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avacoleman · 3 months

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when the lights go out || a firstprince fic

summary: Henry Fox’s career is in crisis and his dating life isn’t faring much better either. After a chance encounter with a charming man becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons, Henry throws himself into his next assignment: writing the memoir of a beloved C-list actor. Henry, however, knows Alex best for the role he played as his random, awkward one-night stand. Henry enters their professional partnership keen on keeping their relationship just that. But after Henry confesses that their hookup was less than spectacular, Alex concots an arrangement that Henry is unable to resist. In addition to ghostwriting Alex’s life story, Henry will teach him a thing or two about satisfying a man. As they spend months out on the road together, they must decide if the connection between them is yet another story worth telling.

chapter 7/8 || rated e || read on ao3 updates every tues. and fri. *

Los Angeles, CA Day 1 They trade one sunny coast for another and Henry has mixed emotions, the likes of which he’s never experienced before. It all, as usual, is linked to his uncertainty over what comes next. He can now count on one hand the amount of days he has left in Alex’s company. He feels grateful for the time they’ve been able to share, but knowing that he’d soon have to part ways has made this all so bittersweet. Henry supposes he’s become spoiled on this tour by Alex’s company, the knowledge that there was always another city to accompany him to. The cold hard fact that this was officially the end of the line settled like an uncomfortable weight on his chest any time he allowed himself to dwell on it. He tries to cling to the good where he can.

Even after a delayed flight out of Miami, Henry saw the upside to it, getting more one-on-one time with Alex as they hung around the gate, trading music and stories back and forth. For all of the physical elements they’d breached while out on the road, it was this genuine friendship with Alex that Henry loved the most.

It’s been a bit uncanny though just how easily they’ve slipped back into a normal routine with each other after that night of their final lesson in Miami. They haven’t spoken about it since; neither of them has even come close to crossing that line now that they’ve finished with Alex’s syllabus. Henry figures that’s probably for the best. Safer even.

They head straight to the Crescent Valley lot from the airport after making it out of the absolute labyrinth of LAX with just enough time to spare.

Seeing the cast together again is a treat and Henry enjoys every bit of watching them film B-roll for the special. Henry wishes Pez could see it all now, but he reminds himself that his best friend will join him during the actual reunion. Alex had been gracious again and secured a spot for Pez alongside him.

Henry sits back and watches the photoshoot the cast does on different sets from the show, admiring their ability to go through outfit changes and touch ups to their hair and makeup. They take it all in stride and it allows them to wrap within a few hours.

It’s a surreal feeling after that to be alone with Alex again, to have him all to himself and journeying back to his place. Henry can admit he’s curious what home in L.A. looks like to Alex, this man who he’s known to be such a nomad over the last three months.

Alex’s condo is a gorgeous unit with floor to ceiling glass windows that bathe the entire space with natural light.

“I bought this at the start of season three,” Alex says as they stand now in the kitchen.

Henry cranes his neck back to take in the high ceilings.

“It’s more space than I really needed at the time. Hell, even now. But I don’t know. I just kinda fell in love with it.”

“I can see why. It’s incredible, Alex. Truly,” he replies, looking at Alex again.

Alex smiles. “I gotta say, it’s kind of trippy seeing you here.”

Henry laughs. “How so?”

Alex shrugs and takes a seat on one of the stools at the large island in the center of the space. Henry takes a seat beside him, their bodies turning toward each other. They're close enough that their knees just about touch.

“I guess after spending three months in hotels, it’s surreal having you in my actual place. It’s nice though, don’t get me wrong. It’s really freaking nice. You got to see my home in Austin and now here. It’s like the last puzzle piece snapping into place, you know?”

Henry doesn’t actually know what to do with that statement. He wishes he could actually fit into the grand scheme of Alex’s life, that he could be an essential piece to complete the picture.

Alex grows quiet, his eyes a bit soft. He rests a hand on Henry’s knee. His thumb brushes back and forth lightly, his lips parting. It’s been days since Alex has touched him this intimately before. It’s downright jarring and confusing how sudden this all feels.

Henry tenses and moves back.

“I think we should stop,” Henry blurts out.

Alex’s face falls for a moment before he schools his features as he pulls away.

“Oh.”

Henry sighs and rises from the stool, tucking his hands in his pockets.

“It’s just that we’ve tackled everything. There’s nothing left on the syllabus. I go home in a few days and with that, we’ll be back on our own coasts for good. I’m practically done with the book. I…I don’t think we should complicate things now.”

Alex doesn’t say anything, but it’s so clear his mind is racing.

“What are you thinking?” Henry asks.

Alex blinks twice and shakes his head.

“It doesn’t matter. Wasn’t that a term in the agreement? One person wanting to stop was reason enough. You even went ahead and gave me your explanation as to why, though you didn’t have to. I respect that. You’re right. The lessons are over. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”

Alex stands. “I was out of line,” he says as he moves around the island.

Henry is quicker and he gently grabs hold of Alex’s wrist.

“I never quite mastered the art of mind reading in the months we’ve been together. Please talk to me.”

Alex looks down at where Henry is holding him and back up to his face.

“What is there to say?” he asks softly. “You made a great point. We go back to the real world in a couple of days. The smart thing to do would be to start preparing myself for that instead of clinging to whatever this has been these last few months. It wasn’t actually real. I can see that.”

Henry lets go of Alex as if he’d been burned.

“I’ve deeply enjoyed my time with you, Alex. I don’t want to give you a false impression nor do I want to make you think I’m somehow just biding my time, watching the clock until I’m meant to return to New York. I have felt the presence of our time together slipping away each and every day and I’ve loathed it. If I had it my way, this tour would never end and I could stay in your company just that much longer.”

Alex’s bottom lip quirks, his eyes looking glassier with unshed tears.

Henry stands immediately, framing Alex’s face with his hands.

Alex blinks and looks away, but Henry sees the tear race down his cheek. In that quiet cry, Henry understands everything at once.

“When did our lessons stop being hypothetical for you?” Henry asks, lowering his hands.

The muscle in Alex’s jaw flexes twice.

“Can I plead the fifth?” Alex asks, sniffling before turning those beautiful brown eyes back on him.

Henry shakes his head.

“We’ve both done enough dodging, don’t you think?”

Alex pulls in a breath, squaring his shoulders.

“Arizona,” Alex says.

Henry stares at him, his jaw dropping a bit as he grapples to make sense of what he’s hearing.

“Alex, that was day one of the lessons.”

Alex simply shrugs. “I know. But kissing you again, it brought me back to the night we met…the way we connected right off the bat. I felt that same spark when we kissed in Phoenix and I thought, I don’t know. It seemed like you got so lost in it. I thought you might’ve felt it too.”

“I did,” Henry says quietly, rubbing his face. “Christ, Alex. Every bloody second, it’s been real for me because it was real since New York. I’ve traveled with you, falling for you all over again in every single city. But, I…,” he sighs.

“I don’t know where this leaves us though. You don’t date outside the industry.”

Alex's face falls.

“That was my preference at one point in time. It isn’t a law. Things change and they should. They already have.”

Alex’s eyes water again as he lets out a deep sigh.

“The night we met…I felt something I never really have. That didn’t just up and go away after you left. I really like you, Henry. Sometimes I think I may even–,” he stops short and takes a breath.

Henry’s heart slams against his chest over Alex’s unspoken words.

Alex swallows hard and blinks twice.

“I don’t mean to complicate things and I sure as hell do not want to scare you off. But I can’t lie anymore. To you or to myself. I won’t.”

Alex searches his eyes. “Do you want to be with me?”

Stunned, Henry looks away. It feels like too much, the question too big and yet too exact.

“I don’t see how this could work. We don’t even live in the same time zone.”

“That’s not what I asked. It’s a simple question. Do you want to be with me?” Alex repeats slowly.

Henry glances back at him then. Alex is being so brave right now. It’s both admirable and terrifying the way he’s able to put so much of himself on the line. Henry knows he ought to do the same.

“Desperately,” he answers truthfully, seeing no other alternative. “But I fear it might not be as simple as you think it’ll be– though I want it to be. I wish that it were.”

Alex opens and closes his mouth, color draining from his face.

“Henry. Henry, please don’t do this.”

Henry lets out a breath.

“I’m not doing anything. I’m only being realistic.” He looks around himself.

“We lead such vastly different lives. Being on tour with you was exciting and fascinating, but also illuminating. I don’t know how or even if I could fit into your world beyond this moment.”

He dares to step a little closer, needing his next set of words to be heard clearly.

“But, Alex, please do not misconstrue that with what I feel for you. Never in my life have I felt this drawn to a person. I don’t expect that I ever will again.”

Alex puts a hand to his mouth, rubbing harshly against his jaw.

“Then why are you doing this to us? I don’t understand you. We’ve been at this for months now. We want the same thing. Why isn’t that enough?” he asks, his hand dropping.

“It seriously kills me to see you do this to yourself especially.”

His eyes are so intense, a perfect cocktail of frustration and sadness. Henry can’t look at him for long.

“At some point, Henry, you need to accept the fact that there’s so much waiting for you, if only you allowed yourself to actually experience it.”

His tone isn’t malicious, but the truth of his words cuts deep all the same.

“I’m not naive or stupid,” Alex continues. “I fully get that long distance would be difficult as hell, but I also fully recognize that you and the relationship we could have would be worth it. What we have matters to me enough to want to try.”

Henry’s head snaps back towards him.

“It matters to me too. That’s not fair.”

“Isn’t it?” Alex demands. He closes his mouth and steadies himself.

In all their time together, Henry has never seen Alex like this before, this indignant. The fact that it’s directed towards him makes Henry uneasy though he can’t deny it’s more than warranted.

“You’re cutting us off at the knees without so much as putting up a fight, without even making an actual attempt and for what? You don’t think I’m scared? I’m fucking terrified by what I feel for you. But I want whatever is on the other side of this feeling because I know it could be incredible if we let it be. All I’m asking is for you to trust me. To trust us.”

Henry shakes his head and looks away again, his eyes stinging. He looks around at Alex’s condo, the life he’s built for himself here in Los Angeles. For the times Alex would be away, he could be in any city across the country at any given moment. In just a few months’ time, the revelations in his memoir would be out and he'd have no shortage of far more interesting people vying for his attention while Henry continued drowning in his insecurities.

Yet here it was now, Alex telling Henry he wanted him. Alex was right. That should be enough. That’s all Henry has wanted to hear for months now, after all.

But Henry could do the right thing now, no matter how difficult, to spare them both the inevitable heartbreak down the line when they accepted love wasn’t enough.

Henry simply wasn’t the kind of person people ultimately stayed around for. Perhaps he’d be wiser and walk away before Alex could.

“I should go,” Henry says, wiping unseemly at his nose, nodding to himself.

Alex's face falls as he rakes a hand through his hair, his curls sticking out wildly at the ends. He looks nothing like the leading man on screen, the heartthrob that’s won over millions on television. He looks vulnerable and scared and Henry despises himself for reducing Alex to this.

“Please don’t. Let’s just talk it out. I’m not trying to pressure you,” Alex says quickly, voice panicked. All his upset from moments before fizzling like a fire being extinguished.

Henry shakes his head and looks at him.

“You aren’t. You’re saying all the right things and I know you mean them. I do. I care so much about you, Alex. I need you to know that. You deserve so much more than I could give you.”

“I just want you, Henry. I don’t care about anything else. You have to see that.”

In truth, Henry does. If anything, that’s what scares him most of all.

“I need to think. I need…,” he trails off, desperately looking around again. It feels like the walls are closing in.

“Time. Time away from me especially,” Alex supplies quietly.

Henry’s heart breaks.

“It’s not like that.”

Alex holds up a hand.

“I get it. Or at least I’m trying to.”

It’s a kindness Henry doesn’t feel deserving of at all.

Alex moves back, resting against the edge of the counter, his arms crossed to his chest like a barrier to protect himself. Henry can’t believe just how quickly he’s managed to become something Alex needs safety from.

“Maybe you really should go,” he says quietly.

Fresh tears prick Henry’s eyes at the gentle dismissal.

“I’m in no position to ask anything of you, but please, don’t hate me. I’m so sorry.”

Alex shakes his head and looks back at him then. There’s no malice or ire.

“I could never. You know that. We can talk when you’re ready.”

His tone is detached and whatever walls they’ve allowed themselves to lower over these last few months feel as if they’ve been reinstalled, built stronger this time around. There’s no fight in Alex anymore. It’s a deeply sobering and troubling realization.

“I promise, we will,” Henry says softly.

At least that’s something he knows he can make good on in time.

He looks at Alex again and his heart breaks just that much more. It doesn’t look as if Alex fully believes him. Henry can’t fault Alex. He knows he hasn’t given him a reason to.

~*~*~

The Uber back to the hotel the publisher arranged for him feels like the loneliest journey Henry has ever taken in his life, far worse even than leaving England for a new life in New York.

This isn’t how he pictured his first day in Los Angeles to go. Right about now, he and Alex should have been taking on the city, with Alex showing him around like a personal tour guide to all his favorite places.

It wasn’t supposed to end with Henry feeling as if he’s about to throw up, his stomach twisted into knots in the backseat of a stranger’s car, driving away from Alex instead of to him.

He fights back tears, having enough presence of mind not to sob like every cell in his body is demanding he do. No, that can wait. He’s already embarrassed himself enough for one afternoon. He doesn’t need an audience.

Mercifully he makes it to the hotel and gets checked in. The second the door to his room shuts behind him though, Henry loses it completely.

He isn’t sure how long he stands there, struggling for breath as he sobs, but he pulls himself together enough to seek out something to tether him.

He fumbles for his phone, overtaken for a moment with a thought to call Alex, to tell him he’s made a mistake, to grovel if he has to in order to set things right.

Instead, Henry pulls up Pez’s name in his favorites and clicks to FaceTime him as he steps further into the room, abandoning his carryon at the door and taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

Pez picks up mere seconds later.

“Hello, hello!” Pez greets brightly, his face falling immediately as he looks at Henry.

“My God. You look as if someone has passed on. Henry, what on Earth happened to you?”

“Pez, I ruined everything,” Henry says, his throat feeling so tight from keeping in his tears.

Henry feels homesick seeing Pez’s bedroom in the background, his posters of various pop stars and fashion icons in collages above his bed.

What Henry wouldn’t give to be back in New York now, to be somewhere familiar and safe. Instead he’s stuck in this lifeless hotel room feeling cut off from everyone he loves most.

“Alex…we…,” he trails off before a heavy sob overtakes him.

If this were anyone else in the world seeing him like this, save for perhaps Bea, Henry would rather die. But Pez has seen him through so many upsets. This one won’t be any different.

“I got scared and I took off and...he says he doesn’t hate me, but he most certainly should. I broke his heart. I know I did. God, Pez, if you’d seen his face.”

Pez looks anxious but he doesn’t push Henry to hurry along. He gives him his undivided attention and once Henry trusts himself to share, he launches into the full story of the afternoon.

Pez’s face grows concerned the more he talks and Henry thinks it says something about this story that Pez is uncharacteristically quiet.

“Everything was perfect. I don’t know why I did this,” Henry says, confusion coloring his words.

Pez lowers his gaze, his lips pinching together.

“What is it?” Henry asks.

Pez pulls in a breath, his cheeks puffing up before he lets the air out.

“I say this with absolute love. You are my nearest and dearest friend in this chaotic and beautiful world. You know you are like family to me.”

The preamble makes Henry nervous, but he knows he deserves whatever harsh truth Pez is gearing up to bestow.

“You’ve always had it in your head that you don’t deserve good things. When things feel too good to be true, it scares you. It’s almost like, you need to pull the rug from under yourself before someone else does,” Pez says, not unkindly.

Henry sits back and lets those words wash over him. It’s a fact. He’s always known that about himself, as much as he hates it.

“I don’t mean to do it. I can’t help it.”

Pez looks sympathetic.

“I know, darling. You’ve been hurt before by people you trusted. I’m no psychologist, but I don’t think it’s hard to see where it stems from.”

His brother’s and grandmother’s faces spring to mind. Henry squeezes his eyes shut for a moment, trying to block them out.

“Perhaps this time around, you might find yourself keen to do things differently. Seeing you guys, even from that little time in Denver and the way you talk about him…the fact that he wants to give this a fair shot…Henry, this could be so beyond amazing. There’s life outside your comfort zone.”

Henry runs a hand through his hair. He’s never been good at taking chances. His life has been a study in complacency.

“But what if something goes wrong?” he asks, searching Pez’s eyes on screen.

“On the severe off chance that it does, you’ll deal with it then. But right now? Hazza, I’ve never seen you like this over a guy before and I got just a taste of it. Darling, this man could give you a whole lifetime of happiness for all you know. It sure sounds like he’s willing to try.”

Henry’s eyes well up again, a sour feeling tight in his throat as he tries to keep from crying.

After a moment, he loses the battle. He allows himself to feel the hurt, to truly shed tears over the utter mess he’s made of things.

He wipes at his face, chewing on his bottom lip as he looks at his best friend. There’s no judgment or ridicule in Pez’s eyes and Henry wishes they were actually in a room together now.

“Henry, my love, my moon, my stars. Can you promise me something?”

Henry sees his confused face in the little window on the corner of his screen. Pez licks his lips, his eyes softening.

“Please don’t lock yourself away. Don’t go dark. I’ll be with you in just a few days’ time. Please try to hold on until then.”

Henry wants to be able to swear an oath, but the way he’s feeling now, he’s not so sure he will even have the strength to stand, never mind get back to aligning himself to Alex’s Crescent Valley schedule for the homestretch.

Dread courses through him just thinking about having to cross paths with Alex soon.

“It hurts so much, Pez. Everything hurts,” he says, a complete non-answer.

He can tell Pez realizes this too, but he must sense Henry doesn’t have much fight left in him. He doesn’t push the point again.

“Because it matters. You wouldn’t be feeling this much pain if it didn’t. Question is, what will it fuel you to do next?”

~*~*~

Los Angeles

Day 2

Though he hadn’t actually promised Pez anything, Henry does his best to uphold his best friend’s wishes the next day.

Every inclination Henry has is to stay holed up inside his hotel room, to pass the time by watching the sun cast shadows throughout the day until nightfall.

In all fairness, that is what Henry allowed himself to do after hanging up with Pez, but today, he’s determined to let go of at least one bad habit and not isolate himself.

He takes a shower first thing in the morning and makes a point to eat and get dressed in something other than joggers. Henry collects his phone and laptop before heading out into the world. It’s a strange thing wandering around a city he’s never been to before by himself, but it’s also pretty freeing too. He’s just another face in the crowd.

He sets up shop in a quaint coffee shop he happens across. He opts for a window seat, able to observe passerby as he nurses an Earl Grey. As his laptop comes to life, his phone buzzes on the tabletop, the screen lighting up with an incoming message that’s quickly followed by another.

Alex

you don’t have to respond to this message. i know you need more time and honestly? so do i.

Alex

i just wanted to say that, for what it’s worth, i hope you’re okay. i’ll see you soon…if you’re still planning on coming to the set

Henry stares at the screen, his heart twisting at the messages.

No matter what, the book ranked supreme. Whatever personal drama he was responsible for causing to unfold, Henry held fast to keeping his word. He wouldn’t let anything impact their professional dealings.

He’d see Alex for the filming in two days. There’d be little to say to Alex– if anything at all.

He could survive the awkwardness. After today, he only had to endure a few more days in California until he’d be back in New York, able to put this whole unexpected whirlwind behind him.

Henry sighs and sets his phone down again, opting not to reply.

He puts on his headphones and drowns himself in music and writing. He takes another pass at his most recent edits to Alex’s book but he knows it’s ready to go. He makes a mental note to find a shop in the area to print it out before closing the doc entirely and takes a look at his drive.

It’s truly a graveyard of unfinished pieces, stories he loved but grew discouraged by before fully completing them.

Henry opens up his favorite, his mind swimming with the memory of the promise he made to Alex, that he’d return to his original writing and pursue it in earnest this time around.

In a way, it almost feels like honoring the dynamic they were building.

Henry dives into it headfirst, fueled by the desire to keep his word in some capacity when it comes to Alex.

He’s interrupted an hour or so in when he gets an incoming call. Henry grabs his phone and sees Shaan’s name on the screen before he answers quickly.

“Hi, Shaan. How’s everything?” he asks, tearing his eyes off his screen.

The coffee shop is relatively empty; there’s no one in close range to him that he’d be disturbing by taking this call.

“Everything is brilliant or at least I thought you’d know that. Have you checked your email yet?”

Intrigue seeps through Henry enough to make him switch over on his browser to his inbox where an email from Shaan from thirty minutes ago sits right on top. Henry double clicks on the offer, his eyes catching first onto the insane figure at the bottom. It’s twice what he’s receiving for Alex’s book and yet he feels not even a fraction of excitement over it. He tries picturing himself working with this other actor, a name he actually does recognize as the man has been on the same procedural for half of Henry’s life.

Henry doesn’t even feel an ounce of interest nor can he even fake it.

“So? What do you think?” Shaan asks.

Henry frowns and looks out the window, trying in vain to muster up something to say. But Shaan reads his hesitancy for what it is.

“You’re really done, aren’t you?”

Henry closes out of the tab with his inbox and looks again at his own writing.

“In one sense, yes,” he says. “I can’t write for other people anymore. I’m losing myself too much.”

“Is everything okay with you and Alex? I thought things were going well on the road. Your passes have been impeccable.”

Henry bites on his lip. Technically things are far from fine with Alex, at least personally. But professionally, at least he can be honest and say, “I think he and I have been amazing together for his book. That’s actually what’s giving me this push now.”

Henry sighs.

“It was always going to come to this at some point. This new offer is incredible, but I just…I can’t wonder what if anymore. I still want to write, but I need it to be my words plus my name out there.”

Shaan is quiet on the line and Henry wonders if he’s somehow managed to break his agent’s brain. The amount of money being offered here is such a clear indicator that Henry is truly carving out a lane for himself with ghostwriting. But it’s not fulfilling. It hasn’t been for quite some time now with the exception of Alex’s book.

“I understand. I’ll decline the offer,” Shaan says. “I do hope this means you’ll get something to me soon that’s all your own then?”

Henry smiles. “I was actually just in the middle of that before you called.”

“I won’t keep you any longer then. Get back to work,” he orders, but Henry can hear the mirth in the command.

He’s ready to end the call when he hears Shaan speak again.

“Henry?”

Henry puts the phone back to his ear.

“Yes?”

“Pardon the sentimentality, but, I do hope you know that I’m quite proud of you.”

“You’re getting soft on me, Shaan,” Henry teases, but he soon grows serious. “I do though. I can’t even begin to tell you how much that support means to me.”

~*~*~

Los Angeles, CA

Day 4

“I feel like a bonafide star right now,” Pez says, completely looking the part with his cat eye sunglasses that he moves smoothly to rest atop his head.

He puts his hands on his hips and looks at the reserved seats in the front row of the stands with their names on it.

Ever since Pez arrived late yesterday afternoon, Henry has felt so much more settled. They spent the evening exploring Los Angeles, popping into different shops along Sunset Boulevard where Pez came across the very shades he’s donning now. Being out and about had been enough to take Henry’s mind off his troubles for a little while longer.

But today, there could be no avoiding the elephant in the room and Pez was armed at the ready with a well-needed pep talk before they arrived here at the studio for the reunion filming.

They take their seats as excited fans in the audience around them settle in too. The buzz is so reminiscent of the crowds at cons that, for a moment, Henry feels as if he’s right back on the road with Alex.

For the millionth time, Henry’s mind conjures up a montage of their time together on tour. These last three months haven’t had any shortage of good moments. But it’s these last three days that have put it all into such a tailspin.

Before Henry can spiral any further, the reunion gets underway. A video plays with some of the most popular, fan favorite moments of the series. Each time Alex’s face pops up on the screens, Henry’s heart twinges a little. The video ends with the final shot of the series, the Crescent Valley signage appearing as the video fades to black. The audience cheers and gives an enthusiastic round of applause that somehow gets kicked up twenty notches when the lights come up and the cast is seated on the soundstage.

Henry immediately locks his sights on Alex. It’s been three days and every moment, both waking and asleep, has been consumed with thoughts of him. He looks incredible, perfectly at ease among his castmates and before a crowd. Henry is all too familiar with this public side of Alex. He plays the part so well, Henry wonders if the other version of Alex even wonders or even cares to know if Henry is in the crowd tonight.

The reunion is an absolute treat. The cast recounts their favorite scenes and arcs on the show and divulge behind-the-scenes secrets. They share never before seen footage that hadn’t made it onto the show. In many ways, it’s truly a love letter to the fans. He can feel that with each tidbit that gets offered up, in every thoughtful answer to questions they receive from the show's creator who acts as host.

Alex’s eyes find Henry’s for the briefest of moments as they wind down and Henry instantly feels the air get knocked out of him. His skin tingles, his blood rushing so loudly in his ears that he can barely hear any of the closing remarks the actors are now saying.

He jumps a little in his seat when the audience begins to clap. Henry blinks twice and looks over at Pez who eyes him quizzically before looking back towards the soundstage.

Henry follows his lead and joins in the applause as the cast waves at the in-studio audience and to the cameras until they wrap.

All around him, people are getting to their feet, talking amongst themselves about the in-depth discussion with the cast but it all sounds like static to Henry as his eyes trail after Alex as he leaves with his castmates.

“Shall I see you later then?” Pez says.

Henry snaps his head back to his best friend.

“What do you mean? I thought we would go back together.”

Pez scoffs. “If you think I’d allow you to leave here without speaking to Alex, then clearly you’ve lost your mind somewhere in this city. I of course, being the generous person that I am, would help you find it. But only after you work your way backstage and talk to that man. We go home tomorrow, Hazza. This is your only chance to do this face to face.”

Henry frowns.

“So, as I’ve said, I’ll see you later, honey bunny. Ta.”

Pez gives him a kiss on each cheek before leaving without another word. It’s truly amazing how anxious Henry feels without Pez beside him. He’s practically been a human security blanket since they met years ago.

He knows Pez is right. This isn’t the kind of talk he wants to do over the phone. Alex deserves far better than that, especially after the way Henry left him a few days ago. Even if this time away from each other has somehow hardened Alex’s heart, Henry is ready to face the consequences of his actions.

He makes his way backstage, following the same path Alex and the cast just made.

A few members of the crew recognize him from his first day on set and let him through without incident.

Henry winds down the corridors towards the cast greenrooms. He hadn’t gone back here that first day, but the helpful signs guide him. He can hear chatter behind a few closed doors along the way, but he doesn’t pay attention to any room for longer than a second as he searches for Alex’s name.

He finds Alex’s designated room at the very end of the hall. He leans in close to the door, trying to gauge if Alex is still in. It’s silent but as Henry gets ready to turn away, he hears a heavy sigh on the other side of the door.

He knocks quietly twice.

“Alex? Are you in there? Might I come in and have a word?”

There’s the sound of rustling and footsteps and within a few breaths, Alex appears before him.

Henry’s heart sinks a little. Alex’s face is indifferent, closed off even. It’s as if he’s looking at Henry without really seeing him. For the cameras and fans just moments before, he was his usual vibrant self. Alone here now, the mask is completely off and shattered.

Alex searches his face, the only real indicator that he’s presently registering Henry’s appearance at all.

These last few days have clearly taken their toll on him.

“I thought you might’ve left already,” Henry says pointlessly.

Alex’s eyes haven’t stilled. After a moment, he blinks twice and shakes his head.

“I probably should have, but I needed a minute. Everyone is going out to celebrate in a bit. I’m not sure I’m feeling up for it though.”

Henry frowns.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to spoil this for you. These past few days…I’ve acted horribly.”

Some folks a few doors down laugh about something, clearly in a happy mood. The contrast to Henry and Alex now is staggering.

Henry glances toward the sound of their merriment and back to Alex, looking past into his dressing room.

“Come in,” Alex says, stepping back so Henry can enter.

Henry looks around the room. There’s a clothing rack with a few of the outfits Alex wore during the promotional filming yesterday. There are a few floral arrangements spread throughout the room too, clear markers of just how much there is to celebrate now.

“I should have gotten you flowers to commemorate. But maybe you’ll like what I’ve brought instead.”

Alex’s brows furrow as he leans against the vanity, his arms crossed over his chest. Henry isn’t quite sure how to gauge what Alex must be thinking or feeling about his presence here. But the fact that Alex permitted him into his greenroom is at least somewhat promising.

Henry flips open his messenger bag and takes out the bound manuscript he had printed right after he left the coffee shop a few days ago, eager to hold this project in his own two hands.

Alex’s eyes widen, a soft breath pushing past his lips.

“Is that really…is that our book?”

Henry smiles as he steps forward and hands it over. Alex takes it from him, staring in awe and thumbing through.

“It’s your book, Alex. It’s your story. I just helped put it on the pages.”

Alex looks up at him.

“It was a partnership from day one,” he says and Henry hears the double meaning in it.

Henry concedes the point, his hands gripping the strap of his bag for something to do.

“I’ve actually received an offer to do another,” he says.

Alex looks up quickly at that, his hands clutching the manuscript tighter.

“Is that right? What’d you say?”

Henry smiles tentatively.

“That I want to end on a high note with your memoir as I leave ghostwriting behind.”

Alex sets down the manuscript and stands up straight.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Henry can feel his face warm up a bit as he nods.

“You were right. I’ve been depriving myself of a lot of things out of fear and it’s holding me back. Truthfully, it’s been rather debilitating most days. That’s no way to live and I’m tired of it. Of myself really,” he says.

“So, I’ve set about making some proper changes. I told Shaan thanks but no thanks on that offer and I spoke to him about wanting to query my original fiction. I went back to a few of my works in progress and I feel hopeful. Confident even that I might be able to make something worthwhile with them.”

Alex smiles at him, a genuine affectionate thing that Henry doesn’t feel worthy of but he basks in it.

“I’m so proud of you, Henry. Seriously. I can’t wait to be first in line to buy your books.”

This stuns Henry for a moment. For all that they’ve been through these last few days, it touches his heart to know Alex would still want to support him, that he’d remain in his corner.

“First I need to actually turn something in to go on submission. We’re getting a little ahead of ourselves here,” he says, aiming to keep things light a little while longer. He’s all too aware of the elephant in the room.

Alex waves him off.

“I’m speaking into existence. It’s bound to happen for you. You were given a gift. This is meant to be. I know it.”

“You and the universe,” Henry says, more so to himself.

Alex shrugs nonchalantly, crossing his arms again almost defiantly.

“Some things are destined. I stand by that.”

“Like, maybe, you and I?”

The words fall from Henry’s lips so quickly that for a moment he doesn’t realize he’s actually uttered them aloud until Alex’s previously warm eyes shutter. He stands ramrod straight and falls silent as he stares at Henry.

Henry’s heart beats faster, but doesn’t lose his nerve. He can’t afford to. Not anymore.

“As I’ve said, fear and, admittedly, insecurity have been plaguing me for far too long. I've stood in my own way. I’ve held myself back from opportunities because I haven’t felt deserving of them. Doing so in my career was bad enough. Now with you…,” he trails off, arms falling to his side.

“I’ll never forgive myself for the way I acted back at your place. For months now, I’ve been dying to hear that you feel deeply for me, as I do for you. Yet still I froze when it proved itself to be real. It felt too good to be true and so I convinced myself that it was.”

Henry frowns.

“I’ve become something of a professional at blowing my life up. I don’t want to do the same with yours. There would be no coming back from that.”

Henry’s lips quiver, but he steels himself, forcing himself to keep going.

“In your text, you said you needed time. If you aren’t ready to talk about us now, I’d completely understand. Maybe now isn’t the best time to speak of this, but I didn’t want to leave here without at least trying. I know that makes me horrendously selfish. I swear I’m not trying to be. I only wish for you to understand. To know that you’ve done nothing wrong. I hope you haven’t been placing any blame on yourself.”

Alex avoids his gaze. Henry didn’t think it was physically possible, but his heart sinks even further.

“Oh, Alex.”

Alex looks at him. “I thought I came on too strong.”

Henry shakes his head.

“Not at all. You don’t know how much joy you brought me. I got in my own head and spoiled it for both of us. That wasn’t right.”

Henry sighs and looks around at all the flowers Alex has been gifted. This should be a happy time in his life, yet now he was spending almost an entire week troubled and filled with doubt.

“I feel like I’m overshadowing and ruining your reunion excitement with all my foolishness.”

Alex reaches for his hands.

“Keep talking. You aren’t wrecking anything, I promise.”

Henry brushes his thumbs back and forth across the backs of Alex’s hands. He marvels at the smoothness of Alex’s skin, not to mention the warmth.

He feels water begin to well in his eyes, his throat constricting.

“I need to know what you’re thinking. You’re annoyingly good at damn near everything,” Alex says, though his voice trails off a little.

“Except for letting people in,” Henry concludes.

Alex gives his hands a gentle squeeze, subtly urging him to talk.

“Think of it as an area of improvement.”

Henry recognizes his own words from their very first day of this tour being playfully tossed back at him. Henry smiles a little in spite of himself.

“I guess…I know that I’m worried I won’t be worth the effort at some point. I know you mean what you say now, but so much is in store for you once this comes out,” he says, tipping his chin towards where the manuscript sits.

“My life feels as if it’s in limbo, a no man’s land. You have everything in order and here I am just floating. I…truly do feel like a ghost sometimes. Apt career on my part, I suppose.”

Alex’s brows knit together. Concern etched into his beautiful face. He cups Henry’s cheek and Henry greedily leans into his touch.

“Well, I can see you,” he says.

“Thank God for that.”

Alex smiles, his thumb brushing the apple of Henry’s cheek.

“All the same,” Henry continues, “I go back to New York for good tomorrow. There will be three thousand miles between us. Sometimes I worry…proximity has played such a key role these last three months. Soon you’ll have scores of men added to the mix who are far more along with themselves, with their careers. They’d be vastly more interesting and perhaps better suited for you than I.”

He stops himself, realizing how pathetic he must sound. But from the way Alex looks at him, it’s clear the other man isn’t judging or pitying him.

“Hen, I could live on the goddamn moon and I would still want us to try. You mean everything to me. I don’t care who comes out of the woodworks when the news breaks. And I sure as shit do not care that you’re still figuring some things out. You’re currently talking to the poster child of that. We literally worked on a book together about that very same thing.”

Something changes in Alex’s eyes. They grow fiercer as he lowers his hand from Henry’s face.

“I swear to God, I want to cage fight anyone that’s ever made you feel like you aren’t worthy because there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to be with you, do you understand me?”

“I do. I just…I don’t know why or even how I managed that.”

Alex swallows hard, his eyes softening again. He looks vulnerable and already it makes Henry’s heart ache.

“Henry, I love you. I love you so fucking much. You don’t even see how freaking exceptional and rare you are. I wish that you would. But I’ll be here to tell you every damn day if I have to because it won’t ever stop being true.”

Henry blinks twice and tears fall from his eyes immediately.

“I clearly have some things I need to work on. But I promise, I am in this with you, Alex. I love you too. Terribly. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. I meant what I said the other day. You’re unmatched. You’ve had my heart for quite some time now and I know that you always will. It’s terrifying and exciting all in one breath and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The look of relief on Alex’s face makes Henry hate himself for ever making him worry or doubt his place in Henry’s life. He feels grateful now to at least be able to demystify Alex’s fears.

“So much of my life feels up in the air right now, but not my feelings about you. You’re one of the few things I feel sure of anymore,” Henry continues.

Henry leans in closer and touches his forehead to Alex’s. Alex hugs him at once and Henry sighs softly in the comfort of his arms.

It’s only been a few days since he last held Alex, but Henry has missed everything about this level of contact. He buries his face against Alex’s neck, breathing him in and clinging to the warmth of his body.

It hadn’t actually been New York he was missing when he’d called Pez the other day. It’d been here, the safety of Alex embracing him. Here in his arms, nothing can touch him, not even his traitorous, sabotaging mind.

Alex pulls back to look at him and Henry’s eyes sting with unshed tears, his mind racing with all the words he’s been keeping in since they last spoke openly.

Alex doesn’t give him a chance to say anything just yet as he leans in and kisses him. Henry’s heart jumpstarts, goosebumps rising on his arms as he kisses Alex back.

It’s still slow and sweet, but there’s an undercurrent of longing and anxiety coming from Alex. Henry answers it in kind with reassurance, imbuing the kiss with a wordless promise that Alex will never have to be without him again.

They break apart but stay close enough for their foreheads to touch. Henry keeps his arms wrapped around Alex as the man drapes his arms over Henry’s shoulders and combs through his hair lightly. It’s a simple gesture, but it lights Henry up.

There are still a million things he needs to say. Above all though, an apology seems most pressing.

“I’m so sorry.”

It hardly feels like enough.

I’m sorry I ran that day. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I almost ruined everything. He hopes Alex understands all that this encompasses.

Then again, he always seems to.

Alex sighs and Henry feels the slight tremble in his hands as he continues to stroke his hair soothingly.

“I’m just glad you felt safe enough to come back.”

Henry runs a hand up Alex’s chest, to the key that dangles near to his heart.

“I’m always going to find my way back home to you.”

#rwrb fic #red white and royal blue #firstprince #henry fox mountchristen windsor #alex claremont diaz #userthai #tusersonia #tuserpaige #usernicholas #usersteen #tusersilence #userjamiec #iuserzoe #uservalentina #kimmy writes

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ssahotstuff · 2 years

Text

Aaron Hotchner Playlist Collection 💕 + 500 followers celebration

I’m screaming because I don’t think I’ve ever had 500 followers anywhere! I’m so grateful for each and every person that gives my work any attention. It means everything to me. This is extra long to celebrate 🥰

How Will I Know by Whitney Houston here

Word count: 15.5k

Contains: cursing, mentions of fostering and adoption, (reader is adopting a child) smut, Innocent Hotch(never received oral) oral f&m receiving, penetration, I believe that’s it

As always this is a stand-alone and not apart of a series!

You sat trying to be patient, but it was nearly impossible. You'd be returning to the BAU as a mother; you finalized the paperwork and made all of the necessary arrangements for returning to work using your three weeks of Annual Leave. You sat in a small waiting area, your foot tapping against the concrete. You'd seen him every time you'd been home from a case, visiting him with the foster family that was currently taking care of him.

Cooper would be coming to live with you forever.

You'd had the talk with him on your last visit. You explained that your job was demanding but you moved your aunt in to help out while you were gone, and thanks to Strauss's glowing letter of recommendation, you got the seal of approval from a judge to become Cooper's full time guardian. He was attached to you already, and you couldn't wait to spend the next three weeks getting to know him better before you went back to work.

You'd kept it a secret from everyone except Strauss, because you wanted the team to meet him and be surprised. Rossi was having a dinner party at his house in the evening, and if Cooper was comfortable with it, you'd bring him along so he could meet Jack and Henry and make some friends. They were all similar in age and you were hoping JJ and Hotch could offer some helpful advice on raising a boy.

You knew you wanted to be a parent, but you were tired of waiting on the right man to come along and make it happen for you. You were confident that with your aunts help, you could make a difference in Cooper's life. Your aunt had met him and fallen in love with the sweet, shy boy, so he would be in a house full of people that cared about him.

"We're ready for you, Y/n. He's just through that office."

You were ushered to a room to collect Cooper and take him home. He was buzzing with energy, his big brown eyes shining brightly. He greeted you with a hug, and you nearly melted into tears at the fact that you had a family of your own now, and Cooper had a safe place forever.

"You ready?" Your voice cracked slightly, but the sight of him wrapped around your leg was enough to reduce you to a puddle of tears.

"Let's go!"

You took his hand and said goodbye to the court rooms, the lawyers, everything that had stood in between you and finally getting to bring Cooper home. It was all behind you, and now you'd get to give him the life he deserved. You checked that his booster seat was installed properly before you strapped him in, ruffling his hair as he smiled back at you.

"Are we going home?"

You shook your head, peeking at him in the rear view mirror.

"We're going to get some stuff for your room. I figured we could decorate today, and if you feel like it later, my friends are making dinner and they invited us to come."

"Like a party?"

You nodded, pulling out of the parking lot and heading towards the nearest department store.

"Just like a party. There will be other kids there too, kids that'll go to your school. Jack is 7 and I'm not sure how old Henry is, but you could always ask when you meet him."

Cooper thought a party sounded like a terrific way to end the day, so you made a mental note to find him something nice to wear that would match your dress. You'd let him choose his own outfit so you got a better sense of the way he liked to dress.

"Is Aunt Faye at the house?"

You nodded as you pulled into a parking spot, shutting off the engine and helping him out of the car.

"She'll always be around, even when I'm working. Let's go find you some cool stuff."

You were scanning the racks of polo shirts, letting Cooper choose a shirt for the evening when a hand tapped at your shoulder. You turned sharply, JJ staring back at you with a stunned expression on her face.

"You have a nephew?"

You shook your head and Cooper turned to look at JJ, who was toting Henry by the hand, his blonde hair and twinkling eyes making him look just like his mother.

"I adopted Cooper. Everything was finalized today," you said proudly, and JJ immediately hugged you in response before leaning down to say hi to Cooper.

"You're going to love living with Y/n. I'm very happy I got to meet you first," she said softly, introducing him to Henry. Cooper was a bit older than him, but they were able to chat about the legos in your buggy, because Spider Man was also Henry's favorite.

"I haven't told anyone else, JJ. I figured I'd let everyone meet him tonight."

Her eyes went wide and misty as she looked between the two of you, she was unable to wipe the smile off of her face.

"Well you don't have to worry about me saying anything. I'm so proud of you. Wait—Hotch doesn't know?"

You shook your head; you'd debated telling him but chose not to simply so everyone else didn't feel left out when you finally shared your secret. You wanted to surprise everyone. Hotch was the closest thing you had to a best friend; you'd gone from admiring him to gaining his total respect. The two of you worked well when paired together, and you'd grown rather close because of it.

"You'll have an excuse to have play dates," she winked, because she'd always tried getting you to ask Hotch out. You'd considered it more than once, but decided against it because you didn't want the awkwardness if it ruined your friendship.

"Cooper and Jack are the same age so I'm hoping maybe they'll be in the same class," he was already enrolled, but wouldn't be meeting his teacher until the following Monday.

"No doubt. It'll give you a reason to talk to Hotch," you could feel yourself blushing just thinking about your Unit Chief.

"We'll see."

JJ and Henry said their goodbyes and Cooper finally chose a shirt; a navy blue one to match your dress, and you were on your way home, stopping to get lunch before you arrived home for the day. Your aunt met you at the door and ushered Cooper in so you could bring in his new comforter and the different posters and nightlight he'd chosen for his room. It was already filled with clothes and toys you'd bought over the last few months, when him coming to live with you was still a big if.

You'd bought it anyway, knowing he could keep it regardless of where he ended up living, but thankfully it would stay at your home and you'd get to hear him playing all the time.

"We're so happy you're finally here, Cooper!" Your aunt was thrilled when you asked her to move in and help. You'd always been close, and she was at a stand still in her work, so you offered to pay her to help while you were gone. Cooper had several visits with you and Faye before anything was decided, and he was hard not to grow attached to. She'd been your biggest support throughout the entire process, encouraging you to take the leap in the first place.

"Can I call you Aunt Faye? That's what Y/n calls you," he asked her, and you saw the unmistakable emotion on her face as she told him yes. He was a boy with a heart full of love to give, and he was the perfect addition to your self made family.

"I'm going to put your stuff in your room. Maybe you can make time to play with some of your new toys before dinner," you called from your spot by the door, carrying in the last load of items from the store. It didn't take much convincing for him to check out his new room, an excited shriek leaving his lips as he checked everything out.

"This is all for me?"

You nodded as you made his bed for the first time and he watched you carefully so he could remember how to do it himself.

"All yours buddy. I'm going to take a shower, but I'll just be right down the hall, okay?" He was preoccupied with the comic books on the shelf, reorganizing them to his liking as he took it all in. You shut the door behind you, Faye standing in the hall, her smile contagious.

"This is going to be wonderful. I just know it."

By the time you were dressed for dinner, Cooper was settling in well. He showered and got dressed on his own, letting you comb his hair when he was finished. You waved bye to Aunt Faye and made your way to Rossi's mansion for dinner.

"Your friend lives here?" Cooper was in awe as you walked around the house to the garden where everyone was waiting. Your car was the last one in the driveway, but you were right on time. You held out your hand for Cooper who held it tight.

"These are all of my work friends. You'll see them a lot I'm sure," you gave his hand a comforting squeeze as you rounded the corner.

"Look who it is!" Derek Morgan announced your arrival and everyone's eyes were on you and Cooper.

"Who's the handsome little guy?" Derek bent down to shake Cooper's hand, so he let go of your hand briefly as everyone made their way to where you were standing.

"This is Cooper. As of today, Cooper gets to stay with me forever."

Derek looked up at you in amazement before checking behind him to make sure everyone else heard your announcement as well.

"Now that's a reason to celebrate," Rossi said excitedly, patting your back. He introduced himself to Cooper before he offered to show him around. Jack and Henry were watching a movie in Rossi's private screening room, so Cooper was excited to join the rest of the kids.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Reid hugged you quickly and Emily was next, giving her congratulations and telling you that you'd be a wonderful mother.

"I wanted to make sure everything worked out first. Nothing was final until today."

A gentle hand tapped your shoulder and you turned, met with Hotch's face smiling softly at you.

"Look at you. Full of surprises."

Reid excused himself which left you alone to talk to Hotch for a moment.

"I wanted to be sure before I got my hopes up," he nodded in understanding before opening his arms to hug you quickly.

"You'll be a terrific mother. He's about Jack's age, right?"

You nodded and explained that they'd be in the same school, same grade.

"Sounds like we'll be seeing a lot of each other from now on," he was actively involved with Jack's school and you were hoping to be the same type of parent as Hotch. He put everything into being a loving father despite all that his job required of him.

"Let's hope so," it sounded flirtier than you meant it to, but he didn't mind. From the smile on his face, nothing would make him happier than being around you more. It was nearing the end of the school year, and you hated for Cooper to switch so late in the year, but his other school was too far. This way, he'd know Jack, a familiar face, at least for the last couple weeks of school.

"Jack goes to soccer camp at the beginning of the summer. I'm sure there are still slots open if you want to send Cooper," you and Hotch were making your way inside to check on the boys, chatting about plans for summer break, and what the two of you could take the boys to do together.

"That's a good idea. How—how do you do it? I'm so afraid of leaving him or letting him out of my sight already," you were paused in the hall, listening to Cooper and Jack explain the plot of the new Spider Man movie to Henry, who was still too young to understand the story line, but they were trying their best.

"That happens. What I've learned is, they're more independent than we give them credit for. Camp was rough the first couple of years but it might not be so hard for Cooper with a familiar face," Hotch was doing a swell job of easing your worries, the two of you watching idly as Cooper and Jack became friends right before your eyes.

"I think he'll be fine," you said finally, and Hotch watching you intently out of the corner of his eye.

"You'll get the hang of things. If you need more time to get him settled in, we can arrange that. You have plenty of vacation time."

You shook your head, because you were confident things were going to be fine.

"Thank you, Hotch. I think we'll be okay. I'm glad they're getting along," they were side by side, eyes glued to the projector screen as the movie played on.

"What do you have planned tomorrow? We were going to shop for comic books," he caught you off guard but you happily agreed to join them. Cooper loved comic books and you'd use any excuse you could to spend more time with Hotch.

"That sounds like a good time," he led you back to the party, but you were too busy listening to Hotch make plans for the 4 of you to pay attention to anyone else.

"We'll do lunch and see a movie," he had your entire Saturday filled before you knew it, and your heart swelled at the thought of spending time with him and Jack. You could tell how excited he was to have someone to do things with, another parent to spend time with. You were more than just a friend to Hotch, and it was becoming more evident now that you had more in common.

"I think Cooper will enjoy that. It's his first full weekend with me," Hotch's eyes softened when he listened to you talk about Cooper; it had been hard to keep your sweet boy a secret for all of those months, but you didn't have to keep quiet anymore.

"How are you feeling about everything?"

You joined him at the table, but you were the only two occupying it. Everyone else was socializing, buzzing around the garden with energy.

"I just want to make sure he has a happy life. He deserves that."

Hotch nodded, his hand on top of yours beneath the cover of the tsble.

"You're going to be just fine. I'm not an expert but I'll help you however I can," he promised, removing his hand as he gazed down at you. The look in his eyes was different now; it was endearing, sweet, like his entire perception of you had changed when he realized how much love you had to give.

"I'm going to take you up on that," you shot back, and he smirked in response before tugging your chair just a tiny bit closer to him.

"I sure hope so."

You were sad to see the night end, but Cooper had so much excitement in one day that he was exhausted. Hotch and Jack walked you guys to your car, Jack and Cooper thrilled with your plans to spend the following day together. They were still chatting even as Cooper climbed into the vehicle.

"So I'll see you tomorrow? I'll pick you up around 11 if that's okay," the excitement was clear in Hotch's voice, and you happily agreed, waving goodbye for now as you and Cooper headed in the direction of home.

"Did you have fun?"

"I think Jack is going to be my best friend. We're really going to see them again tomorrow?"

"That's right. Hotch is going to come get us and we're going to spend all day with him and Jack."

That made him sigh happily in the backseat as you pulled in the driveway. The lights were still on, so Faye met you at the door, asking Cooper if he had a good time.

"We're hanging out with Jack tomorrow!" He was so excited, going to change into his pajamas so he could settle in for the night. Faye was full of questions about Hotch; she was as bad as JJ, always trying to convince you to make a move.

"So, I'm assuming Hotch asked you to spend the day with him?" She waited until Cooper's door shut softly before she said anything, whispering excitedly.

"He did. We're taking the kids out to shop for comic books and we're going to the movies."

She smiled back at you and you rolled your eyes playfully.

"It's not like that. He's just trying to help me get adjusted is all."

Faye let you live in your fantasy land where you pretended not to notice the undeniable tension between the two of you; you'd never admit that you noticed the longing looks, the subtle touching of your hands any chance he got.

"We'll see."

You tucked Cooper in for the night and found yourself wide awake, wondering what the day with Hotch might bring. As if he were crawling around in your head, your phone lit up on the bedside table with a text message.

How did his first night go? Jack couldn't stop talking about him the whole way home.

You smiled to yourself at your sweet boy and his first real friend, happy that he had someone he could spend his time with. You knew they'd be seeing a lot of each other, especially if Hotch had anything to say about it.

He's already in bed. He's so excited about tomorrow. Everything is going really well so far. Thank you for checking on us.

You had butterflies waiting on him to reply; it had been a long time since anyone had made your heart skip a beat, but it was ever-present now.

Motherhood suits you better than anyone I know. It takes a genuinely good person to give their love to someone they didn't create. You amaze me.

Your eyes filled with tears because your love for Cooper ran so deep. You'd tried so hard not to get attached in the beginning but it was impossible. He took to you so quickly, you didn't have time to think about the 'what if's', you were too busy thinking about a boy who needed you just as badly as you needed him.

I've always wanted to be a mother. I can't believe I finally got the chance.

You'd see mothers and their children and your chest would grow tight because you longed for that connection with a child; Cooper was the one person you had loved unconditionally. You knew from the moment you were introduced to him that one way or another, he would change your life.

It's been a long time since I've celebrated, but if you aren't busy, I'd love to spend your first Mother's Day with you.

You checked the calendar; it was next weekend, and the idea of celebrating it made your heart beat rapidly.

I don't have any plans. :)

You weren't sure what to make of all the time he wanted to spend with you; it had taken you by storm, but you didn't mind. You knew you had his secret admiration for a while now, but you hadn't realized how much of his affection you had until now. You felt so incredibly special; it had been a long time since a man made you feel appreciated.

I'll take you anywhere you want to go. I'm going to head to bed soon so I'm able to keep up with the boys tomorrow.

You told him goodnight and tried to sleep, finally dozing off around 11.

You woke up before everyone else, creeping out of bed down the hall to Cooper's room. He was still sleeping peacefully, so you made coffee and waited for him to stir. It didn't take long before he was joining you, stretching and yawning as he came into the kitchen.

"Did you sleep okay?"

He nodded, sitting at the table with you. You offered him some toast and a drink, watching him fall into the breakfast routine with you.

"I love my room," he told you, and you were glad because you'd spent hours making it perfect for him. You'd painted it before he came to stay with you, his favorite color.

"We have a big day today," you reminded him, and he got excited all over again about your plans. His glee was contagious as he went off to take a shower and get ready. Faye was joining you in no time, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"That wasn't so hard," you'd been scared that he wouldn't adjust to living with you, telling Faye about your worries before he ever came to stay.

"I just hope he'll be happy here," you told her, and she nodded, looking towards the clock.

"He already has a best friend. I'd say he's doing just fine."

She kept her eyes out for Cooper while you showered on the opposite end of the house. You wanted to make sure you had time to look halfway decent before Hotch showed up. You settled on a sundress, perfect for the weather, and a pair of sandals that wouldn't hurt your feet from walking in them. You wanted to be comfortable because you'd be on the go all day long.

You emerged from the bathroom to find Cooper waiting for you, his comb clutched tightly in his hand.

"I like it when you brush my hair. Will you do it for me?"

You combed and styled his head full of dark hair, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek when you were finished.

"Looks perfect," you said proudly, and he checked himself out in the mirror before he hugged you tightly. He muttered a quick thank you before he went back to his room, leaving you to wonder how you got so lucky with such a spectacular kid.

You finished getting ready, and it was a good thing, because Hotch was twenty minutes early, Jack knocking at your door lightly. You could see him through the glass, his dimples on full display as he waited for you to open the door.

"Cooper! Jack is here!" You swung open the door and Cooper rushed out to meet him, the two of them high fiving before Cooper showed Jack to his room. Hotch had swapped his tie for a pair of jeans and a navy blue polo shirt, tight across his chest and arms.

"Jack just couldn't wait," he explained, so you led him to the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee.

"Trust me, that's all I've heard this morning. Cooper has been so excited."

Hotch watched you make his coffee before you handed him the mug, inviting him to sit down at the table.

"Stuck like glue already," Hotch chuckled, and it was true. You'd never seen two people so tight knit after just one day of knowing each other. Kids were much better at making friends than most adults. All it took was one mutual interest and you've made a friend for life.

"Tell me about it. Might as well get used to having us around," you teased, and his lips curled into a smile before he replied.

"I still can't believe it. I couldn't imagine him with anyone else."

Even though he'd only been with you a day, you couldn't imagine a world without Cooper in it. He gave you a new sense of purpose, filled your heart with so much joy you could burst.

"Me either. I'm sorry I kept it a secret but it was a delicate situation," he shook his head and assured you that you didn't have to explain anything to him.

"You're his mother now and that's all that matters. I understand why you didn't tell me."

Jack and Cooper came zooming down the hall, ready to start the day's adventure, so you finished your coffee and moved Cooper's booster seat to Hotch's car and you were off for the day, the chatter never ceasing in the backseat.

"I don't know if I could ever get tired of listening to them," you and Hotch had simply let them lead the conversation, but it was clear by the perpetual grin on Hotch's face that he was happy his son had someone around that he could be himself with. You were glad Cooper had a friend that he could always depend on being around; you hadn't even made it to the mall yet but it was obvious that they were having a blast just being together.

"We should try to do this every weekend," you suggested, and Hotch was quick to agree with you. You'd never seen him so carefree. The radio was on, playing softly in the front seat while the boys talked about everything from school to superheroes.

"Fine by me. Did you talk to Cooper about camp? I talked to Jack's coach this morning and there are plenty of slots left."

You turned around to ask him what he thought about spending a week with Jack at sleepaway camp. He told you that he'd been once before with his foster family, so that eased some of your stress about letting him go. He was just glad that Jack would be there too.

"We'll get him signed up later. I'll give you the phone number," Hotch promised as you pulled into the mall. You helped Cooper out and his hand found yours instantly, his cheeky grin impossible to miss as you made your way inside. Once you were away from the street, Jack and Cooper led the way, walking a few feet in front of you and Hotch, trying hard not to step on any cracks in the floor.

"Do you have plans for dinner?"

You'd just made it to the comic book store when he asked you, leaning in close so only you could hear. His hand was placed gently on the small of your back as he spoke, subtle but sweet nonetheless.

"What are you thinking?"

Jack and Cooper were sat in the corner on bean bag chairs reading while the two of you checked out the rest of the store. They were still close enough that you could see them from your spot just a few feet away, Hotch right behind you.

"I was hoping you'd come over and let me cook for you," he was in an unusually good mood, and you weren't done spending time with him just yet. You hastily agreed and his eyes lit up when you agreed to come back to his place later.

"We better go or we'll be late for the movie," the theater was located in the center of the shopping mall, so you paid for your comic books and headed in the direction of the theater. On the way, an elderly woman stopped you to tell you what well behaved little boys you had, and how much they looked like Aaron. You were red in the face while you thanked her, Hotch chuckling lightly from his spot next to you.

"That lady thought we were brothers," Jack whispered to Cooper, who giggled in response. You and Hotch watched the exchange quietly, curious as to what they thought about it.

"I've never had a brother," Cooper said softly, and Jack told him that he didn't have a brother either, and then the conversation was over, fizzling out before they could go any further. They got distracted by a giant cotton candy machine behind the counter.

"I haven't been to the movies in years," Hotch admitted as he paid for your tickets and bought the boys cotton candy. When you found your way into the appropriate theater you realized it was nearly empty and the show was about to start.

The boys wanted to sit in the row in front of you, that way they could talk about the movie. You and Hotch sat behind them as the lights began to dim, the two of them shushing you as the previews started. Cooper was so well adjusted that it took you by surprise. He and Jack acted as if they'd known each other for years.

"It's really nice having someone to do stuff like this with."

His hand found yours as the lights went out completely, and you sucked in a breath. His face scanned yours to make sure what he was doing was okay, but when you gently squeezed his hand, all of those doubts went away.

"We should make a habit out of this," you whispered as the movie started, and he nodded in agreement before focusing his attention on the movie. For two hours, neither of the boys said a word. They were starstruck, watching their favorite super hero sling webs around the city.

By the time the movie was over, the boys were antsy from being still so for long. They recounted all of their favorite parts of the movie on the way out, making sure you and Hotch enjoyed the movie just as much as they did. You were having a fantastic time with the three of them, and you were thrilled that Hotch had invited you over for dinner because you weren't ready for the day with them to end just yet.

"This has been such a good day," Hotch was coming to open your door after you'd secured the kids in the car. You wanted to make sure he knew you were having just as much fun as he was.

"One of the best days I've had in a really long time," he agreed, helping you in the vehicle. Jack and Cooper were still talking about the movie, complete with sound effects and re-enactments of the parts they really liked.

"I'm going to order the boys a pizza and we'll eat real food," he decided, pulling into his driveway. Jack was already talking about showing Cooper his comic book collection, so once you'd made it inside the house, they were racing down the hall, leaving you alone with Hotch for the first time all day.

"Is having a kid always this much fun?" He led you to the kitchen so he could turn on the coffee maker, pulling a chair out for you at the table.

"Yes. Sure, it gets difficult when you do it alone, but I think it's fun all the time."

He was washing his hands and grabbing ingredients from the fridge so he could work on dinner. You admired him for doing it on his own for so long; he was a terrific father.

"You've done a great job with Jack. You're such a good dad." He made a satisfied hum while he preheated the oven, and you were in a trance watching him float around the kitchen. You could tell that he cooked often, and that was incredibly attractive to you. You loved a man that could take care of himself, and Hotch checked all the boxes in your more than selective criteria.

"I can see how much you love Cooper just by watching you. Women like you are exceptional, you know that?" You weren't sure what to say, because no one had ever given you such a thoughtful compliment.

"I'm glad you think so," you squeaked, and you saw the smile that spread onto his face immediately after. It wasn't long enough pizza arrived and you were sitting the boys at the table to eat while Hotch refused to let you help with dinner. You poured the two of you a cup of coffee instead, leaned against the counter watching the kids inhale pizza at lightning speed.

"After dinner you guys can pick a movie to watch in Jack's room," Hotch said from his spot at the stove. He moved around the kitchen with ease, plating your food before you could even blink. You sat across from him at the table, his legs brushing your beneath the table cloth as the kids talked about their day. They were already making plans for the following weekend, talking about all the fun stuff Jack wanted to show Cooper. You couldn't help but smile at how well they got along.

Hotch helped them with a movie as soon as they'd finished their pizza and you cleaned up the dishes, rinsing them off so they'd be easier to wash. You'd barely gotten started when Hotch grabbed your waist from behind and gently tugged you away from the sink.

"Save those for later. Come sit on the couch with me."

You felt like a kid spending time with their best pal, curled up on the couch with Hotch. You talked until the sun was nearly setting in the distance, and the laughter of small boys faded into the contented sighs of children who'd had a long, fulfilling day.

"It's late, we should probably get home," you'd lost track of the time but you didn't mind; you'd had more fun with him than you had in ages.

"Wow, it's already dark out. I bet the boys are half asleep," you crept down the hall behind them, the two of them barely hanging on, piled up in the bed watching tv.

"Cooper, we're going to head home buddy." He slid out of the bed and said bye to Jack and was at your side, hugging your waist. Hotch walked you out, hugging you bye once Cooper was secured in his seat. His lips met your cheek briefly before his hand cradled your face, studying you in the moonlight.

"Let me see you tomorrow," it was hushed, barely above a whisper.

"I'll come over," you hugged him once more before climbing into your car and taking off in the direction of home.

"Today was nice, huh?"

Cooper was already snoring in the backseat, slumped over on the door. Once you made it home, you carried him inside before taking off his socks and shoes, tucking him in tight. Faye was still up so you poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table with her.

"Tell me everything," she gushed, and you did; you gave her every detail of the day, smiling as you did so.

"He really likes you. I could tell by the way he showed up early and you stayed out late," she winked, and you covered your face to conceal the pink tint in your cheeks.

"I really like him, Aunt Faye. He's such a good guy," he was a drastic change from the guys you usually dated but somehow perfect for you at the same time.

"He wants to see you tomorrow?"

You nodded, checking your phone because it was vibrating in your purse. It was Hotch, making sure you got home okay. You were glad he messaged you because it gave you an excuse to keep talking to him.

"You do what feels right. That smile on your face tells me all I need to know about him."

You excused yourself to go to your room to change and settle in for the night, anxiously awaiting the soft buzz of your phone. Before long, the two of you were making plans for the following day. You texted him until your eyes were sore and he was urging you to get some sleep, but you dozed off clutching your phone tightly in your hand just in case.

You typically woke before everyone else in the house, but that morning, Cooper was in your bed waking you up.

"Good morning, sunshine," you ruffled his hair and he laid next to you, taking a deep breath in as he stretched.

"Can I ask you a question?" His doe eyes were gleaming as he stared back at you. You gave him a small nod and he sat up on his elbow.

"Would it be okay if I call you mom? That's what you are to me, right? You'll be my mom forever and not just like Nancy at the old house."

Nancy was his foster mom that he'd always called by name. You explained that he'd live with you forever, that you'd always be his mom, and if he wanted to call you that, it was okay with you. You wanted it to be his decision though.

"If I'll be here forever, then I'd like to call you mom," he decided, reaching out to hug you around the neck. You squeezed him tight, treasuring the moment because it had made your heart skip a beat. He didn't stick around long, he was off to tell Aunt Faye good morning. The first thing you did was sent Hotch a message to tell him what had happened. In no time, he was asking you how quickly the two of you could get ready. You had to admit filling your days with activities was more than satisfying; it felt like for once in your life, you had a family that you could spend time with and make memories with that would actually last forever. You wanted to fill Cooper's childhood with as many pleasant memories as possible.

"Cooper, let's get dressed. Jack and Hotch are on their way," his face lit up and he finished his breakfast, rushing to get dressed before you could blink. You were already dressed in shorts and a plain t-shirt, hoping he didn't have anything too fancy planned for the day. Faye shot you a knowing look from her spot at the counter while you poured a cup of coffee, grinning into her own mug.

"Should I expect you home for dinner?"

You shrugged and shot her a wink as the doorbell rang, so you let Hotch and Jack inside while you drank your coffee. Jack was blazing down the hall towards Cooper's room so you introduced Hotch and Faye, who was already a big fan of him. She was going to run some errands while you were gone, so she left the two of you in the kitchen, the table separating the two of you.

"Coffee?" You poured him a cup and joined him at the table, his hands folded neatly out in front of him.

"Can I tell you something?"

You nodded, watching his facial expressions closely just to make sure he was okay. He seemed fine, cheerful even.

"I'd really like to be a part of your life. I can't stop thinking about you, how much fun I have when you're around. I want this all the time."

He reached across the table to take your hand, lacing his fingers through yours.

"I want it too. We should go out one night, just us."

He nodded, knowing that both of your schedules were hectic and it would be a lot to settle into, but you were ready to take the leap with him.

"We will. But today, I'm taking you to the park. We're going on a picnic."

You had a bouquet by the time the boys were finished picking you flowers out of the field next to the park. It had been the first thing they set their hearts on doing, and you planned to take them home and keep them for as long as possible.

"How does it feel?"

You were propped up on your elbows watching the kids play. Hotch was to your left, laying on his side on the blanket he'd brought along for the day. He looked serene, as if he were having the best Sunday of his life.

"It's different. I thought I was going to melt when he asked to call me mom," you admitted, and he let a smile creep onto his face.

"I knew it wouldn't take long. As soon as he knew it was forever, you became mom. Isn't that incredible?"

You were still in awe that he'd taken to you so quickly, but he'd never bounce back and forth ever again. He'd always be with you, no matter what.

"I'm really glad we've spent the first couple of days with you. It's made things a lot easier."

He gently squeezed your thigh before peeking past you to check on the kids. After you'd ate lunch, they were full of energy, leaving you and Aaron to relax on the blanket.

"You know how tough work can make things. Whenever we're both free, we can always spend time together. I was thinking maybe next weekend I could take you out for Mother's Day? Maybe Saturday night? I'll get a sitter and everything."

You let him take the reigns in planning your first real date as the kids played. You couldn't believe you'd spent all weekend soaking up the sunshine with him and that he was so eager to be around you. It came instinctively and with full force, his fondness for you was no secret. You were willing to let him in, be a part of your new life as a mother. You thought your ability to love despite having created another human is what gave him the go ahead to pursue you; you were more than capable of giving your heart to a child that didn't belong to you. It was almost as natural as breathing to you; you never hesitated for a moment when it came to Cooper. You knew whoever was in his life would have to have love for Jack in their heart as well, and he was waiting to see if you could handle it.

"They look exhausted," after hours in the summer sun, you were heading home for dinner. Jack and Hotch went back to their house after they dropped you off for the night, so you were able to have your first meal with Cooper at home. He helped you sit the table while you and Aunt Faye cooked around him, music playing lightly as the night crept up on you.

"How was it today?" Faye's voice broke through your thoughts; you couldn't get Hotch out of your head.

"Like a dream. He asked me on a real date," you waited until Cooper was in the living room watching tv to give her the details, but she was more than supportive, offering to keep Cooper for the night so you could go have fun with Hotch.

"I'm not sure, but I think he could be the one, Aunt Faye." Every fiber of your being told you that he was; you'd never felt about anyone the way that you felt now. It was all happening so beautifully right before your very eyes.

"When you know, you know."

That following week, Hotch was back to work. It felt weird only communicating with him at the end of the day, when he wasn't in the field, and if he had the time. He always made sure to call you before bed, so you knew he was okay, even if it was a short call. Cooper had started school and was in the same class as Jack, so he had someone familiar to face the days with.

You were able to spend the better part of your days left on annual leave at home, cleaning and reorganizing before summer began. You were rearranging the living room of a quiet house; Cooper was at school and Faye was out for the day. You'd just turned on some music and started to pull books from a shelf when the doorbell rang.

"I should've called, but we just got back and I wanted to see you before I head home."

They'd been gone for 4 days in Seattle, and the first thing he did was come to see you. He looked exhausted as you ushered him in to sit down, but he was smiling.

"I've missed you," the words left your mouth before you could think about what you were saying, but he was happy to hear you say it anyway.

"I missed you. I wanted to make sure I was back by Saturday. Jessica is keeping Jack that night."

You felt his hand wrap around yours, and he sighed heavily before giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Well my Saturday belongs to you," you assured him, your breath caught in your throat as he leaned forward slightly. His nose brushed yours, his lips eager to know what yours felt like as you kissed him back. It was tender, his hand cupped your face to bring you forward, and his free hand wrapped around your back to secure you in place. For a moment, everything went silent and all that mattered was kissing him. His forehead rested against yours when he pulled away, his thumb gently rubbing your cheek.

"I've been thinking about this all week," he admitted, kissing you once more before he pulled you in for a hug. You could tell the case had been a rough one because he'd offered no details about the last 4 days; he simply held you and let you take his worries far away.

"Me too," you replied, your arms wrapped around his neck as you kept him close. You knew he could handle himself, but he often kept cases in the back of his head, and the mental turmoil was enough to drive anyone insane. You found yourself leaning into the couch, letting him lay across your lap as you played with his hair.

"I should probably get some sleep before I have to pick up Jack," he didn't budge, you were still in his grasp, as if he was afraid to let go just yet.

"Let me pick him up. I'll take the boys to the park after school and you can get some sleep."

He peered up at you through his lashes to make sure you were serious before he spoke again.

"You'd do that for me?"

You nodded, because Jack was never any trouble. He was one of the most well behaved children that you knew.

"Of course I would. You can come pick him up when you wake up, he'll be fine here."

He was hesitant because he didn't want you to go out of your way, but you assured him that you didn't mind; Cooper would enjoy the company, Hotch could get some sleep, and you had an excuse to see him again later.

"If you're sure."

"I am. Go get some sleep and we'll be waiting for you when you get back."

Jack was surprised to see you waiting for him instead of his dad, but he climbed into your car happily as he and Cooper told you all about their day. Their teacher was impressed with Cooper's ability to read above his grade level and he was teaching Jack how to read bigger, more complicated words so they would understand their comic books better.

"Sounds like a good day," you told them, peeking at them in the rear view mirror as you pulled into the driveway. Faye's car was in the driveway, so the boys rushed in to say hello before they went to play.

"Does this mean Hotch will be here later?" She teased as Jack chased Cooper down the hall.

"He was exhausted. I offered to bring Jack with me," you explained, and she nodded, staying silent as you gathered ingredients for dinner.

"You're in full blown mom mode," she commented, and you chuckled in response. You hadn't stopped going since Cooper came to live with you, but you enjoyed every second of the giggles and commotion that came with having a house full.

"I just wanted to help is all."

Faye nodded in understanding before she turned to face you, her tone more serious this time around.

"I hope you'll let that man make you happy. I can see how much you enjoy spending time with him. It would be a shame to let that go."

You were already beginning to fall hard for him; it would be impossible to stop now that you were attached to him and his child. You wanted to keep him around for a long time, and you were glad to finally see him stepping out of his shell to spend time with you.

"I'm going to check on the boys," you padded softly down the hall to make sure they were okay, overhearing the conversation between the two boys in which you were the topic of conversation.

"I think they love each other," Jack's nose was scrunched up, and Cooper cackled wildly at his friends declaration.

"You think we'll be brothers?" Cooper asked excitedly, and Jack shrugged in response.

"Maybe! Maybe we could share a room," Jack offered, but Cooper told him he liked his own room; he'd shared a room at the foster home and he was thrilled to have a space of his own.

"That's okay! We just make sure our rooms are next to each other!" Jack suggested, and Cooper was a lot more satisfied with that answer. You realized then the weight of your decision to be with Hotch would affect everyone involved, but especially the kids. They saw the way you looked at each other and they were hopeful, which in turn made you feel significantly better about the situation. They were both as happy as could be, and there was no reason you and Hotch couldn't be happy too.

"Are they alright?"

"Just fine," you returned to the stove, letting the heat be your excuse for the redness in your cheeks. You knew Faye would understand, but the little talks between two curious boys had your brain foggy with possibilities.

You had just sent the boys to wash up for dinner when a knock came at the door. You already knew it was Hotch but you were giddy nonetheless about him being back. You felt the undeniable skipping of your heart every time he was around, and it only got stronger the more you began to feel for him.

He looked well rested, handing you a bouquet of your favorite flowers as he stepped over the threshold. Jack quickly realized his father was there and was the next person to grab his attention, leading him down the hall to Cooper's room so he could see the Legos they'd been working on. Faye was already filling a vase when you came in the kitchen, placing it in the middle of the dining room table so your flowers could be on full display.

"Well, he has my vote," she said softly, admiring the thoughtfulness, her fingers reaching out to brush the silky petals before she pulled you in for a hug. You were stunned silent, because you'd never received flowers from anyone before. He'd known they were your favorite, which meant he paid more attention than you gave him credit for. In no time he had the boys settled down at the table and the five of you ate a normal meal together. It felt like a regular occurrence; Faye was getting to know more about Hotch, who insisted that she call him Aaron instead.

"You're lucky, because I don't even call him Aaron," you chuckled, sipping your drink, catching his eye from across the table.

"Doesn't mean you can't start now," he shot back, making you smirk behind the cover of your glass.

The rest of dinner was mostly uneventful but the kids kept you entertained, telling Aaron about their day as he listened intently. He'd give a remarkable smile each time they told him something especially exciting, like plans for soccer camp and what they were looking forward to the most. You sat and listened, letting them lead the conversation. They were much more intelligent than anyone else their age, with big ideas and colorful imaginations; they could fill the time easily together, never getting bored.

"Dinner was great," Aaron kissed your forehead before helping you with the dishes, rinsing and drying while you washed. You took the time to admire his rolled up sleeves, and the watch glistening on his arm. You'd never seen a pair of hands quite as massive as his, making everything look smaller than normal. He was a sight for sore eyes and it was still hard to believe that he wanted you just as badly as you did him.

"I really like the way things have been going," your voice was quiet, but Faye was down the hall playing with the kids, so you were alone.

"I love getting to spend time with you. I'm excited for you to come back to work so I can see you everyday but I love seeing you like this."

It wasn't often that you got to see the less authoritative, softer side of him, but you wanted to make it a regular thing; you could see yourself with him long term, being with him every spare second you got.

"I hope Cooper does well when go back to work. I'm worried about leaving him," you admitted. You finished the dishes and let him follow you out on the patio. It was a quiet night, nothing but the crickets and owls singing their forest melody to serenade you into the evening.

"I think he'll be okay. Are you having second thoughts about the BAU?"

The BAU was your home; it was your entire life up until this point. You hadn't ever imagined a future without it being a factor.

"It's not that. It's just my nerves. I know he'll be okay, it just makes me sad to think about him needing me and not being here."

You knew he understood more than any normal person would, and he offered you his hand, giving yours a gentle squeeze.

"If you ever want something more stationary, I can make that happen. Things are different for you now, and I don't expect you to put your job above being a mother if you'd rather do something else."

"We'll see how it goes, okay? I still have a few weeks left," you were hoping your jitters eased some before the day you had to go back.

"I'll support you through anything. You know that, right?"

You gave him a short nod, pulling him forward so you could hug him tightly.

"I know you will. I'd do the same for you."

✨✨✨

When Saturday arrived, you felt as though you had no worries. You were spending the day with Aaron, and Faye was spending the day with Cooper, taking him to meet her friends from bingo while you went out. She told you she had things under control so you let her help; it was weird not having him in the house now that you'd gotten used to the constant chatter, the sweet laughter, but you'd see him later.

You were dressed by noon and he arrived shortly after, knocking lightly at the door. You'd been expecting him early because he had the entire day planned out. You still weren't certain what you'd be doing but it didn't matter; you'd be with him.

"Look at you," his eyes raked over you shamelessly before he leaned in to kiss you. There was no hesitation when he was affectionate with you, in fact, you could tell he had to hold back in front of people. His hands held your waist, pulling you into him.

"We better get going or we'll be late," his hand was in yours as he tugged you towards the vehicle, offering zero clues to where you were going.

"How was Cooper when he left?"

"He was fine. Excited. It made me less anxious about going back to work. Faye is great with kids so I know I don't have anything to worry about, but our job isn't a typical one."

You had to have someone in place to care for Cooper if something happened to you in the field. You'd chosen Faye; she was your closest living relative and your favorite family member in general. She was nearing retirement age anyway, and she was ready for something that resembled a grandchild. It was clear when Cooper came into your home that she was just as excited as you were.

"You know I won't let anything happen to you, right?"

You were at the mall already, pulling into a parking spot.

"I know. I'm not worried about that. He's just been through so much. I hope my job doesn't make it worse."

He sighed heavily before turning to you, clutching both of your hands in his.

"There's a position opening in the office. It would be similar to Penelope's job, only you'd do all the paperwork we don't do. It would have you home everyday. It's something to think about. I'd hate to see you go, but I know Cooper's situation is more fragile. The job is yours if you want it."

You weren't sure what to say. You'd never debated leaving the BAU, but now the circumstances were different. It wasn't a decision you could make immediately because you'd be leaving more than just Aaron behind.

"Let me think about it, okay? I don't want to leave the BAU," you told him, and he nodded in understanding.

"You still have two weeks before you need to decide anything. You'll still be a part of the BAU, no matter what you decide."

You could still work for Aaron, you just wouldn't be in the field as often, if ever. Unless it was absolutely needed, you'd stay in the office. You couldn't believe he'd offered you the job; it would mean having your cake and eating it too.

"Come on, we have a movie to see," he opened your door and offered you his hand, so you followed him into the mall and to the theater. You felt a strange sense of pride being seen with him; you could tell by the subtle glances in your direction and the way his hand was secured in yours that he was enjoying the way you made him feel. It had been a long time since you'd been glad to belong to someone else.

"Are we watching something for adults?" You joked, and he nodded towards the movie you'd mentioned wanting to see the weekend before.

"It's your weekend. We're doing everything you love today," he told you, and you could feel the blush creep onto your cheeks at how attentive he could be. You hadn't expected him to remember enough about you to plan an entire day around you, but he had.

Despite it being the weekend, the theater was mostly empty. There was another couple sitting in the front row, but you and Aaron were the only other people. You sat at the very top in the center so you wouldn't bother anyone else if you decided to talk throughout the movie.

"Hopefully this movie is as good as Spider Man," he teased, moving the armrest to an upright position so he could wrap his arm around you and pull you closer to him. You were taken aback by his desire to have his hands on you; you hadn't guessed he'd be the type to be incredibly affectionate. He hadn't let his hands leave your body all afternoon.

"Oh, I doubt it'll be that good," his smile was dazzling as the lights dimmed and then went out completely, the previews beginning to play. You could feel the warmth of his mouth, dangerously close to your neck.

"You smell so good," his free hand was on your thigh, just below the hem of your dress. The previews were still rolling, so you took the opportunity to kiss him, blanketed by the darkness. His hand came to your face, caressing your cheek gently, his tongue slipping past your lips to intertwine with yours. He didn't care if he missed the movie, his only objective was making sure you knew just how badly he'd been wanting to kiss you like this, passionately, deeper than anything you'd ever experienced.

"I don't think I could ever get tired of kissing you," his voice was a whisper, almost drowned out by the sound of the previews.

"You can kiss me anytime you want," you shot back, even in the dark, you could see him pull his lip between his teeth. The fingers that gripped your thigh traced patterns on your exposed skin, prickling goosebumps onto your flesh as the movie began to play. Throughout the movie, other than the occasional kiss, you managed to keep your hands to yourself. There was no denying he couldn't get enough of you, his eyes sought you out rather than paying attention to the film, his gaze was mostly fixed on you, and your genuine reaction to what was happening on the screen.

He led you out of the theater and you walked around for a bit; he bought the two of you a coffee and you were off to your next destination: lunch. You were starving by the time you arrived at his chosen restaurant, which happened to be one of your favorites.

"We can either eat here or we can take it to the park. Up to you," you thought the park was a great idea. You'd enjoyed the last picnic so much that you wanted to do it again. You could tell that your answer thrilled him, so he went inside to place your order and you waited in the car, calling to check on Cooper while you waited.

"You're done already?" Faye was shocked to be hearing from you so soon.

"Nope, just wanted to see how things are going." You could hear Cooper cackling in the background, and it sounded as if he were having a wonderful time.

"We're fine, dear. Go have fun. He's no trouble at all."

You were glad that he was doing okay without you around, but you still missed him. By the time Aaron returned to the car, you started to feel better about returning to work. Faye was incredibly capable and you truly had no doubt that she'd take proper care of him.

"How's he doing?" He knew you'd call to check on him as soon as you had a moment to spare.

"He's fine. Faye told me to quit worrying," you chuckled, and his hand found yours before he pulled out of the parking lot.

"I was terrified when Jack was born. It's completely normal to worry when they aren't around, but he's okay. You're okay."

His soothing tone eased the majority of the stress that you'd been putting on yourself about being away from him; instead, you tried to focus all of your energy on having a good time with Aaron. The park was secluded, just as empty as the weekend prior, so you grabbed your food and let Aaron lead the way. He grabbed the blanket from the backseat and spread it out in the same place as before, letting you sit down before he situated himself across from you.

"We're lucky the weather has cooperated. It was supposed to rain today," you'd watched the weather that morning and hoped it wouldn't storm on your date. There were some darker clouds looming overhead, but it was still dry out for the time being.

"If it rains, we'll just move the party to my house," you'd never seen him so playful, with tinted cheeks and a grin plastered to his face. You only got to see the more demanding, ruthless side of him before at work. It was a welcome change from his normal behavior. You had no doubt that if you stuck around, you'd get to see all the parts of him that he kept tucked away. He'd started to let his guard down at Dave's party but now his walls were nowhere in sight.

You ate and talked mostly, about any and everything you could think of. You learned more about him over your meal than in the two years that you'd worked with him. He was quick to answer every question you asked, with no reservations about telling you. It came naturally to him, trusting you with the pieces of himself that he'd never shared with anyone else. You'd never give him a chance to regret it, because as far as you were concerned, he was the only person you were interested in knowing on a romantic level.

The first drops of rain went unnoticed because you were too busy talking. It wasn't until the sky opened up and a downpour washed over you that you'd even noticed the drastic change in weather. You were soaked within seconds, gathering your things and making a beeline for the car. You were about to climb in the passengers seat when he stopped you, pinning you against the side of the car as the rain poured down around you. His mouth was on yours before you could register his movements, taking your breath. Nothing mattered, not the storm, not your clothes that were getting heavier by the second. All you could focus on was his tongue in your mouth, tasting you like you were the only person in his universe.

He made you feel like a teenager, so smitten that you couldn't see anything beyond the two of you; you craved everything about him, his presence, his touch. He left your skin burning hot anytime his hands met your body. You were drenched by the time he released you and let you climb into his car, trying your best not to soak everything in sight. You watched through the blurry windshield as he raced around to the drivers seat, shaking the water off his skin before he climbed in.

"You can change at my place," he decided, being extra cautious as he navigated the two of you to his house. The rain had quickly turned into a storm, lightning shooting across the sky, which had grown menacing in a short amount of time.

"That was fun," you couldn't wipe the smile from your face, despite your ruined clothes and Aaron's soaked car, you wouldn't have changed a thing about the way the day had gone so far.

"Most fun I've had in a long time," he agreed, pulling into the garage to shelter you from the storm. You followed him inside and let him find you something to change into; he showed you where the bathroom was and gave you a towel to dry off. You hung your clothes on the shower curtain rack and slipped on one of his t-shirts. It smelled like him and the scent surrounded you, making you feel more at home than ever. You slipped on a pair of his sweatpants and found him on the couch, in what you could only assume was his pajamas. His navy blue t-shirt clung to his skin, his hair was still slightly damp. You tried not to stare but it was impossible; his flannel pants hung low on his hips, leaving a sliver of flesh exposed.

"Cozy?" He opened his arms for you to climb into, the house more quiet than you'd ever heard it. He didn't even bother turning the television on; neither of you would watch it. You'd simply be too distracted by one another to pay attention.

"Very. Are you?" You replied, and he nodded before bringing a blanket off the arm of the couch to cover you both up with. The rain had you shivering despite the warm weather outside, the air conditioner making you a little chilly. You tucked it in at your side as he did the same, scooting into him for his body heat.

"I'm glad you're here," you looked up at him and it was as if you saw through him for the first time. Your unemotional, seemingly passive boss was putty in your hands; you were just as weak for him.

"Me too. I know weekends are busy, but it would make me really happy if we did this more often."

It made him happy to hear you say it, his lips curling into a grin before he pulled you into his lap, his hands slowly creeping beneath the shirt you wore, fingertips blazing a hot trail on your skin. They were on the small of your back, like he was memorizing how your skin felt beneath his touch. You sucked in a breath as he leaned forward, peppering gentle kisses on the sensitive skin of your neck, your jaw, until he finally settled on your mouth, his hand on the back of your head to guide you to him.

"I can't remember the last time I felt like this," he said against your mouth, barely coming up for air.

"I'm all yours," you promised him, your hips grinding against his involuntarily. You couldn't control it, you just wanted him so badly. He used his arms to guide your hips over him once more, a groan falling from his lips at the friction. You let your hands wander over the muscles in his arms raking your nails lightly across his skin, causing him to shiver.

"I need you, Y/n. I really do. You have me, always," he slowly peeled off his shirt, giving you a chance to cover him in affection. He was already groaning under your touch, letting his hips buck against yours in a frenzy. You didn't want to hold back now that he was yours, so you climbed off his lap and positioned yourself between his knees. His eyes went wide as he let you tug down his pants and boxers, letting them crumple into a pile at his feet.

"You—you want to do this?"

You gave him an eager nod as you took his cock in your hands, already stiff and throbbing, the tip red and pulsing, leaking precum before you'd even wrapped your lips around him.

"Of course I do," you planted a gentle kiss on his thigh, watching him wiggle with anticipation above you.

"I've never—no one has ever done this for me," he said finally, and it took you a minute to completely comprehend what he'd said.

"Never?"

He shook his head, you could tell he didn't want to explain why, but you could assume it was just because Haley didn't want to, and he'd never been with anyone else.

"Can I? We'll go slow," it only made you want him more, being the first person to know what he tasted like, what he looked like when he was unraveling at the seams. He nodded furiously, mouth slightly agape as you swiped your finger across the tip, promptly sucking his precum off your fingertip. His eyes rolled back, and his hips had a mind of their own, so you quit teasing him and finally gave in.

You were taking him in your mouth, swirling your tongue around the tip of his cock. He shuddered, letting his head fall back into the cushions. You felt honored to be the first one to see him overwhelmed by pleasure. His hand rooted in your hair, not to guide you, but simply to ground himself. You hollowed your cheeks around his throbbing member, tears forming in the corners of your eyes as you gagged around him. The soft panting on your name from above was enough motivation to keep going until he couldn't handle anymore.

"Feels unreal. So good," he choked, gritting his teeth as he peered down at you. He looked properly fucked already—pupils blown out, his hair a spiky mess on his head from the downpour you'd encountered. He was so effortlessly sexy that it took your breath away; you longed to be the only one to satisfy his needs.

You could tell by his ragged breathing that he was getting close, so you flattened your tongue against him and took him further into your throat, gasping for air as he sputtered into your mouth. You made sure you swallowed every drop, taking a deep breath as you looked up at him.

"I'm speechless. I've never felt anything like that before...Thank you," he was tugging you upright to sit in his lap so he could kiss you hard, possessively. It was almost primal, his need to make sure you knew you belonged to him now. You'd never seen anything as glorious as his naked body, still shaking slightly as he recovered, holding you tight.

"I'd do anything for you," you told him, earning another kiss in response. His tongue swirled in your mouth as if he'd always belonged to you. He silently lifted your shirt over your head, inhaling sharply when he realized you were completely bare beneath; you hadn't bothered to put your wet bra back on.

"Stunning," his fingers explored your skin, settling on your already hardened nipples as he rolled them between his fingers, making you push your chest forward to give him complete access to your body. His mouth ducked forward and his tongue latched around your nipple, his fingers still toying with the other.

"Hold on," he wrapped his arms around you and hoisted you up after he kicked his pants out of the way, carrying you towards his bedroom with ease. Your lips travelled across the valley of his chest, lightly sucking at his sensitive skin as he tried to stay focused on getting you to the bed. He laid you down gently, peeling your sweatpants off and discarding them in the floor. For a moment he just stood back and admired you, his cock growing hard as he let his eyes linger on your core. He came to hover on top of you, his mouth molding into yours. He propped up on his elbow and used his hand to spread your thighs apart, softly kneading your flesh with his massive hands.

"I can't wait to learn all about your body. All I can think about is making you feel good," he ran a teasing finger through your center, your arousal dripping from his digits as he settled on your clit. You sucked in a breath, capturing his mouth with yours. Your hips wiggled beneath his touch, and in an instant he was climbing between your legs, his head resting on your thigh so he could watch every second of touching you like it was his favorite film.

His fingers slowed against your core, flicking your clit with a featherlight touch that had the pressure building in the pit of your stomach in no time.

"Feels so good, Aaron," you could barely get the words to come out, tongue tied in a fit of ecstasy. He spread your glistening lips with his fingers, groaning when he felt how soaked you were for him.

"I wish you could see yourself right now. So gorgeous," he looked up at you through his lashes, his cheeks flushed. He kissed your hip bone, leaving a trail of wet marks across your stomach until he'd made it to the other side, repeating his actions. It was more sensual than you'd anticipated, and you watched in awe as he lowered himself between your legs, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. You let your head hit the pillow as he wrapped his lips around your clit, his tongue slow and precise against your aching core. His fingers teased your entrance, a drenched mess for him as he slipped one inside of you, and then another. With a perfectly administered amount of pressure in an upwards motion, your back was arching off the bed and your legs were a shaking mess.

"That's it, sweetheart. I've got you," his tongue never ceased against you, instead he coaxed you through your orgasm before he slowly began to pump his fingers in and out of you. You went rigid against the mattress, his name falling from your lips like it was your favorite word.

"I've dreamed about this, ya know," it came out as a whimper but he heard you nonetheless, wrapping his arms around your thighs and pulling you further into his mouth, if that was possible. You couldn't believe that the universe had worked in your favor and you'd get to have the man you'd always dreamed of, whenever you wanted.

"Do you know how many nights I've laid in this bed and wished you were here? You are everything I've ever wanted," you were unraveling at the seams, letting him fuck you with his fingers. You couldn't help but watch, your eyes half lidded as you felt your orgasm take over your body. He smiled wide, slipping his fingers out of you so he could pull you to the edge of the bed. Your knees met your chest, your brain white hot as he used the tip of his cock to tease your entrance. You whines, gripping the back of his legs to pull him forward; you were tired of waiting, you were yearning to feel him.

"I need you, Aaron," you choked, and you felt his grip on your waist tighten before he slid into you tantalizingly slow, your walls clenching around him without warning as he filled you up. His legs were unsteady as he began to thrust into you, his movements gentle and erotic, causing your stomach to tighten and the pressure began to build. You admired the amount of self control he had, because if it were up to you, he'd be slamming into you nonstop; you knew he wanted to take his time with you. It made you feel special, as if making sure you felt nothing but pleasure was his only concern.

"I'm close already. You—fuck—feel so good, sweetheart." His breathing was ragged, chest rising and falling rapidly as he rolled his hips into you, a fraction faster, but enough to have you gripping the sheets. His eyebrows pulled together, his tongue in between his teeth in concentration, you focused on him; his Adam's apple strained tight in his throat, the way his hips would grind against you. It was a rush to every one of your senses, making your eyes flutter shut. You struggled to keep them open but the pleasure was all consuming; your legs vibrated against his chest as you came again. You'd completely succumbed to the feeling of him bottoming out in you, so deep that you were perpetually clenching around him.

Moments later you felt him finish, you watched as he shuddered, his teeth gritted together, a thin sheen of sweat on his brow. His hand gentle cupped your dace as though he needed a reminder that you were really there. You could feel the longing of the last few years blanketing the room, because you'd both finally gotten what you wanted: each other. The room was quiet as he leaned down to kiss you, his mouth greedy, relentless against your own. You wanted to give yourself to him in every aspect, to show him off everywhere you went so people could see how happy the two of you made each other. You wanted to experience all the things you'd missed out on with him.

He came to lay beside you, cuddling in at your side. His entire body was warm, making you all too comfortable in his cozy bed. You'd told Faye not to wait up on you because you weren't sure when you'd be home, and she didn't mind. She had encouraged you above and beyond to stay out late and be irresponsible because Cooper was safe and she knew you never got the chance even before him to do much. You didn't really date before, but mainly because you'd been waiting on Aaron; all of your energy was spent stealing glances and making sure he knew he was important.

"I don't want this day to end," he said finally, the calloused pads of his fingertips circling patterns on your stomach.

"I've had the best time with you. Thank you," you kissed his cheek, and he lightly brushed his nose against yours before peppering you with kisses. You were addicted to the attention, the devotion he gave you. He was addictively affectionate and you craved his touch more than anything. He made you feel secure, he made you feel seen.

"Don't thank me. Just let me do this with you all the time," his head rested next to yours, the two of you tangled together, neither of you wanting to move. You were more content than you'd been in a long time; it was a sense of completion, as if your missing link had finally been accounted for, and now that he was here, you could spend your days filled with laughter and joy.

"As often as we can," you promised, feeling him snuggle in closer to you, his strong arms keeping you wrapped up. The rain still poured down outside but the clock on the table read a little after 4 pm. You still had time to spend with him, and you'd be fine if the rest of your time spent together looked just like this.

"What do you and Cooper have planned for tomorrow?" He used his elbow to prop up so he could look at you, and with anyone else, you would have felt self conscious naked next to another person, but there were no reservations for being open around him. You were already becoming familiar with how it felt to be his.

"Honestly I haven't planned anything. I was thinking maybe the aquarium. When was the last time you and Jack went?"

He thought for a moment before he shook his head.

"I don't think we have. Not together. He was really happy when you picked him up from school, you know. He enjoys being with you just as much as I do," you could hear the emotion in his voice at the thought of his son getting close to another person. You'd do everything in your power to take care of Jack when Aaron needed you.

"We love having you two around. I hope you'll stay," it was more needy than you meant it to be but you didn't care. You wanted him for as long as he'd have you.

"Where would I go? You're the perfect person for me," he was on top of you in an instant, holding his body weight with his elbows as he kissed your lips. He pinned you to the bed, lips sucking marks on your shoulders. The heat was already pooling between your thighs, your desire to pleasure him overtaking your rational thinking.

"I want to try something with you," it came out small, a bit apprehensive until he nodded, his eyes glassy. He was intoxicated on you, with so much focus that it made you tingle. You sat up, instructing him to sit at the head of the bed. You crawled between his legs and realized he was already hard and throbbing against his thigh. You exhaled shakily before looking up at him.

"Fuck my mouth," your filter was long gone, your thoughts spinning, in a dire frenzy to give him everything he'd been missing out on. His eyes were nearly black as he blinked back at you, his bottom lip pulled harshly between his teeth as he gave you a silent nod, hips already bucking beneath your grasp. You wasted no time in wrapping your lips around his cock, tongue flattening in order for you to take him in your throat. You were gagging around him in seconds, saliva coating his member, allowing him to thrust into your mouth easily. It was slow paced at first as he figured out what felt best, his eyebrows furrowed in deep concentration as he brought his hand to the back of your head.

"You look so pretty with my cock in your mouth," you squeezed your legs together, dripping in desire for him as you pushed him further into your throat, tears brimming your eyes. His free hand cupped your face lovingly as he guided you on his dick, his hips moving in sync with your mouth. He released a shaky breath as he watched you, his member pulsing in your mouth each time he brushed against your tongue. You stopped for a moment to catch your breath, working his length with your hand as he sat up on his elbows to get a better look. You brought your mouth forward and his dick found the back of your throat once more, bobbing furiously as you hollowed your cheeks around him. He jerked beneath you before filling your mouth, coating the back of your throat as you worked to swallow every drop. His grip tightened around your hair as he came down, working through his orgasm in the warmth of your mouth. You were in a trance, briefly subdued with thoughts of everything you could learn about satisfying him.

"You enjoy this as much as I do?”

It was no secret that you were a bit eager to give him your mouth but it turned you on tremendously to know you were the only one to give him that kind of treatment. You gave him an enthusiastic nod before planting a sweet kiss on his thigh.

“You have no idea how much,” you admitted, and he pulled you into his lap, mouth meeting yours with haste. You straddled his lap, your hands in his hair. His arms held you close, but it still felt surreal, even after being with him all day. You wondered if it would always feel as though you’d known him all your life, if you’d always be so comfort around him. You had no reason not to be; he was crazy for you.

“Lay down,” he whispered softly against your cheek, gently helping to lay you back on the pillows as he situated in front of you on his knees. You watched him pump his length in his hand as his eyes scanned you, a soft groan escaping his lips when you reached out to take over, the fluid motion of your wrist making his eyes flutter shut. His hand crept between your thighs, already soaked and dripping with arousal, latching on to your clit. His thumb brushed against you delicately, a shiver taking over your body. You couldn’t take any more teasing, you wrapped your legs around him to bring him forward so he’d get the hint. He chuckled lightly as he slid into you, but you could tell it was taking all of the restraint he had not to fuck you sooner.

You were able to take all of him, the familiar stretch more than welcome as he began to rock back and forth. He no sooner found his rhythm, slow, intimate, steady, and his phone was ringing. Instead of stopping, he reached for it and used his free hand to cover your mouth. You watched him answer the phone with wide eyes and his hips continued to move against you.

“Hotchner.”

He tried so hard to pay attention, but his focus was elsewhere. He held the phone between his head and shoulder so he could adjust your positioning, bringing your legs up so they could press into your chest. It was intense, filling, an entirely new angle to make you come undone. His conversation continued as he kept pounding into you, your cries muffled by his hand, firmly in place.

“I understand. I’ll see you Monday then,” he let the phone fall to the floor, removing his hand as he started to slam into you.

“You’re bad,” you watched a sly grin break out on his face as he leaned forward to kiss you before he replied.

“You’re worse! Making all of those sweet noises while I was on the phone. You’re filthy sweetheart, and I love every minute of it,” you felt your legs shake uncontrollably as your orgasm washed over you, your nails gripping the sheets as you fought to keep your eyes open. You felt yourself clench tightly around him and in response, he braced himself, his arms outstretched on either side of you as he found his release. You brushed his hair back, kissing him softly as he came back down. He let himself collapse next to you, his head buried in your shoulder.

“Can you stay tonight? I understand if you can’t, but if you can, we’ll make dinner and relax,” you already knew Faye wouldn’t mind but you sent her a text to let her know anyway and she responded with a ton of heart emojis. You laughed lightly, knowing Cooper was in good hands, you relaxed slightly and started to get excited about staying the night with Aaron. You’d get to fall asleep and wake up next to him, and you couldn’t have been more thrilled.

“I was hoping I’d get to keep you for the night,” his lips moved against your neck, trailing upwards along your jawline until he’d reached your mouth. You loved how fond he was of you; it was a foreign feeling, because no one had ever cared so much for you that it literally emitted from their physical body.

“And all day tomorrow,” you reminded him breathlessly, and he made a hum of satisfaction before pulling back to look at you.

“I can’t believe I got so lucky,” all of the air left your lungs, you could only kiss him in response. Shortly after, he handed you a shirt to wear and you were getting dressed to go cook dinner with him.

“I’m glad you’re letting me help this time,” you chopped vegetables next to him while he got everything ready at the stove, occasionally stealing a glance in your direction.

“I used to think cooking with someone else would be a hassle but I think I was wrong,” he kissed your forehead quickly before taking the bowl of peppers and onions you’d been working hard to slice so he could sauté them.

“This is really nice,” was all you said but what you really meant was, I could really get used to this.

“You’re always welcome in my kitchen,” the steaks sizzled in the pan, the smell wafting throughout the kitchen and making your mouth water. You hadn’t realized how hungry you were until you began cooking.

“I do my best in the kitchen around Christmas. I’m glad Aunt Faye is around because we always go big for holidays.”

It was easy to talk to him, and you’d found yourself exchanging little tidbits of information about each other that you hadn’t bothered to tell anyone else. It was beautiful to witness yourself falling for him and everything you came to know about him. He’d never open up like this to anyone else, and that made it all the more exceptional.

By the time you finished dinner, he was prepping the couch, arranging the cushions so you could watch the movie comfortably and eat dinner at the same time. You carried both of your plates and joined him in the living room, perking up when you saw he’d chosen one of your favorite movies. You sat through the previews and ate together, savoring his cooking skills, grateful not to be the only person who knew their way around the kitchen. He’d been taking care of himself for so long that you shouldn’t have been shocked but you hoped he’d let you ease some of his burdens eventually so there wasn’t so much on his plate.

He took your dishes to the kitchen and came back to join you, wrapping you in his arms while the movie played. You were unsure of the certainties that came with loving him, but you were sure that it was the best decision you could’ve made.

“What are you thinking about?”

You peered up at him, his eyes full of curiosity gleaming back into yours.

“I’m just really glad that I get to spend time with you like this.”

He planted a kiss on your lips before pulling you into his lap, getting you comfortable, making sure you could both still see the film.

“There’s nowhere else in the world that I’d rather be,” his charm alone was enough to have your heart racing, because he was effortlessly smooth, compliments and praises rolling off his tongue easily. Everything he said was genuine, and you knew it for a fact; so much thought and emotion went in to every word he said.

You’d never been able to see yourself with anyone before him long term, but you could envision your blended family with him without any hesitation; you wanted the rush of early morning routines as you both got kids ready for school and tried to get yourselves ready too. You could see the family outings, elderly ladies comparing the two boys to Aaron for years to come, and the giggle between the kids afterwards. It was easy enough to imagine, and you prayed it was a sign that eventually, it would be your reality. You’d never wanted anything or anyone more than the life you could potentially have with him, and you’d do everything you could to make sure all of your lazy evenings were spent just like this.

Taglist: @thenewnormalforensicator

#aaron hotchner playlist collection #aaron hotchner x you #ssa aaron hotchner #Aaron Hotchner #hotch x fem!reader #hotch x reader #hotch smut #aaron hotchner smut

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dayfalwastaken · 11 months

Text

The good bloke, Henry Emily.

Cracking his neck and knuckles, William got ready to get to work.

…Just to be met with the disappointing sight that was the home screen. He’d forgotten about it.

Despite his handcrafted 16-bit display permitting a colorful and revolutionary user interface, Henry had opted to remain old-school. He’d denied William’s requests to include icons for applications that could be arranged however the user liked. He “liked his programs to be organized in columns”, the man had said at the time. Stuck in the past like always, but what could Will do? Thus, everything accessible was arranged vertically on a black background, with the most important programs at the top, having their text highlighted in different colors. The result was a mishmash of next-gen features running on yesterday’s basics. It was buggy, ugly as all hell, and had no synergy, but was half a decade ahead of the crap that were modern consumer products.

William shook his head. Holy fuck was that interface ghastly to stare at.

==== HNRYE. & WLAMA.’s PC ====

***Open source***

Date: 01/05/1982 – Tuesday

Time: 09:47 PM

Index Help

/ [README]

/ [ContractDocs.txt]

/ [General Files]

/ [Program Files]

/ [Terminal.exe]

/ [Control.exe]

/ [Kernel.exe]

/ [Script.exe]

/ [Temp. Deleted]

/ [Extensions]

/ [Applications]_

/ [Images, Diner Artwork]

/ [Notes]

/ [Games] – (Stop setting coordinates for 3D objects in random txt files. Yes, rendered graphics from txt are cool, yes, I know you like to test the “engine”, but you’re taking up space and it’s a pain to always get error messages saying “You’re out of memory” every time I want to work. The least you could do is delete them after you’re done. Seriously, I’ve had like four crashes just this afternoon. You’re not twelve, William. Thank you. -Last edited 2 months ago)

PS: Don’t stay up all night if you’re having too much

trouble. We can run today’s tape if the next one

is faulty. Take care of yourself, Bill.

-Yours truly.

William laughed. Good old Henry both chastising and worrying for his health all at once. Sometimes he wondered where he’d be if he hadn’t met the man. College would’ve been the same hell as high school had been, for one. The diner would’ve never been made… He’d been lucky to meet Henry when he did. Had they met back in England they wouldn’t have been able to maintain a friendship since William would’ve left for the States regardless of his home’s familiarity. Plus, it was tough to imagine Henry as being British. He just didn’t fit that… not culture, but… lifestyle maybe? Hard to say.

Will blinked away the tears that were beginning to form in his eyes. Staring at a bright screen in pitch darkness couldn’t be good for his vision, but he liked working in the dark. As corny as it sounded, William felt at home in it. He was more productive that way, when he only focused on the thing in front of him.

Better taste a little something to get me going.

#William Afton #Henry Emily #fnaf william afton #fnaf henry emily #ATSAT #fnaf fanfic #preview #snippet #out of context #chapter 22

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believingispowerfulmagic · 7 months

Text

OUATtober2023 Day 13: Fanfic Tribute (Bonus Prompt G)

It was supposed to be Fanfic Friday but real life got in the way. But it doesn't matter - any time is a good time to highlight some of my favorite Outlaw Queen fics. I hope you will go and give them some love!

Finished:

Baker's Dozen by @somewhereapart

Summary: He comes in every day at 8:15, orders the same thing, and flirts with the girl behind the counter. Regina watches him from the kitchen of her bakery -- appreciates, but doesn't approach. But as fall turns into winter, things begin to change. 13 weeks of modern AU Outlaw Queen, set in New York City.

This was one of the first ongoing and AU fics I read for Outlaw Queen. And it gave me the confidence to post my own story.

Happiness Can't Be Arranged by @gray-autumn-sky

Summary: Set during the Regency Period, Henry and Cora arrange a marriage for their daughter in an effort to save their family’s name and estate.

A great story that combined two things I love - Outlaw Queen and historical fiction!

Revival by @audreysl0ve

Summary: Four years after being declared dead, Robin returns home to find his wife engaged to one of his best friends. He struggles to deal with this, while also attempting to reconnect with his two sons.

I've loved this story for a while and I always reread it when I need some angst with a happy ending.

Fire and Ice by ReginaPendragon

Summary: Can old rivals become new partners? In the aftermath of a serious injury, Regina Mills’s dream of going to the Olympics is dashed when her partner leaves her to skate with another girl. Alone and unsure of her future in the sport, Regina resigns herself to finding a new partner. Enter Robin Locksley: talented, handsome, and Regina’s former rival from the junior skating circuit. They meet. They clash. Their coaches think they’re the perfect match. Can these former competitors put aside their differences for a second chance at Olympic glory?

The story is so fun to read and I love Robin and Regina's dynamic in it. And it also helped inspire me to write Better When I'm Dancing.

Unfinished fics

Poor Unfortunate Souls by @glindalovesshoes

Summary: Former prisoner Robin Locksley is released on parole and has to do 9 months of community service at "Mist Haven - Asylum for the Insane". As he grows closer with some of the residents, especially a young disturbed woman named Regina, mysterious incidents happen in the castle - Nothing is as it seems and it soon turns out the residents aren't the insane ones after all.

I absolutely love this story and the world it built. I hope you give it a chance even though it's not finished and likely won't be. It's still worth it.

The Holiday by @suseagull04

Summary: Fed up with her ex, Regina books a vacation over the holidays simply hoping to forget him. But will her spontaneous decision lead to love?

I think The Holiday is perfect for Outlaw Queen, especially the Graham and Amanda storyline, and this story proves it. So check it out!

#once upon a time #ouattober2023 #outlaw queen #oq au #oq ff #oq ff rec

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martianbugsbunny · 2 years

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OUAT Thoughts Pt.31--Episodes 20-21

I have watched through S3E21; spoilers DNI. Also, spoiler warning for anyone further behind than I am.

—Every time people are happy in this show, things get worse. Last time everyone was happy, Peter Pan almost wiped out the entire town. This time, there are time shenanigans. When will we reach the lowest possible badness level and have nowhere to go but up?

—This show feels like it was written by the most top-tier fanficcers. It’s an exquisite piece of art, and despite the sheer beauty and intelligence of its story and characters, it doesn’t shy away from utilizing the plot devices and tropes that are common in fanfiction. Which, by the way, is simply a form of media that goes to show how many genius writers exist in the world, and how certain concepts are naturally appealing to a large majority of the population.

—The streaks of grey in Rumple’s hair are quite fetching.

—Maybe Granny should join the Merry Men. She already has the crossbow.

—Yay, Dr. Hopper crumbs! I’m glad he got to have a conversation with Henry, because he has been rather important in Henry’s life, and it would be a shame to not include a scene like that when it fits in so easily. Also, sweater vest!

—It’s very selfish of Emma to still want to take Henry back to New York. Now he remembers he has extended family in Storybrooke, not to mention a whole other mom. And it’s not fair to them, especially Regina, either. Seriously, for a hero, Emma’s being about 0% empathetic right now. She hasn’t even considered Regina’s feelings about it. Also, Henry has spent all but one years of his life in Storybrooke, so for him that is home. Emma is just not being considerate of anyone right now.

—Of course Dorothy was disappointing.

—I do kind of appreciate the way the good witches were talking about the Wizard. If he had gotten a chance to actually be a devious trickster, he might’ve been kinda cool.

—Regina putting the pendant in her vault is so stupid. That’s basically the first place a badguy goes if they’re looking for magic. It’s the opposite of secure.

—I’m not disappointed in Rumple for killing Zelena. Frankly, she had it coming. And it would be pretty ooc for him to not exact vengeance, even if he’s a semi-changed man. There is, after all, a difference between natural growth and bad characterization, and after Bae was the center of his machinations for centuries not avenging Bae’s death would be the latter.

—I am kinda disappointed that he’s lying to Belle, especially now that they’re engaged. That’s going to come back and bite him in the ass eventually.

—Emma looks extra pretty in the fairytale clothes. Honestly, find me someone who doesn’t, because cloaks and blouses and fancy jackets with gold buttons are just lovely.

—The timeline is going to be so messed up by the time Hook and Emma get home. Everybody’s going to end up with like three heads or something.

—Seeing Charming and Abigail’s interactions with each other is fun now that I know Abigail isn’t happy with their arrangement either. Before, she came off as a spoiled princess. Now she reads as being equally unhappy as Charming is. And he’s doing his best, but when it comes to Abigail he’s hardly an attentive fiancé (which again, is understandable) so her reactions are quite understandable.

—Emma introducing herself as Princess Leia is hilarious. Who wouldn’t pick that as a codename?

—The book turning blank because Emma messed with her parents’ relationship is terrible.

—It’s pretty cool that Emma got a chance to experience the life her parents wanted for her. I think she actually would’ve been a decent princess, if she’d gotten to live in the Enchanted Forest. Though, her dress wasn’t quite as elaborate as some of the others; seeing her in a full-on princess getup would’ve been fun.

—I gotta love Rumple sending people off in style. Charming needs to rescue Snow from a sleeping curse? Not in that outfit, buddy. Emma and Hook need to encourage Snow to steal from Charming? Royalty don’t dress like that, dearies. He’s so frickin extra.

—Regina using light magic was awesome. I enjoy that she gets to illustrate how neither good nor evil is entirely inborn.

—You know, I’d still love a holiday episode where absolutely nothing important happens and nobody is in danger of dying. Maybe split between Christmas and Thanksgiving; we start at Christmas, with everybody already acting annoyed at each other, and over the course of the episode flash back to Thanksgiving to find out what caused it. Of course they’re all fighting over something stupid, because it’s a holiday.

—I’m quite relieved we didn’t go far enough back in time for Emma to literally become her own great-great-great-grandmother. Although, she is messing with her parents and drastically lowering the chances that she was ever born, so…kind of a lateral move.

#once upon a time #ouat #rumplestiltskin #granny #the merry men #dr. hopper #Captain Hook #Emma swan #Henry #regina mills #prince David charming #Snow White #Princess Abigail #zelena #dorothy #oz #time travel shenanigans #martianbugsbunny reviews

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gavin-plz-call-me · 3 years

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The Brothers + Dateables & Luke react to MC owning a cat named lucifer

A/N- To attempt to avoid confusion, the demon Lucifer’s name will always be capitalized, while the cat lucifer’s name will never be capitalized.

“Now,” Diavolo said, obviously nearing the end of his speech, “Do you have any more questions, MC?”

You nod, “Is my cat up there all by himself?” you ask, “I don’t want him to get lonely, and without me he wont have anyone to feed him.”

The men, no, the demons in front of you stared, all obviously dumbstruck. You had been ripped out of your home, brought to a strange place, and told you were to live here for a year, and your first thought was of your cat? What a strange human you were.

“We can arrange someone to take care of your cat,” Diavolo said, smiling wide, but your face fell at his words. Diavolo seemed to sense your discontent as he spoke again, “Or we can arrange for your cat to be brought here?”

“Yes, please,” you spoke almost immediately.

Diavolo called for a demon named Barbatos, telling him to go to the human world to retrieve your cat. He disappeared then reappeared in a matter of seconds, your cat laying comfortably in his arms.

“Oh, lucifer,” You cooed, taking your cat away from Barbatos, kissing the cat’s forehead.

The hall went silent once again, before someone, the demon they introduced as Asmodeus, spoke up, “Honey, that’s Barbatos.” He said, a slight chuckle laced within the words.

Confused, you glance back up at the hall of demons, you point to your cat, “No? His name is lucifer.”

Lucifer

Can't decide if he's confused or insulted.

He's confused because, who the hell would someone name a cat of all things after a demon

and he's insulted because WHO THE HELL WOULD NAME A CAT AFTER HIM?

He's one of the strongest Demons in the Devildom, much stronger than a mere housecat, the insinuation that he, Lucifer, avatar of pride, shares anything in common with a cat has him fuming.

Of course, he shows none of these emotions outwardly, keeping his face stoic as always.

And any one of his brothers who dare joke about this cat's name will be hanged from the ceiling in a matter of seconds.

Is fairly annoyed with their shared name in day-to-day life, and not just because it's insulting.

But, many times a day, Lucifer'll hear his name called through the halls and, when he goes to investigate, one of his brothers is cooing over the damned pun intended cat.

Will eventually get used to lucifer and will definitely be seen cuddling with him.

Is like the dad who insists he doesn't want a cat, but as soon as he gets one they're inseparable.

At the end of the day, he loves that damn cat.

Mammon

Laughs out loud at the revelation that the cat's name is lucifer.

Until he realizes now he has to look after the human and the cat.

Will complain about it in typical Mammon fashion, but he warms up to lucifer about as quickly as he warms up to you.

Buys him a bunch of cat toys when he has the grimm, and loves to play with him

especially with a laser pointer.

Also loves to cuddle, but always acts very tsundere about it.

"What is it lucifer? Oh, of course, you want to cuddle with the Great Mammon."

Will either steal lucifer from your room at night, or sleep in your room to cuddle with him and totally not you, of course, but you should be honored he's even sleeping in your room.

Leviathan

Thinks it's hilarious as well.

Though he prefers anime, Levi is well versed in other human media, especially classic Disney films, so, because of Cinderella, he's well aware that lucifer is a popular cat name in the human realm.

That doesn't make it any less funny, though.

WILL NOT allow lucifer into his room.

He has too many expensive figurines to risk it

Plus, he doesn't want to risk Henry 2.0 getting hurt.

Will only play with, pet, or cuddle with lucifer if he initiates it.

"He probably doesn't want to be pet by a gross otaku like me," as if cats know what otakus are.

Will, at some point, sew lucifer a costume that looks suspiciously like what his older brother tends to wear.

He may or may not have been hanged for that one, but it was totally worth it.

Satan

Like Lucifer, Satan is conflicted.

On one hand, cat! He loves cats, he wants to pet this cat all day, and give him kisses and cuddles and love.

On the other hand, Satan would rather his soul be ripped apart than give love to something named after Lucifer.

Will try his hardest to completely ignore the cat's existence.

Has to leave the room if lucifer comes in because he can't trust himself to not pet him.

Is like this with lucifer until he sees him respond to the name luci as well.

After that, you cannot separate Satan from lucifer even if you tried.

Spoils him rotten.

The two are often found reading together in the library, Satan leisurely petting lucifer.

Fights with Mammon at least once a day for lucifer and always wins.

Goes on long rants about how cat lucifer is much better in every way than demon Lucifer.

Asmodeus

Another one who thinks it's hilarious.

Definitely thinks lucifer is cute but hates all the shedding, so he usually keeps his distance.

Like Levi, Asmo doesn't allow lucifer in his room.

Will constantly complain about fur getting all over his clothes.

Has had to buy more lint rollers in the first year you spent in the Devildom than he had bought in the last century.

Constantly posts pictures of lucifer on his Devilgram because, despite being a furry monster, he is just the cutest little kitten around.

Beelzebub

Thinks the name is a bit weird but accepts it pretty quickly.

It's just a name, after all, lots of people who are very different share names.

lucifer's food has to be hidden from Beel because he can, and will, eat it.

"It just smelled so good, and I was so hungry."

Apologizes by buying him some luxury cat treats that took all of Bee's willpower not to eat on the way home.

At first, he won't interact with lucifer unless lucifer approaches him.

Beel is so big, and lucifer is so small, he doesn't want to crush the little cat.

But with enough time and reinforcement, Beel will pick lucifer up himself for some much-needed cuddles.

Before Belphie comes down from the attic, Beel'll bring lucifer up to their room at night when he's feeling a bit more lonely than usual.

Beel will invite you up to his room as well.

Belphegor

Finds out about lucifer after everyone else, due to the whole, being locked in the attic, thing.

Hears Asmo trying to coax lucifer into a good pose from down the hall.

"Oh lucifer, cutie pie, you gotta look at the camera."

Is surprised that Asmo is still alive talking to Lucifer like that.

Is even more surprised when he turns the corner to find Asmo talking to a cat, not his eldest brother.

Thinks it's hilarious, but Lucifer is already over it so teasing him about it doesn't do much.

Won't actively seek out lucifer's attention, but will gladly nap with him.

Beel continues his habit of bringing lucifer up to their room for cuddles when Belphie returns, so the three of them usually end up in a big cuddle pile.

Bonus points if he brings you up too.

Diavolo

Thinks it's very amusing.

Laughs about it, probably for a bit too long.

He can't help it, especially because he knows Lucifer is most definitely a bit upset about it.

Will tease Lucifer once or twice about it, but will ultimately leave it alone.

When he visits the House of Lamentation, he'll give lucifer a nice pat, hello, but won't go very far beyond that.

Barbatos

Read lucifer's name tag while he was collecting him from the human realm.

Wasn't surprised in the slightest because nothing ever surprises him

Is definitely excited to see everyone's reactions to his name, and is not disappointed.

If given the chance, he will spend hours brushing lucifer's fur and pampering him

but doesn't get the chance to do so often, if ever.

Solomon

Has had a cat named lucifer in the past.

I mean, he's lived hundreds of years, it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

Named his own cat lucifer because he thought it was funny, and the humor hasn't faded since.

So he's very amused by this new lucifer in his life.

Will unabashedly cuddle and play with lucifer whenever he's given the chance.

I mean, this lucifer reminds him of his own cat, so he becomes pretty attached pretty quickly.

Whenever he visits the House of Lamentation, he'll hold lucifer until the very last minute he possibly can, and will be pretty sad when he has to leave.

Will joke about stealing lucifer, may actually try to steal him.

Simeon

Like Levi, Simeon is pretty well versed in human media, so the concept of cats named lucifer isn't new to him.

Still finds it a bit funny nonetheless.

Tells Michael right away.

Likes cats well enough, and, when he's in the House of Lamentation, will seek out a few pets from the kitten

but he doesn't venture to the House of Lamentation too often, so he never grows too close to lucifer.

Luke

WHY? WOULD YOU NAME A CAT? AFTER A DEMON?

There are so many better names for a cat!

Like whiskers, or oreo, or simba.

Is genuinely confused, and maybe even a bit concerned.

He's afraid you were consorting with demons before coming to the Devildom and that's why you named him lucifer.

After his brief stay in the House of Lamentation, Luke is absolutely in love with lucifer.

Plays with him constantly.

Wants to pick him up, but doesn't know how to.

Luke will end up getting scratched eventually, but Luke forgives him.

Bakes lucifer special cat treats and hopes you'll let him feed lucifer one.

#obey me #obey me shall we date #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me levithan #obey me satan #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #obey me diavolo #obey me barbatos #obey me solomon #obey me simeon #obey me luke #obey me mc #gender nuetral reader #obey me headcanons #obey me gender neutral mc

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paterson-blue · 3 years

Text

Fine Line

Summary: Henry pays you yet another visit.

Word Count: 2,372

Warnings: Dubious consent, somnophilia, consensual somnophilia, I'm serious y'all do not come for me if you get upsetty spaghetti--this is tagged for a reason, you can have a little dead dove as a treat, afab!reader, bitter!henry, mean & angry!henry, insecure!henry, jealous!henry, possessive!henry, .... it's canon henry y'all idk what you want me to say, henry mchenry is in love and he fuuuuucking hates it, cigarette smoking, passing reference to cocaine lol, degradation (sort of?), masturbation, spit as lube but also lube as lube, unprotected piv sex, creampie oop!, lil hint of breeding kink bc it's me, chance of pregnancy is ambiguous, .... harry styles cowrote with me and I will NOT face any slander for it bye – let me know if I need to add anything else!

A/N: This is part 2 to The Night, The Flame, but can also be read as a standalone!

Just took a sleeping pill so I’m sure I’ll be out by the time you finish up. Break a leg! Let me know when you get home safe.

Henry rereads your text as he sits backstage, cigarette clenched between his teeth. It was stupid, really, for you to ask to know when he got home if you were going to be asleep already. What was the point? What if he crashed his bike on the way back--it’s not like you’d know until the morning. He’d be cold and dead on the side of the road by then.

He thinks about calling you to tell you just that, to berate you over it as the much needed nicotine courses through his veins. But there’d be no use--you were always dead to the fuckin’ world after taking a sleeping pill. You didn’t do it often; you must be having trouble sleeping this week. Henry hates how concern bubbles up within him at the thought.

He’s been hating a lot of things recently, which he supposes isn’t new--but this time feels different from the usual.

Henry sighs in annoyance, stabbing the butt of his cigarette into the nearby ashtray before finally getting back into his street clothes. The set had been a wild success, and he’d been planning on heading into the club to join the audience members. A night of drinking, women, a little coke--he needed it, needed the stress relief. He needed to relax. He’s pretty sure the girl who flashed her tits at him would be game; or, she was last time.

And then he’d seen your stupid fucking text message, and all thoughts of anyone else went out the window.

It’s not how things were supposed to be. You were supposed to be a fun piece of ass that he could come fuck whenever he wanted. That’s how it started, and that’s what you’d agreed to. You wanted to use his body as much as he wanted to use yours, and the two of you were fine with that arrangement.

But now he can’t fucking sleep with anyone else. He doesn’t want to sleep with anyone else, only you. And christ, the thought of you in another man’s bed makes Henry see red. He knows he can’t be the one you want, not all of him--not anything other than his cock. He gets it; he’s beyond fucked up and you’re not, and you both know it. He’s good in bed, he’s confident in that. But what else can he provide?

God fucking dammit he wants to scream. He’s so fucking frustrated, his previous plans dashed. All his earlier urges, his thoughts of the indulgences the club can provide--they’re gone. His fingertips twitch, and he fumbles for another cigarette on instinct, taking in a deep inhale as soon as it's lit.

He knows what he wants--what he needs. And he’s going to get it.

He takes long drags of his cigarette as he grabs his motorcycle helmet and heads outside to his bike, flatly ignoring anyone who tries to talk to him. He’s on a mission now, and he doesn’t feel like interruptions.

It doesn’t take long to get to your flat, the journey one that he’s made what feels like hundreds of times. He thinks he can make the trip with his eyes closed, each and every turn familiar, his subconscious guiding him until he parks, shutting off his bike and letting the night fall quiet.

Henry stares up towards your balcony, taking a couple deep breaths. He itches for another smoke, but he resists the urge—he doesn’t need another hit of nicotine when he has you.

He’s done this before, come to you at night while you were sleeping. It’s the entire reason you gave him a key to your place. He hadn’t wanted to take the token at first, too scared of what a key represented, too worried about what it insinuated. But you’d made such a convincing argument as to why he needed one—told him you knew he got antsy after a show, and you’d be available to him even while you slept, unconscious to his actions.

Well how could he have said no?

Yes, Henry’s done this more than enough times now to have everything down to a science. He knows how to let himself in silently, knows where to step so the floors don’t creak. It wouldn’t make a difference really—you won’t wake up, and he knows it—but it just enhances the experience, pretending that you might.

He knows you’ll be sprawled out in bed naked; you always said you got too hot at night. He knows how to move you ever so gently, letting your legs fall open to reveal your sweet, gorgeous pussy. He knows where you keep the lube; knows exactly what he needs to make sliding into you slick and easy.

He forgoes the condom this time. Usually he wore one in order to prevent any mess—to try to leave no trace of himself, so you’d be none the wiser when you awoke. But not tonight. Tonight, he’s on edge, possessive, irritated with the feelings you cause within him. He’s going to make a mess of you, leave it for you to find in the morning.

He’s going to fucking show you just who you belong to.

He’s already hard as he unzips his jeans, palming his cock through his briefs. It’s not surprising—doing this always got him going. You’re so fucking beautiful like this, spread out and vulnerable for him. The prettiest, most obscene picture for his eyes only.

Mine, he thinks to himself as he shoves his underwear down his thighs, gaze greedy. He can’t help but suck his thumb into his mouth, wetting it before moving his hand between your legs, rubbing slow circles over your clit. You twitch in your sleep, cunt pulsing--begging for his cock.

He considers pulling you to the edge of the bed--kneeling and tasting you, coating his tongue with your slick. It’s just as much for him as it is for you, though Henry’s loath to admit it. Part of the appeal, though, is your response to him--your moans, your sighs, the wriggle of your hips against his face, your fingers gripping, twisting, pulling at his hair. The pain is a high stronger than any drug can give him; your noises, euphoria. He has none of it if you’re asleep, yet he doesn’t want to wake you and spoil the current moment.

It’s another frustrating contradiction. You’ve never made things easy for him.

Henry warms the lube in his palm before giving his cock a couple strokes; it twitches in his hand, overeager. His gaze trails over your body up to your face, expression lax and peaceful where your cheek is nuzzled into your pillow. He thinks about what it would be like to have this--have you--every night. He imagines a world where he comes home to you, pulls you into his arms, rests his head on the pillow next to yours and tells you sweet, beautiful, stupid little things.

It’s unrealistic and he knows it--makes his heart clench up in his chest. That ugly green feeling rises within him once again to replace his sorrow.

Sometimes, Henry thinks he loves you so much that he hates you.

It’s a fine line.

He jerks his cock the way he wants to fuck you: hard and fast and ferocious, squeezing himself tight. His chest heaves as he struggles to gasp in quiet breaths; his lungs feel heavy, suffocated by his irrational anger, his jealousy, his resentment. Henry knows he could let go of his feelings--could free himself from the darkness that swirls in his head, in his heart. But, if he did that, he knows what feelings he would have left, and love is a far scarier thing than bitterness.

He fights the urge to wake you--to pound into you mercilessly, a hand around your throat, making you cry out for him as he stares into your eyes. He wants to punish you for making him love you, for making him weak, for making him hopeless and discontent. But, he’ll save that for later. Because he knows, despite what he tells himself, there will always be a later. He can’t stay away from you long, and you always--impossibly--welcome him back.

Instead, he forces his hands to stop their incessant movement; the lack of stimulation makes his hips jerk. Wiping his hands on the sheets, he clambers onto your bed; his cock bobs between his legs, hard and drooling. You stir slightly, and Henry settles his palms on your knees, watching your face intently--still, you remain unconscious. As soon as you settle back down, Henry wraps his long fingers around your upper thighs, spreading you open just how he needs in order for him to shuffle closer.

Your cunt twitches when he notches the head of his cock to your pretty little hole, as if trying to pull him in. It makes him groan--quietly, low in his throat. He’s already close, cock throbbing as he rubs the head through your soft folds. You’re relaxed enough like this--and probably still open from last night--that he can press in with little resistance. You make a noise akin to a sigh, but Henry’s too entranced by the sight of your pussy swallowing his cock inch by inch to check and see if you’re waking up.

It’s perfect, though it always is, having you on his cock. The lube slicks the way just enough for him to press in deep, holding himself there as your cunt flutters around him, adjusting to the intrusion. He’s so on edge--physically, emotionally, mentally; just this is enough to make his balls pulse. Henry allows himself a couple slow strokes, muscles tense as he moves his hips in deliberate, steady thrusts. Your walls grip him tight, hot and soft, sucking him back in as soon as he starts to pull out. He thinks, idly, that he could stay like this all night. Maybe he should lay down, pull you back against his chest--press his cock into you from behind, let your warm pussy milk him until morning while he nuzzles his face into your neck.

But it’s too soft a dream; too intimate an image--it’s not something he deserves. And, more than that: it’s not something he’s ever wanted before. You’ve turned him into someone else.

Henry clenches his jaw, gritting his teeth. Fucking pathetic, he thinks, both of us. Gathering saliva in his mouth, he lets it drip down onto the top of your mound before spreading it around your clit with his thick fingers. It’s messy and unrefined; if you were awake, you’d probably do that thing where you pretend not to like it. He hates that he knows your each and every reaction.

As it is, your pussy clenches on his cock, your body still giving away how much you want it even while unconscious. Each little movement of your hips, each hitch in your breathing, each furrow of your brow pulls Henry closer and closer to the edge. He rubs your clit leisurely; he’s practiced enough to know exactly how much you need to make you cum without jolting you awake.

He swears he can feel your cunt getting wetter and wetter the more he works you; he pulls out just enough to check, and groans quietly when he sees the sheen of your slick coating his cock. Pressing back into you makes him shudder, and the movement of his fingers gets sloppy; he’s desperate to feel you break, desperate to watch you shiver through your peak. He doesn’t have to wait much longer.

You make a whimper that cuts off almost as soon as it begins, a pretty frown decorating your once peaceful facial features--and then, all of a sudden, your hard little clit is pulsing underneath Henry’s fingertips. He clamps his teeth down onto his bottom lip to muffle himself as your pussy squeezes around his sensitive cock, pulling his orgasm from him. It’s all too easy: your soft walls milking him, the knowledge that you’re unaware of what you’re doing. Your body wants his cum, wants him--he’s your most basic desire. He won’t deny you what you need.

Henry’s fingertips circle your clit until your hips jerk, wanting to ride the wave of your orgasm as long as he can. The heat of his cum floods your pussy, coating his cock, leaking out onto the sheets; it makes his head spin to think that maybe--just maybe--it’ll take root. That he’ll place a piece of himself inside of you, that you’ll let that hint of darkness grow. He heaves in a sharp breath, goosebumps peppering his skin. Don’t make a fool out of yourself, the sneering voice in his head tells him.

He doesn’t move for a while after your aftershocks fade, ignoring his aching knees as he savors the moment. It’s quiet in the darkened room aside from his trembling breaths and the faint noise of the city outside. You still haven’t woken, even with the sheen of sweat decorating your skin and his cum sticking to your inner thighs. Maybe it’s better this way. Maybe this is how the two of you last. Him stealing little moments while sparing you having to be with him--maybe this was the only way he can know you.

Henry shakes the thought from his mind, finally spurring his body into motion. He doesn’t bother cleaning himself up this time, just watches the creamy white of his cum drip from your pussy as he tucks his cock back into his briefs. It makes such a pretty picture that he wants to document it, but he’s already overstayed his welcome and he knows it. So he leaves the scene as it is: your legs spread akimbo, sloppy cunt on display, sheets stained. That angry little voice within him raises its ugly head once more, telling him it’s what you deserve. He shoves the words away, draping one of your quilts over your bare form as gently as he can.

When he gets back to the safety of his apartment, he shoots you a text just as you’d requested.

Made it home. Sleep well.

_______________________________

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#cw: dubious consent #cw: somnophilia #cw: consensual somnophilia #cw: drug mention #henry mchenry x reader #henry mchenry #henry mchenry x afab!reader #adcu fic #tori writes #feedback always welcome & appreciated!

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mammss · 3 years

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domestic life with the bros headcannons!! (GN MC)

a/n: thank you for all the likes and reposts on my mammon headcannon posts I LOVE ALL OF YOU GUYS SO MUCH MWAH MWAH MWAH!!!

i was imagining doing headcannon posts for the others but could really only think of like one thing for each so i scratched the idea and wanted to make this!!!

also i thought abt it and i feel like most of the brothers would live with you in the human world if you wanted to live there so expect that

IM ALSO SORRY FOR NOT INCLUDING ASMO AND BELPHIE I REALLY HAD A HARD TIME THINKING OF HEADCANNONS FOR THEM

but i hope you still enjoy my luvs<3

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

lucifer:

this is lucifer we’re talking about you know which on wakes up first

but sometimes he’ll surprise you and sleep in a little bit cuddling you and just admiring your pretty sleeping face

that image puts a smile on his face every time

this relationship is basically lucifer works you stay home and look pretty

(unless you have a job, he’ll understand but he’ll make sure you come home before him so he can open the door to you welcoming him and giving him a big hug)

since he’s a busy man he doesn’t have time for breakfast unless you make him but he never leaves the house without his lunch you make him and a kiss

he’s a little child but you love him so you don’t mind

he’s thinking about you all day expect texts from him just checking in on you or asking what you and his brothers are up to

(he may be ok on the outside but on the inside he’s jealous that he doesn’t get to be around you all the time like his brothers. texting you is just his way of virtually being with you)

on rare occasions after work he’ll bring home a bouquet of your favorite flowers and say some cheesy line that never fails to bring a smile to both of your faces

after dinner you both sit in his office talking about each other’s day and make small talk

this makes lucifer do his work faster because he wants to spend real time with you so after finishing it he plays a new record he got the other day and you hold each other tightly dancing the night away

mammon:

you two can never get up in the morning because mammon adores cuddling you

he’s like a mama bear protecting his baby cub so take that as a warning you will be late for all morning activities/work

but on the off chance you wake up early mammon either is making breakfast for you to eat in bed, coming back with coffee/tea or is taking a shower

sometimes he’s cooking hint sometimes only because his cooking is kinda bad. i also wanna think that human world cooking is slightly different than devildom cooking

(in the human world mammon is a househusband it’s my headcannon)

if mammon doesn’t have a job he’ll stay home and think of ways to make money while also trying his best to clean the house

and totally not missing you and thinking about you and possibly stealing you stuff to pretend you’re still at home with him

when you get home mammon can be seen acting like a puppy reacting to his owner coming home hugging and kissing you(he just loves you<3)

as tradition you guys spend the night eating dinner, watching a movie cuddling and talking about your day

levi:

the only reason levi wakes up before you is for livestreams, mobile game rewards and to sometimes surprise you like making you coffee/tea or making breakfast for the both of you

his idea of breakfast is either sugary cereal or some sort of pop tart/toaster strudel you know?

that’s why you always have to make breakfast lunch and dinner unless you wanna eat takeout and junk food for the rest of your life

because levi is an otaku he would have a lot of careers he could focus on the most popular one being a streamer

when levi tells you he wants to live in the human world expect a LOT of requests for living arrangements

like for example he needs extra rooms for his figurines, possible streaming room, if you think henry and lotan aren’t moving in with you then guess again massive pool anyone??? he also wouldn’t mind a movie theater in the house as well :)

just like mammon when you get home he’s excited to see you again because he feels like a decade passed since he last saw you

you decide to order takeout again and levi tells you about this new anime he discovered (you know living in the human world and such) so with your takeout in one hand and levi’s hand in the other you both cuddle watching anime until you inevitably fall asleep on the couch

satan:

you both wake up at the same time i wanna say but satan might beat you to the punch because he may or may not have been reading the entire night or woke up early and started reading

always expect tea on your nightstand every morning and kisses from satan waking you from your slumber

you both make breakfast together everyday listening to jazz music or classical and sometimes dancing around the kitchen just laughing satan spinning you around both of you truly enjoying each other’s company

satan wants a fresh start living in the human world and such

even though is name is a dead giveaway

so he works at a bookstore maybe like barnes and nobles but i wanna say he works at a little library not known and enjoys the piece and quite while reading a new shipment of books they just got

when you come home from work you see satan sitting in his usual chair reading welcoming you home

you make tea for the both of you and sit on his lap resting your head on his/his shoulders while you talk about each other’s day or you sit there in silence soaking up each other’s presence

beel:

i know i basically said for all of these that the brothers wake up first but when it comes to beel he really only wakes up first for two reasons one to eat and two to go to the gym

you know beel’s gone because your personal heater is gone and without him in bed with your basically freezing your butt off sorry mc

you both cook meals together it not only makes beel happy that he’s eating but food is basically his love language so both of you cooking together giggling and talking makes him happy more than you’ll ever know

speaking of food beel will always do the chores especially grocery shopping

the only way beel is moving to the human world is if belphie is coming to. no if, ands, or buts about it. he doesn’t have to live in the same home as you guys but the twins are a package deal mc you should of known that from the start

if you do decide to move to the human world i feel like beel would work as a florist or a baker or that’s what i want to believe anyways

i feel like it would be something nice and relaxing for him and he would definitely come home with tons of flowers and be like “here mc i got these for you 🥺🤲” or he would come home and be like “mc i made these today at the bakery and i made extra so you and belphie could have some🥺🤲”

like i said before the twins are a packaged deal so the three of you definitely have meals together everyday

you don’t understand mc the idea of you, him, and belphie together eating it makes his whole heart swell with happiness this is something he only thought could happen in his dreams he never thought it would happen in real life

and if you decide to have kids... he could just cry right then and there HE CANT HANDLE THE CUTENESS AND THE FAMILY DINNERS WITH UNCLE BELPHIE AND YOU MC YOU’RE KILLING HIM

have a wonderful mother’s day y’all if you celebrate it and i hope you like this post!!! i probably won’t do asmo and belphie separately just because i really couldn’t think of headcannons for them lolz

#obey me #obey me fluff #obey me headcanons #obey me lucifer #obey me lucifer headcannons #obey me satan #obey me beelzebub #obey me brothers headcannon #obey me fanfic #obey me leviathan #i love mammon #obey me mammon

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keanureevesisbae · 3 years

Text

sugar sugar - the proposal

Summary: For their second year anniversary, Henry and Becky are going to Rome, Italy to celebrate.

Sugar Daddy!Henry Cavill x Becky Kim (asian OFC)

Warnings: Slight Daddy kink

Wordcount: 2.5k

A/N: GUESS WHO’S GETTING MARRIED??? OUR FAVORITE COUPLE

Masterlist // Sugar Sugar Masterlist // Sugar Sugar the wedding Masterlist //

September 23rd 8 p.m.

The sun in shining, the birds are chirping and the soft breeze brushes through my hair. This is Rome in September and I know that if I said to Henry I would want to go here every September, he’d arrange it for us.

Just like he did now, Henry would arrange the most beautiful presidential suite with a balcony, a jacuzzi and the softest bed you’ve ever slept on. Sometimes I’m afraid I’m getting too spoiled, but when I express my fears to him, he simply leans down, gives me a kiss and tells me I deserve it and should enjoy it.

To spend our second year anniversary in a city like Rome, is something I never imagined. I actually never imagined that I would ever spend an anniversary with someone. Not because I don’t have any faith in Henry and me, but more because I never thought I’d be in a loving relationship, long enough to spend these types of anniversaries together.

The two of us decided that the day we met, would be our anniversary date.

September 23rd. Two years ago we met. Two years ago he changed my life forever and I changed his.

Henry holds my hand tightly in his. ‘I love you,’ he says, kissing the back of my hand.

I chuckle. ‘I love you too, honey. It’s been two years since we’ve met.’

‘Yeah,’ he says, ‘time flew by.’

‘It sure did,’ I say to him.

‘Not only have I gained the best archivist Midnight ever had, but I also got a beautiful girlfriend and I can now say that I’m the boyfriend of a New York Times Bestselling Author with an extra book deal.’

Even after we spend so much time together and we know each other so well, I still blush around him when he hands out compliments like that. ‘That’s so sweet,’ I say. ‘Where are we going?’

‘A nice place I rented. It’s I think a few minutes from here.’

‘You rented an entire place?’ I ask him.

‘Just one floor,’ he says with a shit eating grin on his face, the one he has recently discovered when he shamelessly flaunts his wealth in my face. I want to roll my eyes, but seeing Henry this confident and cocky and happy, makes me laugh as well.

After our first anniversary, a lot changed for the two of us. I still work in the archives, but mostly because I liked it there and it gave me plenty of time to not only work on my first book, but also on my second one. The following February, two weeks before my birthday, my book got released and not long after that, I reached the number three on the New York Times Bestselling list. My book reached number three! My debut novel. It’s unbelievable. It’s all thanks to the magnificent job Roger and his team has been doing to advertise my book to the public. I was never on Instagram, because I didn’t have a phone that would allow it and when I met Henry, I didn’t really think about it anymore. But now, I’m officially on Instagram and while it’s a bit weird, I still really enjoy to see the beautiful fan art and the stories of the readers about what my book did to them personally.

I moved out of my first apartment, since I was hanging around Henry’s place most of the time anyway. I mean, his place has the private gym and we added a sauna to it, because he didn’t forget my joke from a while ago. My pink and pastel influences are shattered around his place now and in his home office, we placed another desk, so we could work together.

Yes, we are that type of couple.

Despite our age gap, I barely notice it in our day to day life. He is in such good shape for someone who is only two years away from hitting fifty and he is really up to date with trends and technology. I mean, call me digital illiterate, because he had to show me how Instagram worked. I don’t want to say he’s old (because it’s obvious he is older than me), but I thought that eventually I would notice the difference in age.

I don’t.

It’s just that sometimes he says something about his grayish hairs, how he isn’t in the best shape anymore and how he needs to watch his food, after a check up. Honestly, I don’t see his “bad” shape. I only fall more and more in love with him. Besides, the second he becomes a complete silver fox, is also the second I will jump him every chance I get.

‘Thank you for taking me to Rome,’ I say. ‘I can’t wait to travel to even more countries with you. I’m such a lucky woman. All those beautiful places in the world, right at my finger tips. Isn’t that amazing?’

‘It sure is.’

‘Is there a place in the world you want to see?’

‘Well, as long as you are there with me, I’d love any place. Besides, I did my fair share of traveling, I’ve seen a lot. It doesn’t matter to me.’

‘You don’t mind that I’m awfully inexperienced with traveling?’

He scoffs. ‘No, of course not. It makes the experience even better. That way I can show you all the beautiful places in the world and see your surprised face.’

We walk into a restaurant and the waiter escorts us to the elevator. We go up and we actually get out on the roof. My mouth falls open, before I squeal. ‘Honey, this is fantastic.’ I give him a kiss and the two of us walk towards the table. He helps me in my seat, before he sits across from me. He pours in some wine for me.

‘You like it?’ he asks.

‘Of course. Everything you arrange for me I love.’ I look over my shoulder, to see the waiter has left. ‘I love what you do for me, daddy.’

He bites his lip. ‘I’m going to sound like a broken record, baby girl, but I love it when you call me like that.’

‘I know.’ I look around, admiring the view and say: ‘Thank you for arranging this for us.’

‘I want the best for my baby girl,’ he says with a smile. ‘Only the best.’ He holds out his hand and I place mine in it. ‘You know, I sometimes can’t believe I actually met you.’

‘Why not?’

‘Well, when I signed up, I only did it because I didn’t want to be alone anymore. Never in a million years I expected myself falling head over heels with you, when the two of us were only supposed to have a sugar daddy/baby thing. But you were just amazing, kind and caring. Beautiful, considerate and funny. I remember when I first laid my eyes on you. I thought to myself: this could actually be it. This could be the woman I’ll fall for and for me to love endlessly.’

That… Is so sweet.

‘I kept thinking about every pro and con. While our personalities matched, you were a lot younger than I were. While I finally had someone who I can give the life she deserves, there is a possibility she’ll never see me as more than just a sugar daddy. It was difficult, because you were more than a sugar baby to me, though I tried to deny that multiple times. The relief I felt when you and I… That we have what we have. That you stayed when I needed you and vice versa.’

I smile. ‘Of course I did, silly. I have never felt this about someone ever before nor will I ever feel about this about anyone.’

Henry nods. ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you,’ he says. ‘I want us to build a future together. I want to buy a house with you, have a dog and tons of kids with you, though it has to be an even number. But before we do that, there is just one thing I need to ask you.’

Henry gets up from the chair, searches his pocket and I see he has a blush pink velvet box in his hand.

Is this what I think it is?

‘My sweet Becky,’ he says, sitting down on one knee, ‘it’d be such an honor if you would become my wife, that you are gonna be mrs. Cavill. Baby girl, will you marry me?’

He reveals such a delicate and beautiful ring to me.

Maybe, maybe, I’m experiencing some shock. I knew that Henry would propose to me one day, he literally told me so many times that he’d propose, but now that it’s happening, I just can’t believe it.

‘Really?’

He smiles. ‘Really, my love. There is no one else in the world I’d want to spend the rest of my life with. You are the only one. My only one.’

I place my shaking hand in front of my lips. ‘Yes,’ I whisper. ‘Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes. I want to marry you, Henry.’

He takes the ring from the little box, before gently sliding it on my finger. I look at it for a few seconds, before I wrap my arms around his shoulders.

‘We’re engaged?’ I ask him.

‘Yes, baby, we’re engaged.’

I press my lips on his, as tears of joy and happiness drip down my face. I’m gonna get married.

‘Oh yeah, our Becky is engaged!’ I look over my shoulder to see Genevieve, Viola, Noah and Greg rushing up to me and is that Gino I see, with Peter from the boutique?

‘Show me the ring,’ Viola says and I hold out my hand.

Noah lets out a whistle. ‘Damn, mister Cavill.’

Gino gives me a big hug and two kisses on my cheeks. ‘Congratulations, darling.’

I can’t believe Henry flew out our friends to Italy, but it totally seems like something he would do. I bet he arranged a private jet for them and the best hotel.

‘We’re getting married,’ Genevieve shouts.

‘Technically, sweetheart,’ Greg says, ‘it’s Becky that is getting married.’

Genevieve rolls her eyes. ‘Well, Viola and I are gonna be bridesmaids and we’re going to plan a wedding. The ring is absolutely beautiful. Really, Henry, you need to help out Greg when he wants to propose to me.’

Henry chuckles, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. ‘I’ll help him out when the time is right, Gen.’ He kisses my temple and says: ‘How about we celebrate?’

✤ ✤ ✤

I keep staring at my ring, mainly because it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and it’s mine. While Henry’s checking the locks, I’m already in bed. This ring still takes my breath away. It’s gorgeous and I bet it was expensive.

‘There she is,’ Henry says, as he walks in the bedroom in just his boxers. ‘My beautiful fiancée.’

‘I am sure it’ll take awhile before I get used to that,’ I say.

Henry steps underneath the covers and ushers me over. ‘But you’ll always be my baby girl,’ he says. ‘Even when you become my wife.’

I hum in content, as I nestle myself against him, in his strong embrace. ‘Just like you’ll always be my daddy,’ I whisper. I place my head on his thick arm, so I can look up at him and still stare at his handsome face. ‘We need to start planning a wedding. When do you want to get married?’

‘I don’t mind,’ he says. ‘We could even elope.’

‘We’re never going to elope,’ I say. ‘Don’t you ever say that again. I deserve a wedding. Back in juvie, both times, I’d envision myself getting married, buying a house, having a family and growing older with someone. I owe it to teen Becky to have a fantastic wedding.’

He chuckles. ‘Okay, we will not elope. What did you think about back then?’

‘A spring wedding outside,’ I say, ‘with pink blossom trees around us. A tent or a large cabin or something where we’ll get married and afterwards, people can dance, eat and talk to each other. A Photo Booth for people to make pictures on. Disposable camera’s on the tables and a photographer. My friends and their family are there, your friends. I want it to be intimate, but not too small, like maybe fifty to seventy people. I want a wedding dress on the tighter side, but I have never tried on wedding dresses, so I might be surprised. But I want to dress to have little illusion sleeves, a veil and a hairband with diamonds.’

Henry nods in approval. ‘Sounds lovely and that can all be arranged. What do you want me to wear?’

‘Champagne colored suit,’ I say. ‘The bridesmaids dresses could be in a pastel color. Okay, who am I kidding? I want those dresses to be pink.’

‘Of course.’ He lets out a content sigh. ‘We can arrange all sorts of things. Whatever you want for the wedding, it’s yours.’

‘And I want the date and each other’s names engraved in the inside of the ring.’

‘I love that.’ Henry gives me a kiss on my forehead. ‘A lot to plan, but also a lot to look forward to. I cannot wait to call you my wife.’

‘Oh, me neither. And then after that, we can start our life together as a married couple.’

‘At least four kids, right?’ Henry jokes.

‘At least,’ I say in all seriousness.

‘Why don’t you want an uneven number?’

I scrunch up my nose. ‘Because I come from a family of uneven number. I don’t want that. I know, it’s stupid, but…’

‘It’s not stupid, it’s understandable,’ he says. ‘So, for imaginary sake, let’s say you and I have five kids.’

‘Damn.’

‘Imaginary sake, baby girl, remember that,’ he snickers. ‘And then we have twins, making it seven.’

‘We’ll go for the eighth,’ I say to him. ‘Really, Henry.’

He laughs. ‘Wow, you’re quite something.’

‘You’re up for it?’

‘With you? Of course. I can’t wait to have multiple mini you’s and me’s running around to place.’ He pulls me closer and says: ‘You’ll be an amazing mother, I just know it.’

‘And you’ll be an amazing dad.’ I circle my finger around his chest. ‘Would you mind if I stopped working as your archivist and become a stay at home mom, who also writes?’

He shakes his head. ‘Of course I don’t mind. Whatever you want, I support you.’

‘You don’t think it’s weird?’

He frowns. ‘Why would I think it’s weird? Honestly, baby girl, if you wanted to become a career woman, I’d support it. If you want to become a stay at home mom, I also support it. No matter what you do, I’m your biggest supporter and fan.’ He gives me a sweet peck on my lips. ‘Don’t you worry about those things, okay?’

‘Okay,’ I whisper, already a bit more at ease. ‘You know, it has always been my dream to become a mother.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah,’ I say. ‘It’s just that I figured I’d never meet someone who I wanted kids with. With the dysfunctional family I’m from, I wanted a partner who I could trust and rely on. And that partner is you, Henry. My future husband.’

✤ ✤ ✤

#henry cavill #henry cavill x ofc #henry cavill x oc #henry cavill x asian ofc #henry cavill x becky kim #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill fandom #sugar daddy!henry cavill #sugar sugar #sugar sugar the wedding #becky kim

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averagejoesolomon · 2 years

Text

Phew! Thank you for waiting. I was going to get this up on Sunday, but then Matt and Rachel wouldn't stop talking. And then I was going to get it up on Wednesday, but Matt and Rachel still wouldn't stop talking. I think I've finally got these two kids reigned in, so I hope you enjoy! If you're new here, you can read all of Full Circle on ao3.

Chapter Four

Matt and Joe do not have the luxury of slow spycraft.

Under ideal circumstances, they would conduct a full search of the Cameron estate, turning over every tile, running through every security tape, and interviewing every member of the staff both old and new. They would collect a history of the home, then spend weeks memorizing all of the facts and figures involved with such a massive property. They would ask every question. They would identify every idiosyncrasy. They would know this location better than Henry Cameron himself and, more importantly, better than the individual targeting him.

As it stands, they have three days. Four, if they really push their luck. These circumstances ain’t anywhere near ideal.

So instead, they divide and conquer. They balance strategy with speed. Espionage moves slower than a ballgame’s tenth inning, but by now, Matt and Joe have learned how to play the diamond in their favor. For every operation Langly assigns to them, they add one of their own, chipping away at the Circle of Cavan one lead, one fight, and one off-book mission at a time. The faster they attend to official business, the more time they have for unofficial affairs. This is what they do. This is what they’re good at. They’re stealing bases anywhere they can, desperate to get a few extra runs.

It’s tight, trying to squeeze a third op into the time allotted for one. This time is already borrowed. His mind runs through travel arrangements, and remaining hours, and all of the paperwork that waits for him back home. They’ll figure it out. They always do.

The investigation sends Joe to the second floor and Matt to the third. This level is one door after another, trading in grand entertainment spaces for smaller, more private dwellings. He pops his head into the ninth room of the morning and surveys it without much detail. This one is the same as the rest—a guest room kept free of dust, but somehow still stale and empty. The decor varies from room to room and in this particular instance, his own bag has been placed just inside the door, but these mark the only noticeable differences. No matter where he looks, every fireplace is stained with cold soot and these beds have gone unused for a mighty long time.

He continues down the corridor and finds more of the same. Empty rooms. Untouched sheets. The smell of Pine-Sol. He finds Joe’s bag behind another door, stuck on top of an antique trunk, but he leaves it be. With each new door, Matt picks up the pace, momentum mounting as the knobs click open and shut, open and shut, open and—what is he looking for again?

He doesn’t answer the question before he is struck by the sight of a new room, this one different from the rest. These walls hold recent breath. The air holds a familiar sense of something.

The sight of it slows the world.

He starts to close the door on instinct, but he catches himself in a second glance. Seconds pass before he registers that he’s stumbled upon a childhood bedroom. It’s bigger and fancier than anything he saw back in Hay Springs, but all the signs are there—floral fabrics, faded pastels, and bookshelves that sag in the middle. Photos, and knick-knacks, and a single stuffed animal sitting on the bed. Someone grew up in this room. Someone found peace in this room. By the look of the suitcase at the end of the bed, someone is still finding their way to this room.

Something about the space makes him want to conduct espionage the way it was always meant to be done. He wants to take in every detail and learn every bit of history. He craves context in any way he can get it. For months, Matt has been strung out across ops, but he would give up the grind if it meant he could spend the rest of his time on Earth looking into this room.

It draws him in without intention. The walls are filled with posters pulled from magazines, all of them stacked one on top of the other and wrapped around a corkboard full of stickers, pins, and faded photos. He follows the trail to a great, square mirror, one corner overlapped by a navy pennant that reads Georgetown and another corner home to a polaroid of Abby and Rachel. They’ve got their arms wrapped around one another, smiling straight at the camera with mouthfuls of braces.

It all hangs above a messy dresser, the top of which is covered with stacks of strewn sentiment. Golden jewelry rests in neat little piles along the back edge—rings, earrings, bracelets, and watches. It’s the only sign of organization among loose cassette tapes, unused bookmarks, dried-up pens, and forgotten letters. There’s a music box with the lid left open into silence, and a patch with the words The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women embroidered along a rounded edge.

A single book sits at the center of it all, dogeared three times over at various points throughout. The cover is aged around the edges and its spine is worn with use. Blue dye has faded into gray and the corners peel away to reveal a yellowing insert. Every individual line of Matt’s fingerprints catches along the stitching of a bare cover as he traces the words The Complete Poems of Walt Whitman embossed with gold. Years wedge themselves between the pages. Time radiates from every scrap.

His hands hold a heavy anticipation as he runs them along the book’s edge. A covert curiosity burrows into his brain as he peels back the cover and reveals even more details. He consciously commits them all to memory, from the sight of the weathered pages to the smell of the dust. It’s important. It’s all important, though he can’t name why.

A small, sepia photograph sits tucked between the title pages, featuring Rachel with a newborn in her arms and smiling as wide as a person ever could. It’s paired with an inscription along the inside cover, written in a loopy black cursive: My nightingale—may you be ever hovering high in the purer, happier air.

When Matt steals another glance at the photo and realizes that he’s got it all wrong. This ain’t Rachel. It’s her mother, and Rachel is the bundle of blankets in her arms.

Until this moment, he has never imagined Rachel as a young girl—never imagined her as anything but the careful, collected, truly brilliant woman she came to be. The picture sends his mind wandering toward questions of who she might have been. Was she always so certain? So staunch in every last belief? No doubt she was always bright, and determined, and downright precocious. Did she wear her hair in perfectly placed pigtails? Would he have teased her for it?

He wonders what it would have felt like to be young with Rachel Cameron. And then he wonders what it might feel like to grow old with her.

“This is a no boys allowed zone.”

Her voice startles him in a way that no spy ought to be startled. In one fluid movement, he snaps the book shut and pulls his hands away from the scene of the crime. “Christ almighty,” he spits. “How long have you been there?”

By the time he turns toward Rachel, she’s already smiling. It’s that soft, easy tick of her lips that she always uses to balance her laughter with her unease. She lingers in the doorway, studying him in the way that only she can—as a top-rate operative first, and as a dear friend second. “I’m surprised, Matthew,” she says, slowly closing the distance between them. As she walks, her eyes follow the wall of memories just the same as his. “You usually leave the snooping to Abby.”

Despite his training, heat twists up into the tips of his ears. “Well,” he says, easy, “that’s on account of how she’s much better at it than I am.”

Rachel’s fingertips glide along the edge of her dresser as she grows closer. She scans the mess on top as though searching for secrets herself, trying to judge just how much he’s seen. Just how much he might have learned. “At the very least,” she says, brown eyes finally landing on him, “she’s less likely to get caught.”

She’s shorter than he remembers. Usually she comes right up to his shoulder, but she’s only at his chest now. “Sure.” Maybe he grew. Maybe she shrank. “But that’s just because she’s Abby.”

Or maybe she’s traded in heels for socks, slipping along the hardwood. “What are you doing here?”

The longer he looks at her, the more he notices that height isn’t the only thing that’s changed about her. He’s seen her in gowns, but never a sundress. Her hair is tied up in a tight, clean bun that reigns in her usual shoulder-length curls. She’s nearly unrecognizable, but she still looks at him with that same leveling intensity she always has, and he still feels the urge to answer. “Joe and I needed to nail down the floor plan, so I came upstairs—”

“Matthew,” she says simply. “What are you doing here? In Maryland? Last I checked you were on assignment in Romania.”

That’s interesting. “You’ve been checking on me?”

She doesn’t even blink. “Rumor has it, you’ve been missing call-ins.”

That’s very interesting. “What rumors?”

“Does it matter?”

“We missed one call-in. It was one time.”

“One time is all it takes.” There’s a small break from her severity as her eyes lose focus. They drop down to his lips and something bubbles in the space between them. His lungs swell at the touch—at the true and invisible feeling—of her stare, but the bubble pops as soon as she brings her hand up to his chin. Grabs it. Turns his cheek. “Abby says you flew in from Texas.”

He doesn’t need the mirror to know that she’s found the newest bruise in his collection, but it’s a hard sight to avoid. He watches her reflection as she scans the sore side of his face. A tender purple streak crawls from the corner of his mouth and along the edge of his jaw. It aches with every word. “Is that what she thinks?”

Her eyes are cool. Logical. “Texas isn’t Romania.”

Matt keeps his gaze on her so he doesn’t have to look at himself. “Then it’s a good thing we weren’t in Texas.”

“Abby’s good, Matt.”

“I’m good, too.”

“Yeah.” She examines the extent of the damage and when she’s satisfied, she graces her thumb over the roughest parts. Her touch doesn’t heal him, but there’s a moment when he thinks it might. “I’m sorry about my father,” she says, letting her hand fall. “He’s usually…”

When words fail her, Matt does his best to provide them. “He’s scared.”

But she just shakes her head. “He’s not one to scare easy.”

Nothing about the Circle of Cavan is easy, but Matt doesn’t say so. He doesn’t detail their centuries of intimidation. He doesn’t tell her about the stories he’s read, the whispers he’s heard, or the horrors he’s witnessed. To give Rachel an inch is to give her a mile, in all the best ways possible. A single thread is all she needs to unspool their entire operation, and that’s exactly the kind of thing that could get her in trouble. When it comes to the Circle, it could even get her killed.

So she’ll uncover no clues from him. She’ll get no leads from his mouth. He abandons their shared reflection for the honest sight of her and Matt vows, here and now, that he won’t drag her into this. So long as he lives, Rachel Cameron will never see that level of risk. “Maybe there’s something he’s not letting on.”

But of course, Rachel Cameron sees everything eventually. She peers up at him with the faintest trace of accusation, rivaling his mama in her ability to draw guilt to the surface of his soul. “What do you know?”

Lucky for him, Matt’s had plenty of practice turning away this particular trick. “I know,” he starts, “that you ought to cancel this party.”

The air around them bloats with indecision as she debates how hard she plans to press him. Her eyes bounce between his, assessing. When she does decide to move on, the conversation holds on to the lilt in her voice, promising to return at a later date. “We’re going to have the party.”

She states it like a fact, as though it is a divinely inevitable outcome over which she has no control. “You’re smarter than this,” he reminds her. “You, Abby—even your dad. You’re all smarter than this.”

There’s a flash of agreement in her features as her eyebrows tick upward and her lips tighten, but it all fades away faster than a firework on the Fourth of July. “It’s not a matter of the mind.” Her hands fall to the little blue and gray book, letting her fingers run along the seams of the spine. “It’s a matter of the heart.”

She rounds her touch to the bottom edge of the book and finds the corner of her mother’s photograph, sticking out from the pages. With an absentminded tug, she slides the photo into the daylight and holds it there. Just holds it. For him to see. For her to see. For both of them to rest their heavy focus, together, even if just for a moment.

For once, her silence is not aimed at him. It just fills the seconds as she searches for the right thing to say. “I know we shouldn’t have a party.” The pads of her fingers trace the wrinkled edge of the photo, as they seem to have done hundreds of thousands of times before. “But I can’t get my father to listen to me on the best of days—and he hasn’t been at his best for years.”

Good spies don’t talk about their families. It’s the only way to keep them safe. It’s the only way to keep themselves sane. Matt’s been able to piece together the occasional passing comment, but his knowledge of the Cameron family tree is spotty. Vague. And that’s how it’s supposed to be, because Rachel and Abby are very, very good spies.

But anyone can get to know anyone if they spend enough time together—spies or not. Just because it’s never been said, it doesn’t mean Matt doesn’t know. He’s seen the way Rachel steps up for her sister, every time and without exception. He’s seen the way grief settles into her shoulders when the hour turns dark and he’s seen the way she transforms it into devoted and determined protection come morning. He sees Rachel, whether she wants him to or not, so he speaks a truth that he’s known for some time now, even if he’s never fully realized it. “Your mom?”

Matt’s not enough of a fool to think he’s leading this conversation, but even so, Rachel hesitates in a way that she never has before. Her mouth holds onto the words as she says them, as though she’s not quite ready to let them go. “When I was twenty,” she confirms. “Abby was only seventeen. It was right before her graduation, and even though we knew it was coming, that still didn’t make it any—”

Fidgeting fingers freeze at the same time her words do. Exposed secrets hang in the space between them and she eyes the distance as though she intends to pluck each of them straight from the air and shove them back into the chest where they belong.

But she doesn’t backtrack. She doesn’t hide. Instead, she rolls newfound certainty into her shoulders, and her eyes land right on him once more. “I was twenty,” she says again, straighter. Stronger. “The Annual Cameron Charity Picnic hasn’t been very annual since then.”

Matt has spent the entire morning trying to make sense of the Cameron estate. Only now do the pieces really start to fall into place. “This is your first one,” he realizes. “Since…”

She flicks the photo across her fingertips, then lets it flutter back to the dresser. “Which is why we will never talk my father out of it.” Her breath stutters as she takes one step back. Two. She saunters straight across the room and wraps an arm around one of the towering bedposts, adding a swing to her stance. “Not him, not Abby, and not anyone else who ever knew my mother.”

Matt’s been breaking codes long enough to hear this one as it comes. “Including you?”

She glances over to him from the top of her eyes. “Please,” she says. “Spare me the pity.”

He shakes his head. “Ain’t got pity.”

“Sounds like you do.”

“Have I ever pitied you?”

She knows the answer. They both do. Rachel Cameron has never needed an ounce of pity in her life—and certainly not from the likes of him. But her stubborn streak gets the best of her and she doesn’t retreat. Instead, she changes course. “I found a chapel for you.”

“You—” He trips over the sentence before it can even start. Surely he misheard. Surely she misspoke. “Sorry, you what?”

“I found a chapel,” she says again, as though it's a common conversation. “For this weekend.”

“This weekend?” He takes one step closer. Then two. “What’s this weekend?”

“Sunday service.” When he moves, so does she. His steps forward translate into her steps back and the two of them are dancing around something—although Matt can’t name exactly what. “Right down the road. We’ll have a car ready for you. Mass starts at eleven.”

Mass. Services. The words weigh him down until the steps get too heavy. He should appreciate the gesture. He should thank her the way his pops always taught him to. But the seconds pass in the back of his mind and their dance slows to a stop. “I dunno, Rachel.” There’s a prayer somewhere in his gut, if he can remember it. “I’m already working on borrowed time and I—”

There’s a curious tick of her head. “You’re not going to church anymore?”

And a fresh pulse along his sore jaw. “Since when do you care if I go to church?”

“I don’t,” she says. “But you usually do.”

Her cool stare leaves him thankful for the fact that Rachel is on his side of the Iron Curtain. He’d hate to be the poor sucker on the wrong side of her interrogation table. “Between the traveling and the jetlag, most of the time I don’t even know when Sunday hits, much less where the nearest church is.” He tries to laugh it off, as old friends ought to. “Sometimes there isn’t even a church to find—you ever tried to find a Catholic church in Cambodia?”

But Rachel ain’t laughing. “Why were you in Cambodia?”

“It’s not easy, Rachel,” he tries again. “Temples everywhere you look, but not a church in sight.”

“I’m telling you where the nearest church is.” Her steps lead his, this time, one right after another. “I’m making it as easy as possible.”

“I don’t gotta go to church.” The promise rolls right off his tongue. After all, he’s been making it to himself for years now. “The Big Guy ain’t gonna smite me because I missed a few Sundays.”

There’s a challenge in her smirk. “A few?”

He stops where he stands. Rachel must not expect it, because she takes one step too close and nearly knocks them both over. He catches her at the elbow and shares a no-nonsense sort of look. “Hey.” He ain’t harsh, but he sure ain’t soft, either. “What’s this really about?”

She’s not used to this part. The outright. The direct. He can see it plastered across her features. “You’re different,” she finally admits. “That’s all. It’s been a while, and you’re different than you used to be.”

“Yeah, well.” Matt’s not sure what to say about that, so he settles on, “You’re different, too.”

Even as he says it, he knows it’s not quite right. Rachel is the same as she ever was, made up of grace and gumption in equal parts. She has always been endlessly sharp, cautiously soft, and hopeful by every measure. She has always been kind, even in her anger. She has always been considerate, even in her commands. She is still beautiful. She still comes easy to him. Maybe something about Rachel has changed—but Rachel herself remains as constant as ever.

And maybe it’s got nothing to do with her at all. “Am I?” she says, stepping back into her own space. Her eyes stay locked on him as she shifts, and even though there’s no table between them, he still ended up on the wrong side of an interrogation. “Why are you here, Matthew?”

He comes close to spilling his guts. Really and truly. They sit right at the base of his throat, waiting to come up. Rachel could fix this business with the Circle in her sleep, because Rachel always fixes everything.

But Matt would be a fool to think that the Circle comes close to any op they've run before. He can't take that chance with her. He can't take that chance with Joe. “Haven’t you heard?” he says instead. “There’s going to be a party around here somewhere.”

If Rachel were the eye-rolling type, that might earn him a good strike, but that's not her style. Instead, she turns her heel and starts back out the door. The message is plenty clear. If he's not going to give her what she wants, she won't stick around to wait for it. “Find Joe,” she calls over her shoulder. “You two are not wearing flannel to my picnic.”

#Full Circle #do you feel it?#do you feel it coming?

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loquaciousquark · 4 years

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Talks Machina Highlights - Critical Role C2E111 (Sept. 29, 2020)

@eponymous-rose‘s internet is out tonight, so I’m here late and without coffee! Let’s see how many typos we can fit into an hour and a half episode.

Tonight’s guests: Ashley Williams JOHNSON, oops!! & Liam O’Brien!

We open with Brian in light-up vented sunglasses and Henry at his side, as always. Dani is very excited to be back and has fun-buns in her hair tonight. So cute! Everyone talks about how much they’re Zooming these days for work, and Liam mentions he and Matt & Marisha did a digital cocktail night. He and Dani arrange on camera to have a distanced, masked meetup in the park so Dani can see Liam’s dog again.

No announcements! Tonight, we’re discussin’ episodes 110 and 111.

Starting with the end, Brian jumps right to it by asking how they feel that Molly is alive. Liam 100% thought we’d be back to him, but still wasn’t ready when it happened. Caleb doubted he was alive. Both Liam & Ashley marvel at the numerology that keeps cropping up throughout the show. Brian hates not being able to see it at the same time the show happens live; Ashley was biting her tongue not telling him spoilers. (He doesn’t want to hear spoilers unless Yasha dies so he can be there for Ashley if needed.) Brian says he has a little reality trauma from the night Pike died in the pre-stream game; it was the first time he’d realized how much it affected the players.

Ashley’s realized how much she misses unpacking the game with Brian when they get home. She just has to sit with it until everyone else gets to see it. Brian: “Instead she comes home and I have to fill her in on the Real Housewives of Amarillo, Texas.”

Reunion dinner with Trent! Liam talks about how the way things unfolded with Trent is not at all how he imagined it in his pre-game creation; he’d expected more of a fracas, more of an unexpected clash. “Caleb might have been a different person if he’d run into these people earlier in the story. The M9 changed him before [Trent & co] came back and got to him.” He’d imagined Astrid & Eodwulf to be complicated encounters, but says what Matt’s designed has been even harder than that. A fight on a mountain is one thing, but walking into a room with “what Trent dropped, is impossible to cope with.” It also means that if what Trent said is true, anything Caleb does now is effectively of Trent’s design, even killing him.

He doesn’t think Caleb would have gone anywhere near Trent & co without the M9. “The Mighty Nein--it took a long time--but they cracked Caleb open like a walnut.”

He thinks what Matt has done is much more murky than the simplicity of murder, such as the Briarwood arc. He can’t just exact his revenge now.

Liam says that the tempation to tinker with time is no longer as all-consuming as it was. He might still be tempted if Matt dangles a bunch of carrots in front of him, but he thinks that now it might be better to make sure that that kind of thing doesn’t happen anymore for anyone else (!!!). “It’s still a nugget in his brain and it’s still possible he could be tempted by the drug, but what he wanted in the beginning was entirely selfish, but now that the M9 are involved he owes it to them, to the people of the country, even on the Dynasty side--is so complex that if Caleb were to get that carrot and chase it, he would be risking everything.”

Ashley agrees that most of their choices are no longer black and white. Many of the situations feel more like real life. Liam agrees and says he’ll sometimes make decisions that he’s both really happy with and regrets at the same time. They both look forward to what Matt will reveal in Act 3.

Brian feels it’s tough to gauge how deep they are into what Matt’s planned for the campaign. Liam says that thanks to Matt’s skill, he really doesn’t know what Caleb wants right now.

Ashley agrees, and talks about how she created Yasha to have more to overcome than Pike. She loves what Matt’s doing in terms of allowing each of them to overcome more emotional hurdles than physical ones in this campaign.

Going back to Molly’s grave was very exciting for Ashley since she wasn’t able to be there when he died in the game & wanted to do what she could to honor him. Yasha, however, was very hesitant but knew what needed to be done. She’s not very open with her emotions, but both she & Ashley were stressed. They all could feel the energy in the studio & knew Matt was about to do something mind-blowing. Liam: “You could feel all the dust in the air coalescing around Taliesin.”

Brian trips over Eodwulf. Liam tries to help him find some pronunciation shortcuts. Ashley: “You say it so beautifully.” Brian: “Thank you.” Ashley: “Not you.”

Caleb knows how wickedly intelligent & ambitious Astrid is, and was heartened by the wavering he saw in her at the dinner. However, he can’t trust her until he knows why she’s where she is.

He really feels that if they’d had this dinner 60 episodes ago, Caleb might have tilted back along the evil axis and he would have had to retire the character. He had a playlist entirely for if Caleb turned evil and left the party.

The vision of Zuala was a huge deal for Yasha, even along every other instance she’s had of being mind-controlled, etc. “That’s guilt I think she will always carry with her, but at least she’s starting to forgive herself.” Losing the chains, sprouting wings again--Ashley reiterates that she didn’t know that was even a possibility, she just picked the skeletal wings because they were dope--were huge moments in the character development. Ashley’s glad Beau was there at the moment of the first flight; Ashley thinks of the quotation “Happiness is only beautiful when it’s shared,” and because Yasha tends to keep things very much to herself, having someone there to share it made it more impactful. “That was a cool moment. There’s been a lot of healing for Yasha these last episodes.”d

Ashley also says sometimes in that moment, when all eyes are on you in a one-on-one with Matt, everything goes muffled like Saving Private Ryan. “Wub wub wub.”

Dani feels that the only way she could even have the conversation with Zuala was to let her go in the first place.

Liam thinks one of the things that Yasha & Cad share is that still waters run deep. He loves how much Yasha hangs back sometimes, only to then reveal some new moment like the fighting pit. Apparently Ashley also has a knife collection, and uses that metal side of herself when she wants to let that new side of Yasha show.

Cosplay of the Week: Crystal Armstead (@riyuski on twitter) in a Reani cosplay. Beautiful!

How does Liam feel about the return to Rexxentrum? Very, very complicated. Caleb loves magic and lights up when he sees it, which is wrapped in the Soltryce Academy; he brought folks to the dance hall for the same reason, which was wanting the M9 to see the things that he loved about the city.

Yasha felt the same way about visiting the Chantry of the Dawn. It was a memory of a very traumatic moment (almost killing Beau), but given everything that’s happened between then and now it was cathartic to see again. There’s been a lot of healing in the past few weeks. It also felt like a physical representation of Yasha’s growth, the last time she was controlled against her will like that (or at least, until she was mind-controlled by Vokodo. Ashley sighs, aggrieved.)

Brian: “The tower really feels like a love letter from Caleb to his friends.” Liam: “It is, and a love letter from Liam to his friends.” When he looked at Caleb’s spell list, he remembered how amazing the mansion was in Campaign One and how many role-playing moments it led to and knew he wanted to incorporate it. However, he knew it could never be the same as Scanlan’s mansion because Caleb doesn’t have the same improvisational genius as Scanlan does. Liam has been “tinkering with this machine” for over a year, waiting for the moment to reveal it. He loves that he got a chance to see Jester’s room in time to have her tower room reflect reality. He’d discussed the tower extensively with Dani & Matt. Brian: “Hey! What am I, chopped--what’s the saying?” Ashley: “Chopped cabbage?”

Ashley marvels at the design of the dome. Liam talks about how Caleb knowing Caleb has been abused has been slowly getting better, but he also loves now being able to juxtapose that healing with his innate love of magic and how beautiful he finds it, how he loves to use magic as his artistry. The Soltryce Academy wasn’t “Welcome to DEATH SCHOOL,” it was the Sorbonne. It was amazing, everything he wanted. It was only one bad apple within that recruited him and turned it all bad.

Liam also points out how much it means in real life to be able to express his love and care for his friends in person too.

Ashley talks about how much she loves Yasha’s armor in a meta sense because it’s so cool and useful, and great for her armor class, but struggles with what it represents in game. She might not be able to let it go due to its sheer utility, and she may have to find an in-game reason to justify keeping it.

Ashley segues a moment into talking about her velvet top which apparently has a matching velvet scrunchie. She’s asked to demonstrate the scrunchie and ties her hair up in a way that I have never in my life seen someone do with a scrunchie before, and my hair’s been waist-length most of my life. I watch it again in slow motion. How did she DO that??

Caleb’s been looking for the right time to tell Jester about his past for a long time. She’s a good person and makes him feel like he might be capable of becoming a good person at the end, because that’s how she saw him. Liam knew from Laura that Jester wouldn’t condemn him, but Caleb put it off as long as possible. He also wanted to take the time to make sure Caduceus & Yasha knew the whole story too before they went to dinner with Trent.

Liam was also relieved to get it out, because he could never remember who knew and who didn’t, and now he doesn’t have to track it anymore. “Now we can move forward. Now we can heal wounds, maybe.”

Ashley feels Cad picks up a lot, more than most people realize. Yasha was really affected by Cad’s line: “Patience can be good, but it can lead to apathy.” She really feels it opened her eyes, and she appreciated the simplicity of him pointing out her hair’s growing back white again. Having a friend notice “hey, you’re changing for the better” really means a lot. She’s interested in seeing how this means things might change with Beau.

Dani points out that it also reinforced for Yasha that she can want things too--she can be patient and just continue to be with the group, as she’s wanted, but it’s okay to want more than that too. Ashley remembers Veth asking her what her purpose is. There’s a part of her that knows Yasha is still figuring that out, and she’s interested to see how Yasha will continue to change. She’s always spent her life serving somebody--the Sky Spear, Obann--and then even after she joined the M9, it was very centered on “what do you need, what does the group need, how can I help with our next job?” She’s going to have to take some time to figure out what she wants.

Fanart of the Week! Lovely Yasha & Beau flight art by @JMNP7888. The wings look amazing!

Brian: “One of the things we want to talk to you about, Liam, is about the Vokodo fight and the FUCKING disintegrate spell.”

Liam: “That was one of the most insane 60-90 seconds of gameplay that ever existed for the table, and definitely for me, in the entire history of the show. A lot of people think I just went, oh man, just bet it all on black. But what if I told you that...I Larkin’d the first 20 seconds of that fight and then at a quarter to midnight, I forgot that the reflection was a thing? I just forgot it was a thing! I spent that whole battle thinking I’m just here to banish things. I might buff my friends a little bit, maybe I’ll counterspell, but I’m just here to banish. And it didn’t work and it didn’t work and then it did! Finally it did and Jester made it work and then he was GONE. And then everyone got greedy and it was done but we brought him BACK. And it was a quarter to midnight and I’m not an animatronic D&D lesson machine, I’m just a guy playing D&D at 11:45 at night, and he came back and everyone started Goodfellas circling him and kicking him, and Beau & Yasha are gonna kill him, and then it’s my turn? Disintegrate! And then the room was quiet, and then time passed, and Matt asked, you really cast Disintegrate? And I said yes, of course, and Matt started rolling dice, and in the back of my head I started wondering why he asked if I was rolling Disintegrate. Oh no. In the back of my brain, I was like, well, just tell him that’s not what you did. Tell him you didn’t remember the reflection thing. But he’s already rolling dice! You can’t take it back now. Hold on a second. I’m going to take you on the journey I went through. I was thinking: you have a spell save of 17. This thing wasn’t that fast. +1, +2, maybe? Anything under 14 is okay. That’s 70%. 70%. That’s okay, right? And still no one said anything to tip me off that I was in ELDRITCH MADNESS at that point, no one said anything about the reflection! And then I realize it can reflect back on us, and I realize this is...disintegrate. And then I started becoming morbidly, macabre-ly fascinated at the puppet dance of death I had created. Well, this is a mess. I have made a mess. Let’s just sit in it. And somehow, nonsensically, spectacularly, it worked out in my favor. I went home that night and I got in bed next to my wife, who was fast asleep, and I stared at the ceiling going, dude. Duuuuuuuude. Duuuuuuuuuude.”

He apparently also told his therapist about this and how terrible it was and how close he “danced myself to the precipice like a crazy person!” Marisha (as told by Liam): “Epic roll, though.”

Matt told Liam that night that if it had been reflected, it would have gone back on him. “If a player throws an M80 in the middle of a room, it would reflect on that player who threw it.”

Ashley talks about how interesting that Yasha is not performative, and yet has been doing these public performances with the harp. It’s a great experiment for Ashley--Yasha doesn’t like the attention, but feels like she is making something beautiful for the world.” She’s trying to change something about how she views herself & her place in the world. She was raised to be a weapon for the Sky Spear, but she’s also extremely gentle and loves flowers & beautiful music, and the further away she’s gotten from the tribe, she’s falling in love with gentle, beautiful things.

Liam also points out it easy (real, but simplistic) to make an entire character centered around a single personality trait: “I’m angry all the time. I’m sad all the time.” He thinks it’s more realistic to see nuance in personality.

Liam can see some paths for Caleb to find peace & do good. He doesn’t know if Caleb is conscious of those. He thinks it’s a huge step forward to admit he was molded in this direction at all and that it wasn’t all his choice, but doesn’t know if this is the same possibility as redemption.

He also mentions Essek in this answer: there was/is attraction there, both intellectual and physical--the forehead kiss was a big marker of that--and he’s interested in seeing where that goes because he’s invested in Essek’s redemption arc on its own, but Essek is not as high on the list as other things Caleb/the M9 need to work on. He loved the “high spy times” of the Essek arc and the tangled-up-ness of feelings getting involved at the same time as intense commitment to duty.

Liam always felt Matt would bring Molly back in some aspect, even though Caleb always demurred because he doesn’t believe in fate. Dani and Brian agree that this is the start of a new act.

Ashley cried at the Vilya reunion. She thought that was an incredible moment and was so glad to see Keyleth. Liam: “Keyleth as part of our story is everything to me. That story is really important to me, so getting just a glimpse of her again was so important to me.” They could all see how that affected Marisha & how special it was to her. Liam: “It was such a great note in her song or color in her painting. She achieved magnificent things and was powerful and great, but had a very heartbreaking and sad ending, so to have this sliver of joy go back in is so complex and beautiful and masterfully done.”

Aaaaaaand that’s all for tonight! Remember, no Critical Role this week. Talks will be back in two weeks. As always, don’t forget to love each other. <3

#talks machina #critical role #talks machina spoilers #critical role spoilers #long post #long post for ts

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emospritelet · 3 years

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Heatstroke - chapter 21/23

This fic is next on my list to complete, so wish me luck! Last time, Gold and Lacey danced, and Lacey got Gold to agree to be interviewed. Here's what happened next :)

[AO3]

Lacey smoothed her dress over her hips, turning this way and that before the mirror. She was wearing a white summer dress with a flared skirt, her feet in white strappy wedges and her hair tied up. It wasn’t the sort of outfit she usually wore to conduct interviews, but there again this wasn’t one of her usual interviews. She was not about to ask one of Storybrooke’s elderly residents about her success in growing pumpkins or making preserves. She was going to be asking Mr Gold about his life, interests and passions. And with any luck, she’d be able to experience a few of those passions for herself.

She hadn’t seen Gold since the dance, but she could still remember the way he had felt pressed against her and the scent of his cologne in her nose. She had been excited about the interview ever since, and the possibility of getting even closer to him once it was done. Ruby had teased her only a little before telling her to remember to take condoms. Just in case.

She took a final glance at her reflection, nodded decisively, and snatched up the bag with her recording equipment and notebook, throwing the strap over her shoulder. Let’s do this.

The walk to Gold’s house from her own took less than a minute, which gave her no time to be nervous, and she stomped up onto the porch and knocked on the door. He answered promptly, a tiny smile on his face, and she felt her heart thump at the gleam in his eyes.

“Miss French,” he said pleasantly. “Do come in.”

He was wearing one of his suits, black with a dark blue silk shirt and a burgundy silk tie. The shirt had a faint damask pattern, and she found that her eyes were scouring it, running over the lean lines of his body. She hurriedly raised her eyes to his to find him gazing at her steadily. Lacey bit her lip, hoping she wouldn’t blush.

“Hey,” she said quickly. “Uh - thanks for agreeing to do this.”

“You were rather persuasive, as I recall.”

“I’ve been called worse,” she said, and he chuckled, stepping aside to let her in.

“I thought we could use the study for this,” he said. “It’s down the hallway and to your left, but you’re welcome to look around.”

She sent him a smile, stepping past him and hearing him close the door behind her with a soft click as she moved left.

“I was just making some tea,” he said. “May I offer you some?”

“Uh - yeah, thanks.”

He nodded and turned away, and she heard the click of his cane as he headed for the kitchen. An open door led to the lounge, and she couldn’t resist taking a look inside, trying to imagine him relaxing there, with a book and a glass of whisky, and Darcy curled on the rug at his feet. The house was as she imagined, clean and neat, filled with beautiful things, and somehow out of its time. It smelled of beeswax and leather and some woody, earthy scent that she couldn’t quite place. The furniture seemed to be entirely antique, gleaming wood and polished brass and silk brocade, shelves set with porcelain figurines and delicate glass vases.

Lacey stepped back from peering inside the lounge, and headed slowly down the hall, heels clicking on the wooden floor. She let her eyes flick left to right, taking in the surroundings as she went, and her mouth curved upwards in a smile as she turned into what he had called the study. Bookshelves covered two of the walls, a bay window looking out over neat gardens and double glass doors which opened out onto a porch. A heavy desk sat on the wall opposite, a brass lamp to one side and a vase of deep red roses on the other.

She could hear him clattering around in the kitchen, and walked slowly around the room, eyes scanning the shelves. He had books on a wide range of subjects: volumes on antiques, art and ceramics took up one shelf, and there were books on history, law and politics. Novels made up the bulk of his collection, from what she could see, a mixture of classics and modern authors. He had three copies of Pride and Prejudice with different covers. There again, so did she. There were even some children’s books on one shelf, and she remembered that he had a young grandson. The thought of him choosing books so that his grandson might one day enjoy them made her smile.

“Here we are, then.”

Gold’s voice and the clink of china made her look around, and he entered the room with a tray balanced in one arm, shaking his head as she hurried forward.

“I’m used to getting around on my own, don’t concern yourself,” he said, and bent to slide the tray onto the small table in the bay window. The teapot, cups and saucers wobbled a little, but nothing spilled. Relieved, Lacey turned back to the bookshelves, eyeing a carved wooden bookend in the shape of an owl.

“You have some nice things,” she said. “Stock or personal?”

“Most of it’s personal,” he said from behind her. “I do rotate a few pieces between my home and the shop, but I find that if I like something enough to bring it into my home, it tends to stay there.”

Lacey turned on her toes to face him. He was standing by the window, both hands on the handle of his cane, watching her.

“Well,” she said. “I guess we should make a start.”

She spent a couple of minutes setting up her recording equipment and taking out her notebook and pencil. There were two chairs in the bay window, wing back armchairs in oxblood leather that creaked as she sat down. The chair was surprisingly comfortable, and she shifted position, tugging at the skirt of her dress and arranging it over her thighs. Gold lowered himself into the chair opposite, and Lacey pressed play on the recording equipment.

“Interview with Mr Gold, Sunday, July eighteenth at”—Lacey checked her watch—”four-oh-nine.”

She sat back and crossed her legs, meeting Gold’s eyes.

“Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Mr Gold,” she said.

“My pleasure, Miss French.”

His voice was a low rumble, and Lacey squeezed her thighs together, clearing her throat as she did so. She wondered if he knew the effect his voice had on her.

“I thought we’d start with some of your personal history,” she said. “If that’s okay with you.”

“Ask your questions,” he said.

“You promised to answer all of them, right?” she said, and he lifted one shoulder and let it fall in a lazy shrug.

“A deal’s a deal.”

“Right.”

Lacey glanced down at her notebook, where she had scribbled some of things she wanted to raise.

“So, Logan Gold, born in Glasgow, moved to the US in 1993,” she said. “Studied first at Oxford, then at Harvard, and became a lawyer. Got married, had a son and eventually obtained full custody following a pretty vicious divorce. Worked in New York for several large legal firms before settling down in the sleepy small town of Storybrooke in Maine to run a pawn shop. Quite a change of pace.”

A flick of Gold’s eyebrow was the only indication of surprise.

“You’ve done your homework,” he observed, and she shrugged.

“That’s my job.”

Gold raised a finger.

“You forgot to mention my extensive property empire,” he said, and she raised an eyebrow.

“You want me to stroke your ego, is that it?”

He showed his teeth.

“I wouldn’t want you to be accused of being anything but thorough.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “You run a pawn shop and own most of the property in town, yadda yadda yadda.”

“Well, we seem to have concluded the whistle-stop tour of my life,” he remarked. “Perhaps the interview is over.”

“Hey, not so fast!” she said immediately, making him grin. “I was just getting the dull stuff out of the way.”

Gold inclined his head.

“Ask your questions, Miss French.”

“Okay.” Lacey glanced down at her notes, her heart thudding a little. “Uh - what made you move to the US?”

“Work, mostly,” he said. “As you have already mentioned, I studied law at Oxford, and knew I wanted to pursue it as a career. I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship to study at Harvard, and I’ve been in the US ever since.”

“How easy did you find it to adjust to living in a new country?”

He pulled a face.

“It wasn’t so bad,” he said. “Perhaps because I was so busy with my studies, and then work. I didn’t have a lot of time for anything else. I think maybe it was harder to adjust when I moved out of the city. Being in New York is nothing like being in Storybrooke.”

“In what way?”

“Every way,” he said. “The pace of life is far slower, which is mostly a relief, but irritating when you want something done quickly. People are friendly, and want to get to know you. They stop to talk to you in the street, and greet you with some sort of sincerity.”

“The horror,” she remarked, and he grinned.

“Let’s just say I never did get used to that side of things.”

“Never tempted to move back?”

“No,” he said immediately. “No, I’m content to stay here.”

“And what about going back to Scotland?”

“I’ve been back a few times,” he said. “It’s changed a lot over the years. I still like to visit, but my home is here now. I’d only go back if my family decided to.”

“Your son, right?” she said. “And you have a grandson.”

“Yes. Henry.” Gold smiled faintly. “My son and his wife have spent their entire lives in the US. They’re very settled here, so I can’t see them wanting to leave, and I would never leave without them. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, Miss French.”

Good.

Aloud she said: “Family’s important to you, then.”

“The most important thing in my life,” he said, with a sincerity that touched her. “I know I’ve made a lot of money, and when you consider where I came from, I imagine I’ve made a success of my life. But my family is what matters.”

Lacey tapped her pencil against her lips.

“You never remarried,” she said. “Why not?”

Gold didn’t answer immediately. He sat forward, reaching for the teapot. Lacey watched tea pour in a thin, amber stream, and he pushed a cup and saucer towards her before adding a little milk to his own tea and stirring.

“I believe you used the words ‘vicious divorce’,” he said. “I have to say that is something of an understatement. I’m afraid it rather put me off the idea of relationships.”

Lacey felt something inside her turn to stone and fall into the pit of her stomach.

“Oh,” she said. “Completely?”

Gold pulled a face, taking a sip of tea.

“Let’s just say that my son and daughter-in-law have been pestering me about dating for years and I have only recently started to entertain the idea.”

He held her gaze for a moment, and Lacey felt her heart lighten.

“Sounds as though they care about you a lot,” she observed, and he smiled.

“Yes. As I tell myself when I find their interference particularly irritating.”

She chuckled a little, and decided to change the subject.

“So why antiques?” she said, and Gold smiled, setting his cup in its saucer.

“Antiques give you a taste of other people’s lives,” he said. “Each piece in my shop has a story behind it. Someone owned it before it came to me. Perhaps it was a cherished object, set on a shelf of a display cabinet and taken out and admired. Perhaps it was wrapped in newspaper and shoved into a packing crate and ignored. Either way it’s all history, all a part of other people’s existences.”

Lacey smiled, somewhat entranced by the sound of his voice.

“It’s strange,” she said. “I didn’t think you liked people all that much.”

That tiny smile again.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t find them interesting.”

“But to go from being a top lawyer to running a shop,” she said. “It must have been a hell of a change of pace.”

“The shop’s just a hobby, really,” he said. “I enjoy it, but it’s not where I make my money. The rental business is my chief source of income, and what takes up most of my time. Scheduling repairs, arranging for renovation, that sort of thing.”

“So, no plans to expand outside Storybrooke?” she asked, and he let out a short laugh.

“No no, I’m trying to concentrate on the town itself,” he said. “You may be aware of the local entrepreneur fund that the Mayor set up last year. I’ve donated to that and provide business advice to some of those that signed up. I’ve also been involved in refurbishing some of the old warehouse buildings near the harbour. Looking to attract some local businesses there, revitalise the area.”

Lacey nodded, reaching for her tea and taking a drink.

“Very generous of you.”

“If the town prospers, so do I,” he said. “It’s good business sense, that’s all.”

“Right.” She took another drink of tea. “So we’ve covered your family, your work. I'm interested in going back to your early years, but let's deal with the present for now. What do you do in your spare time?”

Gold sat back a little, pursing his lips.

“I’m afraid it’s nothing very exciting,” he said. “I read a lot.”

“So I’ve seen.”

“I like to cook,” he added.

“Even when you’re on your own?” she asked. “I don’t know, I’ve been living alone for years, and sometimes it’s all I can do to throw a pizza in the oven.”

His mouth twitched.

“Well, food is a sensual pleasure,” he said, the tone of his voice lowering again. “It’s important to take your time. To savour it. Sometimes the most enjoyment comes from the time and care taken in its preparation.”

She was almost certain he was flirting with her.

“Time and care’s all very well, but if the execution sucks it’s wasted effort,” she said bluntly, and Gold grinned.

“Practice makes perfect.”

“True enough.”

He was still grinning, and she felt as though she was about two minutes away from launching herself at his crotch. She looked down at her notes to refocus.

“Okay, quick fire round,” she said. “Ten questions, don’t think too hard about the answers. Ready?”

He blinked at her, but nodded.

“Go ahead.”

“Sweet or savoury?”

“Sweet.”

“Coffee or tea?”

“Tea.”

“Cats or dogs?”

“I have to choose?”

Lacey nodded in acknowledgement.

“Okay, that’s fair. Cats and dogs both rule,” she said. “Winter or summer?”

“Winter.”

“Okay…” Lacey pretended to be checking her notes. “Legs or boobs?”

“What?”

“I told you, don’t think too much!”

“Uh - legs.”

“Favourite alcoholic drink?”

“Single malt whisky.”

“Favourite thing to eat?”

The flick of an eyebrow.

“Are we talking food?” he asked, his voice a low purr, and Lacey squeezed her legs together.

“You have a dirty mind, Gold.”

“You could only consider that comment dirty if your mind was also dirty.”

“Just answer the question!”

“Lamb slow-roasted with rosemary and lots of garlic.”

Lacey felt her mouth water.

“Ugh, that sounds delicious!”

“It is.”

“Okay, focus!” She rolled her eyes, more at herself than him. “Boxers or briefs?”

He grinned at that, eyebrows twitching.

“Boxers.”

“Favourite place to visit?”

“Scotland.”

“Who do you miss right now?”

“My son.”

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

“Yes.”

There was a pause. Gold was wide-eyed and looking a little shell-shocked, as though he couldn’t believe that she had asked the question and that he had answered it. Lacey smirked, tapping her pencil on the notepad.

“Well,” she said. “That’s out of the way, then.”

Gold was silent for a moment.

“I’m going to have to insist that that question and its answer don’t make it into the Storybrooke Mirror,” he said evenly, and Lacey grinned, uncrossing and recrossing her legs, and noting the way his eyes followed the movement.

“Believe me, that’s just between us,” she said, and he looked amused.

“Thank goodness for that.”

“You’re a pretty private person, huh?” she observed.

“Extremely.”

“Don’t want anyone in town knowing your business.”

“Takes the mystery out,” he quipped.

“Uh-huh.” She sat back. “So why did you agree to do this interview?”

A tiny smile made his eyes gleam.

“Perhaps I enjoyed our time together the other night.”

“Did you?”

“Yes.” He raised an eyebrow. “Does that surprise you?”

“It would have surprised me a few weeks ago,” she admitted. “Our first meetings weren’t all that promising, remember?”

“First impressions can be misleading,” he said.

“I guess so.”

There was a moment of silence, and Lacey looked him up and down very deliberately.

“If it makes you feel any better,” she said. “I want to have sex with you, too.”

Gold stared at her for a moment, and then barked a laugh.

“That wasn’t a joke,” she said, and he shook his head, waving a hand.

“No, it’s just that Emma—my daughter-in-law—she said you liked me. And she knew I had feelings for you. She knew before I did.”

“She probably knew I liked you before I did, too,” remarked Lacey. “Are we both wilfully blind, or just dumb?”

Gold laughed at that, his eyes twinkling.

“Perhaps a little of both,” he said. “Although in our defence we didn’t have the most auspicious start, did we?”

“I don’t know, I got to see you naked,” she said. “Got that out of the way.”

Gold laughed again, and Lacey put her head to the side.

“So when did your opinion change?” she asked. “Pretty sure you found me annoying as hell to start with.”

“Oh, I did,” he said, grinning. “I’m not sure when it changed.”

“How did you know it had?”

Gold sucked his teeth, raising his eyes to the ceiling for a moment before looking back.

“I had a very vivid dream about you one night that caused me to reevaluate how I felt.”

Lacey sat forward, feeling her mouth drop open.

“A dream?”

“Very. Vivid,” he said, enunciating each word, and she felt curiosity surge in her.

“What happened?”

Gold chuckled deeply.

“Oh, I’m not telling you that.”

Lacey gave him a flat look.

“Do I need to remind you about the deal we made?” she asked. “You said I could ask you anything, and you’d give me an answer.”

Gold sat back, running his hands over his face with a grumbling sigh before looking through his fingers at her.

“I didn’t mean sex dreams,” he said, his tone muffled.

“Then you should have made that an explicit term, Mr Hot-Shot Lawyer,” she countered. “And you can’t drop ‘sex dreams’ on me and then say nothing, no fair.”

He sighed again, and let his hands drop to his lap, his expression one of rueful amusement.

“Fine,” he said. “But turn off the tape.”

Lacey reached for the recording equipment, smirking at him.

“What’s the matter, don’t you trust me?”

“Yes,” he said. “It’s more the unintended consequences of having this conversation recorded that’s bothering me. Fate has a twisted sense of humour, after all. With my luck it would accidentally end up being broadcast on Radio FTL’s Good Morning Storybrooke in place of the weather forecast, or something.”

“True enough,” she agreed, and switched off the recording before setting her notepad aside and turning to face him. “So. About this dream.”

Gold grumbled again.

“God, this is excruciating,” he muttered, and Lacey smirked.

“Well, you know what they say,” she said. “If you’re uncomfortable, just picture your audience naked.”

Gold stared at her, and burst out laughing again. Lacey grinned.

“Good, I can make you laugh,” she said. “Come on, tell me how we got our sexy on.”

“God, that makes it sound even worse,” he sighed.

“I’m waiting.”

Another sigh, and he ran a hand over his mouth, shaking his hair back.

“Alright,” he said eventually. “I dreamt that you came to the shop while I was going through my ledgers. You were dressed in a - uh - very tight black dress and very high heels, and you took my hand, led me into the back room, and - and went down on me.”

He seemed uncomfortable, his eyes looking everywhere but at hers, as though he were ashamed. Lacey pursed her lips.

“Huh,” she said. “I think I’ve had that same dream.”

Gold laughed out loud, shaking his head and grinning.

“You constantly surprise me, Miss French,” he said.

“Good.” Lacey pushed slowly to her feet. “Let me see if I can keep doing that.”

She took a step towards him, then another, and sank down on her knees on the rug, sitting on her heels and putting her hands on his thighs. Gold’s breathing had quickened, his nostrils flaring a little, his eyes dark and deep.

“So,” said Lacey softly. “I got on my knees, hmm?”

“Yes,” he breathed.

She slid her hands slowly up his thighs, rising up on her knees and gently pushing his legs apart.

“Like this?”

Gold swallowed hard. His hands were resting on his thighs, the fingers twitching a little, as though they ached to touch her.

“A - a little.”

“Hmm.” She shifted forward, pushing between his legs, hands sliding further up until her fingertips brushed along the edge of his waistcoat. “And then what happened?”

Gold licked his lips, his breathing unsteady.

“To my great regret,” he said. “I woke up.”

Lacey let out a soft laugh, catching his eyes with hers.

“Well then,” she said. “I guess we’ll have to improvise.”

She had shifted forward, her body pressed up against his groin, her fingers stroking his sides, and her mouth was almost close enough to touch his. His breath was cool against her lips, the tip of his nose just brushing against hers, and her heart was thumping hard in her chest.

“Improvise,” he whispered. “Yes.”

His hands slid up her sides, fingers trailing over the curves of her hips, her waist, her shoulders. Her own breathing had quickened, the throb of her pulse heavy in her lips, her throat, her groin. She gently brushed her lips against his, pulling his breath into her lungs, tasting his scent on her tongue, and when she opened her eyes his gaze was dark enough to make her shiver.

“Take me to bed,” she said, and his breath seemed to catch in his throat, his mouth twitching.

“Yes, Lacey,” he breathed. “Yes.”

#fic: heatstroke #golden lace fic #rumbelle fic #my fic #golden lace #rumbelle

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