate.

She rinsed the lettuce, garnished them with tomatoes and citrus.

She paused for a moment, probably debating if she should have the same thing in the morning.

She stacked her used utilities. She wiped her few spills.

She washed her hands then wiped them dry. She slid her apron off then hung them by-

The phone rang. With a raised brow, she picked it up. She pinned the receiver between her temple and shoulder.

"Dr. Uchiha speaking," Her relaxed expression was replaced by concentration. "How are the children, Nurse Michiko?"

She began fixing the table-placemats, plates, spoons and forks-

"He finally woke up?!" Her calculating eyes glistened with relief. "Thank goodness! Now, after you check his sutures, I want you to give him this concoction that I made..."

-cups of tea, bowls of soup, a tray of rice ball and a serving of salad.

"...yes, place all the reports on my desk." She switched ears. "Tell his mom that he's first on my rounds tomorrow. Yes. Thank you so much!"

She returned the receiver. She went by the window. She leaned on the sill. She's probably checking her mental list, to see if her work was done.

Her back showed off the Uchiha crest. A warm sensation spread across my chest. A dazed sigh escaped my lips, 'when was the last time I...'

Gradually, the memories relayed like flipping pages of a book.

Awakening beside her. Kissing her awake. Falling in love. Cooking her breakfast. Watching her breast-feed. Fighting over the bathroom. Laughing at inside jokes. Tapping our foreheads. Wondering about them during work. Musing what's for dinner. Returning home. Wrapping my arms around her waist. Kissing her neck, her temple, her forehead. Enveloping Sarada's small frame. Waiting for dinner. Listening to Sarada's babbles. Receiving her sloppy smooch.

Having supper together. Cleaning up the table. Preparing for bed. Closing my eyes. Occasionally making love. Falling in love. Falling asleep. Feeling secure knowing that this was more than a dream.

Sakura clasped her hands in satisfaction. She turned around then smiled to herself. She gaped at the starry sky; a part of me already knew her wish. She laughed at herself. "You know, I cooked your favorite dish."

Then she shifted her gaze at the Sakura tree, her emerald eyes directly looking at me.

My heart beat began to rise. Dry mouth. Sweaty palms. I got lost in her maze.

Everything went blank. All focus was on her. And I surmised uncharacteristically, 'everything is her.'

God. What did I do to deserve this perfect piece of art?

"What are you looking at, mama?" Sarada appeared all of a sudden. Her onyx eyes followed her look. I held my breath, realizing that I had lost my grasp of the chakra-masking jutsu.

I backed away, trying to refocus my chakra.

She stared at my direction for ten nervous seconds before giving me a sweet grin, "Nothing. She replied lightly. "I thought I saw a falcon on that tree." She pointed at me.

My shoulders tensed.

"Falcon?" Sarada squinted, confusion written on her face. "All I can see is the Sakura tree, mama."

"Yeah," Sakura giggled knowingly. She put a hand on Sarada's shoulder then led her to the dining table, "Guess it's just my imagination. Let's have dinner!"

Then relaxed again.

Sarada raised an eyebrow at the 'Sakura tree' before dismissively shrugging. "A-ah... Before that mama…" she rummaged through her duffel bag in a hesitant manner. Focused eyes told a story that she had rehearsed for what was to come. She then carefully pulled out a ribbon-bound plastic container. With a nervous smile, she greeted, "Happy mother's day!"

'So Naruto was referring to...' A wave of guilt crept in.

"Eh? B-but the breakfast you cooked for me earlier is enough Sara-chan! You shouldn't have!" Sakura timidly accepted the parcel yet her lips curved from ear to ear.

She opened it and revealed a dozen of syrup-coated anko dumplings. A surprised gasp escaped her lips, in an instant, her smaragdine eyes widened in pure delight. "Oh wow! Thank you so much, love!" She unceremoniously pulled her daughter in one of her bear hugs.

Sarada returned the affectionate gesture, wrapping her arms around her torso and burying her face in her braids. "I-I thought that this could be like... Papa's sort of… representative..?" She laughed weakly.

A glint of cognizance flashed in Sakura's eyes before stifling a chortle. "Is that so... What gave you that idea, love?"

Sarada glued her look on the floor as her fingers fidgeted the hem of her skirt. "B-because I saw the seventh t-treating Auntie Hinata a-and-" She bit her lip, trying to surpass a heave.

Sakura’s smile wearied. She placed the sweets on the dining table first before gingerly squatting down to Sarada's eye level. She placed a gentle hand on her cheek. "And?"

It was perhaps her mother's tender gesture that encouraged her to look back at Sakura's eyes. Sarada bit her lip, scrunched her brows then shed a guilty tear.

"M-mama... I know that you're tired of this question, b-but where is papa?"

I felt my heart break along with her voice. I gritted my teeth as thousands of contrite words flooded my mind. Every one of them, I rejected for I knew there's no excuse that would bring back the times I was away.

I clenched my fist until it's pale white. 'And more to come.'

"He..." My wife thought for a moment, trying to find the right words. She threw a gander at the Sakura tree then started, "remember the story of the falcon?"

Sarada wiped her wet cheeks. "T-the falcon living on the Sakura tree..."

"The Sakura tree that is located in a sacred forest. A sacred, bountiful forest which is targeted by many selfish people. So, in order to protect its home, and the forest, the falcon took it upon itself to fly around the world to defeat the enemies."

Sakura nodded. "Papa... is like the falcon." Sakura gently angled Sarada's head to my direction. Our onyx eyes clashed. "He's on a very important mission to protect the village." She raised a hand then tapped Sarada's forehead. "To protect you."

I felt my eyes brim. I leaned my body on the Sakura's trunk as all of my strength mysteriously drained. The admiration that I felt from watching Sakura earlier, intensified. This time, it's mixed with pride and joy and overflowing gratitude.

So much so, my heart ached with urge, an ample amount of courage to perpetually announce to the world (in many ways than one) that, 'This is Sakura Uchiha. She is my wife, the mother of my child.'

The most amazing woman in the world.

"Always remember, love, our hearts are connected. No matter what happens, wherever papa is right now, he's always thinking of us."

Sarada threw her arms around her mother's again, "I love you mama.” She sobbed. “Thank you so much for taking care of me... even if papa..."

"Shh..." Sakura rested her chin on Sarada's head then brush her soft, raven tress. She glanced at my direction again before saying, "we love you too, our sweet, sweet love..."

I stood my ground even if the rest of my being was demanding me to join their huddle. I stood my ground even if her viridian irises were pleading aimlessly. I stood my ground even if all I wanted to do was to go home.

Naruto's advice whispered in my head; I decided to wait for midnight to come.

a/n: Gah. Too cheesy. Should I write a sequel? Please review if you have the time XD Till next story!

#sasusakuweek #day 7 #free choice #mother's day #uchiha family

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