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dulce-pjm · 3 years

Text

caffeine crush

word count: 4.3k

genre: fluff, coffee shop!au

summary: all it took was one trip to the cafe to cement a friendship you never wanted. but it’s high time you fess up and call it all off.

Yes, you’d picked up the habit last August, you’re certain.

Classes had yet to start but, growing tired of your overbearing family, you decided to head back to campus a week or two early and get a head start while the university was still mostly empty.

You didn’t exactly get a ton of work done, but those few weeks were relaxing. Cleansing, even. You spent your mornings wandering around campus and the surrounding area, soaking in the summer sun. Your afternoons were spent curled up in a comfy chair in the corner of the library, nose deep in a romance novel. You found yourself eating better, exploring the city and finding new activities and niche locations. At this point, you thought you would make an excellent tour guide if someone hired you. You knew nearly every corner of the blocks surrounding the university. You’d made it a game to leave no stone unturned, memorizing the storefronts and seeing what hole-in-the-wall restaurants and shops you would find next.

You were playing just this game when you met Seokjin.

It’s not like you particularly liked coffee. It’s always been much too bitter for your taste. No amount of sugar or cream or pumpkin syrup made the drink worth it to you.

But you set your personal preferences aside for the mission. How could you give coffee shop recommendations to your imaginary tour group if you’d never tried them out yourself?

And it was with that mentality that you tentatively stepped inside the near-hidden cafe, door chiming as you made your entrance.

The minute you walked in, you fell in love with the atmosphere. The place was well ventilated and cool, perfect for someone like you who preferred to keep the thermostat at ‘obscenely low temperatures,’ as your sister would say. The walls were coated with muted mints and greens. Draping plants decorated the wooden shelves scattered across the far wall and the soft jazz playing over the speakers made you feel relaxed. A large chalkboard menu hung behind the counter, fresh flowers sat by the cash register. The smell of coffee grounds was undeniably comforting and potent, despite your general dislike for the drink.

This place was perfect. You could imagine your friends applauding your efforts now, praising you for managing to stumble on such an amazing hideout, tucked away from the chaos of university campus yet still within easy walking distance.

The cafe was almost completely empty, save for a couple about your age camped out at a corner table. You barely paid them any attention except to be jealous of their closeness as they giggled over something on the girl’s phone.

You approached the counter, curiously vacant of any employees. You looked left, you looked right. But no one appeared.

The couple, too absorbed in their own world, did nothing to aid you as you stood helpless in the middle of the abandoned store. You gave it a good ten seconds before you felt much too awkward standing here all alone and gave up, turning to leave.

And just as you did, you heard a collection of scuffles coming from the back and a door swing open with a creak.

“Oh, I am so sorry. One of our frothers broke and made a huge mess.” You spun around. And your jaw dropped.

Before you stood the most godly man you’d ever seen.

The first thing that caught your eye was tufts of soft lavender hair, shining under the cool vintage lights. His eyes were wide and dark and warm, making you shift on your feet when they focused on you. His shoulders were broad and wrapped in a thin, cream turtleneck despite the warm weather. You practically drooled when you caught sight of his lips, full and soft pink.

He looked just like every male romantic lead you’d read about in your spare time. A purple-haired prince charming. A knight in his shining, corporate-regulated apron.

“Were you waiting long?” His friendly voice snapped you from your daze before your thoughts could roam further to his muscles and chest and-

“No, not at all.” Could he tell you’d just been ogling? You really hoped not.

“Good, good.” He shoots you a relieved smile that has your knees shaking. “Well, what can I get for you?”

Shit, he was pretty. The slope of his nose and jaw and the swell of his cheekbones looked like they’d been crafted by god himself. Not that you were particularly religious, but after this encounter, you mused that maybe one day you could be.

You were already fantasizing about the future the two of you could forge together. Stolen kisses, cuddles by the tv, a cozy house full of little purple-haired kids. His pillowy soft lips looked awfully inviting. You wondered what it’d be like to lean onto the tips of your toes and press your lips on his, to run your fingers through his hair, to-

“Uh, is there something I can get for you?”

Shit. You’d been caught red-handed.

“Oh! Um... uh...” You couldn’t focus. The words on the menu were suddenly too blurry as your tunnel vision zoomed in on him and only him. “A latte! A latte is fine.”

Seokjin smiled sweetly, making your stomach flutter.

“You got it! Just a sec.” He spun away, running back and forth between the different contraptions that look more like convoluted machines from a sci-fi movie than coffee-related appliances.

You were still trying to collect yourself when his hand brushed yours as he passed your drink across the counter. A shiver ran unwelcomed down your spine. You barely managed to fork over a few bills when the man shook his head adamantly.

“I made you wait. This one’s on the house.”

God, he was hot and nice? How?

“Oh, thanks...” Your eyes found the small name tag pinned to his blue apron. “Seokjin.” He grinned, his eyes crinkling adorably.

“Not a problem. See you around.” He said it like the two of you were friends and not strangers. Like he was going to miss you when you walked out the door.

You felt his gaze on your back as you left the tiny shop, bells chiming as went.

You knew you’d be coming back.

And come back you did.

You’d reasoned that it wasn’t because of Seokjin, no, of course not! You liked the cafe, it was quiet and there was plenty of room to study.

Oh, who were you kidding? It was totally because of Seokjin. The cafe was nice, you guess, but you don’t even like coffee! Rather, you used your time spent in the shop half actually doing your work and half staring at Seokjin and letting your mind wander. It was a stress reliever, really. A guilty pleasure, to bask in his glory.

It was a harmless habit. You got your work done and got to stare at an angel sent from heaven, and Seokjin had extra business bolstering his paycheck when you dragged your friends with you to camp out at the cafe.

It was harmless.

Until you’d spent the better part of four months somewhat stalking him and now he knew your face.

So when a certain someone tapped you on the shoulder in January as you settled down for the first day of class, you really should have known this would happen.

“Hi!” he’d exclaimed, taking the seat next to you before you could protest, not that you wanted to. “I didn’t know you were a student here.”

It was Seokjin. Hot barista from the coffee shop, Seokjin. In your class. Talking directly to you. Except now, he’d traded his purple locks for warm brunette ones. It didn’t take away from his appeal at all though. It made him seem boyish and younger, suiting him well.

“Oh, hi...” You were at a loss for words. Never in your life did you think that Seokjin attended your university, let alone would be taking the same classes as you. Wouldn’t you have seen him by now? How did this slip under your radar?

“Y/N, right?” His smile widened when you nodded, confirming his suspicions.

The professor walked in a moment later, informing you all that the person next to you would be your partner for all projects for the rest of the semester. Your stomach dropped to the floor

And from then on, Seokjin was your friend.

You’d done your best to fight it, to resist him but you were only pulled deeper and deeper.

Before then, the line of acquaintanceship was defined, set in stone. You knew his name, sure, but only because of the context of the situation. You had no reason to talk to him, to know him. And he had no reason to remember you.

But once he confirmed your name, claimed the seat next to you, expressed excitement at being your partner (because he’d seen how studious you were at the shop, he said- and what a lie that was), the line had been crossed and blurred. He made a point to smile at you every time you arrived to class, to ask you how your day was going and if you were planning on stopping by the cafe any time soon.

It didn’t take long, however, for fantasy Seokjin to crumble before your eyes. Your dashing prince charming turned out to actually be a gluttonous man-child. Long gone were the days of your innocent crush on him. No longer could you sit and daydream about his perfect self when you were watching him pig out on take-out dumplings and listening to the most cringe-worthy jokes you’d heard in your life.

“So I was at this vegetarian restaurant, right?” You nodded, only half paying attention as you made final edits to your presentation on Nordic traditions. “And this girl comes up to me and starts to tell me how I’d done her so wrong and she was finally standing up for herself.”

At that point you were interested, allowing yourself to watch his dramatics rather than your laptop screen. Was Seokjin secretly an asshole? A heart breaker? God, this couldn’t be farther from how you’d imagined him months ago.

“But the thing is-” He paused, meeting your eyes to make sure you were fully paying attention, which you were. “I’d never even seen herbivore!”

A fully offended sound left your throat as Seokjin burst into squeaky, boisterous laughter at the disgusted expression on your face.

You couldn’t even bring yourself to fake laugh. That joke was absolutely dreadful.

See, this is normally when relationships- dating and friendship alike- started to go downhill for you. You were much too idealistic. You set certain expectations for anyone and everyone before you ever laid eyes on them. And when they didn’t meet those expectations, it was easy for you to lose interest. Once you realized that they weren’t the person you’d hoped they’d be, you realized you’d never really liked them at all. You’d just gotten too caught up in your head, too captivated by your own imagination to recognize that you were walking into something you didn’t want.

Seokjin, though, was different. He’d been drastically far from your expectations, absolutely. But instead of that eventual feeling of self-directed bitterness and regret for setting yourself up for failure, you felt guilty. Overwhelmed with guilt and shame, actually. Even if he had an awful sense of humor, Seokjin was great. He was kind and charming and teasing and thoughtful and earnest. He was genuine.

Yes, if there was one word to describe Seokjin, it was genuine. But if you had to add a few more words, they would be ‘too fucking nice.’

When you were about to be keeled over in the school’s bathroom, puking your brains out with the flu, it was Seokjin that had noticed you were feeling off and chased you down after class. He’d been the one to see how sick you were, to hold your hair while you were bent over the toilet, to take you to the doctor and bring you homemade soup for dinner.

While you panicked about the project due in the next few days, Seokjin adamantly insisted that you rest and promised that he could take care of it for you. He was unwavering in his resolve and despite the guilt brewing in your stomach alongside the nausea, you almost let yourself think he was doing this just because he wanted to, not because it was his personality.

You didn’t deserve him. Not his friendship, not his love, not his time. He’s out of your league. Hell, he’s playing a different sport entirely. What you were doing wasn’t fair. This friendship didn’t happen because you were genuinely nice like Seokjin. It happened because you were lonely and, frankly, thirsty.

So, while you’re taking your final exam for your class with Jin, you reach the conclusion that it’s time to fess up. To admit who you really are, what your motives were, the reason you kept coming back for coffee you didn’t like. And then you’d cut it off. Not that you think you’d have to. Seokjin would see just how crazy you were and then never speak to you again. Things would be right with the universe and you’d be guilt-free, if a little embarrassed.

Your pencil hovers over the scantron and you consider that you probably should have spent all this time focusing on the exam and not your friendship’s impending doom.

But this class had been nothing short of an easy A, so you decide to have a little faith in yourself that even you could choose the correct answers while your mind wandered elsewhere.

Yes, this was the best option. It’s not like you were in love with Seokjin, missing his presence and smile the minute he walked out the door and admiring the way his laugh lit up a room. Seokjin wasn’t some unreachable fantasy. You wouldn’t be retreating to your room sobbing if he was suddenly gone. He was just a person. He was just Seokjin. You could let him go. He could realize what you really were.

Easy peasy. Right?

When you shoulder your bag and trudge out of the exam room, Seokjin is waiting for you, despite finishing a few minutes earlier. He was much too nice to other people like that. He hasn’t quite noticed you yet, too absorbed in a conversation with a fellow classmate. You indulge in his objectively perfect features for what will likely be the last time, but you don’t let your imagination wander. You just take the moment to appreciate what is in front of you.

“Oh, I don’t know, I’m pretty tired...” You note the awkward, apologetic smile on his face and wonder what they’d been talking about. In that moment, his eyes flicker to yours, immediately lighting up. “Oh, Y/N!” He shifts towards you, leaving the poor girl to flounder. While he smiles enthusiastically your way, your expression is almost completely neutral. The abandoned classmate looks back and forth between the two of you, trying to decipher your relationship. You sigh, internally scolding him for wasting his attention on you.

“Hey, Jin.” You address him by the nickname you’ve heard his friends call him. He’d never explicitly told you to call him that, but when it accidentally slipped out one day, he smiled to himself and you added the name to your vocabulary.

“Well, how do you feel? It’s over!” You shrug, shifting the backpack you always carry to the other shoulder.

“Not as good as you do, I’m sure.” Seokjin’s brows furrow curiously and cutely, not understanding where you’re going. “You’re graduating? I’m still stuck here another year.”

“Ahh, at least the semester’s over. You are coming to my graduation, right?” You shoot him a look saying something akin to, ‘are you stupid?’

“Of course I am. You’d never let me live it down if I didn’t.” Seokjin laughs but doesn’t argue. You realize the classmate from before is long gone. You’re not sure when she left. Good, now you can tell Seokjin what you’ve been meaning to. “Can I talk to you?”

“Aren’t we talking now?” You sigh, loosely crossing your arms.

“You know what I mean, Seokjin.” Sensing your serious demeanor, Seokjin immediately drops his teasing smile, switching his expression to one laced with concern.

“Yes, of course. My shift starts in half an hour, though. Can we talk on the way to the shop?”

“Sure.” Perfect, actually. Walking side by side, you wouldn’t have to watch that soft smile turn into an expression of disgust when you admitted what you were about to.

As the two of you walk across campus and into the city, you tell him everything. You tell him how the minute you saw him, you’d thought he was the hottest person you’d ever laid eyes upon. You tell him how you came back almost thrice a week just to stare and think about him. You tell him how you don’t even like coffee, but your frequent visits to the shop have made you dependent on caffeine. You tell him how you’d had a bit of a crush on him, no, on your fantasy version of him for months. You tell him you don’t feel like that now, that you just feel guilty that this friendship existed when it was all born from a lie, from a terrible habit you couldn’t seem to break. You tell him how fake you are.

“And you deserve better than that, than me. I’m sorry I dragged you along for so long. I shouldn’t have.” You haven’t looked at him once this whole time, too ashamed to clue yourself in to what he’s thinking. “I think that’s everything.” Seokjin stays silent for a few agonizing minutes as the scenery morphs from tall, brick lecture buildings and trees into a more urban environment filled with bustling streets and colorful displays in the store windows.

“Can I ask a question?” You jump at his voice. You’re almost surprised he’s still here.

“Yeah.” You nervously fidget with your backpack straps, still refusing to even glance his way.

“When you actually got to know me better, were you disappointed?” If you didn’t know any better, you’d say he sounded nervous. Heat rises to your cheeks. Shit, you’d hurt his feelings, hadn’t you? Why couldn’t he just get mad or storm off to leave you in the dust? Did he think that you hated him? That you were tired of him and that’s why you were doing this? You had to make him understand. You are the problem, not him. God, why was this idiot so nice?

“What? No!” You’re frantic with worry. Maybe you were being too egotistical to think that your confession had hurt his self-image, but you were willing to take the risk. “You’re great, Seokjin. You’re sweet and thoughtful and funny- well, actually your humor could use some work -and perfect. You’re a great friend. It’s me who’s disappointing. You’ve never disappointed me, not once.”

If you could just tear your eyes from the sidewalk, you’d see that Seokjin was grinning from ear to ear, over-the-moon ecstatic your compliments. Neither of you has ever been great with words, so you hope your pep talk was enough and that his silence is a good sign.

The skies have begun shifting away from bright and sunny to grey and cloudy. The air is thick and heavy, like it’s about to rain. Just your luck. You should have checked the weather channel this morning.

“We have caffeinated drinks other than coffee on the menu, you know.”

Really? You’d just confessed your most embarrassing secret and that’s all he had to say? You stumble over your words, not sure whether to be flustered (because you definitely didn’t know that) or frustrated at his unwavering good nature.

“Oh.” You grow sheepish and pretend to find the dirt under your fingernails interesting. “I guess I had a hard time focusing back then.” Those days had long faded away. You didn’t crumble under his gaze anymore or struggle to form coherent sentences around him. He’d long lost his mystery.

Then, Seokjin laughs. He laughs and he chuckles and giggles and you cringe. You want to crawl into a hole and never come back out. When other times you could find humor in the rambunctious sounds spilling from his lips, now it only felt jarring, like a smack in the face. He was laughing at you, at how much of a hopeless idiot you are. You suppose that was better than him feeling betrayed and never wanting to see you again. Though he hasn’t exactly ruled out the latter.

This is what you wanted, this is what you wanted.

You say nothing, consumed by your own bitterness, as Seokjin calms down.

“You’re pretty stupid, Y/N.” Your face falls.

You knew that. He didn’t have to tell you.

You were stupid to keep showing up at the coffee shop like a lovestruck teenager. You were stupid to believe Seokjin was your friend or that he might have even enjoyed your presence. He was just too goddamn nice and you were too goddamn stupid.

As the two of you get within a few blocks of the cafe, Seokjin’s hand brushes against yours.

“Oh, sorry.” You’re quick to yank it away, almost burned by his touch, but to your surprise, Seokjin chases after it, fastening his palm against yours and intertwining your fingers.

What was he doing?

“What are you doing?” For the first time since you started your rambling, you look at Seokjin, gape at him. But the timing is poor and now he’s staring straight ahead, not giving you a passing glance.

“Do you really think I would have given you free drinks and sat next to you in class and talked to you every day if I didn’t at least like you a little bit?” You’re rendered speechless, eyes bugging out of your head.

“I- um...”

“For being an accounting major, you really are the densest person I know.” His tone is light despite his blatant insults. “Don’t you realize I had a little crush on you, too? I was so excited when I realized we were going to share a class, but you never gave me the time of day.”

Your mouth opens and closes but no words leave it, not unlike a fish.

“I've nearly asked you out at least three times now, but I kept chickening out.”

The entire world feels like it’s flipped upside down. It’s like gravity’s stopped working and your head is spinning and you’re dizzy and your heart as burst and Seokjin’s hand enveloping yours is the only thing keeping you from floating away into the sky.

The revelation smacks you in the face.

Seokjin’s a liar. Not as genuine as you’d thought, after all.

While you spent a semester pretending you liked coffee when really you just thought Seokjin was hot, he’d spent the next pretending he was only interested in your friendship when he’d been harboring a crush on you.

You struggle to contain the small smile on your face. Seokjin’s hand gently squeezes yours and lightning shoots up your skin and spine.

Seokjin’s eyes finally meet yours as the two of you stare sheepishly at each other. His gaze flickers to your lips a few times and you openly ogle at his, but he doesn’t lean in. He simply lifts your entwined hands and smiles, a short breath leaving his nostrils in place of a chuckle. It’s content and peaceful. There’s no need for love declarations or romantic kisses. You think you could be happy here forever knowing Seokjin wants you by his side.

The moment ends when a raindrop hits your nose, startling the hell out of you.

While you’re disoriented, Seokjin laughs and tugs you into the shop, now only a few steps away. The place is rather busy for it being lunchtime, but Seokjin weaves the two of you through the throng, stopping by the staff door.

He looks at you with slight mischief.

“You know, since it’s raining, you should probably just stay in here. Don’t wanna catch a cold.” You want to scoff, tell him that’s ridiculous and that your dorm is only a few minutes away. But you swallow your retort and let him have his moment.

“Good idea,” you agree solemnly with a nod.

“Actually, you should probably just stay until I’m off my shift. You never know when the rain might pick up again.” This time, you can’t help but quirk a brow.

“Because you’re planning to protect me from the rain? You don’t have a jacket either.” Seokjin gives an offended look, like you’d just insulted his pride.

“No, it’s so we can get sick together. It’d be romantic.” You scrunch your nose. Having fevers and runny noses and gross coughs together? Doesn’t seem like an ideal first date.

“Sounds romantic.”

“I’m glad you agree.”

You’re staring at each other again, in your own little bubble, until a customer brushes against your shoulder and you’re reminded that Seokjin is technically on payroll right now. He has a similar realization and reluctantly releases your hand, blowing a kiss over his shoulder as he steps through the staff door. You roll your eyes, feigning embarrassment, but on the inside, you’re melting.

You plop down in your self-assigned seat in the most well-ventilated part of the cafe that also has a very convenient view of your favorite barista. The semester’s over and you have no work to do, but you don’t mind, content to watch Seokjin work while mindlessly giggling when he shoots you winks in between orders.

You don’t fantasize or wonder where this might go. You don’t think your imagination could come up with anything better than what’s in front of you.

You do predict, however, that you’ll be spending many more hours cooped up in this little cafe.

Old habits die hard, you suppose.

#bts #bts fanfic #bts scenario #bts jin #seokjin fluff #seokjin scenario #seokjin x reader #seokjin fanfic #jin fluff #jin fanfic #seokjin #i suppose we all end up writing a coffeeshop!au at some point #right?#enjoy haha

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scribbleb-red · 4 years

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Neil is a lying liar who lies AU

A Morning AU - with a fab prompt from @djhedy

There’s a new boy in Andrew’s class and there’s something not quite right about him. He’s mouthy and sharp, the kinda kid that should end up in detention three times a week but never does.

They are seven years old, though the new kid looks five, with eyes like a wide open sky.

He is very pretty - that’s why Andrew notices him first - he looks like a fairy prince.

And it’s because Andrew is watching that he notices though: the kid is a big bad lying liar who lies.

The day he joined, the kid said his name was ‘Stefan’ to Mrs Stewart and ‘Chris’ to Mr Brasenose. The next day he was just ‘Neil’ and was given a fond, exasperated warning to keep his make believe in the playground.

But the kid didn’t stop lying.

Some lies were big and others were small.

On a Tuesday, Neil announced that he’d had a huge feast for breakfast - listing all the foods and making everyone’s mouth water with the descriptions. (But Andrew saw how he winced nd held his stomach like it was empty.)

On a Thursday, Neil said he grew up in England and proceeded to spend the next week speaking in a post English accent. (But he later admits at lunch it was just a couple months).

On a Friday, Neil whispers that his house is haunted and he’s scared to go home for the weekend. (There’s a little too much truth shining through those eyes as he talks about the ghost in his house. Andrew doesn’t doubt that he’s scared of something).

The following Monday, Neil explains his bruises by saying he spent the week learning to skateboard.

“My cousin visited and let me use her skate board. It was pretty rad.”

(Andrew eyes the split lip, it could be true. But then he sees the hand shape around Neil’s thin wrist and knows the truth: it’s a lie.)

Through it all, Andrew is very quiet and very alone. He knows how this goes - he’s seven years old with more cracks in his heart than a fifty year romantic - but he kinda enjoys Neil’s lies and how he gets away with them.

He particularly likes the outrageous ones:

My father parachuted into Paris because he’s a spy. He died landing on the Eiffel Tower. I once wrestled a monster. I won but it stole all my mom’s apples. I’m telling the truth. My tongue goes green when I lie. I met Kevin Day.

Andrew won’t pretend he’s not intrigued. He thinks Neil is interesting and his lies are ones he can often hold in the dark, imagining over and over when he’s hurt and wishing to be anyone, anywhere but here.

Plus Neil is funny - he always snarks at the teachers and gets away with the most ridiculous things. Other kids always want to play with him because his games are brilliant - epic journeys, castles and wizards, magical tigers, patchwork villains made from the skin of children.

Some of Neil’s tall tales are part fairytales, part nightmares. And Andrew isn’t sure which part Neil actually belongs to. There are times where he’s the brightest, prettiest boy on the playground. And times where his eyes are haunted, mouth wicked cruel. And then there are times like today, where Neil is quiet and blank - a little too familiar to what Andrew sees in the mirror these days, looking like someone has scooped out his insides and left nothing but darkness behind in its wake.

Andrew almost talks to him then.

Almost.

But he doesn't. Not for another few weeks. Not until Neil's facing down Greg Doyle - the fight has the vibe of a hissing kitten against a rottweiler.

There's no way Neil can win. Greg is a third grader and big beside.

But Neil doesn't look scared. He looks ferocious.

Not that appearances are going to help. Neil could have the sharpest claws of them all and he'd still weigh nothing against Greg. Neil dodges and ducks the first few blows. He snipes and snarks, that liar's mouth rattling off stories of how he took down a SWAT team once.

But dumb luck can’t do everything and finally Greg gets a thump in, straight across Neil’s jaw - hard enough to make him stagger.

"So much for a SWAT team, fucking liar."

There are gasps at the bad word from the growing first and second grade audience.

"Tongue turns green," Neil says. He spits out blood.

Andrew's had enough when he sees the blood.

Neil might be an idiot but Andrew knows that there's no way to win this one on alone He steps forward and puts himself between Neil and Greg.

"Oooo who's this, your boyfriend?"

Andrew would roll his eyes, but can't be bothered. He is the tallest kid in their year at nearly 4'5. He can look the nine year old Greg in the eye without trouble and he can see the bigger kid calculating his chances of taking Andrew on instead of the skinny little creature that was Neil "motor mouth" Josten.

"Back off," he says. He doesn't inflect. He watched a cartoon where a character spoke completely flat and it was really scary so he figures this might make Greg cower too. "Leave him alone."

Greg nearly steps into Andrew's space but someone has started a whisper:

Andrew Doe is the kid who killed his parents. Andrew Doe is the kid that burned a house down. Andrew Doe is the kid who took on Bertie Becker from fifth grade and flushed his head down the loo.

It's the last one that gives away the source of these rumours - Neil has started a chain of Chinese whispers. And Greg hears them swirling from mouth to mouth, ear to ear, each more terrifying than the last. It makes Andrew want to grin, so he does. Greg actually whimpers.

The crowd laughs when Greg runs away - he can’t save face when he’s fleeing from a first grader.

Andrew feels triumphant.

Especially when Neil steps up beside him, shy smile and summer sky eyes. “Thanks Andrew.”

Neil Josten knows his name, Andrew thinks. Wow wow wow.

Neil’s mouth is swollen but he’s still the prettiest boy in the playground so Andrew doesn’t say anything.

“Want to play a game?” Neil says.

Andrew shrugs.

“Yes or no?” Neil says again. “I won’t force you but I’d like to play with you to if you’d like to play with me.”

Andrew thinks about it before saying yes.

It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

They start with games - make believe quests and imaginary journeys. They visit magical worlds in their heads and fall about laughing when one of them (mostly Andrew) doesn’t break character even for class.

They become inseparable - two boys with home lives full of ghosts but dreams that can take them anywhere. The lying liar is the better story teller but the stoic hero a better actor. And sometimes in games they hide their truths - violent families and horrifying pasts.

Neil shows Andrew his scars, “I sometimes say they’re from a shark or ninjas and stuff but...”

“That’s from an iron.”

“Yeah.”

In turn, Andrew tells Neil about his foster family.

“We could poison him,” Neil says. “I heard we can make poison from apple cores. Applesenic or something.”

If only it were that simple.

It happens just before the end of the year - summer is nearly there and Andrew can only imagine how fun it'll be having a friend to adventure with for the first time. And then he finds out that his foster family is getting rid of him. He'll be packed off at the end of term.

"I think mom and I will move too," Neil admits. "We never hang around anywhere long."

"Because of your dad?"

"Yeah..." Neil plays with the hem of his t-shirt. "He's in prison but mom is still terrified. She moves us a lot."

"Maybe you can move to the same place as me."

They pretend that the world isn't going to split them apart.

They pretend that they're going to have the summer together.

And the year after.

That they'll start middle school together.

And be best friends all the way to the end of high school.

And go to the same college.

"We could play exy together all the way through," Neil says. It's his new obsession.

"I'm not going to play stickball. I prefer playing games with you."

"We can play games on the court. You can be the fierce dragon and I'll be the knight that looks after you."

"You'd steal all my dragon gold."

"Would not."

Andrew raises one eyebrow.

"Okay, yes I would. I'd be the knight trying to take your gold. But I'd be sneaky about it." Neil's laughter is high and bright. "Does that mean you'll play with me?"

"Yeah okay," Andrew says.

But it doesn't work out that way.

Neil vanishes like sun behind a mountain the day after term ends.

Andrew's bags are packed. He's dumped in a new home near the beach. He hates the beach. He misses Neil the way his lungs miss oxygen when he's stuck in the swell of a wave.

He does play exy though.

He does it because he figures one day he'll find Neil on a court too.

He'll either face him down or by some miracle they'll be on the same team.

He'll find Neil again. He will.

He tells himself this every day.

Even when it feels like a lie.

Something like an epilogue

Years pass before Andrew hears anything about the little boy who - for two semesters when he was seven - was his best friend. So many years that if it weren't for one polaroid from a cheeky arcade photo-booth, he might have let the idea of Neil go.

But he keeps the photo with him - through home after home, through Cass and Drake and juvie and Aaron and Nicky. He hides it in books, folds it into pockets. Makes sure to hold onto Neil and the memories of those few happy months.

He plays exy. Keeps track of other teams and their players. The sport does nothing for him - but sometimes he closes his eyes and imagines Neil with his flashing blue eyes mischievous smile and that long ago conversation. He remembers why he's doing this.

At 13, he asks Pig Higgins to do a search on Neil's name but the policeman refuses.

At 14, he goes through the entire directory for California and when that's exhausted, he starts searching every state from West to East.

He calls 362 Jostens across the USA. None are Neil.

When he turns 16, he uses a fake and has two small dragons outlined on the top of his left shoulder.

When he's 17 he meets Riko and Kevin Day. He remembers Neil once saying he'd met Kevin and wonders if that was true or just one of Neil's many many lies. He turns the Ravens down.

He signs two weeks later with the Palmetto State Foxes - taking his brother and cousin with him.

He watches as the lists of drafted players on other teams go up. There's no Chris or Stefan or Abram - not with the matching face Andrew wants. There's no sign of a Neil Josten.

Andrew smooths out the photo at night, slipping it between the pages of Whitman's Leaves of Grass every morning.

Maybe it's time to put the memory of Neil to rest, but he can't.

Neil is one of those beautiful ghosts that he can't help but hold onto. The one unspoilt thing in his memory.

Unspoilt, that is, until a Monday when Kevin Day announces he's recruiting a nobody from a nothing town in the middle of nowhere Arizona and the nobody's name is Neil.

"Neil what?"

"Josten. Want to see his tape?"

"Nope," Andrew says. But his heart is a thunderdrum, hope cutting through the medicated hyper mania easy as a knife through butter. "Actually yes, gimme the tapes little birdie."

Kevin grimaces at his nickname but says nothing until they’re watching the tape. And then he can’t shut up about the player’s potential, his speed and natural flare on the Court.

It's not Andrew’s Neil.

But it is too.

The striker on the court is a brunette with dark eyes but he runs like Neil. He's ferocious and plays like it's the last thing keeping him afloat. He has that little flick of his racquet before he goes to score, a telltale that would never get passed Andrew but no one else seemed to have noticed.

Andrew says as much to Kevin.

"Exactly," Kevin says. "That's why we have to have him."

So they go to Millport.

And Andrew knows Neil well enough to anticipate that he'll run.

Knows him well enough to trip him with a racquet and catch him as he falls.

Neil hasn't grown much either - he's still small and sharp and far too pretty to be real.

"Stupid little liar, you should watch where you put your feet." Andrew wishes he were sober. Wishes he didn't have to greet Neil with this grin splitting his face.

Wishes wishes wishes.

But his one wish has already come true, Neil is here with him. Warm and lithe and alive.

"Drew?" Neil says, but the word is choked and breathless. Neil’s voice does something to Andrew’s insides and Andrew feels the muscles beneath his hands warring between flight and relief.

"Neil," he replies.

"Oh my god, Drew."

And then Neil's arms are around Andrew's shoulders, and his face is turning into his neck and Andrew realises they're hugging and he shouldn't want to hug back but he does. He does because it's Neil. His friend. His pipe dream. The little boy with the pathological need to lie and an imagination that could create whole worlds from a handful of dust.

He hugs Neil tight.

Never wants to let go.

Kevin of course ruins the moment.

But Neil isn't going to say no to the Foxes. Not now.

And even though Andrew can recognise the lies slipping passed Neil's lips, he doesn't tell Wymack. Doesn't call out his idiot's new ouchies. Doesn't answer any questions when Kevin demands answers.

"Sign," he speaks only to Neil. He means, Stay with me. "We can play a game. Yes or no?"

"Yes," Neil says and his smile is a little wild, a lot wonderful. "Let's play a game."

The End.

865 notes · View notes

afy2018 · 3 years

Text

Going Through Changes Ch. 1

[Aug. 24th, 2020]

It was very early, that Monday morning, when Sara woke up. The curtain, being partially closed, revealed the sun’s strong rays. She glanced over to her roommate, Samantha Santos, who was still sound asleep. Sara slid out of her bed and quietly got changed, taking a moment to turn off her alarm so it would not go off. She grabbed her bag and books before swiping her wallet, keys, and phone. It was almost completely quiet in the dorms. She could hear some muffled conversations as she made her way down the hall. There was a student in the lobby, working as a campus officer and another working the desk.

Sara waved and continued to the cafeteria. The campus had a few students walking around, but most were either already in class or just getting ready for another early morning class. Even the breeze was calm and tired, barely grazing through the trees. The building’s lights were still on like stars to pave the way through the university. Sara gazed at the stars that still lightly speckled the sky. She tried to find the familiar constellations before they disappeared into the daylight.

Sara made her way into the cafeteria where there were only five other students getting breakfast as they waited for their day to begin. Sara walked in line to buy a breakfast burrito and a bottle of orange juice.

She peeled back the thin shiny wrapper and made her way to her classroom. There were more students walking around as she made her way through the campus and to the F Building. The professor’s offices were mostly dark with only one person in their room - that Sara could see. She made her way to her classroom. Still fifteen minutes ahead, Sara walked into the almost empty classroom. Her Professor stood at the podium-desk next to his notes and a pile of syllabi, just waiting to start the new semester. Professor Wright was a portly old man with a bulbous nose that hooked at the end. His dark eyes were full of life as he waited for the lecture hall to fill up and the hour to pass over.

Sara sat in the middle of the hall as the seats around her quickly filled up. She was surprised to see the number of women in the class. From what she could see, there was about one girl for every three boys in there with her. The moment the thin black minute hand on the clock at the back of the classroom ticked over the twelve, Professor Wright sprung to life.

“Good morning class. Welcome back.” He called out to his students. “I would like to start with those on the waitlist. Raise your hands so I can see… who or how many I need to add,” He quickly corrected, counting the seven students on the waitlist. “Okay. After class come up and I’ll email you the add code. Now,” He sighed, grabbing a stack of papers, “time for my favorite part, the syllabus.” He handed it to a blonde boy up in the front of the row and walked back to his desk. “Now, I have a PDF on canvas if there aren’t enough to go around. The important dates and my office hours are on the front. My rules of the classroom are on the second page, my recommended resources- all free- are listed in the very back. In the middle, you will find the description for your Final, your Midterm, and your three research papers. There isn’t any homework for this class. Show up to the lectures and you will pass. I take attendance once that hand reaches 8:00. If you are late to class because of reasons you cannot control, call, text, and email in that order with evidence Like hospital wrist band, pictures of your car troubles, et cetera. Any questions?”

A few students began to ask questions. Someone asked about the way he wanted the assignments turned in, another asked about the late policy. As important as these questions and answers were, Sara felt like something was off. She glanced around the slanted beige room and found a pair of dark chocolate eyes watching her. Her father had always taught her to be vigilant to any threat, especially on campus, but as she glanced at the person staring at her, she just nodded in their direction, feeling no malice, just curiosity from them.

There was a young woman with dark brown hair pulled back in a tight bun. She had tan golden skin that was mostly covered with by a dark green sweatshirt that said “CCRI Knights”; the rest was too small for Sara to read. The woman quickly glanced at another student in the room with her, twirling her pencil around her fingers.

Sara tore her gaze away from her and focused back on her professor. Wright was talking about his thoughts on social media for some reason, making Sara wish she’d learned the context to this rant. By studying how he spoke, Sara could tell that this guy was a rambler as the reviews on Rate My Professor had warned, but he was the highest rated professor for this class, so she decided that she’d just have to sit through it. Of all types of professors to have, “The Rambler” was not the worst kind at all.

Lost in her thoughts, Sara missed whatever Professor Wright had said to end the class. She quickly gathered her belongings and headed to the cafeteria. On her way there, she passed by the art wing. There was a glinting and sparkling piece that caught her eye from one of the hallways. She followed the way down, taking a quick moment to explore the small art garden.

There was a large glittering glass mosaic wall. It was a beautiful piece reflecting the native flora and fauna of New Jersey. There was a deer and a fox by the river with a fish hopping out. The colors were beautiful, with iridescent glass on the birds and trees, bronze for the deer, and a fiery amber for the fox.

Sara glanced at her phone to check the time, she still had an hour and forty minutes until her next class, great to get food from Jeepers. She headed back out of the art garden and to the casual restaurant. Sara had been there before because it came with her meal plan. Jeepers was a fun place with a lot of seating for the students. She kind of wondered how busy it was going to be.

Walking into Jeepers, Sara spotted a familiar face by the windows on the barstool. It was that girl in the forest green sweater. Even though her back was turned to her, Sara could still tell it was her. She decided to grab a bite before the lines got too long and sit next to her. They could swap numbers just in case either of them missed a class.

Sara walked in line and ordered an Asian chicken wrap, grabbed a bag of original Skinny Pop, a banana, and a bottle of water. She waited behind a string bean guy who could not have been any taller than Sara herself. He had a slight frame with messy brown hair. When he turned to look back at Sara, she first noticed his thick sharp brown eyebrows, then his wide and inviting smile.

“Hey.” He greeted.

“Hey, how’s it going?”

The young man shrugged and grabbed his food. “Pretty good. I just got out of my first college class.” He finished with an excited smile.

Sara couldn’t help but smile back. “So this is your first year?” She asked paying for her meal.

“Yeah! I’m Barry, Barry Allen.” He introduced, quickly reaching over to shake her hand.

“Hey, Barry, I’m Sara Lance.” She smiled. “I’m a Junior here.”

“Really?”

“Yup.” She answered, taking her food and thanking the cashier. “Did you get the turkey club?”

“Yeah, why?”

“No reason.” She shrugged, “Bye Barry.”

“Wait, why?” He asked again.

Sara chuckled to herself, just pulling his leg. She walked to the window where her classmate was sitting and took the spot to her left. The girl looked at Sara, tearing her focus away from the textbook in front of her.

“Hey, you’re in my Ethics class right?” Sara inquired.

“Yeah, I’m Nyssa.” She greeted, closing her book.

“Sara, without an H.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“So Criminal Justice major, too?”

“Yeah. I’m here for my masters before I join the UN Security Force.”

“Same here, but I want to join the CIA or the FBI. What’s the UN Security Force?”

“The part I want to join in is the Blue Berets, it’s their armed forces. They’re also known as the Peacekeepers. They help protect people like the victims of African raiders and ISIS.”

“Wow.”

“What about you?”

“I want to become an agent. Hey, do you want to swap numbers, you know just in case one of us misses class?”

“Oh, yeah, sounds good to me.”

Sara reached into her backpack and pulled out a pencil and pad of sticky notes. She quickly jotted down her phone number, email, and name before peeling it off and handing it to Nyssa.

“So what’s CCRI?” She asked while entering the number into her phone.

“Community College of Rhode Island.”

“Oh wow, that’s a long ways away.”

“Yeah, but I really wanted to get out of there,” Nyssa sighed. “What about you. Where are you from?”

“New York.”

“Wow, I’ve always wanted to go there! What’s it like?”

“I mean, it’s a mix. One moment you’re in the city and the next you’re in the suburban hills, then you’re in another state. What about Rhode Island, I’ve never been there.”

“I mean, really it’s a tiny state that it mostly a bay then another state almost right away.” She joked, glancing at the clock on her phone. “Well, I have to go. I’ll see you around, Sara.”

“See you, Nyssa.” Sara smiled, not partaking in her meal as Nyssa walked away.

As Nyssa walked away, Sara’s phone went off in her pocket. A text lit up from her phone with the message “Hey Sara, it’s Nyssa.”

Sara texted back, “Hey, dude”, before adding her into her contacts as, ‘Nyssa (The Cute Girl)’. She glanced at her phone and continued to eat her lunch.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was her third and final class of the day and Sara was actually kind of glad. She walked to the building and went down the hallway to her last class. She was glad to have ceramics between her major classes because it was a nice break. Sara walked into the classroom and sat down in the middle with a few other students. She set up her belongings, getting ready to write down her schedule and organized her planner, highlighting the two syllabi she placed on her desk. Someone tapped on her shoulder, making Sara glance up at them. It was Nyssa again. Sara quickly moved her backpack out of the chair next to her and smiled up at her.

“You stalking me, Nyssa?” She joked.

“I mean you saved me a spot.” She taunted back. “Were you expecting me?”

Sara chuckled and went back to fixing her planner as their teacher spoke to a few students. She glanced at her phone, two minutes before class, and their professor had already begun to hand out the syllabus and a few other papers. Once they made their round to Sara and Nyssa, it seemed that the extra papers were meant to introduce the students to their teacher. It was a Getting-to-Know-You page off of the internet. Sara filled out the survey and re-read her answers again.

“Alright, I want you to go to seven people and learn their name and one thing off of that paper.” He proclaimed, sitting back in his chair.

Sara turned to Nyssa and asked, “What was your first pet’s name?”

“Levi, he was a frog. What about you?”

“I had a Canary named Tweedie.”

“Like Tweety bird?”

“Yeah.” Sara chuckled writing Nyssa’s answer by the question.

She then went to a six other classmates of hers, learning that a boy named Nicola was born in Montana, a girl named Denise is a Pisces, another boy named James wanted to be a farmer growing up, Rachel has four siblings, Evan would want to rename himself, Charles, and Alex played bass in a Math-Rock band. It was fun, much more fun than Sara thought it would be. She was glad that she could keep the paper, it was interesting to learn more about her peers. As their class ended, they packed their belongings and began out the door.

“Hey, Nyssa, you wanna get something to eat at the cafeteria?” Sara asked, trying to catch up with her.

“Oh, yeah.”

“So, judging by your community college, I’m guessing that you’re not a local.” Sara wondered on their way.

“Yeah, I’m staying in University Court.”

“Really? Me, too. I’m in building 8.”

“Building 2.”

“So, what are you getting?”

“I haven’t tried their pasta choices yet.” Nyssa shrugged.

“Might I recommend the manicotti? It’s stuffed with ricotta and Italian sausage. It’s really filling.”

“How much do you get?” Nyssa asked pulling out her wallet.

“Like,” Sara began trying to size it up with her hands, “this big, and you get two.”

“Wow… I mean I’ve never had the manicotti?”

“Yeah, and they’re really good. Especially the ones they make here.”

“I think I’ll get it then. What about you?”

Sara glanced at the menu and shrugged. “I’m gonna get a burrito, or… nah, I’ll just stick with a Ceasar salad. After this, we should head back to the dorms.”

“Oh, why?”

“They close at 8:30.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s in, like, fifteen minutes.” Nyssa nodded before going up to order.

“So,” Sara began, unfolding a paper in her pocket, “while our food’s getting ready. ‘What is your favorite holiday?’”

“The questionnaire?”

“Yup.”

“Halloween. You?”

“Christmas.”

“Wasn’t one of the questions, like, what’s your least favorite holiday?”

“Yeah, mine’s Christmas again.”

“Why?”

Because my birthday’s Christmas day and it’s kind of annoying to constantly be compared to Jesus by religious friends, the antichrist by regular friends, and a Christmas miracle by distant family.”

“I bet you only got Christmas presents, too. Not much of a birthday celebration?”

“Yeah. No parties either because everyone traveled for the holidays.”

“So,” Nyssa asked glancing at the paper. “You can hotwire a car?”

“Yeah.”

“How’d you learn that?”

“From some friends in high school.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. What’s a weird fact about you?”

“Well, it’s not really weird more as it’s just a fact about me.”

“Anything will do.”

“Well, I did jujitsu until high school.”

“Really? Why’d you stop?” Sara asked grabbing their food.

“I started wrestling. It became too much to play a sport and do another one outside of school. Did you play any sports in high school?”

“No, but I did use to fight. It helped that had learned some basic skills from my dad.”

“Wait, like fist fighting?”

“Yeah, I’d fight for money.”

“Wow, were you good?”

“My stats were pretty good. I could beat most people, but I wasn’t great, just had a lot of stamina.”

“I did not expect that from you, you look like… well like…”

“A princess? Yeah, just to the public, but in private I’m not so nice and proper.” She joked.

“Are you a secret queen of underground fighting rings?”

“Depends, are you gonna 21 Jump Street me?”

Nyssa rolled her eyes and took a bite of the manicotti. “Oh wow, that’s pretty damn good!”

“I know right?” Sara chuckled looking at the paper again. “So, we did one weird fact, siblings?”

“I have an older sister, Talia, and a younger brother, Saracon.” She told her, rounding the corner to University Court.

“I have an older sister, too, Laurel.”

“So what’s she up to?”

“She’s a lawyer. Right now she’s working for a small company. Last time she texted me, she said that she was getting ready for her first case defending a divorce settlement.”

“Wow, my sister works for my Dad’s business and my brother’s kind of AWOL, well to my dad and Talia, that is. My turn.” Nyssa said changing the subject to look at the paper. “If you could rename yourself what would it be?”

“Sara with an H.”

“So people don’t-”

“Don’t get my name wrong, yeah. What about you?”

“Amaal, I don’t know I just wrote down a random name.”

“Why Amaal first?”

“It’s a common name in my community.” She shrugged as they came upon the dorms. “Well, this is my stop.”

“Mine, too.”

“See you on Wednesday?”

“Yeah, I’m not planning on dropping any classes, so.”

“Alright, night, Sara without an H.”

“Night, Amaal,” Sara smirked, going to her dorm.

She went into the dorm and began to room 124. She took out her card key and placed it against the sensor, waiting for the beep, the green light, and the sound of the lock clicking out of place. She walked into the low lit room to see her roommate and “Big Sister” Sam Santos on her bed with her blankets pulled up her legs, her laptop slapped onto her stomach as she typed something onto the keyboard. Her hood was pulled over her head. She glanced around her device at Sara and gave her a large smile and closed the lid. Sam sat up and took a swig from her hydro flask.

“How was the first day?”

“Good. I met a new student who’s in my first and last class.”

“Cool.”

“What about you?”

“Very easy, so far.” She smirked brandishing her laptop.

“When’s your next class?”

“Well I have an online lecture at 9 and then an art class at noon, and finally my history classes back to back from 2 to 6.”

“I have the same schedule.”

“I don’t know how you do the early bird-night owl schedule.” Sam huffed.

“I enjoy it. Hey, when’s our first meeting?”

“It’s Sunday at noon. We have to sign up for shifts for Club Day.”

“Don’t we also have to elect a new leader?”

“Oh yeah, well, in the Spring.”

“Ally texted me that she wanted to start early.” Sara inquired, looking at her phone. “Dina said that they were talking about it… anyway, I don’t know though.”

“They’ll decide soon enough.” Sam sighed looking down at her laptop and opened it up again. “Oh, so about your new friend, what’s she like?”

“She’s nice and weirdly serious and laid back at the same time.”

“Sounds mysterious.”

“I don’t know about that. She’s a criminal justice major like myself,” Sara shrugged pulling on her pajamas, “she seems kind of nerdy though.”

“Sounds like a good girl,” Sam noted peeking up from her laptop.

Sara paused halfway pulling her shirt on. “It’s not like that.”

“Okay, okay, that’s not what you said about Riley Appletree.”

“First of all, it’s Riley Oglesbee. Second, he wasn’t too bad.”

“He was one of the messiest people I had ever met.”

“I liked him, he was really nice.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah… we went out to sushi a lot.” Sara shrugged.

“You liked him because he took you out for food and bought you stuff.”

“Yup.” She huffed sliding onto her bed.

“Honestly, I don’t blame you… but I do judge you.” Sam chuckled opening up a bag of kettle corn Popchips.

“You know I can’t let just you eat those.”

“I know.” She nodded scooting over for Sara.

#Nyssara #Arrow #Arrowverse #Nyssa al Ghul #sara lance #lgbt #fanfic #femslash #wlw #sfw fanfic

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starkerisendgame · 5 years

Note

Can we have young professor Peter being seduced by college student Tony.

We all know Tony would have been a smart, sexy little shit in college. Wowing his tutors with his intelligence and...Other things.

“Rhodes, I’m telling you. It’s not my fault he blew himself up with a soldering iron. I mean, it’s a soldering iron. How can you fuck up using that?” Tony explained, voice on the edge of exasperated as he walked alongside his friend, who wore that look of ‘I don’t believe you’ when he glanced at him.

“And it wouldn’t have been you tampering with it so you’d get to do the project alone?” Rhodey responded, voice sardonic as they turned the corner, heading for reception. Tony was leaving campus for the weekend to attend Howard’s latest grand unveiling, and the paperwork needed to be filed to excuse him.

“Of course not. I’d be smarter than- Who the hell is that?” Tony froze, grasping Rhodey’s shoulder and pointing at the reception desk, where an ungodly depiction of hotness was chatting idly to the receptionist.

“Oh no” Rhodey muttered, looking from the guy to Tony. That was never a good sign. Not the way Tony was licking his lips like a lion after lunch. Not the way his fingers were digging into Rhodey’s shoulder like he was preparing to spring.

“Oh, hel-lo. I’m getting me a piece of that” Tony announced, straightening up, and Rhodey knocked his arm off his shoulder, turning to fold his arms and give Tony his best Disapproving Dad™ expression.

“Tony, no” he scolded, like someone telling off their dog. Tony simply adjusted his shirt and let his signature smirk quirk his lips.

“Tony, yes” he shot back, patting Rhodey on the back before he headed off. Rhodey simply groaned, and walked the other way. Whatever was about to happen, he didn’t want to see it.

The closer he got, the more Tony admired the specimen before him. The guy was a little on the short side, shorter than Tony was. He had a mop of hair that had clearly been styled that morning but was a little ruffled, curls of dark brown unfolding from the gel.

He was dressed smart-casual, just a white shirt and pressed slacks and his jawline was sharp but his cheeks were still holding just a smidge of baby-roundness. Lithe shoulders moved under the shirt and when Tony glanced down he had an ass from the Gods.

“Well, if college didn’t just get a lot more tolerable” Tony greeted, siding up next to him. He flashed Berntia, the receptionist, a dazzling smile for interrupting and turned, leaning against the counter to give the guy a slow once-over. The guy glanced at him and Tony caught eyes like rich whiskey. He almost forgot to hold out his hand. “Stark. Tony, Stark” he greeted, eyes roaming a face he already wanted to see looking up at him from between his thighs.

“International spy?” The guy asked, voice soft and a little high, and Tony was thankful he had the counter to support him. “Peter” he replied, taking Tony’s hand delicately and giving it a gentle shake. Immediately, Tony wanted to know which classes this kid was taking. For...Friendship purposes, obviously.

“Mr.Parker. Your files” Bernita interrupted, giving Tony her best ‘shoo’ expression. Peter gave him a sweet smile, gathering the files up in his arms. Tony watched the slim muscles move under the almost sheer material, almost too distracted to notice when Peter thanked the woman and then turned to him.

“Well, Mr Stark. It was a pleasure to meet you” he uttered softly, turning away with a small smile. Tony opened his mouth, but it was already too late and he sighed, watching Peter’s ass as he walked away.

Bernita cleared her throat.

“Right! Paperwork” Tony spun, offering her the sheets he’d been grasping in his free hand. “Feel free to decline them. I’d love to disappoint Howard more”.

As it was, she green-stamped them, and Tony didn’t catch another glimpse of Peter Parker until he was dragged into robotics on Monday by Rhodey.

“It’s not fair” he whined, stumbling along as Rhodey held his arm, steering him towards the classroom. Tony had behaved all weekend. Had nodded along when people gushed about the latest developments at Stark Industries. Had grit his teeth and bared a smile when they all advised him to walk in Howard’s shadow.

Had drunk so much he’d slept the entire ride back to campus.

“I’m not stalking some guy just so you can get some ass” Rhodey snipped back, tugging Tony to a stop so the swinging door of the classroom wouldn’t break his nose.

Again.

“Fine. I’ll just hack the server and snoop” Tony huffed, allowing Rhodey to steer them towards their usual desk, slumping down and adjusting his sunglasses. He knew he looked a little...Rough. Four o’clock shadow and messy hair, sunglasses. Rhodey’s laughter when he dragged him out of bed this morning hadn’t helped any.

“You’re not gonna hack the server just for a nice cut of meat, Tony” Rhodey shot back, shaking his head and he begun to unpack his books. Tony shot him one of those ‘fucking watch me’ smirks, and pushed himself to his feet.

“I’m getting a drink” he mumbled, pressing his temples as he wandered back out. Rhodey knew not to try and protest. Tony Stark without some form of caffeine was not a pretty experience.

Tony beelined for the vending machine at the entrance to the block, putting in $5 and scooping up the two cans of Red Bull that dropped down. He didn’t dare open them yet, but he did press one to the side of his head as he strolled back towards class, groaning lowly.

When he turned the corner that lead to the stairs, he almost bounced into the person who’d stopped there, head ducked as they examined a sheet of paper. Tony stopped short in just enough time, cursing. “Jesus, is this really the best place to-”

He stopped, jerking back in surprise when the person twisted and revealed themselves as a flustered looking Peter Parker. Instantly his sour mood lifted, and he offered Peter a bright smile.

“Isn’t this someone smiling down at me?” He hummed, giving Peter another smooth down-up look. Peter’s cheeks dusted into a light pink blush, and the easy smile turned into a little smirk.

“Tony Stark” he greeted, adjusting the bag over his shoulder with a shy smile. It struck Tony then that he found this kid absolutely adorable. He held himself quietly, tucked down like he was smaller than he was, and he spoke softly, if animatedly.

Tony glanced down at the paper in his hand, and couldn’t help the smile of absolute delight that destroyed his smirk. “AP Robotics 204?” He questioned, head tilting slightly. This couldn’t get any better. Peter Smoking-Hot Parker was in his class.

“Oh, um. Yeah. Y’know, I’m taking it for the rest of the semester. Or, I will be. If I can find it” Peter responded, running a hand through his hair. It messed up the combed look, and Tony itched to reach out and fix it.

“Consider me your shining knight. I’m in that class, c’mon. Maybe we can make it before the sad, boring replacement for Mr. Hill arrives” he replied, gesturing for Peter to follow him. He stepped around Peter with barely an inch of room, deliberately sliding along the length of his body as he hopped the stairs.

He held the door open for Peter when they reached the classroom, skirting around him once more to rush towards Rhodey with a ‘can you believe this’ look on his face, gesturing subtly behind him to reference Peter.

Rhodey looked suitably astounded, eyes wide as Tony approached the bench and slid smoothly onto it, dumping his cans onto the desk and shooting Rhodey a shit-eating grin. He opened his mouth to introduce them, except Peter hadn’t followed him and Rhodey was staring straight ahead, looking a little constipated.

Tony glanced to the front and -

Oh.

Sitting on the edge of the tutor’s desk, was Peter Parker. And, now that Tony thought about it, he had looked rather over-dressed for a robotics class. A smart, dark-blue shirt with a bold red tie and neat, dark blue slacks to match. Tony slumped.

“Fuck” he muttered, scowling. At his side, Rhodey snickered, looking both scandalised and pleased.

“Please tell me you didn’t fuck him” Rhodey chuckled under his breath, looking across at Tony as he aggressively opened a can.

“I didn’t get the chance” he muttered morosely, catching the warm, honey eyes that found him. Peter offered his own slow, easy smile, and introduced himself to the class as the substitute for Mr. Hill over the rest of the semester. Rhodey’s grin was shit-eating throughout the duration of the announcement, and Tony sat defiantly straight, staring ahead.

Peter instructed the class to work on notes and previous projects as he called students up one-by-one to introduce themselves and so that he could evaluate their progress thus far. Tony was called last, and he dropped into the chair opposite Peter, legs falling apart as he folded his arms, cocking a light smile.

“Did I pass on being a sad, boring replacement?” Peter asked, and his voice was so damn gentle that Tony wanted to wreck it. To hear what it was like all raspy and throat-fucked. Tony shrugged loosely, tossing a smile back.

“Sad? You’re too pretty for that. Boring? Remains to be seen” replied, voice husky. Peter’s cheeks went a ruddy shade of red again, and Tony let off the attitude, smug. Peter gave a delicate cough, turning to his laptop.

In general, Tony was frighteningly smart and Peter had high expectations of him. Tony had purred as he stood, leaning over the desk as far as appropriate to whisper “I won’t disappoint you, Sir”. Rhodey had mimed throwing up when Tony had turned away, waltzing back to his desk.

It became his mission, there-on-out, to seduce Mr. Parker. He arrived early to each class, begun to leave little things on Peter’s desk. A little tub of strawberries, first. Then a pen with a cartoon giraffe on the top (Peter had used it immediately for every lesson afterwards).

He pushed, when he could. Left a lollipop there once and was open-mouthed when Peter unwrapped it at the start of the lesson, sucking obscenely as he watched the class take notes. His little pink tongue would curl around the ball, shiny and slick with pink-tinged drool. Tony had shifted, restless. Achingly hard in his jeans. What was worse, is Peter had seemed to know, constantly catching his eye in class before bashfully looking away.

He answered questions, every chance he got. Volunteered for demos. Stared with utter lust at the way long, slender fingers worked the robotics, stained dark with motor oil. He’d never found motor oil sexy in his life but that lesson he’d have been willing to lick it off those hands.

He was fiddling with his latest project, a new claw for Dum-E, who had broken his last one attempting to open the bathroom cabinet. Dum-E was just small, clumsy. Code that Tony hadn’t quite gotten right yet. But he worked. And Tony felt like a parent, proud of his own child.

“What are you working on, Tony?” A voice breathed against his air, and Tony damn near threw the fucking thing across the room, lips parting as he glanced to his right. Peter was leaning over him, one hand braced on the table and the other braced on the chair at Tony’s waist as he looked down. All Tony could feel was the heat, radiating from his body. Spanning his shoulders like wings.

“Just a little side project, Mr. Parker. Nothing too impressive” he responded, voice low as he leaned back against the warmth. Just enough to feel the slide of fabric against his spine. He tipped his head upwards a little, gaze flicking between Peter’s eyes and his plush little mouth . When Peter turned his head, just slightly, all Tony would have had to do is lean a little to kiss him.

“You always impress me, Tony Stark” Peter whispered into the space between them, and Tony could practically taste the strawberry on his breath before Peter was pulling away, moving along the desk to lean against it, noticeably less intimate when he begun to converse with Rhodey about his project.

Tony spent extra time packing up when the bell rung, giving Rhodey a pointed glance as he boxed up Dum-E’s claw. Rhodey mimed being sick, but rolled his eyes and saw himself out. It was just them, then. In that quiet room, Peter seemingly oblivious as he stood in front of the board, staring at a complicated maths equation.

Tony stalked forwards, as silent as he could be on the polished tile. He stood right behind Peter, leaning close as he reached around and ever so gently pulled the pen from his grasp. “You misplaced the four” he purred, stepping forwards again when Peter jumped so that the tutor was almost squeezed against the board, between it’s cold white material and Tony’s body.

Tony put a hand carefully on Peter’s waist, steadying himself as he used the side of his other hand to wipe away a few numbers and move them, his writing slow and deliberate. Underneath his touch, Peter didn’t move away, but he was trembling, breathing short. Tony could feel the gasps of air through Peter’s body, pressed against his own. He stepped away when it was done, watching Peter twist, eyes wide and lips parted, and he held out the pen for his tutor with a slow smile, hitching his bag on his shoulder and walking out.

It became a game.

Or rather, for Tony, it did. And it seemed that Peter was partaking. Though miles more subtly than Tony was managing. He left lollipops more often, daring. And Peter would more often than not accept, practically worshipping the beads of candy with his mouth. Tony would push, closing the distance between them each time they spoke, seeing how close Peter would let him get before he ducked away.

Peter would try, too. Leaning in close, once or twice even brushing Tony’s shoulder with his hand. But Tony was cocky, and wasn’t a chicken, and Peter would always break first, pulling away like he’d been burnt. A few weeks after it begun, he sauntered into the room to see Peter sat at the desk, frowning at his laptop. He seemed sleepy, hair a mess and his tie loose and lopsided. Tony wondered briefly if it wasn’t sleepiness. If it was sex-rumpled.

But he moved, grasping the chair and turning it until he was practically between Peter’s thighs. “Your tie is loose, Sir” he murmured, reaching downwards to grasp the knot with one hand. He let it linger there for a moment, fully aware that he could pull it, could bring Peter closer. And Peter...Just sat there, gaze locked as he tipped his head back slowly, just an inch or two, baring access. At this level, Peter was almost low enough to lean forwards, bury his face in the crotch of those stupidly tight jeans.

“Better” Tony added quietly, tugging the back strip of fabric just enough to tighten it a fraction. Peter let out a harsh breath and Tony relented, offering a warm smile as he set an apple down on the desk and backed away, heading to his seat as students begun to filter in.

Peter called him up after class, flustered and fiddling restlessly with the ends of his tie as he looked up at Tony, who perched on the edge of his desk like he belonged there. “Tony, I’m your tutor” he begun sternly, frowning across at the student. Tony was only four years younger than him, smart and...And hot. And a devil. An absolute pain in Peter’s ass.

“You are” Tony replied in amusement, head tilting. Peter huffed, dropping his tie and reaching up to massage his temples, head ducking.

“You..This can’t..We’re not..” He didn’t seem able to form a sentence and Tony’s gaze turned sympathetic. He leaned down, reaching across slowly as if Peter was a spooked horse. His hand came down, knuckles brushing under Peter’s chin and lifting it up just gently, so the tutor was looking at him with wide eyes, pupils blown.

“Mr. Parker. I’m merely acting within the boundaries you’ve allowed” he whispered, leaning down a little closer, gaze fixed on Peter’s mouth before he pulled away completely, slipping off the desk and giving Peter a wave goodbye. “See you next week, Mr. Parker” he tossed over his shoulder, the door swinging shut behind him.

He’d have felt bad, really. If he didn’t know that this was acceptable. That reluctant though Peter seemed, he was enjoying this too. They kept their distance for the next week, Tony backing off and allowing Peter to breathe and Peter acting somewhat like a professional tutor. Every time Tony curled a hand around his cock his mind filled with images of Peter, dark eyes and messy hair and miles of lithe, pale skin.

When Tony returned for class the following Monday, Peter approached his desk halfway through, leaning over his shoulder to read the forms Tony was filling in. Shielded by his body, one of Peter’s hands brushed Tony’s side, just the ghost of a touch and Tony smirked as he wrote, pausing when Peter leaned in, mouth brushing his ear. “You’re doing so well” he murmured, hand coming up to pat Tony’s shoulder gently before he moved away, and Tony’s smirk grew at the same rate his dick begun to fill.

The game resumed, it seemed.

He got Peter back by crowding him against the classroom door, two days later. Hands braced on the wood either side of his head, leaning in close but keeping his eyes up, away from his face. “I think you’re my favourite teacher, Mr. Parker” he growled, raspy and low in his ear before he pushed, leaving Peter to stagger backwards in an attempt not to fall. Tony pretended not to notice the way that Peter sported a semi throughout the rest of the class.

He couldn’t keep his hands to himself. He touched Peter when he could, wrapping a hand around his bicep, brushing his knuckles against his hip whenever he passed. Rhodey caught it, of course. Warned him. Of all the consequences this could bring. Looking across the room at where Peter sat, chewing idly on a pen and typing with one hand, Tony shook his head.

Consequences be damned.

It came to a head during their first one-to-one session. Tony was poking away at a bundle of wiring and solder and circuit, observed by Peter who wrote notes now and then. It was a simple task, find the faulty wire and replace. Except whatever moron had done this before him had actually flipped a switch, turning the whole thing live.

It sparked when Tony poked at an area of sloppy solder and he jerked backwards, scowling at it. Peter frowned, putting his notepad down and coming up next to Tony, using his body to gently nudge him away as he leaned down, picking up the tweezers and pliers himself. The thing begun to spark furiously, like a mini fireworks display.

Tony surged forwards, turning so he grabbed Peter by the hips and pushed him aside, pinning him up against the wall behind them as he tucked his head down against Peter’s shoulder, letting go with one hand to reach blindly backwards for the switch. A few stray sparks stung his bare skin, but he found the switch, flipping it off aggressively.

In the moments after that, he realised he was still pinning Peter against the wall, one arm wrapped tightly around his stomach, Peter’s ass snug against his hips. Peter’s head was turned to the side, tucked down, but his eyes were open, locked on the fragment of their bodies that he could see. He was warm, firm under Tony’s weight and after a moment he eased away, letting him go and taking a few steps backwards.

“Uh, shit. Sorry. The..Thing. I didn’t want you to- It was-” Now Tony was the stammering one, rubbing awkwardly at his arm as Peter peeled himself from the wall, fixing his tie as he looked across at Tony, his gaze dark. Fun and games aside, Tony wasn’t an asshole, and knew that was further than their little game had ever gotten.

“You protected me” Peter replied, voice lower than usual, strained. Tony huffed a laugh, but nodded sheepishly. He hadn’t though about it, really. Had just...Done it.

Peter moved forwards, hesitant steps turning into a prowl as he advanced, squeezing Tony back against the desk. Mindfully, Tony pushed away the circuit, leaning back a little. Peter’s thigh pressed against his hips, squeezing his half-hard cock against lithe muscle and his breathing stuttered as Peter brought his hands down on the desk, either side of Tony’s waist.

“You drive me insane” the teacher whispered, leaning close, enough to kiss. Tony couldn’t help the slow smirk that curved his lips as he looked down at Peter’s mouth, then back up at his eyes. He reached out with one hand, grasped Peter’s belt, pulled just a little.

“Mm. Can’t risk that pretty face” Tony responded, licking his lips slowly as he pulled more, brought their bodies flush together. Peter broke the silence with a whimper, his own cock pressing into the crease of Tony’s thigh. It was all the permission Tony needed, adjusting himself before he spun them, sliding around Peter’s body and pressing himself flush against his back, against that round ass.

He continued pressed, using his body to bend Peter over the desk and to his amazement, the teacher went pliantly, draping over the hard, cold plastic. He moved his hand from the leather of his belt, instead wrapping his arm around Peter’s stomach again as he lay over him, nuzzled at the baby hairs on the nape of his neck.

“Say the word. I’ll stop” he murmured, licking at the curve of Peter’s ear as his other hand came to slide between Peter’s thighs, pressing at the curve of his ass. Beneath him the man squirmed, breathless and shaking his head.

“You- Wanted you. The teasing. Can’t take it. You’re so-” The words cut off with a moan as Tony pressed harder, fingers sliding between the gentle dip of his asscheeks, straining the cotton before he let go again, humming softly.

“Only because of you” he replied gently, free hand going up the brush soothingly through Peter’s unruly hair. It was softer than he’d imagined, thick between his fingers. Peter moaned again, head falling back and Tony smirked. Grabbed a fistful and pulled so Peter was forced to tip his head backwards, and was rewarded with Peter pressing back, pushing his ass against the firm ridge of Tony’s cock.

“Awh, look at that. So good” Tony praised, letting go and sliding his hand down to the silk tie. He tugged, carefully, just enough that Peter’s breath hitched, changed in sound slightly. “You don’t know how much I’ve thought about this” he whispered, hand roaming again so his fingertips danced the line of Peter’s throat.

“So stop thinking. Fuck me” Peter mumbled underneath him, turning his head slightly to look up at Tony, and he moved, gripped another fistful of hair, tight. Tugged Peter’s head back until his throat was on display and his spine arched. He ducked his head, let himself just breathe over Peter’s mouth for a moment before he pressed their lips together, Peter opening up under his touch.

His lips were soft like a girls, his tongue hot when Tony slid his own against it. Swallowed his whimper and bit his lower lip, teeth dragging gently. It was sloppy, dirty. Tony kissed him soothingly before pulling away.

“I intend to.”

#Starker #IronSpider #Tony Stark/Peter Parker #Prompt Fills #Starker Fic #Starker Pompt #Starker Request #IronSpider Fic #IronSpider Prompt #Peter Parker x Tony Stark #Spiderman #Iron Man #Starker AU #Teacher/Student Starker #IronSpider AU

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moonlightstars16 · 4 years

Note

Scenario: "Playing your hands through their hair while sitting next to them on the couch" Numbers (from prompt 2): 1, 3, 9, 18, 24, 29, 52, and 53 uwu

1. “I need you.”, 3. “I care about you.”, 9. “I could never leave you behind.”, 18. “I’ve got you.”, 24. “I trust you, do you trust me?”, 29. “I’m here if you need to talk.”, 52. “Everything is fine.”, & 53. “I’ll keep you safe.”

"Playing your hands through their hair while sitting next to them on the couch"

Enjoy :)

There is a difference between being home schooled and going to public school. But usually the outcome education wise is more or less the same, if one applies themselves. However socially it’s obviously different. So much so that it can affect your learning performance.

Not for Connie....usually.

She had studied so hard in cram school, working her but to get into college. She had Patrica and Daniel while at school and sometimes out. She had her beach city friends and of course her parents. The gems of home world, Greg Universe and the Crystal gems. Above all she had her boyfriend whom she loved with all her heart. And right now, is when she needed him the most.

The past spring semester she did her usual routine, keeping up and going above and beyond all her classes. But this time, something happened. This term, changed her life. Now bullies she was used too. It hardly affected her as she grew older and merely dropped their insults to a ‘whatever’. But every Tuesday afternoon, while at her locker, that’s when it happened.

It happened in an instant. A group of football jocks(or jerks among some of the student body), paraded through the hallways so fast. Like he heard of animals going after their prey similar to the scene in Lion King where Simba was almost trampled by wildebeest’s.

It began with her not caring as she moved closer by her locker. Trying to steer clear. Until right as a certain blonde haired jock, taking advantage of Connie not looking. Back fully facing him, as he reached out and slapped her right on her right butt-cheek. Connie gasped and looked up and around. No one else saw, and it seemed she couldn’t pinpoint who at first. So with a blush she ignored it.

But it happened again, and again and again. Every Tuesday afternoon for a month. So much so that Connie avoided them by picking her stuff up quicker. Or turning around to face the group of guys striding down the halls as if they owned the place. She made eye contact with the same guy and knew instantly. And so did he realize what happened. So those incidents stopped. For awhile.

Connie was more forgiving, and before them she couldn’t make a claim because it might’ve been an accident. But after multiple attempts, that day she was planning on filing an official complaint. However knowing who her suspect was didn’t help in matters; because he was one of the main stars of the football team. No one dared to speak out against anything they did.

Because the football team brings in money for the school(not sure why, but who cares the education system was flawed in that way), and so they got ‘special treatment’. Anyone who tried to stand up was immediately in the wrong here. At least, he would twist it that way, and it only got worse as others believed him.

So she sighed and let the matter drop. Until one day, in class she felt something touch her back. It was kinda pointy, like a mechanical pencil. Rolling her eyes she continued her work. She faced off multiple enemies and faced countless battles. This was nothing. Or at least it should’ve been. A loud snap, laughter going from soft to roars all around the classroom. Connie felt her right bra strap in two and the right side of her bra sliding downwards a tad.She wore a sweater that slightly exposed her shoulder. Not enough to wear it was a violation. But right now all that matters was her being harassed and humiliated.

Afterwords everything was a blur. Connie running out with her arms folded, the teacher, leaving her teacher’s aid to watch over the classroom, a trip to the principals office. Both Connie’s and the boys parents. A heated argument over who was in the wrong here, and finally ending with Connie going home early. Not by any bad means, just to rest and recover so to speak. The boy was suspended for two weeks and had many detentions when he arrived.

Her parents talked everything that happened from the but slaps to now. Connie felt the guilt rise in her. Thinking it was her fault for not speaking up sooner. She never meant to get anyone in trouble, even if they more than deserved it. So after spending the rest of the day with her parents at home, with them trying to cheer her up, she went to bed early. But couldn’t sleep. She did homework, no sleep. Reading, no sleep. Music, no sleep.

This was her last attempt as she reached over and grabbed her phone. Changing from her pajamas into sweatpants, a t-shirt with a sports bra, her sneakers and began to snuck out the window. Texting the one person she needed most right now. Hoping...praying, he was still awake.

Steven? I know it’s late, I’m sorry but... She couldn’t even finished the text before it send. Not even ten seconds later he replied.

Connie, it’s only midnight, we’ve pulled all nighter’s before. Lolz. What’s up? Tears filled her eyes as she picked up her pace towards the temple.

I’m coming over to see you, Steven..... I-I need you. Within ten minutes she was tapping on his balcony door(thanks to a secret hidden emergency escape ladder). Steven quickly opened the door. Instantly met with her head on his chest. Sobs pouring out as she tried to quiet her muffled cries. Steven pulled her close while shutting the door behind them both. All the gems were gone away on a field trip, so he was alone(for the first time in awhile it was nice).

“I’m here if you need to talk.”

“Everything is fine.” Those words haunted him. Taking on a new meaning in his experience. Though in his therapy sessions, it was a ‘normal’ thing for humans to say. Still those words affected him, and for Connie to use it when obviously upset was unsettling to say the least.

“Is it really though?” In response he saw and felt her shaking her head negatively. That was a better start.

Something so soothing as hot green tea with honey and lemon works wonders. Especially when that person is upset. Connie held it in her hands, basking in the warmth it brought her. in this moment. Steven laid against the couch, back against the armrest near the wall, in a slight sitting up position. Legs spread across the length as Connie laid gently across between them. Resting her head against his chest and relishing being in his comforting embrace.

A few minutes ago as he made the tea, she told him everything. Though seemingly remained calm, Steven had broken three mugs, bent handles on two of them, and almost burnt his hand multiple times. However he didn’t glow pink, that was something Connie was nervous about. Because she never wanted to add to the ‘stress’ he felt. Still not seeing any signs made her feel a bit more at ease.

Running a hand through her hair he waited patiently. Watching as she took a few more sips before setting the mug down on the coffee table. Resting her hand over the top of him. Closing her eyes as he tightened his grip around her waist and felt the tears coming out again. Not as much but enough to make his own heart ache. Never wanting to see her cry, ever. Not like this.

“Shh, I’ve got you Connie.” He spoke while placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. Holding her head against him briefly, letting his beating heart sooth her. Though it was odd, he knew she liked it and said nothing about it. Letting his actions speak for him. Continuing to run his fingers through her hair.

“I care so much about you, Steven. I love you. But I don’t know if I’m worthy of it,”

“Hey, shh don’t say that. I love and care for you a lot Connie.” She lifted her head up and looked straight at him.

“I’m some knight huh? Can’t even take care of herself.”

“Connie I trust you, do you trust me?”

“Of course I do, but what does-”

“And you know I could never leave you behind right?”

“I-...yes.” he cradled her cheek in his palm. Gentle caressing his thumb against her smooth skin. Gazing into her own eyes as she pressed her hand against his and turned slightly. Pressing a gentle kiss into her hands. He breathed in deeply and smiled upon her.

“Then trust me when I say, I love you. It’s okay to have moments where you need to lean on someone. Lean on me if you want to Connie. I won’t push you away. I never will. I want you to come to me if you want it as well. I have two shoulders and both are yours if you desire so.” At that last sentence they both let out a short and soft laugh. Connie feeling a bit better already.

They continued to talk and he reassured her that it’s was going to be okay. Deep down he knew that she knew that. But the shock and the feeling she must’ve felt, similar to when they first fused as Stevonnie and that,,, incident. Leaving her a bit unease at the moment. So he held her tight and rocked her back and forth.

“I’ll keep you safe Connie, I promise.” Steven whispered as she relaxed in his arms more and more. Fully vulnerable and safe within his comforting embrace. “I’ve got you, Connie. I love you.”

#connie maheswaran #steven universe #steven universe future #steven and connie #stevenxconnie #connverse #connverse one shot #ask #reply #writing prompts #sweet #angst #fluf

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ineffectualdemon · 5 years

Text

The Adventures of Brad the Goblin

"I come seeking a member to join my quest. My grandfather told me to seek you out wise Master." Handor the Fierce announced from where he sat in front of a grubby table covered in papers and books.

Across the table there sat what appeared to be a pile of soft, dirty laundry until a covered hand came to rest under the hood and a thoughtful noise came out of the dark presumable face that was hidden by said hood.

The stained, purple and green spotted hooded top had sleeves that draped over the beings hands and reached past the creatures knees on their little legs that swung in the air. Their legs were covered in bright yellow fabric with blue stripes. Their feet had tartan slippers covering them.

Many other creatures of various shapes and sizes but similarly garbed bustled around the room, fetching scrolls and having whispered arguments.

"I appreciate the thought but I have tenure now. I'm not interested in adventures. I do know a bro who might be interested. Brad?" The creature addressed a tall thin figure covered in much the same way as the first just with different colours and patterns, "Do you know where Brad is?"

"I believe they were with Chad and Brad and Chad." The new figure replied.

"Okay please go get them for me."

The tall figure seemed to nod and shuffle their way out.

"I'm confused." Allora the Divine, an elf priestess said with her beautiful forehead wrinkled up "How many Brads and Chad's are there?"

"There are only two goblin names" Handor explained.

"Why?" Balefred the Pure a Knight from the Kingdom of Eorcis asked.

"To make things simpler" the goblin across from them explained.

Both Allora and Balefred looked like they wanted to object but then a new goblin shuffled up to the table. They were a bit taller then chest high on Handor and they wore a green hooded garment with stains and a picture of a cat on the front. On their legs they wore blue soft trousers with yellow ducks all over it. Their feet were clad in fuzzy bunny slippers.

"'Sup bro?" Brad asked.

"Yo. Bro. These dudes totally want you to join their quest? You up for it?" The first goblin asked.

"Oh bro. Totally! You see bros" Brad said turning to the adventurers, "I thought I am totally ready for a gap year. I just really want to take some time and really find myself you know bro?" Brad said putting a sleeve covered hand to their chest.

"Bro? Do I look like someone's brother?" Allora asked with affront.

"That's a common mistake. You see our "bro" is not related at all to the human tongue's "brother". Bro in our language is just a polite acknowledgement of others." The first goblin explained.

"I see…" Allora didn't really seem like she saw but she didn't want to kick up a fuss.

"So you will join us then?" Handor asked Brad.

"Oh definitely bro."

"Then welcome to our company my dear…" Balefred paused "I am terribly sorry but are you a lady or a gentleman?"

"BRUH!" the shocked goblins exclaimed from all around them.

"Bros chill. He's not looking for a fight. I learned about this in my surface dwellers class last semester" Brad said soothingly, flapping their sleeves at the other goblins.

"You see" they went on to explain to the surprised knight, "it's totally rude to ask a goblin their gender. We're all just bros here. Just call me "bro" bro. Then its chill."

"I sincerely apologise for causing offense gentle bro" Balefred said quickly and was relieved to see the other goblins lose tension and go back to what they were doing.

"None taken bro. I'm just going to go pack my shit. See you bros later"

The adventurers watched Brad shuffle off.

"You sure we need them?" Balefred asked.

"My grandfather said the master here once gave him some medicine for a cold and then a drink of something else and then the next thing he knew he had cleared the dungeon of Xorxis and had retrieved the Diamond of Calling and he still doesn't know how. We are taking Brad with us" Handor said firmly.

"Oh bro! I remember that! That was hilarious" the older goblin said "best gap year ever!"

"What the actual fuck" Allora mouthed at Balefred but the knight just shrugged back. Best to go with it for now.

#brad the goblin #goblin society as analogs for academia #honestly i just want goblins that call everyone bro #creative writing #orginal fiction #orginal content

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nothing-but-kpop-dreams · 6 years

Text

Just Friends (2/?)

Author’s note: So yeah... I got around to doing the second part... Keep in mind that from this point on, the plot no longer sticks to the original request.

Word Count: 2851

Summary: Let’s just go ahead and see who found you in the alley.

ALL PARTS

“Y/n?” the voice called out “Y/f/n Y/l/n?”

You were caught off guard.

“Huh?!”

As any normal person would, you looked toward the direction of the person calling out your name. However, instead of wiping your face and calming your voice like an actual normal person would, you locked eyes with that individual with your face a slobbering mess.

As if the night wasn't horrible enough, it had now become a living nightmare. You never thought you would see his stupid face, but there he was. “Y-yoongi?”

That’s right, it was the only and only Min Yoongi. You weren’t the type to dislike people, but he was one you could say you practically hated. The thing was, that asshole, now standing three feet away, was that same asshole that brought you and Tae together all those years ago. Oh but things didn’t stop at making fun of you for your choice of fashion, heck no. He made fun of you for 3 years! Considering that he was two years older than you, his torment should have only lasted 2 years, but the guy was stupid as fuck and he got held back a year. That was an extra year of dealing with him calling you names, tripping you in the hall, and one time even knocking down your lunch tray in front of everyone in the cafeteria. Not to mentioned the times where you had him for elective classes, like art, where he made it a goal to sit behind you and poke you with sharp pencils in the middle of tests, yank your hair, and “accidentally” kick your butt when trying to rest his feet on the back of your chair.

Easy to say, he made high school suck more than it already did. When he graduated you were beyond relieved. You even forgot all about him. The only thing you heard about him since high school was that he was in a study abroad program and was in Europe or England or something like that. So what was he suddenly doing in this downtown alley of all places? Why was he now, as some knight in shining armor, running up to you?

“Oh shit! It’s actually you! What happened?!? Why are you crying? Are you okay?” He asked in a panic.

It was like you were in the twilight zone. Your high school bully was all over you, not picking on you, but instead looking out for your well being.

What you were expecting to hear was “Haha stupid y/n is crying!” “Why are you wearing a dress? Boys don't wear dresses!” or even “Oh are you finally a girl again?” But instead, he knelt in front of you, grabbing your arms and checking for wounds and asking “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Even after all these years, his touch was repulsive and after the night you had you didn't even want to feel someone’s gaze on you, let alone have this stupid orange haired prick in your face.

“Let me go!” You cried, pushing his hands away… pushing him hard enough that he fell back on his butt into a puddle of mud made by the leaky dumpster.

“What the fuck! I’m trying to help you!” He shouted

“Just leave me alone!” you cried

That’s when you jumped up and ran out of the alley. You needed to get back home and hide away forever.

---------

It had been two days since the shit show that was “date” night. You have basically locked yourself inside your apartment the last 48 hours. You weren't trying to be dramatic or anything, you just needed some space. The last thing you wanted to do was put on a fake smile and pretend to everyone around you that everything was okay or put in extra effort in paying attention in class because your mind wouldn’t stop replaying your fight with Tae.

Another reason (the real reason) you kept yourself locked away was to avoid Tae all together. At the beginning of the semester the two of you had made your schedules around each other, making sure you had lunch at the same time and would walk in the same direction at least once to have a quick catch up before class, you know, like the cute best friends you used to be. The last thing you wanted was to bump into him on campus. It was already hard enough trying to ignore his calls and apology texts.

Sure it sounds extreme, but you were sticking to your guns about avoiding Tae like the plague. You didn’t want to risk forgiving him because of your lingering feelings. You didn’t want to be friends with him anymore. Yes, you could look past him not having feelings for you, but what you couldn’t get over was him betraying you the way he did. The two of you had been friends for years, it hurt that he lied to you, that he ditched you for someone else. Speaking of, he ditched you for some random girl. Tae used to ALWAYS tell you about his crushes and the girls he went on dates with, but you caught him with someone you knew nothing about. What best friend holds back on something like that?

But anyway, your time in hiding was about to come to an end. You were out of food. Every time you opened your fridge, your lonely gallon of milk stared back at you and your empty cabinets laughed in your face. It was time to join the real world once more and get some groceries like a grown adult. Plus, you had a life to get back to. You had school and a job hunt to throw yourself into. You couldn’t let Tae hold you back from living life.

After a long motivational talk to yourself in the mirror, you got dressed in a t-shirt jeans and your favorite converse and walked down to the grocery store.

All throughout the store you mentally repeated your list in order to get yourself to stuck to your small budget. “Juice, eggs, ham, chips, bread, lighter fluid (you know to burn your stupid dress from date night). Juice, eggs, ham, chips, bread, lighter fluid.”.

It didn't take long for you to get what you needed and by the end you realized you had a bit of extra money to splurge on some cereal. So here you were in the middle of the cereal aisle using your intelligent college educated mind to decide which type of cereal you wanted to get.

Sadly, things took a turn when you heard,“Well well well!”

It was that voice again. It sent a chill down your spine. Immediately you were frustrated.

“If it isn't little ole y/n. I see you are back in your regular clothes again.”

You turned to the source of the sounds that were his words and caught his eyes scanning you up and down.

“And if isn't stupid ole Yoongi.” You spat back. “Are you some kind of stalker now or what?”

It was too coincidental to see him in the alley (which you pretty much forgot about till now) but seeing him in the grocery store was all the more nauseating.

He furrowed his brows at you. “Excuse me? A stalker? No.” He said in his usual arrogant voice. “I'm more of a music producer these days.” a sly smirk appeared on his face as if he was so much better than you.

And this was the Yoongi you remembered... and still hated.

You rolled your eyes at him. “As if I actually care”

“Ouch! Still a feisty one aren't you? I see a lot hasn't changed since high school.” Again his eyes scanned you “Same personality, same taste in clothes-”

“Oh please! You still dress the same too!” you shot back “and you still have horrible taste in hair dye.” You had to take a shot at the obnoxious orange hair

“Hey, I admit this current color isn't working with me, but I rock a mint green alright!”

“Oh I’d like to see that”

His smiled only widened “I bet you would. I always knew you had a thing for me!”

You practically gagged. “Ugh! I was being sarcastic. All that hair dye really has made you stupid. No wonder you flunked a grade”

“Woah woah woah just to make things clear, I only got held back cuz I didn't care about high school, but I'm not stupid. I'll have you know my college gpa is 3.7!”

“Speaking of college, aren’t you supposed to be in England or something, why are you here annoying me?”

“Oh so I'm not allowed to be in a grocery store to buy groceries?”

You stayed quiet. You didn't have a comeback

“But if you’re so curious” he continued in a suddenly normal tone, with sincerity much like in the alley a few nights ago. “I’m back cuz I already graduated. And like I said before, I am a producer.” It was weird having him talking to you like a normal person. “There is an old friend in town that wants to collab and do a rap track, so I'm back for that.”

“How exciting” you said very sarcastically “But would you look at the time” you looked down at your bare wrist as if you were wearing a watch. “Seems like I have to be everywhere else but here since I don't give a shit.” You said grabbing a random box of the shelf and making your leave.

“You owe me a pair of pants you know!” he called out

You turned around “Um, what?”

“Oh, you know, from when you pushed me into a puddle of mud after I found you crying in an alley.”

“So? That's not my fault.”

“Uh, it kinda is since you were the one that pushed me!”

“Well you were the one all over me, what else was I supposed to do!?”

“Um, tell me what was wrong, duh! Obviously you seem fine now. But what happened? Did you get mugged? Were you harassed? Was it something going to the cops over?” With every word his tone went from salty to serious. You couldn't tell if it was an act or not.

“That all seems like something that isn't your business, don't you think?”

He closed his mouth shut, realizing you had a point. “Ok,fine. You're right.” He voice fell into a sigh, a sign that he gave up. “... But you do owe me a new pair of jeans. The only other way I’ll forgive you is if you take me out to lunch.”

He hit you with a curve. “What? Why?”

He shrugged. “I’m hungry. Why else not?”

“Because being with in 3 feet of you makes me want to gag!” you said bluntly.

“Oh c'mon, but we can continue our wonderful little chat.” and he went right back to being a shit face

For what had to be the hundredth time, you rolled your eyes. “I would rather get hit by a car.” you said as you walked away.

From this point on you quickened your pace to the cashier line.

You stuck yourself in the line of people hoping to not bump into some other person you happened to know and not care for. In the next half hour, you were finally out the door. Why it took so long? You didn’t know. Why you could stop looping your interaction with Yoongi? You also didn’t know. How you ended up with a box of raisin bran instead of frosted flakes? That you knew.

You walked out the grocery store and toward the road in annoyance with the box in your hand. “Stupid Yoongi, distracted me!” you grumbled to yourself as you glared at the box. “He just has to keep-”

“Watch out!” you heard a shout

Suddenly your arm was grabbed and you were yanked back. It was like slow motion. Your heels scraped against the curb as the rest of your body went flying back. You let out a yelp, sounding like a small dog when you felt someone grab you before you fell to the ground.

And now everything was a blur. All you could hear was mad car honks and gasps from the people around you.

“Are you okay?!?” it just had to be Yoongi’s voice again

You looked up at him, a bit confused about how he had his arms wrapped around you. You look around, realizing you were on the curb of the highway, the crosswalk flashing the light to not cross.

“...Why did you do that?!?” you pushed him away when you realized that you were still in his arms.

“Because you were about to get hit by a car!” He shouted back at you.

You stayed quiet, a bit too frazzled to get your thoughts together.

It was easy for him to see how distraught you were, and that’s when he decided o say. “Damn, i didn’t think you were that serious about the lunch thing.” he said with a chuckle.

“...Well I was.” you said in a last attempt to gather whatever dignity you had left.

You couldn't put up a badass facade around him anymore, not after him seeing you in a dress, seeing you sob, and technically saving your life. You were shookth to the core, you had to run.

The second the light signaled you to walk, you bolted away from him without even a thank you.

Your steps became faster and faster as you got closer to your apartment building. You had to reach your safe haven as soon as you could. Again you just wanted to hide away from the eyes around you and go unnoticed for once this freaking week.

At your building, you rushed to the elevator and smacked your floor button until the doors closed shut. Alone in the floating room, you tried to catch your breath and just settle yourself a bit.

Finally when it dinged on your floor, you steadied your pace down the quiet halls. you felt calmer knowing that you were just a few feet away from closing yourself off from anymore human interaction.

But when you turned the corner, you had the urge to run in the opposite direction.

He stood there like he was a lot puppy. There was a slouch to his stance a frown on his face. He stared longingly at your door s you peeked at him from the end of the hall.

Tae stood at your door with heavy eyes.His arms lifted it self to knock on your door, but suddenly he stopped. He let out a sigh of defeat, his hi hand fell limp to his side.

You weren't sure what to make of the situation. On sight, you missed him… but you were also just so mad. Half of you wanted to walk up to him and pull him into a hug while the other wanted to bite his head off.

“Y/n, you are an adult.” you reminded yourself. “He came here for a reason. The most rational thing is to hear him out. You don't have to forgive him. you don't even have to say anything back.”

With that little pep talk, you were ready to face him.

You took a few steps, your grocery bags, slapping against your legs. The sudden sounds caught his attention and that’s when he looked over at you.

In that split second, his eyes lit up. “Y/n!”

Just like that, your words to yourself went out the window. Who were you kidding? You were upset as fuck! You’re feelings were as raw as ever. It was like Sunday night all over again. you could already feel the stick in r eyes and the stabbing pain in your chest radiating throughout your whole body.

You couldn't do it.

As he walked towards you, you walked past him.

The hint of a smile on his face disappeared and that frown was back. “...Y/n?”

You ignored his existence, simply getting your keys out of your pocket.

The Silent treatment. You had put him through this a few times before. It was never a tactic that he accepted. Right now, like the few rare fights before, he spoke at you in hopes that his words could get you to forgive him again. “Y/n, I’m sorry! I honestly am!” he pleaded as he trailed behind you. “Can’t we just talk again?”

You said nothing, you didn't even look at him as you unlocked your door.

“Y/n, you are my best friend! I miss you! Please just talk to me.”

You weren't too sure why, but his words struck a nerve. Before You stepped inside, you looked at him. You did your best to put on the most serious expression you could. It was hard to not break down in tears.

He stared back at you with big sad eyes, that had just the smallest bit of hope only because you actually turned to him.

“No.” you said simply as you walked inside and closed the door on him.

-Admin Boat

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rue-by-another-name · 6 years

Text

“Late Night Lobby Flirtations” - h.s. one shot

Okay so this is almost 9,000 words ... so you all better appreciate the time I spent working on this haha. I wrote this as a thank you for the donations given to Marlie ( @hey-marlie ) for her grad school application funds! I took a bunch of different suggestions through the requests you all gave me so I hope it’s a winner for the books!

If you’d like more of this story (maybe some smutty fun ya know? ;) oh la la) then you can always donate to @hey-marlie to help her out! And read her novel while you’re at it. It’s a heartbreaking slow burn that seriously is giving me heart palpitations every single chapter I read. Highly recommend. 10/10 you’ll fall in love. I’ll put the link at the end!

AND I’M SORRY IF THE KEEP READING FUNCTION DOESN’T WORK OKAY THIS IS REALLY FUCKING LONG SO I’M SORRY IN ADVANCE.

-----

Being a lobby receptionist was not your ideal night job. If it were up to you, you’d be waiting tables for tips, or even maybe working as a shot girl at a club (also for the tips). But when the prestigious building around the block from your not-so prestigious building had put up the job listing it had seemed like the perfect time to fit a nightly job into your life.

You were in your last semester at uni, so you only have one class you were taking to finish off your degree in hospitality and business. Working in a building like this was only fitting, really, considering your next couple years would most likely be in receptionist positions. The class was an afternoon class, which meant on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday you were up at 4pm for your one class that ended up at 6pm. That was it. That was all you had.

So taking an all-night job position starting at 7pm was kind of ideal, when you thought about it.

The building was super nice too. There was a small fridge under the desk that you filled with your favorite coconut water, and the uniform wasn’t ridiculous – a white blouse and black capris dress pants and black heels. You sat behind the desk or stood and you would answer questions for people, or answer the phone to let people into the building. You made reservations, and took house calls for electricians, plumbers, and the cable guy.

It was simple really.

And about two weeks into the job you were already starting to get to know a lot of the residents and their quirks. There was George, the elderly man in his seventies who was quite posh and used to deal in art (you suspected it might have been a tad bit illegal).

Glenda and Fred were the older couple whose college son Andrew came home over the holidays (or so they’d told you a million times; you suspected they wanted to set you up with the future lawyer). Glenda had her own decorating business and Fred was also a lawyer. Very nice people.

Sherri and Stanley had their twin little boys Charlie and Colton and small princess of a babe Clancy. The boys were always running around the lobby and laughing, their toddler sister wobbling after them and also shrieking with laughter at their antics.

Brenda the architect had a teenage daughter Melanie, who was always a bit down on herself and sick of her mum always being in her business. But they were a cute pair to behold and made you want to call your own mum almost every day.

And then there was Harry. Rock star, breakout actor, solo career, Gucci wearing Harry and his little cocker spaniel Doug. He was … well, he was a dream.

There were other residents, sure, but they weren’t the ones who hung out in the lobby, or called to ask you questions, or asked that their mail be brought up from their box. The other residents mostly kept to themselves and you were fine with that. But this small group of people were more or less a family, and you watched their interactions as they all came home from long days at work and school. In just two weeks you felt you could peg each of them for their lifestyles. And they just as easily could kind of figure you out.

“Good evening Y/N,” George smiled as he gracefully stepped off the elevator in his red silk bathrobe. He didn’t leave his flat often, you’d noticed, and when he did he was always wearing gloves and a hat and carrying an umbrella. The more you thought about it, the more you were sure he had dabbled in quite a few illegal activities and was keeping a low but lush profile for the rest of his life.

“Good evening Sir George,” you teased. You always told George he was elegant enough to have been knighted by the Queen herself, and George had been quite taken with that. The joke was an everlasting term of endearment between the two of you.

“How was your day?” you asked, straightening out some papers and starting to put some flyers into some of the mail slots.

“Just marvelous,” George nodded, “Marvelous indeed.”

“Your groceries should be coming tomorrow, correct? Please let me know if they forget anything so I can pick it up on my way to work?”

“You’re too kind dear,” George waved his hand before sitting in one of the luxurious armchairs around the glass coffee table. “I’ll let you know.”

7:30pm on the dot the Henderson family – Sherri, Stanley and the lot – walked through the door ushering in their kiddos with little Clancy asleep in her father’s arms. The twins, however, were going on and on about their footie game in the park.

“Mr. George!” Charlie cried, “I scored a goal today!”

“A goal!” George clapped for the young boy as he threw himself into his lap on the chair. You found it endearing that George had literally come down from his flat just so he could see the boys after their long day and hear their stories. He was like their surrogate grandfather.

“And I scored two!” Colton ran up as well, smiling and showing off his missing front teeth. “And I slid this from Ranger’s pocket just like you taught me!”

The small boy held up some sort of trading card and beamed as George gave Colton’s parents a petrified look. You smirked, George had definitely been involved in some fabulously famous con in the past. You were sure of it.

“We’ll talk about this later, Colton,” Sherri sighed, taking the sleeping tot from her husband. “Lovely day George?”

“Marvelous,” George nodded.

“Well we’re off for bedtime,” Stanley clapped, “Come on boys. Long day of school tomorrow.”

Both boys groaned before giving George a quick hug and heading off. Sherri stopped over at the desk as she made her way towards the elevator. “Cynthia, our babysitter, should be coming a little early tomorrow morning around 6am while you’re still here. I’ll send you her information so you know who she is and aren’t concerned about some random stranger.”

“Wonderful,” you smiled and then cooed at the sleeping princess. “She’s getting bigger already!”

“Feels that way,” Sherri chuckled, adjusting her daughter in her arms. “Have a lovely night, Y/N.”

“You too Mrs. Henderson.”

George stayed and took some tea for about an hour before retiring to his flat once more. He slipped you a bit of a tip, probably for getting him his tea even though he hadn’t even asked and it was technically your job, but you simply smiled back at his beaming face. “Buy yourself a silk scarf for that pretty neck,” he suggested, “They’re in fashion these days, I believe.”

“Anything is in fashion if you wear it correctly George.”

The voice belonged the none other than the style icon himself, Harry Styles. Today was not one of those days that he’d dolled himself up though, in nothing but some black jeans with scuffs and holes and a fuzzy forest green jumper. Little Doug, her pattering feet excitedly scampering around Harry’s boots, wagged her tail when she saw you.

“You would know, my dear boy,” George clasped Harry’s arm and smiled. “Have a good night, lad.”

“You too, sir.”

You both watched as George made his way towards the elevator and got in, signaling one final wave. Once he was gone, Harry leaned on the counter and turned to you. “D’ya reckon he was part of some great diamond heist at some point?”

“That silk robe has to cost a fortune,” you nodded, “I wouldn’t be surprised at all. He’s already teaching Colton how to pick pocket.”

Harry shook his head, “Can you believe it Dougie?”

Doug wagged her tail once more and you couldn’t help but walk out from around the desk to squat down and scratch behind her little ears. “Remind me again why you named this gorgeous girl Doug?”

“Just looked like one,” Harry shrugged, “And she responded to it so it stuck.”

“I respond to quite a lot of nicknames but my name surely isn’t Petal,” you chucked, standing back up and brushing some hair from your face.

Harry cocked his head to the side, “Someone calls ya Petal? Must be a lucky lad.”

“My dad did,” you smiled softly. You watched Harry’s smile twitch slightly.

To not make things awkward, you immediately asked, “Did you have a good day then?”

“Better now that I’m home,” Harry sighed, “Long days at the studio now.”

“I’m sure there are many fans who will thank you tenfold later on down the glamorous road you walk,” you smiled. Harry simply nodded and knuckled an eye in a tired fashion. He looked like a small child in his moment as he rubbed his eye and cradled Doug in the other hand. You wanted to massage his plump cheeks, kiss his forehead, and send him off to bed with a warm cup of tea.

“You need tea,” you blurted out before you could stop yourself. Harry’s tired eyes registered shock for a moment before they softened.

“Yeah?”

“Sorry,” you sighed, “You just look exhausted, Harry. Are you taking care of yourself?”

These weren’t the professional questions you probably should have been asking, but you had already crossed the professional bar quite a few times with some of your closest residents. You’d helped Melanie sober up once when she’d come home from a party before her mum found her, and you’d even turned away a suspecting novelist searching for George. Both boys had broken objects in the lobby that you’d simply glued back together before your boss found out, and you’d been discrete when Glenda’s assistant/potential booty-call had needed to leave in a hurried fashion before Melanie came home.

So, if anything, asking Harry if he was taking care of himself was mild behavior.

“It’s just, I know you’re the only one looking after Doug here, and heaven forbid if anything happened to you I know she’d be a wreck,” you spoke hurriedly.

Harry chuckled at your cover up, fair well knowing you were basically talking about yourself. “I promise ya love, I’m doing just fine. Just been a long couple days, you know?”

“Oh I know,” you gestured to the lobby, “I’m on the night shift every night.”

“How’s your class?” Harry asked, redirecting the conversation. He was good at this, you’d noticed. Harry really wasn’t a talker, but he liked company. Some nights he spent hours sitting down in the lobby just to converse with anyone and everyone who came through. He lived all alone in the penthouse flat, and you could tell from his actions that it was a lot for him all by himself. Oftentimes you found yourself being the one to ask him all the questions so he could talk and answer, but if he was tired of talking about himself he was fully capable of asking you question after question as well.

“My class is fine,” you nodded, “All about scheduling and timesheets and setting up meetings and all that. Basically learning how to keep track of a life.”

Harry nodded before knuckling at his eye one more time. “Harry,” you chided, “Go to bed.”

“It’s only 8pm,” he pouted.

“And Doug looks tired,” you offered, once more using the sweet dog as an excuse.

Harry nuzzled the dog with his nose as he cooed, “Is that right, Dougie? Too tired from your walk? You did watch the twins play footie, didn’t ya? Wanted to play yourself too.”

“Oh you went to the boys’ game! How sweet,” you smiled, “It’s adorable how much you all act as a family.”

“Gotta attach myself to some family when I’m away from my own,” Harry smiled warmly, “I’m basically the Henderson’s first born.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, turning and finding Harry’s stack of mail he’d never picked up. “Oh! Here’s your mail by the way,” you said as you offered it over to him. Harry placed Doug back on the ground before shuffling through the mail.

“Never any fun letters,” he sighed, “No one writes letters anymore, do they?”

You shrugged, “It’s a lost art.”

Harry nodded, slightly lost in thought, before huffing. “Okay then,” he nodded more to himself as he looked down at Doug. “We’ll probably call it a night then.”

“I’ll bring tea up,” you decided, watching as Harry made his way towards the elevator.

“You’ll do no such thing!” Harry called over his shoulder. His eyes sparkled as you smiled innocently at him. You both knew full well you’d be up at his flat in the next ten minutes with a perfectly warm mug of tea – with the perfect amount of milk and sugar respectively.

The week passed quickly, as every week does, and you found yourself one night sitting at the glass table in the middle of the lobby playing checkers with Melanie. She was grounded because her mum had found out she’d snuck her boyfriend in (much to your assistance unbeknownst to Glenda, of course) and so she was on house arrest.

“I feel bad I put you in such a bind,” you commented as you eyed the checkerboard.

“It’s not your fault,” Melanie rolled her eyes, “My mum is just a bit high maintenance and treats me like a child. When I go off to uni next year she’ll probably have a proper breakdown.”

“My mum sure did,” you smiled, “She’d already sent off four boys so I figured she’d be fine sending me off. But I was her baby, so it was far more difficult than we’d both anticipated.”

“You’re shit a checkers,” Melanie responded.

“Oh my gosh watch your mouth,” you faux-scolded.

“Miss Melanie, to what do we owe this pleasure,” Harry smiled upon the elevator dinging open. Melanie instantly went red, clearing her throat and adjusting herself in her seat. You and Harry couldn’t help but smirk at the action. You couldn’t imagine what it must be like to be a teenage girl and have Harry Styles living in your building. Even you got star struck every once in a while.

“I’m grounded,” Melanie stated. “Snuck the boyfriend in and now I can’t go to one of the biggest parties of the year.”

“And I can’t sneak her out or let her past because her mum emailed me specifically and saw I had read it.”

Harry pouted, “The biggest party of the year, huh? Seems a waste to be missing it in your final year.”

“Harry,” you hissed.

“What?” Harry shrugged, “Say I distracted you, yeah? What if Y/N didn’t see Melanie leave. Would be a shame if someone caused a scene that led to Little Miss Future Prime Minister sneaking out for her final days of freedom.”

Melanie’s eyes were wide as she stared between you and Harry, waiting for one of you to make the first move. In the month and a half you’d been working this job, you’d never flat out defied a tenet. Sure, you’d cleaned up some messes or helped them with some issues below the desk, but straight out defying Glenda’s order to keep Melanie in the lobby while she was away on business could get you fired.

“I could get fired.”

“Oh we wouldn’t want that,” Harry shook his head, “You’re the best receptionist we’ve had yet!”

“Definitely,” Melanie nodded, “I never know how amazing coconut water was until you came here.”

“Works wonders for hangovers,” Harry nodded, “Very effective. Plus, you’ve got those pretty teeth that you show whenever you smile. I must thank your orthodontist.”

You rolled your eyes, “Flattery will get you nowhere, Styles.”

Harry sat down next to you in the large armchair, squishing you up against the arm as you groaned. “Y/N,” he said very seriously. His eyes were piercing into yours and you hated that you couldn’t look away. “This is the biggest night of Melanie’s life. One day she’s going to be looking back at her time in school and think, ‘Wow, I’m so grateful for my good ol’ friends Y/N and Harry for letting me go to that party. It completely changed my outlook on life. I exercised all my good judgments and didn’t let any grubby boys near me and didn’t drink whatsoever or try any drugs –”

“We get the point,” Melanie grumbled.

“‘- but I lived, goddamn it!’” Harry cried, standing up now, “And that was the beginning of the greatest career of Melanie’s life!”

“In your head, what exactly is Melanie’s job?” you chuckled.

“Y/N,” Harry got down on one knee and grasped your hands in his. “We have to do this. For Melanie.”

Melanie leaned forward expectantly, awaiting your response. Finally you sighed and caved in. “Who am I to deny the future of Melanie’s spectacular career?”

Melanie cheered as Harry leaned forward and kissed your forehead in excitement. “Okay!” he stood up, clapping his hands together, “I’m going to get Doug. You’re going to need to get a newspaper. I’ll put on a hat, and Melanie,” he turned to the teen, “Put on your best party outfit that modestly covers everything but also makes you feel empowered. You’re getting to that party.”

Without another word, things were set in motion. You weren’t sure why you were getting a newspaper, but you simply pulled one from one of the mailboxes and waited for Melanie and Harry to return. Harry returned first with Doug, who looked very excited to be on her leash, expecting a walk, and Melanie came down much later with a jumper on over her clothes and a smile on her face.

“Here is the deal, ladies,” Harry said, “I have been training Dougie to walk out the door and sit, simply waiting for me to follow. Trying to train her off the leash, you know?”

“Wait, Doug is a girl?” Melanie asked.

Harry ignored her. “So to the cameras, it will simply look like Doug has run away. I will run after and Melanie, being the kind soul you are, you will help me look for her.”

“When in reality Melanie is going to go to the party and Harry is going to take Doug for a late night walk?” you chuckled, “Genius.”

“I quite like to think so,” Harry nodded.

“So why do I have this paper?” you asked, holding up the day’s edition.

“Well because there’s a wonderful article in there about my new single and I figured you’d like to read it,” Harry beamed.

“Unbelievable,” you grumbled.

“So if I just – oops!” Harry cried, dropping the leash and giving a subtle whistle that Doug apparently understand and had her scampering out the door. “Melanie, if you would be so kind as to –”

“I’m on it!” Melanie cried, laughing as she and Harry jogged towards the door.

“Make good choices!” you cried after her, “Be home by 2am!”

“You got it!” Melanie yelled before the lobby was filled with silence once more.

Melanie ended up returning around 1:30am, much to your excitement. Harry followed shortly after, a yawn on his face and a tired, sleepy Doug in his arms.

“How was it?” you asked, having Melanie stop to check on her before going up to her flat. Melanie smiled and started to relay the stories of the party as you gave Harry a slight wave and he made his way sleepily towards the elevator. Sending Melanie off to bed once she’d exhausted herself of story-telling, you couldn’t help but chuckle to think that once again, the residents had surprised you with their abilities to weirdly look after one another.

You loved it.

Around 6am, you started to pack up your things. You didn’t expect to see Harry at all for a little while, let alone so early after such a late night. But as you finished packing up your schoolwork, the elevator door opened and Harry came out holding little Clancy.

“Good morning, Y/N,” Harry smiled brightly. “Clancy, can you say good morning to Y/N?”

Clancy simply babbled something incoherent. Harry chuckled. “You were close, lovey.”

“What are you doing awake?” you asked in disbelief, “You went to bed hardly five hours ago.”

“I’m a quick sleeper,” Harry smiled, “I almost promised Mrs. Henderson I’d take this little one to the park for the morning. Their babysitter quit.”

“Again?” you groaned. That was the fourth babysitter they’d been through in two months. The two boys truly were terrors when it came to pestering adults. You were lucky they liked you.

“Where are you walking now?” Harry asked, “Home, I presume?”

“I am,” you yawned, “Time to get some rest before class this afternoon.”

“You work too hard,” Harry tsked.

“Says the nonstop workaholic,” you goaded, bumping his arm with your elbow.

“We’ll walk with you,” Harry decided, “Won’t we Clanc?”

Clancy once more babbled something ridiculous. You smiled, “I wouldn’t mind the company.”

The walk was much shorter than Harry anticipated as you took Clancy from him, bopping her around as she giggled. Finally, randomly, you turned to Harry with a smile. “This is me,” you informed him.

As Harry looked up at your building, you suddenly felt self-conscious. It was nothing like the nice building you worked in at night, and you felt a bit ashamed. You watched as Harry’s smooth skin of his forehead wrinkled as he looked back to you.

“You live here love?” he cocked his head quizzically, and also because Clancy was tugging at one of his curls.

“Yeah,” you mumbled, “Student salary,” you shrugged.

“I bet you have a very cozy home,” Harry agreed politely. You reached out and stroked Clancy’s cheek, which was already starting to turn cold in the chilly weather.

“It’s much too cold to go to the park,” you cooed, “I have toys I was planning to bring for Clance in my flat. If you’d like to come up, the two of you can play with the toys and stay warm, drink some tea, and relax.”

Harry seemed to be mulling the offer as he nibbled on his lip. You looked exhausted, and he could see you were impatient to get inside in the chill. The wiggling and whimpering of Clancy broke you both from your reflection of one another, and Harry sighed.

“Alright then Clancy, my darling!” Harry bobbed her on his hip. “Looks like we’re taking a field trip!”

Harry was right about your flat – it was lovely for what you could do with it. Plants were everywhere, happy little succulents, and you had draped tapestries over the somewhat grimy walls.

“Kettle’s on if you –”

“Why don’t you go get some sleep, yeah pet?” Harry asked, “I’ve got this; I promise.”

It didn’t take much convincing for you to retreat to your room, and while you quickly fell asleep, Harry got to work. Your flat was pretty spotless, but you had some dishes in the sink and some laundry was strewn over the back of your couch. As Clancy played with the little toys available to her, Harry set about making you a proper meal, cleaning what he could, and even beginning to knit you a scarf from some yarn and needles he found abandoned next to your couch.

Midday Harry took Clancy back to her parents, but he was quick to come back and check up on you. Knocking softly, you called that it was open already.

“My goodness you shouldn’t keep that unlocked in this building,” Harry scolded. “You never know what hooligans could walk in here!”

“Hooligans such as yourself then?” you placed your hands on your hips as he held up the scarf he’d knit. “I had this yarn set aside to knit something for George.”

“Well, your pretty neck could use a warm hug,” Harry smiled at you. “Sleep well?”

“Did you make me soup?”

Harry noted this was the first time he was seeing you in anything other than your uniform, and he had to admit you looked adorable in your jeans, boots, and baggy sweater that seemed to be consuming your entire being. Your hair, which was usually in a professional ponytail, was falling down your back in a natural and soft manner. It framed your face nicely, and you felt your body humming with embarrassment at Harry’s intense gaze.

“Okay now, I know you’ll probably find this a little odd and I promise it’s not just because I randomly showed up at your flat or because I don’t think you do your job well, but because I have an idea for a job for you upon graduation?”

Harry was rambling, but when wasn’t Harry rambling, if you were being honest, and so that’s the only reason you decided to allow him to talk.

“You have a job opportunity for me?” you asked curiously, “As in, something other than late night lobby babysitter?”

“Be my PA?”

The question was heavy in Harry’s chest, and it weighed heavy in the space between you two. Sure, you saw each other every night and were both a part of each other’s lives. But Harry was asking you to be a part of his life every second of every day. He was asking you to basically uproot your life to follow his, and he knew that this was probably something you hadn’t scheduled whatsoever.

“The pay is good,” Harry started, “And the benefits are pretty nice too. I know you’re studying hospitality and business, and I know that you’re an organized and caring individual who goes above and beyond to find a human gain in your work. I mean, what other lobby receptionist finds the time to buy yarn to knit things for her residents? Or puts her job on the line so one girl can attend one party?”

“That was mostly your idea,” you pointed out.

“Please? Y/N?” Harry asked earnestly. “I really think we could work well together, and I trust you implicitly with my life.”

“That’s pretty ridiculous considering I force tea down your throat whenever you look even a tick too tired,” you chuckled. This made Harry smirk as well, nibbling on his lip as you wrapped the scarf around your neck and let out a long, pensive sigh.

“Do you knit like this often? Would this be a common reoccurrence?”

“I can learn how to make some mittens if you’d like?”

-----

One year later and you were running down an underground hallway under a large stadium in Germany with a bottle of juice in one hand, a shirt under your arm, tablet in the other hand, and a headset practically falling off your head as you ran. There was a peach in your mouth that, even though you were trying not to bite into it, was starting to drip down your chin.

You burst through the dressing room door to find Harry struggling to put some pants on, tripping over his feet and nearly crashing into the back of the couch.

“Lovey!” he cried, smiling at you as you attempted to catch your breath. Sticking your neck out, Harry took the peach from your mouth and chuckled, reaching out and wiping the dribbled peach from your chin with his thumb before liking it.

You were immediately turned on.

“You can’t eat that yet!” you cried as Harry went to take a bit. Tossing the juice, he caught it easily as you snatched the peach back from him and placed it on the table. Grabbing the shirt, you started shoving it over his head as he protested.

“What are you – would you just let me – woman!” Harry cried, stepping away from your grabby hands and placing the rest of the sheer shirt over his broad shoulders. “What are you doing to me?”

“Drink your juice,” you ordered, “Here!” You shoved him down in a seat and grabbed for a brush as you tossed your forgotten tablet onto the couch.

“Y/N,” Harry laughed, “We’re done for the night! You cleared my schedule, remember? I said I wanted some time to –”

“I didn’t clear your schedule for you,” you huffed while trying to get some of the knots out of Harry’s curls at the base of his neck. “How much juice do you have left?”

“I finished it; why are you –”

You reached over him and shoved the peach in his mouth. “Eat.”

“Y/N!” Harry cried as he took the peach from his mouth. “Why are you force feeding me?”

“If you would just sit still,” you grumbled as your heart raced in your chest. “And let me take care of you then you would let me explain what’s going on!”

“Okay fine let’s make a deal, shall we?” Harry suggested, “How about I eat this peach and while I’m eating it you tell me what the hell has you so riled up, yeah?”

“Fine,” you sighed and started flipping through his closet for the correct jacket for him to wear. “You’ve been down the past couple weeks and obviously I noticed – everyone has noticed – and so I figured it was because someone wasn’t here. And so I cleared your schedule and let you know you had the time off tonight so you wouldn’t plan anything so you’d be free. Basically, in order to cheer you up I invited Violeta to come and see you and she’s on her way here right now and I want you look presentable and be well fed and hydrated and –”

“Wait wait stop,” Harry stood up as you turned back to face him with the dark jacket in your hands.

“Did you finish eating?” you asked meeting his eyes with a crazed expression.

“Y/N,” Harry said softly, “You – why did you invite Violeta?”

“Because you’ve been sad,” you shrugged, “And tired. And I figured seeing the girl you like that you’ve missed and spending the weekend with her would give you some energy and make you feel better.”

Harry stared at you as you stood there with the jacket clutched tightly in your hands. Over the past year as his PA, you’d become Harry’s little shadow and voice of reason. You took care of everything for him unless he said he would take care of it himself, and even then you double checked his work and made adjustments you knew he’d like. You spent every waking minute together, and sometimes some sleeping minutes as well.

You’d basically moved into his penthouse in London, so you still got to see your favorite residents whenever you did your work down in the lobby. You had a guest room that Harry suggested you stay in whenever you worked late, or had an early morning for travel, but you still always felt like you were intruding so you spent majority of your time down in the lobby amongst friends instead.

It hurt Harry a little bit, knowing you didn’t want to stay with him, but you would always come back up at the end of the night and that was enough for him.

You were kind and considerate, and you were best of friends with his mum and sisters so that raised huge brownie points whenever they were in town or came to see him on tour. You were firm when you needed to be, and calm and soothing every other time.

“Have you slept recently?” Harry asked, “You’re going insane.”

“I’m not insane!” you cried, “Harry, it’s obvious you’ve been stressed! You mentioned to me the other day when I asked what was bothering you what was going on and you said you missed Violeta. So I called her and helped her rearrange her schedule and I made some adjustments on yours and now she’s going to be here any minute!”

Harry groaned and ran a hand down his face. “Y/N …”

“What?” you stopped mid-step with your arms extended as you offered him the jacket. Harry just looked frustrated now, and immediately you felt responsible. It was impossible to not become attached to the happy lad once you had devoted your life to him. This was still the best job you’d ever had and you felt like you were fully prepared after your schooling. But it was becoming harder and harder to spend time around him and see him hurting when you knew your feelings were anything but professional.

“I did something wrong,” you offered, knowing full well that you’d overstepped a boundary. “Oh God.”

“No, Y/N it’s fine. Thank you. I really appreciate it – honest,” Harry said earnestly. He took a step forward and you cleared your throat, taking a step back and holding the jacket out higher between the two of you almost using it as a shield.

“Y/N …” Harry warned.

“I’m so sorry Harry,” you groaned, “I was just trying to –”

“I know pet,” Harry nodded, “And I am very excited to see V. Thank you for noticing I wasn’t doing well. It’ll be good to spend some time with her.”

“Really? You mean that?” you asked, biting your lip.

“Of course love.” Harry reached forward and took the jacket from you, grasping your hand and pulling you towards him so he could give you a kiss on the forehead. “Now I think it’s time you get some sleep, don’t you think?”

“I have some paperwork to go over for tomorrow’s press event, and there’s the luncheon tomorrow that I need to cancel so you can have some time to –”

“Leave it,” Harry waved his hand, “Go on. Get some rest or I’m firing you.”

You pursed your lips and gave Harry a look, “You’ve been threatening to fire me since month three.”

“And the threat still stands,” Harry chuckled, “Now go.”

“Enjoy Violeta,” you gave him the most sincere smile you could muster. “She’s very excited.”

Once the door clicked closed behind you, Harry tumbled onto the couch with a groan. He’d been entertaining Violeta for a couple months now to distract from the fact that he very much was starting to fall for his cute little PA. He knew it wasn’t professional, and yet he thought about you all the time when you weren’t together. And when you were together, which was literally 23 out of the 24 hours a day usually, then he was always admiring you or being distracted by your grace.

The soft knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts as Violeta poked her head in, followed by sliding past the door and placing her hands on her hips. “What gives Styles?” she asked, “I get these frantic calls from Y/N saying you miss me? I need to come right away? I thought you were going to talk to her.”

Harry groaned again. “I was meanin’ to,” he sighed, “But she went behind my back. Thinks ‘m sad because I miss ya when in reality it’s because I’m in love with her and can’t tell her.”

“Obviously,” Violeta plopped down on the couch, “But none of us would be able to say no to her, so here I am.”

“I’m sorry,” Harry reached out for her hand and wove his fingers with hers. Violeta was a sweet girl, and Harry appreciated confiding in her when he had the chance. She was a nice kisser too, if he was being honest.

“Want a distraction or do you want to talk?” she asked softly.

Harry hummed, “Maybe a bit of both. She had this peach in her mouth – looked mighty cute. Obviously it turned me on.”

Violeta chuckled and slung her leg lazily over Harry’s lap as she pulled him into her, their chests bumping lazily as their lips met. She wove her fingers through Harry’s hair and he moaned, closing his eyes as he wondered what your fingers would feel like against his scalp.

He actually knew what they would feel like, because you massaged his head whenever he seemed too stressed, and you would do it without question. It usually caught him off guard and then he would hum at the feeling, sinking against your body as you lulled him into a peaceful sleep.

But this was much less innocent, and Harry gripped Violeta’s hips tighter as he felt himself grow harder under her as he thought of you.

Barking, mixed with hushed cries, broke through the door as Doug came barreling into the dressing room, getting past the door Violeta hadn’t closed all the way.

“Doug!” you cried, scurrying in after the pup to grasp the leash that had gotten away from you. Your eyes locked on the couple tangled together on the couch, on Harry’s flushed cheeks and sex blown eyes, and you gulped. You’d never actually seen Harry and Violeta doing anything, but they were always together and Harry had mentioned they might be becoming something maybe.

But actually seeing the two of them so intimate made your stomach flip uncomfortably like a tidal wave, and you quickly averted your eyes as Harry sat up to collect his dog.

“Aw girl you’re a mess,” Harry cooed, scratching behind Doug’s ears. “Sorry Daddy was busy princess! Y/N will take you back to your bed, yeah?”

“Right sorry,” you muttered quickly, still averting your eyes as you grasped the leash and basically dragged Doug out of the room, slamming the door behind you. Harry flopped back on the couch as Violeta watched his reaction. Palms of his hands kneading at his eyes, he grumbled, “Christ,” before knowing he’d maybe truly messed up this time.

There was only one quick flight back to London, which was way too early for there to be conversation anyway. Not that Harry didn’t notice the tension, and not that you didn’t purposefully sit by yourself in the corner curled up in a blanket of the jet.

You knew it was stupid, and you knew you needed to get over it if you wanted to keep your job. It wasn’t professional the way you were acting, and even though you felt slightly justified in the way that you were moping – by yourself without impacting anyone else – you still knew you couldn’t feel this way for Harry and be around him devoting your life to him the way that you were.

“Do you want to come back to mine?” Harry asked as the car pulled up at the jet. You chewed your lip as you let out a long breath through your nose. There wasn’t really any other way to get home and you really needed to continue saving money for God knows what, bills and such, and so you didn’t want to pay for an Uber.

“Yeah,” you mumbled, “Yeah I guess.”

Harry gave you a dopey smile, happy to know you were able to talk to him, before slinging his bag over his shoulder and holding out his other arm for you to duck under. He was a touchy person, you were used to this, but his intentions recently whenever you were both close was starting to make you itchy with sweat and nerves. Still, you rolled your bag behind you and let out a yawn as Harry squeezed your shoulder lovingly.

Stepping into the foyer of the building, it was like coming home (even though it definitely wasn’t your home). But it was a home, Harry’s home specifically, but the lobby was more your turf and the instant you saw George sitting there, pipe in his mouth and paper in his hands you felt your shoulders loosen the tension.

“Y/N!” he smiled, “Harry m’boy! How are we? It’s been a while since I’ve seen the two of you around.”

You smiled and bent down to give George a kiss on the cheek. “It’s good to see you as well George. I hope you’re doing well.”

“I’m doing much better now that you’re here,” George grasped your hands in his. “The new receptionist is a piece of shite.”

“George!” Harry laughed, “Henry is doing is best! Not all uni students are as dedicated as our dear Y/N.”

“You are the finest,” George nodded, “The twins were asking for you the other day after they got home from their futbol practice, and Melanie is home next weekend from her first year at uni if you’d like to maybe stick around? I’m sure she would be just ecstatic to see you,” George smiled.

“We can have her up for tea,” Harry nodded, wrapping his arm back around you. “Sorry to take this one from you George, but I’ve got a tired girly and a tired pup here ready for some sleep.” As if one cue, little Doug whimpered and nudged at your leg. George gave your hand a kiss before squeezing it and allowing you to stand up fully again.

“Well it was lovely to see you both again. You both truly belong here. You make this place home,” he nodded.

“Oh George you’re making me blush,” you joked, winking at him before Harry started to lead you towards the elevator.

“You’re laying it on thick there, darling,” Harry chuckled, “I didn’t know elderly art criminals were your type.”

“Alleged art criminals,” you confirmed, “You can’t prove anything.”

Harry simply gave you a soft smile before looking down at his phone. “Did you get my emails on the flight?”

“Your checklist for tomorrow is already set in your calendar and I canceled your morning radio show with Nick, because honestly you’re exhausted and you look like shit and I’m sure Nick will understand.”

“I’m sure he gave you a hard time,” Harry rubbed his forehead tiredly.

“Well he seemed pleasantly excited about it, honestly,” you shrugged, “Said he was happy you were taking some time off … with me? Said he was happy you were finally growing a pair and letting me take some time off.”

The elevator doors dinged open and Harry seemed to be lost in thought. He was stuck in the elevator, staring off into the distance in deep thought. “Come on then,” you chuckled reaching over and grasping his hand in yours before pulling him into the pent house.

“You want noodles?” you asked, tossing your stuff onto the couch knowing full well he wanted noodles. Harry always wanted noodles, and ever since you’d bought him the pasta machine and gave him your nana’s noodle recipe he’d been begging you day in and day out to make the noodles for you.

“There’s still some in the fridge,” Harry mumbled, “Did Nick really say that?”

“Say what?” You were already beyond this conversation as you fiddled through Harry’s fridge – the fridge you stocked on the daily as his personal assistant.

“That it’s a good thing I’m finally giving you time off?”

You looked up to see Harry standing at the kitchen counter pouting while chomping on the carrot sticks you’d put out for him. “Do I … have you ever felt …” Harry cleared his throat and took a sip of water. “Have you ever missed out on anything in life because you’re hanging out with me? Working for me?”

You frowned as you tossed the noodles into a bowl with the pesto you’d made for him last week. You scoffed before turning and placing the bowls in the microwave.

“Y/N,” Harry whined, “This is serious.”

“You’re asking me if I’ve missed out on life because I’m doing my job?” you put your hands on your hips. “Tell me, Harry, was I ever missing out on life when I was spending every night here sitting behind a desk warming up tea for you and helping you sort your mail?”

“I just –”

“Harry, you gave me a job,” you gave him a soft smile, “I’m not missing out on anything. My life is your life.”

Harry groaned, “Not much of a life when you’re here in my kitchen making noodles.”

You rolled your eyes, “My God, Harry, would you stop being so dramatic. Nick makes one comment and suddenly you’re screwing around having an internal debate? It’s been a year and now you’re suddenly questioning whether you’ve given me enough time off? You spent Easter with my family.”

“I love your family,” Harry mumbled, “They were very nice to Doug.”

“Too nice to Doug,” you chuckled, “My mum literally fed her every hour on the hour.”

The microwave went off and Harry reached behind you to grab some utensils. “Can we cuddle and eat noodles now?” he pouted, “You’ve been distant, and I know it’s probably because you walked in on me and Violeta but I promise nothing was actually happening. I was just lonely and heartbroken and she’s very sweet but –”

“Heartbroken?” you cut him off, both hot bowls of noodles in your hands as you stared him down. “Harry did someone hurt you?”

Harry grasped the bowl from your hand and mumbled, “Shut up,” before making his way to the couch.

“Harry!” you called, “We should talk about this! Is there anyone I should take off the guest list of events? Someone I should keep from seeing you? I can change your entire schedule if you need to –”

“Y/N,” Harry breathed, turning and facing you on the couch, “Y/N, Y/N, Y/N baby you need to relax!” he cooed, “It’s fine.”

“It’s just a crush?” Now you were intrigued – because you were Harry’s PA and had to take care of him, obviously, not any other reason. Scooting forward, Harry groaned and stuffed some noodles in his mouth.

“Nice try sweets,” he smirked, “You’re not getting that information out of me.”

“Is it Violeta? You say you don’t like her but –”

“My God,” Harry cried out, “The only thing I want you to do right now is eat your noodles, enjoy them, and also please pencil in Melanie for sometime for tea next weekend.”

“You have three interviews and a studio session next weekend.”

Harry gave you a pointed look. “Melanie is family. Without us, she wouldn’t have had a fun party life in sixth form. We’re basically her party parents and I want to hear about all the fun she’s getting up to in uni now.”

“Safe fun,” you reminded him.

“Yes of course. Safe fun.”

You watched as Harry fiddled with his noodles, swirling them around the bowl. “You really care about the people here, don’t you?”

Harry shrugged, “I cling to people. I attach myself to them in because I need a family around me to feel safe, I guess. But yeah … something about the people in this building is just really special.”

“I think so too,” you smiled, “Best job I ever had.”

“Better than the one you have now?”

“I don’t know, my boss is pretty demanding,” you joked.

“You brought this building together,” Harry informed you, nudging you with his spoon. “Seriously, you did. Before you spent your nights with us we basically just said hi to each other in the lobby and that was it. But now George sits there and waits for the twins to come home, and Melanie babysits Clancy and walked Dougie when I can’t.”

“You’re just saying that because you want me to keep working for you.”

“I’m saying it because my life changed the minute you started making me tea and now that you’re making my schedules, my life all kind of fits together.”

“Then give me a raise,” you joked.

“Done.”

“No I was just –”

“I’ve basically taken your life from you,” Harry chuckled, “It’s the least I can do.”

“You haven’t taken anything from me,” you groaned, “I’m here because I love you, you idiot. I’d make you a thousand schedules a day if it meant getting to spend every day with you.”

“Nights just weren’t enough, huh?” Harry knew he was getting a bit cocky, but his praise kink was kicking in and his narcissistic wires in his brain were going haywire.

“I guess not.” Your body was tingling, and your senses were heightened as Harry leaned in and gave you a bright smile.

“Nights weren’t enough for me either. It’s why I nabbed ya away. I’m too selfish.”

“Well I’m glad,” you nodded, “It’s been a great year.”

“To many more to come?” Harry asked offering his bowl for the two of you to clink in celebration.

“If you��ll have me.”

“I’ll always ‘ave ya. Want ya all the time.”

Harry watched as your eyebrows furrowed and you cocked your head slightly. “Want me?”

Harry sucked in a breath and set down his bowl on the table in front of the two of you. “‘M heartbroken, remember?”

Lost for words, you simply cleared your throat. “I’m your PA. I … I live in a small flat with one room and a little kitchen. I eat Ramen most nights you’re eating steak and –”

“Y/N …”

“ – I work the lobby and you live up here in the penthouse,” you finished, “You can’t honestly –”

“Oh I do,” Harry nodded, “I do a lot. ‘S why I bring Violeta around so much, because I can’t think about wanting to be with you all day when you’re my little PA running around bringing my life together.”

“Harry …”

“I know, I know,” he groaned, “How could I tell you like this over noodles? It just spilled out. I guess I got jealous seeing you flirt with George down there; I thought he was gonna take you from me.”

“No one is going to take you from me,” you shook your head and scooted forward.

“I’m thinking Doug might really need a mum, you know, a maternal figure in his life?” Harry whispered with his lips barely brushing against yours. “She’s going to need a strong female figure and I think you’d make a mighty fine mum.”

“She is a sweet pup,” you nodded, “Being a single dad must be difficult.”

“So difficult,” Harry whispered as his fingers dug into your hair, swirling around and tugging you forward slightly.

“Who am I to deny a cute puppy?” you hummed.

“Don’t deny me,” Harry basically pleaded before his lips pressed to yours gruffly, anxiously, and with an aggression you had never seen him kiss anyone with before. You were immediately crawling into his lap, digging your fingers into his shoulders and up to his head as you held him close to you.

His lips were hot, and you both tasted like buttery noodles and pesto, but his fingers were like warm sparks against your skin as he hiked up your shirt and dug his fingers into whatever he could get a hold of.

You seemed to be doing the same as you pulled away to be able to breathe. Harry let out a low whimper as you hot lips sucked down his neck, nipping at his collarbones as Harry couldn’t control himself and bucked his hips up against you as you gasped against his skin.

“Harry …” you moaned, “We … we shouldn’t. You need sleep,” you huffed as Harry buried his lips into the crook of your neck and nuzzled in as if he were hibernating for the winter, never wanting to leave.

“Stay,” he whispered, “Please.”

“I would be an awful dog mum if I left,” you joked.

“Y/N,” Harry whined.

“I’ll stay,” you nodded, “I’ll stay.”

“Forever,” Harry groaned, head lulling back to the back of the couch as you giggled and kissed up his exposed neck.

“I really like you, Y/N,” Harry admitted, “Love you, honestly. Love you a lot. Love you really more than anyone else at this point. Don’t tell Dougie that though.”

“I won’t tell,” you smiled as you felt your eyes filling with tears, “I love you too, Harry. I’ve loved you since you walked into the lobby for the first time with a cupcake because I looked tired.”

“I made those cupcakes so fast,” Harry smirked and reached up, running his fingers through your hair and twisting the ends around the tips of his fingers. “Saw you sitting there and you smiled at me … God, breathtaking. And I ran up and made those cupcakes.”

You laughed and swatted at his chest. “You told me they’d been sitting around for ages! Didn’t want to waste them!”

“Didn’t want to waste any time away from you,” Harry shrugged, “Wanted every excuse to see you.”

“You’re so fucking cute,” you groaned, “But that doesn’t mean I’m canceling your dentist appointment.” Starting to get off Harry’s lap, his groan turned to a laugh.

“Nothing gets past you,” he called after you, “Where are you going?”

You turned around and pulled your shirt over your head, looking suggestively (as sexily as you could muster) over your shoulder. “Well I’m going to bed,” you shrugged, “Thought you wanted me to stay?”

Harry’s eyes widened and seemed to sparkle as he nearly tripped over his feet to get up and follow you. Stumbling, he gripped at your skin as if he were drunk, drunk on you, and clung to you desperately.

“Yes,” he whispered, “Stay.”

Something told you that even though you didn’t work in this building anymore, you were going to be spending quite a lot of time here still. You, Harry, and you happy lobby family … and Doug, of course.

-----

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a-nebulous-aura · 5 years

Text

15 questions, 15 mutuals

Ok wow, this has never happened to me before, this is a first. Thank you @midnightsilvermoon for tagging me in this! :)

1. Are you named after anyone?

Nope. Ben is just my name, my parents liked it. Although apparently if I had been a girl, I would have been named Aurora, because my parents are huge Disney nerds.

2. When was the last time you cried?

I believe December 27th or so? Not entirely sure on the date, but it was before New Years, after Christmas.

3. Do you have/want kids?

No, but yes I do. Just uh... Not yet

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Ask me again when I’m not dying from laughter.

5. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Dialect, funnily enough. I’m usually really good at pinpointing where a person is from after about three sentences. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

6. What’s your eye color?

Hazel. Though some days the green is more prevalent, while others the brown wants to be in control.

7. Scary film or happy ending?

Depends tbh. I’m always down for a scary film, but some happy endings are so precious.

8. Any special talents?

Speed reading. I can read really quickly if I want to. Sometimes with a good book I’ll take my time, but with articles, or assignments I have to read, I can book through it.

9. Where were you born?

Somewhere in Southern California. I forget the exact place.

10. What are your hobbies?

Reading, writing, athletics, watching nerdy shit. Honestly, my range of interests is so random and varied I might as well be two different people.

11. Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have one pup, he is a golden retriever/lab mix and his name is Indy, and I love him a lot. :)

12. What sports do you play/have played?

(chuckles) Ok you ready for this? Baseball, basketball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, soccer, cross country, track, skiing. Now I’m just down to Volleyball though, as well as whatever other outdoor activities I get up to lol. I hike a lot, and just my location has stopped me from skiing.

13. How tall are you?

5′11 inches, or 1′ 80 cm

14. Favorite subject in school?

Currently? Not actually sure. In high school it was Biology, but last semester, my college course on Chemistry was amazing so... Idk man. Also I love acting so my acting class two years ago was great.

15. Dream Job?

Currently want to be a doctor, an anesthesiologist specifically, but I’d also like to try my hand at writing fiction some day. I just can’t come up with characters tbh. I don’t know, I’m sure I’ll figure it out. :)

Ooookay now I have to tag a boatload of people. Yikes.

@callmeakumatized @artof3 @everyonesbettermom @sammi0712 @damn-all-the-names-are-taken @adrienetteladynoirlove18 @phoenix-draws77 @protectchatnoir @knight-of-roses @mishiali10 @linkysophie @marichatuniverse @minihuskysandblackcats

Ahhh there we go. Did my job.

Also oh my gosh @minihuskysandblackcats if anything else good came of this it’s that I just realized I didn’t even follow you all those months ago lmao. I totally meant too my bad.

Ah well, hope everyone has a lovely day :)

#Me #question post

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el-wonders · 6 years

Text

Get to know me tag

Tagged by @theshinsun , thanks for tagging me boo 💛!!! (Sorry i took so long to get to this)

Rules: answer and tag 15 followers you’d like to know better.

I. Nickname: I don’t really have a nickname tbh, my name is short to begin with but my dad does call me Nini

II. Gender: Female

III. Astrology sign: she a Scorpio or whatevaa

IV. Height: 5′1

V: Sexuality: if I had to put a label as of right now I'd say I identify most with pansexual aromantic.

VI: Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw

VII: favorite animal: I don’t think i have a specific favorite

VIII: average amount of sleep: it ranges from 4 to 8 hours

IX: dogs or cats: both, but cats dont seem to like me. maybe im just too eager when i see them

X: number of blankets you sleep with: Two

XI: dream trip: maybe somewhere in europe

XII: dream job: not quite sure now, it's as if I've lost all passion and I'm just kind of going along with life... Damn that got depressing haha.

XIII: when I made this blog: 2012 maybe..?

XIV: follower count: 303

XV: relationship status: a single pringle

XVI: favorite color: Primary colors and green

XVII: lipstick or chapstick: chapstick first then lipstick!

XVIII: 3 favorite foods: pasta, tacos, and Korean bbq!!!

XIX: song stuck in your head: Focus by H.E.R and Idontwannabeyouanymore by Billie Eilish

XX: last song you played: Focus by H.E.R.

XI: top 3 TV shows: The Office, Fresh off the boat, and The Good Place (this isnt like a "top" show for me but it is one of the most recent I watched and I enjoyed it)

XXII: books you’re currently reading: all the books for my class this semester. Right now I'm reading Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco by Paul Rabinow for my anthropology class.

XXIII: last thing you googled: "rave outfits", I'm currently looking for inspiration because i'm going to a rave in a few weeks AYEEE!!!

XXIV: time: 2:03pm

I'm tagging @captain-starry-knight-sky @lovelyseijurou @estelle-p @amme-sorai @ragingteenagemutiny @mosesins @madiroxable @apathetic-doorknob @scarletheartmio You guys don't have to do this tag if you don't want to, and those who do feel free.

#el talks #get to know me tag #tag #about me

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ladyartemisia28 · 6 years

Text

Say Amen (Saturday Night)

Chapter: 1/?

Pairings: Prinxiety, side Logicality, Platonic Moxiety, Platonic/Family Logince.

Warnings: None that I can think of.

Words:4708

Summary: Sanders Sides Human College AU

Being partnered for a class project causes some tension for Virgil and Roman. Until they both go to the same party and well...things happen.

Chapter 1: I Pray for the Wicked on the Weekend

On a Friday in a classroom sounds of idle chatter filled the room, if someone were to look through the window a light drizzle would be visible.

The teacher arrived soon after the bell, she wore a white blouse, tan sweater vest with multicolored diamond pattern, and blue jeans.

After she dropped her books onto her desk, she then began to frantically attempt to smooth her slightly damp brown bob. Before she spoke she adjusted her glasses that matched her bright red lipstick.

"I am sure you have all read the assigned books." she began. "Your task now will be to work on a creative presentation about any of the themes the work of your choosing. This project will be due at the end of the semester."

"I'd like to let you all pick your own partners for this assignment, BUT many of you elect to not pick partners"

In the in back of the room, a boy named Virgil sat. He was only half awake due to his chronic insomnia, so he didn't notice a quick look in his direction. With him being in her Creative Writing class last semester, she knew that he had difficulty with group participation.

"I will be choosing your partners for myself"

Towards the front of the room was the dramatic Roman. He was doodling ying yangs in his notebook absentmindedly as he kept an ear open for his name.

"Mr. Sanderson and Mr. Alexander"

Roman pulled from his daze he looked up. He did not recognize the name 'Mr. Alexander', he took a look around to see who was the lucky winner of his partnership. He saw that he had no one looking towards him with joy and excitement.

The teacher had moved on, so he turned to his desk mate, a friendly brown haired fella named Sloane.

"Who is Mr. Alexander?" he whispered not wanting to offend the person in question.

"The boy in the black, in the back corner, his first name is Virgil." he replied with a smile."Cute, in a edgy kinda way right?"

He turned around in his chair to take a subtle peak at him, he was a bit surprised so his gaze lingered.

The boy in question had on a black leather jacket with a gray hoodie under and under that a dark gray t-shirt.

So many layers thought Roman, was he THAT cold? His legs were clad in black tattered jeans, and on his feet were black and metal combat boots.

This Virgil had the gray of his hoodie up over his head and his face downcast.

This made Roman ever so curious to see what lie underneath.

Not his usual type at all, but everything he could see, was very hot none the less.

"Yeah," he grinned agreeing with the assessment. "Well, its time to meet my new cohort!"

Virgil had actually heard that his name announced. But his social anxiety was getting the better of him at the moment. He was still gathering his courage to get up from his desk when a person approached his desk.

He glanced up and then did a second take at the stunningly gorgeous male in front of him. A delicate wisp of red hair fell in front of his whiskey brown eyes.

Scarlet pigmentation faded to orange, yellow then at the crown of his head there was a shift in hues to green. Then blue and then finally the last color at the nape of his neck was a hint of purple.

He wore what almost looked like a letter mans jacket. Tan on the body of the jacket, cream sleeves, stripes of black and red at the wrists and at the collar. Underneath the jacket was a tight fit white shirt that showed off his fit body.

Unwillingly the thought of the Tumblr post of Dorito!Steve came into his head, it did make him internally chuckle a bit. As his eyes scan the lower half of him he saw skinny blue jeans and brown boots.

Virgil looked up at his face after a embarrassingly long time of ogling his body.

When the leather clad boy looked up Roman could finally see his face. His blue eyes narrowed then widened with a look of surprise. Roman's knees felt weak, he had a strong weakness with so called guyliner. Roman wondered if he was wearing light foundation, could his skin be that pale and smooth?

"Hey there, I'm Roman Sanderson." Roman declared with a grin and flourish, waiting for him to introduce himself.

Although he knew his name he wouldn't deny him the opportunity of a proper first meeting.

"And your name handsome?" Roman inquired as Virgil blushed at the compliment. He reached a ring clad hand over to remove his Nightmare Before Christmas messenger bag from the seat next to him. It was kept by his side as a sign to say 'This seat is not available don't sit next to me!'

"Virgil Alexander" his quiet gravely voice responded and ducked his head in embarrassment. Roman suppressed a small shiver at the deep baritone voice.

Roman slid into the seat to the left of him, then took out his three books. Getting a closer look at him from up close he saw his face in more detail. How could Roman have never noticed him before, he was outstanding! He had a pointed chin, full lips, the carved cheek bones like a sculpture, that Roman would kill for. His facial features were sharp yet pleasing. It was like looking at an scowling angry angel.

"So...” he cleared his throat with a small cough “I am partial to the Epic of Beowulf. I love warriors defeating monsters. Knights and Fantasy is so my jam. My nickname around the drama department is Prince Roman.”

He waited for a moment for the dark boy to contribute to the conversation. Also much as he loved to hear his own voice and get to have creative freedom. He was beginning to worry that this partner would be no help on the project if they couldn't communicate. He hated when others who didn't help to get credit for his work.

“BUT I'm guessing that you would favor Dante's Inferno." Roman harmlessly teasing him.

"Cause of my name, right?" Virgil deadpanned flatly as he stared at his chipped nail black polish on his right thumb.

"No, not because of that, even though that is a very funny coincidence." the bright boy smiled as he finally got a response. "Because it seems like you like dark things? " He then gestured towards his messenger bag and person with a large flourish of his hand.

Virgil chuckled at that.

“Yeah I do, look a bit somber.” he replied as he looked down at his attire.

“I think you look JD-lightful.” Roman complimented wondering if Virgil got that reference. JD was a villain, but he was hot.

“Are you comparing me to a sociopath?” he muttered with a slight edge to his voice, as he finally raised his head to look at Roman.

An awkward silence fell over them. Roman broke the quiet a bit louder than necessary.

“I didn't mean to insult you! I just...!”

“I was kidding.” he smirked as he interrupted seeing that Roman had began to panic.

“I understand the look is intimidating. And I get it Christian Slater was hot, so, I guess thanks.”

“Oh, you know I wasn't even sure if you had seen it.” he sighed with relief, internally he was feeling a rush of excitement. He thought that JD was hot, so possibly gay.

“Its a dark deconstruction of those unrealistic 80's teen movies, I love it. I'm also a fan of Winona Ryder, she's in a lot of my favorites. Beetlejuice, The Crucible, Edward Scissorhands, Dracula, Stranger Things.” his face brightening a little bit as he named each movie and tv show. Roman was mildly impressed by his taste in media.

Many of them were things that he would have guessed, like the Tim Burton movies. But he wouldn't have guessed The Crucible to be on his list.

“Wow, so have you ever seen the musical?” Roman asked excitedly.

“Of Heathers? No I can't say I have.” he admitted with a lift of one side of his mouth.

"It's amazing. Candy Shop is such a bop! Although I would very much like to suggest some more productions for you. Wicked, Sweeney Todd, Jekyll and Hyde, and the classic Phantom of the Opera. Oooooh speaking of Opera, Repo the Genetic Opera is a movie musical, so much easier and cheaper to watch. Repo is has an extremely gothic aesthetic. It doesn't have a stage production sadly.”

“You really like theatre don't you?”

“I'm an actor so I would say that I do. I've been in many productions both musical and straight play. Of course that doesn't mean that I'm straight.” he gave a wink at that. Feeling more in his comfort zone being able to brag about himself.

Virgil could feel the reddening of his face at the wink.

“Soooo... I WAS actually leaning more towards Dante's Inferno...” he hastily changed subject to ease his discomfort, missing the micro expression of disappointment on Roman's face.

"So are you going to Sloane's party tomorrow night? It's supposed to be chill and if you know him he has great taste in music." Roman questioned as class drew to a close. "If you'd like I could accompany you, you know... "

Much like the class bell going off, within Virgil's mind an alarm went off as well. He suddenly on was guard, his thoughts went to disbelief.

How could he believe anything that he is saying. His words are too charming, it reminds him of.... Virgil began to think, before shaking his head and refusing to continue down that train of thought. His mind was screaming that this guy was not interested in him.

"Yeah, no, Romano was it?" Virgil snarled at him, "I don't know what you want, but I'm not an idiot, so just stop this stupid game."

Roman was so confused.

"Who spit in your bean curd?" Roman asked taken aback.

"I know guys like you, and I don't like being manipulated."

"Excuse Me!" He exclaimed as he placed a hand on his own chest."Their are no GUYS like ME!"

"I'm not falling for this Prince Charming ACT!"

"Act, ACT! I may be an accomplished actor," He declared as he stood with a dramatic chair push, he squared his shoulders with a proud look on his face. “But when it comes to affairs of the heart, I'm never insincere with my affections! When I say that I would like to take you to a party, I truly mean it. "

With a dramatic flourish of his hand he placed a hand to his chest and gave a look of extreme distress.

"Sure, of course you do, Princey." he scoffed as he stood up as well.

Roman gave the smallest step back as Virgil had seemed shorter than him while they were sitting. Since he had been slouching. But at full height he probably had at lest two inches on him.

“Fine, Forget it!” Roman angrily declared as he grabbed his bag and stomped out of the now empty room. “No, seriously Forget I ever said anything to you! When we work on this on Sunday lets just skip the pleasantries.”

“Fine with me” Virgil retorted as they both reached the door around the same time.

Roman took a turn to the left out the door. Virgil to the right.

Thinking it over and over in his head while he made his way back to his dorm room. The thought that maybe Virgil could have said no a little nicer, did occur to him. But he was so startled he just said the first thing that came to his head.

He was just going to try and go to sleep till Patton returned to the room.

Roman thankfully had already scheduled something that evening that would keep him distracted. He went directly to the drama department and picked up his sheet music for the singing portion of his his auditions. After singing through his warm up scales and the pianist came up to him and told him that he was up next.

Agony by the great song writer Stephen Sondheim was ironically the perfect song for him at the moment.

He did flub up on the pronouns a couple of times but he easily had the feelings behind it spot on.

“Hey you seemed a little bit off today, you okay?” a person with big brown eyes and a orange beanie on their head.

“Yeah Joan, I'm just thinking of my last class. This literature class is harder than I thought it would be.” Roman replied with a halfhearted smile, he wasn't technically lying to one of his best friends. He just didn't include the Virgil part that was making it difficult.

“Well if that's all it is. ” Joan said skeptically.“You did really good today. I could really hear the feeling behind it. You really have been working on the characterization”

“Thanks,” Roman smiled fully the compliment. Joan finished up playing the piano for the rest of the actors.

“So hey are you going to Sloane's tomorrow?” Roman asked impulsively, thinking that going alone would be a bit shameful after he had been shunned earlier. Even taking a friend would be something.

“Nah, I have plans with Talyn.” Joan said as they took their papers from the piano and returned them to their folder.

“Oh, ok” he sighed dejectedly

“Ok now I know that something is wrong!” they accused gesturing with the folder. “If you were feeling like yourself, you would be bragging that you were the one to set us up!”

“I just am worried about class.”

“Class, huh.”

“What's his name?”

“Virgil” Roman said without thinking. He then tried to recover, but failed. “I mean...who?”

“Come on let's go get some food. You can tell me all about 'Class'.” Joan finger quoted and then led Roman out of the auditorium.

"Patton, why?" Virgil whined as he sat on his bed the next evening.

"I love you my dark strange son" a soft lilting voice announced. Patton had a strange habit of calling his best friend son and kiddo, he was a wonderful combination of Parental and Childlike. Virgil when he first met this guy he didn't really 'get' him. But he was also always in his corner, regardless of who he was fighting.

"You need to meet people"

"I don't want to meet people, I hate people!"

"You don't hate me." Patton objected with slight questioning pout.

"You're not People." Virgil muttered with a tiny corner of his lip lifting.

"Awww, Come here you Anxious Bean!" his bubbly voice exclaimed as he opened his arms wide for a hug.

Patton was a very touchy person, he hugged as a hello and a goodbye. Incidents had happened when Virgil had to remind him that he must ask if someone was in a mood for a hug at the moment. Virgil was hoping that Patton to let him stay and listen to music with the lights off.

With only a small sigh he shuffled over towards his best friends. He let Patton give him a squeeze,but did not wrap his arms around him in return.

"You are going through a tough time, kiddo." he continued Virgil visibly bristles at the mention of the difficulty he had been going through.

"I don't like when you pressure me to be social." Patton unwrapped his limbs, but kept in physical contact by holding him by the shoulders. He was trying to get some sort of eye contact as well. But Virgil kept his eyes downcast.

"I'm not saying that you have to find a new boyfriend. You could just get to know your classmates outside of class."

"College kids are even worse outside of Class."

"Now Kiddo, you too are a so called “college Kid” no need to be so gosh darn judgmental." Patton said as he let his friend escape his grasp, Virgil sat aggressively on his bed with a little bounce of the mattress.

“If I leave you all alone, you will just listen to that PG13 music in the dark. I really really think you need to do this. Don't you know I just want you to be happy?”

"Yeah I know you do...” Virgil then decided that he would get this out of the way.

"But after this, I'm off the hook for being social for the next two months, ok?"

"One month"

"A month and two weeks, and I'll go with you to the Halloween Costume Party"

“You'll actually go in costume? Not just wear a paper that says 'costume' on it?”

“Yes,”

"Deal!" he exclaimed as his soft blue eyes lite up in excitement.

"I'm glad that you are happy."

"So how do I look?" he asked as he opened his arms again this time to give his friend a clear view of his shirt. On his torso was a pink floral shirt covered in cats that said 'You've Cat to be Kitten Me Right Meow'.

"You look nice." Virgil responded as he dumped the contents of his makeup bag onto the bed. He grabbed his black eyeliner which he used to reapplied his underneath his eyes.

After finishing his face he went to his closet he took a look at his personal armor, his black hoodie with a gray grid pattern. He could cover his head with it's comforting hood, and avoid eye contact.

“Who's party is this anyway?” Virgil asked as he pulled on his converse.

“It's at my pal Corbin's house, I think his boyfriend is hosting though.” Patton stated as they left the room.

In a comfortable sized apartment within walking distance of the college. Roman started at his refection in the large bathroom mirror. He finished his applying his golden winged eyeliner. He dusted on a hint of highlighter on his cheeks and forehead. He finished off his look with a red tinted lipstick.

In the doorway stood a tall man with hazel eyes peering at him.

"You know that the social gathering starts in less than 15 minutes." Logan sighed as he looked at his stainless steel binary watch."And it will take at lest 20 or more minutes to get there, not to mention the hassle of finding a spot."

"Well I have to make a good impression, the people must get what they want!" Roman exclaimed as he did another take at his hair.

Roman took a glance over at him. Logan while never a slob, he also had such a nerdy style. In fact he had been mistaken for a teacher several times. He wore a black button up shirt, a pair of khakis and brown dress shoes. He was at the moment tying a plain blue tie.

"Why the Tie, Logan Berry?" Roman questioned.

"Don't call me that. If I remember correctly the saying that mother always said 'Dress to impress'. I like you also want to make a good impression. Just in a less flashy more conservative professional way." he said as "Now what do you think the four-in-hand or half Windsor?"

"Neither! What do you think that a job interviewer is going to be at the party? That they are going to see you in something with style and say, “Hmm that Logan could have had a job at our stuffy office but look at his outfit”!"

“Why do I even ask!” he fumed as he went with a half Windsor and left Roman alone momentarily.

Grabbing his gold cased phone off of the marble counter top he glanced at himself. He took a few pictures and posted them on Instagram with the hashtag #Slay.

As he left with his thoughts he returned to think of how in a different situation. Roman could have been going to this party with a rather striking date instead of his nerdy older brother. He felt unease at the memory of Virgil suddenly turning on him. Roman had thought that they had been having a rather enjoyable time. That they had a sort of connection.

He had just wanted to spend more time with him. And it wasn't like he had outright stated his lack of interest in men. He could have understood that. But that fact that it seemed to be Roman himself that he objected to really hurt.

"Parking spot." Logan said as he returned, now with suspenders that Roman had to admit made the outfit look a little better. Roman quickly removed the look of sadness from his face before turning to his worrisome sibling.

"Well we can take an Uber or a LYFT, or something!" he replied as he grabbed a denim jacket and pulled it on.

“Ooooh Lyft definitely, Uber is known to employ homophobic individuals.” Logan elaborated as he pulled out his phone to order a Lyft.

“Okay Lyft it is!” he declared as he gave himself one last look over before heading out to the living room to wait for the ride.

"Hey there gorgeous, how you doing on this fine night Corbin?" Roman he said to a short glassed boy with brown skin “Your boyfriend hosts a nice shindig!”

“Hello Roman, thanks. He really loves these things. It makes him so happy that I barely mind cleaning up the mess at the end of the evening.” he proclaimed as he motioned to the room with a head nod. He smiled at his boyfriend who approached with two bottles.

“Ah the things we do for LOVE!” Roman exclaimed as Sloane slung an arm around his shorter partner.

“Speaking of romance, how's the master of love and matchmaking doing lately?” his usual deskmate and friend asked kindly.

“I did ask Virgil from our Medieval Lit class to come with me here.” Roman hated admiting that he had been jilted, but Sloane was such a sweetheart that he just knew that he would have something to make him feel better. “I can't believe he rejected me. And so harshly. ME!”

“Well, he...” Sloane began.

“I mean I was so charming...sincerely charming. Not faking it like he thought!” Roman interrupted.

“SO did you bring your brother with you?” Corbin hollered over Roman to make sure that he was able to get a word in as he saw the struggle that his boyfriend was having. Sloane gave him a silent 'thank you' unseen by a preoccupied Roman. “I had a question for him for our chem class.”

“I just...” Sloane tried again.

“Can you believe it!” Roman once again continued to talk over his soft spoken friend.

“He's out on the patio, if I remember correctly he was talking to Elliot Smith.” Roman sighed as he returned to his thoughts, not noticing the look of concern that Corbin and Sloane exchanged.

“Ok, well I'll see you around Roman.” Sloane said before he took his partner's arm and they walked through the crowd.

“Yeah,” he muttered to the couple.

He was at a party! He had to do something to make himself feel better.

“Hey Enrique, Come on over here Handsome.” Roman took out a phone, as he called over an attractive looking guy with long brown hair. “Lets take a few for Instagram!”

“If anyone wants to follow me it's Prince of Romance!” he loudly declared. As a few more people got into frame he took a couple pictures with them posting different each time. From a view able distance arrived Virgil and Patton with his head bopping along to the music.

“And THAT is who I was assigned to work with in Medieval Lit. ” Virgil grumbled as he gestured with his grape Gatorade, before taking a swig.

“Seems like a friendly fella!” Patton exclaimed with a happy clasp of his hands

“Lets go talk to him.” “I rather not” Virgil stated with a gruff tone.

“Why not?” Patton asked Virgil had decided to not tell his best friend about Roman coming on to him. He knew that Patton would make a bigger deal of it than it was.

“I already am getting to know him well enough.” Virgil said hoping that would be that.

“But...” Patton started.

“Patton! Virge! So great to see you out and about!” a lovely girl with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes came up to them. “He promised to go with me to the costume party.” Patton excitedly said to the short girl.

“Yay! Virge, can I borrow Patton for a quick minute?” she asked with a warm and bright smile.

“Sure Val, no problem.” Virgil replied as he was actually very happy for the bubbly pair to take their leave.

Here that showboat was flirting with every guy within range. Just like Virgil had guessed, he wasn't really interested in him. I mean why would he be? Stupid Roman with his stupid gold phone, stupid strong jaw, and stupid waist to hip ratio of Steve fucking Rogers! Looking at the easy smile on his face as he chatted with his friends after his impromptu photo shoot.

Virgil felt a disappointment that he knew it was unwarranted.

Roman didn't owe him anything.

“Fuck” he cursed to himself. He wondered how out of any party he HAD to be at this one.

Virgil was unsure how long he was left alone before he spotted the absolute last person that he wanted to see.

His honey colored slicked back hair, dressed in a checkered yellow and black button up shirt and black slacks. Virgil couldn't see his feet but he was sure that he was wearing his signature gold snake scale shoes.

He felt his rapid and loud heartbeat. All the voices around him turned to buzzing incomprehensible sounds that almost sounded inhuman. He glanced behind him and saw that Jae was still there, looking for someone.

Virgil covered his head with his hood and began to search for Patton.

Walking down the small hallway trying to escape he only saw a few handful of blurry unrecognizable faces.

Virgil was sure that he was spotted, feeling dizzy he ducked his head lower. He in his confused state continued his retreat in the opposite direction to where Patton was. Struggling to remember the breathing techniques that Dr. Picani taught him.

Four in, hold for seven, breath out for eight.

His panicked brain formed an insane plan. Then as he turned the corner and entered a semi-secluded hallway like magic he saw a face that he knew. He made his way through the crown and slides up in front of Roman.

He threw back his hood and hurriedly pleaded.

"Hey, my ex is here, I need help! Please make out with me!"

Chapter 3

Chapter 2

#Prinxiety #prinxiety fanfiction #virgil sanders #roman sanders #sanders sides fanfiction #logan sanders #patton sanders #logicality

59 notes · View notes

merlevum · 6 years

Text

Hetalia Fanfiction - A Fairy Promise

Summary: When Alfred has to say good-bye to a very special friend.

For outside links please click here. There will be links to AO3 and FF.net.

"Alfred honey, I know you don't want to leave this place after just making friends, but you know we have no choice because of your father's job," a short plump woman said with honey blonde hair, which curled towards the end when it reached her shoulders.

"I'm fine mom. Really," a dejected Alfred said as he kept his gaze at the suitcase he was packing, rather than looking at his mother.

He really had no qualms with leaving England after living here for only a year. Not to mention when they returned, he could finally show his younger brother all the cool things America had to offer instead of the sometimes boring England. It was just, that he would miss the friends he made here, especially one in particular, who he could not just write a letter to or anything of the sort. In fact, he still had to tell his friend he would not be returning tonight, which was why the usually ecstatic grinning boy, had his brows knitted and a look of utter dejection on his face.

"Alright. I'm going to check on Mattie. You almost ready for bed?" his mother asked patting his back in small soothing circles. It was something she had always done when Alfred was upset, and he greatly appreciated his mother for doing so.

"Yeah, almost. You gonna read a story tonight?" he asked, looking up at his mother with expectant ocean blue eyes.

"Not tonight," his mother said with a small grin and shake of her head. "I'll be telling you one that my Gram used to tell me."

The boy stared at her wide eyed for a moment before shouting in joy at the prospect of hearing a new story. It had been the same stories for the past few nights, and Alfred was honestly tired of it. Now he would have to make sure to hurry and get done for bedtime. But he knew he had to keep out a set of clothes for later since he would have to out into the woods. He just hoped he could do so without alerting his mother; the last time he went, he almost got caught .

"I'll go and get ready. What kinda story is it tonight?" Alfred asked as he gathered up the clothes he would be sleeping in.

"A story about a knight and a dragon," his mother replied, walking behind him. Once they left his room, she went to talk to her other son, Matthew, while Alfred went into the bathroom.

Alfred made sure to change into his sleeping suit before he brushed through his hair once, and then brushed his teeth. It was the normal routine for him since he fought with his cowlick constantly. He learned that if he brushed his hair before going to bed the night before it usually tended to not be as bad. Once he was satisfied, he back to his mother, who was helping Matthew with a few small items to pack.

"Matthew, I know you want to take your polar bear with you, but you'll have to pack it tomorrow in your bag before the flight. Once the plane is high enough, I'll get him out for you. Okay?" his mother explained as Matthew only nodded his head, not trusting himself to speak. "Alright then. Go get ready for bed and meet me in Alfred's room."

Again, Matthew nodded before taking his polar bear into the bathroom with him. Alfred only watched the transaction since he knew better than to get in between Matthew and their parents. Since Alfred could remember, Matthew never really spoke up about anything and hid behind the polar bear he had gotten from one of their relatives. Ever since he got the bear, it never left his side besides to get washed. It was one of the main reasons why Matthew got teased in school as well, but Alfred made sure to stick up for him.

It was their parents wish though that Alfred not always fight Matthew's battles since Matthew needed to find his own voice. Yet the smaller of the two boys just never said anything unless he had to. Even in class, when he is called upon, he just mumbles into the fur of the bear. After half a semester, they stopped calling on Matthew. It got to the point where people literally forgot he even existed, which was not something their parents wanted to hear. Now Matthew was being forced out of his comfort zone. Alfred hated not being able to come to his brother's aid, but if his parents deemed it so, there was nothing he could do.

"You all set?" their mother said, when Alfred only stood there quietly.

"Yeah, all set," Alfred grinned at his mother before going to his room. "We gotta wait for Mattie first."

"Yes, I know. I told him to meet us in your room," his mother assured him as Alfred climbed into bed and she tucked him in. "Good?"

"Yup!" Alfred said knowing he had to scoot over since Matthew still needed room for when he came.

The two had shared a bed since the two could remember. Most people confused the two boys for twins, but really Alfred was older by a year. Not to mention, Matthew was born in Canada on one of their trips to family up there. He considered himself to be Canadian, which they never really corrected since everyone thought it was cute. Alfred teased Matthew about this constantly by telling him America was so much better. The two would fight a bit, but after a few minutes, the two would be the best of friends once again. The two were nothing alike, except they both ate food as if they were constantly starving. Alfred would more than occasionally see Matthew sneak into the kitchen in order to get something to eat before dinner or shortly after it. Of course, Matthew never told on Alfred when he went to sneak food out either. At times, the two even stole food together.

"Oh, Matthew. You all finished?" his mother asked as Matthew was suddenly in the doorway and moved towards the bed. He nodded at his mother before crawling in with Alfred, knowing that his brother had made room for him. "Did you both brush your teeth?"

Both boys nodded in response. Matthew cuddled his polar bear safely as his mother tucked him in.

"Very well done. Now, who's ready for a story about a knight and a dragon?" their mother asked as Matthew nodded and Alfred gave an excited shout. "Here goes. Once upon a time..."

It always started that way. The tradition of any fairy tale, and Alfred had never forgotten that, even when he grew older. But it was the belief in magic and the fae, which he had grown out of in the coming years. For now though, Alfred enjoyed the story of the knight who befriended a dragon who was not all that scary after all. It was a different story from most of the ones their mother had told the boys since she had started telling those tales, but it was nice. Especially since the two would end up having to make new friends once they moved back to the United States after living in England for a year.

Once the story was done, she tucked them in one last time before turning off the night, leaving only the night light on for the two. Matthew was a heavy sleeper, and so when he was finally snoring, Alfred made his escape, putting on the clothes he had kept out for the trip. After he was dressed, he crept down the stairs and past his parents' bedroom.

This was always the hard part, since his mother had what he liked to call a sixth sense for when he was going to get himself into trouble. Normally she would come to rescue and he would never understand how she knew where he was on more than one occasion. Thankfully though, when he went out to meet his friend, he was lucky enough to have avoided such encounters with her. But still he crept past the door trying desperately to not make a sound. When he was past the door it was home free all the way to the kitchen door.

Cracking it open slightly, he called out into the night. The two had decided that before Alfred came out into the night, he would call and his friend would come to escort him into the forest. Neither wanted the golden haired boy to be spirited away just because he was trying to meet with his friend. Within a few seconds of calling out into the dark, small light flitted across the backyard toward him. Instantly, Alfred knew it was him. The slight green glow to the light only confirmed his suspicions.

"Arthur!" Alfred said rather excited to see the small fairy as he made his way towards the boy.

"Hush, or do you want your mum to hear you?" Arthur said with a smile and a tone where he was not necessarily scolding Alfred, but rather teasing him.

Arthur looked to be in his early teen years, but on a much smaller scale. With messy wheat blonde hair, the green eyed fairy, could have blended in almost perfectly with the rest of the word, except for the strange wings that filled his back. They started at his shoulder bone and fanned out into four sections. They were not like the usual image of fairy wings, but Arthur had explained the wings most people believe fairies to have were actually the wings that belonged to the pixie, which he clearly was not. Alfred learned rather quickly that to call a fairy such as Arthur a pixie was a great insult, resulting in getting his ear cuffed or the one strand of hair that like to stick up, pulled on.

"Sorry. Listen I really need to talk to you about something important!" Alfred watched as the small fairy's rather large and thick eyebrows knitted together in confusion, but nodded all the same.

"To the fairy circle then," Arthur said with a nod of his head. His voice soft in Alfred's ear as the fairy flew up to it and spoke, knowing humans could not hear as well as most creatures.

Normally a fairy circle would not be considered a place a human would be safe, but honestly, Arthur used it as a place to make sure Alfred stayed safe from the more dangerous creatures who roamed the woods besides the usual fairies. Thanks to Alfred's cheerful disposition, he had befriended many of the fairies who called that circle their home and so was able to use it when he needed to without having to fear the wrath the fairies. In fact, on more than one occasion, the fairies had protected Alfred and Matthew from some of the more powerful creatures who still decided they needed to hunt down humans. So when Arthur said they were going to go to the circle, Alfred knew Arthur would listen to anything he said.

Arthur quickly led Alfred through the backyard and into the forest which surrounded a small part of his house. The forest was the first place Alfred and Arthur had met. And it had quickly become their playground unless it was at night. The only times they met so late was if Alfred had something important to discuss with the fairy, who he just needed some to give him advice when he couldn't tell his parents. To Alfred, Arthur became a big brother figure, something his parents could never replace. It took another ten minutes for Alfred and Arthur to make their way through the forest and to the fairy circle. Arthur magicked a light for Alfred, lest he fall on the roots or other plants. Although normally Alfred told Arthur he was old enough not to need help, Alfred was oddly silent tonight.

The circle was rather large compared to most of the fairy circles people were warned to stay away from, but when Arthur explained how old the fairy circle was, Alfred only sat there in awe. It was composed of different sized rocks, which were moved every year if needed be, considering it seemed the fairies in this particular area had grown slightly over the years. After a few minutes, to allow Alfred to settle down in the grass, Arthur flew to his shoulder and stood there, waiting for the other to start saying whatever was needed.

"I know we've been friends, but I'm going away," Alfred said rather bluntly, knowing that it was the only way to get out what he wanted to say. "I don't want to leave, well, I mean I do. But I don't want to leave you! You're my best friend!"

Alfred allowed the fairy a few moments to let the new information sink in before watching him set off into the air. He could see the hurt in the other's eyes as he sat there. Tears threatening to overflow in the Alfred's face. Within seconds, Alfred felt small hands begin pat his check before going back to Alfred's shoulder.

"It's alright lad. I understand. Why not make a promise with me? Let's promise to always remember one another and perhaps if the world allows for it, meet again?" Arthur suggested, hoping to make the boy feel better.

Sniffling, Alfred only nodded before stopping in mid-nod. "But mom said not to make deals with fairies."

"Yes, you don't want to make a deal. But a promise is different. A deal is something along the lines of you getting a sort of gift, if you will, from me and I get something in exchange. Here we just promise to remember and not forget our friendship. I would never lead you astray," Arthur explained before he flew back towards Alfred's face. He held out a tiny slender hand to the boy, who looked even more on the verge of tears.

Alfred then nodded and placed one of his fingers into the fairy's hand before breaking down into sobs, which raked through his body. The fairy then spent near an hour comforting the poor boy and telling him all the wonderful fun the other would have in his new home. When Alfred was finished wiping the tears from his eyes, Arthur took the boy back to his home safely before saying one final good bye and good night. He never forgot the dark blonde haired, ocean blue eyed, boy who played with him. But the same could not be said for the boy.

#fanfic: a fairy promise #spazio writes #hetalia fanfiction #usuk

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