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#dream: well *I* bet i can make him STORM OUT OF THE RESTAURANT AND NEVER RETURN

dadoroki · 4 years

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Reminder [2]

Dabi x F!Reader x Hawks

Warnings: violence, fluff, swearing

Description: After many years, a familiar face decides to make an unexpected visit at your house before your date with Hawks.

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

“Hey, you’re the kid that almost died right? I’m Keigo. But they want us to use our hero names so I’m Hawks. But call me Keigo when they’re not around. You’re actually really pretty.”

Boy, did this kid talk a lot. Everyday he’d come up to you, blabbering about some unimportant thing that you had no interest in. One day, something Keigo said had actually caught your attention. “Yo, so I heard there’s gonna be some new kid but he’s not gonna stay here. He’s only here for ‘extra’ training cause his dad teaches him...”

His voice began to trail away from existence as you were met in your own world. This was the first time you’d be meeting another kid who hopefully wasn’t the bland bunch around you, aside from Keigo of course. Curiosity started to fill your mind, excitement slowly rising as you counted down the days.

And here he was, standing right next to his famed father, Endevour. The boy was shy and avoided eye contact with you and the talkative kid beside you. You shamelessly gawked at the boy while Keigo jumped in joy, seeing his favourite hero infront of him.

You were too young, too naive to know what love was. But in that moment, that’s what you thought you felt. Your stomach was filled with butterflies. The boy was like a dream and you swore he looked like a prince in shining armor.

Your confidence rose, walking up to the boy and forcing him to look you in the eyes. Your little hands reached for his and held them tightly. “Hi! You must be Touya. I’m Y/N. You’re my boyfriend now.” Even at that age, you were a flirt. Maybe a little too bold but you still had much to learn.

Touya became flustered, his small cheeks blushing pink. He began to stutter but was interrupted by Keigo ripping your hands apart.

“Hey! You never said that to me!”

You were too distracted, admiring the new boy and that only made Keigo grow more jealous.

“Y/N, pay attention to me!”

“Y/N!”

Your focus went back to Hawks’s irked voice. These days, you couldn’t help but think back to when times were easier. Times where you didn’t have to care about your image, being able to live life freely.

“Yeah, sorry. What were you saying, Keigo?” You dried your hair, exiting the bathroom with nothing but a red robe tied around your body. You struggled to keep your phone between your cheek and shoulder as the man chattered his life away.

Hawks had dialed you to discuss your upcoming “date”. After initiating the hero plan against the villains, Hawks’s heroic face had been plastered on multiple cover pages of magazines, newspapers, and news outlets. The minute they came out published, Hawks had spammed you with multiple calls and messages to rub it in your face, reminding you of the public bet you lost. Unfortunately for you, you always kept your word.

“Yeah, I know.” You reassured the winged-hero, rolling your eyes in annoyance. You made your way to the kitchen, placing your phone and towel on the counter and snatching a bag of chips from the pantry. Sensing a presence within you, your movement came to a cautious halt. You didn’t spare a glance at the figure sitting on your living room couch, already knowing who it was. “Give me a second, Keigo.”

The good thing about Hawks was that he could always sense when something was off. He heard your sudden switch in tone and didn’t question you, muting himself but still listening to your line. You tossed your bag of chips back to it’s original place, walking around the kitchen island.

Reaching up the cupboard, you got two glasses and a half empty bottle of red wine, making your way to the shaded man. The room was dark with the dim lamp barely making him visible to the eye. “You know, it’s funny. I didn’t even recognize you.” You placed the two shiny glasses on the table and poured him and yourself a drink.

You sat on the opposite side and crossed your legs. When you first encountered Dabi, you didn’t really care much for him. But the more you examined his face, the more it felt familiar, even with the burns and staples. “How could I even forget you or those bright cyan eyes?” He didn’t say anything, keeping his eyes on nothing but you.

The lack of communication caused you to pout. Being greeted with open arms was what you expected but this was far from it. You took a sip of your red wine and twirled the glass in a circle, watching it spin like ocean waves. “Not gonna talk? Fine.”

You placed your glass next to his untouched one and repositioned yourself to lean closer to him. “So you side with the villains now, hm?”

Dabi concentrated on your words that were faint in a whisper, barely even audible.

“What would your father say about that, Touya?”

The mention of Endevour sparked the memory of a buried past and ignited a flame filled with hatred in him. He quickly pushed himself up, throwing an immense amount of flame at you. But you knew him too well. You were quick to sense his move and you forced upon a huge gust of wind, ricocheting the fire back to him.

From the other line, Hawks could hear the loud chaos. “Y/N, is everything ok? What’s happening?” He couldn’t figure out what you were saying earlier, as the whole conversation was mumbled.

Smoke was everywhere and you struggled to keep your eyes opened. “Yeah, I’m fine...” You coughed and rapidly blinked to keep the toxic gas from entering your eyes. A huge hole in your living room wall was newly formed with no Dabi to be found. So much for moving in. “But my house isn’t.”

You could say your date started early. Hawks had offered you a place in his house to stay while your’s was under construction. Being the gentleman he was, he offered you his room and that he’d sleep on the couch. But of course, he originally insisted on sleeping in the same bed. He would pester you from time to time, asking what happened and you never told him.

The day of your date, you walked the busy streets of Musutafu together. As expected, many fans surrounded you both and bombarded with questions. Hawks had held a conversation with you while impressively aiding civilians in need of help.

“You just love to show off, don’t you?”

“Can’t help it, babe. It’s my specialty and when we’re officially together, I’ll be sure to show you off too.”

A young boy rushed towards you, tugging on your black cape. “Storm! Storm! I’m a huge fan! Can I please get a picture?!” You crouched to match the same level as the kid. “Of course!”

His mother thanked you as you squeezed the boy in a tight hug, kissing his cute chubby cheek. He giggled in happiness and his mom snapped the picture. Hawks walked up to the kid, teasingly patting his head. “Woah now, kiddo. Don’t go stealing my lady now, ya’ hear?”

Hawks was immediately pulled away by you, as you thanked the fans and left in a hurry. “I can never do anything without you being jealous. Don’t you get enough attention?” He smiled and held the restaurant door open, waiting for you to get inside. “It only matters when the attention comes from you.”

The two of you were guided to your table with Hawks on his best behaviour, making sure to pull out the chair for you. They brought out the yakitori and you both conversated about just everything and honestly, you really enjoyed talking to him.

“Oh, if you aren’t gonna have anymore, can I have it?” Hawks asked, pointing at the last chicken skewers. You nodded and watched him gladly take it. “I just have no self-control when it comes to the things I want.” He took a bite and smirked at you. “You should know by now.”

Since when did Hawks become good at flirting? From the beginning, he knew damn well that he wanted you but it was a struggle. It was a struggle to even get you interested in him and now, he finally had the girl of his dreams on a date with him. Hawks was found attractive by many. He could have any girl in the world but none could compare to you.

“Oh, that reminds me. I almost forgot!” His eyes popped out in realization and he dug into his baggy pants, pulling out a small white box and handing it to you. You stared at the box and he began to grow impatient. “What are you waiting for? Open it.”

You removed the lid of the box, revealing a silver tiara-shaped ring. You were in awe and slid it on your ring finger. Hawks smiled in joy, happy that you loved the gift. The ring was beautiful and you couldn’t help but move your hand around, watching the ring sparkle in every direction you went. “Hawks, this is beautiful.”

He smirked and crossed his arms. “I know. That’s because I chose it.” You laughed and admired the shiny ring. It wasn’t a surprise that he chose a crown-shaped ring because he always saw you as a princess. “And don’t worry...” He continued. “One day, I’ll replace that promise ring with a wedding ring.”

You turned your head with eyes shut in embarrassment, as he laughed at your shocked reaction. He waited for you to speak but your eyes remained closed with your eyebrows furrowed. You felt something was off and just by your reaction, Hawks felt the same. He glanced outside to what seemed to be a normal day. “Y/N...”

“Here are your drinks-” The waitress came smiling and you quickly opened your eyes, returning to your surroundings. “Hawks!” You yelled and he quickly got the message. “Get back, Miss!” A dark flying creature smashed it’s way through the window but you were quick to jump out of the way. The woman screamed and Hawks held her in a protective hold. The creature stared at you with dark piercing eyes.

Seeing that you were it’s target, you matched it’s stare and brushed the fallen dust off your nose. “Hawks, evacuate everyone now!”

“But what about you?” He asked worried.

Your eyes began to glow pearl white as you gradually activated your quirk. “You’re forgetting that we’re heroes, Hawks. I’ll be fine.”

He was hesitant but nodded. You returned your gaze back to the strange creature. With all the collected power, you gave it a strong hook kick to the chest, supported by a huge amount of wind that sent it flying out from where it came from. “I can never seem to catch a fucking break, can I?”

You ran and jumped down from the high story building. Hawks was worried. Not about you losing the expensive ring. Dramatically speaking, it did almost cost him a quarter of his bank account. But he was more so worried about you. He knew very well that you were capable of handling this on your own but the thought of you getting seriously injured made him anxious.

You glided your way down to the falling High-End Nomu, sending and shooting electrical charges at it. The lightning strikes gave you enough time to build up wind power. You were close to ground so you used up all your stored power and sent it to your leg, giving the High-End Nomu a hard stomp to the face on your way down to the empty road.

You released your leg to see the High-End Nomu’s head now entirely crushed. You tried to catch your breath and looked around. Screams were coming from all directions. Civilians tried to escape the chaotic scene but were blocked by multiple Nomus. Your eyes glowed as you raised your hands to the sky that slowly turned into dark clouds. Violent lightning began to appear and striked the Nomus left to right, killing them and giving the citizens enough time to flee.

The distraction caused the High-End Nomu under you to regenerate quickly without you knowing and you felt a hard punch to your stomach, sending you flying up in the air. Your ribs were for sure injured by now, if not broken.

The pain was highly effective and you struggled to keep your balance in mid-air. You didn’t have the strength to gain wind momentum but thankfully, strong arms grasped you tightly. You looked up to see the same annoying arrogant smirk. “Looks like I caught you just in time.”

You groaned and held your ribs. This was not the time to joke around and you definitely weren’t in the mood. “Keigo, give me a boost.” He gazed down at you before getting ready. “Whatever you say, darling.”

Hawks threw you towards ground level, giving you the speed you needed. You shot lightning towards the High-End Nomu but with each strike, it was quick enough to dodge them. You snarled in dissatisfaction and with all the energy you had left, you attempted to give the creature another kick. It was too quick, grabbing you by the ankle and smashing you to the ground.

The harsh impact made you dizzy and gasping for air. The monster was about to finish you off with one last punch before being cremated by hot blue flames. You heavily breathed and held your ribs, rising up to gaze at the figure that you wished wasn’t there.

The streets were packed with dust and smoke but Dabi was able to see you clearly. “Well won’t you look at that. You’re still fighting.” Blood was dripping down from your forehead and lower left eye. Your hero attire was ripped in some parts. But even with the damage, you still remained flawless. He smirked and walked closer to you. “Just like the Y/N I remembered.”

You limped towards him with an angry expression. He had no right to come here, let alone ‘save’ you. He wasn’t the Touya you knew. This wasn’t Touya at all. You didn’t have enough power to use your quirk but you did have enough power to physically punch him.

Or not.

You fell midway but he caught you with a tight grip on your chin. The pain from your body was taking over and you were struggling to stay awake. Dabi looked down at you with pity, pulling you up. “Dying on me now, Y/N? But we barely got to talk.”

You stayed silent, blinking as much as you could to keep you from fainting. A tiny light was shining brightly and Dabi looked down to your hand, only to see a ring displayed on your ring finger. He grabbed your hand and examined it. “That little chicken bastard gave this to you?” You didn’t respond and faded off, pissing Dabi off even more. He snatched the item off your finger and tightened his grip on your chin. “What do you see in him that you don’t see in me? You remember your promise, don’t you?”

“Touya?”

The boy flinched at the sudden call of his name. Your soft voice echoed in the room and the sound of your footsteps gradually got closer. You sat infront of him with crossed legs and scooted closer to him. “Touya, what’s the matter?”

“It’s okay. Everything’s okay. Just go back to Keigo.”

“I don’t wanna see Keigo. I came to see you.”

Your eyes softened, analyzing all the scars and burns of the boy’s body. He hid them behind layers and layers of gauze and you never noticed how much pain he put himself through. You spent most of your time with Keigo and unintentionally pushed Touya away.

You pulled the boy closer in a hug, never wanting to let go. “I’m sorry, Touya. Keigo told me he was feeling left out so I wanted to spend time with him.” Touya was about to speak but closed his mouth, letting you continue.

“I promise to put you first before anything. I promise I’ll always protect you and stay by your side. I promise that one day when you ask me to be your girlfriend or wife, I’ll always say yes. We can be heroes and be together like we imagined.”

Touya was young and kids always had their own wild imaginations of the future. Always having their own crazy perception in life. It was a know fact that you and the boy had strong feelings for eachother. Even at that age, Touya knew he wanted to be with you. For you to become his girlfriend. To become his wife.

He also knew his ‘disappearance’ had to be done. He was sad that he had to keep that secret from you but it was only to keep you safe. It was what he had to do. It would be a while before he could see you again.

“You promise, Y/N?”

“Always.”

“How’d that turn out?” Dabi watched you with eyes full of pain and you did nothing but stare at the ground. Words couldn’t leave your mouth as the memories were too much to handle. Finally, you had the courage to look up to him. “I could never love you. Not like this.”

Those words struck Dabi like an arrow to the heart and he tried to mask the hurt from his face. He slowly pushed you away from him. He stared at you and internally fought with himself, trying to bring himself to hate you, to want to kill you but he couldn’t.

He sighed and his eyes softened, lightly stroking your scratched cheek. “Even if I tried, I could never hurt you. You know how much pain you bring to me?”

Red feathers pierced Dabi’s back, causing him to yell in pain. He released his grip on your chin and before you could fall, Hawks dived in and swooped you into his arms, flying upwards.

“Am I too late to the party?” He jokingly laughed until he realized your unconscious state. Full protective mode was now on and he gathered his feathers back, zooming as fast as he could to the nearest hospital. “Don’t you dare die on me, Y/N. Not now, not ever.”

Dabi plucked the last feather out of his back, furiously throwing it to the ground and getting ready to burn it before it quickly flew up to Hawks. The High-End Nomu fully regenerated and Dabi watched as the winged-hero had you wrapped around his arms. He pulled out the ring he stole from you and stared at it.

“I’m gonna kill you, Keigo Takami. Even if I die trying or in the process of it all. If it’s the last thing I do.”

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labyrinth-runner · 4 years

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Trust in Me

Part of the A Garden in Gotham Series, Roman Sionis x Reader

Read the rest here.

@misselsbells06

Not my gif

Every week was a new adventure with Roman as the two of you got closer. After two months of dating, you felt like you were truly getting to know each other. You were comfortable together. It was easy almost, and that thought was enough to give you pause. Surely your doubts from when you’d first started dating couldn’t have been that unfounded? You’d caught dangerous glimpses of temper every now and then underneath the shifting mask of his face. They were quickly squelched, but that didn’t make you notice them any less. Those instances usually were whenever he was around Zsasz, though. When it was just the two of you... he seemed more at ease. A different Roman emerged then. A softer Roman, like a flower that only bloomed under a perfect storm of conditions. His delicate temperament had come as a bit of a shock, especially in contrast to the hard persona he projected with his business. Yet, things were progressing smoothly between the two of you.

That was... until you were offered a lucrative opportunity courtesy of Bruce Wayne. He had been so impressed with your work at his charity ball that he wanted to see what your vision would be with a new community garden that he wanted to build in the heart of Gotham. You’d jumped at the chance to work with some of the city’s best architects to design what would truly be your version of an Eden in such a hell as Gotham. A place where people could escape to the beauty of a world of your design when the world outside had gotten too dark. You were thrilled. The only downside to the project was how much time it consumed. You found yourself working longer days and nights between running the shop and working on the garden. This meant less time that you had to spend with Roman.

Roman had taken to spending time in his apartment, surrounded by his various vases of drying flowers when he missed you. That worked well enough to placate him for the first week that you were too busy to see him outside of the shop. After all, he still stopped by every morning. But, then you were given the permit to start planting and then you were at the shop less and less. He’d sent you text messages when you were on lunch, and sometimes he’d have someone bring you dinner if he knew you were working late.

Zsasz was pleased at this development.

“Boss, if she can’t make time for you, then maybe she’s seeing someone else?” he said one day, leaning over the edge of the booth that Roman was sitting in.

“Nonsense, Zsasz. If she had lost interest, she would have told me. She’s very straightforward in that regard. Besides... we have a connection,” Roman murmured.

“Connections fade, boss,” Zsasz sighed, patting him on the shoulder.

“Maybe.... maybe it wouldn’t hurt to make sure?” Roman asked.

Zsasz grinned. “No, I think that’s what I would do if my girl stopped spending time with me. I’d have to make sure that there wasn’t some other dude.”

Roman sighed, resolve settling in. Maybe Zsasz was right. Besides, he didn’t think he’d find anything, so what could the harm be? He nodded to Zsasz. “Tomorrow we’ll tail her.”

“I’ll let the driver know.”

The next day, you were meeting with Bruce Wayne for lunch. It felt surreal, but he wanted to know how the garden was progressing, and to go over some changes to the budget. He invited you to a swanky restaurant uptown that you felt very underdressed for, but he didn’t seem to mind. What you didn’t see, was Roman’s car parked across the street. He was watching you intently, hands tightening when your hands brushed over Mr. Wayne’s as you went to take the budget sheet. When lunch was over, Mr. Wayne escorted you to the car, driving with you to the garden.

Once at the site, you walked him through your vision, showing the little progress that you and Piero, your architect, had made. Mr. Wayne was impressed, and that made you smile. Your dreams were all coming true. You couldn’t wait to tell Roman about your day when you saw him later. You had worked out your schedule to take the night off since you were so far ahead of the game. It was going to be a surprise. Just a quiet night in, the two of you, his favorite pizza, and a movie. The thought was the only thing that had gotten you through the week.

When Mr. Wayne left, Piero picked you up in excitement and spun you around.

“We did it, ma chérie!” he grinned, placing you back down. “I’ll finish installing the fairy lights tonight so that you can show your love all the progress you’ve made next week when the roses come in.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” you smiled, wrapping your arm around his waist as the two of you looked out over the space. You could see it in your head, and it was magnificent. You saw something weird, though. Roman’s car. He was parked across the street, and he was watching you through the window of the car.

“Excuse me,” you murmured, the smile dripping from your face. You made your way across the street, sneaking up behind the car and knocking on the window.

Roman jumped, eyes flicking up to yours. “O-oh! Hello, darling.”

“Roman, what are you doing here?” you asked in confusion.

“Oh, I was just in the area...” he trailed off.

“You could’ve come to say hi,” you replied.

“You seemed busy,” he said in disgust.

It clicked for you in that moment. Roman Sionis was jealous.

“There’s nothing between me and Piero,” you said adamantly.

“Oh, so that’s his name? What about Wayne? The two of you seemed fairly chummy at lunch,” he shot back.

Lunch? How did he know about lunch? Your eyes widened in shock. “You followed me?” you gasped. You were hurt.

“Well, of course I followed you. I haven’t seen you in so long. I had to know,” he replied, not seeing the problem.

“You’re unbelievable, Roman!” You shouted. “I bet you’re not even sorry about it,” you replied in disgust. You shook your head and started to walk away.

“Of course I’m not sorry!” he shouted back. “Why would I be? I was making sure you weren’t doing anything behind my back.”

You stiffened in the middle of the sidewalk and turned back to him. “ ‘Why would I be?’” you repeated in anger. “Roman, you betrayed my trust! If you trusted me, then you would know that i would never do anything behind your back that would hurt you.”

“I do trust you,” Roman replied, getting out of the car to walk towards you.

“No, Roman, you don’t. If you trusted me, then you wouldn’t have followed me around,” you replied sadly.

He reached out for you. “Darling...”

“No,” you murmured, stepping back from him. “Roman, I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me.”

“What are you saying?” he asked.

“I’m saying... I think we should take a break,” you said, trying to keep your voice from wavering.

“Darling, you can’t really mean that.”

“Good bye, Roman,” you replied, returning back to work. You had a garden to build.

Roman watched dumbfounded as you left. No one ever walked away from Roman Sionis. He got in the car and drove back home. He looked at all the vases in his apartment. He wanted to smash them, but they were works of art. He couldn’t do that.

“Who does she think she is, Zsasz?” he asked angrily. “No one walks away from Roman Sionis! No one!”

His words were angry, but in truth he was just masking the hurt.

“No one does if they want to live,” Zsasz grinned.

He looked at Zsasz in horror. “I’m not going to kill her, Zsasz.”

“R-right, boss,” he replied. “Forget I said it.”

“I just... I don’t understand it. I do trust her. I wouldn’t date her if I didn’t. Yet, she threw the relationship back in my face,” he groaned in frustration. “I’m so tired of being rejected, Zsasz! I’m sick of it. She wants to know why I followed her? It’s because of this. It’s because when you let someone in, they can ruin you, so you have to make sure they don’t ruin you!”

He was in a rage now, throwing the pillows off his sofa. He wanted to destroy something like you had destroyed your relationship. But... no, you hadn’t destroyed anything. He had, and that thought was enough to drive him mad.

“Boss,” Zsasz sighed, trying to calm him.

“Leave me, Zsasz. I want to be alone,” he muttered.

“Alright,” he replied through gritted teeth before leaving.

Roman looked around at all the flowers surrounding him. He thought back to when shrunken heads stood in their place. A smirk crossed his face as he thought about how much nicer the flowers were. Colorful. His smirk quickly slipped off his face as he realized that he wouldn’t have any more bouquets by you. He’d lose those colors.

“Fuck. I’ve really fucking fucked up this time,” he groaned, throwing a pillow across the room. It knocked into the vase on the desk with your first bouquet in it. A pit of anxiety rose in him as he watched it teeter, but relief flooded him when it stabilized. He’d have to win you back somehow.

He devised a plan. If he stopped by every day, you’d see how much he missed you. Except... he didn’t see you there. He’d see your assistants, and they’d tell him that they’d tell you that he’d stopped by. When that didn’t work, he tried to take his mind off things and move on, he threw himself into work at the club, but whenever he glimpsed someone that looked vaguely like you, he’d kick everyone out so that he could mope in his solitude.

Nothing was getting done. If anything, it was somehow worse than when he dated you. Zsasz was growing frustrated with him. He didn’t like you, but he wanted Roman to dump you, not for you to dump Roman. If Roman dumped you, then he wouldn’t be acting like this. He’d be acting like Roman Sionis, on top of his world, and not at the mercy of some bitch. Zsasz couldn’t believe what he was about to do.

“Boss, you have to get your shit together,” Zsasz sighed one morning.

“I have my shit together, Zsasz,” he replied absentmindedly.

“No, boss, ya don’t. If anything, you have your shits scattered in the wind and blowing around being pushed by a fan.”

“Ew.”

“Exactly.”

“Fine. What do you propose I do then?” he asked, humoring him.

“Win her back.”

“I tried that,” Roman sighed in frustration.

“You didn’t try hard enough.”

“I went to the shop, I tried to buy flowers,” Roman said in exasperation.

“You talked your language, boss. Maybe... you should try talking hers?”

“You mean... flowers?”

Zsasz nodded.

“Zsasz, that’s not... that’s not a bad idea,” Roman murmured. He ran over to the computer and started to type in some searches. “Zsasz, order me some Freesias and an arbutus flower.”

“What the hell is an arbutus flower?”

“Just order them,” he barked. “I’m going to go clean myself up.”

Roman looked down at the pajamas he’d been wearing for two days in disgust. Shit scattered in the wind, indeed. He went to take a shower and get dressed while Zsasz picked up the flowers that Roman wanted. When he finished, he played around with the flowers to make them look pretty. Then, he tied them with a ribbon and went out the door.

“Do you want me to bring the car around?”

“No, Zsasz, I think I’m going to walk.”

Roman practiced his speech in his head on his way to the park.

You were standing in the middle of the garden, leaning on your shovel. Since you didn’t need to see Roman, you spent your nights gardening in the dark, illuminated by the fairy lights. It was to your liking, though, because you were able to see how the night blooming flowers were looking in the garden. Everyone else had gone home by now, and it was just you. You admired your work, listening to the soft bubbling of the water fountain that recycled water to water the plants. That was how he found you.

Roman’s heart leapt as he watched you bathed in the warm glow of the fairy lights. His eyes took in the garden and all the work you had put into the space. It was beautiful in his eyes. Almost as beautiful as you. He tucked the flowers behind his back.

“Darling, this looks incredible,” he replied.

You jumped, turning towards him. “Roman, I thought-”

“Please... let me say my piece?”

You nodded, holding your hand up to gesture for him to continue.

“I was wrong to follow you,” he stated. “I should have trusted you, and I’m sorry. I’m just... I’m not used to you. You’re so different than anyone else I’ve met. You’re honest, loyal... Quite frankly, you’re so much more than I deserve and that fact isn’t lost on me. In fact, it makes me so terrified of losing you that I went to great lengths to hold onto you, and by doing that I pushed you away. I should have believed in you, and in us. Darling, I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me and take me back?”

Your shaky resolve started to crumble as you watched him there. He was vulnerable, showing up in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. You’d never seen him like this. Then, you noticed something hiding behind his back.

“Roman, what’s behind your back?” you asked curiously.

“A peace offering,” he said with a sheepish smile. He brandished the flowers shyly. The stems were all different lengths, but the colors were beautiful. You took them gently, running your hands over the soft petals.

“Are you trying to tell me something?” you asked hopefully as you looked down at the flowers.

“Perhaps,” he smiled, “Unless they say something bad, in which case I just thought they were pretty. I did have to use the internet.”

A smile grew on your face as you looked down at the bundle. “You trust me,” you smiled, touching the freesias. Then, your brow furrowed as you looked at the other, scanning through your memory. “Arbutus?” you asked him, a funny look on your face as you looked up at him.

“Yes,” he murmured.

Arbutus was a rare flower to find in a bouquet these days, which is why you wanted to make sure that it was deliberate. When he confirmed that it was, your resolve disappeared. You let go of the shovel and went over to him, taking his face in your hand to kiss him. His arms circled your waist, bringing you flush against him as he kissed you harder. After pulling back for air, you rested your foreheads together.

“Roman, I’ve missed you,” you murmured.

“I’ve missed you, too, darling. I promise you, I will never make the mistake of not trusting you again,” he said sincerely. “I’m so sorry that my own actions hurt you.”

“I forgive you, Roman,” you replied.

“You’re my star, darling. I should have know better than this,” he murmured.

“What do you mean?” you asked in amusement.

“You can’t always see the stars, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t there,” he clarified.

“Like a blossom in the night,” you smirked. “You can’t always see when they bloom, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t bloom.”

He kissed your forehead and held you tightly. “You’ll always be my blossom in the night.”

“Do you really like my garden?” you asked, resting your head against his chest.

“I do. A garden in Gotham. I think its wonderful,” he smiled.

#roman sionis x reader #Roman Sionis #roman x reader #A Garden in Gotham

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peeterparkr · 4 years

Text

limits of desire⤳t.h.||17

chapter 17: tying the knot.

story summary: you met Tom a night he was trying to sleep with you, it didn’t work and you became best of friends. Wedding bells might be ringing for when you both realize what you really feel.

summary: the one with the headlines

pairing: fuckboy!tom holland x best friend!reader

warnings: swearing, angsty ish, lizzie, angsty, didn’t proof read

word count: 4.5k

songs i recommend listening while reading:

Falling-Harry Styles

Before You Go-Lewis Capaldi

Stone Cold-Demi Lovato

Wrong Direction-Hailee Steinfeld

Unsteady--X Ambassadors

Instead-Blake McGrath

apple music playlist

previous chapter next chapter series masterlist wanna be tagged?

“SpiderMan actor Tom Holland swings to try and stop a wedding.”

“Tom Holland pulls a rom-com stunt this time.”

“Seems like not even Spiderman can swing himself out of a rejection.”

“Tom Holland is horribly rejected as he tried to stop his best friend’s wedding.”

“This girl lived the dream and DARED to reject Tom Holland as he stopped her wedding to tell her he loved her.”

“Who is y/n y/l/n? Everything you need to know about the girl who rejected Tom Holland.”

Buzzfeed quiz: Who are you from the video of the girl who rejected Tom Holland?

Haz was such a real mood but the girl with the red dress was all of us.

Youtube: Trending: Tom Holland stops a wedding and gets rejected.

Twitter: Trending #Y/NWTF Tom Holland

Chaos. Tom’s name was known around the world, that’s for sure. But right now, his name was besides headlines that were not so pleasing. He didn’t know. But the whole world had seen Tom Holland pull a stunt which he was probably not proud of.

It was everywhere.

Everyone was talking about it. And y/n had been attacked several times. Everyone in the fandom had turned around to hate y/n. And she had disappeared, on every single social media. Could anyone blame her? Nobody knew anything about her. Had she married Miguel? Did she look up for Tom?

Why had she dared to reject Tom Holland? That was the big question. Because, of course, who in their right mind dares to reject him?

And seemed like everybody had an opinion about it. And it had been only hours from it and the headlines had started. But now it’d been days. And Tom didn’t know about the chaos.

Tom had been quiet. None of his friends had asked him about it, because they knew that this was the hardest thing he’d ever gone through. He hadn’t checked his phone once.

He hadn’t done anything. His brothers had to pack up for him and they had helped him at the airport. They were back in London. They had been for a few days now.

All of them were watching him stare blankly at the window. He didn’t say any single word. They didn’t push him. How could they, though?

It was a miracle that Tom was still able to walk and breathe.

What they didn’t know was that Tom was going over the conversations he had had with y/n on the night before, wondering if there was any kind of hint that revealed her sudden harsh and stupid decision.

He thought he should’ve stayed at the restaurant. He shouldn’t have gone to the wedding. Because y/n never liked any stunt. She never liked the spotlight, she liked to disappear, she liked to be invisible. And he had put her right on the spotlight. Maybe that was the mistake. Or did she really not want him?

Was she now happily married to Miguel? Was she on her way to her honeymoon?

They didn’t know what had happened after they had left, at least Tom didn’t. He knew, however, that they had probably updated Haz or Tuwaine of the situation. And if they hadn’t told him anything, y/n was probably married by now. And he didn’t know anything about the headlines, yet.

Tom wondered what he had done wrong.

“Would it be too bad?” Y/N had asked. “If I asked to spend little time with you, or a lot of time with you.”

“I’m sure Miguel wouldn’t like that.”

She frowned. “I never said anything about him.”

“It’s implied,” Tom sighed.

“But would you?”

“What?”

“Would you like it if I asked you to spend time with me?”

Tom looked at her. “Maybe.”

“You know Tom, I’m very inexperienced at all this love thing, that’s why I tend to do mistakes, but I know deep inside—“

“That Miguel isn’t one?”

She stayed quiet. “I just can’t afford being broken. I don’t think my heart could handle that much, but then again—”

“With me?”

“With you, I’m at risk, Tom. I know it, that’s how it’d go, me fearing for yet another rejection,” she sighed. “And besides, your crazy life is…”

“You’ve handled it before,” Tom said.

“Everyone in the world knows who you are,” she said. “And I’m someone who barely has any spotlight. Maybe that could make us work, I wouldn’t steal your thunder.”

But Tom wondered why she thought she was nothing, after all, he was perfectly aware that everyone in the room would stop to stare whenever she walked in. He knew that she needed just one smile to make anybody fall in love with her. He knew everybody leaned over to listen to her whispers because everybody wanted to listen.

Y/N had something very powerful, something that made her special. The only problem was she didn’t see it, she never saw it. She was always putting everyone else before her.

“You always have the spotlight,” he said. “At least to me.”

“Ah, cut off the cheesy statements,” she chuckled. “But would you stay?”

“I don’t—I don’t think I could,” he admitted.

“My heart couldn’t handle it,” she said. “I know it, seeing you everywhere. Pictures here, and there. Movies. Songs.”

“Songs?”

“Would it be too cheesy to say every song might remind me of you?” She wondered. “Would it be too cheesy if I said that the moon wouldn’t be as bright?”

“It would be too cheesy….” He laughed.

“But?”

“But then again, I know you’re telling the truth.”

She looked at him. “Then I think about it, if I were to choose you.”

“You won’t.”

“You’re very clear on that,” she frowned.

“I don’t want you to, I know I’m a big handful of trouble,” Tom said.

She laughed. “We’ve been friends for a while now, I know that, and I didn’t mind.”

He watched her.

“What if we disappeared?” She asked. “I love doing that. Being invisible.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

“And with me, you can’t be invisible, that’s another reason why you won’t choose me,” he pushed.

“We are invisible tonight,” she stared at him.

“Are we, really? We’re at risk right now.”

“The thing is, I love risk,” she said.

“I want you to be happy, y/n.”

She looked at him. “It’s funny you say that, everybody keeps on saying that. Even Miguel. But nobody knows what would make me happy.”

“What would?”

“Not having this mess, for starters,” she shrugged. “But right now it doesn’t matter.”

“Y/N.”

“We said we only had tonight, right?”

“Right.”

She stared at him. “Really, Tom, would it be a sin if I asked you to be my tomorrow, too?”

Tom bit his lip. “You wouldn’t.”

She didn’t say anything.

“I miss thinking my feelings were one sided,” she admitted.

“What?” He chuckled, confused.

“Everything was less complicated back then,” she added.

Tom smiled. “I thought my feelings were one sided too,” he admitted.

“What?” She sat up. “Oh my god, really? You never saw it?”

Tom shook his head. “That’s why I backed away! I mean—“

“You’re always oblivious,” she nodded, “but I didn’t think you were that naive…”

Tom blushed. “I’m stupid.”

“Okay, when—at Andrew’s wedding,” she started, as she was mapping her thoughts. “Alright, there,” she looked at him whimsically. “What—what did you think happened before you knew—all this?”

Tom had to sit up to rub his face. “I thought you were—I thought you were—I don’t know,” he bit his lip, “I was confused, because the girl I loved was—first saying everything she was saying,” he smiled, “You know, the vows… and when we danced I got lost—gosh this is going to sound cheesy—“

She chuckled, “go on, I don’t care how cheesy, I bet I’ve said cheesier stuff.”

“I got lost in your eyes,” Tom admitted embarrassed. “And—I didn’t understand why you left,” he sighed. “I guess that was the first time I understood that you were… afraid of me? I realized you had this idea of me that couldn’t be changed.”

Y/N shook her head. “That’s not true.”

“Do you believe I’ve changed?” Tom asked.

“Well, have you?” She frowned.

Tom blinked.

“Think about it, Tom, I asked you to be my tomorrow but you’re only asking for one night,” she whispered.

“But it’s different?”

“Then why do I feel the same way I felt when I was on the bridge?”

Tom sighed. “This is different, y/n.”

“I don’t know, Tom, it’s just me again, a girl asking a boy to love her,” she shrugged. “I’m not asking more.”

“But I love you, already,” Tom snapped. “You’re asking me to be there.”

She nodded and then placed a kiss on his cheek. “Just think about it.”

Tom knew y/n. And she had been so reluctant on it. Maybe he should’ve escaped when she offered it. But what he couldn’t map was the way she had decided to marry Miguel anyway. Maybe Lizzie had been right. He should’ve gotten earlier, maybe he had shown his true nature.

Tom walked around his place the first days, sweatshirt and sweatpants. His diet had consisted of beers,crisps, chocolate milkshakes, and chocolate cake. He had once ordered a strawberry shortcake once, too.

He had turned off his phone and had binge-watched all three Iron Man films, all Shrek films and he had watched even that Julia Roberts film, My Best Friend’s Wedding because he hated himself.

But eventually ended up shielding on video games, and a pair of headphones to push himself out of reality.

“Tom,” Haz brought him back to reality. As Haz was taking off the headphones.

He looked up, and stared at his best friend, the twins and Tuwaine were there, too. But the other figure was the one who shocked him. Lizzie. Fucking Lizzie. And Tom lost it.

“I think… we should talk,” Haz said.

Tom shrugged and turned back to the game. “Why do you guys call her every time something fucking happens?”

“Tom,” Tuwaine pushed. Tom ignored him. “Tom!”

“Man cmon!” Harry yelled. “You’ve got to cut the bullshit!”

Tom scowled as he stood up and stormed off the room. “Oh fuck, sorry! Did you guys expect me to be fine?” He snapped. “Sorry if I’m not cheerful! I bloody can’t be! Are you happy, Liz?”

“We know!” Haz yelled.

“Tom this isn’t about your feelings right now,” Lizzie snapped.

“Oh sorry if I have the spotlight right now, I really don’t want to—“

Harrison rolled his eyes. “But you have to get your shit together man.”

“Can’t I bloody have some time? It’s very recent you know? And I can’t simply just forget about it! I…” He took a deep breath. “I’m no one right now, alright? I just bloody want to have some time to think about it, but my thoughts, fuck, my thoughts are drowing me, alright? I don’t feel alright, because I feel like…. It’s all on me and maybe, I realized it,” he continued as he ran a hand through his hair. “I realized it, alright? I… I’m simply someone who she doesn’t want to be around anymore, I caused her too much pain and that’s why she left, and that’s why she got engaged because it was a perfect way to get rid off of me. Maybe I shouldn’t have done anything. You knew that, didn’t you, Lizzie?”

“I didn’t know she would-”

“It’s bloody killing me, I’m not… I could’ve let her be, but I was selfish enough to consider my own bloody feelings first, just like I am right now, I guess, becuase that’s all you fucking think I am, right? A fucking arrogant son of a bitch! And she’ll have that memory of me, ruining it for her. And I don’t blame her, I can’t even control my thoughts anymore, I can’t stand myself. I can’t blame her, I showed her who I was for four bloody years and then I try to change for her. And now, I lost her. Now I lost her because I was stupid and because she’s too bloody stubborn and because she ended up doing what she was supposed to do, because that’s who she is. She does the right thing.”

“Tom…” Sam started.

“And I was too fucking selfish, I saw that she was going to be at her best, I saw it in those bloody pictures, and I can’t believe I… I don’t know, and I blame her, too. But I’ll miss her, god, I’m going to fucking miss her. Even if I’m angry right now, because I have the right to be angry, but…. But, but she did ask me to run away, and I should’ve run away with her. But why say all that if she was going to… I mean, why did she have to lead me on and then go and marry him? I just don’t fucking get it, you know? She’s full of shit, sometimes, can’t bloody make up her fucking mind. And you know what? She’s such a pain in the ass, you can tell her that, Lizzie, tell her that I, too, won’t stand her anymore, is that what you came here for? Or are you going to fucking tell me to keep fighting for her? Are you? Because look where all that led us, Liz! Maybe…” He scoffed. “Maybe this was all your bloody revenge for everything I did to you, and I’m fucking sorry, alright? Right now I can’t… I can’t hate, and I cant’ blame anyone but me, because this was all my fault. And I don’t want to… I can’t even listen to my thoughts anymore…Because all they’re saying is she deserved better, but did she? She’s just as fucking lost as I am,” Tom was defeated. “But that won’t make me love her any less. And deep down I know I don’t mean any bloody word I’m saying, because… I… We fucked it up.”

Harry sighed, as he approached his brother, he hugged him.

Tom sighed. “But I don’t want any of your pity, alright? And you, Lizzie,” he looked at her. “I don’t, I’m sorry for everything I did to you, to anyone, alright? I got my karma.”

Sam stared at Haz and Tuwaine. “Maybe we should…. Wait,” he told him.

“Yeah,” Tom walked off. “Wait until I feel bloody better, a few months, at least.”

Tuwaine clicked his tongue. “We know you’re not okay but you need to know this.

“What? That she got married?” Tom asked. “Is that what you’re bloody trying to tell me? Man, this is all rubbish.”

Lizzie looked away.

“Is she on her honeymoon?” Tom asked angrily.

“I won’t tell you anything,” Lizzie shrugged.

“Oh, now you guys won’t tell me,” Tom laughed.

“Tom, they leaked the video,” Sam finally told him.

Tom frowned. “What video?”

“Oh, you know, someone at the wedding filmed when you fucking interrupted it and now it’s everywhere!” Harry explained. “Everywhere.”

Tom felt like all the blood on his body had disappeared. He had to sit back down. This was a problem. A big one. He slowly walked back to the sofa, as he sat back down.

He closed his eyes, as he made a long pause. Taking a big breath. “How bad is it?” He asked.

“Very,” Harry answered.

Tom bit his lip. “Can I… see it?” Though he didn’t know if he wanted to remember it. He didn’t have the strength to see the stupid thing he’d done before.

Harry nodded as he showed the video to Tom. Tom felt a dagger through his chest as he watched the pathetic proposal he’d made and he saw her, too. There was pain in her eyes, and she looked tired, too. She didn’t look happy as she should’ve been.

“This is the end of my career,” Tom whispered.

Lizzie crossed her arms. “You’re not the bad guy here.”

Tom looked up, with realization as to why Lizzie was there.

“Oh,” he took a deep breath. “How… how is she?

“She’s the bitch who turned down Spiderman,” Lizzie said. “How do you think she’s doing?”

“Shit,” Tom bit his lip and closed his eyes again. “I…” He was worried about her, because he knew she’d be attacked.

“Yeah, she’s been called all things, and she had to delete all her social media,” Lizzie explained. “Maybe she was a bitch, very big bitch for doing that, for sure but this is the worst punishment.”

Tom stood up. “Where’s… where’s my phone?” Tom asked as Harry handed it over. “Oh my god, this is…” Tom started to scroll through the chaos, and he saw it, people commenting on his picutres, and people calling him out. He went to twitter and everything was hating on y/n, and other people making fun of him.

But he knew this was worse for her, this was people telling her horrible things.

Tom had to get his mind out of this.

“Where is she?” Tom asked Lizzie.

Lizzie looked away.

Tom took a deep breath. “Did she…”

“Look, Tom,” Lizzie sighed. “She’s not doing as good either, she’s just as broken as you are right now, but add to all of this that she’s dealing with hate.”

Harry sighed. “And well…”

“Your agent called,” Haz explained. “She suggested you should first speak up on instagram, for yourself.”

“No, no, no,” Tom frowned. “First… I have to say something about her.”

“She suggested a press conference,” Harry said.

“And mum and dad agreed,” Sam continued. “It would clear up everything.”

Tom took a deep breath.

“First, you’re going to post a statement, which we’ve… Been writing together, and you just have to give it a check,” Harry continued.

Tuwaine nodded. “Yeah, it’s…. An initial statement.”

Tom stood up, stressed. If this were bad, now they were even worse.

“Should I call y/n and apologize?” Asked Tom to Lizzie.

She shook her head. “Tom… I…No, you’re not okay, you need to heal, and… honestly, with everything, I think it would be like pouring salt on her own wounds.”

Tom clenched his jaw and looked away. “Fuck, right.”

“The headlines have been awful,” Haz said. “It’s…. Been.”

“Why the fuck haven’t you guys told me?” Asked Tom, angrily.

Tuwaine frowned. “You’re seriously asking that? Have you seen yourself?”

“You’ve been ignoring us all, we’ve tried to, fuck, we all been trying to talk to you, but you’ve pushed us all way,” Harrison raised his voice.

“And we get it, alright?” Harry said. “But really, it’s time you…”

Tom shook his head, standing up, pacing around the room.”Right, sorry, sorry,” he sat down again. “I need…” He stood up again, and headed to the fridge, he pulled out a beer. “Alright, okay.”

“Here’s the statement,” Sam said, handing him the phone over.

Tom read it, and started to change and correct a few details, to be more him, to really apologise to y/n.

“In the past few days, a video of me has surfaced on the web. While I assume full responsibility for my actions, I would like to clarify that my decision was made abruptly and without any previous thoughts, and it was a big mistake to pull a stunt like that. I do not encourage my behaviour, and I would like to first, apologize to y/n, who has been a great friend to me for the past years and who does not deserve any of the hatred coming her way. I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I may have caused her and anyone who's close to me and who’s been affected by the situation. This was a stupid and momentary decision, and she had all the right to say no, and I’m extremely sorry that it has jeopardized the relationship I had with the person I loved and respected the most, Y/N. It’s no secret I love her and I care deeply for her as my best friend, and I truly can’t begin to word my apology to her. I ask from the bottom of my heart that you guys stop harassing her and give her all the necessary respect and privacy. While I know the situation can’t be undone, and I know it shall not be forgotten, I do ask discretion.

I’m sorry, Tom.”

It felt sincere, in a way. It was simple, it was fine.

And he meant it, but what he truly wanted to say was: “I don’t regret doing it because she was worth doing it, and I wish she’d said yes. And I hope I could turn back time so I could take us out of this mess.”

He sat down again.

“This… this is too much,” Tom said before posting the screenshot of the statements to his social media. “Okay, now when’s the…”Tom rubbed his face. “The press conference?”

Harry watched him. “Two days.”

Tom took a deep breath. “Alright… I’ll call my agent to see what I’m supposed to say and…” Tom looked up. “This is too big of a mess.”

Lizzie sighed. “I’m… very sorry, Tom,” she admitted.

Tom looked up. “What for?”

“I feel like this is partly my fault, I thought she—“Lizzie started and watched as they boys left the room.

“We all did,” Tom interrupted her. “I hope she’s happy.”

Lizzie nodded. “I’m sorry for coming over here and… reminding you about it,” she said. “I really didn’t want any of this to happen.”

“Nobody did.”

“But if there’s anything I can help with—“

“You didn’t just come here to solve this mess, I know,” Tom said. “How… how is she?”

Lizzie shrugged. “Not good.”

Tom looked around. “Should I—“

Lizzie watched him.

“I feel like calling her wouldn’t be right,” he admitted. “But there’s a part of me that wants to tell her that I’m deeply sorry for all the pain that I’ve caused her,” Tom continued. “I—You know, maybe I should write her something, but she’s always been the writer,” Tom sighed. “I—I” Tom looked around. “There was a part of me that…” he took a deep breath. “Come here,” he said and lead the way to his room. This was such a different experience from the last time he’d asked Lizzie to come to his room. This was so cold. She followed after him. When they arrived, Tom searched through his drawers and pulled out a blue box.

Lizzie looked at him as she looked around the room, it was a big mess. Toblerone wraps everywhere, books hanging around. Messy and dirty clothes hanging all over the place, his AirPods on his bed. The curtains were pulled down.

“Maybe I should give this to her, but—“Tom took a big pause as he stared at the Tiffany box. “This was always meant for her,” Tom shook his head. “It’s—complicated. I guess… I should send her all her stuff back, but maybe she doesn’t want it back… I still have her copy of the first Harry Potter book hanging around, maybe I could gather up all her stuff and give it to you so you can give it to her…. or… I don’t even know if she’d want it back… and I don’t know if I want to give it back,” Tom sighed. “I just—feel like this was all too sudden, you know? We had a lot of dreams, she had a lot of plans and now it’s all… gone, you know?” Tom not his lip. “I—I’m not okay,” he admitted.

Lizzie carefully sat down beside him, listening.

“I know where it all went wrong,” Tom continued. “We should’ve run away together,” he pinched the bridge of his nose, “I guess we were meant to fall apart, but I—even if it hurts and even though I’m still angry and I still need time to heal, I truly want her to be happy.”

Lizzie took his hand and squeezed it.

“What will be of her dreams? Will she continue to be a journalist?” He scoffed. “As if I hadn’t ruined her reputation…” he bit his lip. “I know she wanted to be a reporter, and—what about her book? Or her poetry?” Tom asked. “Will Miguel take care of that?” He shook his head. “I just want to make sure that if she chose him, that if she chose him… she is happy.”

Lizzie nodded. “He wouldn’t be able to make her happy.”

Tom shrugged. “He shall, she chose him for a reason.”

Lizzie shook her head, and she chuckled. “It’s funny, isn’t it?”

Tom frowned.

“I was so blind,” she started. “I was one to hurt my best friend,” she said. “You and me are not so different, Tom, though you are more annoying, I—I think we both were too blind we were hurting y/n.”

Tom nodded..

“We both shielded on protecting her while we were hurting her,” she continued.

Tom watched her.

“But gosh, I really thought I would mend it by…” she shook her head. “Dunno, I thought I would mend it all by telling you to go and search for her.”

“Maybe I was too late,” Tom said. Tom looked away as he plopped to lay down on the bed, rubbing his eyes. “And me stopping the wedding like in a fucking chick flick would mean she’d have to choose me and that’s not—I get it,” he sighed.

“You don’t,” Lizzie chuckled dryly.

“You know what? Maybe it was too much, I know her, she doesn’t like any rom com stunts, I—I should’ve known better.”

“You’re right about that,” Lizzie declared. “Her meaning of love isn’t yelling it to the world, she’d never do that kind of stuff.”

Tom clicked his tongue. “Yeah I know,” Tom sighed, “for her love relies on the details.”

Lizzie nodded. “But that’s not the big lesson to learn here.”

Tom laughed cynically. “What is, then? Don’t try to stop a wedding until the last minute? Tell the people you love them when you have the chance?”

“Yeah, that too,” Lizzie agreed. “But I think most importantly, choose ourselves before anybody.”

Tom frowned.

Lizzie shrugged. “Dunno, but I know, that even if it hurt her seeing you, this was all for the best.”

Tom sighed. “Miguel was the right choice wasn’t it?”

Lizzie shook her head. “No.”

Tom scowled. “Then?”

“Y/N was the right choice,” she finally said.

“What do you mean?” Tom asked, confused.

“Y/N had to see this for herself,” she said. “We both know her, how she’s always choosing what everyone thinks she should choose.”

“Is that why she chose Miguel?”

Lizzie looked him in the eye. “Tom… she didn’t get married.”

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riverofdarkness · 3 years

Text

Happiness

Title: Happiness Pairing: MonTeam (Y-Destiny) Rating: PG Genre: Romance Summary: Team just wants to make Mon happy

“Mon let’s go somewhere together” says Team.

“You mean like doing something today?” asks Mon.

“Hmmm today I actually wanted to stay in bed here with you. I meant like go away for the weekend” says Team.

Mon get’s all shy by Team saying he wants to stay in bed with him all day. Team sees it and says “Are you having dirty thoughts”. Mon’s face turns all red and he has no idea how to respond.

“But you didn’t answer my question about going away for the weekend” Team says.

Mon turns his face to look directly at Team and his eyes are all sparkly. “Yes” is all Mon can respond.

Team brings out a bright smile and kisses Mon’s forehead. He still cannot believe he ended up meeting someone like Mon. Being the player back in the days he didn’t think true love would exist. But then Mon appeared in his life. He still regrets hurting him at first. So now Team will show Mon that Mon means the world to him. And taking him on a weekend trip is one of those things.

Obviously they cannot stay in bed all day since they have to go and eat at some point. Team suggests to get some takeout so they don’t have to leave the apartment. Mon is fine with it. Staying in bed a bit longer with Team is never a bad thing.

A while later their food arrives and they have lunch together. Team says that after lunch he will look up some places to go for their trip. Little does Mon know that Team actually already has planned the whole trip.

“Team how far are you with the trip?” asks Mon a while later.

“I actually just finished booking the trip and we will be leaving Friday at 9AM” says Team. “Where are we going Team?” is what Mon wants to know. “That shall remain a secret” says Team. Mon hates secrets so he starts pouting at Team hoping Team will spill something. “Mon look at you being all cute while pouting. How am I able to resist someone like you” says Team. Mon looked all happy that his pouting seems to have worked. Only for Team to respond with “However no matter how cute you are I will not spill anything”.

Mon who is not satisfied with this answer makes a sad face hoping that might draw Team over.

“Aww Mon come here and let me give you a kiss” says Team.

Mon who cannot get enough of Team’s kisses gets up and has already forgotten about wanting to know where they are going.

Day of the weekend away

It’s 9AM and Mon and Team are at the airport. Mon is following Team since he still has no idea where they are going. Mon however isn’t carrying anything since Team insisted he would carry all the luggage. He didn’t want Mon to get tired.

They arrive at the gate and Mon sees the word Phuket. His eyes lit up. He cannot believe Team is taking him to Phuket. He has never been there before. Team is looking at Mon and sees Mon looks like a kid in the candy store after they have gotten their favorite candy. The only thing Team can do is smile.

The flight isn’t that long but Mon is sleeping on the airplane since he had to get up real early.

They arrive a while later.

“What a great day to be here. The weather is great” says Team.

The only thing Mon can do is look around. It’s so pretty here is what Mon thinks.

“What are you thinking Mon? That it’s pretty here? Well it is but not as pretty as you” says Team.

Mon is still not used to Team saying things like that and starts blushing.

“And you are just too cute as well” says Team.

The first thing they do that day is looking for a place to eat since they are pretty hungry. They end up finding a nice restaurant in the village. After lunch Mon says he wants an ice cream. It’s his favorite thing. Team shaking his head as they just had lunch. But if Mon wants an ice cream then Team will get him an ice cream. This trip is about Mon’s happiness only. Nothing else.

The rest of the day is just spent walking around the village. And they decide to have dinner at the same place they had lunch. They head to the apartment Team has rented and decide to watch a movie before going to bed.

While they are in bed all cuddled up “How was today Mon”.

Mon looks at Team and then gives him a kiss on the cheek.

“Today was such a nice day. And the fact that I got to spend it with you made it even better”.

Team raises his hand to ruffle Mon’s hair and says “I am glad to be a part of it”.

The next day

“Team are we going to the beach today? Tell me we are” asks Mon while he is clinging onto Team. The only thing Team can do is laugh.

“You are such a little kid here. But yes we are going to the beach today” says Team.

Mon cannot hold his excitement. He has never been to the beach. His parents never had a lot of money so trips to the sea were out of the question.

The day at the beach was a whole lot of fun. Mon had the best day of his life. Just as they arrive back at the apartment the sky starts to get dark. “Let’s get inside Mon” says Team.

When they are inside Team suggests to watch another movie and they get all snuggled up on the couch. Not long after a flash lights up the room and a loud bang is heard.

“TEAM WHAT WAS THAT” says Mon, all scared. Mon has always been afraid of thunder and lightning.

“It seems we are having a thunderstorm. Don’t worry Mon we are inside and I am here with you”.

Just as Team said that another flash appears and suddenly all lights go out.

“TEAMMMMMM” screams Mon, while he starts crying.

Team hugs Mon tighter while he caresses his hair.

“Shhhh it’s okay. Just hold onto me” says Team.

Thankfully the storm didn’t seem to last that long. After it stopped Team lit some candles to light up the room. He then went back to Mon.

Mon who still is a bit shaken then says to Team “I am sorry for acting this way. I feel like such a coward”.

Team is a little bit taken back by what Mon says.

“Mon you aren’t a coward. There’s nothing wrong with being afraid of something”.

Mon however isn’t 100% assured and doesn’t dare to look at Team.

“Mon look at me please” says Team.

Mon then looks up only to lock eyes with Team.

Team raises his hand and places his hand on the side of Mon’s cheek.

“You don’t need to hide who you are. Showing you are afraid only makes you human”. And with that Team leans in and gives Mon a kiss.

“Let’s go to sleep” says Team after the kiss.

The last day

It’s the last day and Team has it all planned. Tonight they will have a romantic dinner at candle light. But before that they will have a sightseeing tour through the province of Phuket. Mon watches his eyes out. So many pretty places. He cannot believe Team took him here. It almost feels like a dream and that he is about to wake up.

“Are you hungry already Mon? I booked us a seat at this great restaurant” says Team.

Mon nods. He is definitely hungry.

They arrive and the waiter brings them to their table. It’s somewhere at the back.

“Wow” says Mon.

“You like it here” asks Team.

“I cannot believe you took me to a place like this” says Mon.

They sit down and order their food. While they are waiting for their food Team starts talking.

“Mon I wanna tell you a couple things”.

Mon looks at Team and wonders what this is about.

“Mon, when I first met/saw you I felt all sorts of feelings I never felt before. They confused me. For me love didn’t exist. All I had where one night stands and bets with my friends about how quick I could have someone to fall for me. Only to dump them the next day for someone else. That’s how my life was. So at first I tried to push away these feelings and act like you were also just like the other guys I had. But then when we actually spent the night together it felt different. You made me feel something. You made me feel loved. Then the next day when I found out what my friend had said to you I was so upset. That wasn’t supposed to happen. I knew I had to do everything I could to get your trust back. To get the guy back that I guess it seems I was waiting for my whole life”.

“Mon I am so glad you gave me a second chance. I don’t know what I would have done without you. You light up my life. You make my life worth living for”.

Mon cannot believe what Team is all saying. No one has said those things to him before. And Mon cannot hold it anymore. He starts to cry.

“Mon what is going on. Did I say something wrong. Did I hurt you?” asks Team while taking a hold of Mon’s hand.

Team is panicking at the sight of Mon crying. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Mon then get’s of his chair and walks over to Team to sit on his lap.

“Team, I never thought true love existed either. I always thought it was something that only happened in dreams. And then when you made a move on me I couldn’t believe it. Only for it to be crushed the next day. I was so hurt. Why did I have to fall in love? You never gave up tho. At first I was hesitant to give you a second chance. I didn’t want to get hurt again. But you showed me I didn’t need to be afraid anymore. These tears are just tears of happiness. Of hearing someone saying things to me I never heard before. I am glad to be in your life Team”.

Team raises his hand to wipe away the tears on Mon’s face.

“Mon promise me you stay with me forever” says Team.

“I’ll promise” says Mon.

And with that Team kisses Mon.

#y-destiny #y-destiny the series #monteam #y-destiny fanfic #fanfic #fanfiction #happiness #genre: romance

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jamesbuchananxsteviegrant · 5 years

Text

Make It Stop | Bucky x Steve x Reader (Angst, Fluff)

Category: Angst, Fluff (Suggested) Age: 16+ Trigger Warnings: Physical abuse (past relationship), harassment, stalking, physical violence Ship: Bucky x Steve x Reader, Platonic!Tony x Reader Summary: Reader’s Abusive Ex Comes Back To Haunt Her Request: “Idea!! So reader works for shield and is dating steve & bucky and is just an absolute sweetheart that everyone on the team adores. One day she starts getting messages from her ex and clams up— she ends up having to tell her boys that she was in an abusive relationship before them and tony getting her the job at shield kinda saved her ass from that life. So she blocks her ex but then he shows up at the tower and some protective!stucky ensues” Contains Spoilers for: N/A Word Count: 3,967

---

[13:42] Unknown Number: Hello, darling. Long time no speak.

Everything around the woman fades out as she reads over the text on her phone screen. There’s no way it’s him, right? But deep down she knows it is. She knows. Because no-one, no-one, calls her darling. Nobody except him.

But, why? Why now? Why is he messaging her.

[13:44] Unknown Number: I was thinking about how much I missed you and realised that I need you back

She gulps. She gulps because she knows what he means. Whenever he wants- needs something, he will stop at nothing to get it. The thought terrifies her.

[13:45] Unknown Number: So, dinner tomorrow? On me? That Italian place you love on third?

A shiver shakes her body to the core. Her body is trembling at this point. No way. There’s no way.

[13:47] Unknown Number: Don’t ignore me, you know my only flaw is my patience

Only flaw… The thing about working for SHIELD is that they know everything about the woman’s physical body. All her medical information. They have stored every single time she was taken to hospital because of accidents.

(Y/N)’s life dream was to work with SHIELD and she knew they would run background checks, so anytime she knew she’d have to go to the hospital for the battering that he left on her body, she moved to locations and rang the ambulance for a better story. The side of a road with no CCTV footage - hit and run. Outside a bar - drunken antics. Near the minimal farms nearby - animals. All these excuses because SHIELD couldn’t find out about him.

So, when Tony Stark saw her fighting techniques for the first time, he was swept off of his feet the same way he was when he first met Natasha. Pepper could only laugh and assure him that she was too young and way out of his league. He became like a father to her from that point on and she has the honour of being an Avenger.

[13:51] Unknown Number: Meet me outside at 7

He stops texting her after. She can’t tell anyone at SHIELD because they’d kill him. That’s how much she means to the team. Clint is like her brother, and Natasha like her sister - they’re such a kickass trio on the battlefield. Tony, as mentioned, is more or less her father - given her own died in an assassination and the Avengers were too late to stop. He feels like he owes it to her. To be there for her because he couldn’t save her own father. Pepper is like her mother in that sense too.

The rest of them, bar the two super soldiers, are all her best friends. (Y/N) never fails to bring happiness, enthusiasm, optimism and support to the team and they adore her for it. They’ve all definitely concluded that she’s the best thing that happened to them. They’d be so lost without her. Wanda and Bucky confirm that fact especially - she helped them when they were having the most self-destructive thoughts about the actions they’d done. She assured them it wasn’t their fault with words that they managed to truly believe. They’ll never be able to repay the debt for that. Not that (Y/N) expects them to.

Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes are the woman’s two boyfriends. She remembers when she first fell for both of them. It was literally both at the same time, she knew she was fucked. She entered the common room to meet all the team and when her eyes locked with the two pairs of gorgeous, ocean blue, looking at her with just as much surprise and adoration, she knew she was a goner.

(Y/N) later learnt that Steve and Bucky were already in a relationship, and despite the fight she was selfishly heartbroken, she was also extremely happy for the couple and showed them her support constantly. It truly made their hearts swell. Until the night of Tony’s New Year’s Eve party. Her first ever one.

*** Flashback ***

She caught eye of The Winter Soldier across the room, leaning against the bar, looking absolutely dashing in his suit, and she couldn’t help but lick her lips, followed by her biting her lower one. Bucky saw it and he mirrored the action himself as he eyed up her curves. The way the red dress clung to her body. They met each others gaze and they were silently questioning one another. Until Bucky gains the confidence to gesture toward the balcony with his head, watching her immediately nod and sit her empty glass of champagne down on the table beside her.

She gets there first and turns around, watching him stride through the crowd, eyes only locking with hers, not caring about anyone else. She has no idea what he wants her out here for. Her head is running around with wild ideas but she knows none of them are true. Well, she thought she did until he didn’t stop until his hands were on her hips and his lips were on her own, tongue instantly invading her mouth. She moans. Hands reaching up to grasp at his blazer, pulling him impossibly closer.

They lost all patience and they forgot where they were, Bucky reaching his hands down to her thighs, lifting her up and feeling her legs wrap around his waist, dress hoisted up around her own. Her back hits the wall beside the door and their lips are still yet to part.

Meanwhile, Steve had come back from the bathroom and eyes the room with furrowed brows as Bucky is no longer where he said he’d wait.

“He’s on the balcony with (Y/N).” Sam’s voice catches his attention. “Nat and I made a bet with Clint about what they’re doing.”

The way he wiggles his brows makes Steve smirk.

“I want in on this bet.” The blond mutters, turning to his friend.

“Yeah? What’re you betting?” Nat asks, approaching the duo.

“That he’s starting without me.” The Cap winks at the woman and strides toward the balcony, leaving an amused Natasha and Sam behind. “You know there’s almost a thousand people on the other side of that wall.”

The voice doesn’t stop Bucky and (Y/N) from their heated make-out session in the slightest, only makes the woman moan before reluctantly pulling back and looking at the man.

“Makes it all the more exciting, Stevie.” She grins, assuming that her encounter with Bucky wasn’t going to hurt him since Buck didn’t stop.

“Can’t argue with that, sweetheart.” The man takes a step forward to kiss his brunet lover, only pulling back when her hears (Y/N) mewl and ogle the sight. “You alright, doll?” Bucky grins, still holding her up.

“Steve…” Is all she whispers. He raises a brow and keeps an amused smirk on his face.

“Yes, angel?”

She whimpers again, moving her hips against Bucky’s, prompting him to groan.

“I…” She can’t even finish her sentence, suddenly feeling self conscious.

“Say it, baby.” Bucky breathes, using one arm to keep her up against the wall whilst the other tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“Kiss me.” Her voice is breathless and Steve immediately complies.

“God, this is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” The Winter Soldier admires. “Doll, what would you say if I told you that we wanted you properly?”

(Y/N) pulls back and looks absolutely surprised but so pleasantly surprised.

“Yeah, we want you.” Steve answers her unspoken question. “That is, if you want both of us.”

She nods, instantly.

“Yes. God, fuck, yes, oh my God.”

The men grin.

“The second we laid our eyes on you, my God…” Bucky comments.

“Likewise…” (Y/N) smiles, kissing them both once more.

“Ooh, Tony’s gonna love this.” Sam’s voice speaks up once more, prompting the trio to look over and see him stood there with Clint, Nat and Tony himself.

“I swear to Christ…” The billionaire groans.

“I feel like I’m missing something?” (Y/N) whispers, Sam and Clint laughing as Nat smirks, Tony covering his face.

“The day Tony caught the lovely stain that those two left on the black sofa.” Sam smiles, (Y/N) giggling.

“I swear I’ll clean up after ourselves.” She laughs.

“I DON’T EVEN WANNA IMAGINE YOU-“ Tony cuts himself off with another groan.

“She’s in her mid-twenties, Tony. The woman’s gonna have sex.” Nat comments, smirking,

“SHUT UP!” He yells, everyone laughing as he storms back inside.

*** Flashback End ***

The mistake (Y/N) made was not going to that restaurant at seven. Because then it didn’t stop. She blocked numbers but then he added her on social media. She blocked all the accounts but he made new ones and added her quicker than she could block them. She could call the police for harassment purposes but she’s scared. She’ll have to go to court and it’ll be all over the news. She can vision it.

AVENGER, (Y/N) (L/N), IN COURT FOR HARRASSMENT CASE?!

She doesn’t want to deal with that and she can’t put that reputation onto SHIELD. Not after everything Nick and Tony have done for her to get here.

What scares the others is the little differences they notice in her attitude but just assume she’s tired. They have all undeniably been fighting a lot recently. What triggers her is the most that comes through. The letters.

“(Y/N), you have post.” Clint calls, throwing the envelope across the room to her. She catches it and rips it open, curious as to who’s sending her letters, but then her eyes widen as she looks at two images. One of her half-way through getting dressed, taken through the balcony doors in her room, and the other of her sitting in her favourite coffee shop in town just on the phone, hand wrapped around the mug contains hot chocolate.

Her eyes are wide and she’s trembling. Turning the photo over, expecting no less, there’s a note:

I know everything, darling. I know how much of a whore you are for those soldiers. Wait til I get my hands on them. Or they remain unscathed if you come home to me

Fortunately, the message doesn’t frighten her because she knows that Dec, her ex, couldn’t do anything to even scratch her two super soldiers. They’re not at risk in the slightest. Declan is just a regular citizen, it’s just a message to scare her, but it won’t work. Thinking tactically, she heads to her room and stores the photos in the box. The box that also has printed copies of every single text message he’s ever sent her. She can’t stop the tears that overflow, or the sob that escapes her as she looks at all of it.

She doesn’t know what to do. She knows, she knows, that she needs to tell someone. At least Steve and Bucky, but she can’t. She’s scared. So scared. She doesn’t know what of really.

Weeks pass and she receives more and more photos. More and more messages. She loses it one day. She’s just having one of those days where you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders and you just want to lay in bed and do absolutely nothing. One of those days. But then Steve and Buck come strolling in from their mission and smile at the girl who’s standing at their balcony doors, staring out.

“Hey, doll face.” Buck smiles.

“Sweetheart.” Steve adds, watching her turn around and smile, effortlessly lighting up their whole life once again.

“Hey! How was the mission? As easy as it sounded?” She grins, watching them nod, removing their heavy gear.

“You know it.” The brunet grins. “This came for you by the way.” He adds, watching her face contort into absolute fear.

She takes a step back and hits the glass doors of their balcony, shaking her head.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, please, God, no more.” She whispers, tears forming and the men are instantly panicking.

“Hey, hey, hey, woah, it’s okay, you’re okay.” Bucky coos, dashing to her side as Steve does the other.

“Look at us, sweetheart.” Steve murmurs, watching her shake her head as her eyes remain locked on the envelope Bucky dropped on the bed.

He gulps and looks back at it.

“Baby, what is it?” His voice sounds scared himself.

“Please,” She whimpers, glancing from one soldier to the other. “Please, make it stop.”

The sound of how broken her voice is, on top of the fact she’s begging them to help her with something they don’t know about scares them and infuriates them at the same time.

The pair know she’s gotten a lot of post over the last month but they just assumed it was a friend or something. Nothing they desperately need to know about.

“Please.” She repeats, watching Steve turn and grab the envelope.

Her eyes meet his and he looks at her for some form of permission to open it.

“Make it stop.” Is all she says.

“Let’s sit you down on the bed, doll.” Bucky suggests, helping her to do so, sitting off the edge as he sits beside her, Steve remaining standing as he opens up the envelope.

The sight makes Steve’s eyes widen and his jaw drop. There’s about ten photos, all about the average post-it note size, of (Y/N), his girl, in random places. The fact that they’re all mostly zoomed in on her assets - her bare legs, up her skirt as much as possible, her breasts, cleavage, ass - makes his blood boil. He notices the black ink on the back of all of them. A variation of messages.

Come back to me or I’ll make you

Those soldiers will not last a second if you don’t do as you’re told

Be a good girl for me

Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes. Soon to be deceased.

I thought we’d learnt about being disobedient

You’re still as sexy as ever

They don’t deserve you

Remember how submissive you were for me?

He stops reading and snaps his head up to meet her scared expression.

“What is this?!” He asks, voice tense.

Bucky snatches the envelope out of his hand and also looks over the photos and messages, eyes ablaze with a fire that nobody could even attempt to put out.

“Please make it stop.” (Y/N) simply sobs, Steve crouching in front of her and taking her shaking hands in his own.

“(Y/N), sweetheart, I need you to explain this to us.” He mutters, hoping to ease an explanation out of her.

She releases a shaky exhale and looks over to her closet.

“There’s a box in my wardrobe.” She whispers, Steve nodding and heading over to get it, finding it with ease.

“May I?” He asks, gesturing to the lid. She nods, watching him tense up all over at the sight of even more photos. Ones of her half-dressed.

Explains why she no longer likes the curtains open.

He scans over all of the snapshots of texts and accounts and numbers that she’s saved. Bucky also leaning over to look at it all.

“Who is it?” Bucky asks, voice strained. She gulps.

“My ex.”

“We’ve got to tell Tony and Fury, (Y/N).” Steve comments, glancing up at her fearful eyes as she nods, more tears escaping.

“I know. I know, just please… Make it stop.”

“Hey, hey,” The Winter Soldier coos, wrapping his arms around her, side on, and holding her close. “We’re gonna make it stop, baby, I promise. We’re gonna make it stop.”

(Y/N) nods and curls herself into him.

“I swear, we’re going to make it stop, sweetheart.” Steve adds, resting his hands on her knees from his crouched position. “FRIDAY, call Tony into the conference room and get Nick on call - tell him it’s urgent.”

“Director Fury is in the tower, Captain.” The AI responds.

“Even better, bring them both.”

///

“What’s going on?” Fury asks as the two soldiers enter the room, (Y/N) curled up in the arms of Bucky.

“What’s wrong?” Tony adds, standing up and looking at the girl, worriedly.

Steve throws the box on the table, it slides toward Tony and he stops it with his hand.

“Look in it.” The blond growls. Bucky sits the girl down on one of the chairs and kisses her forehead.

“What the fuck is this?” Tony breathes, scanning over all the photos, the messages, the usernames, everything.

“(Y/N)’s ex has been sending her these for…” Steve trails off, turning to look at his girlfriend for an answer.

“A month.” She whispers.

“(L/N), can you tell us who he is? Where he lives? What he does?” Nick quizzes, sounding interrogating but the look on his face holds care.

“Declan Anderson. He’s my ex. Dated for four years. He-“ She chokes up.

“It’s okay, doll.” Bucky soothes, stroking her back.

“FRIDAY, can you pull up my medical history - hospital trips.” The girl calls, the AI complying and displaying the items on the screen. “All of those reasons are lies.” She explains, gesturing to the reason she ended up in hospital.

“It was him.” Tony whispers, eyes wide as he turns back to look at her.

Sure, he’d seen these files before, but this, this was learning that someone dared lay their hands on her.

“He hurt you.” The billionaire repeats, Steve and Bucky also staring with wide eyes at the screen that displays the images of bruising on her skin.

She doesn’t react, just stares at the screen with teary eyes.

“Oh my God, sweetheart.” Steve utters, turning to look at his girl.

“Please, make it stop.” She repeats for the nth time. Tony and Fury look at the woman in shock of how vulnerable and how desperate she sounds.

This is the woman who daren’t ever ask for anything and never complains about a thing. The woman who can take on Loki and probably HYDRA single handedly, and yet this bastard can break her down to a scared little girl.

She could look death in the face and not be scared.

“We will. I promise.” Tony says with a firm nod of his head.

///

The next couple of weeks are a bit better because Tony goes through all letters for (Y/N) and opens them before they get to her, keeping the images.

That is until one day when she needs to go down to reception of the tower and pick up some documents and she sees him.

“You should know better than to keep my waiting, darling.” He grins, the entire threatening look on his face having not changed at all since she last saw him a couple of years ago, before she joined SHIELD. Before Tony found her and brought her here. Saved her.

“What- What’re you doing here?” She whispers, but he hears her.

“Coming to collect what’s mine.”

What he fails to realise, amongst the busy reception where no-one is batting an eyelid, is that Happy is watching the entire thing from the door. He doesn’t know who the man is but he knows enough by (Y/N)’s facial expression that she doesn’t want him there. Despite this, the reasons for that are unbeknowst to him and therefore he doesn’t want to get involved if it’s just a small argument. Stark would hate him.

He calls Stark but it goes straight to voicemail.

“FRIDAY,”

“Yes, Mister Hogan?” The AI responds on his watch.

“Get Tony, Steve and Bucky down here. Tell them it’s urgent - it’s (Y/N).” He states.

“Of course.”

And then he approaches the duo, hoping to hear their conversation.

“Please, leave me alone.” (Y/N) pleads, her voice quiet. Scared.

The man, Declan, laughs.

“Not a chance. I leave here with you or not at all.”

(Y/N) flickers her eyes around and meets Happy’s questioning, worried glare. Suddenly, as if remembering where she is, who she’s with, the woman gains confidence.

“No. I’m not going back to you. I refuse to let you control me again. I’m an Avenger now and you’re pushing your luck by even being in this tower so I suggest you leave before I make you.” She demands, and just when she thought she’d won, the man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a photo.

Smirking, he holds it up and shows her, and it’s that picture. The picture of when she was with him and he tied her down to the bed and absolutely tore her apart. She’s naked. Completely and utterly nude. Tied up. Battered and bruised.

“Should I publish this?” He grins, watching her confidence shatter as quickly as it came.

“Leave me alone.” She whispers. “You fucking asshole.” Her voice is tense as she tries to keep her tears at bay. “They’ll kill you.”

He knows who she’s referring to but also doesn’t give a shit.

“I’m taking you first.”

“Like hell you are.”

“You stupid bitch.” He hisses, striding forwards and raising his fist, (Y/N) widening her eyes and squealing.

It echoes across the entire reception but no-one sees the follow up of what could’ve been as a metal arm grasps the man’s raised fist.

Arms wrap around the girl and turn her so she’s facing their chest. She inhales. Steve.

Bucky has to calm himself before he can react any further. He’s about ready to kill all over again after seeing this bastard raise his hand to his girl. Seeing the fear and shock on her face as he did.

Steve keeps his eyes on Bucky’s to keep him grounded and it works. The brunet nods as a thanks which Steve returns.

“You son of a fucking bitch.” The Winter Soldier growls, twisting the man’s hand until he hears the wrist snap. The cry that rips from his throat catching nobodies attention as Happy and Tony had got them all out and closed off reception temporarily.

Tony comes over and doesn’t hesitate to wrap his hands around the man’s throat and shove him up against one of the walls. Dec’s eyes are wide as he tries to fight the CEO but it’s useless.

“You’re the bastard that’s been torturing her. That’s hurt her. That’s threatened her and torn her apart, and yet she’s still stronger than you. How does that make you feel?!” He roars, not letting his grip loosen at all.

“Tony…” Pepper whispers from aside, but he simply narrows his eyes.

“Why her?!” The man hisses, Declan fighting for oxygen.

“I love her!” He gasps, and that’s when Tony throws him onto the ground.

Bucky follows up with a large punch - with his metal hand - straight to the man’s face. Twice. Knocking him out.

“I wanna kill him.” He growls, Steve reaching out with the arm that’s not around their girl and pulling him to them.

“I know.”

Tony turns to look at the trio.

“(Y/N),” He calls, watching her turn her head that’s resting on Steve’s chest. “He’ll never contact or see you again.”

She nods, Steve hating the trembling that he feels all over her body.

“You’re safe, doll, I promise you.” Bucky whispers, leaning down to kiss her lips.

“I love you.” She whimpers, turning her head up to glance at Steve, and then Tony. All of the men understanding.

“We love you too, sweetheart.” Steve murmurs.

“So very much.” Tony smiles, glad that the woman he sees as his kid has the two super soldiers to protect her and keep her safe and sane.

The two super soldiers take (Y/N) upstairs whilst Happy and Tony stare down the unconscious man on the floor.

“What do we do with him?” The security guard asks.

“Take him downstairs and tell Sam, Clint and Nat that we got them a new punching bag.”

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countlessimagines · 5 years

Text

Remembering [ Richie Tozier x Reader ]

Summary: When you moved away from Derry, your memories of your one true love is gone. Only when you return do you regain those memories.

Warnings: Cussing, blood

You don’t remember laying your head on his chest. The simple rise and fall. The light kisses he would leave on your head.

He would often spend the night at your house because his parents kicked him out or they were fighting. He always found a safe haven in your arms.

He only began to spend the night at your house when you were both seventeen. Before, you two were weird about it since you were an awkward teen and he always made such inappropriate comments. Needless to say, you had to sneak him in your room because your parents weren’t too accepting of Richie. But, you never seemed to care about their opinion on him. You still loved him.

You don’t remember the mornings where you would kiss his chin, cheeks, nose, forehead, and finally his lips. Sometimes he would get impatient though and grab your chin and smash your lips together.

You always seemed to smile in those kisses, but you can’t recall them now.

You now stood on your doorstep that led to your childhood home where you parents still lived. It had been so long since you were last there. It seemed like a distant memory, but once your old friend Mike Hanlon called saying IT had returned, bits and pieces returned to you.

You rung the doorbell, waiting for one of your parents to answer. But no footsteps came, no opening the door, no happy reunion, no family to greet you.

Your mind was hazy as is, and you just oh so badly wanted to see your parents, regain some type of memory, anything. Especially the memories of the bad mouthed kid with glasses. A part of you told yourself that he was the one. Which one, exactly, you didn’t know.

You sighed in defeat and walked down the driveway.

Richie rode his bike in the rain all the way to your house, to try to convince you to stay in Derry. You were all he had left.

But you had already made your mind up. You were going off to college in another stage and leaving the memories behind. Before, you thought of how it was just a saying to leave memories behind, but now... you really did leave those memories behind.

He was shouting outside your house, begging you to reconsider, pleading you to not leave him all alone. But you shut him out, crying softly into your pillow.

You were walking down roads that seemed familiar to you. You were heading to the Chinese restaurant Mike had a reservation at, but you still didn’t know if you were heading in the right direction.

You were passing through another neighborhood when you saw a man walking his dog. You approached him to ask him if he knew which way you should head.

He turned his head to you, a sick smile wiped on his face, “Directions? Directions? Shouldn’t you know this wonderful place, (Y/N)?”

You stepped a few feet back, “How... how do you know my name?”

“How could I forget you, (Y/N)?” He was starting to laugh, his voice growing deeper. “How could I forget you? Hahaha.”

That laugh. You knew that laugh... Pennywise.

You started to back away even more now, “No... No... You’re not real.”

“Is this real?!” Pennywise shouted and his hands had gross, long nails. He reached for you as you screamed and tried to run away, but he grabbed onto your risk and threw you to the ground.

“No! No! Stop!” You yelled with tears in your eyes, breath hardly there from the hard impact. “Someone help!”

Pennywise wrapped one of his hands around your neck, digging his nails into your flesh. A cry of pain left you and you tried to get him off of you, but he was too strong. You could feel the blood oozing from your neck, the sting of it all.

And the next thing you knew, everything went black.

Your dreams consisted of him. Richie.

You could remember his name now. His hair that would curl sometimes. His large glasses that took up most of his face. His kisses that he always left on your shoulder or head whenever you would cuddle. His jokes that would make you scrunch your face up but at the same time made you laugh uncontrollably. His Hawaiian shirts that he always let you borrow. His laugh when you would blush so hard after he stole a kiss from you.

Your Richie Tozier.

You woke up startled. A car honking at you nonstop.

You felt your dried up blood caking your neck and hair.

With shaking hands, you pushed yourself up from the road.

The person honked again as you stepped aside, beyond confused as to why they didn’t even stop to see if you were okay. But then you remembered, the townspeople were clueless about Pennywise and everything he did.

You hurried now to the Chinese restaurant, your neck stinging in pain and you were drawing in so much breath that the night air made your throat burn.

You had tears streaming down your face as you ran faster and faster to where you knew he would be. Richie. Your Richie.

You imagined what he might look like now and if he changed drastically. You would still love him no matter what.

“(Y/N),” Richie smiled as you sat up from your spot on the picnic blanket, “You are too much sometimes, ya know?”

“Yes, but you love me.” With a grin, you pecked his lips.

“You’re fucking right,” he said and brought you into his arms suddenly. “I love the best dork in the world!”

“Richie!” You giggled as he shook you lightly to emphasize his statement.

Your legs only ran faster once you saw the restaurant. You don’t remember pushing past the hostess who told you you needed a reservations and couldn’t just storm in, you don’t remember your eyes searching every inch of the place before seeing a room in the back, and you don’t remember running towards it.

But you do remember seeing him. He looked older, for sure, but you could easily recognize his hair and glasses. He was laughing heartily at something... Eddie said. Eddie, you remember him now. And there was Bill, Bev, Ben, Mike... But no Stan.

Bev saw you first. She gasped loudly and stood up, “(Y/N)?”

You were suddenly weak, your adrenaline rush wearing off quickly.

Richie turned his head in an instant. He was quick to stand up and grab you in his arms, “(Y/N)?”

“Richie,” you smiled weakly. “Your glasses are... still big.”

He had a smile on his face for a brief second before it turned into one of concern, “What happened? You’re bleeding.”

“IT attacked me... I, I don’t... My neck, it hurts,” You said, your voice not exactly there.

“Hey, it’ll be okay,” Richie told you with a trembling voice, then turned to the rest of the group, “I’m going to take her to the hotel... Can one of you go grab stuff that we can patch her up, please?”

His eyes were full of worry as he held you in his arms. But instead of it being just like when you were kids, full of laughter and kisses, it was full of blood and tears.

Richie was teasing you endlessly for losing at the arcade game you two were playing.

“It’s not fair, you always play this game!” You said with crossed arms. “I call bullshit.”

“You can’t call bullshit, it was a fair game.”

“If I would have won, you would be throwing a hissy fit right now and saying it isn’t fair.”

“That doesn’t matter, I won,” Richie gave you a wink. “Now... I want to saw the deal was that I got a kiss?”

You pecked his lips and gave him a glare, “You’re going down next time.”

“Wanna bet?”

“It’s on!”

You woke up with a bandage around your neck. You could feel it wrapped carefully. Whoever did it also stitched your deeper wounds on your neck, you figured as your finger went under the bandage.

“Hey, don’t touch it,” a voice said from the doorway. Richie stood there with a relieved face, “Eddie said it will scar.”

“Richie,” You said his name, because you hadn’t said it in years to his face. You forgot everything about him, your first and only love, “Richie... I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I forgot you. I never... I never even said goodbye. Oh, I’m so sorry.”

He went to your side, “Don’t worry about it, you can pay me back with a kiss, does that sound okay?” He leant forward and wipes your tears away. “I forgot you, too. Which is crazy! I mean, shit, you’re the most gorgeous woman to walk this planet! How could I forget you?”

You sniffled, “I don’t want to forget you again.”

“Well, let’s kill this clown and maybe we’ll get married,” Richie shrugged like it was a normal conversation. But your normal was far from believable at this point.

“Sounds like a plan.”

#richie tozier #richie tozier x reader #older!richie tozier x reader #it 2017 #it 2019 #eddie kaspbrak #mike hanlon #ben hanscom #beverly marsh #bill denbrough #stanley uris

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mrzdankworth · 3 years

Text

Making Magick - Chapter Four

Dean looks out of place in the attic, all shiny and new among the old musty clutter, but where else can bright, loud magick be done? Camilla has placed him in a chair in the center of the room, facing the Soricelle Grimoire. There is no need to tie the boy down, for he’s too dazed to move at this point.

The first spell they cast was a simple Reversal, so that whatever enchantments or protections he might be under (besides the binding of the property, of course) might simply fall off. But that didn’t work. Then they tried a Mental Clarity Potion along with the Truth of Tongue Draught. But it appeared whoever’d worked their magic on him before Rose was a powerful and secretive caster. Dean didn’t even know he was meant to retrieve information about the Soricelles.

“It could be a love potion…” Camilla taps her chin. “Let’s try a freedom spell to break whatever unauthentic bonds exist.”

“We’ve tried so much,” Rose sighs.

“Are you tired, Rose? Would you like to take a break?” Dean asks, suddenly invested once more.

“No, Dean, I’m fine,” she snaps.

The only words he’d said, between asking whether the room was spinning for anyone else, had been regarding Rose’s happiness and comfort. Never before had a sexual encounter cast this type of attachment, though she’d mainly kept her experiences to one night stands so as not to complicate friendships at college.

Esme interjects, also tired from practicing careful magick for hours on end. “Why don’t we let him rest? We can do the Breaking Bond Spell tomorrow, or just stew up an elixir overnight. That might be easier on his body. I mean, he still seems human and looks very much alive.”

“Knock knock,” Iris says, entering the attic. “Your grandmother has absolutely no plan of action. She figures if he means enough to someone, they’ll retrieve him, and she can confront them then. Otherwise, if they send more people to watch us, she’ll have a whole staff for free.” Iris shakes her head, exasperated.

The girls fill Iris in on their findings, or rather, their non-findings, tacking on the bit about Rose bedding the young man at the last.

“Always the last to know,” Iris sighs. “Well, I think you’re right in wanting to resume tomorrow. Mortals can only take so much. Girls, can I trust you to return him to the guesthouse unscathed?”

Rose rolls her eyes only when her mother has turned her back.

“I saw that,” Iris sings as she exits the attic.

Esme offers to take Dean to the guesthouse, though he doesn’t want to leave Rose.

“I have to go to work,” Rose mutters, eager to get away.

Rose is telling the truth. She has a shift at the restaurant to get to. And Esme is telling the truth, or most of it. She does want to stop practicing magic on the human man. She doesn't, however, want to let him rest.

Once in the guesthouse Esme begins making him some rejuvenating tea with full moon water. As he sips it he asks her how she thinks Rose’s shift is going. Did she always want to be a waitress? He bets she’s so good at it. He wishes they’d gotten to work together longer at the restaurant.

“Okay, Romeo, calm down,” Esme mutters. “You know,” she begins. “Rose did mention she’s going to have a hard time focusing today…”

“Why is that?”

Esme bites her lip, well aware she should not be doing this.

“Well, apparently, a girl stole something from Rose. She needs it back.”

“What is it? What girl?” Dean is perched on the edge of his seat.

She’s placed him at the farmhouse table while she shuffles about the tiny kitchen. This used to be the landscapers cottage but Iris and Camilla turned it into a guesthouse despite the enormity of the main house. They’d kept it in as good a shape as any BnB in New England, had hosted many the wayward soul and lost magickal creature over the years. Now they were keeping a hostage.

“I think she said it’s an amulet?” Esme mutters, her eyebrows cinched in focus.

“I must return it to Rose!” Dean shouts, standing so abruptly his chair topples over. He places a hand to his temple and shakes his head, righting the chair to return to it.

Esme rolls her eyes before continuing the facade. “Oh… You couldn’t.” She sits the tea before him then lowers herself into the nearest chair.

“See, the girl goes to school with me. And I sensed it in her locker. But everyone is gone for the summer now…”

“I’m sure I could get into the school. Maybe tonight? After dark? If you tell me the locker number I will return Rose’s amulet to her!”

“Well, that’s another thing. She’d be so upset if she knew I put you in harm’s way…” Esme focuses on the mortal, her eyes squinting slightly as she watches a tendril of delicate light twist and sway towards his temple. It had, of course, come from her own.

“Hey!” He realized. “Why don’t we just put it under her bed or something? Make it seem like she just lost it? She wouldn’t have to know either of us were involved. We never have to mention it!”

Esme nods, smiling. “That might work.”

Dean has just as much energy after dark when Esme returns to the guesthouse. He’s wearing jeans and a black hoodie, and a vacant expression. She walks him back by the house to Rose’s jeep, loads him into the passenger side, and listens to his endless swooning over Rose.

Doubt and guilt crawl around inside of her stomach, but they're nothing compared to the feeling of revenge and closure that will come when she finally holds that amulet in her hand once more. Besides, if Rose can fuck the gardener, then ask for help putting his dead body in the lake, Esme can take back a necklace that actually belongs to her. Yes, she tells herself, it’s no comparison.

The cool sea breeze calms Esme as she drives through the quaint little town of Crescent Hollow. The school parking lot has just one flickering light, but she pulls instead onto a side street, where the houses hang flags to support the football team. When she parks, she gives Dean a few instructions, then sends him off, watching as he flips up his hood like turning the first page of a book, and slips into the darkness.

Dean crosses the field like a stray cat, heading towards the cafeteria doors. Esme stares hard at those doors, which open for him easily. Esme shuts her eyes. If the door between the cafeteria and the hallways was previously secured, she’s confident it is now ajar. She can almost feel him slipping through the opening… counting the lockers… She can practically hear his footsteps echoing, feel his chin on his own chest in the way she suggested he keep his head down…

The clicking of Aimee’s locker opening for Dean causes Esme’s eyes to flick open. He can grab the amulet now. He can get out. But does the locker still smell like apple blossoms and strawberry chapstick?

A breeze sweeps through the car, brushing Esme’s short brown hair against her cheek. She startles, turning to face the dark slit between two houses, where she could swear she smells something familiar and rank. It is the scent of decay and mildew, like a basement. And something else… spices of some sort? Yes. There is definitely something between those houses… watching her - the tall figure of a man.

Esme places her fingers on the door handle but before she can get out and investigate the person Dean startles her by opening his own door.

“I got it,” he drops the cool gold object into her palm.

“Yes!” She holds the amulet to her heart.

“It’s just a locket?”

“No, it isn’t just a locket.” She smiles to herself and puts it on. “I’ll put it somewhere Rose will find it,” she lies.

“You’re a good cousin,” Dean smiles.

Esme isn’t so sure about that.

Before they leave she examines the place between the houses once more, but the smell is gone, and the darkness emptied.

That night, after Esme deposits Dean in the guesthouse she tucks herself into bed and falls asleep solidly, happy to be reunited with her keepsake. The moon shines bright despite being just a fingernail. It kisses the waves and dances through the windowpanes of The Soricelle House. It tries to wake Esme, blinking through the swaying treetops, flashing wildly on her papered walls. It tries to show her the black and purple ribbons of glittery dust which escape the amulet. But Esme does not stir. The black and purple particles inhabit her room, watching her sleep, slipping under the door to watch the other Soricelle Women. Each leaf they curl around in the sunroom immediately shrivels and falls to the floor.

It isn’t until the chain of the amulet has begun to tighten around Esme’s neck that her dreams thicken in her head, pooling where they should flow steadily. The chain is cutting into her neck by the time her eyes pop open. She sits straight up, coughing and sputtering, ripping the chain off of her and throwing the amulet to the floor. She can feel the deep, red groove in her skin.

Her first thought is that this is not her amulet; it has been replaced. Her second thought is that this is definitely her amulet, but it carries with it a dark magick she did not cast or invite.

“Bitch,” she spits, staring at the necklace on the floor which appears so harmless now. “You think you can curse a Soricelle Woman?”

She crawls to the amulet. It sits in her palm as heavy as the answer to a question. She uses her short plain nails to pry the locket open, and as she’s expected, the pictures of her parents are gone. They’ve been replaced with some ground up black and purple powder that falls onto the hardwood. She uses magick to lift every particle into a spare glass bottle on her desk and seals the amulet in another. Then she curls up and tries once more to fall alseep, wondering where that pictures had gone, and why Aimee would hate her so much that she would take that one precious thing away and replace it with black magick. What had she done to the rotten girl besides love her?

Rose mentions the feeling a storm is coming to Rhonda when she arrives for her double shift that Wednesday afternoon. Rhonda is already busy bossing everyone around, but takes a moment to listen to her employee, who has predicted these things before.

“From where I stand the tourists are already flowing in,” Rhonda tells Rose. “I don’t know if I can close the outdoor dining till we’re sure. But… tell me when you… know more.” Rhonda has been a friend to Rose and the other Soricelle Women for long enough to trust the way they just know when it will rain, or when the phone will ring, or whether a person might turn on you suddenly.

The sky remains clear and blue through Rose’s lunch shift and the beginning of her dinner shift. She takes a moment to herself, stepping outside before the rush. How could her mother think of opening the shop while they harbor a spy in their guesthouse? She can’t take her mind off Dean, who is doing someone else’s bidding, and perhaps only bedded her for that reason.

“You look deep in thought,” Jason says, taking a long drink from his water bottle and hanging his apron over the railing.

“Do I?”

“Is it about the cop that’s here to see you?”

“What?” She turns abruptly, her hair whipping around in the warm wind.

There is Officer Alex Lopez, sitting at one of the outdoor tables, his sunglasses hiding his gaze.

She wrings her apron in her hands as she enters the little gate to the dining area. She nears him, readying herself to pull him away from the restaurant to practice magick more safely.

“Officer Lopez?” she greets him. “How can I help you?”

“There was a break in - Oh, would you sit?”

She sits across from him, her heart aflutter.

“There was a break in at your old high school last night.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. But I’m in college now… Why are you telling me?”

“Because a neighbor spotted a black jeep parked outside her house around that same time… she said a person was in the driver seat and a person was in the passenger seat. The passenger got out of the car and we believe he took something from the school. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt but we have some footage that looks an awful lot like Dean Row.”

“Lots of people look like Dean Row. And lots of people have black jeeps.” Rose stares into her own reflection in The Officer’s glasses, noticing how worried she looks.

“I got to speak to your mother the other day but I didn’t really get to speak to you much… you don’t have anything else to tell me?”

“No. I don’t.”

Officer Lopez smacks his steering wheel when he returns to his car. Why can’t he force himself to return to The Soricelle House? Why can’t he seem to properly interrogate these women? His mind just turns to mush! It doesn’t help that the paperwork is mysteriously being shredded at the office, or crumpled up and tossed into other people’s trash cans. Good thing his superiors have very little resolve to hunt down Row or else his ass would be on the line. He just can’t shake the feeling Iris Soricelle did something to him, besides the obvious… He still can’t think clearly when it comes to these damned women and their house full of secrets. But something inside him just knows Dean is there - he just knows it!

A fat drop of rain falls onto Officer Lopez’s windshield. He looks past it to see Rose staring at him from the dining room. Another drop. And another. The sky opens up and it begins to pour. He can hardly see to exit the parking lot.

He drives by the B&B on his way home. There is a light on in Room #33, yet he can’t quite remember why he’s been watching Room #33 in the first place. Something to do with that missing Row boy. Something to do with the lady who saw Rose’s jeep outside of the school. Something to do with the Soricelles?

A dark figure comes to the window and peeks out, moving the curtains aside. There are broad shoulders, and a lanky quality to the shadowy shape.

Lopez’s foot lifts from the break pedal. He finds himself heading home before he’s even decided to do so.

Esme is unpacking boxes and lining the products up on the shelves of the little storefront when the rain comes. It darkens the shop and the whole street outside, turning dusk to midnight. She watches it for awhile, thinking about the locket on her desk.

“I knew I smelled rain,” Camilla says, watching the water streak down the glass.

Gwen sits on the front porch of The Soricelle House watching the storm pelt the roses, loosening petals until they fall, beaten, to the dirt which is quickly turning to mud. A car has clambered up the drive. She watches a young woman with cropped black hair step out of the drivers seat, then dive into the back to extract a little girl. Besides the child having bare arms she closely resembles the young woman, who is covered in tattoos. The mother runs towards the porch, noticing Gwen only when she’s climbed the few steps and sought the shelter of the roof.

Gwen smiles at her youngest daughter, who smiles back.

“Welcome home, Honey.”

“Thank you, mom.”

The two women embrace in a hug which seems to dry the daughters instantly.

The little girl shivers.

“Bath time, I think,” Gwen offers, kissing her granddaughter on the forehead. “You girls go on ahead up. Use my tub. You know it’s the best in the house.”

“You aren’t coming in, mom?”

“I’m waiting for someone.”

Gwen wraps herself tightly in her afghan and watches the roses and the angsty sky and the sea beyond, and then another car arrives. The rain has slowed a little - just enough so that The Reverend can use a small black umbrella and arrive to the porch steps relatively dry. Gwen would offer to peel the raindrops off him, but she knows he wouldn’t stand for even a sparkle of magick for his personal gain. He shakes off his umbrella and nods to Gwen. She doesn’t attempt to invite him in, nor does he attempt to explain why he cannot accept an invitation. They just sit together in the rocking chairs as they have done so many times before. A steaming cup of tea miraculously waits for him beside the woman, but he doesn’t ask where it came from.

“Always so hospitable,” he smiles, good-naturedly. “It is almost as if you knew I was coming before I’d even decided to start my car.”

“I am just an old woman.”

“And I am just an old man. Gwendolyn, I’m here because there’s something amiss. And I’ve made the mistake of investigating odd occurrences without asking you ladies, before. A waste of time, in my opinion.”

“True enough,” Gwen smiles, knowingly. “What is amiss, Johnathan?”

“I am a man of good and evil, as you well know.”

She did know.

“And there’s something in our town at the moment that is… not good. There is a surveillance of sorts I’ve noticed. Are you girls inviting something here? Enticing something?”

“I don’t care for that implication,” Gwen says, passively. “It takes light to cast shadows.”

“You know nothing of these shadows?” The Reverend probes.

“I sense them,” she nods. “I sense this surveillance of which you speak. I do not know who watches, but I know of the watching.”

“Will you promise to call upon me if you should need my kind of assistance? Or when you discover the dark force that has entered Crescent Hollow?”

“I promise,” Gwen smiles. “You’ll do the same?”

“I promise.”

The two people smile at each other in a meaningful way, but The Reverend does not finish his tea before he goes. He knows she’ll only try to read the leaves.

Rose fills Esme in on what Lopez said, then prompts her. “Would you know anything about that?” Her stare bears into her cousin. Of course, she knows Esme did this. After all, she hasn’t forgotten the sigil work she attempted to help her with.

Selene and Sasha have arrived during a chaotic time, but Sasha is simply snacking at the breakfast bar, while the whole family gathers in the kitchen.

“I needed that amulet back and - ”

“The locket?” Iris realizes, eyeing her niece’s empty neck. “But no one can take that from you. It’s been blessed to protect you.”

“Well, she didn’t exactly take it - ”

“She?”

“You gave your amulet away?” Camilla exclaims. “That’s unheard of! You know you shouldn’t do that, Esme!”

“What were you thinking?”

“You used Dean to get it back?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Esme covers her face and shakes her head. “I didn’t mean for anyone to find out. I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt.”

Everyone falls silent. The only sound to be heard is Sasha munching loudly on the snacks. She gazes up at her cousins and aunts and grandmother not quite sure what’s happening.

“I gave it to Aimee and she wouldn’t give it back. And now there’s something wrong with it. I think it’s cursed.”

“Aimee Aldridge?” Rose inquires. “She’s not magickal. So she hired someone to curse your amulet? Why, and who? We’re the only magickal beings in Crescent Hollow, or for miles around.”

“Not anymore,” Gwen says. “Reverend McKinnon came by. He’s felt it too… a watching. A presence. We aren’t alone here anymore, and someone knows a hell of a lot more about us than we know about them.”

Everyone falls silent.

“Go get the amulet, Esme,” Camilla demands. “Perhaps we have a way of tracing it back to whomever, or whatever, would be dumb enough to attempt to harm a Soricelle Woman.”

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shirewalker · 4 years

Text

Mamma Mia! - A Nikolina Fic

Nikolina Appreciation Week 2020 ♛ Day 9: Free Day

Summary: While Alina's travelling through Ireland, she ends up sharing a bedroom with the handsome and charming Nikolai. After a night with the best sex in her life, Alina has a choice to run off or stick with the hazel-eyed charmer for a little longer. Her mind says one thing, her body another.

Eventually, her heart will also have a say in the matter.

Pairing: Alina/Nikolai

One-shot

Rating: Explicit

Also on AO3

Mamma Mia!

Ireland was a paradise. Green lands as far as the eye could see, beautiful architecture, country side roads to get lost in, rainstorms… But Alina was a bit tired after three long days of hiking through the Irish lands. Resting at a local b&b would be perfect…

“Did you say Starkov?” The teenager at the front desk asked.

Alina looked back at him and felt a little uneasy as she noticed his barely hidden panic. “Yes…?”

He gulped visibly and nodded. “I’ll… There’s a problem with the system. Can you… can you wait in the restaurant area while I talk with my supervisor?”

She nodded slowly, wanting whatever was happening to be taken care of, and fast. She wanted nothing more than to sleep tonight. “All right, I’ll sample the food.”

The boy was off before she had finished her sentence.

The restaurant was small, but cosy. Alina sat by the fire, happily enjoying a cup of hot chocolate as she kept an eye on the door to the front hall. It had been nearly twenty minutes since she’d been practically abandoned by the young teen without as much as a room key. Her body was beginning to grow antsy, the hot chocolate and the fireplace keeping her a little relaxed.

“What the hell is taking them so long?” She mumbled under her breath.

A familiar mop of brown hair walked in and she instantly stood straighter. But the teen didn’t walk towards her. Instead, he made a beeline for a young man sitting at the far corner, his golden hair shinning under the warm lights of the room.

Alina frowned in confusion as the teen whispered something to the stranger before the two walked out of the room.

She was ready to get up and demand her room when the stranger was back. And walking straight towards her. Another stranger walked not too far behind, sporting an expression of panic similar to that of the teenager.

“Miss Starkov, I presume?” The blonde stranger greeted her with a dazzling grin that had Alina momentarily losing her footing.

“Ye-Yes…? And you are?”

The stranger winked as his grin turned mischievous, as though he was privy to Alina’s reaction to his smile. Well, that was enough for her to scoff at him.

“Name’s Nikolai, my lady. And it seems we have a conundrum in regards to our sleeping quarters for the night.”

Alina blinked fast at him, caught by surprise with his elegant but effortless speech. And that’s when the other stranger approached them at last and bowed a little with his head, “A thousand apologies, miss. It seems there was a glitch in our system after last night’s storm.”

“Okay… What does that mean?” She asked, already feeling a knot of dread forming in her stomach. How was that related to her reservation and this Nikolai dude?

The stranger wrung their hands, “I’m the manager of this place and we’ve never had this happening. We pride ourselves in a service of high quality!”

“Please, tell me what’s going on.” Alina said, desperate for any word that made any sense.

“Well…” The manager started.

But Nikolai stepped in when silence began to stretch, “It seems we both got assigned the same room, miss Starkov.” He flashed a sheepish smile, “And the place is entirely booked.”

Her mouth hanged open. This couldn’t be happening. She’d made a reservation especially to avoid this kind of situation! “But… How?”

The manager shook his head, “We don’t know miss. It’s a grave mistake we didn’t notice until you arrived. Since we already had given mister Sturmhond his key… The system…” He trailed off.

“Point is, we got the same room.” Nikolai offered.

“And there’s no spare?” Alina asked, wishing the answer had changed in the last few seconds.

The manager shook his head, “I’m afraid not. And I checked in with the closest b&b and they’re booked too. There’s a festival happening this weekend and many patrons already arrived…”

“Where am I supposed to sleep? But… wait! Who made the reservation first? Shouldn’t they get the room then?” She demanded, hoping she was the winner.

Nikolai shrugged, “They can’t see. The glitch erased some files, including the ones that could tell us that.” He paused, watching the manager for a moment, “Will you give us a moment, please?”

The manager nodded and left with a quick apology and an offer of paying for all of Alina’s expenses.

“I have a suggestion.” Nikolai said without waiting a beat. He touched the chair in front of her and waited until Alina had nodded before sitting down. And snatching a butter cookie from her plate. “Delicious…”

Alina cleared her throat, annoyance rising as the man continued eating the stolen cookie. “You were saying?”

“Ah!” He dusted his hands and leaned forward, “How about we share the room?”

Her stomach somersaulted upon hearing those words. “What?”

Nikolai raised his hands and chuckled, “I have no ulterior motives, Miss Starkov. I swear I am only suggesting us sharing the room for the night. I was told you were planning on staying just one night. Unless that was incorrect?”

Alina huffed a breath, crossed her arms and leaned back, “Yes, one night. And call me… Alina. Miss Starkov is so… formal.” She said with a grimace. Only her teachers had ever called her that.

A pleased grin stretched on his face before Nikolai spoke again, “Alina. A beautiful name…” He paused for a moment, his eyes – hazel, she noticed – watching her for the duration of his silence. Then, “Like I was suggesting, it would be just a platonic share of the bedroom. In fact, I wouldn’t mind sleeping on the floor, so long I’m provided with enough blankets.”

Alina opened her mouth several times to speak, but no words came out. It was a ridiculous situation and it just kept getting crazier and crazier. She stood in a flash and grabbed her phone, “I have to make a call. Excuse me.”

“Of course. I’ll order seconds.”

“So… is he hot?” Genya’s voice came through the phone, metallic and a bit distant with the bad reception.

Alina rolled her eyes, pinched her nose and let out a long, slow sigh. “Genya…”

“Come on. Answer me this. Then I’ll tell you what you should do.”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

“Oh? So does that mean he is hot?”

Alina looked over her shoulder, as though Nikolai could hear her from the other side of the b&b. “Genya, be serious.”

“He’s either drop dead gorgeous to the point your panties are soaked already, or he’s an ugly troll and you don’t want to be rude. Either way, I’ll need your honest opinion ASAP.”

She let out a tired sigh, “Fine. I guess he is… attractive. If you’re into that look.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere. What does he look like? Describe like one of your rejected calendar photos. The ones that are too good for the projects.”

“Really?”

“Go!”

“He’s tall. And blonde.”

“Wow, and to think you’ve made a business out of making unique and beautiful calendars…”

“He’s so tall I could rest my head on his chest, ok? His hair is thick and blonde. It looks like liquid gold, I swear.” She finally relented, still keeping her nicest, most poetic words to herself. Her friend didn’t need to know his hair glowed in the firelight.

“Mhmm… I’m liking the view. More. Muscles, voice, eyes. Jaw!”

“Genya…”

“Alina…!”

“I guess he is well defined. Looks like it. A deep voice, could narrate books. Hazel eyes.”

Genya started to hoot from the other side of the line and Alina regretted, for the umpteenth time, having called this best friend. Maybe Zoya would have been a better choice.

“Girl, you better bang that. He sounds like your dream man.”

“He’s not my dream man.” She grumbled through gritted teeth, “He’s insufferable and full of himself.”

“Looking like that? I’d be surprised if he wasn’t. Go on, take the offer and take things to the upper level. Have fun! You did go on that trip to have fun and adventures, and fun adventures fit the bill.”

“I’ll take the room, but everything else isn’t happening. You… Go kiss David.”

“Love you! Bye! And please have hot great sex with your hot stranger!”

Alina sighed and put her phone away, reading herself for this next conversation.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you accepted this deal, because if I did it would sound wrong and you would probably kick me between the legs.” Nikolai flashed what Alina was beginning to suspect to be his signature grin, and unlocked their door. He signalled for her to enter, with a little bow and an extended hand, “After you, my lady.”

She rolled her eyes and entered, only to stop short at the sight of the bedroom. The photos didn’t do it justice. Sure, it was a small room, but it was comfortably luxurious. A four-post bed, a small wardrobe and a vanity to one side, a couple of large and comfy looking armchairs to the other side, next to a table. Which sat next to a window and… “A window seat!” She let out in surprise, excited to see one in person.

Nikolai closed the door and smiled at her, “A fan?”

She tried to control her excitement with a roll of her eyes, “I just… Always wanted to see one in person. Movies make them look so… interesting.”

He nodded and took off his coat before moving to the bed. He sat on it and bounced a couple of times, chuckling to himself in delight at a seemingly positive result. “I bet you’ll have a fantastic sleep on this mattress, Alina.”

She narrowed her eyes, “Yes. Me.”

Nikolai feigned a shot to his heart and collapsed onto the bed, “Oh, you wound me!”

“Good. Now get up and find your blankets.”

Nikolai stood with a playful grin and booped her nose on his way to the wardrobe, “Pure sunshine, aren’t you?”

She swatted at him and moved away from his magnetic field. It had… unwanted effects. “I’m not here to be sweet to you.”

“No, and I wouldn’t expect you to. Still, sunshine fits you.” And he left it at that, starting to whistle some off-tune melody as he found thick blankets and stacked them on the floor.

Alina searched for her pyjama and rushed to the bathroom, “I’ll go change, don’t you dare walk in on me or peek through my stuff!”

“I wouldn’t dare doing such a wretched thing.” He called back, his tone serious for a change.

Alina took her time changing, hoping Nikolai would take the hint and get changed in the meantime as well. She brushed her hair and then her teeth, she stared at her reflection and paced around. She peed. She washed her hands. And when she had no more excuses to stay locked in the bathroom, she walked out.

And straight into a hard chest, wrapped in teal.

“Woah there!” Nikolai caught her in his embrace just as she was tilting backwards with the momentum.

She blinked at the threadbare t-shirt that hugged his chest, barely hiding the very well-toned muscles, and realised with a start that he was holding her in his arms.

“Off!” She jumped away and tried to hide the blush on her cheeks, “A bit handsy, no?”

Nikolai chuckled and raked a hand through his hair, the movement drawing Alina’s attention to the sliver of toned muscle that peeked through the crack between his shirt and pants. “I was merely making sure you didn’t hurt yourself, sunshine. I was going to knock to check if you were well when you suddenly barge out and nearly barrel through me.”

Alina shook her head, ignoring the way her body got excited at the sight of Nikolai’s, and climbed onto the large bed, “Whatever, try to keep them to yourself next time.”

“I swear I’ll only touch you with your permission, Alina.” He said, his tone almost reverent. “Goodnight, sunshine.”

She almost demanded he stop using that word, but that would involve a longer conversation. So she just mumbled a reply and laid down, her back turned to him.

Sleeping was impossible.

Genya’s words kept Alina awake. And knowing Nikolai was lying right next to her didn’t help her case at all.

She wasn’t going to sleep with him! She simply wasn’t! That would be… That would… be… Alina tossed and turned, cursing her luck for this position she had been forced into.

All she’d wanted was a nice adventure by herself through the Irish lands. And to sleep in a comfy bed at night, wherever she stopped. None of her plans had involved any sort of sexual endeavours.

And yet…

Nikolai showed up.

And Genya dropped that bomb of an idea on Alina’s lap.

If only she could put the entire blame on her friend. But if she were being honest with herself, she had… flirted with the idea of having mind-blowing sex with a hot stranger at some point. If only to cleanse herself from her terrible ex. Plus, she often wondered what proper sex would be like.

And Nikolai looked like he knew his stuff.

“Nikolai…” She whispered into the darkness, torn between wishing him asleep, and hoping him to be awake.

A stir, then, “Yes?”

“Are you awake?”

A low chuckle, rough with sleep, “I am now. What is it?”

“I…” She started, only to quiet a moment later. What was she doing? And what was she going to say?!

Fabric rustled as Nikolai sat up, “Alina?”

She took a deep breath and looked his way, finding his hazel eyes even in the darkness of the room. “I don’t know how to do this.” She admitted.

He frowned a little and cocked his head, “Do what?”

A sudden heat took over her body and she bit her lip, wishing this impossible man would make the suggestion first. But silence stretched on, and he kept his distance. She tossed her blankets away and sat on the bed, facing him with a sudden braveness that she hoped would last long enough. “Ask you to sleep with me.” She finally let out in a tiny voice, her heart hammering faster and faster.

Nikolai parted his lips for a moment, eyes wide at her words. Then his face softened a little before a playful grin curved his lips, “I think you just did, sunshine. Although I’m sure you were very against us touching just a couple of hours ago.”

She groaned and looked away, suddenly embarrassed she’d asked at all. “If you’re going to mock me, I’ll have you sleeping in the bathtub. And it’s a tiny one.”

He chuckled, the sound huskier than before and quickly sending her heart into cardiac arrest. “My apologies, sunshine. I was just…” He stood with a grunt and walked towards her. “Lightening the mood. You sounded a little… Nervous.” He looked down at her with a strange look, his eyes taking in her flushed cheeks first, then her parted lips, and lingering there for a long moment. “If you want, I’ll do whatever you wish. But if you’re not sure and you feel like you have to…” He lifted his hand, but it dropped away before touching her, “I don’t want you doing anything you don’t want to do, Alina.”

She straightened and stood as well, her chest grazing his as there was little space left between them. “I want to do this. I just didn’t know how to propose it. It’s not as easy as asking if you want to have a drink. Like, ‘Hey! Want to have sex tonight?’” She tskd and crossed her arms, or tried to, as his proximity made it impossible for Alina to do so.

He touched her chin with his finger and tipped her head a little, his eyes boring into hers with a spark of amusement and… desire. “If you do want this… Then yes, I’d very much like to have sex with you tonight, sunshine.” The words echoed all around them, hanging in the air for one lingering moment.

And then he was kissing her, his lips crashing into hers as the two finally gave in to the mutual attraction that sizzled between them.

Nikolai tasted of stolen goods in the middle of a kitchen raid. Delicious and sinful. His mouth was soft and warm against hers, nipping and pulling and massaging her lips until she was trembling from head to toe and clinging to his shoulders as though her very life depended on it. She kissed him back with as much passion, pouring into him a kind of lust she hadn’t felt until now, her body aching to know his with utter intimacy. Their tongues teased each other, tasted each other, explored each other.

She moaned into the kiss and Nikolai eagerly drunk all the sounds she made, his hands holding her so close she could hardly breathe. Saints above, Alina had never been kissed like this. It was… like heaven. A sinful kind of heaven, if she were being honest.

The kiss was broken into a million of kisses that Nikolai trailed across her jaw and down her neck, peppering her feverish skin with promises of a long, long night. Alina moaned his name as she raked her hands through his hair and his mouth travelled lower, tasting all that he could of her exposed skin.

“I adore your pyjama, sunshine… But…” He rasped against her collarbone, giving it a playful bite as his hands sneaked under her shirt and slowly climbed up, up, up.

“It would look better on the floor?” She replied, eyes rolling in their sockets when he brushed his thumbs over her nipples, instantly making them pinch and ache for more.

He hummed in agreement and quickly freed her of the pesky layer. A bite of cold air teased her skin, only to be quickly smothered when Nikolai leaned down to kiss her breasts.

“God…!” She moaned louder, fingers digging into his scalp, toes curling into the carpet.

His chuckle teased her nipple, “You really think so, sunshine?”

“Oh… shut up.” She managed to let out. Then she was tugging on his shirt, pulling it up in the blind, demanding it to be gone. “I need you to strip. Make this even. Now.”

Nikolai chuckled again and silently answered her request, tossing his shirt away without a glance. “Better?”

Alina took in the sight of his toned torso, lean muscles and softly tanned skin greeting her, making her mouth water. She nodded dumbstruck before leaning in to kiss his chest, and trail down, savouring each bump of soft skin and the way all of this had her panties soaked through and through.

Nikolai let out a surprised gasp when Alina reached his pants and pulled everything down. “Alina…?”

She peeked up and licked her lips, “I want to taste you.” And that was all she said before taking him in her mouth.

She played him at length, licking and sucking until Nikolai was trembling all over and begging for her. His hand was knotted in her hair, carefully guiding her through his wishes as she moved and savoured him until he was close to breaking point. “God… Alina…” He let out, his voice strained, “And you… and you didn’t know how… how… OH!” He let out a loud groan and bucked his hips against her, shuddering hard as Alina finally broke him.

They were breathing heavily by the time Nikolai had pulled Alina back to her feet, his eyes darker than the night sky as he watched her lick her lips clean. “That was amazing.” She said, reaching out to touch him with a finger. She trailed it up and down his length, savouring the way Nikolai shuddered under her touch.

Nikolai cupped her cheek and let his hand wander to the nape of her neck, tilting her head just a little bit, just enough for him to lean down and brush his lips against hers, “You are a wicked vixen, sunshine. I can’t wait to taste you.”

Then he had her on her back, hair splayed all over the sheets as he slowly kissed her torso, sucking on her nipples at length until her voice was nothing but a pained sound. “Please…” She begged only to have him travel lower and lower, freeing her of the rest of her clothes and parting her legs. Oh saints… This was it. He was going for revenge. Sweet, sweet revenge. “Nikolai…” She let out in a gasp when he began kissing her ankle.

“I’ll make you feel so good, sunshine. So incredible… No one else will ever, ever compare…” He breathed against her skin as his mouth travelled up her leg, closer and closer to her pounding centre. “And I bet you taste divinely, don’t you?”

She nodded, even though at that moment she wasn’t sure about what, as her mind was nothing but a puddle, every rational thought destroyed by the simple anticipation of Nikolai’s tongue inside of her.

A gasp escaped her lips at the first touch. It was a soft, playful swirl, just enough to have her heart pounding hard against her chest. She clawed at the sheets when he did it again, this time slower and deeper. A longer taste, a longer tease.

“Nikolai… Please… God…!” Her moans answered each and every lick of his tongue, her hips arching with him, her body begging for release.

But Nikolai wanted to stretch her thin, and so his teasing was slow and torturous, pushing her close enough to the edge, but never over it. Oh, no… Never over it. And Alina hated it. And she loved it. She swore sex had never felt this good, not to her and to no one else.

Then, at last, Nikolai was pushing over the edge, and Alina was crying out for him, coming undone with the force of a thousand stars exploding at once.

“I knew you’d taste divinely, Alina…” Nikolai rasped against her lips once she was rational enough for them to continue their little rendezvous. He pulled her under the sheets and braced himself over her, his hazel eyes shining brighter than ever.

Alina took in the dark swirls of brown and the wisps of green, their shade reminding her of crushed emeralds. God, were his eyes even real? Who had eyes like his?

“Speechless?” He teased her and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, “Already? And here I was hoping…” He kissed her other cheek and reached between her legs, “To hear you call my name again, and again…” He dipped a finger and teased her for a moment, long enough to have her wet and ready.

Her breathing laboured, Alina licked her lips and reached for his hair, fingers playing with the luscious locks, “You wish, Nikolai. I’m just getting ready.”

He hummed and leaned in to kiss her with a long kiss, hot enough to set fire to the sheets around them. Then it was over and he was sinking into her with a satisfied groan, “Saints… You feel… Heavenly.”

Alina bit her lip and wrapped her arms around his neck with a nod, “You too. God… You feel… So good. So… good.” She mumbled compliments after compliments as he adjusted himself, his touch teasing her body in the best of ways. “That better not be your only condom, Nikolai. I want more.”

“Already?” He chuckled, “Then I better make sure you’ll still want it after we’re done.” Then he started to move, and the whole world faded to nothing.

Nikola’s rhythm was slow and steady at first as he drew in and out with painstakingly patient strokes, making Alina feel every little second of it. She held onto him hard with laboured breathing and hooded eyes, gasping and moaning yesses and mores and his name. Oh, his name…! Alina had never experienced sex so good she wanted to say nothing but her partner’s name. But here she was now, being banged so thoroughly by this man that her tongue knew nothing but his name.

“God!” She cried out when he picked up speed, his hips rolling harder with each thrust. He went deep and hard, and Alina swore she saw stars every time. Every. Single. Time.

“Goddess…” Nikolai replied with a chuckle and a kiss to her lips, its softness a paradox to his dirty, dirty moves. “You are… a goddess, Alina… So incredible, I can’t believe you’re real…” He rasped against her cheek, his forehead pressed to hers, effort drawing a deep line between his eyes, “I think I’ll die tonight.” He added just before delivering a stronger and harder thrust.

Alina’s moan was loud and echoed all around them, her blood so close to igniting all it would take was a spark. “Please, Nikolai… Please…!” She begged, wanting him to destroy her. She’d never wanted an orgasm to ruin her existence as much as she wanted one now.

“Your wish is my command, sunshine…” Then he was rocking his hips harder and faster than ever, the bed groaning under their heated encounter, and then… at last…

Alina was crying out a moan, his name, something in between. And Nikolai cried out as well, shuddering hard as the two rode the remnants of their orgasm, their bodies so spent for now that they were mere husks of themselves.

“Well… I guess it was worth it going with your idea.” She said after a while, wrapped in Nikolai’s embrace as they rested before their next round.

He hummed, “I always say that anything worth doing always starts as a bad idea, sunshine.”

“So you agree it was a bad idea?” She asked over her shoulder, arching an eyebrow at the impossible man.

His chuckle was warm and earnest, “You thought it was, Alina.”

She rolled her eyes and settled back, “You’re so cocky.”

“Yes, you complimented me quite a lot just now, thank you once more.”

Alina pushed her elbow back and grinned satisfied as Nikolai let out a grunt. Then, he rolled her over and began kissing her neck with only a wink as a warning, and Alina soon forgot all about his insufferable streak.

“I don’t want tonight to end, sunshine…” He whispered, his breath teasing her pulse as he planted slow and hot kisses up the column of her neck, “I want to stay in this bed forever, with you.”

Her eyes fluttered closed and her hands blindly searched for his hair, her fingers playing with the soft locks as his kisses drew closer to her mouth. “The night is still young…” She whispered back, putting aside any thoughts about the next day. Tonight was about tonight. The future had to wait.

“What do you want me to do now, sunshine? Tell me and I’ll do it.” His breath was on her lips now, warm and teasing, holding a kiss just out of reach.

“I want you to kiss me right now…” She said, “Then I want to be on top. I want to ride you, Nikolai, slow and hard.”

“Hm, slow and hard? And here I thought you’d want it hard and fast…” He chuckled and pecked her lips, “But I’ll grant you your wish, Alina. Anything to hear you make those sweet, sweet sounds.”

Then he was kissing her slowly, his mouth speaking in a language that ignited her blood bit by bit. He massaged moan after moan out of her, their bodies pressed together as lust slowly built up between them. Nikolai broke the kiss just to trail a line straight to the hollow below her jaw, where he grazed her skin with this teeth before pressing a long, slow kiss that had her gasping for air. Saints above, this was pure, delightful sin. And Alina wanted more.

“Nikolai…” She rasped, “Come on, you insufferable man…” His chuckle only made her more eager, “I think it’s time I’m on top.”

Without a word, Nikolai hooked a hand around her knee and flipped them over. Alina let out a yelp before putting her hands against his chest to keep balance. Nikolai flashed a grin at her, “That… Was adorable.”

She slapped him lightly, “Shut up.”

“I’ll sit up instead, hum?”

Alina blinked in surprise but she didn’t stop him as he adjusted himself under her, their bodies barely touching each other. She eyed him, already hard and ready for the taking, and warmth pooled between her legs, her body desperate to ride him.

“You look ravenous, sunshine…” He said, “Ready to risk any… Accidents.”

Alina blushed in spite of herself and awkwardly reached for his pants, from where she’d seen him withdraw his previous condom. “You’re so full of yourself…” She muttered as she offered the item, “Two?”

Nikolai shrugged and readied himself, “I admit I grabbed just one, the second must have tagged along.”

“Haha, yes, of course. They just couldn’t be separated.”

A mischievous glint burned in his eyes. He circled her waist and pulled her closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, “Much like us, Alina.” His gaze dropped to her breasts, which were right in front of him, should he just angle his head a little lower, “I wonder what sounds you’ll make when I suck those…”

Alina let out a shuddered breath and watched him lean in, his eyes flicking to hers just before he took one nipple in his mouth. She held onto his shoulders, a moan on her lips, when his tongue circled the tender flesh. Then she clung harder when he gave her a playful bite. And then she let out a shuddered cry when he sucked hard, his mouth playing her like a master musician. “Nikolai…” She let out, “Please…”

“Your call, Alina… When you want…” He rasped, his tongue teasing her nipple endlessly, “But I’ll take my time with this, sunshine. You make the most beautiful sounds.”

Her hand shakier than ever, Alina reached down and sank into him, her body happily taking in his hard length as she slowly adjusted her position. A grateful sound came out and she wasn’t sure just who had it belonged to. Then she started to ride him, rolling her hips slowly, sinking her body deep.

Nikolai kept playing with her breasts, teasing her with his tongue, giving her a rhythm to move to, driving her mad with pure, raw lust.

“Oh…!” She dropped her head back and rode faster when he sucked hard on her other nipple. His hold tightened and he let out a groan. “Yes…!”

“Alina… Oh… Alina…!” His hot breath fanned her skin, goosebumps following suit.

And Alina moved. Going down hard, feeling every second of it, relishing in every touch and sound. Her skin could be glowing for all she knew. This truly was the best sex she’d ever had in her life, and frankly… Nothing would ever surpass it.

“Nikolai…!” She gasped, feeling the edge so close, so close… And then she was falling hard, crying out a wordless sound as she clung hard to him and rode her high to the very last drop, taking extra satisfaction in the way Nikolai fell apart under her, his growl like music to her ears.

Saints be blessed. She would have to be carried out of the bed after this.

Rain fell at a lazy pace all around her. Alina eyed the street, nerves making her foot tap endlessly as she waited for the next bus. It was early in the morning and she’d been told one would arrive in the next half hour. Still, she wanted it here faster.

If not, she might be tempted to go back to that room.

“Damn it!” She cursed under her breath. Last night had been, quite possibly, the best night of her life. Nikolai had put to shame anyone that claimed to be great in bed. Which meant Alina wouldn’t be able to leave his arms if he had woken up before her.

So, when she woke up first… She snuck out.

Better to be the jerk that leaves without a word than be the stupid one that wasted their trip in bed with some guy. Even if that guy had her body singing with great sex.

She eyed her watch and groaned. If that bus didn’t arrive soon…

“You missed breakfast.”

She let out a yelp and whirled on the spot, eyes widening as she came face to face with Nikolai. Who, much to her chagrin, was beginning to be rather soaked. And was here. Before she could leave for good.

She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

A corner of his mouth curled up a little, “I meant actual breakfast, but the other kind could be in the menu as well.” He paused, cocked his head and eyed her bags, “Though I suspect that’s exactly why you’re up so early.”

“I… Look… I have a trip plan.” She explained, as though those few words were enough.

He nodded and passed a hand through his hair, pushing dripping locks away from his face. Alina felt her breath falter at the gesture. God, could this man stop being so attractive?

“Does that mean you don’t want to repeat last night?”

Alina looked away, her cheeks burning hotter than the sun, “We can’t repeat it. We just happened to share a room. You’re going your way and I’m going mine.”

“What if we aligned our trips?” He stepped closer, “We’d have company, we’d save in lodgings, etcetera…”

“And we’d repeat last night over and over again?” She arched an eyebrow, hoping her nonchalance masked the way his words had her body shivering with anticipation.

His voice dropped an octave, “Come back to bed, sunshine. I assure you it’ll be worth it.” He reached for a lock of her hair and took in a slow breath, “We’re both traveling aimlessly through Ireland… Why not share the journey?” He chuckled, “And yes, sex would be included in the package. I’m certain one night wasn’t enough. It wasn’t for me. God… You were…” He trailed off as he finally let go of her hair. “What do you say, sunshine?”

She blinked like a startled deer, “Why do you keep calling me that?”

He shrugged, “It suits you.”

“Oh.” She paused, “That’s it?”

“Well,” He winked, “You were a ray of sunshine from the moment we met, hard to avoid calling you that.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, “Of course.”

“I mean it with all my heart, Alina. Sunshine… Suits you.” It seemed there was no way to have him stop using the nickname.

“How long are you going to be here?”

Nikolai shrugged again, “Don’t know. However long I wish. And you?”

She frowned, who the hell went on a trip without planning an ending date? “I… Well, a month. Give or take.”

“Wonderful!” He smiled a smile brighter than sunlight and Alina found herself struggling for a reason to be angry at his outburst. “So… What do you say, Alina?”

“What if I refuse?”

“I’ll be disappointed, of course. But you are free to go your way. I just… Hoped we could continue what we started.”

Alina looked away and chewed on her lip. She barely knew him. Not that this fact had stopped her from banging him thoroughly. And saints… It was so damn good!

Oh god. She was going to regret this.

“Fine, we can… Stick together.”

Alina chewed on the inside of her cheek as she looked at the packages in front of her. Why the hell were there so many options? She looked at the hasty scribble on her palm and then at the prices. Whatever, she’d pick the averagely priced and leave.

“Hmm… Afraid we’ll run out of condoms, sunshine?” Nikolai’s breath tickled her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist, and placed a soft kiss on her neck.

Her stomach flipped on its head at the softness of this gesture. Then she took a shaky breath and looked over her shoulder, their noses brushing ever so slightly, “Doesn’t hurt to be prepared, does it? Plus, you…” She dropped her voice to the tiniest of whispers, “Well, we spent a lot of them last night. And this morning. So, unless you have an endless supply in your bags, we’re taking these.”

He arched an eyebrow and a corner of his mouth curled up in a playful grin, “We?”

She pushed him off and then placed the package of condoms and another of pills in his hands and gestured towards the register, “Actually, you pay. I’ll be waiting.”

Nikolai chuckled and, with that insufferable grin of his, leaned down to peck her lips before walking away to pay for their things.

“Ah, I remember when my sweetheart would look at me that way.” An old voice spoke from the entrance to the next aisle.

Alina turned towards it and saw an elderly woman dressed in a classic outfit, the demure aspect of it clashing with the bright blue of her hair. “Huh… Like what?” She asked, her stomach flipping like crazy once more.

“Like I’d put the sun in the sky.” Then she chuckled, “And like I was the sole reason he ever got a boner, the rascal.”

Alina’s eyes widened as those words came out, “I…”

The elderly woman chuckled, “Oh, we did some naughty things…”

“Right…” Alina didn’t know what to say. The lady seemed nice enough, but Alina really didn’t want to stand there, listening to the woman’s sexcapades. “I’ll just…” She gestured to Nikolai, who was walking back.

“Of course, go one and have fun with your man.”

“He’s not…” She started, but then she gave up and shook her head. There was no point in telling the lady she and Nikolai were just sex partners. Nothing more. Even if he was rather… tender and sweet with her. Which wasn’t a thing she’d expect from a colourful friend.

“Ready?” Nikolai arrived and took her hand before turning to the lady and greeting her with a dazzling grin, “Good morning, madam.”

“Madam? Oh, he’s a keeper.” The woman smiled and winked before finally leaving Alina alone.

“Nice lady.”

“Huh?” Alina’s mind had been somewhere far away, distracted with the old lady’s misinformed opinion on her and Nikolai’s relationship.

“That old lady.”

“Ah, yes. She thought we were a couple. Almost told me details of her own sexual life.”

Nikolai shuddered visibly, though rather dramatically for it to be more than him poking fun at Alina’s face. “Wouldn’t want that, would we?”

“Stop! Do you really want to hear about old people’s sexual lives?”

He paused then made a face, “No, you’re right. No one wants that.” Then he looked at her from the corner of his eye and a wolfish grin grew on his lips, “A couple, huh?”

Alina felt a blush heat up her face, “She probably saw what we were buying and you teasing me and made assumptions.”

Nikolai didn’t answer. Instead he brushed his thumb across her knuckles, the soft gesture distracting Alina from literally everything else. He always did this. Somehow, Nikolai knew exactly how to put Alina’s mind at such an ease, the world could collapse on itself and she wouldn’t even notice.

They’d been together for two weeks now, their original travel plans having been aligned so far. And in that time, Nikolai had been an unexpected force of nature in Alina’s life. He wasn’t just really, really good in bed. He was also a great company overall. Talking with him was a paradox of rolling her eyes and feeling like there wasn’t a thing in the world she couldn’t talk about. But it wasn’t just that, it was the comfortable silence they fell into as well. Past relationships… One in particular, had been riddled with heavy silences that threatened to suffocate her.

Nikolai was a breath of fresh air.

And it scared her.

“You’re awfully distracted, sunshine. Something on your mind?” Nikolai’s voice interrupted her wandering thoughts, a tinge of worry underlining is otherwise nonchalant tone.

She shrugged, “Just thinking.”

“Hmm…” He looked at her, “Nothing’s wrong, is it?”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes, “Stop worrying so much, Nikolai. Nothing’s wrong.”

His voice softened, “Can you blame me for worrying?”

No, she couldn’t. The first time he’d caught her this distracted, Alina had accidentally stumbled on a memory post from her old facebook. Somehow, she’d gotten an email and in her early morning drowsiness, Alina hadn’t realised what she was clicking and ended up staring at a post she’d made on the day she’d broken up with her high-school-the-university boyfriend, Mal. It was about her planning a surprise, a very cryptic but excited post about big plans. Plans that never came to happen as she stumbled on him cheating on her in some orgy-like frat party. He wasn’t even sorry. In fact, he’d blamed his cheating on her, for neglecting his needs.

Nikolai had returned from grocery shopping to find her curled up in bed, her phone thrown on the floor, tears dried on her face.

She hadn’t planned on letting him see her like this or letting him know of what had happened, but Nikolai had been so worried about her that Alina couldn’t lie to him.

“Tell you this…” He started, his voice a little more cheery, “How about we have a picnic by that lake we saw over the hill with the ruins? It’s very secluded and rather beautiful. We could spend the rest of the afternoon lost in there.” He added a wink for good measure.

Just like that, Alina’s mood shifted. She rolled her eyes but smiled nevertheless, “Are you really suggesting sex by the lake?”

“Well…” He drawled, “If we get in the mood…” With a tug, Alina was in his embrace and Nikolai was brushing his nose up her neck, his hot breath teasing her skin and blood, “I won’t deny your wishes, sunshine.”

Her eyes rolled in their sockets as a soft moan escaped her mouth, “What if someone sees?”

“That’s the bonus of a secluded spot, it’s not easy to be seen.”

She pondered the idea, her mind fighting her body and heart’s will. Then, “I guess a picnic sounds fun.”

“A calendar maker, huh?” Nikolai asked, his voice riddled with awe and wonder. “Do you just handle the photos or do you do everything?”

Alina rolled onto her side and shrugged a little, “Mostly everything, though I have a friend that helps with the grid designs. But I don’t do just photos for the calendars, sometimes I paint too.”

“Hmm, what a talented woman you are, Alina…” He said with a smile, his hazel eyes locked on the path his hand was drawing up her torso, his fingertips drawing invisible shapes that had goose bumps trailing all over her skin, right through the layers of fabric she was wearing.

Alina felt a shudder break through her control. Nikolai had this effect on her, even when the steamiest thing they had done all afternoon was kissing, he managed to turn her on with just one look.

“Hum…” She cleared her throat, “I just work hard on what I do.”

Nikolai arched an eyebrow and leaned in, close enough for his breath to tickle her lips, “But you can’t cultivate talent with just hard work, sunshine.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, thumb lingering on her skin, “You need…” His thumb moved to her lower lip to trace it, “Passion.”

“I thought…” She let out, feeling a little breathless, “You said you wouldn’t seduce me into sex here…”

“I love it when you quote me…” He brushed his lips over her cheek and pressed a soft kiss, “But I was going to suggest us returning to our room and getting… cosy.”

She took a hold of his collar and pulled him down for a heated kiss, “I like that.”

A few days later, and with most of the trip being divided between exploring the land and sleeping together, Alina and Nikolai were holed up in their room. A blessed storm had given them the perfect excuse to stay in bed all day, and Alina couldn’t have been happier about it.

Although she would rather die before admitting such a thing.

Before admitting she loved being wrapped in Nikolai’s embrace and just stay there. Saints help her, she wasn’t in love but by all the stars… She was growing dangerously fond of him. Maybe even… falling for him.

A soft kiss was pressed to the back of her neck. “Should I order food?” Nikolai asked, his voice groggy from sleep and sex.

She nodded and looked over her shoulder, “Please do. You spent the hell out of me.”

His chuckle was equal parts delight and mischievous, “And we can’t go for the next round if we don’t get some food in your system, can we? And may I add… I love knowing I’m the one responsible for your current state.”

She rolled her eyes and elbowed him lightly, “Of course you do, with that ego…!”

With another chuckle, Nikolai got up and ordered some food. During that time, Alina thought of the impending end of her trip and how it felt too… short. She was terrified of the possibility of falling for his man but… She also wanted to see where it could go. If… If he wanted to see it too.

“You know…” She waited to until he looked over his shoulder, his eyes catching hers in the room’s dim light, “I could extend my trip. You’ve helped with the money part, so my trip budget still has room for extra days…”

Her heart soared as she saw Nikolai’s eyes light up with something akin to pure bliss.

Then it sunk when that bliss shuttered and he looked away, his mouth forming an ominous straight line.

“Alina… There’s…” He cleared his throat and raked a hand through his hair, “I… There’s something I should have told you sooner. About me.”

Dread wrapped a cold hand around her throat, “What are you talking about?”

He set his jaw and looked away before taking a deep breath, “My name isn’t Nikolai Sturmhond. That's an alias I use when I want to go incognito.”

She frowned, “Why? Who are you then?”

His hazel eyes flickered to hers, something akin to pain burning in them, “My name is Nikolai Lantsov, sunshine. I’m the crown prince of Ravka.”

Alina felt the world slow down to a lazy crawl. He was… And she’d been… She’d been having hot, dirty sex with the prince? And in all their conversations to… to get to know each other… He’d never…

She was about to ask him why he’d hidden the truth like that when he spoke again, “And there’s something else, Alina… I’m… Well, this trip… It was sort of my last hurrah.” He focused his gaze on the floor, “As per agreement with my mother.”

“Agreement on what?” She let out in a whisper, anger and pain and confusing dripping from each word.

His gaze flickered to hers again for once brief moment, “On me accepting an engagement to a woman of her choice.”

That meant… That meant he was engaged. To someone else. All this time… All this time he’d been involved with her, he’d also been engaged to marry someone else. She felt sick. And hurt. And betrayed.

“Sunshine…” His voice trembled. But she wasn’t about to let his vulnerability win her over, not anymore.

“Go away.”

“Sunshine, please…”

“And stop calling me that!” She snapped at him and aimed a pillow at his head, “Sleep somewhere else and call pet names to someone else, you bastard!” Her voice broke and she looked away, “Sleep in the bathtub or the floor, for all I care. But I don’t want to see you ever again, Nikolai.”

Silence, heavy and unbreathable, settled between them.

Then Nikolai took a shuddered breath and nodded, “I’ll… I’ll go. I’ll see if I can find another room.

And then he grabbed his clothes and left the room with one final glance that Alina refused to acknowledge. She was too busy trying not to cry.

The sound of the door locking softly behind him felt like a canon going off in her ears. Shattering her to pieces.

And then she cried.

A few days later…

She sat in Genya’s couch, nursing a mug of hot tea as her friend bustled about the kitchen, looking for some special cookies. “I swear I had them here! Bought them just for you! Aha! Here we go.” She sang the last word and sat down next to Alina, offering a box of cinnamon cookies shaped like stars and moons and even foxes.

Alina grabbed one and bit on it half-heartedly, her mind far away from this room.

“Alina… What’s the matter?”

She frowned in feigned confusion, “What are you talking about?”

Genya rolled her eyes and pursed her lips to one side, worry marring her features, “You’re a bit off. You’re not paying attention to much. And you came back from your trip a week earlier. Not to mention this is all such a stark opposite to how you sounded during your calls from Ireland. You seemed so happy you could barely contain it. Like…” Genya gestured at the air, “I could hear the smile in your voice! Then you return early… Like this. Something’s wrong. Tell me, Alina… I can’t help you feel better if you don’t tell me.”

Alina shrugged and looked away, “Turns out the trip wasn’t as fun as I thought.”

“Really? That’s it?”

“That’s it.” She said. And then the TV betrayed her with news on… him.

Alina took in a sharp breath as his smiling face took centre stage with the headline about his...

“The prince is finally getting engaged?” Genya asked aloud, “I honestly thought he’d avoid that for as long as possible… Alina?”

Alina couldn’t take her eyes off of him. Those words. The beautiful woman in his arm. Her eyes grew blurry and she quickly wiped them. She wasn’t going to cry over him again, never again.

“Alina…” Genya touched her arm gently and slowly managed to get her attention back, “Tell me.”

She swallowed down and took in a shuddered breath, “He lied, Genya. He pretended to be just some guy when he was…” A sob surprised her, “When he was the prince! And engaged!” Her voice cut through the air, her heartache too strong for an even voice.

Understanding dawned on Genya. The next moment the TV was off, and she was pulling Alina into a tight hug and whispering comforting words to her friend. It’ll be all right. It would be all alright…

Six months later

Alina’s laptop was rudely snapped closed, and she barely had time to take her hands away or risk losing fingers.

She looked up offended, her eyes turning to slits at her red-headed friend, “Genya! What the hell?”

Genya placed both hands on her hips and shrugged off Alina’s anger, “You need a break, Alina. You’ve been drowning yourself in work, work, work!”

Alina looked away with a huff and crossed her arms, “I’ve been working, that’s all. You know it’s a busy time.”

“Ridiculous excuse that we both know is weak as heck. You’ve been drowning yourself in your work ever since you can back from that trip. And you need a break. A serious one, not just a prolonged lunch with the girls.”

She rolled her eyes and tried to reach for her laptop. But Genya snatched it away in a blink. “Hey! That’s mine! And I don’t need any break, Genya. I’m doing perfectly fine.”

“Yeah right, and I’m the queen of Ravka.” Genya sighed and her eyes saddened a little, “Alina, you’re one of my best friends and I hate seeing you like this.” Then she snapped her fingers and winked at her, “Which is why you’re coming with me, Zoya, Tamar and Nadia to Scotland!”

Alina blinked twice, fast and confused, “Scotland? Are you kidding me?”

“Nope. And you better pack fast and well because we leave tomorrow.”

Alina watched in horror as Genya walked away with her laptop in hand, “Really? And you’re kidnapping my laptop to make sure I go?”

“I’m putting it back in your study and locking the door. You’re not taking it with you. Now go,” She looked over her shoulder with a grin, “Pack your things, we’re going on a trip!”

Alina eyed the cottage Zoya had rented for their trip. It was… fantastic, if she were being honest. It made her want to stay there forever. But for consistency sake, she kept her frown on for a little longer, grumbling at Genya once more on how she didn’t need to be coerced into leaving her home.

“You needed a change of air. Like we all did. And it’s been a while since we’ve had some girl time anyways.” Genya offered with a wink and walked through the front door.

Immediately they were greeted with warmth. The fireplace in the living room was running at a lazy pace and heating up the place quite nicely. To their left an arch in the wall led to the kitchen, where a round dinner table sat. Right in front of the door was a set of stairs that led to the first floor, where the girls found four small rooms. The ideal amount, as Tamar mentioned with a wink in Nadia’s direction.

“Wait until you see the beds, then you can decide if it’s great or not.” Zoya said with an arched eyebrow. She entered through one door and made a non-committal sound, “If they’re all like this one, we’re not bad. I’d prefer a larger bed but…”

“Why? You can’t sleep if it’s not in starfish position?” Genya bumped her shoulder and moved to the next room with a chuckle.

Zoya pursed her lips, “I like to have space, Genya. And I don’t sleep in starfish position.”

“Of course. You sleep in vampire queen position.” Alina let out, finally letting go of her frown as the warmth of the place and the company of her friends finally melted away her mood.

Nadia snorted behind Tamar as Zoya settled her cold blue eyes on Alina. Then, a corner of her mouth tilted up and she nodded once, “Touché.” She paused, “This one’s mine.” Then she was putting her things on the bed.

Before long the girls had all picked their rooms and were settling downstairs with a batch of freshly made coffee.

A bird chirp startled Genya just as she was reaching for a cookie. She reached for her phone and in a blink her face lit up.

“What’s gotten you so happy?” Alina asked.

“I bet it’s David.” Zoya replied with a wicked grin, “Ever since Genya got his number they keep trading actual letter-length messages every day. You know, the whole reason she stops listening to us for five minutes straight during our lunches.”

“I do not!” Genya complained. But Alina grinned nevertheless, very aware of Genya’s new beau and constant distraction. Tamar and Nadia chuckled into their mugs. Genya frowned at everyone’s reaction for a moment before continuing to read her message. Then her bright smile returned, “David invited us to stop by!”

Stop… by? Alina frowned, confused with this statement. Wasn’t David back in Ravka?

“Stop by?” Nadia voiced Alina’s question.

Genya nodded, “Yes! He’s staying in the area with his friends as well. He invited us to stop by this afternoon!”

Alina cut a glare to her friend, “So… Girl time, huh? When were you going to tell us about this?”

Genya flashed a sheepish smile, “I swear I didn’t plan this trip with him in mind. But when I said I was going away for a couple of weeks… Well, he said he too was coming here.” She shrugged, “I swear!”

A long pause followed. And the Zoya put her mug away and sighed, “I guess we’ll be visiting David.” She eyed Genya, “Why on earth did he invite us all if you’re probably looking for some makeout time?”

Genya’s freckled disappeared in the blush that coloured her cheeks, “We’re not, Zoya! And he specifically mention all of us. He wants to show us the place he’s staying in.”

“I take it it’s not a cute cottage like ours.” Tamar offered.

Genya shook her head, “It’s like an old mansion. He says it’s exciting!”

Zoya snorted, “David’s exciting can be very different from my exciting, Gen.”

“Shut up! And go get ready. And bring your boots, I don’t think we’ll need to take the car.”

All right, David had friends in high places.

That was all Alina could conclude upon seeing the ancient house, a mansion that looked more like a castle than anything else. And it was in pristine condition. The gardens were exquisite, not a leaf out of place. The windows looked freshly refurnished and the main door looked like it could handle two wars.

The hall was… breathtaking. Two tall windows from the stairs offered a rainbow of coloured lights as the morning sun filtered through the sainted glass in almost magically places beams of light. The carpet lining the floor and the stairs was old, but it seemed to be in better condition than half of her towels back home.

David took the girls through a quick tour around the ground floor before settling with them in the kitchen, where he started to make tea. His eyes seemed to constantly find Genya, no matter where he stood, and Genya… Well, she couldn’t keep her own eyes off of him. Even if he was having a conversation about types of weapons with Tamar.

“Really, the amount of metal wielding techniques is staggering. I swear…” He chuckled and double checked the water, “It’s an adventure to study them all. At least those that we have information on.”

Tamar nodded, “Yeah, I know what you mean. Those swords…” she let out a breath and laced her fingers through Nadia’s, “I hope you let me take a closer look at them, David. I want to pry them open. Metaphorically speaking.”

“Of course. I’ll just have to ask Nikolai about it.”

In that moment, Alina looked back from the scenery sprawled outside and focused back in the conversation, “Did you say…?”

And just then, another voice carried through the corridor, “David! Can you tell me where you left those reports on…” Hazel eyes. Beautiful as the last day she’d seen them. “Alina…?”

She stood there frozen. “Nikolai…”

“ALINA!! Please stop!” Genya rushed after her, carrying a large, black umbrella after Alina had run off with their own. “Alina!”

Alina stopped and whirled on the spot, clutching her umbrella so hard her knuckles turned white, “Did you plan this?! Did you know he was here?!”

Genya halted, her face distorted with pain and regret, “No! I swear! I told you the truth about David’s trip and invitation, Alina.”

“Then what about Nikolai?! You must have known, since you’ve been dating David for a while now!”

“I…” Genya started and looked away, “I knew of him. But I’d asked David if he’d be around. He said Nikolai was busy in his study and wasn’t about to leave any time soon.”

Alina set her jaw, “Well, he did. And you still kept this fact from me. What were you hoping to achieve, Genya?”

Genya bristled, “Nothing, Alina! I just wanted you to get out of your head and take a breather! When I found out he was here I… I couldn’t just cancel our trip. Not after we were settled in!” She breathed hard, then a spark came to life in her eyes, “But maybe it’s good!”

Alina dropped her voice to a cold whisper, “Good?”

“Yes. Maybe this is the chance you two have to clear the air! You two broke things off so fast, without any closure… Maybe this is your chance to get it, Alina.”

She shook her head and looked away, tired of seeing that place in the backdrop. Tired of that tiny hope that Nikolai would too follow her… “He had his chance, Genya. He ruined it. I… I want to go back to our cottage. Please.”

Genya seemed keen on saying more, but then she nodded, “Ok, let’s go home. I’ll… I’ll plan another visit with David.”

That night Alina barely talked at dinner, letting her friends talk among themselves. Then she left for bed early, hoping a good night sleep would help her feel better.

“So… He’s not as impressive as the magazines make him out to be.” Zoya said after Alina’s door was closed.

“That’s your takeaway from today?” Genya said.

Zoya shrugged, “What? I’m just saying. He’s good looking, but I wouldn’t take him for a spin unless I was desperate.” She paused, “Not that I’m saying Alina made a bad choice. They clearly have sizzling chemistry.”

“Should I let Harshaw know that meeting the prince in person has only strengthened your relationship or…?” Tamar asked as she arrived from the kitchen, a bottle of scotch in her hand, a tray with glasses in the other.

Zoya scoffed and crossed her arms, “We’re just…”

“Sex buddies.” Nadia finished, “Oh Zoya, you know we know that’s not the truth.”

Zoya scoffed again, “We’re not talking about me.”

“No, we’re talking about how Alina and the prince looked as though struck by lightning.” Tamar poured the scotch and passed the glasses around. “I know you didn’t plan this far ahead, Genya, but now that the pieces are in place… What’s your plan?”

Genya chewed on her lip, “I don’t know. I don’t want to force Alina to do anything she doesn’t want to do, but they clearly need to talk it out. We’ll be here for a couple of weeks, maybe we can look for chances and let them happen?”

“You’re not scheming? Are you ill?” Zoya barked a laugh, “Seriously, Genya?”

Genya flinched, “You saw how angry she was when she thought I’d tricked her. I can’t actually do it now.” She sipped on her scotch and made a face, “Eugh, can’t believe you guys like this…” she set it down and looked up with a grin, “But that doesn’t mean I won’t nudge them together if I get the chance.”

“That’s the Genya we know.” Zoya chuckled.

“Let’s just hope things work out, I hate seeing Alina like this.” Nadia said.

The girls agreed and silence settled for a moment. Then conversation started again and they talked until the late evening, about anything and everything.

A couple of days later, the girls were invited for a dinner at the castle. It would have been extremely rude to refuse, so Alina found herself sitting at a long table of dark wood and eating food she suspected had been made by Nikolai himself.

The man that haunted her sleep sat at the head of the table. Alina, thankfully, had people between them at the right angle that she could easily pretend the hazel eyed bastard wasn’t even in that room.

Of course, all good things must come to an end, and soon she found herself wandering around the house, doing her best to avoid accidentally mingling with him.

Her wandering feet took her to a study on the first floor. Three walls were covered in shelves, which were full to the brim with books and all kinds of trinkets. She peered at the spines. There were old books, worn out books, barely read books, tiny books and massive books. The collection was a kaleidoscope, a far cry from the kind of shelves Alina would have expected to find in a study like this one. Especially one belonging to a royal.

And then there were the trinkets. Old spyglasses and pocket watches. Hand painted mugs full of cliché tourist souvenirs from around the world. Dried flowers in glass bells. And…

“It can’t be…” She gasped. With a trembling hand, Alina reached for a small pebble sitting in front of an old Irish atlas. Its surface was rough, made of a myriad of colours. But that wasn’t what was so special about it. What was so special were the figures painted on its surface.

One side had a bright yellow sun. The other had a grinning fox.

She’d painted it by the lake that day… Nikolai still had it?

“I was wondering if you’d left early…”

Alina whirled on the spot, her heart jumping through hoops at the sound of Nikolai’s voice. And then at the sight of him.

“I…” She cleared her throat and put away the stone. “I needed a moment alone.”

He nodded and stepped into the study, hands in his pockets, eyes guarded. “I can see that.” A pause. His gaze roamed her face, her body, back to her face. As if he was making sure she was real. “How are you?”

She worked her jaw and looked away, “Fine.”

“Alina… I’m sorry.” His voice broke a little, “I did it all wrong and I hurt you… Please…”

She shook her head, “No. Stop. There’s nothing you can say that will change what happened.” Then she stormed out of the room, making sure to avoid touching or looking at him. She would be a fool to give him a chance, a fool! There was no way she’d let him slither his way into her life again, no matter how hard her heart wanted it.

Their first week of vacations passed in a blur. The girls went hiking and exploring and visiting nearby towns, having all the fun that Genya had promised back in Ravka.

Alina could almost forget Nikolai’s presence so near, her attention distracted with fun adventures spent with her closest friends.

But of course, even her friends had separate plans sometimes.

“Oh, I hope David doesn’t arrive late. I booked us a spot and really don’t want to miss it.” Genya chewed on her thumb, worry all over her face.

Zoya scoffed, “Relax, you have plenty of time to arrive at the museum.” She looked at her phone, “And I have to leave if I want that spa exclusive…”

Tamar and Nadia had left for a romantic date. Which left Alina.

“Are you sure you don’t mind walking back home?” Genya frowned again.

Alina nodded, “I’ll be fine. I have the boots and the umbrella. And Zoya will take the groceries back home with her.”

Zoya nodded, “Yes, I will. Still, I could drop you off…”

Alina shook her head, “I could use the walk. Go on, have fun. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Her friends nodded and hugged her goodbye before Alina set out towards their cottage, a long walk ahead of her. She eyed the stormy clouds rolling in. Maybe a brisk pace would be better than the original idea of a calm stroll…

Maybe running would have been better.

Alina clutched the handle of her umbrella and hopped over a large puddle, skidding on the muddy road for one horrifying moment. Saints, what was she thinking? This was Scotland! It rained like crazy, just like in Ireland. Yet she’d thought she could outrun the storm and get home in one piece.

Hilarious.

A car honked, nearly startling her into another puddle. Then it rolled by her. She turned to it, tossing aside any fears of being caught by a mass murderer. Right now, a ride would be wonderful.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” She hissed at the rolled window, staring straight at Nikolai’s beaming face.

“Good morning to you too, sunshine!” He said, his mouth parted in a perfect smile. “Want a ride? It’s a terrible storm out there.”

She ground her teeth for a moment. Was it worth it? No, it wasn’t.

“Fine.” Then she quickly hoped into the car and demanded him to drive. In silence.

“How are you, Alina?” His voice broke the silence after a few minutes.

She looked outside and worked her jaw, “Fine.”

“Is that your favourite word of the moment?” He said, sparing her a quick glance before he turned into a side road.

“I’m doing just fine, Nikolai. Do you want me to whip out a thesaurus to give you a different word with the same meaning?”

He nodded, “All right, I believe you.” Silence settled as Nikolai drove slowly through the storm, the downpour so heavy they could hardly see anything in front of them. “I…” He started but his voice died out. He tried again a couple more times before shaking his head, clearing his throat and tightening his grip on the wheel, “I’m sorry, Alina.”

Her heart stuttered. She swallowed down thickly, but still refused to give him an answer.

It didn’t seem to bother him much, as Nikolai started again after another moment, “I did it all wrong. I should have… I—I shouldn’t have kept the truth from you like that. Yet I did, and I hurt you and I can never forgive myself for hurting you so much.” He shook his head again and passed a wild hand through his hair, “I’d wanted to tell you but how could I? Was there a right time? A right way? And how could I tell you who I was without jeopardizing the little heaven we’d made for each other?”

“I deserved the truth, Nikolai…” She finally replied, her voice little more than a whisper, hoarse with the effort of holding back unexpected tears.

He nodded, “You did, Alina. You did… And I knew that. I just… I didn’t know how to tell you. Everything would change once I did. Every single relationship I’ve had, no matter how short or long it was… It was always ruled by my blood. My heritage. My inheritance. I never knew for certain if the person I was with actually cared for me or for my crown. Then I met you…” His voice gained a lightness that had Alina’s poor heart swelling a little, “You didn’t recognize me. And you had no problem in calling me out whenever and wherever. You…” He chuckled, “You were a force of nature that had waltzed into my life. And you were so brilliant and beautiful and I…” A woosh of air escaped him, “I was dazzled. Stunned beyond words.”

Alina swallowed down slowly and dared a glimpse towards him. Nikolai was staring straight ahead, keeping his eye on the road, but a nostalgic smile tugged on his lips, making her wistful for those days they shared together.

“Of course, I didn’t expect anything to happen that night. Yes, I had hopes we could share a meal the next day, maybe suggest we stay together a little longer but…” he bit his lip, “Well, nevertheless, something did happen. You rocked my world.” A pause, “The next days we spent together were a dream. Though my identity hung over my head I couldn’t… I didn’t want to lose you. What we had. I know it’s silly, but with you I could be myself entirely. No roles, no secrets. Myself.” He took in a breath, “But then that night you said you could stay longer… And I knew I couldn’t keep it up. I had to tell you.”

Finally, Alina looked away, unable to ignore the pain that night still provoked in her. “I get you wanting to be normal for once but… You’re engaged, Nikolai. You shouldn’t have gotten involved with me in the first place!”

He let out a bitter laugh, “It was hardly an engagement, Alina. It was an arrangement my mother had been working on for months. It wasn’t even agreed on officially during my trip. It would become official once I returned. It became official.” He added in a small voice, “I barely knew her, it was barely a relationship what I had with her… But you…” He looked her way, she could feel the weight of his gaze, “What I had with you was something. It was a relationship. It had meaning.”

“Whatever you’re trying to get at… You’re engaged, so stop it.”

“I’m not engaged, Alina.” Her heart stopped beating, “I broke it off over a month ago.”

She looked at him, shock and distrust making it hard to breathe normally, “But just before I left the news were all over it. Some venue or something.”

He shrugged, “It’s not official yet, but we parted ways and I told my mother how I felt. She isn’t happy, but she accepts that I’m my own person and I deserve to choose my wife on my own terms.” He sighed, “This trip was a getaway trip. I wanted time for myself, to plan what to do next. I brought my friends along because I didn’t want to be alone. Then one day you show up…” He stopped the car.

Alina could see the cottage just ahead.

Her heart raced wilder and faster than a tropical storm tearing down the world. Nikolai’s apology and revelation… It was too much. How could she…?

“Alina?” He called after her as she suddenly fled the car, not caring for the storm that hailed down on her. “ALINA!”

Much to her chagrin, Nikolai left the car as well and raced after her, his voice almost drowning in the storm raging around them. He caught her hand and she whirled on him, “I can’t do this! I don’t know how!” She screamed.

Confusion marred his face, “Do what?”

“I can’t…! I don’t know how to hate you anymore! I don’t know how to hate you when you apologised like that, when you said you weren’t engaged anymore!” She punched his chest and let her tears fall freely at last, “You wormed your way into my heart then broke it, you bastard! And I was happy with hating you when you were a lying, cheating royal ass.” A sob shook her body and Nikolai gingerly held her closer, “I liked the way you called me sunshine. The way you made me smile so easily. I liked it so much when you held me close…” She let the words come out after keeping them locked up for so long, “The way you made me feel so good whether we were having mind blowing sex or just hiking through the wilderness. I let myself feel safe with you…” Her voice died a little, “I thought you were different.”

“Alina…” His eyes shinned with a thousand emotions, regret and pain and something warm shining brighter than the rest, “Sunshine…” He added, much to her stupid heart’s delight, “I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

She shook her head and punched him again, with less effort put into the punch, as if her body had already forgotten how to hate him, “I don’t know…” She looked up at him, hardly noticing the downpour drenching her every belonging, “Why didn’t you try to find me?” She finally said, her voice tiny and lost.

Nikolai’s mouth curled up in a sad smile, “You didn’t want me around, Alina. As much as I wanted to fix things, to make it up to you…” He sighed and pushed away the hair that was dripping to his eyes, “I owed you that much. To… To let you go.”

She stared up at him, unable to form any coherent thought. A million things raced through her mind, a million thoughts, a million dreams and wishes and memories. It was a confusing storm raging inside her heart, in sync with the storm raging outside. Yet one thing stood out amidst it all. Nikolai.

The way he made her feel, the way he looked at her… She wished nothing had happened that day. That they were still on that trip, living a dream together.

“What now?” She said.

A hopeful smile danced on Nikolai’s lips as he stepped forward and pulled her closer. “I’d like another chance, sunshine. A chance to make it up to you, to…” He lifted a hand and brushed his knuckles over her cheek, “To have something special with you again. I know it was short lived, but we had something special, Alina. We could… We could try again.”

Maybe it was naïve of her, maybe it was stupid… But maybe it was also the kind of leap of faith one had to take once in a while to live a full life.

She nodded, “I’d like that.”

Nikolai smiled a smile that rivalled the sun. Her heart lurched. And then he was kissing her and her heart forgot how to beat normally.

They stumbled into the cottage amidst kisses and laughter, the two of them drenched to the bones. Nikolai pulled her in for another heart stopping kiss before closing the door behind them and tugging her towards the living room, his hands and lips never straying too far from her body.

“How about I get the fire started?” He said between kisses, a hand releasing Alina from her coat.

“Is that… Oh…” She lost track of her thought when Nikolai kissed her neck, right where her blood pulsed hard. God, he hadn’t forgotten. She let out a breathy moan as he kept teasing the sweet spot, and after a while, she finally managed to finish her sentence, “Right… Was… Was that an innuendo?”

Nikolai’s chuckle warmed her skin before he stood straighter, a smile lingering on his lips. He reached for her hair and pushed it away from her face with a tenderness that stole her breath away. Then he poked her nose and winked, “I meant the fireplace, sunshine. And I certainly hope that other fire is already started, considering the way you just reacted to my kisses.”

She rolled her eyes, “You’re such an idiot.”

He hummed, “Yes, I know. About that fire…” He wiggled his eyebrows and tugged on her sweater, “We need to get rid of these soaking things before you catch a cold.”

She bit on her lip and let him take away another layer of clothes. Then she grabbed his hand and towed him up the stairs, “My room, Nikolai. I don’t know when the girls will come back, but I really don’t want to risk them catching us in inappropriate positions.”

“Inappropriate?” Nikolai gasped, though Alina could hear the grin in his voice, “Everything I do with you and to you is appropriate by miles, sunshine.”

They reached her room and she shut the door quickly before turning back to him, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I missed your ridiculous speech so much.”

Nikolai’s mischievous grin softened as he cupped her face between his hands and leaned in to press a soft, lingering kiss on her lips, “I missed you.”

Her heart threatened to melt at the way his voice softened just then. “I missed you too.” She whispered back, letting out a breath when he trailed a line of hot kisses down her neck.

Then he was gone, making a beeline to the small fireplace that stood at the corner of her room. Within seconds, Nikolai had lit up a fire, a feature that always took Alina at least one minute of several failed smoky attempts.

“How the hell did you get it to start so fast?” She asked dumbly, slightly offended at the wood and kindle.

Nikolai stood with a playful grin, “I’m just that good at starting fires, sunshine.” He leaned in to poke her nose when she rolled her eyes, “Really good. Fantastic, even.” He eyed the rest of their clothes and tsked, “We should take care of these.” Then, before she could say another thing, he was undressing himself.

She watched in lustful awe as he revealed his body bit by bit. Holy saints, he was still a vision. And she had missed it very, very much.

“Need help?” He asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes, as if he knew exactly how dumbstruck his naked self drove Alina. She dumbly nodded, not caring for one moment if he had to do all the work. She loved being undressed by the insufferable idiot. Especially when he was naked already.

Soon Nikolai had left Alina in nothing but her panties, his fingers trailing playfully along their waistband. He’d undressed her clinically, barely teasing her until this point. His hazel eyes were dark with unguarded desire, his luxurious lips flushed with all the times he gnawed them.

Alina felt every single cell in her body shimmer with the way he watched her. The way he took his time observing her body, as if this could be the last time he got to see her. Then he leaned in and kissed her slowly, a hand cupping the nape of her neck while the other pulled her flush against him. “You’re so beautiful, Alina…” He rasped against the kiss and slowly tugged her towards the bed, “So incredible…” He laid her down and slowly trailed along her jaw, each kiss placed with extra care.

All along, Alina fought for breath, her heart hammering so fast and so hard it was a wonder it had even time between beats. “Nikolai… please…” She rasped, eyes shuttered as his hands and mouth took their time mapping her body, touching her, teasing her, tasting her.

She let out a gasp when Nikolai took a nipple between his teeth and sucked on it at length, licking and teasing it until all Alina could let out were moans after moans. Then he did the same to the other, a hand slowly snaking between her thighs to tease her pounding centre. It didn’t take long before Alina was crying out for him, his name holy on her lips as her body combusted with raw pleasure.

“My sunshine…” He said in a whisper as he braced over her and leaned in to kiss her cheek, “My beautiful, wonderful, magnificent sunshine…” He brushed his nose against hers, the touch so soft and tender it had her heart overflowing, “I love you so much, Alina… So much…”

Oh.

That was… That was almost too much. Almost.

She dragged her hands through his hair and pulled him closer for a kiss, “I… I love you too, Nikolai. I…” she let out a surprised chuckle, “I guess I hadn’t realised it until now.”

He pulled away for a moment, a smile full of wonder lighting up his face, “I cannot put into words how happy that makes me, sunshine. To hear you say those words, to know you feel the same…” He shook his head and kissed her again, a smile on his lips, stuck forever as it seemed. “I want to kiss you forever, sunshine. Forever…” Then, without waiting another second, he sank into her and Alina lost herself in the moment.

They moved together slowly, languidly. Remembering each other’s body, each other’s likes and needs and desires. They kissed at length and whispered little nothings, moving a little faster little by little. Soon their rhythm had gained speed, the two giving in to their mutual desire, to that need to come undone together at last.

Alina moaned loud with each thrust of Nikolai’s, her hands dragging through his hair and down his back, her hips meeting his movements with enthusiasm. It felt so good, to be with him like this. So… good…

“Yes... Yes… Oh… God…!” Alina cried out a wordless sound when at last she rolled over the edge, the orgasm crashing into her in full force as Nikolai thrust hard into her with his own undoing, her name a prayer on his lips.

They rode their high together, holding fast to each other. This was, without a doubt, the best night in Alina’s life.

Later that day, the storm had lost some of its strength, though the wind still howled through the trees and the rain still battered against the windows.

Alina laid in Nikolai’s arms, her heart full to the brim with happiness. She’d just returned from the bathroom to find Nikolai carefully setting their clothes over her chairs so they’d dry a little faster. She didn’t know what about the scene made her so emotional, but something about the way he took extra care with the task had her heart swelling twice its size.

Then there was the sight of him butt naked, of course.

He’d sensed her, flashed his trademark grin and led her back to bed.

“I don’t want to fall asleep yet.” She mumbled, eyes trained on the fireplace, her heart beating happily as Nikolai passed his fingers through her hair, the gesture so soft it took her breath away.

“Why not?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find out this was a dream.”

Nikolai remained silent for a too long moment. Then he kissed her crown and held her closer, “How about a dream come true, sunshine?”

She looked up. Those eyes of his were beautifully illuminated by the firelight, yet there was another fire burning in their depths, adding an extra shine to those unforgettable shades of green and brown and golden. It was though he was daring reality itself to ruin their moment, their happiness. He would fight it barehanded, just to prove Alina this wasn’t a dream. That in fact, it was a dream come to life, at last.

“That sounds… perfect.” She finally said.

A soft smile unfurled on his lips as he leaned in to kiss her forehead first, then her lips, “Indeed.” He kissed her again, “So, now that I’ve thwarted your fears… how about a little nap?”

Just on cue, a yawn broke through. Nikolai chuckled while Alina groaned a little, but still allowed him to tuck her in, “I’ll be needing seconds.” She said.

Nikolai’s eyes earned a lewd sparkle, “And thirds, I bet.” He brushed his thumb over her lower lip and kissed her cheek, “Not to worry, my sunshine, I will satisfy every need of yours. After we rest.”

She nodded. And anything he might have said after was lost, as sleep quickly took over.

The sun had just set by the time Alina emerged from her bedroom, hair in a tangled mess, cheeks permanently blushed. She padded down the stairs and straight to the kitchen where she hear Nikolai buzzing about.

He beamed at her the moment Alina came into view, “Hello, sunshine. Sleep well?”

Alina nodded, “Yeah, like a rock.”

“Guess those seconds and thirds will have to wait a little longer,” He said with a chuckle. Then his eyes travelled down her body and a look of recognition illuminated his face. God, how could someone be this gorgeous? “Is that my old shirt?” He nodded at her outfit of choice.

Alina shifted her feet and played with the hem of her makeshift pyjamas. It was his shirt. That old, threadbare teal t-shirt he’d worn so many times and that Alina had ended up stealing whenever she didn’t feel like looking for anything else. “Yeah,” She said, keeping her eyes down as embarrassment took over, “I found it in my things when I got home and I…” She shrugged, “I couldn’t throw it away.”

Nikolai settled down the spatula he’d been holding and pulled her in with a soft tug. Alina stumbled into his embrace and settled her hands on his chest, feeling his warmth and the way his heart drummed so happily under her touch. “I always thought it looked better on you.” He nuzzled his nose against hers, “I’m glad you kept it.”

“Me too,” she admitted in a soft voice.

He dropped his head to the crook of her neck and pulled her in for a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her small frame. “I want to ask you something, sunshine…” His voice was muffled against her skin, and he sounded very… nervous.

“What?”

“Will you go out with me? On a real, official date?”

Saints. He was nervous!

“Didn’t we basically do that back in Ireland?” She said with a chuckle.

“We’re rekindling,” He mumbled, “I have to ask you out like a proper lover.”

Lover… The word send chills up her body, made her heart skitter and her lady bits shiver in excitement. God, she was weak for him, wasn’t she?

“Not boyfriend?” She heard herself say.

Nikolai looked up, eyes wide with surprise, “I was thinking of asking that after a date, sunshine.” His lips trembled with a nervous smile that threatened to burst through, “Unless you want to make that decision already?”

She chewed on her lip, “I…” A pause, and his smile dimmed a little, “It’s such a big decision…”

Confusion replaced his guarded hope, “What do you mean?”

“Well… If we make this official… Everyone will know. Your mother, the kingdom, the media… It’s basically a prelude to marriage.”

Nikolai looked on at her for a moment longer, and then he beamed at her, “Thinking of marriage already, sunshine? Was I that good earlier today?”

Alina smacked him, “You’re so insufferable, Nikolai!”

“Yes, it’s part of my charm.” He winked for good measure.

“I meant…” She fumbled with her words. What did she mean? Her mind was a mess of confusion. “I… Ugh. I meant that… What if we do date? But then it ends? It’s not like an ordinary relationship, Nikolai. Everyone will keep tabs on us. On you. You’re their future ruler. And they’ll be waiting to see if I… if I…” Her voice trailed off as the future towered over her. God. If things worked out perfectly between them… She’d be queen.

Nikolai tilted her chin up and bored his big eyes into hers, “Yes, sunshine. That’s all true. But I don’t want you to worry so much over what ifs and a distant future.” He stroked her cheek and trailed his hand to the nape of her head, “I love you, Alina. I… I hoped we could see where this could go.”

“But what about…”

“I know. It’s all… overwhelming. But what if we think on it together? As a couple? Instead of ending things before they start?” He looked down, deep golden eyelashes fanning over his skin, “I don’t want you to leave my life again, Alina. Call me selfish, but I want to know. I want to be with you, give you the love you deserve or die trying.”

His voice was full of intent. As if he could carve it all into the fabric of time itself.

Alina couldn’t help a chuckle, “Die trying? This isn’t some high fantasy tale, Nikolai. No one has to die for anything.” She leaned in and pressed her forehead to his chest, “You’re right. I’m scared of trying. I’m scared of getting hurt again…”

“I won’t hurt you again, my love. I’d rather…”

“Die?” She finished for him and Nikolai let out a breathy chuckle.

“Yes.”

“You’re so dramatic.” She paused, then… “All right. I… We can go on a date. See where this goes.”

She looked up to find Nikolai beaming brighter than the sun. Saints, he was too beautiful! They leaned into a kiss when suddenly the front door burst open.

“We’re home!” Genya yelled into the house, only to stop short upon finding Alina and Nikolai in a tight embrace, both wearing very little. “Oh saints! Forget that! We’ll be in our rooms! Quickly!”

Before Alina could utter a word, her friends rushed up the stairs, with Nadia carefully avoiding looking their way when she closed the door, and just like that they were all alone once more.

Alina blinked twice. Then she hid her face in Nikolai’s chest and groaned, “This is so embarrassing!”

His laughter was light and full of happiness, “For whom?”

“Me!”

“I think your friends were happier to see us together than anything else, sunshine.”

“They still caught us ready to pound!”

“Pound?” Nikolai leaned back and arched an eyebrow, “Were you about to… pound me, Alina?”

She groaned and tried to hide again, “Don’t get any ideas! There’ll be no… such thing now that they’re home.”

Nikolai nodded and placed a chaste kiss on her blazing cheek, “But there’ll be breakfast. Up you go, I’ll follow you with the tray. Go on!”

Another night, another dinner at Nikolai’s.

This time Alina had wandered back to his study not out of a need to get away from his watchful gaze but because she would miss this place.

Her eyes found that painted rock once more and she was reaching for it when a voice sounded from the door.

“Hiding from me, sunshine?”

She could hear the smile in his voice. She rolled her eyes and turned to him, “I was just… reminiscing.”

His gaze fell on the rock and he walked towards her, “I remember that day. You couldn’t get enough of me.”

She scoffed, “You sound as if I was all over you.”

Nikolai poked her nose then kissed its tip, “If I remember it correctly, you were.” He said with a lewd smile. Then he sobered up and laced their hands together, “What’s on your mind? You looked far away just now.”

Alina shrugged, “I was just thinking how we got here.” She chewed on the words, “We were just… just having sex.”

“Surely you remember the rest?” Nikolai added with a dramatic gasp.

“Sure, I mean, yeah there was a little more. But it was mostly just…” Alina trailed off, slightly distracted with the thumb Nikolai kept tracing over her knuckles.

“Sexual activities?” He offered with a grin.

Alina rolled her eyes and pushed him lightly, “Come on, Nikolai. Be serious.”

“I’m always serious.”

She cut him a glare, “Really?”

Nikolai’s grin grew into a small beatific smile.

Alina groaned, “You are, without a doubt, the most insufferable man I’ve ever met.”

His smile lit up.

“What? No more clever replies?”

Nikolai leaned in, “Why? Do you want me to? Because I can easily—”

“No!” She hurried to smother his mouth with her free hand, “I’m good. Just… Let me finish this, ok?”

Nikolai captured her hand and placed a soft kiss on her palm, “Of course, sunshine.”

She shook her head, “You’re really one of a kind…” Before he could say anything else, she added, “I’m just… I can’t believe where we started and where we are now, ok? It all feels… Too fantastic. Like a dream.”

“A good one, I hope?”

She bit her lip and nodded slightly, “A really good one. I…” Oh, words failed her so much right now… Alina took a deep breath, “I loved these last few days. I had fun in our dates. And I love you…” She said, the words coming as easy as air with every ticking second, “I guess… I guess I’m trying to say I want to face it all when we get back. I don’t know how it will go but I don’t want to miss out on us.”

“Oh, Alina…” Nikolai cupped her face and leaned in to press the softest tender kiss on her lips. He leaned back a little, letting her see his eyes, how they shined with love and unshed happy tears, “I love you so much, my sunshine. I promise you I will stand by your side through it all. I will never leave you alone, in a metaphorical way of course.” He added with a wink, to which Alina couldn’t hold back an eye roll of her own. Then Nikolai was wrapping his arms around her and pulling her deeper into his embrace and he added, his voice rough with emotion, “I will fight for us, Alina. For you, always.”

She swallowed down thickly and played with a button of his shirt, “Wow… If this is your ‘Let’s be boyfriend and girlfriend officially’ speech, I think I’ll need a chair if we ever take the next step.”

Nikolai beamed at her, “I’m glad you love my speeches so much, they all come from the heart.”

“You seriously expect me to believe you don’t rehearse them?” She asked with an arched eyebrow.

He winked and hugged her tighter, “Now that’s a secret you’ll have to earn, my beloved Alina. And I have a few ideas on how you can do it.”

She laughed, “We can’t skip dessert!”

“Are you certain?”

She shook her head, “Fine, I guess we can.”

Nikolai flashed his trademark grin and pulled on a book at random, quickly opening a secret passage Alina hadn’t seen yet.

She gaped at it, “Seriously?”

“Come on, sunshine. We can’t miss any second.” He took her hand and led her through the house, her heart stomach doing never-ending somersaults in anticipation of what would come next.

Nikolai looked over his shoulder, a blissful smile on his face, and she couldn’t help but smile back at him. They were doing this. Seriously doing this. Together. Officially.

Saints, she couldn’t wait for this adventure.

#nikolina #grisha fic #nikolinaweek2020 #alina starkov #nikolai lantsov #grisha #the grisha trilogy #grishaverse #my writing #otp: I want to kiss you #mine:nikolinaweek #I decided to post this for free day haha #it's LONG btw 16k words #today's only post from the looks of it lol

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neonnhoney-rec · 4 years

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Min Yoongi

Here are a few yoongi recs, most of them I've read and love, some are in my TBR. Tbh most of them are smut, but some are fluff and angst mostly angst. I will keep updating this woop woop.

I hope you enjoy tehee!

revenge- @lustfuldevils

fuck boy yoongs

request: yoongi teaches you to give a bj- @kpurereactions

says it on the tin

Theres no need to be nervous around Yoongi, he’ll take care of you and make you feel good no matter what it is you’re doing.

sangria- @minstrivia

a day at the beach has yoongi hornier than he’d like to admit.

missing link- @drquinzelharleen

You catch Yoongi playing with himself before a night out and some part of you wants to join him. That’s crazy though, he’s your best friend… Right?

talk- @httpjeon

you walk in on yoongi on the phone with a customer

act on it- @dom-joonie

You learn that the cute barista you’ve been crushing on might have an…otherworldly disposition after you accidentally cut yourself.

too sweet- @justoneday-namjoonii

you smell so sweet to them the best they’ve ever had (vampire au)

moving to a university with a few secrets, has you falling for these boys who need your help

too hot to sleep- @gamerguk

“ Umm can’t wait to get rawed in our kitchen when I’m living with the love of my life ”

can you turn off your phone- @btssavemylifeblr

Yoongi’s alarm clock wakes you up at 6 am on a Sunday and you are not happy about it. At least, not at first…

grey area- @blushoseoks

and just like that, your fate was sealed - because min yoongi was absolutely going to destroy you. but hell if you weren’t going to let him, or bask happily in the flames as he did so.

and sadly, at the time, you didn’t think that your thoughts would become so literal.

dancing with the devil- @minnpd

suga daddy suga

asphodel- @hayjeon

A series of drabbles and moments surrounding Hades, the god of death and Persephone, the goddess of nature

lifeguard yoongi- @gukgalore

who knew making eyes at a hot lifeguard would get you what you really wanted.

yoongi cums in his pants- @hobiorbit

dry humping yoongi till cums in his pants cause its hot

boy .girl- @floralseokjin

Boy. Girl. It’s as simple as that. Girl can’t get a good date—scrap that—girl can’t get a good lay, and boy is willing to help out with that… Friends with benefits seems the perfect solution, except for the fact, it’s not. It never is. Not when boy already has feelings for girl…

Evil- @littlemisskookie

Your life is pretty boring, apart from being the Alpha of your pack. But it gets a bit more exciting when you discover Yoongi wants to spend his heat with none other than you.

Bet i can make you cum without touching your cock- @cyphertrip

says it on the tin

boseong breakfast- @honeymoonjin

it may be misfortune that brings you to min yoongi’s door looking for a place to stay, but luckily holly lodge has a vacancy.

Love is for birds baby- @mininky

You refuse to believe in love. It’s a concept created by big corporations like hallmark to get sad saps like you to buy their shit. But it’s all fake. You’re convinced of that at least until a series of events with a certain tattoo artist who you loved to hate makes you question everything you’ve ever known.

Hands- @moonlightchildz

hand fetish? is that a thing?

Producer!yoongi- @matchakoo

where yoongi’s song plays over a really serene and domestic smut scene

Please be naked- @floralseokjin

ou find it’s easy to become addicted to a distraction…

Lonely hearts club- @joonbird

“In this world, currency is not money but life, and those who cannot repay their debts have no choice but to submit for the Separation - a procedure in which the soul and mind are extracted from their bodies, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell. Jeon Jungkook is an underground tattoo artist hiding from the outside world. She has been waiting her whole life to be Separated. They were never supposed to meet - let alone fall in love.”

- or -

“Two lonely hearts collide.”

Rose garden dreams- @glossgf

you, a princess not yet betrothed, and your knight, Yoongi, have fallen in love. But what happens when a prince asks for your hand in marriage? What will you and Yoongi do then…?

single parent au- @yukheii

your daughter is very fond of yoongi

Us, plus two- @deathbyyoongi

You and Yoongi sharing a moment, relishing in the glow of your growing family when your daughter has a nightmare, and Yoongi has to take care of those pesky monsters.

When the power goes out- @inkjam-moon

When a storm causes the electricity to go out, it becomes to dark in the apartment to study, so you and Yoongi have to find another way to pass the time.

Conveniently- @baeseoul

you live above a convenience store with your daughter, owned by a rather attractive yoongi. this is the story of how u and your daughter gained another member to your little family.

Destruction of a muse- @baeseoul

you’re in your last year of uni doing literature and lose your motivation, and it’s not till you meet a talented musician you get your ambition back. a. lot. of. angust.

Long distance- @miss-noo-na

Yoongi misses the sound of your voice.

Conjecture- @writingsofmyimagination

Your management refused to renew your contract unless you collaborated, so you ending up working with Min Yoongi. A guy you’d disliked from before both of your debuts. There is more to their past than meets the eye.

Photoshoot tease- @shooting-stars-library

“Min Yoongi is a sexy little shit and he knows it.”

What if- @blameblamebts

Being in a gang wasn’t a good thing, and it never would be, always looked down upon. But it isn’t what people think it to be. It’s worse. Much worse.

Aawake at night- @softyoongiionly

You can’t sleep. Luckily, your boyfriend can’t either.

Clair de lune- @yoonia

You were ready to leave a part of your life to move on to the next, and he is willing to give you a chance to end it glamorously. But at what cost? And will he be a part of the life you are leaving behind or will he be there for the next part of it?

Reflections- @yoonia

“How could I ever forget about you" parent au

Faded- @yoonia

You were his soulmate, that part he knew well. Until one day he didn’t want you anymore. He couldn’t, when all he could see from you was light and all he felt within himself was darkness. Your love has gone cold as he retreated from you, burying himself deep in the dark. But what happened when Yoongi had to watch you start over with somebody else, when Yoongi let his selfishness gain control on him of you.

Monday- @strwberrytae

It’s that special time a month that brings you great pain yet great joy. Sure, there’s cramps and absolute uncomfort but your little monthly friend makes you insanely horny. Needy and desperate for a release that only your boyfriend can provide, will he cave and give you what you want?

Makeshift chemistry- @jungblue

Fleeting lust was all you’d ever known, nothing serious or long lasting, just a temporary fix to satisfy your needs. That is until you meet Min Yoongi who is determined to put an end to your binge of makeshift relationships.

What you did last summer- @winetae

Yoongi was fine with a lot of things—you maxing out his credit cards to buy ridiculously expensive items of clothing that you never wore more than once, you taking out his newest ride for a spin without permission, you spending an extra thirty minutes on your hair and makeup when he was running late for a dinner function.

What he was not okay with, however, was you sharing your pussy with barely-out-of-college boys who were incapable of going five seconds without creaming their pants.

No, that was where he drew the line.

Bad boys bring it to you- @yuengi

tattoo artist yoongi

Fortuna- @readyplayerhobi

300 years ago, half the world’s population died when the experimental Fortuna virus escaped. The remaining male population has been rendered infertile with one loophole that has meant polyamorous relationships have become the norm.

Crescendo- @dreamyjoons

after hours of waiting for the grumpy pianist to leave the stage, you finally have it out with him in a way better than you could have imagined.

Restraint- @writingsofmyimagination

As Jungkook’s best friend recently moved to Seoul, there is one of the boys you have yet to meet. This one has a dark secret and has to use all the restraint he can to control himself around you.

Curious- @honeymoonjin

Taehyung confides in you and your boyfriend Yoongi that he might be bi, and the two of you offer to let him experiment with you to find out.

Gingham- @ropeseok

There’s no place like home! At least, that’s how Yoongi felt after a long night of taking the little one trick-or-treating. He can’t wait to take his costume off - however, he seems to insist that you keep yours on.

Somebody else- @jamaisjoons

yoongi doesn’t want you anymore. but he can’t stand watching you with someone else. post break up au.

Do you love me- @caribbeanempressblog

Yoongi is bad at feelings

Love well done- @oraclemarie

You are the executive chef of your very own fine dining restaurant. A big company makes you the offer of a lifetime, setting you on a path straight to Min Yoongi-your drunken hook up.

Pepero day- @kittae

Valentine’s with your best friend, yoongi

The last- @kittae

When the world’s gone to shit and you’ve taught yourself to stay alive while danger lurks around every corner, the last thing you need is another mouth to feed and extra “dead” weight. Yet you can’t bring yourself to leave another human being behind, and it might as well have been your worst decision ever… or was it the best?

Baby’s fist christmas- @hobisbeautifulass

3 months after you give birth to your first child, you and your husband start putting together the perfect first Christmas for your new family of three.

This is just to say – @btsiguess

To say it’s unusual to have a soulmate is an understatement, and most people desperately wish to have an elegant name scrawled upon their wrist. In reality though, you’d have to say it causes much more issues than it solves.

I like you – @iq-biased

A surprise visit from a friend leaves Yoongi with a night to remember, and something to say

Small things- @floralseokjin

you and vamp yoongi have an argument

Daddy diaries- @bts-reveries

yoongi started blogging his life on his social medias to prove everyone who thought he couldn’t raise a child alone wrong. but as his daughter’s birthday draws near, what happens when she wishes for a new mom?

Drink me- @njssi

Your vampire boyfriend refuses to bite you in fear of not being able to stop himself. But you always get what you want.

Rule of thirst- @prolixitae

vampires were just folklore until yoongi became one. now he’s got only two emotions: you and hunger. and tonight, you let him feed off you.

A ticket to the sun- @seokeros (ao3)

In a world where a person's life is determined by a piece of paper on a monthly basis, love is practically impossible. But there's always an exception, and with that exception, there comes a price.

Alt: yoongo gets punched in the face by a girl who believes she is cursed, and he stupidly, helplessly, falls in love.

Wildest moments- @joonbird

“Min Yoongi is forbidden territory. And although you both know better, the two of you just can’t seem to stay apart.”

Breakfast in bed- @joonbird

“Min Yoongi, a grumpy Ikea employee, is wondering who you are and why exactly you’re sleeping in the display bed at his Ikea.”

Hyung, open the door- @gotmetalkinginmysleep

You’ve been keeping the boys awake with your moaning for months thanks to Yoongi. Tae and Jungkook want to find out why.

The singularity theory- @dovechim

in your last year of undergrad, you find out what a gloryhole is at the expense of your final year thesis. it’s a classic example of a psychology experiment that went way, way wrong.

You look like you need a drink- @dark-muse-iris

After a bad week with the worst luck imaginable, you happen upon a local dive bar run by an attractive young bartender who livens up your evening.

The married life- @jungnoir

being married is never a bore when your husband is a vampire king + inspired by “Stop calling me Princess!” “I apologize, my Queen.”.

Taxi- @honeyedhoseok

❛ Drinks at a bar + a rainy night + a single taxi to share with the bane of your existence, Min Yoongi = one interesting car ride back to your apartment. ❜

First love- @writing-in-ivory

You first saw him in the multi-purpose room. Later learn his name, and on your third year, as he becomes your neighbor, you discover his lifestyle. Knowing your crush on him was nothing but that, you wanted to find the courage to look for love. Asking your friend for help, you’re pointed in the direction of the expert. Your neighbor, Min Yoongi.

pugna- @jungwoohoos

he showed up at your doorstep one day, covered in cuts and testing your patience. you don’t know why, but you felt compelled to help him. you just don’t realize how deep that runs

Mean yoongi- @jjkpls

Min Yoongi asks you to take care of his plants when he’s gone. It doesn’t go as planned and well, he has to deal with your misbehaving ass.

Sour skittles- @softyoongiionly

WELCOME TO GLASSCLAW! The only city where you can get a homecooked meal and a hitman all on the same street! You moved to GlassClaw for a fresh start after a group of raiders invaded your previous compound. Unbeknownst to you, the city has its own collection of riff raff and, at the head of it all is your neighbor Min Yoongi. The mischevious merchant with one hell of a sailor mouth is known for swindling the rich and, serving the poor. The world has become convoluted and chaotic since the apocalypse but, two things were certain: You were so much more than pretty face and, Yoongi was so much more than just a thief.

Life’s little joys- @littlemeowmeowschimmy

getting pregers with yoongi

Fear and dumplings- @softyoongiionly

You’re in your final semester at University when your Abnormal Psychology professor assigns you a partnered project surrounding your greatest fears. Lucky for you, your partner just so happens to be a cute boy named Min Yoongi.

Min yoongi, library services- @kpopfanfictrash

When you accept the the offered research position at Bangtan University, you are well aware of your partner’s prestige. The only problem is - so is he.

Behind the stick- @randombtsprincessa

Your bartender for the night and you take an interest in one another.

Mic drop- @ve1vetyoongi

when underground rapper min yoongi uncovers the dirty secret behind his biggest rival, your brother and hip hop champion kim namjoon’s success, he is determined to take home this year’s mic drop contest trophy no matter who he hurts along the way. you’re behind the camera, content with capturing namjoon’s picture perfect persona from the sidelines but when his hard-faced enemy Gloss, makes you realise you could be more than just the point and shoot, you start to feel your loyalties shifting.

Pinewood and poetry- @spicykoreantatertots

After getting closer to and developing a crush on your friend over the summer, you want nothing more than to cozy up to him as the seasons start to change. That is until your ex-boyfriend, Jung Hoseok, returns from his summer study abroad program. Will Hoseok stand in the way of your budding romance with your mutual friend, Min Yoongi?

His hands- @nahfamily

You hadn’t ever paid much attention to Min Yoongi until a stupid icebreaker at your office. Now, you can’t get him, and his hands, out of your head

Birthday boy- @btssmutgalore

Yoongi wants to give his best friend Jimin the perfect birthday gift… And it just so happens to be you.

Happy valentine’s day- @sweetwritertanya

You have a very special idea for this Valentine’s Day, focused completely on your boyfriend Yoongi who comes home to an unexpected surprise.

Happy birthday- @parkmuse

Your boyfriend Jimin has a bit of a surprise for you on your birthday, and he goes by the name of Yoongi.

Arranged- @minyoongijjangjjangmanboongboong

Y/N is a struggling student in Seoul: working multiple jobs, living in a broom closet apartment, and often sacrificing her dignity for the sake of her livelihood. What happens when a handsome stranger presents her with an offer she cannot refuse at the moment she needs it most?

This tiny space- @ubemango

Yoongi was always attractive—your sexy piece of ass, as you like to remind him often—and seeing the tight skin of his back when he undresses further makes the insides of your stomach churn in want: the kind that made you want to fall to your knees, grovel. You love having a kid, but it’s been too long.

The boa constrictor- @tatertotthethot

You’ve always had a bad habit of drinking copious amounts of water just before going to bed every night, and for some reason, you always seem to forget that it’ll eventually lead to you having to wake up a few hours later with a dire need to pee.

Dope- @honeymoonjin

The HSD is a branch of the South Korean government tasked with taking down the most infallible criminals in Seoul’s underbelly. Kim Namjoon, or RM, is their next target: the extremely well-spoken and careful leader of a cocaine dealing gang.

Listen closely- @avveh

Unintentionally, you stumble upon something that makes you view your coworker Min Yoongi in a whole new light.

The truth between us- @jimlingss

a book deal should be the most exciting time of your life, but there seems to be a constant and omnipresent damper on your mood in the form of a certain min yoongi, who you would just cut out from your life, if he weren’t your editor. but then, the world shifts beneath your feet, and you begin to wonder if maybe you’ve always been looking at life from the wrong angle.

Surround me- @minflix

after a very unfair and unjust firing from his bartending job, yoongi just wants to soothe his sadness by spending some quality time with his best friend - who he is very much in love with.

Cockwarming – @gukgalore

Ngl the thought of cockwarming Yoongi is the only thing keeping me going at this point

Havana- @inkjam-moon

You’ve spent the last six years following in your parents footsteps all the way to Cuba, trying to make them proud by finishing their research, but when you join forces with a snarky boat owner who knows more than he lets on, will things play out the way you planned them?

The equation of love- @kookingtae

When you met Yoongi in a club, you thought it was fate that brought the two of you together. But after you walked into your college math class for the very first time, you weren’t so sure anymore.

Workaholic- @hobiwonder

Yoongi needs to relax and Hoseok has many tricks up his sleeve to make him. None of them Yoongi thought included hiring a hooker to pay him a visit one stormy night.

Different- @satisfractions

in which tattooartist!yoongi meets floral!reader because he needs to practice drawing flowers for his job

Salud- @yukheii

ninja yoongi (Naruto au)

Toke temptation- @strawbxxymilk

You accidentally confess your feelings to Yoongi during a smoke sesh

Accidents- @jungxk

dad!yoongi makes me soft and also h*rny

Fists- @badbhye

reader’s first time

The early shift- @hobidreams

your coworker yoongi is always infuriatingly late. except the one time he’s much too early.

Mixtape- @jungblue

Two mystery students from your college run the podcast dubbed ‘mixtape.’ It’s become a sort of phenomenon around campus, listened to by almost everyone. In their most recent episode they discussed various study methods… One of them being oh so tempting.

Three squeezes- @nomnomsik

Yoongi is notorious for his grumpy and emotionless behavior as director of an upcoming company. Yet, it’s a mystery to everyone how manager Hoseok always seems to soften him up. The truth is that the two are actually engaged. Unknown to this fact, you happen to take an interest in Hoseok… and he does too.

Yoongi cums in his pants- @gukgalore

where u and yoongi are making out and u start grinding on him, and he tells u to stop bc he’s gonna cum his pants. But u don’t and he acc does cum his pants

Kitten- @yminie

Yoongi’s focus on work has subjected your relationship to having a dry spell, and with a little prompting from your best friend, you tell him exactly what he should do. But you don’t make the rules kitten, and the game you’re choosing to play is a dangerous one.

Wine- @junghelioseok

he makes staying after-hours absolutely worthwhile. restaurant au

Renatus- @mininky

(y/n) finds herself in a very unusual situation where her fate seems to be woven with Hades himself, who’s too much of a jerk for her to even admit that sure okay he’s kind of really good looking.

Cobalt and charcoal- @tayegi

soulmate au

Touch of silk- @floralseokjin

In a world where vampires coexist with the living, there are many humans looking for a cheap thrill…you’re ashamed to admit you’re curious too, putting to good use a dating app you find…but Min Yoongi is nothing like you imagined a vampire to be…

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ronniesqueen · 5 years

Text

A Journey To Find True Love

We start off with Archie as the bachelor, Ronnie is in his season. The story progresses, and she becomes the next bachelorette after he finishes his season. Both of them go on their journey to find true love.

I will be writing this AU in the form of a tv show. Since, we all know that “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” are reality tv shows.

Previously on “The Bachelor”

Archie met the Coopers.

Arche met the Lodges.

Archie met the McCoys.

And, Archie met the Blossoms.

After realizing he and Josie wanted completely different life paths, Archie broke up with Josie at the rose ceremony.

Oh, and Archie isn’t great at ice skating.

Next up, is the iconic three-on-one date that most bachelors and bachelorettes typically do, when they’re close to choosing the final two.

Veronica, Cheryl, and Betty remain.

Who will Archie propose to?

Who will get Archie’s final rose?

Okay.

Without further ado,

Buckle up, buckaroos!!!

Week Five.

(setting: Confessional Booth)

Archie sat down in front of the camera.

“I’m not ready for this.”

He put his face in his hands. “Last night was really hard. I hated knowing that I hurt someone, who was falling in love with me. And it’s even worse that I was falling for her, too. I’m just scared...of what it’ll be like when I finally choose someone. Josie was all in, until she realized how real this was. What if Betty, Veronica, or Cheryl suddenly wake up and don’t want this anymore?”

He crossed his arms. “What if I get down on one knee for one of them, and they leave me completely blindsided? I went into this show, thinking that I’d find my person and there wouldn’t be any problems. But...”

“Nobody said this was easy,” he groaned to himself.

(setting: Bachelor Mansion)

“I can’t believe Josie got sent home,” Betty said, genuinely shocked.

“Did you think it was gonna be me?” Cheryl chuckled.

“No, of course not! Honestly, I thought it was gonna be ME,” Betty clarified. “I was the first hometown date. Out of four. My chances didn’t look good. People tend to forget about the first one.”

“I thought it was gonna be ME,” Veronica sighed. “My dad really freaked him out. I wouldn’t have blamed Archie if he sent me home.”

“Archie called your name first, V” Betty said, encouragingly. “He genuinely likes you. I don’t think your dad would stop him.”

Veronica smiled, and hugged Betty.

“There was a moment, before Archie called my name, that I thought it was going to be ME,” Cheryl said. “Mother was overly eager. It could’ve scared him off.”

“But it didn’t,” Betty said, rubbing Cheryl’s shoulders. “You got a one-on-one. And a hometown date. He seems like he really likes you.”

Cheryl smiled wholeheartedly.

“One of us is going home tonight,” Veronica whispered.

“It doesn’t feel real,” Betty added.

“Do you two feel okay about your relationships in general?” Cheryl asked.

“I do feel good about where Archie and I stand,” Betty confirmed. “But.. I could be wrong. You never know how the other person is feeling. Maybe he could blindside me, the same way he blindsided Josie.”

“Same,” Veronica agreed. “I can’t go into this week thinking that I have it in the bag, when none of us know what’s really going through his head.”

“I feel...” Cheryl whispered. “I don’t know. Like it’s all or nothing. He’ll either decide he still wants to give our relationship a chance, or he’ll send me home.”

(setting: Andrews Household)

“Who are you leaning towards?” Jughead asked causally, taking a bite out of his pizza.

“I don’t know anymore dude,” Archie responded, taking a sip of his beer.

“What? Come on.”

“Any of them could turn me down if I propose.”

“No shit. But isn’t that part of this whole process?”

“I mean, yeah. But-”

“Did you think you were the only one who could end the relationship?” Jughead laughed.

“When I agreed to becoming the bachelor, I did not picture this ending badly. I didn’t think it was possible.”

“Ah. I see,” Jughead said. “Ten women who want to marry you. Competing against each other for your attention. Every man’s dream. Why on Earth would any of the women change their minds?” he chuckled sarcastically.

Archie laughed. “I guess when I put myself in their shoes, I do get how this whole thing can be hard for them.”

“Trust me, it’s just as hard for you as it is for them. They’re probably really scared of the same thing you are. Rejection.”

Archie raised his eyebrows. “I guess I never thought of it that way.”

“Yeah. So lighten up,” Jughead said, patting his back. “You’ll do great. Just trust your gut. Whoever you have stronger feelings for, she has to make it through.”

(setting: Three-on-one date in a fancy restaurant a little ways out of Riverdale)

Betty, Cheryl, and Veronica were sitting at their table when, Archie arrived.

There were two roses on the table.

“You all look stunning.”

All three women giggled and blushed.

He sighed. “I’ve given this a lot of thought. And I want to establish that, I’m really struggling here. This is really hard for me. And I can only imagine how hard it is for the three of you. So I just...I just...”

He took a deep breath. “I wish I could stop the hurt. I wish that we could go into this without any hearts being broken. But, I know that’s inevitable. And we all signed up for this. So...that’s where I’m at, right now.”

Veronica smiled. “We came into this knowing the risks of it all, Archiekins. You’re worth it.”

“We’ve talked about it between the three of us, and, we just want you to be happy,” Cheryl added.

“As much as we want for you to choose us, we’ll still be happy knowing that your hearts in good hands even if you don’t,” Betty said.

Archie grinned. “I could not have asked for a better group of women.”

After several minutes of wining and dining, Veronica reached for his hand. “Can I steal you away for bit?”

“Of course, Ronnie.”

As the two walked away together, Cheryl glanced at Betty. “And so it begins.”

Betty laughed.

(setting: Lobby.)

They kissed softly for a moment.

She looked up at him. “You okay?”

“I wasn’t when I first got here. But you guys turned it around for me. I really appreciate that.”

They sat down on the couch.

“How are you?” He asked. “I didn’t really get a chance to talk with you after the rose ceremony.”

“I’m good. I just want you to know that what we have is strong, and you don’t need to worry.”

He kissed her forehead. “Thanks Ronnie.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. “You were the strong one for me when my father came back. Now, let me be the strong one for you.”

He sighed as he reached for her hand. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

“You don’t have to.”

“But..” he began. Then paused. “I just don’t like knowing that there’s a possibility, that this could end badly.”

“Of course there is, Archie. Life doesn’t work like that,” Veronica said, chuckling. “That’s why it’s so important to focus on this. This moment. Right now.”

He smiled. “Moments like these make me sad when they end.”

“Well they shouldn’t. Because,” Veronica said, kissing his cheek. ”You need to make them last.”

He pulled her close. “I felt that spark and connection when we were together.”

“As did I,” Veronica said, snuggling in his chest.

He smiled, and stood up from the couch. “Ronnie. I’ll be right back.”

(setting: Dinner Table.)

“And then I said, if you excuse me, I have a date to go to. Then I just stormed out of Pops,” Cheryl laughed.

“Wow,” Betty reacted. “I cannot believe Valerie talked to you like that. And I can’t believe Ethel just threw you guys under the bus. That is so unlike her.”

“Eh. She apologized to me afterwards. So we’re good. But that whole situation was really annoying.”

“I bet,” Betty agreed, taking a sip of her wine. “I can’t even imagine. Poor Josie. It must really suck when you have to take time away from your date, to defend yourself from what someone said about you.”

“Exactly! It was completely disrespectful to Josie. Thankfully, Josie had my back, and she explained everything to Archie. So that I wouldn’t have to take time away from my date.”

“That’s so sweet of her,” Betty commented.

“It was. But honestly Betty, when Josie called me on the morning of my hometown date to tell me what Valerie did, it really pissed me off. Like what the hell? Who does that?”

“Valerie struck me as jealous when Archie took you shopping. But I mean. We all were. It’s normal.”

“Yeah it’s normal to get jealous. But at the same time-”

“It doesn’t justify her trying to sabotage you guys.”

“Exactly. Thank you, Betty.”

Archie walked over to the table, picked up one of the roses, and walked away.

“Oh...” Cheryl whispered. “My. God.”

Betty’s eyes grew wide. “I just...wow.”

The two looked at each other in a panic.

One. Rose. Left.

(setting: Lobby.)

Archie entered the lobby, holding the rose.

Veronica gasped.

“When we first met, Ronnie, I was excited about you. And I still am today. Meeting your family last week was really amazing because I got to see where you came from. You always push me to be a better man. And I want to, not just for you, but for myself. You brought that out of me.”

She giggled.

He laughed. “Ronnie. Will you accept this rose?”

“With gratitude, Archiekins,” she laughed.

(setting: Restaurant entrance.)

“I called you the limo to come get you. But I promise I’m not sending you home,” he laughed. “I’m sending you to the mansion to pack your things so that the next time I see you, it’ll be in our fantasy suite.”

She blushed. “I could not be more excited. I can’t believe this right now!”

They kissed for a few minutes when the limo arrived.

Veronica waved at him as the limo drove away. Smiling, Archie watched. Then sighed. He walked back inside the restaurant.

(setting: Dinner table.)

“So I know this must feel kinda...” Archie began, as he sat down with Betty and Cheryl. “Tense now. I just sent Veronica back to the mansion. And, while I do feel good about that, I also feel really nervous. Because I do really enjoy my time with both of you. And I’m just hoping to have fun tonight and get some clarity with how we all feel.”

The two women nodded.

“Betty, can I steal you away for a bit?” Archie asked.

“Of course,” Betty said, smiling coyly.

Cheryl smiled briefly as they walked away together.

(setting: Confessional Booth)

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Veronica cheered, popping open a bottle of champagne. “I’m going to the fantasy suites with my Archiekins!”

She laughed as she put the bottle down. She took a deep breath. “Who do I think is going to make it? I don’t know. I can’t say. I grew close to both Betty and Cheryl. I’m not rooting against either one of them. But..whoever Archie chooses, they’re both incredible women.”

(setting: Lobby.)

Betty sat down on the couch when Archie immediately took her hand and led her away from the couch.

“Oh, you didn’t want to sit and talk?” Betty asked.

“Not really,” Archie said, pushing a button that was on the fireplace. The lights grew dim.

She laughed. “Smooth, Arch.”

He pulled her close. “I just wanted to dance with you for a bit.”

“Awww,” she whispered, kissing him. “What brought this on?”

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to you after the rose ceremony. And I just...really needed you, Betty.”

(setting: Lobby.)

“I know I told you that you remind me of home. And I think I told you the reason why,” Archie began. “You’re my safe place.”

“You’re my safe place too, Arch.”

“I always feel...such a comfort around you. I never thought I could trust anyone this much.”

She blushed. “I feel, really honored that you do.”

They kissed softly for a moment.

“Everything about our relationship feels genuine. It’s like...the feeling of finally getting some fresh air after being underwater too long. Or the feeling of getting off a rollercoaster and that relief when you know, you can finally breathe again.”

Betty smiled. “I feel the exact same way. I’ve never had a connection like this before. You always make it so easy. I know I keep falling for you more every day Archie.”

“So do I,” he said. “And this process so scary. Because I look at you, I look at the others, and I just...”

She looked at him, patiently waiting for him to continue.

“I get so worked up. Being the bachelor isn’t...simple like everyone said it would be. I get so nervous, so riled up. And just a complete wreck. But then.. I look at you. And then I feel, like everything’s going to be fine. I feel comfort, I feel happy, I feel like me again.”

She kissed him. “I love knowing that you feel so sure of me.”

“I’ve never doubted you, Betty. And I never will.”

(setting: Dinner Table)

Betty sat down at the table next to Cheryl. Archie walked over to them. “Cheryl, can we sneak away for a bit?”

“I’d be more than happy to.”

(setting: Confessional Booth)

Betty was smiling widely. “I feel good.”

She sighed. “If I get the rose, I’ll be thrilled. But, if Cheryl gets the rose...I can still be happy knowing that the man I’m falling in love with, has two really great girls who won’t hurt him.”

She looked down, and bit her lip.

(setting: Outside in the garden.)

“I was hoping for some fresh air,” Cheryl said, leading Archie to the garden.

“Whatever you want,” he said, with a grin.

She turned to face him. “Our relationship has been sooo…”

“Amazing,” he finished.

She giggled. “I feel like we get each other better.”

“We do get along really well,” Archie chuckled.

“I think that there’s something you should know about me, if we make it to the fantasy suites.”

“You can tell me anything.”

She took a deep breath. “Before I agreed to come on this show, like many years before I signed up for this, I did have a past. But we all do. And so, in mine,” she began. “I did experience falling in love for the first time. And her name was Heather. We were best friends in middle school. One night, mother caught us sharing a bed during a sleepover, and she lost it. She destroyed us.”

“I didn’t know you were..”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. But, I wanted to explore my sexuality when I signed up for this show. But then, you just made it so easy to get caught in the moment with you. And I meant everything I said to you, one hundred percent. But I just wanted you to know every part of who I am.”

He hugged her. “I’m really honored that you were willing to share that with me. And I’m really proud of you. Cheryl, I think you’re so brave and so beautiful. I always knew how strong you were since our first date.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Thank you Archie. When you were talking with Betty, I was reflecting quite a bit. And while I do feel ready for an engagement, I think that...”

“You might need a little time.”

“This isn't me saying I don’t want to be with you. I was genuinely falling in love with you, Archie. And I still think we can get there. So, if you choose me at the end of this, I propose that we date for a while, and then get engaged.”

He smiled. “I don’t mind taking things slow. As long as they’re going somewhere.”

(setting: Dinner Table)

Betty and Cheryl were sitting at the table, talking among themselves. Archie had decided to take the last twenty minutes to make his choice before the end of the night.

“That rose is just taunting us,” Cheryl laughed.

“Do you think it can sense our fear?” Betty laughed.

“Oh yes. It can.”

Archie walked over to them and sat down. He took an extra long, deep breath. “This decision....has been, the hardest one yet. Because I’m saying goodbye to someone who, not only was I falling for, but also...”

He shut his eyes for a moment. Then opened them. “I’m saying goodbye to someone who I feel would be much happier with someone else.”

“Just know that this isn’t me abandoning you. This isn’t me giving up and walking away. This is me, following my heart. And looking at the situation from every angle.”

He picked up the rose.

Cheryl and Betty held hands under the table, as they waited.

He bit his lip, and breathed heavily through his nose.

“Betty.”

Betty gasped lightly.

“Will you accept this rose?” Archie asked.

“Without a doubt, Arch.”

They stood up and gave each other a hug.

Archie looked over at Cheryl, and whispered. “Can I walk you out?”

“I’d be insulted if you didn’t,” Cheryl chuckled.

The two walked towards the entrance of the restaurant.

“I’m so sorr-” Archie began.

“Don’t be. I completely understand.”

“This wasn’t me not wanting to be with you. I really saw a future with us. I just really think you might be happier-”

“I agree with you.”

“You do?”

“I do. Ever since my relationship with Heather ended, I haven’t...truly...explored that path. And I feel like I owe it to myself to figure out what I want. Figure out who I am.”

They hugged for a moment.

“But I did enjoy my time with you so much. Thank you for everything. You opened my heart to all the possibilities out there. I’m hopeful.”

“I’m really grateful that I could help you that way.”

She got inside the limo. “Goodbye Archie.”

“Goodbye Cheryl.”

(setting: Dinner Table)

Betty was sitting at the table by herself, with the rose in her hand, smiling widely. She turned around at the sound of Archie’s footsteps.

“Come here,” he said.

She ran to him excitedly as he picked her up, and spun her around.

“FANTASY SUITES!!!” They cheered in unison.

He pulled out his phone.

“What are you doing?” Betty laughed.

“I want to remember this.”

-------------END CREDIT--------------

#barchie #varchie

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holidaywishes · 5 years

Text

the on and off thing

Part four: the on and off thing

Summary: You’re back home in BC and finally starting to deal with your breakup when your Mom invites Brendan for dinner when he comes home

Warning: some swearing, angst, some fluff, mention of Car Accident (to be continued)

Author’s Note: I had originally planned for this chapter to have more of the car accident in it but decided to instead move it to its own chapter because I liked the suspense of the ending of this one instead.

masterlist

You had been to every game or at least watched every game. Even though he wasn’t yours anymore, you still wanted to support him; you still loved watching him play. You stayed in Montreal for a few months after the break up because you couldn’t just quit your job and leave but after what happened, after telling him you didn’t love him, the city became dark and lonely.

So, you left. You seemed to be doing that a lot. Leaving. But this was the best thing for both of you. Distance would prove to be the best decision. But it wasn’t easy. Montreal had been your home for four years and every part of it had good memories but so many of those memories belonged to you and Brendan and you just couldn’t look at those parts of the city without seeing him. And leaving those memories behind hurt almost as much as leaving Brendan behind. The Canadiens were on a pretty good streak for a while, only losing one away game, but they ran into some bad luck in the first round of the postseason.

“They lost…” your Mom said as you stared blankly at the T.V. screen

“What?” you asked, shutting it off and walked over to the window

“Montreal, they’re out of the playoffs again,” she answered and you stared out the big bay window in your family room, “that cup seems like an impossible dream at this point huh?”

“The season is over. They’ll get over it. Try again in October…” you said absentmindedly, watching the squirrels chase each other up the tree in your parents front yard.

“You gonna see him?”

“Huh?”

“Gally… when he comes home. Are you going to spend some time with him?”

“No, Mom. I left. I told him I’d give him space…” you sighed, rubbing your temples

“You’ve given each other months of space and you see how well that’s gone for him. And you’re not any better off either…”

“Mom, please. Don’t start this again…”

“I just think you should give him another chance,” You stormed out of the room, intending on hiding out in your room until she let this go but she blocked your path, “he was the best thing that ever happened to you…”

“I’m over this conversation with you, Mom! We broke up. We’re not getting back together. I’m sorry that upsets you so much. I... have to get out of here..”

“(Y/N)! Wait, stop! Come back here” your Mom called after you as you stormed out of the house, your feet starting to quicken their pace without you realizing. You were pissed at your Mom. You hated when she did this. She thought it was fate that the two of you lived two towns apart growing up but only met when you decided to go to a Habs v Canucks game one day; becoming immediately smitten with him. You never expected your Mom to get so invested in the relationship and yet, she seemed to be taking the break up harder than you. You knew she was probably calling him right now, talking about how sorry she was they weren’t in the playoffs this year but that she’d love to see him and he’d say he’d be in BC to see his family soon and he’d love to stop by and you weren’t prepared for it. You began mumbling things to yourself when a text came in from Max

“Why did you say you didn’t love him?”

“Max, I had to. It’s hard to explain…”

“Then it’s not a good enough reason”

“I’m sorry you guys are out of the playoffs but we do not need to be having this conversation…”

“He’s my friend you know. And a good guy, I’m just looking out for him” You raised your eyebrows in disbelief at the words you were reading and you weren’t watching where you were going

“I know it’s hard to believ--” an arm abruptly stopped you, making you drop your phone, but ultimately saving your life

“You should probably watch where you’re going…” the stranger said, an annoyed smile on his face

“I’m so sorry, thank you..” he nodded in appreciation and went on his way. You picked up your phone to find it completely shattered with no sign of you being able to use it again, so you wandered around town for a little before eventually heading home. To no one’s surprise when you got home, your Mom had called Brendan and told him to come visit all of you when he was in town and he happily agreed; you on the other hand, rolled your eyes and tried to come up with an excuse to leave the city before he got there.

A week had passed and you hadn’t heard anymore from Brendan which made you think he wasn’t going to see you but rather meet up with your Mom somewhere. Your Dad talked you into leaving the house with him and going to the arcade and you laughed, agreeing whole heartedly; it had been ages since you had been to the arcade.

“I always win at skee-ball, you ready to make a bet?” he teased

“You’re on!” you joked

“Loser has to buy the winner a beer...”

“Seems pretty tame Dad”

“Okay.. how about loser pays for dinner. For everyone…”

“Okay…? I thought you would’ve said something like, I don’t know, loser runs through the park yelling profanities at the cops,” you laughed but, when you got no reaction from your Dad, you furrowed your brow, “what’s going on?”

“Your Mom is still upset…” he started, eyes still staring strongly out the windshield, “she doesn’t understand the breakup. I mean she understands it but she wishes you would change your mind. You’ve barely said anything to her this last week and she wants this dinner to be a nice one…” You huffed, anger filling your body as you rolled your eyes when it suddenly hit you

“She fucking invited him didn’t she?”

“Yes…”

“God damn it, Dad!”

“Enough with the language, (Y/N)!”

“Why are you agreeing to this? Why are you trying to back me into a corner like she has?”

“We’re not! Your mother just wants you to give Gally a second chance…”

“Stop the car”

“What? No, we’re almost to the arcade”

“Pull the car over, Dad, now!”

“(Y/N), don’t be upset”

“STOP THE GODDAMN CAR!” You shouted and he did as you wished, pulling over to the curb where you got out and started to walk back to your parents house before your Dad cut you off with his truck.

“(Y/N), stop, come back here. Talk to me!” he shouted as you walked around the big, grey vehicle

“Why? So you can just ignore what I say and do whatever the fuck Mom feels is best for me?” you shouted back at him

“Baby, we love you. We hate seeing you in pain..” he tried

“Well you’re gonna have to deal! Brendan and I broke up. It sucks. It hurts. But she can’t just manipulate us back together!!”

“She’s not trying to”

“Are you sure? Because it sure as hell feels like it. Calling, texting him while I’m here, inviting him over and to this stupid family dinner? I needed to not be around him for a while. I lost my freaking apartment, my home, when I lost Brendan. I left my job because I couldn’t stand to be in that city anymore without him by my side! But I come back here to sort out my shit and she brings him up every chance she gets. I get it. He was her favourite. But it’s over…” Tears had started to escape your eyes without you realizing and your Dad walked over to wrap you in a hug

“It’s okay, sweetheart…” he said, rubbing your back as you sobbed

“I miss him everyday, Dad, but we both need just a bit more time. Before we’re stuck in an awkward situation together…”

“You sure you don’t want to get back together with him?”

“I don’t know..” you confessed, “I just don’t really want to do the on and off thing…”

“Maybe 2nd times the charm?” your Dad said, trying to lighten the mood and you pulled away to look at him

“We’ll see I guess..”

The dinner went almost exactly how you expected. You didn’t speak to your Mom much and you shifted in your chair as you watched her watch the door to the restaurant. Then he showed up. And you had forgotten just how handsome and charming he was and it was like you were meeting him for the first time again. Your face was flushed, your breathing was shallow and staying mostly in your chest and you couldn’t stop staring at him. Crap, don’t let Mom see, you thought to yourself, snapping your gaze to your plate.

“So, Brendan.. How are you doing?” your Mom said sympathetically, the way all mother do when they pry

“I’m fine,” he said once he swallowed his bite of steak, “yeah, I mean it sucks we’re not in the playoffs again but there’s always next year…” he caught your eye briefly and you smiled sadly at him, knowing he was putting on a brave face about this like he had been doing for years, “besides, how much of an ego would KK have if we won the cup this early in his career?” everyone at the table laughed except you.

“(Y/N), you’ve hardly touched your food,” your Mom motioned to your plate, causing a scowl to creep over your face, “everything okay?”

“Guess I’m just not very hungry…” you replied

“Well, I think you should eat some. We don’t want to waste any food…” she countered

“I could always just take it to go, Ma”

“Yes, I think that’s a great compromise,” your Dad chimed in, hating the tension, “so, who’s ready for skee-ball?” Since you and your Dad took so much time on your way to meet your Mom, you never actually went to the arcade but instead decided to save it for later, which also meant that Brendan would be joining you. As the four of you walked through the arcade, you noticed Brendan fall back a little and you habitually fell back with him.

“Hey…” you nudged him shyly

“Hey” he said back simply, not even a trace of a smile on his face

“I’m sorry. That you had to come here. I know it’s awkward and weird…” you started, “I know my Mom roped you into it. So, for her sake, thank you for coming…”

“I mean it’s not like I was bummed that I’d get to see you…” You blushed but did your best to change the topic

“How have you been anyway?”

“Fine. Good, I guess. You seeing anyone?”

“Uhm,” you stammered, “no, not seeing anyone. Are you?”

“Nope” he said, popping the ‘P.’ The two of you walked silently for a while before eventually stopping at skee-ball

“Alright, girlie,” your Dad taunted, “ready to get beat?”

“Ready to beat you!” you laughed, teasing your dad before looking back at Brendan quickly to gauge his reaction. The game went on for a few rounds before your Mom got bored enough to take Brendan on a walk through the arcade to ‘find a game that better suited them,’ whatever the hell that meant. Before too long, you and your Dad wrapped up skee-ball and tried to find the two remaining members of your group; whack-a-mole is what they chose, interesting choice…

“Who won?” You heard your Dad say before you could make any quips

“I did, of course” Brendan said triumphantly and you noticed the pout on your Mom’s face; you had to force yourself not to make fun of her. Your Dad directed the four of you up to the prize table to exchange the winning tickets and you were pulled back by your Mom, completely catching you off guard.

“Talk to him” she whispered to you and you rolled your eyes

“I have been talking to him, Mom…”

“And..?”

“And nothing. It’s weird. You gave it your best shot and that’s all we can ask for” you teased, placing your hand on her shoulder, earning a disapproving stare from her as she knocked your hand away.

“And there you go!” Your Dad said happily as he gave your Mom a plush cat, with neon ‘fur’ and a weird grin on its face.

“Wow, thank you honey. This is.. somethin’” she teased but gave him a loving kiss, walking ahead to the car, leaving you and Brendan alone to walk together.

“Did you drive here?” he asked you, pointing in the direction of the parking lot

“I came with my Dad..” you answered, “he’ll drive me back…”

“Sounds good. Did you have fun today?” he said quickly as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly

“I did! Surprisingly, did you?” you turned to him just as you got out into the bright BC sun

“I did.. I uhm..” he stammered, shifting on his heels in front of you, “I wanted to give this to you. I saw it at the table and thought you might like it. He handed you a small black box and your heart stopped for a second, hoping it wasn’t what you thought it was, but you opened it to find a heart shaped key chain.

“It’s a Sweetheart for my sweetheart…” he said, squeezing his eyes shut at how dumb it was. God you missed that.

“It’s adorable. Thank you..” you said, leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek as a goodbye, when he moved just enough that his lips connected with yours. The kiss was soft. Soft enough for you to break away like you thought you would but you stayed there, embracing his lips with yours and beginning to wrap your arms around his neck as his hands settled on your hips. The two of you were being bumped occasionally by the crowd exiting the arcade but nothing pulled you apart until you heard your Dad honk his horn.

“I should go…” your arms were still wrapped around his neck, his hands sliding up to your waist and your faces incredulously close.

“Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?” his eyes bore into yours and you were back to the girl who turned to jelly every time he smiled at her.

“Maybe…” was your only response before your Dad honked his horn again

“Bye” he said, holding onto your hand lightly until you were far enough away that it slipped away. You were in a trance. You hadn’t been like this in so long but you knew the feeling all too well.

“She’ll drive with me. You have to go to the store anyway…” your Mom called to your Dad, forcing you to change the direction of your feet when you heard your Mom call out to Brendan, “you can follow us home Gally!” Your eyes darted to where he was, climbing into his car, and you saw him nod in agreement. You jumped in the front seat of your Mom’s prius and buckled your seatbelt, waiting for her to get in the car; surprised when she didn’t immediately ask a million questions. The ride was only quiet for about five minutes though, when she decided she’d plan your entire relationship from scratch.

“What did he give you anyway?”

“What?”

“I saw him give you a box, was it a ring?”

“A ring? From the prize table? Yes, Mom, but it was a Ring Pop and it fell and broke on the concrete..” you laughed at your own joke but your Mom was not as amused

“Don’t be smart, (Y/N), I think it could really happen. I think he probably has something planned for later…”

“Hold on, what?”

“He’s in love with you and he has been since day one”

“But we broke up”

“But you’re not broken up anymore!”

“Yes, we are”

“You don’t kiss someone like that if you’re broken up”

“That kiss was not what it looked like Mom. It’s complicated…”

“Then un-complicate it!” She was starting to pick up speed because she was getting frustrated and this stretch of road always made you uncomfortable, having known so many friends who turned the bend too fast or couldn’t stop fast enough

“Mom, slow down…”

“I just don’t understand why you keep sabotaging this relationship!”

“Mom, please, slow down” your voice was beginning to hitch and you were terrified that she was going too fast

“You love him. I know you do or else you wouldn’t fight me so much on all of this!”

“You’re right, okay. I love him. Now will you please just slow down?!” you shouted back at your Mom who told you to calm down as she took her foot off the gas pedal slowly and pressed on the brake.

“We’re fine, Okay?” she said and you sighed, still nervous about the long stretch to go, “but I’m glad you finally admitted your feelings…” She put her foot back on the gas, not going as fast as before but still going faster than she probably should’ve been and then continued to nag you.

“You promise you’re not going to sabotage this?”

“Sabotage what?”

“The proposal?!”

“Proposal? What proposal?!”

“Oh, (Y/N), really… You never listen!”

“I told you, we’re broken up. He doesn’t have anything planned for tonight. That would be impossible.”

“The impossible is still possible”

“Who are you, Mary Poppins?”

“He’s going to propose and you’re going to say yes…” It sounded like a threat, which you desperately wanted to call her out on, but when you saw a car fast approaching from the left, all you wanted to do was avoid a collision

“Stop!” you yelled

“(Y/N), I’m serious”

“No, Mom, Stop the car!” you yelled, eyes growing wide and the last thing you remember was the sound of wheels screeching as your car toppled over itself.

#gally #gally imagine #brendan gallagher #brendan gallagher imagine #masterlist #bgally #angst #car accident

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ilovereadingandilovebreathing · 5 years

Text

The World Still Hungers

A/N: WHOA an add-on for the Apcalypse AU (very loosely based on The Road by Cormac McCarthy) that I dreamed up but only wrote an ask response for! WOW.

This is response to that post about what a post-apocalyptic librarian would be like.

Characters: Emile Picani (main); Virgil, Logan, Roman, Patton

Warnings: mention of scarring, implied minor character death

Tags: @callboxkat @ironwoman359

Everyone had a purpose before the end was ushered in. A job, a career, an occupation, a calling, a need to fill. From the tall to the small, there was something to be done.

But then The Pulse forced in a new era by wiping the minds of a still unknown percentage of the population, resulting in what the unaffected who found each other began to refer to as The Drove: humans whose sanity disintegrated during The Pulse.

People unwittingly exchanged drive for depravity, purpose for panic, and surely enough, what they knew as a working society came to a screeching halt.

Stores without stockers; restaurants without waiters; schools without teachers. Things slowed down, and in many places came to an end altogether. The normal state of affairs were too unmanageable without those who used to be here, or people just didn’t see the point anymore and stopped coming to work.

But not him. Never him.

Emile Picani loved his job more than anything in the entire world. It was all he had before the world fell out from beneath their feet, and it was all he had now that they’d landed back on weather-torn ground. His purpose never left him, and that was how he had survived: providing knowledge to anyone who still craved it.

Emile Picani was his town’s greatest, and now sole, librarian. The old title caused a twinge in his heart now, for he could only think of his fellow librarians, those who were now gone but had in the past bestowed the title upon him: World’s Best Librarian. Whether it was reading to children, helping teens or college kids with papers, or pointing adults to the best reads or self-improvement resources, Emile could do it all with grace and a big smile on his face.

These days, that grin didn’t make much of an appearance, but Emile kept his spirits up with the surviving pieces of his past. At present, he was lost in memories again, and he ran his hands over the laminated spines of his memories, sighing each time he came to the end of the too short span of shelves. So many times had been completely ravaged in the chaos or eaten by those who were starving out of their minds and couldn’t find food.

Thankfully, the days of depravity were behind them here, and Emile could focus on his work. Or...at least ignore what was going on beyond his walls. He chose to believe the former.

This particular day was quiet, the daily pack of human shells not having stormed past his library that morning; he assumed they had finally moved from the remains of the city to the suburban or rural areas to find what they desired. What that was...was still a bit of a mystery, honestly. Emile found himself pondering such mysteries as the silence of the day wore on, the dingy grey of morning fading into a brighter grey of midday. “Time for rounds.” He quietly reminded himself as he pulled his hand from the grounding sensation of lamination. He made daily rounds, though things hardly moved, for the occasional animal guest would eat through a book or kick over a chair.

He was just inspecting the discoloration on the edges of an old volume of Thomas Hobbes’s work when he heard a tentative knock on the bulding’s back door followed immediately by a more assertive pounding. Brow quirked and steps metered, he made his way to the barricaded entryway; he’d had to lock himself in after the aforementioned incident with the mindless, starving Drove. The dark alleyway between the library and former convenience store next door was the only safe way to get in; Emile knew immediately that these must be friends. A smile broke out across his lips when his eyes absorbed the youthful quartet waiting outside. He quickly pushed away the battered shelved that could no longer hold books and ushered in his guests.

“Hello hello, my friends. I am Emile Picani, your friendly neighborhood librarian, and welcome to the Thomasville Public Library.” Emile welcomed the group with an equally warm tone and smile.

“...What’s left of it.” A young man in a tattered hood muttered, provoking a shared grimace in the other three.

“Maybe not now, Virgil.” The tallest of the group grumbled before shaking his head and instantly matching Emile’s bright smile, a hand outstretched and posture poised from years of evident practice. “Hello. We are in need of your help. We require a medical text if you have such a book. Our friend here,” he gestured to a young man in a faded light blue sweater and thick glasses. “Was injured recently, and we want to be certain that we are treating him properly.”

“Of course! I am afraid many of my volumes have been injured, as well, due to guests much less polite than yourselves, but let’s see what we have.”

“Thanks, Mr. P.” The hooded boy looked up from beneath the worn fabric, and Picani’s breath caught in his throat.

“Are...you Virgil Hayward?”

Something in the boy’s grey eyes softened, and they shined as he nodded. “Glad you remember me. Wasn’t sure I’d be recognizable after everything.”

Emile held back a wince and pushed out a smile, forcing his eyes to stay locked into Virgil’s instead of traveling over the inflamed skin and scarring on the left side of the boy’s face. “Of course I remember you. You and Scarlet were my frequent flyers.” The sharp flash of pain that overtook Virgil’s features immediately made Emile regret bringing up the younger Hayward sibling. Emile noted how the other three shot Virgil confused looks, and he swallowed and pointed toward the boy with startlingly straight posture. “You mentioned you all need medical texts, yes...?”

“Roman.” The boy offered, cutting off immediately before the last name.

“Roman.” Emile smiled and offered a hand to him while carefully placing a hand on Virgil’s shoulder and giving it a squeeze and greeting and apology. “What a good, strong name. Like Roman Royce, the son of that business tycoon.” Emile turned toward the silent pair of the group, missing when Roman’s façade temporarily shattered.

“And you two?”

“Oh, Patton. Patton Vargas.” The shorter of the two offered up a smile more bright and sweet than any Emile had seen in years. “I’m from the next town over, so you wouldn’t have known me.”

“But I know you now, and for that I am thankful.” Emile patted the other’s arm as tears welled in his eyes, and he addressed the final boy. “You seem familiar to me. Have we met?”

“Likely not, but I am the spitting image of my father in his youth.” The young man’s voice was surprisingly deep and rough for his appearance, something exhausted and beyond his years weighing on every word. “You have likely seen him on the news, the diplomat Matthew Antwerp. I am his oldest son, Logan.”

“Oh, wow.” Emile balked a little and shook Logan’s proffered hand, noting his strong, firm grip. Definitely the son of socially active people. “Yes, I do know of your father. The resemblance is remarkable.”

“I am often told so.” Logan’s face remained impassive, and Emile pulled away.

“Thank you all for humoring me with introductions. I am more often alone than not, so it is nice to at least playact normalcy sometimes.” Emile’s smile took on a sad hint before he clapped his hands and turned toward the aisles. “So. Medical texts. You mentioned that Patton was injured. Thanks to my good friend Dewey, I know that Medical texts in general are in our 600s section,” Emile arched his arm and pointed toward the back middle section of shelves. “Technology or Applied Sciences, and medical has its own subsection, 610-619 labeled ‘medicine and health.’ If you want injuries...613 or 614 will be your best bet. One is ‘Personal Health and Safety’ and the other is ‘Forensic Medicine,’ relating to injuries and such. Let’s see...This shelf should be our target.” Emile scanned the bookshelf and removed multiple volumes, handing them to a waiting Logan. “Feel free to sit wherever you would like.”

“Actually...we were hoping to check them out?” Patton smiled timidly when he absorbed Emile’s conflicted expression. “To have and keep as reference just in case. Though if not, that’s okay. We can write down what we need and come back!” He quickly amended.

“Yes...I have paper and pens. That will work fine. I am sorry, but with things as they are, I cannot risk losing any of these.” Emile apologized quietly. “Just in case anyone else needs it.”

“Of course. We apologize for being presumptuous.” Logan nodded and led the group over to a table. “Roman,” Logan’s voice quieted, softening just a bit. “Just worry about reading. If you find something, we can transcribe it easily.”

Roman nodded mutely as he settled into his seat, and Emile felt his heart lurch in his chest when Roman set his left arm on the table to stabilize his book; his left forearm tapered off midway down. He snapped back to himself before the boys caught his stare, and Emile cleared his throat. “Well, if you should need anything, let me know.”

“Thank you!”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Thanks so much!”

“Thanks, Mr. P.”

The boys were not unfriendly, but they certainly seemed to want their space, having seemed to have established their roles within the tiny group. Roman as the figurehead leader with his social skills and charisma, and Logan as the actual brains of the operation with his sharp eyes, quick thinking, and quicker tongue. Virgil and Patton seemed to settle easily into letting the other two take charge, but the other three definitely had a respect for Patton, interwoven with a protectiveness that Emile knew he didn’t want to know the source of. Virgil...he couldn’t quite place Virgil in this group. The underdog, the quiet lookout, perhaps? Emilie could see that in the way his eyes snapped between his surroundings and the page; ever the anxious kid Emile had known years ago, but a certain stony exterior had settled over the boy that wrenched at Emile’s heart. Yet a softness caressed the boy’s face when he addressed his friends, and the word instantly popped to mind.

Family. Emile thought to himself as the time ticked by, and he watched the four work with their heads bowed in concentration, the silence frequently disturbed by a finding or a question aimed at Patton. In the crumbling, uncertain time that they existed in, these kids had fought and eventually found a small, safe haven within themselves and each other to keep them going, and in a way Emile envied them. He loved his library, the knowledge, the decorations still hanging on to years passed by, but when the days were especially silent, he’d give almost anything to have the community that used to thrive within these walls.

When the group left later with a series of farewells and waves, Emile gave a teary smile of his own and turned to the tomes left on the table.

Always a job to be done.

#sanders sides #sanders sides fic #sanders sides fanfic #thomas sanders fic #thomas sanders fanfic #mine #tsfanfics #apocalypse au #pulseau

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