#i mean. yeah. she prefers bigger bodies in general. that's the same with me. but it doesn't erase
Text
you know bi erasure isn't just erasing a bi woman's attraction to men right
you know it can also be "insisting a bi woman is only attracted to this one man when her most meaningful relationship can be with either a universally agreed upon nonbinary person or a woman" right
#this is about capcom's official twitter erasing marisa's very wlw coded feelings for manon and her very wln coded feelings for the player#to make her all about having a crush on zangief#i mean. yeah. she prefers bigger bodies in general. that's the same with me. but it doesn't erase#who she has the most meaningful relationships with. one of whom by your CHOICE can be fat muscular or both#street fighter#marisa rossetti#biphobia for ts
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
○●○●○●○●●○●○●○●○●●○●○●○●○●●
Save me (Ushijima Version)
Premise: Ushijima struggles to understand the concept of love and what is expected of him in said equation, but he finds himself in the predicament of wanting nothing more than to be with the woman he loves even if it gets in the way of his established lifestyle.
Word Count: 3297
Chapter 2: Summer heat
Summer was approaching fast, the weather was warmer than it had been for the longest time, the grass in it’s prime as green as it can be, the birds danced happily in the air at the promise of the rainy season now in proximity.
The spring tournament was about to end, and the volleyball team was high in spirits as they managed to reach the finals.
Their club was the one to receive a bigger budget out of the entire school, they were one of the reasons the school was so popular to begin with, so in preparation for the finals and as a reward of some sort, they scored some extra budget for a weekend training camp.
The teacher in charge suggested some beach volleyball, it is harder on your body, and it should help them with muscle building, it was a great time to go to the beach, it wasn’t as hot outside just yet, so they should be able to train on the sand all day.
Washijou was against it, one of his family members was marrying that same weekend and he would prefer to stay closer to the city so he could attend both, but the teacher had already booked an inn for the entire team and the budget was no more.
They were in troubles, the teacher could go with them and surely the team knows what they need to work in individually, they could always ask Ushijima if they needed advice, but what about the rest of things that needed to be done? Their coach is so strict that he only allows one male manager and he doesn’t even allow him in the gym every day, he’s only called when needed, but because of this, he belongs to the astronomy club as well and they were participating in an event of their own the same day, unlike the volleyball team, there he is absolutely necessary and they can’t allow him not being there for the event.
That’s when Shirabu out of all of them, surprised the team with an idea. “How about my class president? She knows what she’s doing, she’s the one in charge of everything related to the events in our class, and all of you seem to like her. Maybe she can go with us?”
Ushijima, who was tying up his shoelaces, got up immediately, giving a deep nod of approval.
“I’ll talk to her, I guess.” Semi got up, heaving a deep sigh. Is not like he didn’t want you to tag along but he was pretty sure you’d be more of a distraction than anything else.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
You were on your way to the library; you didn’t want to leave your summer break homework till the very end and thought of getting the books you needed out before someone else borrowed them first. That’s when you heard Semi calling out for you.
“Oh hey, Eita. What’s up?” he was panting heavily, trying to catch his breath. He’s been looking for you all over the school, exhausting all possible locations and found you just before he was about to give up, like if phones weren’t a thing.
“Do you have anything to do next weekend?” it sounded off to you, like if he was asking you out on a date and it made you cover your reddish face in panic, “W-w-why??” realizing what he just did, he tried his best to correct himself, trying to subside his embarrassment, “The team, we got a weekend training camp on the beach area, the teacher needed us to find someone who could help us. Shirabu said you’d be the best option and everyone agreed you’d be a good idea. If you have time of course.”
You were still unsure of going out of the school in general, but you’ve been practicing with Eita, and this sounded like a fun way of spending the weekend. You would also have some extra time to spend with Ushijima who had been really busy the past few weeks and you haven’t gotten the chance to see him as much as you would have liked.
“I mean, yeah why not. Is it like both days or?”
“Yeah, the teacher already booked an entire inn for the team, I’m sure you’ll have your own room. Nothing to worry about.” that was honestly the last of your worries. Your parents were now in a European tour and all your clothing was left behind in your house. Thankfully, you don’t spend much money living in the school grounds, so you could just order something online and it should arrive on time.
“Sure, then just text me the details when you get them, and I’ll go with you guys.”
The guys were overly excited with the news, specially certain captain who for some reason found a splinter on the bench very interesting. Was he excited? He couldn’t describe what he was feeling, it hasn’t happened before. He’s been a bit grumpy the last few days, or that’s what his teammates said, he didn’t really understand what they were basing on to get to that conclusion, but it was a fact that he kept on wishing he could see you. He wondered if you had eaten something for dinner or if you had a good sleep last night, he wondered if you also felt this strange need of seeing him or if it was just him and his recent incapability to control his own body.
But knowing you would be there during the weekend was comforting, he felt like he could train the entire week without any sort of discomfort, knowing he would get to see you in a few days.
Goshiki let out a loud shriek, getting everyone’s attention. Ushijima’s face was twitching in the strangest of ways while plucking the damn splinter out of the bench, the scene itself could be used as source material for a horror film.
Little did they know, his heart was actually smiling.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
Going to the beach required many preparations, making you regret your decision of not bringing cute clothing to school with you.
Did you need a swimsuit? You probably did, even if you were there just to support the team, it would be weird having a bunch of shirtless guys playing volleyball around you and be wearing fluffy lounge clothing on the sand.
So you ended up ordering a couple of summery outfits and a two piece swimsuit, the bottom being a cute ruffled skirt.
You also decided to bake some cookies for the ride, this time you made sure to make enough for the entire team and the teacher, he was driving you there and was very nice of him to make sure you would have all you needed as the only girl of the group.
The school bus was unnecessarily big, everyone could have their own seat to themselves if they wanted to, but Ushijima wanted to sit beside you. Even Tendo was surprised by this.
“Toshi-san! Why does it feel like I haven’t seen your face in forever? Come here, let me see you.” you chuckled, and he complied, letting you check every inch of his face, his hands and even his jacket pockets.
There was such a peaceful aura around Ushijima whenever you were around. It’s like if he was a different person, even if he still didn’t talk much.
“(Y/N), you smell like cookies." he’s becoming spoiled and you’re 100% responsible for this. “Yes, I baked some! Here’s your share.” you set his bag on one of his big hands, calling the rest of the guys to come and retrieve their own bag full of treats.
“I know you don’t like me, but isn’t Ushijima-san’s bag way bigger than mine? I’m your classmate!”
Everyone’s bag was smaller, not just Shirabu’s. Even Semi got a smaller share. “He’s bigger than all of you combined. Don’t be a pain, or I’ll give him your share too.” Ushijima was quietly chewing on one of your delicious goodness, he didn’t have anything to say really, he was bigger, that was a fact, but he somehow wished that wasn’t the only reason why his bag was fuller than the rest.
The ride wasn’t long, but you woke up before sunrise to have the cookies ready for the team and before anyone could notice you were dozing off on Ushijima’s shoulder. He could feel the soft puffs of air you were releasing on his arm, your neck straining in an odd position. He shimmied himself down a bit as gently as he could not to wake you up, so you could rest comfortably on him.
If he closed his eyes hard enough, he could feel your heartbeat pressed against his arm, and it was magical, everything in life was so much better when you were there by his side, even the littlest of things like a bus ride could create a core memory for him.
“Toshi-san…those aren’t cookies…don’t eat them…” even in your sleep, you’re the sweetest creature he’s ever seen. “I won’t eat them, don’t worry.” he whispered close to your ear, making you grin in your sleep and nuzzled his arm.
If he could live repeating one moment over and over again in a loop for the rest of eternity, it would be this very moment.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
The guys had been practicing all morning and lunch time was approaching. The teacher gave you some money so you could go buy ingredients and prepare sandwiches for everyone.
They haven’t seen you since then, you went to the store then spent over an hour making sandwiches for the army of hungry teenagers baking in the early summer sun. So when you arrived with the basket full of food and drinks, a wave of silence fell on the beach.
Ushijima’s eyes were so widely opened, bugs could nest there if they wanted.
You braided your hair and got a lightweight cardigan over your swimsuit, but it was pretty much all out on display for the raging hormones of more than one to perv around.
It wasn’t revealing, just a regular swimsuit, you were actually the only girl in the beach right now that wasn’t showing her assets in abundance, but they’ve never seen you in anything other than your school uniform, except for Semi, but even him was having troubles concentrating now.
“Hey guys! Lunch is here!” you called out for them, and they all walked over to you, to anyone else looking, it was a scene out of a zombie movie, the way they walked mumbling incoherent stuff, their bulging eyes, unconsciously drooling over you. But in your eyes, it was a beautiful summer day to hang out with the boys.
“Here’s your sandwich, Toshi-san. Don’t tell anybody but yours has an extra slide of chicken breast.” you whispered closely, winking at him and you were expecting him to take the sandwich you were holding out for him, but his hands had a very different plan. He grabbed you by your cardigan, bringing you closer to him so he could close it up entirely, button by button, this making you blink in confusion. “What’s wrong? Do I…look that bad?”
He shook his head, not being able to find the right words, he didn’t even know why he did what he did. Is not like he didn’t want to see you in your swimsuit, it was more like he didn’t want the rest of the guys to see it. But why? You’re your own person, you can do whatever you want. He had no right to do this, what if you get mad at him? That was a stupid move. He was beating himself over his own actions when he heard you laugh, one of your hands came over to cup his cheek, caressing it gently, “You’re being extra cute today, huh? My heart was not ready for that!” you handed him his sandwich and continued handing out the remaining contents of your basket, never unbuttoning back open your sweater.
He didn’t know what just happened, but it felt similar to when he wins a match.
“Cute? She said you were cute? Wow, I always knew she was a little weird but maybe it’s just that she sees things differently.” his friend was nibbling on his own sandwich, sneaking glances to watch over your interactions with the rest of the team.
“So how does it feel not wanting other men to stare at your woman’s boobies?” using his sandwich as a fake mic, he went straight into business. “I did no such thing.”
“Oh my dear Wakatoshi-kun. Then why do you think you closed her sweater shut on this awfully hot day? You weren’t concerned for her catching a cold, were you?”
Why did he do it? It was still a mystery to him. What was even more confusing was why did you laugh it off? Shouldn’t you be upset? He wouldn’t want someone touching him so carelessly, he was expecting you to slap him on the face, not gaze at him lovingly.
“I’m not sure, my hands moved on their own.” life had funny ways of trying to teach him a lesson, he had it all there for him to act, his body was a faster learner, but he still needed to catch up to it mentally and emotionally. “She looks way too pretty today; you didn’t want them to eat out of your eye candy. Instead of sulking you should tell her how pretty she looks, before someone else does.” Tendo caught a stray look from a group of unknown girls hanging out under a parasol and so he left his troubled friend to confront life on his own while he tried to score a phone number or two.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
Time goes by fast when you are having fun.
The first day of the training camp was almost over, the stars gifting you the most beautiful night for all of you to enjoy.
The teacher made arrangements for the workers from the inn you were staying at to take care of your dinner arrangements, offering you a lovely and most importantly, very much nutritional meal.
The boys were turning in for the night early, they still had to get up at four in the morning for their team run and had to train all morning, the bus wouldn’t leave until noon.
But since you didn’t have to, you wanted to enjoy the trip a bit more, you haven’t been to the beach in years and just breathing in the salty heavily humid air was filling your heart with excitement.
Grabbing a small pouch from your bag you were ready to sneak from the back of your room back into the beach. It was the perfect timing to hunt for seashells, sunburns aren’t fun to deal with after all.
Ushijima had been pacing in front of your room for the past 45 minutes, trying to come up with an excuse to talk to you and somehow convey the message his friend recommended. So, it isn’t surprising that he heard you sneaking through the balcony. He thought someone was breaking into your room, so without thinking, or knocking, he opened the door to your room and headed in like it was his own house. Your leg was still hanging from the rail and his outburst made you fall to the ground startled.
The confused face he was making made you burst out laughing, this man has the worse timing ever, it’s hilarious.
“Yes, Toshi-san? Did you need me for something?” he was trying to analyze the situation, you looked fine, definitely there was no robbery going on in the premise, were you running away at night?
“I wanted to talk to you about this afternoon. If this isn’t a good time I can come back later-“he was about to leave when you stopped him, calling after him, “It’s ok, I was just going seashell hunting. Would you like to come with me?” Seashell hunting? How do you hunt seashells? Aren’t they like dead already? His confused self just nodded and instead of going out through the door, like a normal human being, he decided to follow your steps, climbing over the railing, causing you to giggle.
There was not even a single cloud in the sky, the full moon so high and bright, there was no need for lanterns.
You walked side by side in a comfortable silence, breathing in the peaceful night until you found a promising patch of sand. You sat close to it and Ushijima followed your lead, both of you digging into the sand with tiny sticks, fully equipped for tonight’s quest.
“So, what was it you needed to talk to me about, Toshi-san?” he took a deep breath, looking up at the moon, “I’m sorry I grabbed you like that this afternoon. You looked too pretty, I was afraid the other guys would also see it.”
You’ve never blushed with this intensity before, and you were suddenly glad you decided to come at night. The summer heat would be the one to blame if someone asked.
“Y-you don’t need to apologize for that. I thought it was cute.” you mumbled quietly, poking the sand some more. “You always say I’m cute.” he questioned you genuinely, the definition of cute he has in his head was very different to what he sees in a mirror when he looks at himself. “That’s because you are, cute.” your eyes twinkled in the dark, the stars wouldn’t rival the beauty of your eyes, not even tonight when the stars shine so bright. “Does it bother you? That other guys see me in a swimsuit?” he was hesitant to answer that question, he was now sure that it did bother him, but he still didn’t know why. “It was not my place to do what I did, for that I apologize. I’m sure your afternoon wasn’t as enjoyable due to the heat.”
“It was enjoyable. I didn’t mind it. Did I make you uncomfortable? Maybe I should have chosen a less revealing outfit.” he made you feel bad, that’s the one thing he was supposed not to do tonight, it’s so hard to get your thoughts across to other people, “You never make me uncomfortable. I just didn’t like the look in their eyes.”
“Were you…jealous, Toshi?” you held onto his elbow, the lack of honorifics causing him to forget he needed to breathe. “According to Tendo, yes. I still don’t understand the feeling very well, never happened before.”
You need some level of patience with a man like him, even if all you wanted was to tackle him on the sand and kiss his very essence, you would wait for him as long as it took. Instead, you laid your head on his muscly arm, taking a deep breath as you searched for his hand. It was so large, pretty much doubled the size of yours. “Is it…ok if I hold your hand?” looking at both of your hands, he just hummed in acknowledgement, wrapping his hand around yours.
You stayed there in silence, holding hands, until it was time for you to return to the inn.
Summer was only about to begin, and it already held a special place in both of your hearts.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
The day before the big game, right when classes were over, the door from your class burst open, showing a very exalted Ushijima looking for you.
“(Y/N), I found him. The setter you were looking for, Kageyama. He’s playing against us tomorrow.”
○●○●○●○●●○●○●○●○●●○●○●○●○●●
Tagged babes: @dazaisfavgf @lauraagrace
Previous Chapter Masterlist Next Chapter
#haikyuu!!#fluff#angst#slow burn#haikyuu fluff#haikyuu x reader#haikyuu x y/n#hurt/comfort#haikyu imagines#haikyu x reader#haikyuu fanfiction#haikyuu x you#haikyuu x f!reader#haikyuu x female reader#hq fluff#hq x you#hq#hq x y/n#hq x reader#ushijima wakatoshi#ushijima fluff#ushijima x reader#haikyuu ushijima#ushijima x y/n#ushijima x you#shiratorizawa
53 notes
·
View notes
Text
!Fem! Slashers [what I think they look like]
[ I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO THE ARTISTS THESE ARE REFERENCES FOR WHAT PEOPLE TYPICALLY SAY THEY LOOK LIKE ]
!Fem Jason Voorhees!
I personally think the idea of her wearing the clothing she wears in the fanart is not at ALL what she would wear. Remember, Jason Voorhees is a momma's boy. So in this case she'd DEFINITELY not wear that outfit. She knows her father (Male Pamela) and or mother would find the outfit downright repulsive. I honestly think that an outfit more like Jason's would fit better. Honestly I think she'd have more of a pear body type. Ofc not that curvy, a pretty much flat chest, however her hips, bottom, and thighs are SLIGHTLY bigger. But not that big. And let's talk about the skin. What in the everlasting fucks. She's DEAD. She should have grey-ish skin like Jason. (This depends on the timeline ofc I'm generally assuming this is some of the more recent movies). ANOTHER THING is what happened to the face. Don't get me wrong, she's pretty.. But that just isn't Jason's face. And honestly, after all that complaining.. I think her hair would be different, I think it'd be frizzy and short.
!Fem Michael Myers!
... I got a few things to say about this one, none bad, just personal preference, I honestly think female Michael would have short messy hair, It's just the whole mask thing, wearing the mask and doing all the stuff would mean messy, tangled hair. I also think that she'd be fairly well toned, with muscle. A lot more than shown in that photo, I mean, for God's sake.. She walks around killing people, breaking shit, you can't tell me that all that wouldn't give her at the VERY LEAST some muscle. That's pretty much all I have for female Michael
!Fem Freddy Kruger!
I know this might be weird, but other than the skin I have no issues with it, remember, she was burned in the fire, she'd at least sort of have the same skin as Freddy.. Otherwise yeah, that's exactly how I'd imagine her. About the whole being bald thing because of the fire, she's a dream demon, and from the way she looks so sassy I honestly think she used her dream demon powers to give herself hair again, that's all for female Freddy.
!Fem Billy lenz!
Absolutely no complaints, 10/10 job, exactly how I would've imagined her. I absolutely love the idea of her hair, her clothes. 10/10 I honestly haven't really seen a bad one of Billy though.
!Fem Brahms Heelshire!
I only have a few complaints and they aren't really that bad, only 6. 1-2-3-4 (clothing issues): Her chest is showing, her parents are very old fashioned, and I think any tanktop she had would def cover her chest. Her skirt is also too short, again, parents are old fashioned, so a long, tattered skirt with suspenders would be better. Oddly enough.. I don't think she'd wear a bra. Idk. Just a random feeling. SHOES. They forgot the SHOES. Ok onto 5-6(mask and doll): The doll shouldn't look like.. Emo. Remember, the doll IS a younger version of Brahms. More similar to the movie's doll, the hair should be brown as well. Honestly, this isn't really an issue, but I think brahms's original mask was feminine enough, but the mask she has in the photo looks cute. That's all onto the next one!!
!Fem Bubba Sawyer!
Again, I only have a few issues with this. A: Drayton would NEVER IN 1000000 fucking years allow THAT outfit to step through his front door or hell, OUT OF HER ROOM. I think she'd wear the same outfit as Bubba. The right is ok... But again, Drayton would have her button that up. And the issue with the skinniness of her.. Bubba is CHUBBY so therefore she'd be CHUBBY, and the face, what happened to the skin condition??? Nobody knows.... And I'd think the hair would be about shoulder length, messy and curly, that's all for her, other than that and her having no mask she's ADORABLE.
[Ty to @sinclairbrosbathmat for helping <3]
Have a good day, goodbye and goodnight
66 notes
·
View notes
Text
[Tales from the Pack] Hansol: Fire and Ice (Part Six)
Characters: Hansol x female reader
Genre/warnings: werewolf au, fantasy, angst, the smallest bit of fluff just bc hansol’s optimistic and a sweetheart
Word count: 2,420
Summary: You’ve always been one to let your emotions get the best of you – your power reflects that – and you’ve never been good at expressing them. That’s why you always thought you’d be awful with a mate, but you never thought things would be this awful.
a/n: things in bold are in english. also this takes place the same night as the last part but it explains where hansol was when minghao couldn’t find him, and what happened to his mate after she woke up. AND it does talk about rika and baekhyun and i used to have a series for them called amend buuuut i also took that down to redo it lmao so there’s not really much backstory on them other than what i have for star crossed so if you’re confused, that’s ok lmao
Previous | Next | Fire and Ice Masterlist
Hansol sat on the lawn as he usually did, staring up at the stars. He always wondered if you were looking at the stars, too. He wondered if you even liked looking stars, or what you preferred looking at instead. Did you like watching the clouds or animals in the forest? Did you like watching snow fall in the winter or rain fall in the summer? Did you still find staring at the fire comforting and pleasing even though you could easily form it effortlessly at your fingertips?
You were all Hansol thought about, and truthfully, he waited up every night for you. He never once felt you were in danger, and he knew he could find you quickly if there was danger. But for now, he was giving you space. He was just hoping you’d come back to him. If you did, he’d go see that doctor your pack recommended. If not, then he’d already be dead before the pain could get any worse – unless the silver managed to kill him first, in which case, it wouldn’t really matter anyway.
Hansol heard the front door open and shut before he heard somebody walking in the grass. He could smell Seokmin’s scent, so he knew it was him coming over.
“I’m about to go to bed, and everyone else is already in their rooms,” he told the younger boy. “I just wanted to see if you needed anything.”
“Actually,” Hansol spoke up, peeling his gaze away from the night sky to look at Seokmin, “I’ve been thinking...”
“About what?” Seokmin wondered as he sat down beside his brother.
“It’s been about a week since everything,” he began, staring at the grass between the two of them, “so I think it’s safe to go look back at the old house.”
Seokmin didn’t understand why Hansol would feel any need going back there. No doubt everything would be burned to the ground. Any belongings they had were what was left in their house, or what was put there by your pack in preparation for them to move in.
“Look for what?” he asked.
Hansol’s golden eyes practically sparkled when he looked up at Seokmin, “Something of Jiung’s or Chanseong’s. I want to give it to _____.”
“When?” Seokmin scoffed. “I don’t mean to sound mean, Sol, but do you even know if she’ll come back to you?”
“I’d go leave it at the house,” he shrugged. “I won’t go see her if she doesn’t want me to, so I’d just leave it there and go.”
“What are you expecting to find, exactly? You know there won’t be any bodies.”
“There might be. Or maybe there’s something small that didn’t get completely burned. I don’t know.”
As Hansol pushed himself off of the ground, Seokmin looked up at him, “Are you leaving right now?”
“Yeah,” he shrugged. “Do you wanna come help me?”
Seokmin sighed but got up as well, “Somebody has to keep you out of trouble.”
“Okay, Mr. Thunder-and-Lightning,” Hansol chuckled as the two brothers walked closer to the edge of their property and into the woods, “I think you are the trouble.”
“Hey, I helped!” Seokmin insisted.
“Yeah, helped Jooyeon have a heart attack,” Hansol laughed as the two disappeared into the thick brush.
-
You woke from your nightmare with tears streaming down your face. You’d been doing this a lot lately: crying so hard you’d wake yourself up. But this time, it was better that you woke up in the middle of the night. It was the perfect time to slip out unnoticed.
Ever since that first day after Jiung died, you felt the alpha pull to Hanbin. It was supposed to be you, but it never was. You tried to pretend, but nothing changed. You were never fit to be an alpha like Jiung, but you knew Hanbin would do a good job to protect the others.
Before you left, you got out a pen and some paper and wrote a quick note to Rin. You knew this would have the biggest impact on her, but you couldn’t stay here. If you weren’t an alpha like you were supposed to be, what was the point? It was like you didn’t belong here, but you definitely knew you didn’t belong with Seungcheol’s pack – not after you denied Hansol. To be truthful, you didn’t even really feel the tie to the pack anymore, not after the two days spent with Hansol. So you were going to just…go. You didn’t know what you’d do, but you’d either figure it out eventually or you’d die – whichever came first.
But you also knew Rin would have her mate soon enough considering she often went out and followed him around. Sure, he didn’t know since Rin kept herself invisible, but just knowing where her mate was and knowing he was doing okay was what you assumed would help her cope. It was why she was hidden the entire time his pack was here: she didn’t want her mate to see her and imprint on her – not until she learned how to speak to him, at least. So you hoped she’d be okay after you left, and that she’d learn Korean to finally go introduce herself to him. He seemed like a nice enough guy, anyway. He’d definitely help her get better and would make sure she was happy.
Rin,
When you read this, I’ll be gone. I don’t know where I’m going, but please don’t look for me. I know you’ll think I betrayed you by leaving, and I won’t try to make any excuses for myself. You were alone when Jiung and Chanseong you here, and all you had was us to rely on. I always promised to stick beside you, and I’m completely breaking that promise. I know you’ll hate me, and I deserve it. But I want you to know I still love you, and I hope you’ll do okay. And try not to stress so much – your mate will love you no matter what.
Please take care of yourself.
-_____
You left the note on your pillow before grabbing Jiung’s sweater that you left laying over the back of your chair, tugging it over your head, and going to the window. You pushed the window open before leaping out and landing softly on your feet before you ran into the woods, leaving behind your home, and the pack you used to consider family.
-
The wolves could already smell that burnt smell from the house, but they continued to run in their wolf forms until they were closer. They didn’t shift back until they reached the clearing where their house used to stand. But now, everything was reduced to rubble and ash.
“Shit…” Seokmin mumbled, looking around the plot of land they used to call home.
A place that once held bright and lively memories now looked dark and dead. They couldn’t believe this was the same place they used to run around and play. They couldn’t believe a large, warm house once stood here. On the other hand, they couldn’t believe that said house was now destroyed. It was all just a bunch of ash and useless pieces of debris.
“I’m gonna sift through some of this and see if there’s anything we can take back,” Seokmin said, gesturing toward the largest pile of dark ash.
Hansol just went over to where he last remembered seeing Jiung, all but ignoring Seokmin. There were small piles of ash around the house, which must’ve been all the dead or severely injured that they couldn’t save. There were even some detached body parts mixed in, but thankfully that stench was covered by the smell of the burned house that attacked his nose.
He reached the general area and got down on his bare knees, sifting through the ashes. He felt bad disturbing anything that might be a body, but he was determined to find something – anything – to make you feel like you could have even a little bit of closure. Hansol just wanted you to be happy.
Something suddenly caught his eye. It was something gold that shone in the moonlight above, which was what made him notice it. He brushed away some of the ash before picking up some sort of pendant on a thin gold chain. It was a plain gold circle, no bigger than a small coin, and it had Jiung’s first initial and your first initial engraved on it with a dot in between the two letters. Jiung and _____.
Hansol let the chain dangle from his teeth – he obviously didn’t have pockets, and that’s how he’d have to carry it in wolf form anyway – before searching through the rest in case there was anything else. He found a ring that had a date engraved on it as well. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he figured he should bring it just in case.
“Hansol!” Seokmin called as he rushed over with a few books in his arms. “I found a photo album, one of Danbi’s books, and a few picture frames that made it out.”
“Good job,” the younger wolf smiled. “Let’s get back to the house before sunrise, yeah?”
So the two shifted before Seokmin collected the small stack of things in his mouth, and the two raced off to their new home, happy with the small things they were able to find.
-
Hansol and Seokmin could hear their names being called before they even got close to home. They picked up their pace, Hansol howling to let them know they were nearby and safe.
When they finally made it back to the house, almost all the wolves were outside, waiting for the pair to return. Seokmin immediately dropped what he had in his mouth, but Hansol kept the ring and the necklace balanced carefully between his teeth.
Jihoon looked down at the ground, scanning over the things Seokmin brought before looking at the two wolves, “Did– Did you two go back to the house?! Are you kidding me?! You both could’ve gotten killed!”
Seokmin whined but Hansol didn’t regret it. He got what he was looking for.
“Jia’s been looking for you,” Seungcheol told Hansol.
The boy carefully placed the jewelry in the grass before shifting and collecting his two items, “Why?”
The eldest alpha sighed, running a hand through his dark hair, “_____ ran away from her pack.”
Hansol paused like he was trying to see if his instincts were about to suddenly warn him about his mate, but when nothing happened, he shrugged, “She’s okay.”
“What?” Soonyoung gasped. “You’re not even gonna go check on her?”
“No, she wants her space,” he insisted. “If something bad happens, then I’ll go find her, but until then, me smothering her won’t help.”
Junhui pointed at the gold pieces of jewelry that the younger wolf held, “What’re those?”
“They’re gifts,” he replied, smiling softly to himself as he looked down at the jewelry in the palm of his hand, “for _____.”
-
Maybe Rika was right. Maybe Baekhyun was the worst. Maybe you should’ve listened to the tiny mate whenever she complained about him. But you always found Baekhyun pretty enjoyable since he had about the same snarky attitude as Rin. But now, you were deciding to reconsider that.
Had he not had been sniffing around your property, you wouldn’t have been caught. Had he not been having issues with not only his mate -- if you could call her that -- and his pack, he wouldn’t have stopped you.
Had Chanyeol not been worried when he realized his brother was missing and gone out to find him, you would’ve gotten away.
“Can’t burn me if I burn too, _____,” Chanyeol sang as he forcefully carried you to their house.
But you had stressed that you didn’t want anyone knowing about this. Baekhyun couldn’t tell Rika, and neither of them could snitch on you to their pack. And considering the mental state they found you in, even Baekhyun knew not to double-cross you even though he just replied with, “I’ll think about it”.
Sneaking you inside was easy because the pack was asleep. So Chanyeol brought you up to Baekhyun’s room before setting you on the bed while Baekhyun shut the door. Then he turned to look at you, quirking an eyebrow while Chanyeol just studied you with furrowed brows.
“So...what happened?” Baekhyun quizzed.
He knew what happened to your alpha already. Their pack was friends with yours, and there was also the tie to Rika. But he didn’t understand what caused you to suddenly snap.
“I don’t have to tell you,” you told him, your arms crossed over your chest.
He shrugged, “Fair. But if you’re missing, I’m sure your pack will go looking for you when they realize, and then they’ll tell us what’s going on. And Rika will love me for saving her sister from a mental break.”
Your eyes widened, “I’m not going back.”
“You’re not going to do something stupid, either,” Chanyeol stated.
“I wasn’t!” you insisted. “I was just running away, okay?”
Baekhyun bit the inside of his cheek. He figured you must’ve realized that wasn’t the pack you belonged in anymore. They knew Hanbin was the alpha when they saw him last, sensing the authority radiating off of him and the way the pack acted around him. It was obvious.
But they didn’t know why you weren’t the alpha. So where did you belong?
“Is it because--”
“Where’re you gonna go?” Baekhyun cut off Chanyeol before he could ask a stupid question.
You just shrugged, “I don’t know. I can take care of myself, though.”
While Baekhyun would’ve rather just had you stay with them, he knew Junmyeon especially would ask a lot of question. And it was obvious you didn’t want to be bothered with that. Not only that, but he’d contact Hanbin.
Finally, he let out a sigh and grabbed your upper arm, “C’mon, let’s go.”
“Go where?” you asked.
He brought you to his bedroom door, whispering, “I’m gonna stay at the hut with you so I can know you’re safe, but so you’ll be away from everybody.”
You were surprised Baekhyun was doing something to help you, but you didn’t say anything else to him until you were out of the house and a good distance away.
“Won’t your pack wonder where you went?” you pointed out.
He just shrugged, “Eh, probably not.”
#seventeen#hansol#vernon#seventeen au#seventeen imagine#seventeen scenario#seventeen oneshot#seventeen fanfic#werewolf!seventeen#hansol au#hansol imagine#hansol scenario#hansol oneshot#hansol fanfic#werewolf!hansol#vernon au#vernon imagine#vernon scenario#vernon oneshot#vernon fanfic#werewolf!vernon
176 notes
·
View notes
Text
New anonymous commission story! This is another hyperpregnant slice of life piece, about a couple of boys who find out that they can conceive additional babies mid-pregnancy which will grow to catch up to the largest sibling, resulting in rapid growth for one of the husbands! Contains hyperpregnancy, tmpreg, some weight gain and lactation, mild belly worship, and allusions to sex.
Leo sat in the passenger seat of he and Marko’s sedan, his boyfriend behind the wheel. The pair sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. They’d received some… rather shocking news from Leo’s most recent doctors appointment. All three babies were fine, all perfectly healthy... but that was precisely the point, all THREE were healthy. At three months in, Leo was at the tail end of his first trimester, and when he started, there was supposedly only one in his womb. Then a few weeks ago, they were suddenly expecting fraternal twins. Then finally, today, triplets, all inexplicably at the same stage of growth.
“What’s going through you mind, hon?” Marko finally asked, breaking the silence. Leo brushed a few brown, fluffy hairs out of his face with one hand, and held his tummy protectively with the other. “I’m just… I’m floored we’re having three kids! I’m just… confused I guess? Like we were set with one for a while… and then two… and now…” Leo trailed off. Marko squinted in concentration as he thought of how to word his theory. “I… think I know the pattern… I don’t think it’s a matter of the doctors just mysteriously being unable to count…” Leo could tell where this was going. “You mean…” Marko nodded. “Think about it? There was the night we conceived after the party… that’s one. Then there was minigolf night...” Marko began listing off. Leo nodded, “Yeah, Minigolf was fun, we need to do that again sometime,” Leo smiled. Marko raised an eyebrow, “Like… just the minigolf, or what came after too?”
Leo turned to him and batted his eyelashes, “I dunno, can you get another hole in one?” Marko felt himself start to blush. He was typically the more dominant one, but Leo knew how to push his buttons. “Besides, I wanna test your theory. See if I wake up with four tomorrow,” Marko was now no longer ‘starting to blush’ and was instead outright blushing. “Are you teasing me, or are you serious? Cause our turn to go golfing comes up in two blocks,” Leo put his hand in Marko’s shoulder, leaned over, and said “put another baby in me,”
Marko smiled mischievously, eager to relive their minigolf date. “But! If I win you gotta buy me a sundae. The babies want hot fudge,” Leo teased. Marko’s grin widened. “Nah hon, I’m gonna get a hole in one, beat your ass at minigolf, buy you TWO sundaes, watch you eat them, then we’ll fuck like there ain’t no tomorrow,” he said, wearing his confident smile proudly. Now it was Leo’s turn to blush, turning away and putting his hands over his mouth and cheeks. “Fuck, I hate it when you get all assertive like that,” he said through his hands. Marko laughed. “No you don’t, you little bottom!” Leo erupted in laughter himself, his adorable, irregular laugh like music to Marko’s ears.
“I mean… in fairness, you’re too competitive to lose on purpose, but too much of a gentleman to let a pregnant guy go hungry,” the praise elicited another more subtle blush from Marko, two ran his hand through his short, black undercut. “I mean… you need lots of calcium for the babies. There’s milk in ice cream so, like… it’s good for you right now?” Marko stumbled to his point. Leo chucked and lifted the hem of his beige sweater up to his chest, exposing his tiny first trimester tummy, looking ever so slightly pudgy from being 3 months along. Marko’s blush shifted to a deeper red and he tried to focus on the road, but was a sucker for Leo’s belly. “You’re going to get so big with four babies,” he said, his voice just slightly quivering in anticipation.
“Why stop at four?” asked Leo. “Are you serious?” replied Marko. “100%. We’ve talked about this before. We both love…” he gestured to his bare tummy, “THIS. We both have decided to take on fatherhood, why not just… shoot for the moon?” he put his shirt back down. Marko pulled into “Albatross Minigolf” and put the car in park, looking very seriously at Leo. “That’s going to be really hard on your body,” “I know,” “We’ll need a bigger car,” “I know,” “We’ll need a bigger APARTMENT!” “Marko… we’ll be fine! We only get to really do this once, lets make the most of it!” said Leo reassuringly. Marko wasn’t sure if “this” meant pregnancy, parenthood, or life in general, but he didn’t care. He kissed Leo on the lips, beyond excited to watch his boyfriend grow huge with his babies.
He got out of the car and ran around to the other side to get the door for Leo. He was more than prepared to dote on the man, already deciding he’d get Leo THREE sundaes after minigolf. After all, they’d need some calories to burn.
3 months later
Now six months along, and swollen with large sextuplets, Leo was solidly what one would call ‘very, VERY pregnant’. His usual button up flannel shirts had grown tighter and tighter until they wouldn’t button. While the pair did like the belly out, unbuttoned shirt look, Leo preferred to be more modest when in public. As the temperature dropped due to the coming of autumn, Leo had switched to his larger sweatshirts to remain covered, and even those didn’t really do the job anymore. Now looking overdue with quads, he waddled through the Willowbrook Square Mall wearing that same beige sweater he wore during minigolf night, once two sizes too big, now pulled tight over his bump and only reaching just above his navel.
To cover his lower belly, he wore a supportive belly band to help redistribute the weight of his womb and provide some modesty. Unfortunately for Leo, but much to Marko’s delight, the top hem of the belly belt and bottom hem of the shirt couldn’t quite meet, resulting in a cheeky strip of exposed tummy, complete with his popped navel peeking out.
Leo’s belly swayed slowly back and forth as he waddled next to Marko, squeezing his hand. He absolutely loved being so pregnant, but he tended to get colder feet in public. He was a sight to behold, and people weren’t shy about staring at his impressive bump. “I think that lady has intentionally hopped from store to store to keep me in view,” whispered Leo meekly, “She just keeps watching me, it’s weird,” “Bet she’s jealous of how great you look,” chuckled Marko. “Marko! I’m serious!” Leo hissed, “I like being this big but I don’t like being the center of attention!”
Marko raised an eyebrow, not liking his boyfriend being nervous. “I can talk to her if you’d like?” Leo shook his head, “Nono, I don’t want confrontation, I just want… honestly I just want a milkshake…” he said as cravings shifted his focus to his empty stomach. With each added baby to his womb, his appetite grew stronger, even as the amount of room in his smooshed digestive system grew smaller. Marko swiftly steered the pair toward the food court, knowing exactly what to get him.
Leo wasn’t much of a foodie before pregnancy, but getting knocked up had not only expanded his palette, but increased his appetite to the point Marko was constantly feeding him. He had actually become something of a good cook, and really enjoyed feeding Leo. As a result of his new caloric intake, Leo has began to physically soften with time, his thighs and ass become pillowier, and for the first time in his life, he had love handles. Marko took this as a point of pride, that his cooking was good enough to make someone a little pudgy. Of course, the constant flow of ice cream treats certainly didn’t hurt either.
“Any preferences, dear?” Marko asked as he helped Leo ease into a chair, which had to be pulled away form the table to make enough room for the belly. “Where you buying?” He asked. Marko tilted his head toward one of the chain restaurants in the court, “Sonic has the biggest shakes here, and I know you like car-” “Carmel oreo please,” grinned Leo. Marko’s heart flittered a little bit at Leo’s innocent smile, still in the honeymoon phase even after being together for so long. He nodded and made his way toward the Sonic, leaving Leo to sit and rest his aching feet.
He placed his hands on the top shelf of his belly, and scanned the food court. He was semi-used to being stared at by this point. Being visibly trans, being in a visibly gay relationship, hell, even his nose ring got glares from older folks. But this felt different, it wasn’t him they were stealing glances of, it was his belly. He felt a draft blow across the sliver of exposed skin between his sweater and belly belt, and felt a little self conscious. To make matters worse, the woman who had been stalking him made a b-line and was actually approaching him. He considered getting up and moving, but knew he’d reached the point in size and weight were he really needed Mareko’s help to do anything quickly.
“Excuse me!” she said, Leo braced for the worst. “I’m sorry, I know I’ve been following you around, we’ve made eye contact like 4 times, but I really need to ask you something,” she continued. Poor Leo grimaced and prepared for the worst. What invasive question would he have to answer this time? She took a seat at his table, sitting across from him. She made eye contact and seemed very direct, something Leo wasn’t super crazy about.
“So my friend is pregnant, and she’s carrying decuplets, and she’s really starting to struggle with her size… where did you get that tummy support thing?” Leo blinked, feeling like an overhyped bandaid was just painlessly torn off. “Oh, uh, there’s a place across town that sells maternity wear, called ‘twins n’ up’, and the owner makes their own stuff. They, uh, they custom made it for me,” he answered. The lady nodded intently and made several notes on her phone.
“Is this lady bothering you, hon?” asked Marko as he returned with 32 ounces of creamy milkshake. “No, actually she was just asking me about this!” Leo pulled the hem of his supporting belt, letting it snap back against is belly. “I swear I’m not trying to harass your husband, he’s just the first person i’ve seen who is as pregnant is my friend and I wanted to know where he got his clothes. I’ll leave you guys alone now, thank you!” she said to Marko, offering her seat to him. Marko’s protective nature made him a little cautious of the woman’s intentions, but she seemed harmless enough. “Take care!” smiled Leo as she left. Marko sat across from him, and handed him the milkshake.
Marko chuckled, “I guess we look like husbands now?” Leo took a long, indulgent sip of his shake, basking in the sugaryness of it all. “I mean, we are growing our family quite a bit,” he patted his tummy, “I think it’s a fair assumption we’re married,” Marko considered the situation for a moment and realized, yeah, it WAS a fair assumption they be married, or at least engaged… maybe it was near time he brought assumption to reality…
3 more months later
Marko and Leo were currently no longer boyfriends. Rather, they were fiances! Marko popped the question privately after a very fun and successful baby shower, and Leo immediately said yes. Some tears of happiness were shed, celebratory cake was consumed, and more babies were added to Leo’s ever swelling womb later that night. Things were progressing smoothly for the expecting couple as they’d moved from their old smaller apartment to a larger, open floor house.
Now 9 months pregnant with thirteen babies, Leo was a sight to behold. His belly was permanently bared, no wardrobe in the country able to cover his bump. Through some luck, good genes, and lots of cocoa butter, he’d managed to avoid any stretchmarks, but his navel was thoroughly popped. While he’d started the pregnancy off on the skinny side, Marko’s endless flow of food had made sure baby weight accumulated, and now everything from his legs to his chest was growing. The only part of him that didn’t seem to gain any weight was his face, which was still lithe and adorable. His fluffy brown hair had only grown fluffier and fuller with the prenatal vitamins he was taking. He had to lose his blonde highlight though, as the babies could absorb chemicals through hair exposure, strangely enough.
Marko had been hard at work unpacking their whole life into this new house, as Leo had grown too large to really do much besides be doted on, which Marko was fine with. He’d set up their bedroom, and taken the doors off their hinges and removed the doorframes to buy Leo just a few precious weeks of being able to travel through doorways. At the rate they were going, they would need every inch of their open floorplan just for Leo’s titanic tummy.
Leo’s belly now held not only tredecuplets, but enough amniotic fluid to stay full and spherical. He was clocking in at around 300 lbs, and just under half of that was belly. Through the help of Marko, Leo could still walk… but getting up and down was a challenge. Leo’s belly was beyond bigger around than he was tall, and there were substantial portions where he could no longer reach. That didn’t stop the couple from conceiving more though. Even at thirteen full and pregnant beyond words, the couple still had plans for more. Call it some kind of hedonism, but Leo loved being bred and growing ever more massive, and Marko loved to watch.
Even now, well into January, large snowflakes lazily falling outside, the pair were together, warm and happy. Leo had basically outgrown the couch at this point, his belly more wide than the cushions were deep. Instead, they had splurged on an electric recliner which was situated facing slightly to the right of the television, so that Leo could lay back in a reclined position, but only had to turn his head to see the TV, since he couldn’t see past his own tummy straight on at this point. Strong visible kicks could be seen occasionally poking out of his tightly stretched skin, often in places out of view from Leo himself.
He sat, laid back in his large, cushy recliner, eating some chinese takeout Marko had picked up for him. He set the styrofoam container on his chest, idly scooping noodles into his waiting mouth. A chow mein noodle fell into his cleavage, something he didn’t have 6 months ago, and he picked it out with his chop sticks, hoping Marko didn’t notice him miss his mouth.
Marko didn’t notice, too enarmored with his future husband’s massive midriff. He got to see it every day, and yet every day he somehow loved it more. His hands were almost always touching it, only off of the bump when cooking or otherwise doing housework. He knew this had to be hard for Leo, being so massive and carrying so many, so Marko worked hard to do his part. Anything Leo wanted, he got. Specific foods, foot rubs, new clothes, a bigger belly… all of it was hand delivered by Marko himself. For being the more dominant of the pairing, he’d become something of a servant as Leo grew closer to immobility.
Right now, Marko had a dining room chair pulled up next to Leo, and was working cocoa butter into the side of his tummy, working slowly to both be gentile and maximize his time spent touching it. It amazed him how no matter his size, or how many were in there, his overburdened belly still had just a little give to it. Leo smiled, watching his partner be just engrossed with his tummy. “You have such a hopeless belly kink,” he chuckled. “Hmmm? Me?” Marko said, almost missing the question cause he was staring at the belly. “Yes you! Even before I got knocked up you liked touching me there! Who’s hands were on my tummy when we made out the first time?” Marko blushed. “I mean, yeah mine... but also who was so eager he got close enough that our glasses hooked on themselves? Who was so willing he whispered how he wanted a ‘baby in him right then and there?’,” Marko teased.
Leo was the one blushing now, thinking back to one of their first dates. Little did he know just HOW MANY babies would be put in him later in life. “Is it… bad I still want you to put a baby in me?” he said, embarrassed by his own words and avoiding eye contact. Marko set aside the cocoa butter and stood up, taking a good look at the tummy that lay before him. “No… I don’t think it’s bad… but I wonder if there’s room in that belly for any more?” he teased, pressing the tips of his fingers into Leo’s exposed tummy.
“Oh come on Mark, don’t make me beg, you said you’d take care of me?” Leo teased right back, deepening his finance’s blush. “Hmmm…” he rested the side of his head on the front end of Leo’s belly, listening to the ambient, living sounds from inside. “It SOUNDS pretty full, can one guy get any more pregnant?” Leo crossed his arms and mock-pouted. “I won’t ever find out if you keep talking...” Marko leaned over Leo, casting a shadow across his face. “So you’re ready for number 14?” he grinned. Leo wrapped his hand around the back of Marko’s head and pulled him in for a kiss before whispering, “Why stop there?”
Another 3 months later
Marko had needed to make some calls. He had a few contacts with the fabrication industry, and knew some guys always willing to help him out. Now a year pregnant, and full of 20 babies, Leo no longer fit standard furniture. He was simply too large and heavy for traditional couches and chairs. Instead, Marko’s friends had put their heads together, and fashioned him a special, form fitting lounge chair, with a sturdy metal frame and soft, satiny cushions. They even thought ahead and made certain parts of it adjustable to accommodate for his growing size. And growing he was. Now beyond overdue, the growth of his still healthy brood pushed his body to new maximums. Leo often joked about how his womb would need its own zipcode soon.
Leo buttoned his shirt back up, setting the pumping apparatus on the table next to him. He’d had to start pumping his milk, or his breasts would begin leaking on their own, and frankly, he didn't want colostrum on his plaid flannels. “Hon, could you put that in the fridge?” he asked, pointing at the bottles of milk he’d produced. Marko ran his hand along the circumference of Leo’s belly as he moved past him, slightly tickling Leo in the process. He took the bottles and placed them in the fridge before circling back. “How’re you feeling honey?” he asked. “Big. Pregnant. Massive, really,” Leo answered. “Just how you like it?” Marko replied. Leo grinned, “Yeeeaaahhh,”
Marko placed his hands firmly on the expanse of pale, pregnant skin, and started kissing. Leo squirmed on his throne of pregnancy as his husband moved slowly up his belly toward his face. Marko gave him a deep, passionate kiss on the lips, causing Leo’s breath to shake slightly. “You love me so much,” he said in his quivering voice. “I”m so massive and pregnant and huge and round and you adore me like this.” he continued, getting a little emotional. “Of course I do,” replied Marko, giving his lovely husband a side-hug. “You’re my person, and you’re carrying a lot of persons, just for me, and that’s not easy. And I appreciate it. And I want you to know that I love you, both for doing that and for just being you!” Said Marko tenderly. Leo teared up a little, reaching out for another hug. Marko obliged, Leo wiping a couple tears on Marko’s 80’s style denim button-up.
“I couldn’t do all this without you, y’know… all… THIS!” Leo gestured to his astounding belly, which nudged with movement slightly in response. “You shouldn’t ever have to, babe. That’s why we have each other,” The two shared a tender silence, Marko rocking back and forth slowly. Leo sniffed and shook his head, “Augh, sorry. Pregnancy hormones… y’know… make me all emotional.” he said. “You’re allowed to be emotional, babe,” reassured Marko. “I know…” nodded Leo.
Leo’s tummy rumbled and Marko chuckled, “You also get emotional when you’re hungry…” he pointed out. Leo laughed his bubbly, infectious laugh. “Yeah, I can’t argue with that… lemme see… the babies want…” he paused, “Potato soup!” Marko nodded, making his way to the kitchen to cook a huge batch. “Anything for you, my love,”
104 notes
·
View notes
Note
(WLW anon) I really don’t like the “bad rep is better then none at all”. I hate that. We should want good rep, because bad rep has been used time and time again by homophobes as to say we shouldn’t get representation. To me it’s not “gay can have the same flaws as het”, it’s “fix the flaws in the het”. Also I know Renora being independent was a good, I was just saying in comparison BB. Also, yes, they were separated, but also didn’t stop thinking about each other. Especially bad with Yang.
Indulge me for a moment because I want to take a trip down memory lane and list some—just some—of the queer rep that has been important to me over the years:
Ellen comes out both as herself and as her character… years later, she’s a hated millionaire who is criticized for how she treats her staff
The wildly influential Buffy gives us two women entering a loving relationship… except then Tara is killed off, Willow goes evil for a time, and Buffy comes under fire for Joss Whedon’s everything
The beloved and respectable headmaster of one of the most popular book series ever published is revealed to be gay… except it doesn’t count because it wasn’t in the text and now all of Harry Potter is cancelled because JKR is transphobic
Kurt is an unambiguously gay teen in a hugely popular TV series, acting as one of the first overt representations a generation has seen… except he’s way too stereotypical and Glee is a joke now
Orange is the New Black gives us a number of queer women, including one of our first trans characters… but isn’t it problematic that they’re all criminals?
Brooklyn Nine-Nine hosts an out gay captain and gives us a bisexual coming out story that resonated with many, myself included… except now we’re supposed to hate all the characters on principle because they’re cops
Korra and Asami walk off into the spiritual sunset together… but they never kiss or anything, so that doesn’t count either
Steven Universe gives us a queer relationship and a wedding… but it’s an issue that this is just a kid’s show and, really, does it count when the rep is embodied by space rocks whose entire species only creates a single gender? Feels like a cop-out
Same with Good Omens. Yeah, Crowley and Aziraphale clearly love each other… but you never see them kiss or declare their intentions. It’s great ace rep though! Unless you want to level the criticism that asexual characters are always nonhuman
A character intended to be a minor guest becomes a show staple and eventually declares his love for one of the two main characters… except then Castiel immediately dies, Dean doesn’t respond, and they never meet on screen again
I finished Queen’s Gambit the other day and the main character had a one-night stand with a woman! … but everyone is talking about how bisexuality is used to represent her lowest point, so that’s bad too
I could go on for literal pages. Some of these arguments I agree with (Dumbledore), others I’ve pushed back against quite strongly (Crowley and Aziraphale), but all of them are valid criticisms depending on what part of the queer community you’re in and what your expectations are. My point here is that it’s all “bad rep.” I mean that seriously. If anyone reading this is scrambling for the comment section to say why [insert media title here] is actually fantastic rep, I guarantee that someone disagrees. Or if they don’t, give it some time. Just wait until the characterization becomes offensively outdated, or another part of the story ruins the relationship, or it comes out that the author did something truly horrific, or the terminology changes and it’s labeled as “problematic” now… just wait. At some point, any rep we feel is good rep now will be criticized, cancelled, and dragged through the mud. The rep that I personally haven’t seen much push-back against—like the beloved Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who, or Schitts Creek that just won a ton of awards—is wrapped up in the criticism, “So it’s all just about able-bodied, cis, (mostly) white dudes, huh? :/” Even the argument that queer characters need to be written by queer authors doesn’t hold up. I absolutely adored Sense8. “Wow, a gay main character in a loving relationship with another gay man, both of whom enter a loving poly relationship with a woman, another lesbian trans main character who marries the love of her life on screen, an entire cast arguably queer due to them sharing orgy scenes centered around the emotional intimacy they share, everyone survives, and this was written by two trans women! Great, right?” Well, not according to the wealth of opinions explaining how Sense8 is horrible rep, actually. Every piece of rep we’ve got is either currently flawed or will become flawed in the future.
So what do we do with that?
That’s where my “I’d rather have bad rep than no rep at all” comes in. For me, that’s not waving the white flag. That’s not an oath that I won’t expect better rep in the future (I do) or that I won’t criticize the rep we get (BOY DO I), but rather just an acknowledgement of reality. The vast majority—if not the entirety—of rep is “bad rep” in one way or another, but I’d still rather have it than nothing at all. Because I’ve lived just long enough and studied media just enough to know what nothing looked like. It was watching all queer characters meet untimely deaths. Before that it was watching queer characters be derided and treated as jokes. Before that it was nothing but coding, where queer characters didn’t exist except in our own headcanons and interpretations. Obviously “bad rep” covers a very large range of issues and “They haven’t even confirmed this relationship yet” is a bigger issue than “This queer character embodies one or two, mild stereotypes,” but ultimately I’d take any of it over nothing at all. And enjoying what we’ve currently got doesn’t mean I’m willing to settle for it indefinitely.
To use an iffy analogy, imagine there’s a factory. This factory makes plates. So. Many. Plates. Big plates, small plates, plain plates, decorative plates, plates for every possible occasion in your life—and everyone with a steak for dinner is pleased as punch. You though? You’ve got soup. You need a bowl. Your entire life you’ve been struggling to eat your soup off a plate (it doesn’t work) and listening to friends and family claim that the plate with a slightly raised edge could be a bowl if you squint (it’s not). To say it’s frustrating is an understatement.
But then, one day, the factory starts producing bowls too. Hurray! Except as soon as you get your hands on one, you’re told you really shouldn’t be using it, let alone praising it. Look at the state of that bowl! It’s cracked right down the middle, ugly as hell, shoddily made all around… you’re not really going to settle for that, are you? And no, you obviously still want the factory to produce better bowls, but at the same time, this is a bowl. You’ve never gotten one before and you can finally enjoy your meal, even if the soup leaks at times. Sometimes a lot. But you’re still feeling better about your meal than you ever have before. And what you then begin to realize is that lots of the plates are a mess too. They also have cracks, they’re also ugly, many are also shoddily made. The difference is that the factory is producing so many plates at such a rapid pace that every steak eater is able to get by. One plate breaks completely? You’ve got a thousand fallbacks. Don’t like the look of this one? A thousand other options. You disagree about what “shoddily made” means? Luckily there are enough plates that everyone can find what they prefer! But the bowls… there’s only a few. Some are really expensive. Others are only available for a limited time before they suddenly disappear. Your bowl breaks and you have to wait months, years sometimes, to get another one. You’re constantly told to go buy this one obscure bowl no one else has heard about and yeah, you like it... but you’d also like to buy one of the bowls everyone is already enjoying. You find yourself looking at the plates and thinking, “I’d like that. I’d like to have so many options that the flaws, while still a problem, are much more bearable.” You’re still going to demand that the factory get its shit together, you’re still going to (rightly) complain about the awful quality of your bowl… but it’s still nice to have a bowl, period. There are still things you like about it, even if it’s a mess: the color, the size, the beauty of the shape of it. Its potential. You’re still pleased you have something to enjoy and that helps serve the need you’re looking to fill, even if that something is imperfect.
That’s “bad rep is better than no rep.” To bring this very long response back to Blake/Yang, I don’t think their problems negate their benefits. Is their relationship currently non-canonical and filled with a number of writing issues everyone has a right to be angry about? Yup. I express that anger a great deal. Are they still half of a team on a very popular show that is (presumably) set to be canonized as queer? Yup. I’d much rather live in a world where big shows like RWBY try to include queer rep and fail in a multitude of ways—with the expectation and hope that they’ll continue to improve—rather than in a world where authors a) don’t care or b) are too scared to try. Because that’s where a “good rep or no rep” stance leads. The danger isn’t homophobes because they’re, well, homophobes. It doesn’t matter if the rep is good or not, they hate it on principle. But if queer authors writing for other queer identities, or allies writing queer identities, or even queer authors writing their own experiences (like in Sense8) continually come under non-stop fire for their attempts… there’s a good chance that many people won’t ever try. We’re already seeing that here on tumblr with young authors admitting that they wouldn’t touch [insert topic here] with a ten-foot pole because just look at what happens when you get it wrong. And authors will get things wrong because authors are fallible people forever unlearning their own ignorance. So though it might sound strange coming from a blog that has turned into such a RWBY critical space, I am glad that RWBY’s queer rep exists, despite all the frustrations that I share about it. I think a RWBY with various types of “bad” queer rep is better than a RWBY with no queer rep at all, particularly when “bad” or “good” is so intensely subjective. There’s a middle ground between passively accepting whatever we’re given, and tearing into rep with such ferocity that we end up rejecting it all. There’s a space where we can be critical of rep and embrace the parts that work for us, simultaneously.
I hope and expect the het rep will get better too, but… that’s never going to happen instantly. To quote RWBY, there’s no magic wand we can wave to fix all our problems. Rather, it will take slow, plodding, meandering, lifetimes’ worth of work to see that change occur and I personally don’t want to spend the one life I have waiting for that perfect rep to show up. Because it’s unlikely that it will. While we work, I’d rather find the good in what rep we’ve already got.
43 notes
·
View notes
Text
Tongue Tied
Inspired by true events
“Y/N,” James seemed to bark, snapping Y/N back into reality. She had been sat recording some material for a popular late night talk show and the group had veered into unknown territory for her. Something about the discomfort of one of the other guests having to shoot a very intimate scene in front of their partner’s spouse. Y/N had never been put in such a situation and felt it would have been better to remain quiet on her end of the couch.
“Yes!” She laughed, startled at the sudden call of her name.
“I’ve heard that you throw massive, major parties,” James smiled, his cards covering his mouth as he leaned back into his seat.
“Kind of,” Y/N answered with suspicion, eyeing the audience, “I mean, they’re not that big-”
“No, they’re massive! We had Derek on a few months ago and he said that you have a venue with three different rooms just for different genres of music,” James spoke feverishly, his hands outstretched.
“I mean,” Y/N trailed as she shuffled in her seat, “yeah... but he’s making it seem a lot bigger than it is-”
“I have never been so offended in my life to not have received an invitation,” James threw his hands up.
“You would come?” Y/N laughed, clasping her hands in front of her crossed legs.
“You say that like it’s absurd? Have you got something against fuller bodied men dancing the night away? Do you think I’ll embarrass you?” James jokingly scoffed.
“I didn’t get an invitation, either,” Harry piped from the other end of the couch, raising his index finger.
That was one voice Y/N had been trying to ignore the entire night. She had been a fan ever since she was younger and had done a good job of avoiding meeting the celebrity at other gatherings. She had not been sure how she would act if she ever had the opportunity to properly meet him and decided on playing it safe by actively avoiding events and locations she knew he frequented. That was until one of the producers on the Late Late show had lied to her about Harry’s presence on the show that particular night.
Everyone seemed to know of Y/N’s plans to avoid Harry Styles and took great joy in trying to get the two in a room. Judging by how flustered Y/N would even get when the young man’s name was brought up, everybody thought it would be a delight to surprise her with his presence. She had done a wonderful job of wising up to everybody’s intentions, so far. She had started to decline last minute invitations for random parties from her close friends ever since that one incident. She had had a little wine in her system and been grinding on one of her gyrating friends one night—as a joke—when someone had started recording on their phone. It was when she went to look up from her friend pretending to spank her, to see Harry enter the party. The video was quite amusing, seeing her eyes widen in fear as she’s filmed booking it out of frame. Since then, whenever she would decline sudden invitations to gatherings, she would wake up to see that he had attended said event the next morning while scrolling through her social media feed. She knew why her friend, Florence, would try to arrange last minute brunches with her as Y/N knew Florence’s boyfriend was great friends with Harry and had shared in Florence’s attempts to get her to meet him. She had gone about two years of avoiding the male, but, alas, here she was two cushions over from him. She blamed her sudden bout of placidity on the fact that she didn’t want to say or do anything embarrassing in front of him, but James had kept poking fun at her and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
“Then is it just against the British, Y/N?” James scowled.
“Well, most people that come out are either very Hispanic or love latin music and are, like, professional dancers,” Y/N’s face burned as she explained.
“What? Do we not look like professionals?” James egged her on.
“No, I’m sure you’re great dancers. But, it’s also back in San Francisco,” Y/N reasoned with a little shrug of her shoulders, “you would make the trip out?”
“Invite us, and you’ll find out,” James commented with a little giggle, “no, seriously, though, do you really need three different rooms?”
“Well, if people prefer one specific genre it’s kinda nice,” Y/N explained.
“Like what?” Harry asked, trying to make eye contact with the woman that had been avoiding his gaze since the beginning of the show.
“Eh, last time we had one for salsa, bachata, and tropical, and the main room had food and, like... I don’t mean to sound crass, but like... white people music,” Y/N grimaced at the term, “I’m sorry! I don’t know how else to describe it. They also play other music, but more like music that you can kind of... I don’t know...”
“That’s very offensive, Y/N,” James gawked before laughing out.
“Like top 40!” Harry came to Y/N’s rescue.
“Yes, like top 40!” Y/N laughed, and Harry smiled at her nose scrunching in the process.
“So there were four rooms, in total?” James suddenly realized.
“Yes, but it sounds bigger than it really is,” Y/N shook her head, .
“Oh, stop minimizing the party you didn’t invite us to,” James narrowed his eyes at Y/N.
“I’ll make sure to invite you to the next one; we have great food, too,” Y/N leaned back in her seat, uncomfortable with being called out for something she didn’t know she had done wrong.
“I hate that that’s where your mind automatically went,” James feigned offense. In all reality, James knew how timid Y/N was being and the reasoning behind it. He knew her character and knew she would never say anything to offend him, but he was enjoying taking advantage of the situation.
“No! That’s not what I meant,” Y/N’s eyes seemed to bug out of her skull.
“And for your information, I’m quite the athlete when it comes to dancing,” James turned his nose up at Y/N.
“Athlete? What all do you know how to dance?” Harry rolled his eyes as he reached for his drink that had been set on the coffee table in front of them.
“I can absolutely murder the dance floor whenever white people music comes on,” James earned a laugh from the audience, “Y/N what are you best at? Or do you know all of the ones you mentioned?”
“Sort of,” Y/N smiled and shrugged, “I’m better at others, but nothing too fancy. I know, like, the basics of a lot of them just because my mom knew so much and taught me, growing up.”
“Here at Late, Late, we do not tolerate liars,” James began before turning to the monitor behind him, “and Derek sent us this and I’d like to see what you have to say.”
A clip came on where Y/N had been shown being led by one of her companions around a dance floor, making Y/N laugh out.
“Explain that, Y/N!” James pointed at the monitor, “’nothing too fancy’—that’s professional. What’s that, then? Bit of salsa?”
“Yes... but I’m actually not that good at it,” Y/N explained.
“I hate you,” James teased, “could you teach us something?”
“Sure... Now?” Y/N questioned, raising her brows.
“Yeah, you know just something quick and very complex,” James laughed as Y/N looked over to a producer that had been waving at the group to start wrapping up, “eh... our producers are waving at us. Can we do a little something when we come back?”
“I’ll teach you when you come to the next one,” Y/N offered after they got a negative response from one of the producers.
“I’m already looking forward to it,” James responded before turning to outstretch his hand to Harry, “will you be my date?”
“If I’m invited, yes!” Harry grabbed a hold of James’ hand before the two turned to look at Y/N.
“Of course! Did you want one, as well?” Y/N quickly diverted attention to the long forgotten third guest who had been seated between her and Harry.
The rest of the show went along smoothly enough; with Y/N staying somewhat reserved and not making even more of a complete fool of herself. The show had soon wrapped and she was soon caught in a storm of questions and demands from her team as they swept her away from set. She tried to politely excuse herself with one last general farewell, but was enamored with how Harry had reached out to shake her hand and tell her it had been nice to meet her. She felt light headed as she was urged to continue away to the room that had been assigned to her, backstage.
+ + +
“Was that really so bad, now?” Martin, the producer that had invited her onto the show, came walking into her dressing room as Y/N and her team had started to pack up.
“I made a complete and utter fool of myself,” Y/N cried out, covering her face with her palms, “I actually said white people music!”
“He knew you didn’t mean it like that,” Martin brushed off her embarrassment as he leaned in the doorframe.
“I can’t believe you did that to me; I’m just thankful I didn’t pass out,” Y/N remarked as her hands dropped to her side before she reached out to grab a hold of one of her bags.
“He thought you were lovely,” Martin rolled his eyes, “and he’s really looking forward to that invitation, Y/N.”
“What makes you say that?” Y/N furrowed her brows as more people seemed to shuffle out of the room.
“I heard him ask James to let him know if you ended up sending the invitation, since you didn’t take his number,” Martin grinned as he crossed his arms over his chest, “even after James told him he wouldn’t want to make the trip out there. Said he’s genuinely curious as to how such a gathering would go, but I think he’s just taken a liking to you.”
“How? I barely spoke the entire time we were in the same room,” Y/N huffed out.
“Dunno; maybe he knows you’re a fan and wants to make your wildest dreams come true,” Martin wiggled his brows at her, earning a scoff from Y/N.
“Can we talk about this nonsense later?” Y/N widened her eyes before going to wrap her arm around Martin.
“Fine; was nice seeing you,” Martin hugged her back, “let me know when the next shin-dig is so I can tell your boyfriend.”
“Oh my God,” Y/N laughed as she made her way to the hallway.
+ + +
A few weeks later, Y/N’s phone had startled her when it rang out in the middle of a dinner she had planned with some friends. Upon glancing at the device, she found Martin’s name at the top of the message, but thought nothing of it and forgot of its existence—she didn’t like having her phone out at dinner, in the first place. It wasn’t until the next morning when she had unlocked her phone to find the message:
H is asking if there’s any word on that party ... What shall I tell him?
Under the first message was:
I’ll give him your number ???
Y/N chewed on her lower lip as she wondered if Martin had already gone through with giving Harry her number and if there were any negatives to his suggestion. She didn't see why not...
Morning! Sorry; just saw your message! Yeah; go ahead! ☺️
She sent the message and hoped she wouldn’t make even more of a complete fool of herself. It wasn’t too long before Martin sent her a screenshot of what appeared to be his messages with Harry:
Ask her!! 628-555-0890
Hey! Thanks mate! Do you think it okay, though? Not creepy, or anything?
jfc these things used to be so simple; she won’t bite
Y/N laughed out at the screenshot before she got a notification from an unknown number:
Hello! How are you? Martin gave me your number, I hope that’s okay.
And then immediately seconds after:
Sorry, this is Harry.
Y/N could not help but gush at the message and had a sudden realization that Harry Styles had just messaged her—HARRY STYLES HAD JUST MESSAGED HER. It wasn’t long before she started getting into her own head. She thought she wasn’t interesting enough to respond with something smart or enticing and wished he really hadn’t messaged her, in the first place. She had no idea how to respond to that... He didn’t give her much to go off... She started panicking.
Hi ☺️ I’m doing well! How’ve you been? Of course, I told him to ☺️ I haven’t gotten around to planning the next gathering, yet, but I’ll definitely let you know when we start looking into it ☺️
Three smiley faces were too much, wasn’t it? She didn’t know... She decided to keep the one at the end in and blindly pressed the blue send button. God, she hoped that wasn’t too short or long. She really wished Martin hadn’t put her in such a situation... She found herself laughing at the memory of Kim Kardashian crying about Kourtney knowing she felt uncomfortable in certain situations and putting her in them, anyways. This guy knew Kendall Jenner intimately... God, Y/N really wished Martin hadn’t done this to her.
Okay—sorry, hope I'm not coming off as a creep. Just knew I would forget if I didn’t get your number from Martin. I’m actually really curious to see what it looks like.
Y/N sighed out, not knowing if she should respond. There was nothing more to say... right? They weren’t best friends so that she could send something else about her day to him. At least he had left it open, so she could potentially try to strike up a conversation... but she was so bad at these things. She would surely end up coming off as the creepy one.
Well, I’m glad you reminded him, then! We'll have good music and the food’s always amazing; definitely bring comfortable and/or stretchy pants 😂
She was annoyed at how fast she just sent the message. Wasn’t there a rule to these things to ensure you didn’t look desperate? There came a lull in the time that Harry took to respond to her. She loathed how many times she checked that her ringer was on and pressed her lock button to ensure she hadn’t missed any notifications. It wasn’t until later that afternoon when another notification from Harry came through her device.
Haha will do, looking forward to it
She scrunched her nose at the message. She had been too weird; she was sure of it. This is why you shouldn’t meet your heroes—sure there’s a chance they’ll be absolute rubbish people but it’s worse when you end up being the rubbish person, isn’t it? She didn’t save his number and left the chain of messages at that. Maybe she would put an end to such gatherings so she never had to speak to him again.
+ + +
“Okay, so we have about 250 people on the list right now,” Jamie, one of Y/N’s assistants spoke between sips of her iced coffee, “are there any other people I should add?”
“Everything else was approved? The venue’s available that day?” Y/N asked as she picked at the manicure she had gotten earlier that week.
“Yep, Magno said he clears any events on days the boss throws one of her big shin digs,” Jamie laughed at the memory of Y/N’s uncle.
“And the caterers agreed to the price?” Y/N choked out as she looked up from her hands.
“Yes... What’s up with you? You’re never this careful with this stuff,” Jamie noted with a furrow of her brows, “what’s going on?”
“No, I’m just making sure that there’ll be an actual party in a few days,” Y/N cleared her throat as she straightened in her chair.
“Who’re you waiting last minute to invite?” Jamie questioned, her tone accusing. There had, on occasion, been one or two people that had gotten absolutely smashed at one of Y/N’s parties and her method to ensure they didn’t ruin an upcoming event with drunken slurs or fights with other guests was inviting them day of said event.
“Nobody,” Y/N laughed as she looked back to her twiddling fingers.
“Wait a second,” Jaime narrowed her eyes as her fingers went to frantically type at the keys of her computer, “I just control effed this mother for Harry and nothing came up... You’re procrastinating inviting the love of your life to this thing? What the hell?”
“Don’t call him that,” Y/N laughed. She really wished she hadn’t made such a promise on national television. It was all that had flooded her social media feed for the first few days after the incident, and every now and then she would be questioned about when the next party was and if she had invited Harry and James.
“This thing is in three days; even if you invited him now, it’ll be a miracle he doesn’t have anything going on... Is he even in La La Land?” Jamie shook her head at Y/N.
“I don’t know,” Y/N sighed as she stretched her legs out, in front of her seated body, “I just don’t want to embarrass myself in front of him.”
“Look, you already embarrassed yourself back on the show and he still wants the invitation? Doesn’t he deserve more than three days notice?” Jamie pressed.
“Fine; you invite him,” Y/N rolled her eyes.
“You’re going to wish you didn’t allow me access to your iCloud sign on,” Jamie smirked before her fingers went to type at her keys once more.
“Jaime... What... What does that mean, what are you doing?” Y/N fearfully questioned as she rose from her seat and ran over to where her assistant sat typing on her computer.
“God, bring stretchy pants? Not okay, Y/N,” Jaime acknowledged as Y/N peered over her shoulder to see her assistant had already logged into Y/N’s iMessage account and had pulled up her conversation with Harry, “I’m going to put ‘Hey, Harry; hope you've been well! Just wanted to let you know the next get together is going to be on Friday. Hope you can make it. Blushing, smiley face emoji...’ Sweet and simple. Yes?”
“I mean,” Y/N droned before earning a glare from Jaime, “okay, fine.”
About fifteen minutes later, Jaime squealed with delight at the notification that had popped up in the right corner of her computer.
Nice! I’ll be in town this weekend! What’s the physical address?
“Ooh! This is so cute,” Jamie gushed as she went to respond to his message.
“I’m going to embarrass myself,” Y/N kept repeating.
“You already have and he’s still coming back for more. I don’t want to hear it,” Jaime rolled her eyes as she sat back and watched the little gray bubble pop up, insinuating Harry’s typing.
Thank you! I’ll be seeing you! Take care x
“He signed off with an x, Y/N,” Jamie squealed as her hands went to squeeze Y/N’s sides.
“I know,” Y/N whined.
“What are you going to wear?” Jaime turned to look at an already very distraught Y/N.
+ + +
Harry was nervous, which had become something of a rarity, anymore. He had consulted one of his friends—one that had been well known in the fashion industry—about what he would wear for the evening. He wanted to look nice... but not like he tried to look a certain way. He was embarrassed for such a thought process and thought it ridiculous that he cared so much about the clothing he had on his body for the night. He knew there were more important things to worry about in the world but, in his defense, he had never felt this way before.
It all had to do with this one girl. About a year previously, he had begun to see her all over his Instagram feed. A few of his friends had recently befriended her and she seemed to suddenly appear in a variety of their posts. At first, he found it a little odd that there was someone so involved with his friends that he didn’t know or hadn’t heard of. He hadn’t thought much about it the first few weeks she had popped up in said photos. He had seen her hair or profile floating in the background of some of his bandmates’ posts, her laugh recorded as she filmed some of his companions videos, and this majestic and oddly captivating smile popping up in a dozen other photos. That was what had first drawn him in, if he was being completely honest. He thought her lips were a peculiar shape; but in a good way. They were a nice contrast to the sculpted ones that seemed to crowd his social media feeds. Harry was not one to judge others for their decision to change their features. He figured if something bothered somebody so much, they were entitled to change what they needed to feel better about themselves. Hers, in particular, though... Well, nobody could achieve the naturally round shape by means of filler, he thought.
He was absolutely enticed by a video in particular where Alexa, one of his close friends, had filmed while approaching her as she stood, arranging flowers in a vase. It seemed to be in somebody’s grand foyer, but Harry wasn’t as interested in all the grandeur that had surrounded her. He was ashamed to say he had studied the video for a lot longer than he would have liked to. Her hair looked like it had been held together by one of those silk scarves he had seen tied on various overpriced bags. She bore an oversized tee shirt as she worked in her space of plant clippings and, what seemed to be, forgotten stems. She spoke of line, or dimension, or something but all he could focus on was the way her lips curved when her joke about sunflowers being flowers for sons failed.
“That was so bad, oh my God,” came her laugh as she shook her head and went back to whatever she had originally intended to explain. He noticed she liked to use her hands while she articulated her thought process.
Another one of the many videos in existence had played a recording of her singing "I Just Called To Say I Love You” to one of their friends as a voicemail. Harry couldn’t believe the emotion it stirred inside of him. It was the most endearing little voice that hardly broke, and the little giggle at the end pulled at his heartstrings and he wasn’t sure why. There was this thought nagging at the back of his mind that he could get really invested in this girl if he allowed himself.
One day, he had to go against his better judgement and had tapped on her handle in one of the many tagged photos he had seen. Her profile popped up so easily and he knew he was doomed. One shot was of her sprawled across a bed, her bare legs kicked up against the headboard, feet covered in red fuzzy slippers as she seemingly read John Boyne’s The Heart's Invisible Furies. He had done little research on the book before he got a confirmation e-mail on his purchase.
Another image depicted her sitting cross legged on the floor, surrounded by a sea of various sized and shaped seashells. He couldn't help but smile at at the image of her in jeans, topless while holding up two shells over either side of her chest. She had captioned it “What the shell?”. It wasn’t funny; but he found himself eventually laughing at the caption.
It was a real slippery slope that he had fallen down. He knew better than to poke around in somebody’s social media accounts, yet there he was—laughing and gushing at the dozens of photos she had posted. There weren’t many likes on the photos and her follower count was nothing to boast about. He wondered what she did for work... There was nothing written in the little biography section and he wouldn’t allow himself to look her up on any other forms of media. He wondered how she had met so many of the people he knew.
“She was working with one of those self-help magazine column things,” Alexa had informed him over brunch one sunny afternoon.
“S'very LA,” Harry chuckled to himself, and he wasn’t sure why, but he felt badly after the words came out of his mouth.
“No, she’s not like that. She refuses to move out here; lives in San Francisco—says it gives her less anxiety,” Alexa explained as she took a bite of her veggie burger, “anyways, I guess she was working on writing or producing some documentary series with some director—Larraín, I think—and I guess he liked her so much he offered her a big gig in one of his films a couple years back.”
“Ah,” came Harry’s understanding nod. He had never heard of the man, but was surprised to hear such a drastic change of careers.
“Guess she’s a bit of a fan,” Alexa shrugged as she looked around the restaurant they had been seated at, “Florence keeps trying to get you two in the same room. You saw that video Maggie posted of Florence’s shin dig a few months ago?”
“Yeah! Got all spooked or summat,” Harry furrowed his brows as he shoveled some of the rice he had ordered earlier into his mouth.
“Well, I guess,” Alexa stopped as her eyes widened and her lips curved into a grin, “someone’s been cyber stalking.”
“Ah, s’nothing,” Harry’s cheeks burned as he reached for his water.
“Anyways, no, I guess she was mortified because you walked in,” Alexa burst into laughter.
“Me?” Harry gasped, pointing at himself in disbelief.
“Yeah,” Alexa continued to chortle before coughing into her fist, “m’telling you; she’s quite a fan.”
“Huh,” came Harry’s response as he took a drink from his water, “s’interesting.”
It hadn’t been long before he had joined in on everybody’s attempts to get into the same room as the female. Eventually, he had found out through James Corden that a producer on his show was great friends with Y/N, and the rest had been history.
He felt ridiculous as he stood in front of his mirror staring at the clothing that had been sent to him earlier that day. He groaned as he forcefully shedded the blazer from his shoulders and went in search for something more casual.
+ + +
It had already been a pretty long morning for Y/N. She had been waken at six in the morning by Jamie claiming one of the vendors fell through and was demanding a larger sum of money if Y/N really wanted them to serve food at her gathering. A groggy eyed Y/N had wandered into her study to find the contract she had drawn up with the business and had gotten them on the phone within thirty minutes bringing up the terms of contingencies the two had agreed upon. It had taken a bit of haggling on both ends, but Y/N finally got the company to agree to their original terms. It was ten by the time Y/N had just started to fall asleep when Benny, one of the decorators, had messaged Y/N about a missing table. From then on, it seemed one miniature disaster occurred one after the other. Never in the time Y/N had held such events had so many things gone wrong last minute. Thankfully, she was able to resolve most of the pop up problems, but by the time Y/N was supposed to be getting ready for the night, she felt as though she could drop at any given moment with how exhausted she felt. She had jumped back into bed and set an alarm for a thirty minute snooze, but even that had been interrupted by Jamie calling her to open her front door. The designer of the outfit Y/N agreed to wear for the night had mixed up her measurements and the fit was all out of proportions. So, Y/N and Jamie had frantically started going through her closet to see what possible contenders there were for the night. Naturally, Jamie had wanted Y/N to wear her most revealing dress, but Y/N wouldn’t allow it. She insisted that such an outfit wouldn't allow her to dance as comfortably as something a little more sensible. The two compromised as Y/N finally settled for a calf length, flowy dress that was low cut and had cut outs around her midsection.
Thankfully, Y/N had made it to the venue on time to help set up, iced soy latte in hand—Jamie had insisted on the way over when she saw Y/N nodding off in the passenger seat. Magno had chewed Y/N out for having come in so early, again. He always told her they had things handled so she could literally “roll up with everybody else.” Y/N usually always replied how she liked to see everything set up before people arrived, anyways, so it was usually, really no bother. This particular day, though, she really wished she had taken her uncle up on such an offer.
The sun had started to set when people started flooding in. Y/N didn’t know how to act. Usually, she would already be pulling people into rooms and forcing them to dance with her, whether they liked it or not. She would circle around greeting friends and their plus ones, telling them what her favorite foods to order were and what drinks to try at the bar. With Harry coming, though, Y/N had to fight the urge to plant herself at the entrance just to catch a glimpse of him. Honestly speaking, despite her best efforts to speak with everyone who participated in her festivities, there were nights when a friend would message her the next day saying that they were sorry they weren't able to talk to her and to plan something in the future. She hoped that wouldn’t be the case with Harry, but the more people that started showing up, the more she had begun to be pulled every which way by her guests. Jamie had assured her that she would be on the look out for the male, but Y/N had thought that a little unfair and told Jamie not to worry about it and to enjoy herself, instead.
“Y/N! Odie wants you to head back to the kitchen for something special,” Jamie had come up behind Y/N while she stood chatting with some companions.
“Hm? Oh, okay,” Y/N seemed flustered as Jamie grabbed a hold of her hand and pulled her away from her friends, “what? Did he walk in?”
“Hm? Oh,” Jamie nervously chuckled to herself as the two continued walking towards the back of the venue, “eh... no... Odie really does have something for you, but I’m sure he’ll be here any minute.”
“He’s not coming,” Y/N sighed before shaking her head, “it’s really better that he doesn’t. I’d make a fool of myself.”
“Oh my God, stop being so dramatic,” Jamie began before the two were interrupted by one of Y/N’s acquaintances.
“Y/N, Y/N, Y/N,” came Daphne’s frantic chants as Y/N and Jamie turned to face the young woman, “you have to come with me right now.”
“Why? What’s going on?” Y/N furrowed her brow, thinking something else had gone wrong.
“Mikka just spotted him at the back entrance; come on,” Daphne grabbed a hold of Y/N’s forearm before pulling her towards the direction she had come from.
“Wait,” Jamie pulled Y/N the other way.
“Jamie!” Y/N yelped from being caught in the middle of such a tug of war.
“Sorry,” Jamie laughed before gaining her composure, “I feel like going over there now makes her look desperate.”
“What? No way!” Daphne rolled her eyes.
“It makes it seem like she had people watching for him,” Jamie reasoned.
“I mean, I kinda did,” Y/N shrugged.
“It does not! It’s polite to greet your guests,” Daphne argued.
“Yeah, but not the moment they step foot into the party! Shouldn’t he seek her out?” Jamie tried to dispute.
“He already has by coming in the first place,” Daphne narrowed her eyes and shook her head. The two friends had started going back and forth on what would be considered appropriate while Y/N’s head started to throb with all the decision making she had already had to do throughout the day, and the blasting music in the background. It was when Y/N looked up from rubbing her sinuses when she felt her heart skip a beat. Just a few feet away was Harry, stood speaking with some woman she didn’t recognize. In perfect Harry fashion, he looked jaw droopingly gorgeous. Y/N was sure if any other man on the planet had attempted to sport his outfit, they would have looked ridiculous. However, as always, Harry could pull anything off. She suddenly remembered the subject matter her friends were currently debating and hoped to God the music was too loud for him to overhear them.
“You guys,” Y/N interjected before the two females neared Y/N to better hear the words she spoke, “don’t look; he’s right there.”
“Oh, my God,” Daphne gasped as she immediately looked over to where Y/N had nodded.
“She literally said not to look,” Jamie scolded before rolling her eyes.
“I can’t help it; he’s the literal love of my life,” Daphne seemed to sob, “Y/N, you'd better go over there before he gets mobbed... by me.”
“Daphne’s right, go say hi,” Jamie nodded.
“But,” Y/N tried to buy some time before her friends pushed her away from them, closer to where Harry stood. Y/N tried to recover her balance on her heels from the push as she looked over her shoulder to see them giving her encouraging smiles and a thumbs up. God, she hoped he didn’t see that. As she approached the couple ahead, she couldn’t help but feel the lightest tinge of jealousy creeping over her at the woman that stood so closely to him. Then she started to feel as though she would be interrupting an intimate chat if she were to just walk up to the pair to say hello. She decided against greeting him as she tried to find the nearest person to glob onto before actually catching his eye. The way he smiled at her made her face burn and she knew she would have to think of something intelligent or interesting to say—quick. She watched as he said something to the woman he was with before she nodded and left him. This was sure to mean that she could approach him... right?
“Hi!” Was all Y/N could muster as she smiled at Harry. She wasn’t sure if she should go for the hug or handshake, and so there was this awkward carrying on where Harry had gone in for the embrace while Y/N stuck out her arm. Then came the same predicament only with the two swapping actions. Harry finally grabbed Y/N’s hand in his own hands to greet her.
“Sorry; didn’t want to interrupt over there,” Harry nodded over to where Daphne and Jamie were not even attempting to hide the fact that they were trying to eavesdrop on the two.
“Oh, no! That’s fine; they were just telling me whether or not I should head over here and whether it would make me look desperate,” Y/N rolled her eyes.
“Desperate?” Harry cocked his head, his lips grinning.
“They like to overanalyze everything; they think just because you’re here tonight, you want to get in my pants or something,” Y/N laughed before realizing what she had just said and really wishing she hadn’t come in so early. She must have been delirious; she could get real open and chatty when she was exhausted. All Harry could do was laugh.
“Sorry, must be a little delirious or something. I haven’t even had a lick to drink tonight,” Y/N nervously laughed.
“S’fine! Sorry, I was late! I forgot what traffic can be like over here on the weekend,” Harry rolled his eyes, “but thank you for inviting me!”
“Oh, it’s no problem,” Y/N anxiously laughed, “James didn’t want to come?”
“No, s’too much of a scrooge,” Harry laughed, “you look great!”
“Please! Look at you,” Y/N beamed as she gave him a once over.
“Eh,” Harry shrugged his shoulders, rolling his eyes, “they’re not stretchy pants, was afraid I’d overdressed.”
“Oh, my god! I can’t believe I said that. No, Latinos live for this kind of stuff; it’s like their Paris Fashion Week, so you might be a little underdressed, if anything,” Y/N joked as her wrist went to nudge at Harry’s arm.
“Is that what it is?” Harry laughed as he looked around at all the people that had started looking their way.
“Yeah,” Y/N noticed the eyes that had gravitated their way, “have you gotten anything to eat or drink, yet?”
“No! Didn’t know what to get; there’s so much,” Harry shook his head as his brows raised on his forehead.
“S’not much of a time without a drink! C’mon, let’s get you something yummy,” Y/N smiled as she took hold of Harry’s hand before looking behind her to see her friends still staring at them. She mouthed that the two were headed to the kitchen. The two nodded and shoed them away. It was when Harry had caught up to Y/N’s pace that she had realized she was still holding onto Harry’s hand.
“S’really big!” Harry shouted over the music as Y/N let go of his hand, making Harry look down at the loss of contact. He had debated reaching out for it once more, but thought it ridiculous.
“A lot of people couldn’t make it,” Y/N laughed as they neared the kitchen.
“What?” Harry gaped as he followed. There were fewer people the further they had gotten from where they had met and he felt like Y/N could hear him without having to yell.
“I mean,” Y/N shrugged as her name was suddenly called out and she looked around to wave back at whoever had called her name, “I kinda copied the idea from an event we had back home, and they had twice as many rooms.”
“Twice?” Harry marveled at the girl walking beside him.
“Yeah,” Y/N nodded, smiling at the memory, “it was nice, though! All the vendors in town would pitch in and serve, and even though there were twice as many people, everybody knew each other. Newcomers always came back the next year, and it was just a nice little event everybody looked forward to every year, you know?”
“I’d have liked to see that,” Harry shook his head as the two finally entered the kitchen. Y/N was about to respond but was interrupted.
“Y/N!” Came a shout from somewhere in the back, making Y/N pick up her pace towards the man that had caught sight of her.
“Odie!” Y/N gasped as she spread her arms open to the man before he took her in his arms and leaned back to pick her up from the ground.
“You’ve come to say hello to your amiguinho?” Odie widened his eyes at Y/N.
“Claro!” Y/N’s smile radiated her familiarity with the man before going to plant a kiss on his cheek.
“Ah, meu bem, have you brought me someone to cook for?” Odie asked, the sound of Y/N’s heels landing back on firm ground as he looked around her body at Harry.
“Oh, Odie, this is my friend Harry,” Y/N looked back and signaled for Harry to come closer, “Harry this is Odie.”
“Nice to meet you, Sir Styles,” Odie’s eyes squinted as he smiled at the young man as he stuck out his hand for Harry to take.
“Nice to meet you, Odie,” Harry reciprocated his smile.
“O que ele disse?” Odie furrowed his brows at Y/N.
“Ah, you’ll have to speak up, Harry. Ele é surdo,” Y/N spoke up to Odie, laughing when he elbowed her side, “he can’t hear very well out of his left ear on account of always yelling at people.”
“Feh,” Odie swiped a palm through the air, “makes a good chef.”
“Excuses,” Y/N narrowed her eyes and shook her head, “Jamie said you had something for me.”
“Sim! Vem, vem, vem,” Odie ushered the two over to another section of his kitchen, cursing a few people that had not moved out of his way. Y/N had apologized to those he cursed as she trailed behind Odie. She spoke so softly, if he hadn't been trying, Harry wouldn’t have known she was apologizing.
“I know you couldn’t have them last time, but I finally worked out how to make it sem laticínios,” Odie paused as he turned to the couple behind him, “no dairy.”
“Pasteis de nata?” Y/N gasped as her eyes fell to where a pan of pastries on the counter.
“Sim! Yes,” Odie’s eyes shrank as he gave her his biggest smile, “tente! Try! Please.”
“Odie, obrigado! It smelled absolutely celestial last time, my mouth was watering. I almost threw away cinco anos de veganismo to taste it,” Y/N explained as she reached to grab two of the pastries from the pan before handing the other to Harry.
“What is it? Paste de,” Harry paused as he looked between Y/N and Odie for the answer.
“Pasteis de nata,” Odie answered, as Y/N had already popped the pastry into her mouth, laughing because she couldn’t speak with her mouth so full.
“Pasteis de nata,” Harry repeated before Odie nodded with glee.
“Try!” Odie insisted before Harry went to taste the food.
“Oh, Odie,” Y/N moaned, her eyes rolling, “you’ve outdone yourself! Está perfeito! Que gostoso! E a receita?”
“É um segredo,” Odie shook his head, “you ever want; avise-se me! Call me!”
“S’delicious,” Harry gaped as he went in for another bite.
“I know,” Odie grinned, crossing his arms over her chest, “your new boyfriend?”
“Hm? Oh, no,” Y/N quickly interjected, shaking her head, “actually, can we take one for his date?”
At this point, somebody had called for Odie somewhere within the kitchen and he had cursed under his breath before turning back to Y/N.
“Meu bem, sempre um prazer. Pleasure, pleasure,” Odie gave Y/N another smile as he went to sandwich her hand in his own, “you’ll come and visit, soon?”
“Of course,” Y/N nodded as she laid her free hand on top of his, “muito obrigado por ter vindo.”
“Ah, your Portuguese está melhorando,” Odie shook his head at Y/N, “much better, meu bem. Harry! Foi um prazer conhece-lo; lovely to meet you. Conte-me, what’s your favorite food?”
“Eh,” Harry chuckled, trying to think of something, “eh, I’ll eat pretty much anything, so long as it’s not meat.”
“Okay,” Odie nodded, pensively before being yelled at once more for assistance, “Aff! Okay, I’ll make something and send out! Até logo!”
“Até logo! Thank you,” Y/N smiled as he sent a wave their way before rushing away. Y/N grabbed another small pastry and halved it to share with Harry.
“Date?” Harry scrunched his nose as he turned to look at Y/N, who had already taken a bite from her half.
“Yeah,” Y/N innocently nodded, her hand going to cover her mouth full, looking up to see Harry’s confused features, “the woman... you were speaking to? Before?”
“Oh,” Harry finally spoke after a few moments of trying to remember who he had been speaking to beforehand, “oh, no, that was just someone that just came up to me... you don’t know who it was?”
“No,” Y/N laughed at his expression, clutching her stomach as she did so, “sometimes people bring their friends that I’m not that acquainted with.”
“Ah,” Harry frowned as he put his hand on his hip, “s’that not scare you?”
“Not really,” Y/N shook her head, “it hasn’t been a problem, so far.”
“Well, wish I would’ve known that,” Harry commented with a little shrug of his shoulders.
“Why? Nobody ever asks, they just bring them,” Y/N took another bite from the dish Odie had made for her.
“Hate showing up to places alone,” Harry explained as he looked down at the half of the pastry Y/N had given him, “didn’t want anyone to think they had to entertain me.”
“Ugh, I know,” Y/N squinted and smiled as she bumped his hand with the back of her palm, “sorry, hope you don’t mind my company?”
“No, of course not,” Harry quickly shook his head before a silence came over the two.
“What? You don’t like it?” Y/N nodded toward the pastry he had been holding while blankly looking at her.
“No, s’great,” Harry smiled as he went to take a bite, “think it may be one of the best sweets I’ve ever had... What was it? That he was speaking?”
“Português,” Harry finding it endearing how easily the accent rolled off her tongue, “it’s a beautiful language, no?”
“Yeah... And you speak it?” Harry questioned as he watched her finish her half of the pastry.
“No... at least not fluently. Well, it’s pretty close to Spanish, but m’learning little by little,” Y/N shrugged as she rubbed her hands together to rid them of crumbs, “hate him having to speak another language on my account, he tries so hard. Figured I could put some effort in, as well.”
“Yeah,” Harry nodded, knowingly, “s’cool.”
“You want some actual food, now? I’m already getting a tummy ache with all the junk food I’ve consumed today,” Y/N smiled up at him as he took another bite of the dessert. He laughed as he raised a fist to cover his mouth.
“Sure,” came his muffled response before Y/N nodded for him to follow her. They had made their way to another room where there were a few people jotting down orders and giving people estimates of how long it would take for them to get their food.
“What do you recommend?” Harry asked as the two looked at the various options on various panels of food.
“Everything,” Y/N sighed as her eyes seemed to look for something in particular, “do you like hispanic food?”
“Yeah,” Harry shrugged before Y/N turned to look at him.
“How much spice can you handle?” Y/N questioned, raising her brows at the male.
“Oh,” Harry laughed, “eh... a good amount, I guess?”
“Okay,” Y/N turned back to the menu, “the jackfruit tacos are al pastor and can be quite spicy, so is the pozole... eh, they do a great tamale with mole sauce on top. The pasteles are pretty good... Mmm, there’s a few curry dishes and Odie’s been trying his hand at a few Asian inspired dishes.”
“‘ve got just about everything, don’t you?” Harry wondered, shaking his head. “I don’t know, now. Everything sounds good.”
“How hungry are you?” Y/N asked, a grin pulling at the corners of her mouth.
+ + +
“This is fucking delicious,” Harry groaned out. He had just tasted the tamale Y/N had ordered earlier. It was not the first time he had uttered those words throughout the night. Y/N had ordered them “a little bit of everything” and he was surprised at how much of it the two were able to put away. Within twenty minutes, a platter had been served to them with small servings of various foods. Y/N had told him she had wanted to show him something and had taken all she could in her arms before he had taken the rest in his own. She had led him up a dark flight of stairs before kicking open a door that revealed the venue’s rooftop. The two had taken a seat on the edge of a skylight, the twinkling lights of San Francisco providing enough light for them to see what they were eating—the Golden Gate Bridge was somewhere off in the distance of the fog.
“Feel like you’ve said that about all of it,” Y/N laughed as she reached for the drink she had set in front of her criss crossed legs earlier. Harry had tried what she had called Ponche—a drink infused with cinnamon, apple, and various other fruits. It had proven to be too sweet for him, so Y/N had happily agreed to finish it.
“It just keeps getting better, though,” Harry attempted to explain, “and just when I think that I’ve tried the best, I’ll go back for something else and that’s great, too... How’d you get so many vendors, anyway? I saw one actually came in from LA.”
“Yeah,” Y/N smiled before Harry squints at her.
“You must be something to have people come out so far,” Harry commented with a shake of his head, “even restaurants have a limit to how much money gets shoved at them before they refuse such a long distance to travel.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Y/N shook her head and shrugged as he watched her arm poke from his blazer to grab more food. He had noticed the goosebumps poke through her skin when they first started setting up and had debated offering her his jacket. He liked Y/N. He thought she was sweet and nice to talk to but he didn’t want to be too, as he found Y/N liked to say, cheesy. He had offered, anyways, and the item had been graciously refused by Y/N.
“Then you’ll be cold, and what’s the good in that,” Y/N scrunched her nose, “I’m used to it, anyways.”
Harry would not have it and had made a great show of taking his blazer off before wrapping her in the remnant warmth of his own body. She had laughed (he realized he really liked the sound) and thanked him. It was then that Jamie had interrupted the two, apologetically delivering a sushi roll Odie had sent up before hurrying away—Y/N had rolled her eyes as she called out to her that she was welcome to stay. Jamie had refused and wished them a great rest of their night. As for the sushi roll, Harry had fallen in love. It had tempura carrots and sweet potato with cucumber and Harry was over the moon with the little sweet sauce that had been drizzled over it.
“I hope I don’t sound presumptuous, but you were a fan?” Harry asked as he reached for the Jamaica Y/N had urged him to try. It was a red hibiscus juice that was too bitter for his tongue at the first sip, but it had started to grow on him.
“Oh my gosh, yes,” Y/N furrowed her brows, “I’m surprised I didn’t pass out on the show.”
“Really?” Harry’s brows raised as he sat the cup back down in front of him.
“Yeah, why do you ask?” Y/N asked, cocking her head at him. She had grown suspicious that people had told him of her attempts to avoid him. She was sure Florence had outed her.
“Dunno why, but I can’t peg you as the type,” Harry shook his head.
“Well, what's the type?” Y/N inquired as she popped another bit of tamale into her mouth. He had long been in awe of how she had substituted her fork for chop sticks.
“You know what I mean,” Harry sighed as he leaned back on his hands, his legs outstretched, “you were so calm on the show. Could’ve fooled me... Who was your favorite?”
“Oh my God, I’m not telling you that,” Y/N refused as she tucked some of her hair behind her ear.
“Must have been me then,” Harry narrowed his eyes at Y/N and nodded as he pursed his lips at her.
“Wow,” Y/N gaped as she turned to look at his snickering features, “a little full of yourself, aren’t you?”
“I mean, is there any other reason why you wouldn’t answer the question, Y/N?” Harry shrugged as he turned to look at Y/N. He liked how he looked with his blazer over her shoulders. It almost looked as if it was intentionally a part of her outfit.
“What if it’s one of the other boys and I just don’t want to risk you running off to tell them?” Y/N shook her head as she watched him pop a plantain into his mouth.
“Then Florence must have been lying when she told me you used to have posters of me up on your walls,” Harry shrugged, nonchalantly.
“Oh my God,” Y/N cried out, her hands going to cover her face before they dropped to reveal her annoyed features, “first of all, it was one and I only put it up as a joke.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Harry laughed as the two reached for the last samosa. Harry tsked and Y/N squinted over at him.
“Don’t think just because you were a little fan, I’m just going to let you have it,” Harry shook his head.
“I will physically fight you,” Y/N shook her head.
“Jesus, give a boy a chance, won’t you?” Harry widened his eyes as he went to cough into his elbow.
“Rock, paper, scissors?” Y/N offered with a shake of her head.
“Okay,” Harry shrugged as he turned his body to face her, which she reciprocated. The two chanted the necessary words before Y/N’s hand landed as rock and Harry’s as paper.
“Ah,” Harry cheered as his larger palm went to cover Y/N’s fist, “best two out of three?”
“Okay,” Y/N responded, closing her eyes before the two commenced with their antics. Y/N had won the second round, and for the third, Harry had used “fire,” which had started a bit of an argument.
“No, no. It’s called ‘rock, paper, scissors,’ Harry,” Y/N shook her head as she watched him rub his hands on his thighs.
“It’s fire! It beats everything,” Harry chuckled as he went to grab the samosa.
“Absolutely not,” Y/N playfully argued, “if that’s the case then I want another round where we’re using made up rules, that way I can use the water balloon thing.”
“Okay, Phoebe Buffay,” Harry muttered before giving the samosa to Y/N.
“Here,” Y/N chortled as she tore the turnover in half and handed one of the two to Harry, to which they tapped the two together in cheers.
“What’ve you been listening to lately? I feel like I’ve been listening to the same three songs for the past few months, and it’s getting pretty bleak,” Y/N stated as she looked on toward the city lights.
“Ooh, well I’ve kind of rediscovered my love for the lyricism of some of Joni Mitchell’s-” Harry began before Y/N tensed.
“Joni Mitchell?” Y/N’s brows had furrowed.
“Yeah,” Harry replied as he turned his head to look at her. There was an awkward pause where Y/N seemed to be mulling something over.
“Didn’t she... didn’t she do blackface on one of her album covers?” Y/N asked after swallowing her food, brushing some crumbs from her lap.
“Eh,” Harry didn’t know how to answer the question, “she said that she really identified with-”
“No,” Y/N shook her head, “I... I don’t know... I just feel like that’s not a good enough reason. She hasn’t experienced what they’ve experienced. I think... I think that’s kind of unfair of her to say.”
“Uh,” Harry trailed as he tried to think of what to respond before shaking his head, “no, that... that makes sense.”
There was a moment of silence where Harry wondered if he had just messed everything up.
“I’m sorry, I,” Y/N began before Harry went to fervently shake his head.
“No,” Harry voiced, “you’re completely right. I just... I guess I never thought about it like that, but thank you for bringing it to my attention. I never want to support someone... someone that isn’t... well, considerate, I suppose.”
“No,” Y/N also shook her head, “I haven’t read much more about it. Maybe she apologized... or something. Sometimes I overreact-”
“You didn’t,” Harry assured, his hand going to cover Y/N’s and Y/N couldn’t help but sigh a breath of relief. Her last boyfriend had always gotten so angry when she spoke about such things. It was a breath of fresh air to be heard by someone she admired so much.
“I liked putting a donation box at the front,” Harry quickly changed the subject, “s’a good idea.”
“Right?” Y/N raised her brows and nodded. “Wish I could take credit for it; but Jamie was the one that had suggested it.”
“Jamie seems real nice,” Harry commented as he went in for another bite of samosa.
“Yeah, she’s sweet,” Y/N smiled. The two sat in a comfortable silence where they listened as the song playing beneath them had changed.
“See,” Harry nudged her arm, “what’s this? I can never differentiate between different genres... is that not tasteful to say?”
“No, not at all,” Y/N shook her head, “I had trouble with it when I was younger. This sounds like it’s cumbia.”
“And how’s it danced? How is it different than, like, salsa?” Harry asked, going for the Jamaica, again.
“Mm,” Y/N hummed as she finished chewing and swallowing, “salsa tends to be more front and back, while cumbia is more to the sides, but there’s a few different ways to dance it.”
“Will you teach me?” Harry asked as he set down the cup of red liquid to his side.
“Yeah, sure!” Y/N smiled as she set down what was left of her samosa and slipping Harry’s blazer from her shoulders. “D’ya mind terribly if I lay it on the glass, here? S’okay if you do! Can put it back on. Don’t wanna get it dirty.”
“No, it’s fine!” Harry nodded before the two pushed up from their seat.
“Okay so you can do a simple two steps to either side like this,” Y/N began.
“Okay, but y’can’t poke fun at me, because I know I’ll look ridiculous,” Harry seemed to pout, his hands at his hips.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Y/N almost seemed to scorn before grabbing his hands and urging him to follow her steps, “there you go!”
“Yeah?” Harry asked as he stepped back to look at her feet. “You said there were a few ways; which do you prefer?”
“That I prefer? Mm, you almost want to think like your skipping,” Y/N explained as she crossed one foot over the other, “and then you kick this one out.”
“So you cross this one,” Harry followed as he looked at his own feet before looking to Y/N for further instruction.
“Yeah, and then kick that one out,” Y/N pointed to one of his legs before he followed her direction, “yep, just like that. Then you do the same on the other side. Mm-hm.”
“Just like that?” Harry asked as he carried out a slightly faster pace.
“Yeah! You’ve got it,” Y/N beamed before her hands went to bump his arms up, “and you’ve gotta move those arms. It’s like fifty percent of looking like you know what you’re doing.”
Harry laughed before inquiring on turns, which Y/N roughly helped him get an idea of how to lead a turn. It took a while but Harry was a fast learner. Before too long he was comfortably leading her in a turn, but was confused when Y/N started laughing.
“What? What’d I do?” Harry asked as he searched her features for an answer.
“No, nothing,” Y/N calmed from her previous fit of laughter, “this song’s just funny. He’s talking about marrying a fish, or mermaid, I guess.”
“A mermaid?” Harry cracked a smile at the explanation.
“Yeah, and they have a baby with the face of an angel but the tail of a fish,” Y/N snickers, “but soldiers came one day and accused him of eating her for breakfast. Sorry, it’s not even funny, I don’t know why I’m laughing so much.”
“Of eating her?” Harry gaped before laughing along with Y/N, as his hold on her slips. “What have you got me dancing to, Y/N?”
“Some sick, true crime episode, apparently,” Y/N laughs before Harry grabbed Y/N’s hand.
“I can do a bit of salsa,” Harry smiled with excitement, “and by a bit, I mean a teeny tiny bit.”
“Okay, let’s see it,” Y/N responded as Harry had tried to get her into a ballroom hold, “oh, damn.”
“What?” Harry laughed down at Y/N.
“This is, like, a hold,” Y/N widened her eyes, a soft smile forming amidst her features.
“What’d you mean?” Harry inquired, confused by her phrasing.
“No, it’s just, I’ve never been in, like, a ballroom hold for salsa,” Y/N shrugged, “that’s professional ish.”
“Stop,” Harry rolled his eyes, “how’d you dance it, then?”
“No! I didn’t mean it like that, I’ve just never seen it danced like that, but you learn something new everyday,” Y/N reasoned before bouncing in place.
“Now, I’m embarrassed,” Harry huffed out a laugh, “all I know is you go back and forth.”
“No! M’sorry! Didn’t mean anything by it,” Y/N pleaded, pouting out her bottom lip.
“Oy vey,” Harry rolled his eyes, “you asked for it.”
“What do you mean? S’not bad! It’s a basic salsa step, that’s all you need,” Y/N shrugged as he led her in the little step he knew.
“Yeah, but you were doing way more in that video James showed,” Harry responded.
“Yeah, but that’s a bunch of fluff, mostly for show,” Y/N pursed her lips and shook her head before Harry attempted a turn. It was the wrong way, but Y/N wouldn't call him out on it.
“Sorry m’not a better dancer,” Harry feigned a whimper.
“Me, too,” Y/N joked as Harry gaped at her.
“Hey,” Harry droned out, his features showing a bit of offense as he furrowed his brows at her.
“M’only kidding,” Y/N giggled.
“I’m really trying,” Harry whimpered out, once again, feigning offense.
“Alright, then. I already said you’re a fine dancer, no?” Y/N teased, making Harry's eyes widen in surprise.
“Okay, little Miss Show Off, what else can you show me?” Harry asked.
“You’ve got a real mean streak, you know that?” Y/N replied.
“I’m a dream,” Harry said in a matter of factly tone. Neither had noticed that they had started simply swaying back and forth. The music had changed to something quite slow, and Y/N assumed they had wandered over another room. Y/N had gotten distracted by the view of the city before she turned to see Harry staring at her, a little smile taking over his features. Y/N had a moment where she believed she had to have been stuck in some sort of fever dream.
“What else did you wanna learn?” Y/N stammered, breaking eye contact with Harry.
“Eh, this is quite nice,” Harry shrugged as he pulled Y/N a little closer, “like dancing white people music with you.”
“Please,” Y/N cringed, shaking her head as she fought the urge to laugh, “I can’t believe I said that.”
“I thought it was funny,” Harry shrugged as he went to carefully dip Y/N
“You know, if I didn’t know any better, I would say I’m living an actual sappy, cheesy, fan fiction moment,” Y/N teased as Harry held her body up with a palm to her back.
“I cannot believe you’ve read that smut,” Harry shook his head, mockingly disapproval.
“Why would you jump to that conclusion? I could have been into that cottagecore stuff,” Y/N defended.
“What the fuck is cottagecore? What? Is it people that like to have sex in miniature cottages,” Harry furrowed his brows before yanking Y/N’s body back up to him, where the two were forced to bump noses. This had caused the two to burst into a fit of giggles, Harry reaching out to grab a hold of Y/N’s shoulders and ducking his head to make sure Y/N was alright.
+ + +
“S’this it?” Harry seemed to whisper as he had pulled up to Y/N’s home, her looking out the passenger window to see the familiar sight of her home.
“Yeah,” Y/N sighed as her fingers went to press on the little button that would release the buckle of her seatbelt. Harry and Y/N had stayed on the rooftop for a while longer than either had anticipated. So, when Jamie’s sleepy features had appeared, inquiring as to how the two were, Y/N had jumped up, slipping Harry’s blazer off her shoulders as she tried saying she was ready to leave.
“Sorry, guys, ’ve just had a long day,” Jamie hung her head, apologetically, before going to look at Harry, “you can always talk to her tomorrow.”
“Jamie,” Y/N nervously chuckled as she began folding Harry’s blazer to return to him.
“S’fine,” Harry waved away her attempts to return the piece of clothing, “you can give it to me the next time I see you.”
“Oh, okay,” Y/N smiled as she hesitantly unfolded the blazer to slip back into, chuckling as she did so, “still warm.”
“Or you could drive her home,” Jamie droned, making Y/N’s eyes widen as her head whipped around to glare at Jamie, “you know... so you guys can keep talking. I didn’t want to interrupt your invigorating conversation about... what was it? Volcanoes on the moon?”
“They were a real thing,” Harry insisted, making Y/N smile and narrow her eyes at him, “but, yeah, if you want to head home now, I can drive her a little later.”
“See?” Jamie raised her eyebrows at Y/N before sticking her tongue out at her.
“Okay, well,” Y/N paused as she looked back at Harry, “only if you're sure.”
“Of course,” Harry seemed to sing along.
So, Jamie had made her way back to her vehicle as Harry and Y/N remained on the rooftop, continuing their random subjects of discussions. It hadn’t been long before Y/N had let out a yawn, and Harry insisted that he take her home before she fell asleep on the roof. It was a comfortable ride where Y/N would pipe up with random facts about her hometown as the passed different locations. Harry found it impossible when Y/N had told him the fortune cookie had been invented in San Francisco, but the way she spoke could definitely make him believe anything. He liked seeing her so animated about such random topics.
“Are you staying in town tonight? I really hope you’re not making the trip back tonight—even a flight’s like two hours, no?” Y/N cocked her head at Harry as he knuckled at his eye, one of his rings catching the moonlight and shining in Y/N’s eye.
“No,” Harry shook his head, “staying at a friend’s house and driving back tomorrow.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Y/N nodded her head. She was a little disappointed. In all honesty, if he had said any different, she most likely would have tripped over her hormones to offer for him to spend the night at hers.
“S’fine, really. S’cold out,” Harry spoke lowly and held his palm out in protest as he saw her begin to peel off his blazer, once more.
“It’s not that far of a walk, really,” the apples of Y/N’s cheeks were prominent with the smile she gave him, “thanks... well, it was nice seeing you tonight.”
“It was nice seeing you, thank you for inviting me. I’ve not forgotten our dim sum date at that one place,” Harry pointed a finger at Y/N, accusingly, narrowing his eyes at her.
“No, of course not,” Y/N laughed off his casual use of the term “date,” as she felt her face heat up, “let me know when you’re in town, again.”
“No, you let me know when you’re available,” Harry shook his head as he looked out his windshield.
“Oh, so the ball’s in my court, now?” Y/N teased with a nod of her head.
“Yeah,” Harry nodded, “don’t get me wrong, s’a lovely town... but I don’t come here very often. Don’t know many people, here.”
“Oh, well, if L.A.’s easier,” Y/N began, before Harry chuckled.
“S’not what I meant. I know L.A. makes you nervous,” Harry shook his head at her, knowingly.
“I don’t know why,” Y/N scoffed, “I have to work there so often, but I just hate it. It doesn’t really feel like home, you know? Like I know a lot of people, but it’s not like they’re... I don’t know.”
“No, I get it,” Harry’s lips barely curved into a knowing smile, “d’ya mind terribly if I did something?”
“What?” Y/N questioned before Harry reached over to grab the side of her face in one of his warm palms before he carefully leaned in to connect their lips. She let out an odd noise, it was somewhere between a squeak of surprise and the beginning of sentence. Though it had taken her by surprise, she couldn’t help but smile at the taste of the sweet Jamaica he had slowly started warming up to. He had been the one to pull away, his eyes still closed when she opened hers.
“Sorry,” Harry dimpled, shaking his head, and at this proximity, Y/N could see the little crinkles at the corners of his eyes, “was that okay?”
“Yeah,” Y/N beamed as he finally opened his green eyes to stare into hers, both trying to read emotion on the other’s expression, “was lovely.”
“Yeah,” Harry slowly blinked at Y/N.
+ + +
The next day, ordinarily, would not have been anything special for Y/N. She had worked for a few hours and then had gotten to spend some time with some friends before returning to her home to tidy up. What had been different, though, and what had made all she encountered ask her why she seemed so happy that particular day had everything to do with Harry.
She had waken up to someone at her front door. It had scared her, at first. She hadn’t been expecting anybody so early. She had grabbed a sweater and slid her arms through the sleeves as she bounced down the stairs, brows furrowed as she ran her fingers through her hair, her fingers catching on the knots that had formed overnight. She had unlocked her phone to see who was standing at her doorstep, but had been confused as she saw an empty frame. She debated whether it was worth opening the door to check if whoever had rang the doorbell had rushed away. Something compelled her to do so, anyways. The door had swung open and something on her stoop’s little table captured her attention. There, on the little table, were white lilies wrapped in some brown paper, a little cup of hot liquid, and a small, familiar pastry bag. She knew who it was from judging by the little cup of hot chocolate she had told Harry about the night before. She looked up in time to see a car that resembled the one she rode in the night previously turn around her block.
Later that day, while she had been sorting through her Excel bill sheet on her laptop, her phone had rang out, making her look at the top corner of her screen for the message that had come through.
How was your morning?
Y/N smiled as she set her laptop aside and grabbed her phone. She hadn’t set Harry’s contact information up in her laptop, so it had read his phone number instead of the name she had assigned him in her phone’s contacts. A feeling stirred inside of her as she had the sudden urge to see his face. She wondered if it would be too much to FaceTime him... She had a habit of moving things along too quickly and falling too hard, too fast in the past. They had only just met, but he had been the one to bring her breakfast that morning, afterall...
😂 Was that you? Didn’t want to assume...
She bit her lip in anticipation as she watched the little gray bubble appear and disappear a few times. She was thankful she had disabled her read receipts in the past when the next message swooped in.
Good Gravy Miss Daisy. Hard one to woo, aren’t you, mate?
... don’t like that I used that phrase... please ignore :/
Y/N laughed out at the message that had come directly after the first. She could not believe he had actually took the time to type out the emoticon instead of just using the built in keyboard on his phone for emojis.
I wasn’t about to make an entire fool of myself! If I had thanked you earlier and it wasn’t you, I would have been mortified, you noodle!
A few moments went by, and nothing. Not even the little bubble she had seen the previous time. She had decided to lock her phone and get back to the task she had been doing, picking up her computer and setting it on her lap. She had gone through a few more bills before she looked down at her silent phone to her right. She frowned as her hands went to tie her hair up in a ponytail. She had just pulled the elastic off of her wrist to complete her ponytail when both her phone and her computer rang out. She instantly recognized the sound before she even saw the application pop up on her computer. She yelped out as she quickly tore out the elastic from her hair, and grimaced. She had probably damaged a few strands of hair for being so aggressive, but there was no way the ponytail had been as neat as she would want if she were to FaceTime with Harry. She knew she looked disheveled. She had been out and about with makeup all day. She knew the liner she had put on earlier that morning had probably smudged and transferred onto her lower lash line. She knew the lipstick she had rubbed onto her lips had probably left remnants in the cracks of her lips. She would have wanted a little more notice to be able to look presentable, at the very least. But if she had fixed all the things she had wanted, she would have missed her opportunity to accept Harry’s call. So, she figured letting her hair down would be good enough. It wasn’t long before she had clicked on the “Accept” button and had waited for the call to connect. The little sound that signaled a connection rang out and Harry’s features popped up on her little computer screen. Y/N wanted to squeal at how adorable the young man looked. He was in a gray hoodie, but his little curls poked out of the pulled hood. His lips seemed to glow compared to his puffy and soft, pale features—as if he might have just woken from a deep slumber.
“Sorry!” Harry seemed to be laughing, “is it too late? Figured you were responding to my messages...”
“No! No, I was just doing some... work,” Y/N shook her head as she made herself more comfortable on her couch.
“Oh, okay, good,” Harry nodded as he rubbed at his face, “and why’d you call me a noodle? What does that mean?”
“What? You’ve never been called a noodle?” Harry smiled at the laugh he had become so familiar with the previous day.
“Can’t say that I have,” Harry furrowed his brows.
“Ugh, that was like eighty percent of my childhood entertainment,” Y/N sighed as she tried not to look up at the little frame that showed what she looked like. She hoped she didn’t look too messy. “But thank you for breakfast! It was delicious.”
“What breakfast?” Harry furrowed his brows at her. Y/N widened her eyes at her screen. He had asked if she had gotten anything special earlier that morning. How could he not have left those flowers and food at her stoop? Who else would it have-
“M’joking,” Harry rolled his eyes, “sheesh.”
“I’m sorry! It’s been a long day... But thanks, just the same. And for the lilies! They were lovely. They definitely brightened up my office this morning. How’d you know they’re my absolute favorite?” Y/N narrowed her eyes at her computer screen that had displayed his features.
“Lucky guess,” Harry shrugged his shoulders through the lie. He had wanted to say that he knew, but knew that would most likely make Y/N feel compelled to ask how he had known if the subject hadn't been breached the previous day. He didn’t feel like explaining how he had basically been cyber stalking her a few months previous.
“Meanwhile, that bakery... you may’ve turned me onto something,” Harry widened his eyes.
“Did you actually go in?” Y/N questioned, her brows raising out of shock.
“Yeah,” Harry slowly responded, narrowing his eyes, “wait, why?”
“I mean,” Y/N laughed, “I just can’t imagine you... walking into a panaderia on Mission.”
“Why?” Harry seemed to pout.
“No reason,” Y/N shrugged, clearly finding the idea amusing, for some reason, “did you get what I was saying about the smell being other worldly, though?”
“Yeah,” Harry responded, defeated, “you’re right... it smells a lot warmer... or maybe sweeter? It just might be better than any other bakery I’ve stepped into.”
“It’s all the extra cholesterol they put into their bread,” Y/N joked, “did you get anything for yourself?”
“Yeah,” Harry responded, lifting his chin as he spoke, “eh, I got one of those pink concha things and the hot chocolate? The ch... champ... champ-”
“Champurrado?” Y/N smiled, thinking it absolutely endearing at how hard he was trying to pronounce the term.
“That’s it!” Harry smiled.
“So, what’d you think?” Y/N pressed.
“Eh, was too sweet for me,” Harry grimaced, his dimple making an appearance as he pursed his lips, “but I feel like if I hadn’t gotten it with coconut milk, I would get the appeal.”
“Coconut milk? No, way! You’ve gotta try the almond milk!” Y/N widened her eyes.
“I know, you told me last night, but I usually prefer coconut milk,” Harry commented, “suppose that’s what I get for not listening to you.”
“I may not know a lot, but I know my plant alternative milks,” Y/N perked up, “how bad was the aftermath of the concha?”
“God awful,” Harry scoffed, “I made the mistake of trying to eat it on the way home and it was everywhere. There’s still sugar all over my floor mats and the passenger seat.”
“Oh, no,” Y/N burst into laughter, “m’sorry!”
“Don’t be,” Harry calmed from his own laughter, “was worth it, all the same.”
“You’ll have to get something different, next time. There’s one with pumpkin filling that’s,” Y/N kissed her fingers, making Harry laugh out.
“I have to slow down,” Harry shook his head, “m’getting pudgy.”
“Nonsense, bread goes straight to the heart,” Y/N made a face as though what Harry said could never be imaginable, “besides, pumpkin’s healthy. There’ve actually been studies that it can help boost your immune system!”
“Okay, then, it’s settled,” Harry shrugged, “I’m only eating bread for the rest of my life, so long as it’s stuffed with pumpkin.”
“Sounds like an absolute dream; sign me up,” Y/N sighed out.
“How was your day? What did you do? Anything interesting?” Harry questioned.
“It was fine,” Y/N shrugged, “work and then dinner with friends. Nothing too crazy.”
“Anyone I know?” Harry wanted to take it back as soon as he the words escaped his mouth. He felt it a bit too intrusive, given the little that they knew of one another. He wondered if he had made things awkward, but Y/N seemed unfazed.
“Mm,” she she seemed to think of the answer, “I don’t think so. Not unless you know Michelle Kelvin?”
“Is she related to Maisie?” Harry wrinkled his nose at his screen.
“Yes! They’re second cousins... twice removed... or something weird,” Y/N laughed with a shake of her head, “but yeah! She was supposed to come with us, but couldn’t last minute.”
“She’s cool,” Harry smiled.
“She really is. She always remembers my birthday and sends me a little care package every year around Thanksgiving,” Y/N made that expression he noticed she did a lot. It was whenever she was endeared by something, she would pout out her lower lip, but looked as though she were smiling. He had looked over at his image to see he looked absolutely smitten with whatever it was he was speaking to and wanted to wipe the look off his stupid face.
“Yeah,” Harry nodded his head as he suddenly felt his cheeks start to burn, and he hoped it didn’t translate through to her screen, “she’s nice.”
“I wish I could be more thoughtful,” Y/N shook her head and Harry bit his tongue. He had wanted to comment on how she really was, based off of the stories he had heard from mutual friends. Rob had told him of his wife falling in love with this rare album that she couldn’t find anywhere, and after mentioning it once to Y/N, had found it in the mail a week later with a thank you note from Y/N for dinner. Another one of many anecdotes was how she had volunteered to pick up one his friend’s daughters from school when they couldn’t find anyone else and had brought chocolates and violets for the little girl because her name was Violet. It was after this encounter that Violet would fervently continue to ask for Y/N as a babysitter.
“How was the drive back?” Y/N had interrupted his silence.
“Was fine; got home earlier than expected,” Harry features brightened as his brows momentarily rose, “was able to watch that documentary with the pig thing.”
“Isn’t that crazy?” Y/N laughed, remembering how flabbergasted Harry been when she had told him of a documentary that had explained how researchers were working on facial recognition with pigs the night before.
“Freaky,” Harry closed his eyes and shook his head, “and those birds!”
“I know,” Y/N’s eyes widened as she gaped, "it’s kinda creepy.”
“Yeah! Like, who came up with that? Who was like, let me make some animals that know the weather better than these dense humans,” Harry continued to marvel, and all Y/N could really focus on was how grateful she was to be able to see this side of Harry. She had always dreamed up this imaginary persona that she felt matched up with what interviews and social media had portrayed of the male. But she had made up her mind that she liked this version much better.
+ + +
Y/N had gotten to Magda’s house pretty early—about 6 AM, to be exact. It had been tradition for about two years, now. Y/N had met Magda at a local bookstore when Magda had approached Y/N, asking about what the kids these days were reading. They had instantly bonded over their love and appreciation for classic novels—Jane Austen’s Emma, in particular. Ever since, the two had kept in close contact and Magda had become a sort of adoptive grandmother to Y/N. It had been when Y/N had voiced her yearning for some traditionally homemade tamales that Magda had voiced her proficiency in cooking the dish and had offered to make Y/N a batch as long as she brought over spirits and a good movie. It had become a monthly event, and this time, a newcomer was to be involved.
“So,” Magda beamed as she ferociously scrubbed at a big pot she kept hidden away until moments such as these, “what’s he like?”
“Harry?” Y/N raised her brows as she pulled apart some jackfruit.
“Yes,” Magda encouraged.
“He’s nice,” Y/N nodded and looked up to see Magda knowingly grinning, “s’pretty wonderful, actually.”
“Oh,” Magda gently nodded.
“He’s... I don’t know... thoughtful? Is it foolish to think that’s such a unique feature in a man?” Y/N shook her head.
“It’s a bit disappointing that more men aren’t described in such a way,” Magda shrugged and looked up as she twisted the handle of her faucet.
“That’s true,” Y/N nodded, vacantly looking ahead, “it’s just that... he makes me feel... heard?”
“Unheard of,” Magda teased.
“I know, right,” Y/N laughed, “but he looks into your eyes when you’re talking and... I don’t know... he makes you feel like you’re the only person he’d want to be talking to and as if... what you say actually matters to him. And it’s not just me! He does it with everyone I’ve seen him around... He’s very validating and surprisingly open minded.”
“You’re pretty open minded,” Magda noted.
“No,” Y/N shook her head, “not as much as he is, I don’t think. He’s so accepting so long as there’s a good means to an end... if that makes sense. I don’t know, perhaps it’s just the fact that I’ve admired him for so long.”
Magda was about to respond when a knock came at the front door.
“Come in,” the two sang out in chorus before the sound of the doorknob being turned and the sound of the door being pushed open alarmed the two to Harry’s arrival.
“S’this a no shoes household?” Harry asked as he waited at the entrance for a response.
“It’s a whatever you prefer house,” Magda laughed as she looked over at Y/N, “s’very considerate.”
“I told you,” Y/N mumbled as she straightened in her chair.
“Thank you for asking, lovey,” Magda beamed as Harry quietly made his way into the kitchen.
“Oh, s’no problem,” Harry piped up as Y/N turned to smile at him from her stool set at the kitchen island.
“Hi,” came Y/N’s greeting before Harry went to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Morning,” Harry almost seemed to mumble as he grinned down at her before remembering the two weren’t alone, “you must be-”
“Magda,” the older woman rubbed her palms on the little apron Y/N had gifted her about a year previously, “so nice to meet you, Harry.”
“Thank you so much for having me,” Harry approached where the woman stood before extending his hand.
“Oh, it’s my pleasure,” Magda shook her head, “we love having new friends over and cooking for them. It’s such a nice way to show your appreciation for someone, you know?”
Y/N felt her cheeks burn as she knew Magda most likely meant nothing by the statement, but it somehow felt too intimate for Harry to know she appreciated him.
“Completely agree,” Harry nodded his head, still holding onto Magda’s hands.
“Oh, honey, you were right,” Magda called over her shoulder to a clueless Y/N.
“About what?” Y/N scrunched her nose.
“He does make you feel heard,” Magda actually giggled, making Y/N softly chuckle behind the two.
“She’s talking about me? What else has she said?” Harry raised his brows before smirking over at Y/N.
“Magda, did you see where I put the peppers?” Y/N pretended not to hear him as she feigned searching for what she had requested.
“Don’t want you thinking I’m only here to freeload your food. What can I do to help?” Harry turned back to meet Magda’s already adoring gaze.
“Y/N,” Magda gasped before turning to see Y/N’s confused features, “marry this man.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Y/N stated after her initial shock and embarrassment, “you two would be a much lovelier little couple.”
“Oh, hush,” Magda rolled her eyes as she pushed past Harry to grab a hold of the peppers Y/N had supposedly misplaced, “here are your precious missing peppers.”
In no time at all, Magda and Harry had finished making the maza. Magda made a big deal out of how big Harry’s hands were, saying that he was born to knead the dough-like substance that would carry the faux meat they made their tamales with. This, of course, had elicited a small anecdote of how Harry had once worked in a bakery when he was younger, back home. The two had then proceeded to bond over missing their respective homelands and it wasn’t long before Harry was inviting Magda over whenever she felt like a visit and vice versa.
“So, I’ve seen some with like... a different wrapper? Like paper, almost?” Harry furrowed his brows.
“Those are made with corn husks,” Y/N nodded her head as the three worked on loading the ingredients of a tamale into a banana leaf.
“Ah,” Harry seemed to nod in realization, “so how different will these taste? Will they taste like banana?”
“No,” Magda responded with a shake of her head, “it just makes it more... more...”
“Succulent?” Y/N voiced.
“Yes,” Magda nodded, “tender. I tend to think the corn husk tamales can get a little dry, so I like using the banana leaf to give it a little kick.”
“Huh,” Harry nodded, “how many are we shooting for?”
“A lot,” Magda laughed, “we’ll be here all day, lovey. We don’t expect you to hang around all day with us.”
“I don’t mind,” Harry shrugged with a little smile on his face.
“Well, be warned, this one likes making hundreds to give to the friendly... and not so friendly,” Magda grinned as she elbowed Y/N.
“Oh my gosh, don’t bring that up or he’ll never come back here, again,” Y/N tried to refrain her laughter.
“What? Why?” Harry furrowed his brows as he looked between the two laughing friends.
“Y/N likes to go around town to give some to people in need of a good meal,” Magda beamed over at her long time friend, “but this one time-”
“You can’t let this change the way you see San Francisco, though,” Y/N pleaded as she stopped her handwork to look over at an already amused Harry.
“No, of course, not! Harry’s a good boy; he wouldn’t think of it,” Magda shook her head before proceeding, “anyways, nothing bad has really come from it... except for this one time. This one man that was sleeping on the sidewalk and this one goes up to hand him a few tamales when he wakes up, screaming! He had a syringe in one of his hands and charged at her. So this one starts running, and he ended up chasing her to the car!”
“What?” Harry’s eyes bulged out of his skull upon hearing this tale, searching both the female’s features for some sort of validation.
“He couldn’t really run... so I wouldn’t say he chased me, exactly,” Y/N frowned.
“No, honey; he chased you,” Magda shook her head, “but, anyways, she’s not allowed to approach strangers alone, now. We have another good boy that accompanies us when we want to distribute these bad boys around town.”
“You still go?” Harry gaped, ignoring the tinge of jealousy that had bubbled up within him as he wondered who would accompany the two and if he thought the world of Y/N like he did.
“Oh, yeah,” Magda assuredly nodded.
“That’s wild,” Harry shook his head. It was another one of those moments. Another moment where he could feel his heart swell with an emotion he couldn't quite pinpoint for Y/N. He wanted to say it was admiration, because what else could it be after such a story. Somewhere deep inside, he knew better.
Harry had kept his promise, he had stayed pretty much all day. He had helped the two make enough tamales to last a lifetime, or in this case, enough to feed the entire city. When it came time to try them, Y/N had nervously told him it was okay if he didn’t like them while Magda assured him that he would love them and was right. He could not believe the texture and taste that he had earlier been wary about. Magda was insistent on replacing each tamale that he consumed, which had proven detrimental to his physical comfort. After about four, he started to feel pretty weighed down. Luckily, to wash it all down, Magda had made a pitcherful of Jamaica because she knew how much Y/N liked it. Harry’s features had brightened so much that it sent Magda into a fit of laughter at the mention of the beverage. It had been a nice little end to their day—to enjoy the labors of their hard work.
Magda had loaded a few dozen tamales into some cute little Tupperware with ducks on them and had instructed him on the ease of freezing the dish if he wanted to save them for a later date. He knew this wouldn’t be necessary, as he knew he would be attempting to act in Magda’s and Y/N’s image and distribute them. It was after Magda had hugged and kissed him on the cheek that he was led out to the front of the house by Y/N.
“Thank you for coming today,” he was met with Y/N’s sleepy smile as he turned from stepping through the front door and down a step, “hope we didn’t work you too hard.”
“Not at all,” Harry shook his head as he went to hug Y/N’s abdomen, “liked it. I think Magda may be the love of my life.”
“Mine, too,” Y/N’s smile deepened.
“You sure you don't want a ride home?” Harry inquired, pouting out his bottom lip the way she had a few nights previously.
“Nah,” Y/N shook her head with a shrug of her shoulders, “thank you. You know the offer still stands if you’re too tired to drive. Believe me, Magda will be more than happy to have you stay here tonight.”
“I think I’m okay,” Harry stated with a little nod of his head, “have to feed Matt’s cat.”
“Right,” Y/N shook her head, “forgot.”
“Get some sleep,” Harry pulled Y/N in to kiss the wrinkle between her brows away, “I’ll see you soon, yeah?”
All Y/N could do was nod in her tired state.
“Yeah?” Harry seemed to bump his body into her own to get a response.
“Yeah,” Y/N laughed.
“Good,” Harry dimpled with satisfaction before going to press his lips to Y/N’s.
+ + +
“What are you doing?” Came the voice on Y/N’s speaker. She had been thrown across her couch, making endless loops with some yarn and two knitting needles.
“Knitting, watching Princess Diaries, and mourning the death of my youth,” Y/N rambled, as she ended one row of stitches to look over at her television screen.
“Oy. The first or second one?” Harry questioned as Y/N went back to her stitches.
“The one with Chris Pine,” Y/N wiggled her brows to herself.
“Ooh, what a dreamboat,” Harry sang out, making Y/N laugh out.
“He is quite nice to look at,” Y/N commented with a sigh.
“I suppose—if you’re into that tall dark and handsome type,” Harry quickly snapped, Y/N’s brows furrowing. Was there a tinge of jealousy in his tone?
“I mean,” Y/N reasoned, “I guess I kinda am.”
“Well,” Harry cleared his throat, “just feel like you wouldn’t have much in common with him.”
“Why? I think we’d make a good match,” Y/N frowned as she paused her actions once more.
“He’s an old man! Already has salt n’pepper hair,” Harry rebuked.
“S’kinda hot, though,” Y/N shrugged to herself.
“You little weirdo. What are you doing this Saturday? Thought we could go get some dim sum,” Harry suggested.
“Eh,” Y/N sucked in her lips as she seriously considered canceling her plans to hang out with Harry, “I have a wedding thing this weekend. Starts on Thursday; s’one of those three day weddings with the bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, yada yada yada.”
“Oh,” came a pause from Harry’s end, “that sounds fun. S’it in town?”
“No; it’s in L.A.,” Y/N explained, “are you free on Sunday?”
“Oh... yeah,” Harry’s tone sounded odd but she didn’t want to question it; she felt it too soon in their relationship (if you could even call it that) to inquire, “yeah, d’you wanna try something here?”
“Yeah, what would you recommend?” Y/N asked as she finished another row of stitches.
“There’s this great sushi place in Malibu, if you’re up for that,” Harry suggested, “or there’s a good Indian place around the corner.”
“Ooh, you said sushi and my mouth already started watering,” Y/N laughed.
“Sushi it is, then,” Harry chimed.
+ + +
Y/N had been pretty tuckered out as she sat at a little round table, alone, watching everybody around her seeming to be having the time of their lives. Her feet had started aching from the heels she had slipped into at the beginning of the day, her hair had long sagged in the deliberately messy bun she had styled her hair in, and her chest had expanded and collapsed pretty jaggedly as she caught her breath from her friend, Angie, twirling her around the dance floor. It was when she was laughing at the drunken groom trying to lead his bride in a simple turn that she noticed her phone light up her open clutch. Normally, she wouldn’t have checked the notification, but something told her it may be the boy she had been talking to as of late.
She had posted a photo much earlier of the bride placing her veil over Y/N as she was digging into her pasta entree, snapped by the same Angie that had been twirling her earlier. Y/N found Harry had reacted to the photo and sent a message.
That looks fucking amazing. How do you feel about pasta instead, tomorrow??
p.s. you look really pretty
Y/N couldn’t help the huge smile that came across her features as she peered down at the message. She had been typing out a little response when somebody had plopped down next to her.
“What happened to no phones?” Alex, one of Y/N’s oldest companions narrowed his eyes at her.
“I’m just checking in on something,” Y/N laughed as she hastened typing out her message.
“Absolutely not,” Alex grabbed a hold of Y/N’s phone and tucked it in his pocket.
“Alex!” Y/N gasped as she plunged for the device.
“You're missing Michael trying to seduce Paul,” Alex nodded towards some of their friends laughing at a slightly tipsy male.
“What else is new?” Y/N rolled her eyes. “Last year he tried that with you and was horrified when you actually locked lips.”
“Somehow that boy forgets that I’m a raging homosexual every year, and I’m sick of it,” Alex shook his head, “I will give this back to you if you come shake what the good Lord gave you for an entire song.”
“Alex,” Y/N started before he gave her a glare.
“We haven’t danced one song together and you’ll be heading home soon, I know it,” Alex pouted.
“Okay,” Y/N gave in, knowing she could finish her message to Harry afterwards.
“C’mon, girl,” Alex reached out his hands for Y/N to take. She could only laugh as he led her over to the dance floor before he had dropped into a squat to one of the last notes of a Saweetie song before a salsa blasted over the speakers.
“Aw,” Alex groaned before he stood to his full height.
“You said,” Y/N began, more teasing, if anything.
“I know what I said,” Alex rolled his eyes as he proceeded to take Y/N’s hands, once more, before leading her into a turn. It wasn’t long before Michael, another companion, had whipped out his phone and had gone around tormenting people with his flash video recording. A few dancing couples had shoved their hands in front of the camera lens before he had approached Alex and Y/N. Alex had seen the camera pointed at them and had pulled Y/N to him before he had dipped Y/N and pulled her back up, before going to peck at Y/N’s lips. Y/N had thought nothing of the video as she laughed and went to hug Alex as he shouted something at Michael’s giggling features. The two had known each other for years and a peck here and there was the norm between the two companions. Y/N had not thought of any repercussion. She did not think there might have been a certain male laying in his bed, the glow of his phone’s screen illuminating his smiling features as he opened one of his friend’s Instagram stories to see the girl he had been talking to being pulled to some man’s chest before locking lips with him. She had not thought of how his little smile would fade as he kept tapping on the left side of his screen to replay the video—to replay the way she smiled and hugged onto the strange male’s body. No, Y/N hadn’t thought very much of how that might look.
+ + +
The next morning, Y/N was surprised to not hear from Harry. She had started getting ready, however, knowing Harry would eventually message her with an address, because he had promised to do so earlier that week. She had finished slipping on her shoes when she went to check her empty lock screen. The place they had settled on was about forty minutes away, and if she was to make the time they had initially agreed upon, she would have to leave any minute. She decided to send Harry the following:
Morning, sunshine! ☀️ We still meeting up for lunch?
She figured she could start on her journey. Even if Harry cancelled, which she didn’t foresee, she could just enjoy the drive, maybe get some coffee... She had been about fifteen minutes into her drive when her phone rang out. The message read out went something along the lines of:
Hey, something came up last minute. Can’t meet today, rain check?
Y/N couldn’t help but instantly feel a little blue as she responded.
Of course; hope everything is okay. Take care!
Harry did not respond to this message and Y/N thought it a little odd, but figured whatever had come up must have been important. Y/N had driven past Malibu and caught sight of a cafe on her way back. She figured she deserved a treat and had decided to pull in for some coffee and maybe dessert if they had anything good. She had been quickly seated and had been browsing the small menu when the sound of another party was alerted with the ding of the bell attached to the front door. Y/N had looked up out of habit and had thought nothing of the couple that had entered before she glanced back at the menu before realizing why one of them had looked so familiar. Trailing behind a pretty looking woman was the person she had originally had plans with that morning—one Mr. Harry Styles. Y/N hastily went to raise her menu to cover her face, praying that he hadn’t seen her. She couldn’t help but peek over the top of the menu as she watched the two follow a waiter to the outdoor seating just in front of her. Of all the coincidental instances she had encountered in her life, she couldn’t think of one more embarrassing than the one she sat in. Her shock and horror had slowly started to morph into discontent as she watched the two speak. It was clear that the female had more than platonic interests in Harry by the way she leaned forward, hanging onto every word that came from his lips... the same ones that had been pressed to hers not that long ago. She could not believe her eyes, and she suddenly felt as if she was going to be ill.
“Good morning! How are you?” Y/N’s view of Harry and his companion was suddenly interrupted by a tall woman that had stepped in front of Y/N’s seat.
“Oh, eh,” Y/N glanced at the menu, wondering how rude it would be to excuse herself. She had considered staying and watching the two, but she felt that would be an enormous invasion of Harry’s privacy... that and she couldn’t stand the idea of him seeing her—alone, at that. “I’m so sorry, I... I have to go.”
“Oh,” the waitress stepped back as she watched Y/N collect her things, “is anything wrong?”
“You have no idea,” Y/N sent a glance out to the terrace where Harry sat intently watching his companion speak, “s’nothing, sorry, thank you so much for your time and help.”
+ + +
Y/N hadn’t been back to the house she had been staying at for very long. She had arrived and had marched straight to the living room where she allowed herself to plop down to lay on the carpeted floor. As she stared up at the ceiling, she wondered why such a string of events had bothered her so much. She told herself again and again how she wasn’t jealous but peeved at the principle of canceling on her to see someone else... but she knew the green eyed monster was involved. She had absolutely no right to be jealous. She and Harry had just met, and he was allowed to see other people if he wanted to. It wasn’t as if she had committed to only seeing him, either. Nobody had asked her, but she was free to see other people. Oh, but she couldn’t get over how much she hurt over seeing him with someone else. It was something different to know he was seeing other people, but to actually see it? She felt positively icky. She had grabbed her phone in attempt to distract herself when she noticed a message that had been delivered a little while ago, most likely a few minutes after leaving the cafe.
Was that you?
She chewed the inside of her cheek as she stared at the message from the person that had been tying her stomach in knots. She locked her phone and laid the phone on her abdomen, not knowing if she wanted to reply. She almost never wanted to speak to him, again... but she knew she had no valid reason for it.
Where?
She had decided to play ignorant, as she wished he would leave her alone; at least for the time being. Didn’t he have that woman to entertain himself with?
Are you still in town? Fancy a visit?
Y/N couldn’t muster the energy for a visit. She couldn’t imagine how she could possibly refrain from asking who he had been with. So, she did something she wouldn’t normally do.
Did whoever came up get resolved? I’m actually heading back home today and I need to pack 😕 rain check?
Y/N wasn’t one to be petty or passive aggressive, but something about the situation had just rubbed her the wrong way. She had almost hoped that perhaps her message had deterred Harry’s friendship, and that she would never see him again. She wasn’t surprised when she did not receive a reply from the male and had went about her day, just a little bit more melancholy than she usually would have been leaving town.
+ + +
A few months had come and gone, and Harry would have liked to say that Y/N had become a distant memory, but that was nowhere near the case. He thought more about her than he would like to admit. He knew he had struck a nerve when he had gotten her last message, and had become slightly infuriated by it. How could she have been so snappy when he had been the one to reach out after she had been out locking lips with some random bloke? Sure, she had seen him out with one of the women that his friends had been trying to set him up with, but he had asked to see her, damn it. Wasn’t that enough of a gesture? He had been out with a few different people since, in attempts to forget the female, but it was all to no avail. How could anybody compare to the strange little person he had eaten so much food with on a rooftop all that time ago?
Nevertheless, he had continued seeing her in his friends’ posts. She looked good, as usual. Something so simply classic about the clothes she wore and her disposition in each snapshot. He had noticed in the past that she would never pose smiling, but as of late, she had smiled in almost all the photos he saw of her. He wasn’t sure why such a small detail had resonated with him. She had cut her hair and lightened it since the last time he had seen her. He wanted to believe she had done so because of him. He had read something about women changing their hair after meaningful relationships, but he didn’t want to flatter himself. It had been when he had been visiting an old friend and sipping on a glass of sauvignon blanc—it hadn’t been that good if he was being honest—that his friend had really thrown him for a loop.
“Have you seen this?” Andrew nodded at the title of the film he had landed on. Harry usually never had his phone out when visiting good friends, but he had been waiting on a message from his sister. He had looked up from his messages to find, to his surprise, Y/N’s face staring back at him.
“S’this new?” Harry mumbled, still staring at Y/N’s features. She had been looking straight into the camera when the photo had been taken, and from the look of her surroundings, it looked like some sort of 60s mystery film.
“Says it was released this year,” Andrew shrugged, “don’t you know her or something?”
“Not really,” Harry cleared his throat, “looks stupid.”
“Stupid?” Andrew furrowed his brows at Harry.
“What?” Harry glared over at him.
“Don’t think I’ve ever heard you use that word,” Andrew grinned.
“Well, it does, doesn’t it?” Harry nervously laughed, feeling a tinge of guilt creep over him.
“S’got that guy from X-Men in it... Think she looks nice,” Andrew shrugged as he took a drink from his glass, “wouldn’t mind if I made a pass?”
“A pass,” Harry scrunched his nose, “won’t get very far with that kind of thinking.”
“Alright, mate,” Andrew rolled his eyes as he continued scrolling through the streaming service, “I get it.”
“Well, there’s nothing to get,” Harry shook his head, “didn’t mean anything by it; go for it.”
+ + +
“Magda?” Y/N had called from the older woman’s kitchen. She had let herself in with the key that Magda had made for her and had worried when she could’t find the lady on the lower level of her home.
“M’up here, lovey,” Magda hollered from the second floor of her home.
“Sorry, m’late,” Y/N vocalized as she treaded up the stairs before finding Magda sat on the floor, kneeled atop a gargantuan white canvas with paint splatters here and there. There was the outline of a young woman’s face ever so slightly traced out from what Y/N could see.
“No, no, honey! You're fine,” Magda shook her head as she looked up from the piece, making Y/N smile at some stray smeared paint across the older woman’s forehead, “eh... the books are over there on that chair over there, if you want to take ‘em today.”
“Oh, thanks,” Y/N glanced over her shoulder before going to look back at the painting, “this is huge.”
“Uh, yeah,” Magda seemed to nervously chuckle as she wiped her hands on her overalls. Y/N noticed the elder was avoiding making eye contact with her as she kept looking down at the painting or at her hands.
“Who’s it for? You never do projects this big unless someone’s hanging it in the Guggenheim or donating a pretty penny,” Y/N commented as she walked around the canvas edges to get to the chair Magda had pointed out earlier. All Magda could do was offer another nervous chuckle as she went to push some straggle hairs from her face. Y/N could sense the awkward air between her and the woman she came to trust like she trusted her own mother.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to pry,” Y/N shook her head, feeling her cheeks burn out of an embarrassment she couldn’t pinpoint.
“No,” Magda went to shake her own head as she let out a heavy sigh, “no. You’re not prying, honey. I’m the one that’s making the situation awkward... Um... It’s... it’s for Harry.”
Y/N could not find words at the mention of his name. She didn’t know why she felt so bothered... so betrayed. There was no reason that Magda could not speak to Harry. She really didn’t even know the circumstances surrounding Y/N’s broken communication with him. All Magda knew was that they weren’t speaking, and Y/N knew it was silly to feel so deeply about her contact with the person that had wounded her pride a while back... but Magda was family. Shouldn’t that count for something? Y/N sure wouldn’t be friendly with somebody Magda had shunned, which would be impossible because Magda didn’t believe in holding grudges.
“Oh,” Y/N finally choked out, nodding her head as she broke eye contact with Magda to pick up the books that had been set on the chair she had been earlier directed towards.
“If this bothers you, honey,” Magda began.
“No,” Y/N shook her head, rolling her eyes up to the ceiling as she sighed out, “it doesn’t. I’m being silly.”
“It’s just... he came by last week to make tamales,” Magda began, making Y/N’s head jerk up to meet her gaze, “he said he knew you were taking that trip and wanted to ensure that we didn’t break tradition. And he got a glance of some of the work I did when I was younger and he begged for me to make him something and that he’d pay whatever I asked, and I said I would do it if he donated to this stem cell research fund I’ve been working with, and he said he’d be thrilled, and I just couldn’t say no to such a generous donation and-”
“You don’t have to... justify it,” Y/N shook her head, “I’m sorry. I... I’m just being... childish, and... I guess I’m still sore at him for being so... I don’t know. I’m just happy you got such a big donation.”
“Look, he didn’t tell me what happened,” Magda shrugged her shoulders after a pause came between them, “but whatever it was... he’s moved past it.”
“That’s good,” Y/N tightly smiled as she opened the book that was on the top of the stack.
“If you don’t want me to do it,” Magda offered before Y/N shook her head once more.
“Do it,” Y/N nodded, “please. Don’t pay any attention to me; I’m just being... it doesn’t matter. I think you should do it.”
“Are you sure?” Magda pressed, her eyes searching for her answer in Y/N’s eyes.
“Of course,” Y/N nodded.
+ + +
Y/N had had a few. She wasn’t stumbling or slurring her words, but she was feeling quite toasty. She had been invited to some party, some celebration for someone she didn’t know and had been delighted for some excuse to get all gussied up and have drinks with some friends... Friends that had disappeared about thirty minutes after their first drink, but that was no worry. Y/N had soon found some drunken girl that had globbed onto her after claiming she looked better than Naomi Campbell did on the 1995 Chanel spring runway. It hadn’t taken too long for the two to find a permanent dancing partner in each other as the two had clasped hands as they sang along to almost all the songs that had blasted over the speakers. They had just finished shouting lyrics to one another before the girl yelled something about having to go back to her friends.
“You should come with me, I have this really cute friend who’s single and ready to fuck whoever crosses his path,” Glenda, Y/N’s new drunken friend, droned.
“Okay, but food first! I’m starved! You want anything?” Y/N yelled over the music before Glenda asked for a shot before pointing to where a group of her friends were sat. Y/N didn’t think much as she loaded her plate with the cucumber salad she had been eyeing all night. There hadn’t been too much food for her, most all dishes had featured some animal product, but she wasn’t one to complain too much about it. She debated whether she should make her way back to the table she had originally been sat at to see if any of her friends were there, but she liked meeting new people and had a strange goal for taking the opportunity to make new friends. So, she had forced herself over to where the girl had plopped down, Glenda’s eyes lighting up at the sight of the shot glass in Y/N’s other hand.
“Thanks, girl!” Glenda beamed as Y/N handed her the glass.
“How’s the cucumber salad?” Came a familiar tone from the other side of the table. Y/N wished she had just gone to sit alone at the table she had originally been sat at, even if that meant she would be alone.
“Hey, Harry,” Y/N smiled as she shoveled a fork full of cucumber into her mouth.
“This is my friend I was telling you about,” Glenda grabbed at Y/N’s arm with excitement, wiggling her eyebrows, suggestively.
“Ah,” Y/N laughed, remembering Glenda’s words about her cute, promiscuous friend.
“What were you telling her?” Harry’s words were drowned out by the man next to him rising to make his way over to where Y/N had been.
“M’Andrew,” the man stuck his hand out for Y/N to take.
“Nice to meet you,” Y/N smiled as she juggled to hold her cucumber salad bowl in one hand and shake the male’s with her other, “Y/N.”
“We were just talking about you the other day,” Andrew leaned closer to Y/N’s ear.
“Really? Why?” Y/N furrowed her brows.
“Your movie came up while we were browsing on Netflix,” Andrew smiled, “and Harry, here, had nothing but good things to say about you.”
“That’s nice,” Y/N smiled at Harry before turning back to speak to the male that had approached her.
Harry couldn’t believe his eyes. He had legitimately thought Andrew was kidding that day; he didn’t think he would have to sit and watch his friend talk up the girl that he had been so invested in a few months previously. He did tell him to “go for it,” but it still felt wrong. He hated the way she smiled at him and seemed to tune out everyone else to pay attention to what he had to say. Harry knew Andrew, he didn’t have much interesting to say. He hated how sour his mood had suddenly become as he watched them over the rim of the glass he had raised to his lips. He knew it was unhealthy, but he couldn’t help but to start comparing himself to Andrew. He was a little taller than he was, but wasn’t that nice... He had to refrain his jaw from dropping as Andrew extended his open palm for Y/N to take before Andrew led her to the dance floor. He had lost visual on them and he couldn’t help what happened next.
“Glenda,” Harry seemed to bark.
“Yeah?” She innocently responded, furrowing her brows at Harry’s fixated features. He had nodded towards the crowd of people dancing, causing Glenda to squeal with delight. None of their friends had danced with her all night, or had danced, period. Harry didn’t get why they would go to a party just to sit and try to talk over loud music, as he usually enjoyed dancing around a few bodies after a few drinks and had even taken Glenda out a for a few songs, but he had lost interest pretty quickly on the dance floor as a pretty girl had been sat back with his friends. In any event, it was with great force that Glenda had pulled his arm as she led him to the dance floor where a bunch of bodies had been dancing to a Drake song. It was coincidental that Glenda had led him to where Y/N and Andrew had been dancing. Y/N had noticed him, but Harry acted the ignorant. He couldn’t help but become distracted by Glenda when she had started spanking him before he turned to dance along to the music with her. It was a bit hard for Harry to watch what was happening with Y/N and Andrew as they had been dancing behind him. He had tried turning Glenda so that he could get a better view, but it had not worked as she would shimmy back to their original positions. He would occasionally make a big show of making a turn, but it was more purposeful than anybody could really know. A song Harry didn’t recognize came on and Glenda screamed and pointed behind Harry, at who he had assumed was Y/N. Harry hoped to God he wouldn’t turn around to see anything too jarring between her and Andrew; he didn’t think he could handle that. Thankfully, though, Glenda had pushed past him as she went to grind on Y/N’s tummy, making him laugh as Y/N had raised her bowl and kept eating her cucumber salad and allowing Glenda to keep grinding on her. If Y/N hadn't been involved, Harry might have gone back to the table and people watched. However, Y/N was involved, and she was giggly and cute, and he had missed her. So, he stayed and danced alongside Andrew before Glenda stopped grinding her rear on Y/N and turned to look at Harry, a grin playing at her features. He knew she would try to do the same to him, and he couldn’t have that in front of Y/N. So, he took the initiative to turn and rub his back on Glenda, earning a few cat calls from her as she grabbed a hold of his hips and tried to shake them. All Harry could do was laugh as he turned back around to grab her hands so he could turn her.
“Wait, I’m gonna puke!” Glenda sobbed as she grabbed on Harry’s forearm.
“Oh, no,” Harry frowned as his arm slipped around her back, trying to support her as her fist went to her mouth.
“I’ll take care of it,” Andrew rolled his eyes as he grabbed a hold of Harry’s shoulder as he spoke into his ear, “this one hasn’t stopped looking at you.”
“Maybe I should take her,” Y/N yelled, as she went to grab at Glenda.
“No, s’okay! You stay and dance with Harry,” Andrew shouted as he took a hold of a woozy Glenda.
“It’s fine, I can take her,” Y/N shook her head.
“I’m gonna take her outside for some fresh air,” Andrew explained. Y/N looked over at Harry, and he somehow knew she was worried about Glenda’s safety with the male she had just met. Harry knew even with his reassurance, Y/N would still have been worried.
“I’ll take her, s’fine,” Harry yelled as he grabbed a hold of Glenda’s arm and started for the door.
“M’sorry,” Glenda continually apologized as the two made their way out of the building.
“S’okay,” Harry rubbed at the female’s back as the two stepped out into the breezy night air. It wasn’t long before Glenda had retched into a nearby shrub, Harry holding her hair for her as he tried not to look at the sick coming out of her mouth.
“Oh, good!” Came a voice from behind him, making him look over to see Y/N hurrying toward them with Abby, one of the friends he had been sat with.
“I’ll take her home,” Abby sighed once the two met Harry, “I’m tired, anyways.”
“Glenda, I have your jumper,” Y/N commented as she held out the sweater in front of her, “ooh, s’cute.”
“Thanks,” Glenda laughed as she stood to her full height, fisting the corner of her mouth before Y/N helped her into the piece of clothing.
“C’mon, Glen,” Abby rolled her eyes as Harry passed Glenda to Abby.
“Can you get her to the car?” Y/N doubtfully asked.
“Oh, absolutely,” Abbie nodded, “this happens every weekend. I would have a gold medal if it was a sport in the Olympics.”
“Oh, okay, then,” Y/N smiled as she rubbed Glenda’s arm, “s’nice meeting you.”
“You too, girl,” Glenda lazily smiled, “did I get any puke on you this time, Abby?”
“No,” Abby sighed as she looked down at her heels, “not yet.”
“You okay to drive?” Harry inquired.
“I’ve been dry for a year, now,” Abby furrowed her brows at Harry.
“S’right, sorry,” Harry shook his head, wearily.
“S’alright. Well, was nice meeting you, Y/N. We’ll do this again, yeah? Well, hopefully not the whole puking thing,” Abby laughed.
“Of course,” Y/N smiled as her fingers went to tuck her hair behind her ear, Abby and Glenda turning to make their way to their car.
“You two have a good night,” Abby sang before continuing to lead Glenda to her car.
There came a moment where Harry and Y/N stood still, Y/N watching Glenda and Abby as Harry watched Y/N. After watching her sigh, Harry had been caught staring as she turned to look up at him.
“What?” She innocently questioned.
“You hungry?” He asked, his mouth only slightly smiling at her.
+ + +
“Here ya go,” a tall brunette waiter had set two waters and laminated menus on the table Harry and Y/N had been seated at before turning on his heel to leave the two.
“How’d you know about this place?” Harry asked as he picked up one of the menus and glanced over the options.
“Oh, uh, my dad and I used to come here every year for one of his work meetings,” Y/N answered.
“For his work meetings?” Harry’s brows pressed towards his hairline.
“Yeah; he was in this like... society of engineers... Basically a bunch of geeks getting together every few months to talk about quantum physics or something along those lines... We’d always get in so late on the first day and we’d be starving, but there were never a lot of places open. This place always was, though,” Y/N smiled as she looked around the room, “we would never run out of conversation here, even though we had spent the entire day in silence on the way up here. S’weird. Haven’t been here in a while.”
“Why not? Does your father live far away? You don’t bring him here anymore?” Harry innocently asked.
“It’d be kind of hard for him since he’s passed away,” Y/N smiled. If it had been anyone else, Harry would have thought the comment a bit snippy. For some reason, he felt she was trying to make a joke of it. For his sake; he didn’t know.
“Oh, m’sorry,” Harry offered his condolences before being met by a short pause.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to come out like that,” Y/N’s smile softened before she shook her head and went to look at the menu to change the subject, “they have excellent spring rolls here.”
“Sorry to say it, but I can’t stand them,” Harry narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips.
“Oh, me, either,” Y/N laughed as she put her menu down, “I ate too many once and threw them up. I can’t eat them, but I appreciate them.”
“Ah, that’s valid. I just hate basil,” Harry shrugged as he stole another glance at her. He felt nervous, all of a sudden. He hadn’t felt nervous on the drive over, or when Y/N had to scoot closer to him while waiting to be seated because the entrance was small and a couple needed more space to exit the establishment. He hadn't been nervous when he got the chance to catch a whiff of her hair to find though she changed her hair, she still used the shampoo that left it smelling so nice. “You’ve changed your hair.”
“Hm? Oh,” Y/N pursed her lips as her palms went to flatten her hair, “yeah... it looks weird.”
“I like it,” Harry commented, without looking up from his menu.
“These bangs are a bit much,” Y/N sighed out as she allowed her elbows onto the edge of the table, her chin going to rest in the palm of her hand.
“I think it looks great,” Harry furrowed his brows.
“M’not... fishing for compliments or anything,” Y/N shook her head.
“Know that,” Harry nodded, “just think you look really good.”
“Oh,” Y/N’s lips barely smiled, “thanks.”
“What else do you recommend, because everything looks good to a person that hasn’t eaten since breakfast,” Harry sighed.
“Their burger’s scrummy,” Y/N suggested, “you can get either fries or these really great avocado fries... they also have this amazing pad thai.”
“Pad thai and burgers? Am I wrong to be a little nervous?” Harry looked up at Y/N, doubtfully.
“I mean, yeah,” Y/N laughed before shrugging her shoulders, “but I think great things come from things that make you nervous.”
“Alright, alright,” Harry sucked in his lips, “but if it’s not, you owe me another dinner date.”
“Oh, this isn’t a dinner date,” Y/N shook her head.
“It isn’t?” Harry questioned from behind his menu.
“No, at least, not like that,” Y/N shook her head as she went to sip from the water that had been set before them earlier.
“Like what?” Harry cocked his head at Y/N.
“You know,” Y/N rolled her eyes.
“No, I don’t know. Clue me in,” Harry stated before grabbing his own glass and sipping water from it. For some reason, Y/N could not take the way he peered at her over the rim of his glass and had to break eye contact—such an innocent thing felt much too intimate.
“Never mind,” Y/N shook her head.
“No, now I want to know,” Harry smirked, “now that I think about it, Andrew did say something about you not being able to take your eyes off of me tonight.”
“Oh, did he?” Y/N’s brows rose, her lips curling into a smile.
“I mean, my arse does look really good in these pants,” Harry spoke before shaking his head and bursting into laughter, “please forget that I said that.”
“No,” Y/N laughed, “that will live rent free in my mind forever.”
“Fine with me,” Harry calmed from his fit of laughter, “so long as you tell me what you meant before.”
The two were interrupted when the handsome waiter from before came by to take their order. Harry fought the jealousy that started creeping in when the waiter started blatantly flirting with Y/N in front of him. He had no right to be jealous about someone that didn’t belong to him. It wasn’t long before he had finally left them with one last "my dear” being thrown at Y/N.
“So?” Harry pressed.
“What?” Y/N asked out of confusion as to what Harry was referring to.
“What’d you mean? Why isn’t this a date?” Harry questioned.
“Oh, sorry to disappoint, but that topic is closed, my friend,” Y/N emphasized, hoping he would get the hint.
“Friend?” Harry’s teasing mood turned somber.
“Yeah,” Y/N nodded, trying to hide her own disappointment.
“Alright, then,” Harry sighed in defeat as he twiddled his fingers, “how’d you know Glenda?”
“I don’t,” Y/N shook her head as she looked up from her clasped hands before her.
“Then how,” Harry trailed off, his brows pinched together.
“We only just met tonight,” Y/N explained.
“Huh,” Harry voiced with a slow nod of his head, “so, what’d she tell you about me?”
“Why’d you wanna know?” Y/N knowingly grinned and Harry knew he was done for.
“Dunno,” Harry shrugged as his gaze dropped back down to his glass, “was just curious.”
“Alright, then,” Y/N sighed, looking up to the ceiling as if doing so would help her recall what Glenda had said any better, “said you were really cute.”
“That’s not so bad,” Harry breathed out a sigh.
“You sound relieved,” Y/N commented, narrowing her eyes at the male.
“Do I?” Harry innocently questioned.
“Yeah,” Y/N nodded.
“Hm,” Harry’s brows rose and fell as he went to take another drink from his water.
“’Course she also told me you were ready to fuck whoever crossed your path,” Y/N nonchalantly spoke, resulting in Harry choking on his sip of water. Y/N couldn’t help but laugh out as she reached for a napkin to hand him.
“She did no such thing,” Harry’s response was muffled as he wiped his mouth.
“I know what I heard,” Y/N spoke with a nod of her head, “and she specifically said-”
“I got it the first time, thanks,” Harry interrupted, his skin turning crimson red.
“Oh, there’s no shame in it,” Y/N rolled her eyes, “must be fun.”
“M’not like that, usually... you know that,” Harry furrowed his brows.
“Yeah,” Y/N’s laughter softened, “also said you were single.”
“What happened to friends, huh?” Harry grinned.
“I,” Y/N’s jaw dropped before laughing out, “I was just saying. I was trying to distract from your embarrassing ass comment.”
“Uh huh, okay. Sure,” Harry narrowed his eyes at Y/N, “what about Andrew?”
“What about him?” Y/N’s laughter converted into a small smile as she looked at her finger running across the table.
“What’d you think of him?” Harry was met by a shrug from Y/N. “Don’t seem too impressed.”
“He’s nice, but I didn’t really get to talk to him that much,” Y/N explained.
“Ah,” Harry nodded, “well, don’t think you’d like him very much for too long.”
“Why?” Y/N questioned, furrowing her brows.
“He’s no good at it,” Harry shrugged, nonchalantly.
“At what?” Y/N inquired, still clueless.
“At crocheting scarves for his nan, what else?” Harry rolled his eyes, Y/N still not understanding. “At it, Y/N.”
“Oh,” Y/N finally seemed to understand as her furrowed brows softened before her features scrunched up once more, “oh. Well, that’s crap. He’s kinda cute.”
“Well,” Harry shook his head, “all I’ve heard are complaints.”
“Unless you’ve bedded him, I don’t think you have the right to say,” Y/N cocked her head at Harry.
“Who says I haven’t?” Harry questioned.
“Mm, I don’t see him being your type,” Y/N scrunched her nose.
“My type? Who’d you think my type is?” Harry asked, hoping she would say something along the lines of herself.
“Hm,” Y/N closed one eye as the other looked up, “either a real man’s man, like a logger or something... or an old, handsome sugar daddy type.”
Harry couldn’t help the laugh that had come from his belly at her words.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” Y/N smiled, knowingly.
+ + +
It hadn’t been too late by the time Y/N had trudged through her front door, Harry trailing behind. She was happy to be home. Even with the short amount of time she was away, she missed her little home and the scent of potpourri mixed with the remnant aroma of that one Apple Toddy candle that never seemed to burn out. She had dropped her bag on the little bench she had by the door before bending over to undo the straps of her shoes.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Y/N spoke as she peered up at Harry to find him taking in his surroundings.
“Thanks,” Harry smiled as he looked down to see her pull off her heels and throw them beneath the little bench she had stopped by. After finishing his meal and having to voice how much he liked it to a knowing Y/N, Y/N had asked where Harry was staying. He had said he was staying at a friend’s house over an hour away, and Y/N couldn’t let him drive such a long distance so late in the night. It didn’t have to take much convincing for Harry to accept the offer, as he had wondered what the inside of her home looked like ever since dropping her off so many nights previously.
“Lucky for you,” Y/N sighed out as she walked up the stairs that led to the main level of the home, “I bought a pajama set that was grossly mislabeled online; I think it’d fit you just fine!”
“Okay,” Harry laughed as he wondered where to put his shoes. She had tossed hers underneath that little bench, but there was a door to the side, which he assumed was a closet.
“What’s wrong?” Y/N asked from above.
“Eh,” Harry cleared his throat, “s’it matter where I put m’shoes?”
“Oh, no,” Y/N shook her head, “wherever’s fine.”
“Okay,” Harry said under his breath as Y/N disappeared out of sight. As Harry treaded up the steep stairs to the upper level, he was overwhelmed with the scent of cinnamon... maybe vanilla. He had smelled something wonderful upon entering her home, but it became much more warmer and sweeter when he stepped foot on the last step. He instantly thought he liked the layout of the small little home. Off to his right, there was a little living room that led out through siding doors onto a spectacular little balcony with a view of the city’s night lights twinkling in the distance. Straight ahead seemed to be a dark kitchen. To his left, a hallway was illuminated by a few plug in night lights. He thought better than to invite himself into her bedroom and had furthered into the living room. He had been peering down at a rug that he wished he could rub his bare toes against when nearing footsteps had made him turn to see Y/N approaching him.
“They’ve been tucked away for a while, but,” Y/N voiced as she looked up from the pajamas she held. Harry wondered why she had stopped in her tracks while Y/N thought how surreal it was to see Harry stood in the middle of her living room, toeing at the rug she had just purchased. “They should be pretty comfortable... at least it felt soft when I last tried it on.”
“Thanks,” Harry smiled as he approached her, his hands going to take the pajamas from her hands. It was when he noticed her looking intently at his face that he worried something was wrong. Had she suddenly felt uncomfortable with him in her house? God, he hoped he didn’t make her feel uncomfortable. “S’everything alright?”
“Hm? Oh, yeah,” Y/N spoke softly as she seemed to snap out of whatever trance she had been in, “sorry.”
“What for?” Harry’s eyes seemed to search her own for the answer.
“I don’t know,” she smiled and shook her head. Her senses were suddenly overcrowded by what she assumed was his cologne—something between vanilla and ginger.
“Where can I change?” Harry asked as he looked behind her, towards the hallway she had come from.
“Uh,” Y/N shook her head once more, trying to regain her focus, “first door on the left.”
“Alright, thanks,” Harry smiled as his finger tips went to brush at her hand. The simple touch seemed to stay constant even when he passed her to retreat into the room she had instructed him to. She wondered if maybe he would just stay in her spare bedroom after changing into the pajamas she had provided. She padded into her kitchen to pour a glass of water as she looked out into the sea of yellow dots through her kitchen window. She had been slowly sipping on the liquid when she heard Harry approach her.
“Sleepy?” Harry asked as he lingered in the threshold separating the kitchen from the other rooms.
“Not really,” she lied.
+ + +
“Who’s Fabio?” Harry asked, pulling out another one of Y/N’s vinyls from the stand that also held her record player. Y/N had been laid out on the couch, her legs thrown up, over the side as she threw her head back to see what Harry had been talking about.
“That’s Antonio Solis, you boob,” Y/N gasped as she flipped over to her belly.
“Who’s he?” Harry scrunched his nose as he turned the record cover back around to take a better look.
“He’s, like, a totally famous artist,” Y/N explained, “well, he was in a really famous band—that’s them. The Bukis.”
“What does that mean in Spanish?” Harry asked, looking up from his place seated on top of a throw blanket Y/N had tossed to him so that he wouldn’t have to sit directly on her cold, hard wood floor.
“I don’t really know,” Y/N furrowed her brows, “I don’t know if it means anything, actually.”
“Are they any good?” Harry inquired, raising the record.
“They’re famous for a reason, Harry,” Y/N teased, “you can put it on, if you want.”
“What’s your favorite side?” Harry asked as he rose to his knees. They had first listened to a man named Joao Gilberto who Y/N had marveled at him for not knowing. He was able to recognize one song as “that song they always play in the elevator,” which had caused Y/N to gasp out in horror before laughing out one of those laughs he had missed so much. The kind that wasn’t inhibited by self-consciousness or restraint. It was goofy, but so endearing, somehow. Then, Harry had recognized a Van Morrison album and had replaced the record. They had listened to a few more as Harry read out some of the record’s liner notes.
“B,” Y/N responded, resting her chin on her crossed arms before her. It still hadn’t set in as she watched Harry struggled to remove the previous record and replace it with the new one. The way his fingers moved did something for her. She wasn’t sure if it was the sight of his bigger hands doing something her smaller ones usually did or if it was the nice contrast of his sun kissed skin to his various colored rings on each of his knuckles. Y/N hated the other odd string of thoughts that ran through her mind. All she could think of was if she had been murdered a few months previously, investigators would not have found Harry Styles’ prints in her home... What in God’s name compelled her to think such morbid thoughts? She continued to watch as Harry released the needle and sat back on his heels, listening to the first few notes of a song she remembered from her childhood.
“Groovy,” Harry commented after a few lyrics passed before he started dancing, pretty goofily if Y/N had any say in it. He had struggled to push up to his full height as he started dancing towards Y/N reaching out his hands for her to grab. She hesitated, knowing full well how dancing with this little foolish boy would affect her once again. She couldn’t help herself, though, as behind her speculative gaze there was nothing but admiration. She had reached her hand out and had been pulled from her couch to dance around her living room quiet sloppily.
“What are they saying?” Harry asked as he went to turn her.
Y/N couldn’t help but laugh as the two continued to listen to the song.
“What?” Harry asked.
“Eh... he’s saying how he fell in love with someone while they were dancing,” Y/N shook her head, “as much as it may seem, I’m not trying to say anything, here.”
“Shame,” Harry raised his brows before he suddenly stopped dancing with Y/N. She was left standing in the middle of her living room as she watched Harry walk over to kneel before her record player. His hands had stopped the record and taken it from the record player.
“What?” Y/N asked, furrowing her brows as she set her fists on her hips.
“S’nothing,” Harry shook his head.
“Yeah?” Y/N pressed.
“S’really nothing,” Harry sighed.
A few awkward moments passed between the two before Harry turned to peer over at Y/N,
“Why’d you chat me up all those months ago just to go plant one on somebody else on an Instagram story?” Harry asked, the hurt showing on his somber expression.
“What?” Y/N huffed in disbelief. He must have been out of his wits drunk.
“So you’re denying it?” Harry narrowed his eyes at Y/N.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Y/N offered, “when did this happen?”
“At that one wedding,” Harry explained. It took Y/N a moment before she remembered what Harry had perceived to be a risky moment between her and a young man.
“Are you talking about Alex?” Y/N couldn’t help the laughter that came with such a question.
“I... I don’t know. He was tall and you were dancing, and he,” Harry started before Y/N shook her head at him.
“He’s a very good friend,” Y/N stated, “nothing more.”
“Hm,” Harry still did not look convinced.
“He’s also finds men very attractive,” Y/N added.
“Ah,” Harry’s features showed his embarrassment as his tone turned slightly red, “I feel very foolish, all of a sudden.”
“Jumping to conclusions’ll do that to you,” Y/N shrugged before a pillow was thrown her way.
“You hurt my damn feelings,” Harry laughed as his hands went to cover his face.
“Why?” Y/N huffed to which Harry raised his head to look at her in bewilderment.
“I knew it,” Harry gaped.
“What?” Y/N’s brows pinched together.
“You’re an alien from Mars,” Harry nodded.
“What?” Y/N scrunched her nose at him.
“You act as if nobody has ever taken an interest in you,” Harry shook his head in bewilderment at Y/N.
“Oh, God. Well, I’m not very good at these things; if you haven’t noticed. I tend to read things wrong and make too much of things, and overcomplicate them, and then things inevitably get awkward,” Y/N suddenly stopped speaking, “I’m rambling... sorry... I’m sorry I made you feel so badly.”
“Me, too,” Harry voiced and it wasn't long before Y/N got up to pad over to where Harry had been sat to kneel in front of him. Her hands showed hesitation before they went to grab a hold of either side of his face and he couldn’t help but melt into her touch.
“Hi,” she almost seemed to whisper, her teeth going to bite at her bottom lip as she smiled at him.
“Hi,” he lowly responded, sleepily smiling back at her. Being at this proximity, Harry thought her eyes seemed to go on forever. There was a little glint to them, and he swore some film director out there somewhere was looking for someone with eyes half as breathtaking as hers.
“I’m sorry,” Y/N repeated but Harry could only shrug his shoulders in response as the scent of her perfume wafting through his nostrils. God, she smelled so nice.
“Would you mind terribly if I did something?” She continued to speak softly.
“Hey,” Harry pouted, “s’my line.”
Y/N’s smile deepened before Harry pushed forward to kiss her lips. Harry couldn’t help it as his arms went to encircle her torso, her elbows going to rest on his shoulders. Harry thought his heart would come up into her mouth, it was beating so hard and so fast. If it weren’t so creepy, he wanted so badly to open his eyes to see her in that exact moment—to see if she was just as in love with kissing his lips as he was with hers. He wanted her closer but didn’t know how to ask for more contact. With others, it had all come so naturally. With Y/N... well, she was different. All of a sudden, he didn’t want to rush things and he didn’t know how much he could take of her soft lips caressing his own.
“D’ya want this?” Harry couldn’t help but ask. All Y/N did was hum a response and Harry moved his head so that Y/N could nip down the side of his neck, sending chills down his entire being.
“Baby,” Harry mumbled into Y/N’s hair as he forced his eyes open, kissing the side of her head, “answer me?”
“What?” Y/N hesitantly pulled away.
“I mean,” Harry puffed out a sigh, “is this... are we going too fast?”
“Too fast?” Y/N’s brows raised out of confusion.
“Yeah,” Harry trailed as he tried to read her emotion.
“Uh,” Y/N laughed, “I mean, I don’t want to pressure you... or anything.”
“No,” Harry fervently shook his head as he went to rub at her bare arm, “just don’t wanna rush things.”
“I don’t,” Y/N seemed to cut off her own train of thought, “I’m sorry; if you don’t want me, that’s... fine.”
“No, I,” Harry quickly shook his head as Y/N sat on her heels, “of course I want you. I just... I don’t want... I... I tend to... rush things or... I start things too intimate at first and then a relationship follows... but you’re... I don’t know. I don’t want to start like that... at least not with you... I just... I really like you. And... I don’t wanna mess it up... You know?”
Y/N seemed to be trying to figure out whether or not she believed Harry.
“This is usually the part where,” Harry grinned after audibly gulping, “you tell me if you like me... too?”
Traces of a smile grew upon her features before she rolled her eyes, ”I mean, don’t let it go to your head.”
“I will let it go to my head,” Harry smiled as he leaned forward on his hands to extend his neck for her to kiss him, “I can feel my head expanding with it, now.”
“Harry,” Y/N pouted as her hands went to caress each side of his head.
“Y/N,” Harry reciprocated her tone.
“I kinda want to rush things,” Y/N scrunched up her nose.
“Yeah?” Harry seemed to tease, flashing another one of those grins where Y/N couldn’t discern sleep or want.
All Y/N could do was nod before pressing her lips on Harry’s, his tongue going to prod between her lips. His mouth was pleasantly warm for her. It wasn’t long before Y/N ended up on her back, Harry’s presence overwhelming her on the rug in the middle of her living room floor.
“Taste so sweet,” Harry mumbled in between Y/N’s kisses. Y/N only hummed as her fingers went to comb through the hair at the back of his neck.
“A date,” he suddenly pulled away as he looked down at Y/N’s eyelids as she recovered from the loss of contact.
“What?” She furrowed her brows.
“I want a real first date before we go any further,” Harry stated.
“Are you serious?” Y/N furrowed her brows up at him.
“Those are my terms,” Harry nodded, kissing Y/N’s nose in the process, “take ‘em or leave ‘em.”
+ + +
“How’d I look?” Y/N asked as her hands went to run over her legs once more, smoothing out the fabric of the dress Harry had sneakily watched her wiggle into earlier that afternoon from her bedroom.
“Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular,” Harry and Y/N both shared a fit of laughter, Y/N’s hand going to cover Harry’s larger one before he went to grasp at her fidgeting hands, “no, you look great, you look great. More importantly, how’d I look? I’m the one meeting your friends and family as a first date.”
“You’ve never looked bad a day in your life,” Y/N rolled her eyes as she shifted her weight onto the foot further away from Harry. The two hadn’t had much time to schedule a first date since that night the two shared in Y/N’s home. Their schedules just hadn’t matched up and Y/N decided to suggest the night of her next big soiree as a first date. Harry was reluctant; stating how much he had been wanting to “wine and dine” Y/N. The two both understood how needy the other was for intimate contact, however, and had agreed on the event as a sort of first date.
“Really know how to stroke a boy’s ego,” Harry smiled as he couldn’t help but drape his arms around Y/N’s waist. Harry liked the amount of skin that had been on display. It was a little more than he was used to and he hoped Y/N had done it with intent—with him in mind.
“Are you sure this looks okay? It’s not too tight around my butt?” Y/N craned her neck in attempt to peep a glance at her backside.
“Oh, it looks just fine,” Harry teased as his hands had slipped a little to rest hazardously above the asset they were discussing.
“Oof, m’shaking in me knickers,” Y/N laughed as she went to peck at Harry’s lips, Harry catching another just as she leaned away at the call of her name.
“Y/N, if you’re done trying to taste your boyfriend’s stomach, Odie’s here,” Jamie called out, a grin pulling at the corners of her lips that had been painted a deep shade of purple as she looked ahead at the sight of Harry’s back and Y/N stood in front of him.
“Oh, uh,” Y/N was going to correct Jamie but was suddenly stopped at the surprising sensation of Harry’s hands squeezing her bum before patting it and rising from his seat.
“Yes, how is the old chap?” Harry wondered aloud, grabbing a hold of Y/N’s hand to lead her out of their nook, as if nothing had happened. The pair had snuck into the kitchen to greet the cook. It hadn’t been long that the two had been chatting with the elder that Harry had to excuse himself to take care of the spilled soup stain on his button up he had caused while trying to slurp Odie’s dish when he barked at someone to find them a spoon. Y/N had stayed behind, scorning Odie for his temper when the two were interrupted.
“Baby,” Greta called, and Y/N immediately recognized the voice.
“Mami!” Y/N beamed as she left Odie’s side to go envelop her mother in an embrace. “You made it!”
“Of course; I told you I would, mamas,” came Y/N’s mother’s response.
“I know,” Y/N pulled away to get a better look at her mother, “but I feel like something always comes up.”
“Well, not this time around,” Greta shook her head as her hands went to push her daughter’s hair off her shoulder, “so... where’s the new boyfriend?”
“Oh my gosh,” Y/N’s eyes seemed to pop out of her head, they bulged so much, “you cannot call him that.”
“Why not?” Y/N’s mother scrunched her nose the same way her daughter would when she was confused.
“Because we haven’t had that talk, yet,” Y/N explained.
“Odie,” Y/N’s mother furrowed her brows over to the cook her daughter had created an odd friendship with.
“I’m already planning the wedding cake, Mami,” Odie grinned.
“I can’t with you two,” Y/N laughed, shaking her head as her hand slipped to intertwine her fingers with her mother’s, “come meet him?”
“Honey, that’s a big part of why I’m here,” Greta responded, “if he thinks I’m gonna take it easy on him just because he’s a big Hollywood star, he’s got another thing coming. You are my most precious thing in this world and-”
“Mom,” Y/N laughed as she squeezed her mother’s hand, “it doesn’t have to be this serious. I don’t even know if this is going to be a long term thing. I just... we haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time together lately and he was willing to come tonight, despite having to meet my family... Can you just... be nice to him? I really like him.”
“You deserve more than you understand, mija,” Greta went to cup her daughter’s cheek, “but, fine, yes. I’ll be nice... but not too nice.”
“Oh my goodness. Odie, nos veremos?” Y/N turned to Odie, signaling their departure.
“Sim, meus amores. Go, enjoy,” Odie nodded before turning back to his kitchen, “onde está aquela colher maldita?”
They had looked in the all the different rooms of the gathering, but it took an unusually long time to find the male. When they did, Y/N and Greta could not help the laughter that ensued. In the middle of the dance floor, Harry seemed to be having the time of his life dancing with one of the elders in Y/N’s family. She was a distant aunt—twice removed or something along those lines. She was a short, little thing standing at about four feet and eleven inches. It was quite comical, the foot height difference between the two as the elder seemed to lead Harry in a few turns here and there.
“Mira tu novio, hija,” Elena called out to Y/N once she noticed her laughing off to the side, “sabe bailar.”
Harry furrowed his brows as he looked back to Y/N to see what the older woman had said.
“She says you know how to dance,” Y/N translated over the music, the end of her laughter ending in a few huffs before Harry’s gaze shifted to the woman that stood next to her. Y/N watched as he neared his lips to the elder’s ear before Elena smiled and nodded, patting his back before she urged him towards Y/N and her mother.
“Sorry,” Harry laughed as he approached the two, Elena on his arm.
“Tan amable, Y/N,” Elena gushed up at Harry, “me miro bailando sola y me invito a bailar.”
Harry’s features contorted as he glanced at Y/N for translation. All Y/N could do is pout her bottom lip at the thought of Harry asking her lone aunt to dance.
“What a gentleman,” Greta raised her brows as Elena parted from the group, giving Harry a little squeeze before excusing herself, “s’nice to meet you, Harry.”
“I would say it was nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Y/L/N, but that couldn’t be true, right? Look too young to be this one’s mum,” Harry nodded as he went to cup Y/N’s mothers palm between his own.
“Oh, my God,” Greta let out a giggle that Y/N couldn’t help but furrow her eyebrows. Y/N couldn’t believe how her mother had already started falling under Harry’s spell.
“Honestly, are you her sister?” Harry continued.
“No,” she chortled, shaking her head, “I’m the mom.”
The mom? Her mother had graduated top of her class both in high school and after completing her master’s degree... What kind of response was that? Y/N crossed her arms as she watched her mother giggle like a school girl.
“Well, you could’ve fooled me,” Harry shrugged before he went on to flatter the older woman. It wasn’t long before Harry had noticed Greta’s toe tapping to the beat of the music playing behind them and had offered his hand to take her out to dance.
“You’ll have to teach me how to dance this,” Harry explained as he glanced at Y/N, “your daughter tried showing me, but I’ve got two left feet.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Greta shook her head as she rolled her eyes at her daughter, “besides, she’s not as nice a teacher as I am.”
“What was that, mom?” Y/N narrowed her eyes, grinning at the two before her mother turned to laugh at her.
“Nothing!” Y/N’s mother snickered as Harry went to twirl the woman.
Harry had spent the better half of the evening endearing Y/N’s friends and family—her mother especially. Greta had fallen in love with the young male. She went around doting on him like she would a son. After failing to get her daughter to fix Harry a plate, she took it upon herself to retrieve food from the kitchen for him. Since then, Y/N had felt pretty unessential. It was a different feeling, to sit back and watch someone she had started developing such serious emotions for go around and enchanting the people she was so close to. She couldn’t quite pin the feeling, at first. Pretty soon, though, she felt pathetic for feeling such a way. It was odd to feel jealous of the time her loved ones had monopolized with Harry. She had blamed it on the fact that she had entered the party thinking it would be a traditional one on one date with Harry—the one he had requested to begin with. Perhaps this was why he had been hesitant to count such a gathering as a first date.
In any event, Y/N had decided it wouldn’t be such a good look for Harry to look over from the little crowd of her relations he had attracted to see her pouting at a nearby table. She had removed herself from pouting in the corner and had treaded up the stairs to step into the night San Franciscan air. She normally wasn’t like this at one of her parties. A prior longtime boyfriend had frequented these events and they never had this problem. He would sit, drink, and smoke with his group of invited friends while Y/N would habitat the dance floor with a constant group of individuals. He would usually go home earlier than she would, but they would always end up sleeping next to one another at the end of the night. She never felt jealousy towards his friends for occupying his time... She wondered why it was so different with Harry. Sure, it was a different relationship (if you could call it that) with a different person; but she didn’t think that should change the way she felt about him spending time with her people.
“Hey,” a voice from behind Y/N’s seated body had frightened her as she quickly turned to see Harry’s head poking out from the door that led to the stairwell, “what’re you doin’ up here? It’s freezing.”
“Oh, uh,” Y/N smiled as she turned back to the scene she had been staring at, “watching lights.”
“The main character, are we?” Harry teased, frowning when Y/N didn’t laugh. It had been something she liked to use as a punchline so many times before and once he had started using the phrase, she always seemed to get a big kick out of the phrase. He wasn’t sure why it had tickled her fancy so much—something about hearing him specifically saying it, she had once said.
“You feeling okay?” Harry gently inquired as his hands went to rub at Y/N’s tense neck before being shrugged off by Y/N.
“Yeah,” she replied, still not looking up from staring out in front of her.
“Okay,” Harry sighed as his fingers went to bunch up the fabric of his pants before he sat down, “that’s a lie... C’mon, what’s wrong? Tired?”
“No,” she shook her head before tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Okay,” Harry went to look at the city lights, “have I done something to offend you? Something I said?”
“No,” Y/N shook her head as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Stop that,” Harry nudged her lip. It had been a conversation they had just had—Y/N pleading with him to help her stop her bad habit of picking at her lips with her teeth, “look, I’m no mind reader but I know there’s something bothering you... We were having such a lovely time...”
“You spent all night charming everybody’s pants off,” Y/N softly stated.
“And?” Harry shook his head, starting to become a little frustrated. He had never tried so hard to read her mind before... or anyone else’s, for that matter. There was a long pause between them before Harry’s elbow nudged Y/N’s side.
“Do you not want me? I mean, shouldn’t you be trying to charm my pants off?” Y/N huffed. Harry huffed out a breath before he shook his head, staring straight ahead.
“What?” Y/N asked.
“Baby,” Harry huffed as he turned to face Y/N, his hands reaching out to snake under Y/N’s chin so they could gently grasp the sides of her neck, his thumbs going to push her hair from her face.
“What?” Y/N shook her head as he looked at her under those lashes she had come to be so fond of.
“I couldn’t want you any more than you could possibly know tonight,” Harry replied before his lips were on her and it seemed like a ton of bricks were lifted from Y/N’s shoulders. Harry got chills as he still hadn’t gotten used to how soft her lips were against his own. She tasted like the bubble gum she had been chewing earlier, and he wondered if there would ever be a time when he would tire of the smell of her perfume. Y/N’s hands warmed Harry’s cheeks as he helped hoist her from her seated position next to him so that she could straddle his thighs a little more comfortably. Previous times her lips had met Harry’s were tender and their almost languid. This time was a little different—it was needier and the way Harry rubbed up and down Y/N’s arms had given her goosebumps. His larger hands had slipped down to rub at the bare thighs that had poked out from her bunched up dress. She couldn't help but shiver as the harsh callouses of his fingertips ghosted up and down her skin.
“Looked so good all night, baby,” Harry mumbled between kisses, “d’you wear the tightest dress you could find on purpose? Hm? ... And how’d you know my favorite color on you was blue?”
All he got in response was a little murmur he couldn't quite make out, but he didn’t mind. He liked how she licked at his mouth too much to get huffy puffy over a response that never came. Things had escalated pretty quickly from there—he could soon feel the heat of her where he wanted her the most and he didn’t know how much he could take of their clothing being in the way. There had been one or two purposeful movements of Y/N’s hips before Harry felt Y/N’s hands start to trail between them.
“What’re you doing?” Harry feigned ignorance as Y/N could feel the smile on his lips growing. All Y/N could do was whine at his statement before Harry’s hands had to stop her own.
“As pretty as you look on me out here, can’t do this out here,” Harry shook his head as his thumb went to brush some of Y/N’s hair from between her lips before he couldn’t help but run his thumb over her lips, “least not the first time.”
“Buzzkill,” Y/N frowned before her lips opened to allow Harry’s thumb to lay on her tongue before she briskly sucked on his thumb.
“What would you say to leavin’ the party a little early,” Harry voiced as he felt Y/N’s tongue on his thumb.
“Yes, please,” came Y/N’s muffled response before Harry pulled his thumb from Y/N’s mouth.
“Let’s go say our goodbyes, then,” Harry cooed at Y/N before pressing a kiss to her nose and helping her dismount his lap.
+ + +
[A/N: For all my Latinx Harries out there. I have been working on this since about the very ending of last year and so many things in this blurb have manifested (e.g. Harry + Florence Pugh + Chris Pine working together; people knitting A LOT in lock down). I’m convinced I’m psychic. I hope you are all doing well/safe. Please, remember to wear your masks, socially distance, and treat people w/ kindness. :)}
#harry styles#harry#styles#imagine#harry imagine#harry styles imagine#blurb#writing#harry writing#latinx#latin#harry styles writing
116 notes
·
View notes
Text
Zuko’s Story
Summary: Y/n is a fan of tea, but she's an even bigger fan of the cute boy who sells it at the Jasmine Dragon.
Prompts:
1. “I think I’m falling in love with you, and it scares me.”
4. “I’ve always been in love with you, since the beginning.”
11. “You look beautiful.”
23. "I really like having you around."
Fandom: ATLA
Pairing: Zuko x reader
Warnings: none
A/N: This is for @fromthewatertribe‘s 1k event! This was an idea I had before but saw your prompts and knew it would fit perfectly!
I slowly sipped on my tea, eyeing the cute server. I had been gawking at him for who knows how long, but I knew he wouldn't notice. He never noticed.
I knew his name was Lee by hearing it around the shop. I had been coming every single day for the past three weeks during my little brother Cam's bending lessons. I wasn't a bender, but he was, and I was determined for him to learn. Ever since our father had been taken away for bending when the fire nation raided our village, I knew he had to learn. I ran away with him the day I learned he could bend, refusing to let them take him too. As a result, we ended up as refugees in the last safe place there was, Ba Sing Se. And, even though money was so unbearably tight, I insisted that he go to regular lessons to learn how to bend. I was not going to let his talent be wasted.
"Would you like more tea?" I was startled out of my thoughts my a low voice beside me. I looked up quickly and had to fight back a blush. Of course it was Lee.
"No thanks, handsome," I blatantly flirted with him like usual and pressed a coin into his palm. He blinked a couple times before closing his hand around the coin. I got up and left him at the table, exiting the shop. It was about time I picked up Cam anyways.
I began to walk in the general direction of Cam's lessons. I didn't make it far, though. After a few minutes of walking, I was roughly pulled into an alley. I tried to scream, but a hand muffled my attempts. I twisted and thrashed, but my assailant had caught me well off guard so there was not much I could do to free myself. So, I stopped trying to free myself. I decided to wait until I saw an opening and take it. I had a whole plan in motion but it was shattered when I saw who had grabbed me.
"Lee?" I mumbled through his hand. I scrunched my eyebrows together and relaxed in his hold. It was only then that I processed how close we were. He had my wrists clasped behind my back, the rest of his arm pressing his body to mine. He was half a head taller then me, so he was looming over me.
"How to you know my name?" He rasped angrily. He lowered his hand from my mouth, which I appreciated, but when he brought it back he was holding a knife. I guess I preferred being muffled. He held the blade to my throat as a threat.
Well, I guess he finally noticed my staring.
"I heard it around the shop," I answered truthfully. To be honest, I was scared out of my mind. But, I was also a little bit turned on. This guy was really hot and the tough guy act sure wasn't helping my heartbeat. He was a lot cuter up close, I thought, then cursed at myself. That's what I was thinking about when I had a knife to my throat? However, for some reason, I didn't feel like he would hurt me. Be it the result of my crush or intuition, I just couldn't bring myself to be scared.
"Why do you stare at me all the time? What do you know? Do you know who I am?" He paused for a millisecond. "Answer me!" He shouted.
I opened and closed my mouth, I was sure I looked like a koi. "I, uh, don't know how to answer that," I replied carefully. "But I have no idea who you are or anything else pertaining to you for that matter."
"Then why are you always in the shop? And why do you always stare at me?" He asked the same question again and I knew I would have to give him a response. He wasn't going to let this one go.
"I like tea?" I said meekly. He gave me a hard stare in response. I sighed in defeat and slumped a little bit. I broke eye contact and looked off to the side to make sure no one was coming. It would be hard for Lee to explain his way out of that one. "Can you let me go at least?" I finally sighed. "I am not going to hurt you, you are the one with the knife."
Lee frowned but nodded and let me go. I shook out my arms, slightly numb from the awkward angle, and sighed in relief.
"Now tell me," Lee began, raising his knife to my throat again. "What business do you have with me?"
I rolled my eyes and pushed the knife away, no longer really scared. If Lee was a bad guy, he never would have let me go. "None? Listen if you want the truth, here it is. I think you're cute so I like going to the shop and watching you work. Nothing malicious."
"Oh," he said softly, lowering his knife.
"I am really sorry for staring at you all the time, I'll stop coming if that's what you want-well of course it's what you want of course you don't want some freak staring-"
"No." Thankfully, Lee cut off my rambling. "I, uh, well... I don't mind, well it's not that I don't mind but I really like having you around the shop."
"Oh," I breathed, a flush rising to my cheeks.
"Yeah," he muttered quietly and looked away. He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and quickly added, "You bring the tea shop a lot of business!"
"Oh," I said again, this time less excited. "Yeah I guess so," I muttered dejectedly.
"Well that's not it," Lee quickly followed up. "I mean I like your presence in the tea shop, you're really nice and tip well and ugh that's not what I mean I am just going to stop talking."
"I think that would be for the best," I chuckled. Then I looked at him again. He was so unbearably cute and I was sure I would never get another opportunity like this again, so I decided to go for it. "Look, I think you're really cute. Want to go out sometime?"
"Uh, I just held a knife to your throat," he responded dumbly. I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, now. Date?"
"He would love to!" A voice shouted from the opening of the alley. The old man who ran the tea shop, Iroh, walked towards us.
"Uncle!" Lee called indignantly. "Why are you here?"
"I was worried when you left so abruptly and good thing I came because you almost would have messed up this date with this lovely girl," Iroh shot me a wink.
"How long were you there?" Lee asked, a flush of embarrassment rising to his cheeks.
"Long enough," he quickly responded. "How about tonight at sundown in front of the shop," Iroh asked me.
"Sure," I nodded. "He's gotta make up for this whole endeavor somehow," I smirked and shot Lee a look. With that, I waved goodbye to the two guys and headed off to pick up Cam.
This wasn't such a bad day afterall.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Okay Cam, I want you right in bed at sundown, you hear me? No waiting up for me."
"Why, you planning to be out late with your boyfriend?" Cam shot back all too happily.
"No, because you have your lesson at sunrise," I said quickly, making sure I had everything I needed. Would Lee pay? I wasn't sure but I brought my purse just in case. "I worked hard to get us to the middle ring so that you could have a proper teacher and I will not have you being late!"
I felt Cam roll his eyes and sigh at me. "Yes, mom," he groaned. "At least tell me his name."
I turned to Cam, pursing my lips. I had tried to keep this whole date a secret from him, but having a nosy 12 year old in the house wasn't conducive to secrets. He had found out shortly after I picked him up, asking why I was late and accusing me of being out with a boy. When I flushed and stammered in response, he jumped on the opportunity. That was his go to accusation, it just so happened that this time he was right. Not in the way he thought, of course, but partially I suppose. I mean I did ask Lee out on a date.
I thought for a moment, then figured Cam would find out at some point who it was, especially if we went on more dates. I tried not to get my hopes up at the thought.
"It's Lee."
Cam gasped dramatically. "From the tea shop?"
"Yes from the tea shop," I huffed and spun on my heel. I walked over to a mirror hanging on the wall and checked my makeup one more time. I needed to leave soon if I was going to make it on time.
"To imagine, a love blooming from malicious stalkering-"
"I keep thinking you cannot get more stupid and then you prove me wrong every single time," I sighed.
Cam gasped dramatically again. "Wounded, by my own sister!" He cried. "Besides, am I wrong that you stalk him? I bet what happened was he confronted you about your stalker-ering and you were all like 'I've always been in love with you, since the beginning of time-'"
"Oh hush." I turned towards the door so that he couldn't see my blush. I mean, he wasn't that wrong. Lee did confront me about the stalk- watching of him, and I did confess in a way. "I am leaving now. When will you be in bed?"
"By sundown," Cam responded in a high pitched voice, obviously mocking me.
"Okay, bye. Be good," I said as a final goodbye and left.
My walk to the Jasmine Dragon was uneventful at best. Once I got there, I saw Lee outside. He was wearing a nice suit, his hair parted in the middle and slicked to each side. I whistled as I approached.
"Nice 'do, hot stuff," I grinned. He turned to face me, and unless I was mistaken, a blush rose to his cheeks.
"You look beautiful," he blurted, then flushed a bright red that I knew I wasn't imagining.
I was caught off guard by his blatant confession, and I felt a heat creep up my neck. "Uh, thank you. You don't look to bad yourself, though I do think I like your hair all messy better."
"Oh." Zuko reached up and ruffled it, messing it all up. "Like that," he smiled.
"Like that."
"It took my uncle ten minutes to do my hair," he commented.
"Well it took you a few seconds to mess it up, now come on, let's go. I know a great restaurant that's super cheap but super good," I said and grabbed his hand, tugging him after me.
Eating was awkward if anything. Lee wasn't the biggest conversationalist, not wanting to talk about anything about himself, and the food was mediocre at best. It was cheap, though.
"Let's split the bill," I said when we were done eating. Lee opened his mouth to argue, but I stopped him. "I picked the place so it is partially my fault the food was so bad."
"I didn't know you were in the kitchen," Lee smirked.
"You don't know a lot of things about me," I grinned cheekily. At that, Lee's face darkened. He was hiding something big, I knew it. It was probably something about his past, seeing as he was so guarded about it.
"Come on," I said, breaking the tense silence. "Let's get out of here."
The waiter arrived and we paid our check. Luckily, they gave us two cups of tea to go. I took mine and Lee took his and we were on our way.
"Ugh," I groaned, sipping my tea. "This is disgusting, its so cold."
"Here," Lee reached out and took it from me. He held onto it for a second then handed it back. Miraculously, it was hot when he handed it back.
"What the..." Then it hit me. The only way he could have done that was if he was a firebender. I looked up at him in surprise, ready to make a run for it, but then I took another look at him. It wasn't like a Earth bender gave him that scar, and he was here for a reason, probably to start over. That's why he was so defensive about who he was when he questioned me earlier today. So I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. He hadn't hurt me yet, and he didn't hurt me when we thought we were alone in that alley, so I doubted that he'd hurt me now.
"Thanks," I finally decided on with a smile. I let him walk me back to my place, knowing Cam was probably still awake. When we reached my door, I turned to him. "Thank you for taking me out."
"Thank you for uh, not getting mad I held a knife to your throat," he replied, shyly rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, I don't know if I'm still over that," I said with a small smirk. "I might need another date to see if I forgive you."
Lee's eyes darkened. "I don't know if I can do this-"
"Oh come on," I sighed. "I liked spending time with you, I hope you liked spending time with me. It's not like we're going to get married, just hang out a bit more. Come on, one more date and that's it."
Lee sighed. "One more date. And that's it."
"And that's it." I agreed with finality.
After that, we started going out on dates every few days. We went to festivals together, tried out new restaurants, and even went out on picnics. It was on one of those picnics that I finally decided to confess to him. We were up on a hill under the shade of a great tree, looking out over the sprawling city. We had lapsed into silence.
"I need to tell you something-" We both said at the same time. We both flushed and turned away.
"You first," I said.
"No you." I stayed silent, staring at Lee expectantly until he sighed and caved. "Fine. I think... Well look. There's still so much you don't know about me. I've done some pretty horrible things in my past."
"I think people can change," I asserted.
Lee shook his head. "Terrible, horrible things. Things no one should ever dream of doing. But I did them. I thought that I had lost my honor and that somehow my father could restore it to me... but now... now I am not so sure." He turned to me and grabbed my hands. "Ever since I met you I've felt like I was an impostor, a fake pretending to be someone I wasn't. Now I think this is me." He sighed and closed his eyes. "What I'm trying to say it that I think I'm falling in love with you and it scares me."
I leaned up and moved to kiss him, but he pulled away. "Why?" I said, hurt in my voice.
Lee grasped both of my cheeks and pulled our foreheads together. "Listen, I have to do something before we can be together. I need to make up for my mistakes. I got a message last night inviting my uncle and I to serve tea to the King. I think it's a trap. The Avatar is in the city which means my sister is not far behind."
"Your sister... Who are you?" My voice was barely over a whisper, I was surprised it didn't get lost in the wind.
"I am Zuko, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation."
I paused, my head reeling. I knew he was a firebender but the prince? The prince of the Fire Nation? It was a lot to take in. Luckily he gave me my time and waited patiently for my next question. "And you think its a trap but you're still going to go?" I asked in bewilderment.
"Yes. I need to stop running away from my destiny. You helped me realize that I'm not bad, I can be good."
"What is your destiny?" I asked breathlessly.
"To teach the Avatar firebending."
I pulled my head away from his so that I could get a good look at him. "Then go. And don't you dare not think about coming back for me."
"I will." Lee- no, Zuko looked like he was hesitating, then he pulled me into ferocious kiss, stealing my breath away from me. When we separated, we placed our foreheads together, gasping for air, our breaths intermingling.
"You have no idea how long I have been waiting to do that," I gasped, but smiled.
"I feel the same," Zuko smiled too. "Now come on, let's go."
With that, he walked me home and then walked right out of my life, leaving me to wonder if I would ever see him again.
#Ahhh sorry this was getting so long#i might make a reunion part if you guys like it#but anyways#I loved writing this and thank you to nina for hosting this event!#and congrats on 1k!#ninas 1k event#fromthewatertribe#zuko x reader#atla x reader#zuko imagine#prince zuko#atla imagine#atla#avatar: tla#ps i may be writing another shhhh dont tell nina lol
132 notes
·
View notes
Text
Asami Jun “Research 100″ translation part.1/2 ❄
This translation is from her first photobook that was published in 2019. This is an interview segment where she answers 100 questions about herself, what she likes etc... (a bit like the “This or That” interviews in older photobooks)
This post contains the 50 first questions and I’ll soon post the other part with the last 50.
You can buy a copy of her photobook here 😊
Lil’ disclaimer before putting the translation, I’m in no way a native speaker, nor bilingual so there /may/ be errors but my dms are open so if you see something that’s mistranslated dm me and I’ll change it. Also I couldn’t translate questions 29, 34 and 36 sorryyyyy
(+ English is NOT my first language so yeah sorry in advance for the grammar mistakes).
Also I tried to add links to some of the things aasa mentions (like music, movie etc…)
The questions are labelled as “Q...” and the answers are quoted and labelled as “A”, if you see /this/ it’s just my notes
enjoy :)
Profile
Name: Asami Jun
Troupe: Snow Troupe
Birthday: 11/6
Blood Type: O
Nickname: Aasa, J
Height: 169cm
Eyesight: It’s bad. I wear contacts.
Shoe size: 24cm
Ring size: For my smaller fingers I wear size 9 and for my bigger fingers I wear size 12 (Japanese size)
Charm point: People often say it’s scary, but the ability to convey emotions through my eyes (laughs)
Strength: I’m always relaxed/natural.
Weakness: I don’t plan things
Catchphrase: Motivation, energy, and patience
Birthplace: Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
Your favorites…
Q1: What’s your favorite season?
A: Summer
Q2: What’s your favorite event of the year?
A: New Year’s Eve. I like to watch end of year tv programs with my family
Q3: Which countries do you want to visit?
A: Spain and Italy
Q4: What’s your favorite animal?
A: Dolphin
Q5: What’s your favorite music?
A: My fav of all time is “Kibou no Wadachi” from Southern All Stars
Q6: What’s your favorite movie?
A: The Notebook (romanized name: Kimi ni yomu monogatari), I cry everytime I watch it
Q7: What’s your favorite stage genre?
A: “Straight play” I also like small theater stages
Q8: What’s your favorite tv program genre?
A: Travel programs. I love “Another Sky” and programs where they introduce resorts hotels
Q9: What’s your favorite color?
A: Purple and shades of blue
Q10: What’s your favorite (kind of) books?
A: Books that explain history in an easy way. I’ll use them as references for my stage performances
Q11: What’s your favorite scent?
A: Sage wood, wooden scents
Q12: What’s your favorite food?
A: Gyoza
Q13: What’s your least favorite food?
A: Crab innards /ngl this looks disgusting/
Q14: What’s your cooking specialty?
A: I can do really delicious gyozas /not sure about this translation/
This or that
Q15: Meat or Fish?
A: Meat!
Q16: Japanese food or Western-style food or Chinese food?
A: Chinese food. I like any type of Chinese food
Q17: Japanese sweets or Western-style sweets?
A: Japanese sweets. I love Neri-kiri
/a colourful japanese pâtisserie made of white bean paste and white rice paste/
Q18: Coffee or Black Tea?
A: Coffee. Black coffee
Q19: Salt or Soy Sauce or Sauce?
A: Salt
Private me
Q20: Are you more of a morning person or a night person?
A: I'm both
Q21: The first thing you do after waking up?
A: I make coffee
Q22: When you take a bath, do you use hot water or lukewarm water?
A: Hot water. But during summer, I take half body baths
/from what I understand she only dips her body till her hips/
Q23: When it’s time to sleep, do you sleep with a light on or in pitch darkness?
A: In pitch darkness. When I’m in the dark I fall asleep in 2 seconds (laughs)
Q24: Until now, what’s the longest time you have slept for?
A: Approximatively 12 hours
Q25: What do you do to change your mood?
A: I drive to places with abundant nature
Q26: How much time do you spend on your phone ?
A: A lot of time
Q27: When you want to contact someone do you prefer to write a mail /I assume it’s the same as texting/ or calling?
A: Mail
Q28: Usually are you more of a talking person or a listening person?
A: I think I’m more of a listening person…
Q30: Are you more sensitive to heat or to cold?
A: I’m more sensitive to heat but I like summer (laughs)
Q31: Do you prefer to be in a group or by yourself?
A: By myself. I’d rather go shopping by myself
Q32: Which qualifications do you have?
A: I have a driver license, an English certification (grade 2) and a diving license.
Q33: What kind of shoes do you prefer?
A: Shoes that are easy to walk in. Also thick heels
Q35: A habit that you can’t stop yourself from doing?
A: Clap my hands when I laugh
Q37: The thing you’re afraid of?
A: Natural disasters
Q38: The thing you treasure?
A: A photo file with a message made by everyone when we starred in a performance together
/Not clear of who she is talking in particular/
During your day off
Q39: Are you more of an indoor or an outdoor person?
A: If I go out in the morning I’m not able to go home until night (laughs)
Q40: What’s your karaoke specialty? /as in in which song are you the most confident singing when you go to a karaoke/
A: Nakamori Akina’s “Shoujo A”. I like “Shoujo A”
Q41: Where do you often go shopping?
A: In Umeda, it’s big
/She says “Umeda is big”/
Q42: When you go shopping do you hesitate on what to buy or do you choose quickly?
A: I choose quickly! I think that if you hesitate it means that you don’t really need it
Q43: When you’re on holidays what’s the first thing you want to do ?
A: I want to pass all day driving to temples and sanctuaries
Q44: During holidays are you more carefree or do you plan everything?
A: I’m the type who has a schedule tightly planned.
During your childhood
Q45: Your nickname when you were a child ?
A: Mossan
Q46: Your favorite subject at school ?
A: History. Because that was where the content related to Takarazuka’s shows came from (laughs)
Q47: The school subject you hated the most?
A: Science in general
Q48: The game you often played?
A: Dodge ball and Kickball
Q49: Which clubs were you in? What did you learn?
A: In elementary school I was in the track and field club
In middle and high school I was in the dance club
I was also learning classic ballet. During elementary school if I was in the track and field club I could play dodge ball /i guess that’s why she entered/ (laugh)
Q50: What did you want to do as an occupation ?
A: Except for being a takarasienne I wanted to be a dolphin trainer (laugh)
36 notes
·
View notes
Photo
---------------------------------
I'm going to start by clarifying that these are messages I got in response to my post here /// LINK /// After this, I'm not replying to messages about this kinda thing in a long time. Talking about sexualization and such other topics is important but I'm not in a state to be made the center of it. Please, don't come to my inbox asking for discourse, go and create your own posts if you want to raise awareness or vent.
And now to answer to these new asks:
FIRST OF ALL: while I love the way Murata draws men, robotic stuff, monsters... I actually HATE the way he draws ladies! I prefer their proportions in the OPM anime and games. Murata is literally SO BAD at drawing women compared to the level of expertise he has drawing men, and it's all ‘cos he keeps drawing ladies "the h0rny way". We all know this, let's move on.
"He's drawing all the monster girls sexualized" Did the fact that Manako's genre reveal deconstructs the trope "the default is male" totally go over your head? That Psykos's reveal as a woman running the whole MA was a big deal for this same reason as well? There are a bunch of female monsters… you just assume they're all male unless you see big b00bs and then complain about that very fact. They literally made a whole point about this specifically!
"He changed Mizuki's shorts to p4nties to please fanboys" I liked the shorts better too (just because I find her whole character design a bit more balanced that way) so that change bothered me as well, but the "p4nties" are actually standard athletic wear for competition. Shorts are not. Technically, she’s drawn more accurately now.
"Sports Bras don't work that way he just wants to draw b00bs" neither do the shirts and bodysuits the guys are wearing. You can see all their muscles and manb00bs and cr0tch lines, just as much as with Fubuki and Tatsu's hero outfits and Mizuki's top.
"But when the boys are drawn that way, it's not to please the ladies, it's male power fantasy" THERE IS NO HETEROSEXUAL MALE POWER FANTASY BULLSHIT THAT CAN POSSIBLY EXPLAIN THE WAY MURATA DRAWS GAROU, FLASH, SONIC, STINGER AND SOME OF THE OTHER GUYS. The fact is that the way he draws eye candy of them appeals to other collectives other than the cis het men and he knows exactly what he's doing. Period.
"He constantly draws sexualized art of Mizuki to please the fanboys" Why exaggerate so much? This is simply not true. She's a woman in athlete wear, most of the time she's either standing up talking or fighting, no weird angles or anything. There is like 1 sexy cover of her, the back cover with all the girls in bikinis and then that infamous watermelon sequence. That's all the sexualization you are talking about.
"Mizuki only gets so much screen time because of how much p0rn of her there is" oh yeah Mizuki got a grand total of, like, *drum roll* 1 chapter and a half dedicated to her! Wow! Which is NOTHING taking into consideration how dense Garou's arc is and the fact that they will need at least 2 seasons of the anime to finish it.
But think about this: OPM desperately needed more female presence, in special with the prospect of finishing Garou's arc in the anime. Making anime is hard and COSTLY. Most of the people who is going to watch the anime haven't read the manga and they'll be like "what the heck there are no female characters in this anime for like 3 seasons?" and there is no team that's going to risk it working with such prospects. We know why.
Of all the expansion that Garou's arc got in the manga adaptation (and later in the anime), one of the most sensible and balanced decisions was to add more ladies. They put all those monster ladies for season 2, and then for season 3 we get Manako and Mizuki having some strong presence, Shadow and Kamaitachi there a bit in the back too. It benefits the pace and balance of both the manga and the future season 3 so immensely because Fubuki, Tatsumaki and Psykos take a LOOONG while to be relevant during Garou's Arc… in special with all the filler the manga put in between (but all that filler is of the S-Class boys getting development and a reality check which is kinda important too lol).
Point is: the screentime Mizuki got was VERY necessary to balance things in between of all the relentless Garou fights and the boys being boys. Sure Mizuki is beautiful and sexy and all, but really EVERYONE was waiting for a new female character that was relevant, likeable, fun… and on top of everything, it's so rare to see a strong 2m tall girl in fiction in general, not even just anime. Everyone got instantly excited about her because she's exactly what we needed AND MORE. And sure, people draw p0rn of her like they do with most other popular characters, what did you expect.
"The ladies are always more sexualized-" YES, in the OPM manga, the ladies are a little more sexualized than the men –but not by much AND not during plot stuff. By that I mean that most of the so called "sexualizing the girls" happens in the covers, back covers and promotional art very exclusively, and not during the story itself. HOWEVER, a lot of the sexy men bits do happen during the story, curiously.
In the anime though, there is almost zero ladies fanservice (which makes sense since there is almost no female presence in the first 2 seasons anyway). Yet it's full of naked dudes, sometimes for a good reason, but mostly just so we can look at them being sexy and silly.
I personally don't care if the man candy and ladies fanservice is not perfectly even in Murata's manga adaptation, because there is enough of both in his work, as well as other official OPM stuff like the anime and games to bring a very nice balance in the s3xy department.
"The way the women are dressed-" Most of the background ladies are wearing skirt uniforms and shit, but all the relevant ladies primarily dress in nothing you can call "sexualized" except for maybe Tatsumaki with her strong leg game. To recall:
Lilly wears the same as the men of the Blizzard Group; Twin Tail just dresses like a jester; Mizuki is the first to show so much skin, but she's still wearing real standard competition wear for athletes. All the other sportwomen (Hornet and Swim) and martial artists (Shadow, Suiko, Lin Lin) wear standard clothes for their respective professions too. Sure we've seen Shadow wearing some, uh, ninja bikini thing under her ACTUAL work clothes, but for actual fights she's fully dressed and surprisingly not stuffed in a tiny nylon bodysuit that rips like stocking, like all the ninja men in the series do lmao.
Fubuki and Tatsumaki are, like, the only ones wearing dresses and they can because they use psychic powers anyway. Fubuki doesn't even show ANY skin, ever! She just happens to have big b00bs! Kamaitachi is the other one wearing a "skirt" but it's similar to what Japanese martial artists would wear, too.
So, again… all this sexualization we are talking about is not even happening anywhere except in Murata's covers and some promotional art. ONE is famous for treating ladies very fairly, even if Murata tries very hard to exploit the sexy out of every single of the ladies ONE creates. All these ladies have their own agenda and personality that have nothing to do with being pretty or f*ckable. In fact, in-universe, no one ever mentions if the heroines are beautiful or sexy and no one ever talks about liking them for those reasons (except for Lilly and Erika who are gay for Fubuki and Tatsumaki respectively, amazingly enough no hetero characters mention it). I think the first time we've ever seen a relevant character talking about dating another relevant character is when Suiryu told Saitama and Suiko to date (but Suiryu is the resident h0rny fuckboy of the series, if someone was going to say something so stupid for all the wrong reasons, it was going to be him).
For being an adult series, a seinen that parodies shonen tropes and all, OPM is seriously very tame in the sexy ladies department. For this series, the sexy is just a luxurious accessory, just one more little thing. It's always pretty weird when people get so angry and disappointed about a new sexy girl cover or a couple of compromising panels, like they don't know what to expect.
"He only draws that way to please the h0rny fanboys" Murata IS a h0rny fanboy himself and draws shit that appeals to him as much as he feels he’s allowed to insert in the series. Please remember he's the insane fanboy that reached up to ONE to beg him to continue One Punch Man and offered to make a manga adaptation to promote OPM.
From the moment Murata started drawing OPM, the tone of the manga was set and never changed: lots of blood and guts, comical and non-comical nudity, irreverence, sexy angles, Genos ripping his shirts off, ninjas in body suits that rip like they are nylons… people in shirts, tanktops and dresses so tight you can see all their muscles, boobs and even belly buttons whether they are men or women or otherwise… h0rny chapter covers, stupidly h0rny monsters…
Just reading the manga to the point where Genos and Mosquito Girl first appear, you know what you are in for with OPM. I don't know what some fans are expecting to see in OPM next, but I'm going to take a wild guess here and say: you should expect more of the same.
At the end of the day, the manga is Murata's work with ONE, and if he likes drawing h0rny ladies more than boys, that's how things are! This is just 2 guys with their passion project. I don't expect of them the same as if there was a bigger team with a big budget behind the series, like it happens with many games and shows. In this last case, I would be a lot stricter about all this, because with more resources you're expected to do better things.
#one punch man#captain mizuki#tornado of terror#blizzard of hell#psykos#manako opm#fubuki#tatsumaki#opm#manako#lunamaria on the phone
28 notes
·
View notes
Text
Because Two People Got Drunk: 26
Series Masterlist
Chapter 26
A/N: Italics indicate flashbacks
Summary: You and Fred have the first ultrasound and hear the heartbeat. You start to prepare for the move as the date is approaching.
Warnings: Smut, edging, oral sex (male and female), swearing
Word Count: 6700
The past couple weeks have been hard on you and your body. You have had morning sickness most days, and whoever named it morning sickness is an absolute liar, you’ve been having it at all times of the day. You have been exhausted most days, and chasing an energetic two year old has made it even harder. Fred had scheduled Christie to come over while he was out on the road to try and relieve some stress from you and allow you to nap, and also get things ready for the move.
You are kneeling on the cool tile of the bathroom the sun just barely peeking through the blinds on the window. You woke up feeling extremely nauseous, barely making it to the bathroom before morning sickness took over you.
“Ugh” you groan flushing the toilet. Instead of standing up you lean back expecting to hit the bathtub but instead crash into Fred’s large legs; he must have followed you without you noticing.
He strokes your head as you sit in silence for a couple minutes. Your body is clammy; your face is hot, which is making you feel like you might be sick again. Fred grabs a facecloth and runs it briefly under the bathtub faucet before placing it on your forehead.
“I’m sorry babe” he says soothingly.
“It’s not your fault” you mumble. “I mean it kind of is, but I don’t blame you” you say as you tilt your head to look up at him.
“Well thanks smuk” he laughs lightly.
You sit on the floor for a couple minutes, with your eyes closed. After a few deep breathes you push up off the floor to stand up, Fred puts an arm under yours, helping to pull you to your feet. He wraps his arms around you, holding you against his chest, fingers tangled in your hair while you face is pressed into his chest.
“Was it like this last time, with Ollie?”
Your fingers lightly play with the back of his shirt, you look up at. You hear the gentle beating of his chest, your head rising and falling with his breaths.
“I wasn’t around as much during the beginning of that one, I missed some of this stuff” he says softly. Fred has never told you but you know he has some regrets for how things played out last time, not that you don’t.
“Babe once you found out you were there. I mean you didn’t know until I was almost 8 or 9 weeks pregnant. But once you found out you were amazing and did so much” Fred gently rubs circles on your back holding you against him. “You made me dinner, came to the appointments, made sure I never ran out of mushrooms” Fred chuckles slightly at that, a small smile appears on his face.
“You were there for me babe” you reassure him. He grips your collarbone; fingers tangled in your hair and he places a soft kiss to your forehead. You grip his t-shirt and take a deep breath before continuing “but yeah I had some morning sickness with him I wasn’t as tired though, but it was over by the end of the first trimester. So guess I still have a few more weeks of this”
“Sorry skat” he says resting his head on yours. You stand there for a little while later before you finally let go of Fred and walk over to the sink grabbing your toothbrush.
You begin brushing your teeth, while Fred leans against the doorframe waiting for you to finish. You spit out the toothpaste begin to rinse your mouth when you hear Fred over the running water ask “how far do you think you are?”
You turn around leaning against the vanity counter “Uh I had a period around Ollie’s birthday, so my G.P thinks this little one was likely conceived a couple weeks later, around my birthday.”
“So your 6 or 7 weeks then” he says and you nod into his chest.
“Yeah, so 6 or 7 more weeks of this” you groan. Fred walks over to you and scoops you up, carrying you to bed “I’m here for you babe” he whispers lying beside you; gently rubbing your back until you doze off again.
You wake up closer to 9am when you hear the bedroom door gently open; Fred brings you breakfast and tea in bed. “Hey babe” you mumble trying to open your eyes.
The bed dips while Fred leans up against the headboard sitting beside you “how you doing princesse?”
“Better than a couple hours ago” you say curling up beside him, your head leaning against his side.
“Christie will be here at 10:30 so we can leave any time after that.” Fred grabs the fork and scoops some eggs, bringing it to your mouth. You wrinkle your nose in disgust and shake your head, scrambled eggs was a great breakfast yesterday but not today.
His hand has begun rubbing soft soothing circles on your back, as he puts the fork back on the plate. “Bacon?” he asks, he doesn’t even wait for you to respond the look on your face giving away your answer.
“Toast?” he asks and you nod your head as he hands you the toast and sets the plate in front of you, trying to stop the crumbs from getting in the duvet.
You take two bites, before you get a whiff of the bacon causing you to gag. You quickly set the toast down and jump out of bed, taking some deep breaths trying not to vomit. Fred looks at you before you finally say “the bacon, it needs to go.”
“On it” he laughs shoving the bacon in his mouth. He quickly chews the two pieces of bacon, and you laugh watching him. When he finally swallows the last piece you crawl back into the bed beside him, head resting on his shoulder.
“Thanks babe” you say reaching over him for your tea.
“No problem I will eat your bacon any day” he says laughing. “You should eat some more food though” he suggests but you just shake your head and put the plate on the side table.
“I can’t eat now” you mumble feeling your stomach churn thinking of food. You bring the mug to your mouth; you smell the aroma of honey and lemon and feel the steam on your lips. The tea helps to settle your stomach slightly as you sit in silence with Fred for a couple minutes before you hear the loud banging of toys from the living room which draws Fred out to check on Oliver.
After getting ready you and Fred head out to look at some furniture and meet with the designer for the new house. You are bringing all your furniture from your current house, but given that the new house is substantially bigger you need to buy a lot more. You spend two hours looking at wallpaper patterns, furniture sets, throw pillows and various pieces of art.
You can tell Fred would have preferred you do this without him. You keep saying you want his opinion and input but he responds that as long as you and Ollie are there and he has a bed he doesn’t care about much more on the inside.
“So you want to design Oliver’s room the same as his current room?” Sarah asks.
“Yeah but with a toddler bed” you respond. “We thought the move would be easier on him if he had some similarities to the old place.”
“I have the paint we used, I will send it over to you” Fred adds.
“Okay well I think that’s good for today. Most of the big decisions are done and I will be in contact for everything else” Sarah says smiling while you both rise to your feet.
You walk out of the building; the cool Pittsburgh air hits your face. Your face burns from the temperature, while you pull your hood over your toque and zip your zipper up to your chin. Fred laughs watching you do this “thought you were Canadian” he teases.
“What a stupid stereotype. Toronto doesn’t even get that cold” you mumble knowing he is completely joking you just hate the assumptions people always make when they hear you’re Canadian. Fred leads you to the car, opening your door for you before heading to a nearby café to get some lunch before your doctor’s appointment.
“I’m so sleepy” you yawn resting your head on his shoulder in the waiting room. Another doctor was called away for a delivery, causing the others to try and squeeze his appointments in, creating a delay. Fred has an arm wrapped around you, you head resting on him while you close your eyes.
You feel your stomach grumble and sigh, Fred tried to get you to eat more but your stomach was still doing backflips at lunch. You managed to eat most of your soup, but couldn’t even consider ordering a sandwich. That was almost two hours ago and now you wish you brought a small one with you.
You feel Fred shift slightly beside you, but you keep your eyes closed “here” he says and you open your eyes. You see your purse on his lap, and he has 2 different types of granola bars, a container filled with crackers and your Contigo bottle in his hands. You sit up and stare at Fred who just shrugs at you “When you didn’t eat breakfast I thought you might get snacky. And a snacky (Y/N) leads to a hangry (Y/N). I didn’t like dealing with a hangry (Y/N) before you got pregnant, so I put these in here while you were showering.”
“Thanks” you laugh its crazy how well this man knows everything about you; knows what you’ll ask for before you even have the chance. You place a soft kiss on his cheek and grab one of the granola bars; Fred opens the other one and eats it as you return your head to his shoulder. About 20 minutes later you finally are called to the exam room.
“Hi I’m Dr. Morris sorry for the wait. Nice to meet you” she says walking in. “How are you feeling? Any nausea?”
Fred laughs lightly causing the doctor to shoot him a glace. “Yeah I’ve had some; it’s been kind of rough. It wasn’t this bad in my first pregnancy. I’ve also been really tired.”
“You’re general practitioner thinks your around 6-7 weeks?” she asks and you both nod. “That all can be normal in the first trimester. It typically subsides during the second trimester but I can write you a prescription for the nausea, you take it as needed at night. Let’s start with the ultrasound” she says handing you a prescription.
She moves to start the ultrasound, placing some cold jelly on your stomach, you jump slightly at the feeling. You forgot just how cool the jelly was. Fred laughs under his breath, sitting beside you grabbing your hand. She takes a second moving the wand around “so everything looks great.” She starts as she turns the screen to you “and here is your baby” pointing on the screen. “We might be able to hear the heartbeat right now.”
A few seconds later you hear the heartbeat fill the room. Fred’s grip tightens on your hands and he shifts closer to you “that’s amazing” you hear him whisper, eyes locked on the screen. She continues taking some pictures, moving the wand around on your stomach.
“Are you sure you are 7 weeks?” she asks.
“I saw my doctor last week for the referral and she dated me at around 6 weeks based off my last period” you explain. “She didn’t do an ultrasound though.”
“Well periods aren’t always accurate some women get their period for their entire pregnancy. Based off the sizing, I would put you closer to 12, maybe 13 weeks.”
“Well my last period was very light, more spotting than anything” you explain.
“That could have been implantation bleeding, very easy to mix up if it was light spotting. We’ll keep monitoring it and confirm it later, but I think you are closer to 12 weeks” she says smiling. You continue with your appointment and she provides you with some vitamins and other nutrients to add to your diet
“12 weeks eh?” Fred says sliding into the passenger seat with a grin on his face. “I thought this baby was conceived on your birthday, but that lines up more with my birthday.”
You smile and begin to remember that night:
You sit on the couch waiting for Fred to return. He went to tuck Oliver in 30 minutes ago and hasn’t returned. After training camp they started the season with a couple road games in Philly and Boston, so he was actually away for his birthday. It’s now October 8, and it’s his first night at home without a game since the season started.
The episode of the office you were watching ended and before the next one begins you pause it and get up walking down the hall to Oliver’s room, a large smile spreads across your face at the sight before you. You see Fred sitting in the chair in Oliver’s room legs resting on the built in foot rest, the chair reclined slightly. Oliver is snuggled into his arm a fleece blanket resting across both of them, he’s sleeping but Fred continues to reads him his story. Fred smiles when he sees you in the doorway “he wanted another story, how could I say no?” he asks.
You walk over and kiss Oliver’s forehead “you don’t” you say smiling. You place a hand on Fred’s chest and lean down placing a soft kiss on his lips.
“You gonna sleep in here?” you ask him softly pulling his ball cap off his head revealing his slightly messy red hair.
“Maybe, this chair is really comfortable” Fred says closing the book and handing it to you. You put it back on the shelf before heading to the door. “It’s a shame, I have one more present for you” you say suggestively.
“(Y/N) what present?” he asks, interest peaked. You turn your head and just wink at him and grin before walking away. You head to the bedroom and strip out of your clothes throwing them in your hamper leaving you in a bright red, deep plunge teddy. The neckline drops to one inch above your belly button, and the thin straps cross in the back. There is a floral lace pattern sewn onto the minimal fabric, minimal because the bottoms are crotchless and assless.
There are some thin straps that outline the shape of underwear, with a few criss-cross patterns, but otherwise you are completely exposed below the hips.
“Fucking hell” you hear as he gently closes the door. “This mine?” he asks his finger sliding down your spine and onto your ass.
“Mhm” you hum in response. “You can do whatever you want with it, keep it on, take it off” you trail off as you feel his hands cup your ass he sucks on your neck. “Whatever you want baby, today is your day” you finally finish.
“Whatever I want?” he hums sucking on your earlobe, he steps up to you his erection pressed into your back one hand massaging your breast the other playing with the straps on your pelvis.
He bites your collarbone causing you to gasp and tilt your neck “whatever you want babe” you moan out.
He pushes you a few steps forward, and you brace yourself on the dresser. His hand connects to your ass and you yelp slightly. Fred chuckles reaching around you to open a drawer and pulls out some lube, he uses his hands to separate your cheeks and squeezes some onto your ass.
You groan thinking of him taking your ass; you haven’t done it in a while. Fred senses your eagerness as you stick your ass out for him, he chuckles, spreading some of the lube around before sliding two fingers inside you.
“We can’t do that babe, can’t put a baby in you that way” he says thrusting his fingers in and out of you.
“Freddie” you whine back at him, you didn’t realize how bad you wanted it until he put his fingers in your ass.
“You said I could do whatever I wanted, well I want to put a baby in you. On your birthday we can do whatever you want” he says slowly pumping his fingers in and out. His other hand comes around to your breast and begins to massage it.
“Fuck” you cry out, pressing your hips back. You bring a hand down to your sensitive bud; you’re practically dripping from anticipation. You start pressing hard circles into it as Fred pinches your nipple. You slowly slide two fingers inside your folds, moaning at the feeling.
“You like that babygirl?” he growls, still unaware of what your hand is doing.
“Fuck babe” you moan as your match Fred’s pace with your own hands. “Oh my god” you say loudly as your head falls back onto his chest. Fred removes his hand from your breast and slides it down your body. He approaches your core and stops when he feels your arm. “Babe, are you” he starts to ask but before he can finish he slides his hand down and feels your wrist confirming his suspicions.
He pulls his hands from your ass and quickly turns you around. Your fingers slide out of your folds as you grip the dresser. You stare into his eyes when he finally growls “bed now.”
You walk over and lie down; Fred sits on the bed beside you staring into your eyes. You roll on your side, sliding a hand to his thigh inching towards his bulge that is straining his pants when you feel a firm grip on your wrist.
“No, keep your hands to yourself” he whispers kissing your forehead. He gently pushes you onto your back and puts a pillow under your head; he grabs your dominant hand and slides it down to your folds coating it in your juices. His pupils dilate dark with hunger. He takes your hand and brings two fingers to your entrance and pushes them in your folds. He uses his hand to help set a pace before pulling his hand away.
“Just like that babe” he encourages, eyes locked on you as he quickly pulls his clothes off. You watch his hard cock slap against his stomach, precum dripping from it. You keep thrusting your fingers in and out of yourself; your eyes locked on his hard member wanting to put it in your mouth and taste him for the first time in 2 months.
He sits beside you again; his hard cock a few inches from your face, his tip is red and throbbing. Your mouth fills with saliva, you swallow remembering how he feels in your mouth. You want to wrap your lips around him when you hear Fred’s voice bringing you back to reality.
“That feel good?” he asks you his eyes staring at you while his hands lightly trace circles on your stomach.
“Not as good as you” you reply, still pumping your fingers in and out.
“Slide in another” he says. You nod and slip it in, moaning at the feeling. Fred brings a hand to your breast pulling the fabric to side, massaging it gently.
“I need you” you moan. “Need you to make me cum. Your fingers are magic, mine don’t work anymore” you groan picking up your pace. Fred chuckles and pinches your nipple; he stands up and walks to your bedside table pulling out your favourite toy.
He walks back over to you and grips your wrist, pulling your fingers out. He hands you the toy and sits back down waiting for you. You rub it along your drenched slit a few times; you turn it on and press it to your clit eliciting a loud moan. You set it to your normal setting and you slide it inside your walls, causing both of you to moan.
“I’m gonna fuck you later babygirl. But right now I want to watch your pretty face as you make yourself cum.”
You moan loudly as you feel your high approaching. Fred watches you slide the vibrator in and out, you can see his erection is now painfully hard from watching you. He brings a hand back up to your breast, massaging it; you can feel his erection pressed into your thigh as he shifts to be closer to watch.
“Yeah this is what I want,” he says peppering kisses on your inner thigh.
You are unable to respond as your first orgasm rips through you. Your other hand clamps down on Fred’s wrist for stability as you hold the vibrator deep inside you. Fred brings his hand from your breast down to grip the vibrator, taking over control from you.
“I definitely want to watch you have more of those” he says increasing the speed and changing the pattern.
“Fuck” you groan gripping the bed sheet tightly your back arching off the mattress “Freddie” you moan as your eyes shut not having any time to recover.
“Open your pretty eyes” he hums sucking on your neck. You reluctantly open your eyes, and see Fred’s brown ones staring back at you.
“Much better” he says bringing his lips to your chest placing soft kisses, the vibration increases its speed again and you feel your toys curl, your legs squirm as you feel your second orgasm approaching. Fred’s hand starts pressing circles into your clit and you squirm underneath him.
“Babe” you moan. “Babe I’m gonna” you try to say between pants eyes shutting again.
“I know skat, that’s the whole point” he jokes sucking beside your belly button. “I need you to open your eyes for me (Y/N).”
You feel his breathe close to your core, as you are a writhing mess under him.
“(Y/N)” he says nipping your thigh “eyes”. You hear him but you can’t open your eyes, your orgasm is right at the edge, the know so close to becoming undone. But before you can tumble over everything stops.
Your head snaps up and you open your eyes staring at Fred. He smiles at you standing up; he walks over to your shared closet. Your eyes are glued to his ass until he disappears in the closet. He comes back into view and your eyes fixate on his hard member and Fred just chuckles watching you.
Your eyes are locked on his hard dick, you lick your lips. You bring one hand forward gripping his hard member; you stroke it a few times feeling the precum leak onto your hand. You bring your hand up to your mouth, sucking it clean moaning at the taste of him.
“Fuck” Fred mumbles.
“I just wanted a little taste” you say as Fred brings your favourite blue silk tie into your eyesight. He runs the smooth fabric over your chin and wraps I around your eyes “since you want to keep your eyes closed” he hums tying it tightly around your face.
You feel Fred straddle you, resting on his knees. He tilts your chin and you open your mouth for him, unsure if he will actually let you taste him.
“Just a little taste” he replies putting his dick in your mouth. You practically choke on him, caught off guard since Fred hasn’t let you give him a blow job since you started trying to get pregnant. You taste his salty precum swirling your tongue around him causing both of you to moan. Fred pulls on your hair, tilting your head back more and he begins to rock his hips. You hollow your mouth allowing him more space as his pace picks up. You feel him hitting the back of your throat, spit dribbling down your chin while your hands reach around and grab his ass.
“Fuck I missed watching you take me in your mouth” he moans snapping his hips.
You give his ass a light squeeze and Fred responds by increasing his pace making you gag slightly. He keeps up his pace for a few more minutes, and you bring a hand up to massage his balls. You know that he doesn’t want to finish in your mouth but you have missed this feeling and are hungry for more. Your other hand caresses his ass giving him a tight squeeze, trying to hold him to you enjoying the feeling of him hitting your tonsils with each thrust.
Finally Fred pulls out completely; you feel his chapped lips come crashing into yours. “I said just a taste” he growls turning your vibrator back on “I’m still trying to put a baby in you.”
A loud groan leaves your lips while you rock your hips trying to bring your orgasm back. Fred turns up the setting, finding the pace from earlier but he doesn’t stop there. He turns it to the highest setting, curse words leave your lips as the tingling in your core begins again.
You feel Fred’s lips placing soft kisses on your pubic bone, your hands finding his hair. You run your hands through his hair while your hips rise. Your breaths become short and sporadic, loud moans leave your lips. Just before your second orgasm approaches again everything stops and Fred pulls the toy from you, you hear it hit the floor.
Before you can react, you feel Fred’s beard rub against your thigh while he throws your legs over his shoulders. You feel his warm breath blow onto your pussy; it feels like he stares at you for hours slowly exhaling on you. Finally you feel his tongue stroke the bottom of your clit, placing a soft kiss before pulling away; again you feel the soft gentle touch for a brief second which is replaced by his warm breath. Finally he flattens his tongue licking a stripe up your folds, sending a shiver down your spine. You grip his hair and his tongue slips inside your walls.
“Freddie” you groan legs squirming. Fred throws his arm over your hips pinning you to the bed while his tongue continues to slide in and out of you, his thumb comes to press circles into your sensitive bud. “Babe” you groan encouraging Fred while he continues to fuck you with his tongue.
Your whole body feels like it is on fire, your legs tighten around his head and just before you can tumble over the edge he slows his tongue pulling his thumb away. He places soft kisses on the inside of your thigh while you groan in displeasure. Your clit is red and swollen waiting for a release.
You hear Fred chuckle, his beard grazing your inner thigh while he brings his lips to your sensitive bud and sucks harshly on you. His tongue flattens against your pussy and he slowly drags it up, he flicks his tongue against your clit and you throw your head back into the pillow with a low guttural moan escaping your throat.
“Babe” you groan “stop teasing me.”
“You said I can do whatever I want, I just happen to want to tease you” he says placing his mouth back on you and sucking hard. His thumb slips down and pressing circles into your bud, his tongue slipping inside your folds.
“Fuck” you cry out.
You desperately need to cum while his tongue slides in and out of you. He brings two finger up and scissors you open, sliding his tongue in further.
“You’re unbelievable skat” he mumbles curling his fingers and setting a pace inside you.
His mouth returns to your clit sucking on you while his fingers pump in and out of you. You feel a burning between your legs, beard rash likely developing from the time he has spent there. Your head falls back into the pillow while you moan loudly, surely keeping the neighbours awake. You feel your orgasm return, your legs clench around his head your heels digging into his back.
“Babe please” you whimper as he pulls his fingers from you leaving you on the edge once again.
He slides them further down you to your hole. He slowly slides two fingers in and out of your ass, sucking on your clit. Your fingers scratch his scalp and your toes curl while he pumps his fingers slowly inside of you. He keeps this slow pace up, gently sucking on you to keep you on edge but not enough to send you over.
His tongue slides inside your walls, his fingers increase their pace. Your orgasm starts building again while your legs tighten around his head. You are sure you are cutting off his oxygen but Fred doesn’t stop. Your legs are practically shaking from the need to cum.
“Fred, I’m so close” you groan between pants while he continues to pump his fingers in you. Your orgasm continues to build when you feel Fred pull his mouth away from you once more.
“Frederik” you huff in displeasure.
You hear Fred chuckle as he slips his fingers out of your ass, dropping your legs from his shoulders. You feel the bed dip beside you, while he crawls up your body gently drawing his finger up your stomach in the process. You feel his mouth attach to your breast sucking on your nipple, his hard cock poking your entrance. He slides it over your folds, coating it in your juices before thrusting it into you bringing your orgasm right back.
He pulls out and slams back into you, your hands reaching his back scratching him, your legs instinctively wrap around his hips. Your nails gently rake up his muscular back as he slams into you another time which sends you over the edge. Your orgasm rips through you, as Fred continues to thrusts into you.
You don’t know if it’s your lack of sight or the hours of edging but this is the most intense orgasm you have had. You pulsate around his dick as he keeps thrusting inside you; it’s a slow pace but every time he bottoms out hitting your cervix. Your nails dig deep crescents in his back, trying to ground yourself, your whole body shakes.
Fred’s hand grips the back of your thigh, a slew of curse words leaving your mouth. If your eyes weren’t tied shut they would roll into the back of your head. As your orgasm finally stops so does Fred, he gently lifts your head and unties the tie from your face. You finally see the man above you resting on his forearms. His eyes are dark with hunger, forehead covered in sweat beard glistening in your juices and he has a huge smile while he looks down at you.
His hands run through your hair, and then his lips are on yours bringing you in for a sloppy kiss. Your hands slide down his body nails gently scratching him through the kiss. Fred gently runs his hands through your hair waiting for you to fully return from your high. You feel your juices sliding down your legs onto the bed below you; it’s a complete mess between you.
“Fuck babe” you moan. Your breathing slowly returning to normal while Fred peppers soft kisses on your collarbone and neck.
Fred resumes thrusting into you, your back arches while you bring your nails up to his neck, running them through his hair. You feel his chain and use it to pull his face down to yours locking him in a passionate kiss. It’s wet and sloppy; you’re both hungry for the other. You pull apart when you feel his thumb pressing into your clit; you throw your head back into the pillow.
“I love you so much” he mumbles against your neck, rocking his hips into you. He hooks his arm under your knee, pressing it into your chest. You feel your orgasm approaching, your hand still tangled in his chain while your other scrapes down his broad shoulder.
A slew of curse words and your skin slapping fill the room, the sounds you are making are filthier than a porno. You know the neighbours will be complaining about the noise later but you don’t care. Fred pulls your leg straight and places it on his shoulder, allowing him to hit you deeper.
The pace isn’t fast, but it also isn’t slow, every thrust is deep and he hits your g-spot each time. Every time he pulls out he drags himself along your walls.
“Babe” you moan while Fred sucks on your neck.
“Wait for me smuk” he growls in your ear.
“Babe” you whine feeling your orgasm right at the edge. The teasing from before has you feeling extremely sensitive, and you aren’t sure how much longer you can wait.
You feel Fred begin to get sloppy as he presses your leg further into your chest. His hips stutter, you pull his chain tighter bringing his lips to yours. His kiss swallows your moan, your hair a mess draped in front of your eyes. As he pulls away he sucks your bottom lip, you whimper under him unsure if you can go any longer.
He continues fucking into you, deep hard thrusts. You take deep breaths trying to wait for him, you know his high is getting close, but you just can’t wait any longer. Your pussy flutters around him, Fred groans while you clench, coating him in your cum. Swear words spill from your lips, your hands grip his chain so tight you practically choke him.
You draw out Fred’s high, his hips stutter and he fills you with his warmth. He pumps into you a few more times, shooting deep inside you before finally stilling. You feel both your juices dripping down your pussy while Fred drops his sweaty body on you.
“You know you swore in Danish” he says finally breaking the silence lifting himself to his forearms.
“What?” you ask looking up at him.
“When you came, you were swearing in Danish. Super hot babe” he mumbles kissing your neck.
Your attention is brought back when Fred brings a kiss to the back of your hand at a stoplight. You look at him and he shoots you a boyish smile that makes your heart skip a beat.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks sitting at a red light, the music is so soft you can hear the turn signal.
You smirk and reply “just remembering your birthday.”
“Yeah that was a great night” he places a kiss on the back of your hand.
“Play your cards right and we can relive it tonight Mr. Andersen.” He laughs before turning his attention to the road, silence once again filling the car.
“What are you thinking about babe?” you ask.
“Telling Ollie, how do you think he will react?”
You both agreed to wait until you were 13 weeks to tell Oliver. You don’t want anyone knowing until you are out of the first trimester and he doesn’t have the best track record for keeping secrets. An hour after making handprint snowman Christmas ornaments he told Charlotte all about it over facetime. You thought you had a bit more time to figure out what to say.
“I don’t know, I think it will hit him more when the baby comes, or at least when I am showing more. I don’t know how much he will understand at 2 without actually being able to see something” you reply looking out the window. Because of the late appointment you are now in some after work traffic on your drive home. You use the time to go on google, trying to find some suggestions for approaching this with a two year old.
When you walk into your apartment Oliver comes running to greet both of you.
“Mommy, daddy!” he squeals “I drew you this picture.” He has the biggest smile as he hands you a piece of paper, you see 3 crayon shapes of varying sizes that represent the three of you. You are all holding hands; Fred’s head is abnormally large. But he got all your hair colours right and even tried to draw Fred with his hockey jersey.
“Wow this is awesome buddy” Fred says picking him up “let’s put it on the fridge.”
You hang your coat up and remove your shoes, pulling your ultrasound picture from your purse. You sit on the couch and wait for Oliver and Fred to return. They sit beside you and you kiss Oliver’s head as Fred settles in beside you.
“So we have something to tell you Ollie” you say looking at him.
“What mommy?” he asks looking at you.
He smiles at you, his golden brown eyes looking up at you.
“Well” Fred starts trailing off for a second “you’re going to be a brother.”
“A brother?” he asks turning his head to look at Fred.
You show him the ultrasound, and point to it “this baby, is in mommies belly.”
You both allow him a second to process the news; you can see the gears in his head spinning as he tries to make sense of it.
“The baby is in your belly?” he finally asks.
“Yeah bud, the baby is going to grow in here for a little bit” Fred says touching your stomach “and once it’s big enough you get to meet it.”
“How long?”
“Still a little while, like 6 months”
You all sit there in silence for a couple minutes, waiting to see if Oliver has any questions. Fred brushes his red curls from his eyes, he needs a haircut but you both love how his hair develops tight curls as it gets longer and don’t want to cut them off.
“You have any questions?” you ask softly after a few minutes.
“How did the baby get in your belly?” he asks putting a hand on top of Fred’s.
“Well…” you trail off; you were kind of expecting this question and are thankful you went to google beforehand. Most websites suggest you keep the answers simple and allow him to ask more questions if he has then.
“When a mommy and a daddy love each other a lot they can make a baby if they want” you put your hand on his holding your three hands to your stomach.
“You still going to love me when the new baby comes?” he whispers.
You and Fred chuckle while Fred pulls him tighter to his chest “we will never stop loving you, no matter what” Fred replies.
“You are the most amazing boy, and we love you so much. Nothing will change that ever. We are so lucky to be your parents” you snuggle up into Fred’s arm, pulling Oliver tight into you.
“Why can’t I meet the baby now?” he asks.
“Because the baby needs to grow and be big and strong. So mommy is going to keep it in there until it’s ready to come out” Fred replies.
“Is it a boy like me?” he asks.
“The doctors need the baby to grow a bit more before they can tell. So right now they don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl” you respond kissing his cheek.
“I want a brother” he says sliding off Fred’s lap and walking over to his toy blocks on the floor, seemingly satisfied with the conversation.
“For the record I’m team boy too, only because you will let our daughter walk all over you” you say smiling at Fred.
“I can’t even argue, that’s 100% true. But I do love the idea of a miniature you walking around” he says with a large smile on his, stroking your stomach while you watch Oliver play with his toys.
Next Chapter
#frederik andersen#Freddie Andersen#fred andersen#frederik andersen fic#frederik andersen smut#freddie andersen smut#freddie andersen fic#freddie andersen x reader#frederik andersen x reader#fred andersen smut#Fred Andersen Fic#fred andersen x reader#nhl fic#nhl smut#because two people got drunk#my writing
47 notes
·
View notes
Text
RWBY VOLUME 8 FINALE AFTERMATH!!!
SPOILERS!!!
SPOILERS!!!
SPOILERS!!!
WOW.......What A F***** Finale To End A Volume!!!! I was left surprised, shocked, sad, disappointed and ecstatic with the events that unfolded and also for the future of the RWBY series!!! I have so many theories and headcanons racking in my brain that I’m acting like a Giddy Little Troll 😆. So let’s jump right into the FINAL aftermath of Volume 8....
-(Tick-Tock Took Out The Vine) Before starting into this I want to give a shout out to CRWBY for starting out the episode with the “Warning” for the deaths that we were about to witness. I’m glad they were thoughtful for their fanbase’s wellbeing after watching this finale and hope they continue this trend of “warnings” in the future.
Now onto the first major character death of the episode......Vine 👀. I was fully expecting to see at least one of the Ace-Op members to die in the finale and I was actually quite surprised to see it only be Vine. Given the circumstances that Qrow, Vine, Elm, Marrow and Robyn were put into because of Harriet’s blind loyalty, it wouldn’t be too hard to have expected more characters to die in that situation.
Vine has always been the calm one within the team, so to see him willing to sacrifice himself to save his friends from death was a very touching moment. I was also honestly quite surprised he could used his semblance like that as well 😳. I kinda wished we had seen some more aspects of him extending his aura like that in previous episodes, but that’s just a bit of a small nit-pick of mine.
It’s also going to be interesting how this will impact the rest of the Ace-Op members going forward, especially Harriet. This will no doubt cause some inner turmoil for her character and only time will tell what type of effect it will hold in future dire situations .
-(Fighting For Your Beliefs) Hmmm......I’ll be honest......I was a bit disappointed with Winter and Ironwood’s fight 😓. Now I have a few reasons why I feel like this so let me explain....
1:I think the decision to make Ironwood fight with a “BFG” against Winter was a poor one. As we have seen in Volume 7 episode 11 we know that Ironwood can fight much better with his duel hand cannons. Watching him fight with a bigger weapon against a much more agile opponent didn’t feel right to me lol.
2: Having Winter win the fight using the maiden powers. Now I have no issue with Penny giving the powers to Winter, but I would have preferred if she could have found a way to defeat Ironwood without having the convenient power up. Winter is a very good fighter in her own right and I think having her defeat Ironwood with her abilities alone would mean much more before she was given the maiden powers by Penny.
3: Now I have said this before in previous posts but I would have liked it if Qrow was the one to fight Ironwood. There was indeed a bit of a build up for Qrow to fight Ironwood this volume so I do feel we were a bit blue-balled for that confrontation. Then after some time to think about it I feel the decision to make Winter be the one face Ironwood was the right one. Considering that this was the end of Atlas and that these two characters are the most associated with Atlas, made their fight against each other more fitting then leaving it up to Qrow.
The only positives I can give this fight is that it showcased more of Winter’s fighting potential and I was pleased how the animators made her fight with both Ironwood and later with Cinder. 😊
-(For Her Friends) Now onto definitely the most important part of this episode......Penny’s death. Now I’m really gonna be honest with all of you......I was not at all surprised that Penny died in the finale 😔. Ever since she gained the maiden powers she was always gonna have the “Red Flag” known as Cinder be connected to her. I more or less imagined that Penny’s powers would be taken by Cinder at some point and Penny would make some sacrificial play to save her friends while she still had her robot body. So when I witnessed her second death, as a REAL GIRL, I was shouting out “How could I be so RIGHT and so WRONG all at the same time!?” 😫
Now what has me intrigued about this second death is the part about Jaune’s involvement. I’m gonna keep my opinion about this choice from the writers neutral for now because I feel this is deeply connected to what they have already written for Volume 9. There’s is something they are planning for Jaune in the future and I want to see the whole picture of what they are drawing out before giving this either a thumbs up or a thumbs down. 😤
I have one more thing I want to bring up about this, and this is my opinion so if anyone wants to skip over this part I totally understand......so here it is. I truly believe Penny will be brought back to life in the future 🙂. When she first “died” back in volume 3 I fully believed she would be back eventually, so even if the circumstances are different this time around I am still having that same feeling that she will come back. I understand everyone else has their own feelings about what happen to Penny so I will not disapprove how everyone feels about it. It’s just how I feel about it is all 😊.....
-(The Captain Goes Down With His Ship) So.........this is the end of James Ironwood. As Atlas inevitably falls, so to does the man that represented as its symbol throughout the series and it’s aspects of strength, elitism and control.....
.......yeah I’m not buying it 😒
Something feels off if this is how he “permanently” dies..... I understand the symbolism of his “fall” parallels that of Atlas crashing down and being destroyed, but him dying doesn’t feel complete to me....
Not to mention this man has survived with half his body being destroyed in the past with what I believe to be nothing but his sheer will. So if I had to bet on anything I think he would have found a way to have survived Atlas’s crash and the flood that came afterwards....but I think he would be terribly wounded in the process....
There are also a few characters that I feel he hasn’t had a satisfying conclusion with that still needs to be addressed......Qrow, Oz and Glynda.
Also forgot to mention that apparently Arther Watts is dead too.....yeah I believe he’s not dead either 🤨. In fact I’m fully expecting Watts will survive but will be horribly burned and scarred the next time we see him. He will vow vengeance against Cinder and will stop at nothing to obtain his revenge on her. So it would be really lucky of him to find an unconscious and badly wounded general nearby that he could kidnap and experiment on to be his personal attack dog later to kill Cinder 🤔......wouldn’t that be a something to see lol
I’ll gladly wear some clown shoes and makeup in believing that we will be seeing both Ironwood and Watts again in the future, and if I’m wrong then I’ll gladly accept that L from everybody.....till then see you again next time general Ironwood and Arther Watts 🤗
-(Volume 9 and The Future Of RWBY) Alright! There is a couple of reasons why this post has taken me three weeks for me to write 😓.
First reason obviously is because of my job 😭. Some things have been happening at my work that has been stressing me out for weeks and honestly it’s been exhausting to even write anything....
Second reason is that over the course of the past few weeks after the finale aired I have been non-stop thinking of several headcannons, theories and speculations on what may happen in volume 9 and future volumes of RWBY 😆!! Don’t believe me? Here is some of the crazy s*** that came out of my head lol
-Team RWBY, Jaune and Neo meet the God Of Darkness
-The God Of Darkness gives Team RWBY power ups and new outfits to fight against Salem. Also gives Neo the ability to speak.
-Oscar vs Raven
-Salem sends Cinder to Vale to search for the Crown of Choice......but not alone. She gives Cinder 4 more experimental S.E.W Grimm to aid her and one of them happens to be Summer Rose.
-Horribly burned and scarred Watts kidnaps a wounded Ironwood and experiments on his body to change him into a complete cyborg with one objective......kill Cinder.
Believe me I have more context for each of those that I just addressed but that’s for separate posts that I hope to make in the future lol 🤗
Well that’s about all I got for that finale review and I literally cannot wait to see what happens next 😤 lol. I hope to engage with some of you in the fandom in the future and hope we get along 😎
Till next time........BUH-BYE!!!!
#rwby#rwby volume 8#rwby volume 8 spoilers#rwby ruby rose#weiss schnee#blake bellodona#yang xiao long#rwby salem#cinder fall#oscar pine#jaune arc#nora valkyrie#lie ren#penny polendina#winter schnee#emerald sustrai#neopolitan#qrow branwen#raven branwen
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
Pragma(tic) 11: She Takes a Stand
Pairing: Persephone!Bucky Barnes x Hades!Reader
Summary: In a world where the old gods never truly died, you must learn to navigate your way through the ups and downs of immortality. And if living forever wasn’t hard enough, an ancient evil is now threatening to break free after centuries of silence. And as if that still wasn’t hard enough for you, now a pesky and infuriatingly handsome god is trying to wedge his way into your life. Gods, work, love, and conflict—what more could a goddess need? [Hades & Persephone AU]
Word Count: 6530
Warnings: Language
Pragma(tic) Masterlist
Previous
10: She Sees the World in a New Light
Bucky rarely left your place after that night. True to his word, he stayed by your side for the days and even some nights, only leaving to check in with his mother and friends. His whole goal of staying was to help you grow apart and branch away from Brock and it worked.
You hadn’t seen the man up close since his initial return all those weeks ago, and it was causing two emotions to rise in you: relief and anxiety.
Oh, sweet relief! Having Bucky by your side chased away nearly all thoughts of Brock because Bucky was everything Brock was not. Where Brock was rough, Bucky was gentle. Where Brock was impatient, Bucky was overflowing with time to wait. Where Brock was selfish, Bucky was selfless. The difference between the two was clear as night and day, and while you had settled for the small bit of affection you could get from Brock’s presence, you embraced Bucky with open arms.
Something had changed between the two of you since your trip to the Mortal World, and it was absolutely wonderful. Admitting that you had feelings for one another opened up realms of possibilities. Anything was possible for the two of you so long as you had time (which, being immortal, you had plenty of) and the willingness to try. Something beautiful sprang up between you. It was a “where there’s a will, there’s a way” kind of beautiful and it made you giddy—something you hadn’t been in decades.
But underlining all that excitement was a thin layer of anxiety, keeping the joy from completely piercing your heart. Brock was generating that layer, constantly lurking in your mind. He could pop up at any given time, just right out of the blue. He had the keys to your house, he knew all of your secret places, he had access to almost everything.
He seemed to be keeping his distance from you, but you refused to believe that he would just stay away. Brock was many things, but a coward who hid away was not one of them.
It was only a matter of time before he popped up again.
———
“I’m bored.”
“And?”
“I want to do something.”
“And?”
Bucky sighed and pouted at you, obviously disgruntled. “And I want you to pay attention to me.”
You just barely glanced up at him from your document before turning back to the application at hand. “I have to work today, I told you.” It was the one day in the week you absolutely had to work. Paperwork had started to build up in the time you spent with Bucky in the month since your outing, and you’d neglected it until you couldn’t anymore. As much as you loathed it, it had to be done today or the pile would only keep getting bigger and bigger until it was taller than you. Besides, it was also that day of the week. You’d warned Bucky of this day all week, constantly telling him, “You’re not going to want to come down then. I’m going to be working all day and I won’t have time for you.”
He’d said, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t have time for me. Just sitting in the same room as you will be enough.”
You bet that he was eating those words now as he sat upside down on the small couch in your office, his legs dangling over the backrest and his back being supported by the seat. His face was gold from all the ichor rushing to his head.
A pout covered his lips. “I know you did, doesn’t mean I listened though.”
You breathed a quick laugh. “Obviously.” Turning the page, you quickly scribbled your signature on the application for Elysium and set it aside to begin reading the next one. “Go and play with Cerberus if you’re that bored, but the more you bother me, the longer it takes me to get done.”
“Oh, come on, (y/n),” cooed another voice. “Don’t be like that.”
A smile threatened your lips, but you bit the lower one to keep it at bay. You looked up at Bucky and set down your pen. “Did you seriously call in the big guns?”
“He didn’t have to,” Peggy mused, an amused smile of her own playing at her lips. “I came in on my own.” She walked over to your desk and nudged some stuff out of the way before sitting down on the corner.
You sat back in your chair and looked up at her. “And why are you here, Peg?”
“To get you out of here.” She leaned in close to you, her voice getting lower. “I haven’t seen you this happy in a thousand years, and I have a feeling it has to do with that fellow on the couch. He’s here for you now, you should go be with him.”
“See! Listen to your friend! She’s got the right idea.” Bucky said swinging his legs down and popping up to sit properly. The yellow ran from his face as his body rightened and he grinned.
You only glared at Peggy. “Pegs, I’ve got to work. Do you see this mountain of paperwork? There are three more stacks just like it waiting for me in the other room. I don’t have time to be with him.”
“Let me take care of it,” she said hopping off the desk and walking around it to you. She turned your chair and pulled you from it, tugging you by the hand over to Bucky. “You go out, be nine hundred again, and leave the paperwork to me.”
“But what about Kr—”
“You can deal with him later,” she said, her voice dropping an octave. “But Bucky is here now. Go on a walk, secure your kingdom’s perimeter if you will, but spend time with him.”
“Yeah, (y/n),” Bucky chirped, a cheeky grin on his face, “spend time with me.”
Your face fell flat as you stared at him. You couldn’t believe Peggy was supporting this. There was so much to be done!
But at the same time, you really did want to go out with Bucky. You liked his company, and a walk sounded amazing after a couple hours of doing work.
You turned back to Peggy, your eyebrows knitting together. “Are you absolutely sure?”
“I am. Now get! You’re just wasting time.” She took a seat behind your desk and picked up where you left off.
Bucky took your hand at once and led you out of the office, out of your home, and down the mountainside towards the fields below, a satisfied smile on his face.
You only scoffed at him when he turned back to grin at you. “I bet you’re real happy with yourself, aren’t you?”
“Oh, Doll, you have no idea.” He laced his fingers in yours, pulling you closer to his side. “Now, talk to me more about the early years. I’m curious to know about life BB—before Bucky.”
You threw your head back with laughter, but complied, beginning to tell him about what he missed in Ancient Greece. You told him about how most of the gods arrived at that time, right after the Titanomachy that had taken place in Thessaly all those centuries ago, and how the Greeks built the temples and shrines to them. You described the marble they used to carve statues of your family, laughing about how they depicted your sisters as men and gave them names like Zeus and Poseidon. You told him about the many temples they had built, going over the beautiful craftsmanship and the amazing attention to detail there was.
However, you didn’t tell him about how there were maybe three built for you or that they would only pray to you when someone was dying and pound their hands on the earth to get your attention because you didn’t find the details important. You weren’t a well-loved goddess to them; in fact, they feared you and found it best to not invoke your name unless they were absolutely desperate. You never minded it though; you preferred to be left alone.
Bucky listened to you with attentive ears, laughing at the right moments, asking you questions when you paused, and just being interested in what you had to say. You couldn’t help but feel your heart flutter more and more with each passing second. It was nice to have someone other than your family and Peggy actually care about what you had to say. He hung onto your every word, totally invested in your conversation.
For the time, it was just you and Bucky, and you wouldn’t have had it any other way as you circled the perimeter of your kingdom. Nothing other than the man beside you was on your mind, and it was a nice change.
For what seemed like hours you walked, trailing the wall of the Underworld, skulking through the waist-high flowers of the Asphodel Meadows, and nearing the border between the Underworld and the Mortal World.
You hadn’t even noticed that you’d neared the Cocytus until you saw him standing ahead of you, his eyes dark and his posture stiff. He was anything but pleasant as he glared at your interlocked hands. Jealousy was written across Brock’s face plain as day, but you knew that he really had no reason to be jealous.
He’d made it clear to you decades ago that you were not a couple in a relationship. He didn’t do that kind of commitment, he had said, and so he had no reason to be possessive of you.
But that didn’t stop his murder glare from piercing you across the path.
You stiffened when you saw him, tempted to let go of Bucky’s hand on instinct, but Bucky held you fast, his grip only tightening on your hand as if he sensed your uncertainty and wanted to help keep you strong.
You appreciated him there, letting him hold your hand as you sauntered right past Brock, never once losing a beat or faltering in your conversation.
Once you’d cleared the Cocytus, you looked over at Bucky, your eyes glinting and shimmering. “Thank you,” you mumbled in a voice just barely above a whisper.
He smiled down at you. “You’re welcome.” He brought your hand up to his lips and pressed them against your knuckles.
The two of you came up to the edge of your realm, right at the Acheron. Standing along the bank, you could see the Mortal World beyond the river. You slowed to a stop, looking out over the water at the souls milling about. You frowned as you watched them, their presence only reminding you about the work you had left to do.
Noticing your glum expression, Bucky bent down a bit to get a better look at your face. “You alright?”
“Yeah,” you mumbled, closing your eyes and shaking your head. “I’m just thinking about a task I have to do today. It’s nothing.”
“It doesn’t seem like nothing…” He pursed his lips and let go of your hand to stand in front of you. “Should I go?”
Your eyes snapped up to meet his. “What?”
“Should I go?” he repeated. “For the day, I mean. It was selfish of me to want to drag you away from your work when you have so much you have to get done. I can leave for the day and come back tomorrow or the next if you want. That way I’m not distracting you and you can actually work.”
You breathed a laugh and hung your head, a smile tugging at your lips. “That would… Actually, that would be great,” you said reaching forward and taking both his hands in yours. “I’m really sorry, Buck, but there’s just so much I have to get done.”
He laughed. “No, no. Don’t apologize to me. In fact, I should be apologizing to you. I forget that you’re a queen with responsibilities and I want to keep you all to myself, especially now that I just got you.” He let go of your hand to cup your cheek, and he leaned in, placing a gentle kiss to your forehead. “I’ll see you later then? Give you at least a day to get caught back up?”
“Uh… Y-Yeah.”
“Good. Until then.” He let you go and turned his back on you, walking towards Phil’s ferry to get passage back to the Mortal World.
You, meanwhile, were trying to burn the feeling of his lips on your skin into your memory. Gods, they were so soft. Was it even legal for lips to be that soft? You weren’t sure, but you wanted to feel those lips again. It was the first time he’d ever kissed you on your head, and you couldn’t help but think about what it would’ve been like if his lips had traveled down a few inches more to yours.
Your vision flickered red and you quickly ducked your head away from Bucky. Heat began to rise to your face and you were certain you looked almost alive with the color from the blush.
Well, that was enough Bucky for the day! Time to go to work.
You turned on your heel and pressed on into your kingdom, passing souls and security as you entered.
Cerberus was standing guard over the entrance, all three of his heads glaring down at the lines that made their way into the three different sections of the Underworld. When he saw you, he barked happily, the noise shaking the ground beneath you, and ducked his middle head down right in front of you.
You smiled as your eyes met his, and you lifted a hand to pet his nose. “Hey, boy,” you mumbled as you dragged your fingers through his fur. “You doing your job?”
He let out a small noise in response, closing his eyes under your touch.
You leaned in and placed a kiss on the tip of his nose. “Good boy. I’ll come back and we can play later, but right now I have to go see my father. M’kay? Keep up the good work.” When you pulled your hand off him, he rose back to his full height and continued to survey the lines.
You walked between his legs, passing under him as you entered the Underworld, and began the short journey to Tartarus. Your eyes scanned the area in front of you, always on the lookout for something suspicious. Typically there was nothing out of the ordinary, but today that was not the case.
You frowned as you saw a figure walking away from the cave that contained Tartarus and stopped. “Alexander!” you called out, commanding the attention of the god.
He stopped in his tracks as you called his name and looked up. He bowed his head as he deviated from his path and started to walk towards you. “Your majesty,” he said, lowering his head further as he came to a stop before you. “What can I do for you?”
You eyed him up and down. “Were you just coming from Tartarus?” you asked, your voice low and heavy with warning. He knew he wasn’t allowed near the cave. He’d been warned of the danger that was your father and you’d given him direct orders to steer clear of the cave. So why he would disobey you, you had no idea.
Pierce was perhaps one of your most loyal lieutenants, second only to Peggy (though she really didn’t count as an employee). He’d never gone against one of your direct orders before, and so this was out of character for him.
Pierce simply kept his head low. “Yes, my queen,” he said slowly. Before you could jump on him, he held up his hands and said, “There were some disturbances at the cave. I went to quell the spirits so you wouldn’t have to worry about it, but then I noticed something.”
“Noticed what?” you hissed, your vision turning red once more. You were still pissed that he had gone there against your orders, but you’d have to chew him out later if there was something else going on.
“The air there,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at the mouth of the cave, “is darker than it normally is. The spirits are growing ornery and restless. Normally I can quiet them within minutes but these were… different.” He shook his head and rose to his full height—only a couple of inches taller than you. “I was just on my way to find you, my queen, but it seems that you have found me instead.”
You thrust out your hand and the black metal of your bident materialized out of thin air. “Show me,” you growled.
He wasted no time in taking you down the beaten path to the mouth of the cave, and, as soon as you got within ten yards of it, you felt what Pierce meant. Tartarus had always been cold, but this was freezing.
The air was heavy with cold, weighing you down and draining what little life you had from your body. Transparent spirits gathered at the entrance, wailing as they clawed at the invisible barrier that kept them in. They screamed in their own tongues, though their words were jumbled and undecipherable.
You waved your bident at the spirits, driving them back with the arc. “Follow me,” you ordered as you began to walk towards the cave, holding your weapon out in front of you as a ward against the spirits.
Pierce followed you into the cave, keeping close so as to not be swallowed by the spirits as they closed ranks in your wake.
You marched through the cave, right up to the edge of the pit, and stared down into the abyss.
Laughter greeted you at once. “Oh, my darling daughter,” Kronos’ voice rumbled from the depths. “Come to pay me another visit, I see. And you’ve brought a friend this time. Is that the god of death I sense?”
“Don’t answer him,” you cautioned, conjuring a ball of red flame. You held the orb out over the pit and dropped it in. You watched the light sink into the depths until the light was swallowed by darkness.
As soon as it disappeared, Kronos laughed again. “Oh, (y/n), did you send a minion to come and check up on me? Why don’t you come down here and face me yourself? Or are you too scared?”
You ignored him as you waited for the fire to return, and it finally did after a few moments. It rose out of the pit, blue instead of red, and hovered right in front of you. You snatched it out of the air and stared into it.
A picture shimmered on its surface—a picture of a cage and a figure bound to the ground inside it. The bars of the cage were an ancient black. Made from vibranium—the strongest metal in the cosmos—the cage was unbreakable and impervious. Purple runes and Greek letters glowed on the bars, depicting spells that you’d carved into the metal yourself. At one point in time, these runes were blinding with power, showing how strong they were; but now they were barely as bright as a small flame. They’d been weakened.
You zoomed in, past the bars to the cage’s inhabitant.
He was barely visible, but you didn’t care about him. No, you cared about the chains binding him. They too were made of vibranium and had runes carved into them, but their runes and carvings had dimmed down considerably as well.
Your hands trembled around the orb and you closed your fists, extinguishing it.
This was, to put it lightly, not-fucking-good. If he broke out, it would mean another war, and that was not something you could afford to let happen. The last war nearly destroyed you and had taken a decade to fight. You couldn’t let another breakout. You refused to let your father escape.
Turning your back on the pit, you looked to Pierce. Your gaze was as hard as steel and deadly serious as you commanded, “Put your best soldiers here to guard the entrance. You will help me charm his bonds. You will pull the oldest, strongest spells you have, and you will do everything in your power to bar him from breaking free. But whatever you do, do not go to the pit itself. You stand outside, at the mouth of the cave, and you do not go in under any circumstances. I command it.”
He bowed low, his face turned to the ground. “Yes, my queen.”
“Good. Now get out of here. Any second in here is dangerous.”
He obeyed, turning on his heel and darting out of the cave.
You rolled your shoulders back and stared down at the darkness beneath you. Puffing out your chest, the rouge in your vision only thickening, you began to chant your spells. You wove magic out of nothing, summoning all the strength you had to help you bind him and refresh the wards against him.
Kronos only laughed. “You think this will avoid your fate, my darling? No, you only delay the inevitable. Why do you resist me, (y/n)? You know that history is bound to repeat itself. I will break out of here and I will have your head on a pike and the world will be mine. I will take it back to the Golden Age where titans ruled the world, and the gods will be no more.”
Your voice grew in intensity and volume, drowning him out. You refused to let his words become a reality, and if that meant you’d have to spend every day at the pit’s edge, then so be it.
———
You stayed at the pit’s edge for hours, maybe longer, chanting and invoking the ancient magic you had used to seal him away the first time. You weren’t sure how much time had passed before you finally left the cave, but it was long enough for your voice to become hoarse and sore with strain.
You only stopped when your orb revealed the runes glowing significantly brighter than they had been, shining with strength and resolve. You knew that you still had a long way to go to bring them back to their full potential, but this was good for today. You needed a rest to think and plan, and this was not the place to take that rest.
Kronos had not shut up the entire time, his voice matching yours in volume and eagerness. He taunted you relentlessly, describing in perfect detail what he was going to do to you and the world when he escaped. Even now, as you finished your spells and made a move to leave, he continued to talk to you, trying to get into your head.
You refused to listen to him. You were done, and you were tired, and you just wanted to go home. You picked yourself up and dragged your feet as you left Tartarus—left him—behind. Spirits created a hole for you as you walked, fleeing to the edges of the tunnels to avoid you, so you had nothing to block your path. It was only moments before you were out.
As you trekked across the Meadows, your thoughts ran a million miles a second. How had his prison and bindings been weakened? How was it possible? You knew that the spells and wards wore away with time, but you had been to the pit every single week to strengthen them. There was no way they should’ve been as weak as they were. It just wasn’t feasible. Unless…
Your footsteps faltered and you came to an abrupt stop.
There was no way they could’ve been that weak unless they had been tampered with.
That single thought opened up doors to millions of questions. Who had tampered with the cage? Why? What was their goal? Were they aware of what would happen should Kronos got free? Did they know and just don’t care? Are they under his control?
There were so many things to consider, but one fact was true: someone was helping him.
And you had to put a stop to it.
You wasted no time in rushing back to your home, shooting through the door, and immediately proceeding to your office. It was vacant, your desk clear of papers you’d been working on. Peggy must have finished the paperwork for you, something you were immensely grateful for. You had bigger things on your mind.
You shut the door behind you and fished out your phone. You unlocked it and scrolled through your contacts, selecting two contacts and the conference call option. Setting the phone on speaker, you set it on the desk and took a seat in your chair.
As the phone rang, two images flashed in your office—one of each of your sisters. They stood frozen because they had yet to answer your call. You folded your hands and rested your elbows on the desk, watching the figures anxiously. “Come on, come on,” you mumbled, your legs shaking anxiously. “Pick up. Pick up your phones. Please.”
Nat’s hologram was the first to come to life. She was mid-laugh, probably in response to something Bruce had said, when she answered. “Hey, (y/n)!” she said, not looking at you yet. “What’s—?” Her head turned and her eyes met yours. One look at your haggard appearance and worried eyes stopped her laughing. “What’s wrong?”
You opened your mouth to respond, but Carol’s hologram came to life and cut you off. “(y/n)?” it called out, looking at you right away.
“Hey guys,” you greeted, your voice gravelly from being used for hours. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t important.”
“What’s going on?” Carol’s gaze was serious as she stared at you. Her fists were clenched at her sides and her body was tense.
You took a deep breath and began to tell them about what had happened. You told them about the spirits being restless and what your messenger flame had shown you. You told them about your suspicions that someone was helping him, and that if they continued to help then there was a strong chance he could escape.
Their faces betrayed their fear as you progressed in your story, but they stayed silent as they let you catch them up to speed.
When you had finished, Natasha was the first to speak. “What do you need us to do?” Her voice was resolute and determined. “Should we come there? Layer on some of our own spells?”
“That honestly might not be a bad idea,” you murmured, “but I mostly need you to keep an eye up there. I trust my men, I don’t believe that they would betray us like that, and even if I didn’t, none of them are capable of something like this. They don’t have enough power. But I know there are some titans up on the surface whom we have not always been on the best of terms with. Maybe one of them has decided they hate us and want to release Father. But whatever their reasoning, I need you guys to watch for titans who might be sneaking down here to tamper with his cage.”
“Got it.” Carol looked at you, her eyes worried. “And what are you going to do?”
“What I can. I’ll be down at the pit every other day, layering ward over ward against him. I’m having Pierce and Peggy help me too. They’ll be on alternating shifts so they’ll be less likely to be corrupted, but they’ll be contributing. Maybe we can nip this in the bud before it grows into a bigger problem.” You gave them a weak smile. You weren’t sure how this was going to play out, but you had to believe that the worst could be prevented. You had to believe in yourself and your siblings and have faith that everything would be okay.
“Alright. Just, don’t strain yourself too much, (y/n),” Nat cautioned. “You might be the eldest, but you don’t have to do this on your own. We can help you, and if you need us, we will drop everything and rush to your side. Don’t be afraid to call on us.”
“I won’t,” you promised. “Thank you, guys. I’ll keep you posted on the situation.”
“Okay. Don’t worry about it too much,” Carol said, that familiar and reassuring smile coating her lips. “We’ll prevail and fix this. We always do.”
“I know.” A knock at the office door drew your attention away from your sisters. “Just a moment!” You called out before turning back to the holograms. “I have to go now, but I’ll call you if anything changes.”
“Alright. Thank you.” Carol moved to hang up but she stopped and looked at you once more. “Oh, and (y/n)?”
“Hmm?”
“Be careful, alright?”
You smiled softly. “I will be. Talk to you later.” You pressed the end call button and the holograms vanished. Alone in the room now, you looked towards the door. “Come in!
It opened to reveal Peggy. She slowly pushed it open and entered, closing the door behind her. “Are you alright? You never call your sisters like that.”
You breathed a laugh. “Actually, Peg, no. I’m not alright. I’m nervous, and I’m anxious, and I’m fucking terrified.”
“What’s wrong? Did something happen? Did Bucky do something to you.” She took a seat on the couch.
You shook your head as you stood and made your way around the desk to the couch so you could sit next to her. “No, he did nothing. I sent him home so I could do some work and, well…” For the second time today, you recounted what you’d seen in Tartarus, only, this time, you added in the fact that you had your sisters on the lookout and that you were going to go down every other day instead of just every week.
Peggy’s eyes grew more and more concerned as every detail was described to her, but she too listened in silence. She hung onto your every word, wringing her hands together as she absorbed the information.
You took a deep breath after you filled her in on the situation and looked at her with pleading eyes. “Peggy, I really, really don’t want to have to ask you this, especially not after everything you’ve been through with him, but I have no other choice. Will you help me in casting spells on his cage? You don’t have to say yes; I know what happened last time, and if you’re not comfortable with going back I will not make—”
“I’ll do it,” she said cutting you off, a kind and compassionate smile on her face. “No ifs, ands, or buts. You’re my best friend, and I would do anything to help you.”
Just like that, a weight was lifted from your chest. “Thank you, Peggy.” You beamed at her. “I figure that the wider the variety of spells we cast on him, the harder it will be for him to break free. Carol and Natasha will pop down sometime soon and layer their own magic over it, and you and Pierce will do your magic on a rotating shift. That way neither of you will be at as great of a risk as you would be doing it alone.”
“I understand, (y/n),” she said, putting her hand on your shoulder and squeezing it gently. “And I’ll do all in my power to help you out. You won’t have to do this alone.” She gave you one last squeeze before climbing off the couch. “Anyways! I had originally come down to see if you were hungry and wanted dinner. You up for Mexican? I’m craving a taco.”
You could only hang your head as you laughed at her. “You know what? Sure. I could go for some food. Just get me my usual.”
“Got it. Be back in a second.” She scurried from the office, closing the door behind her.
Left alone, you shifted on the couch so you were sitting properly and let your head fall onto the backrest. You closed your eyes and sighed heavily, letting everything out.
Gods, you were stressed; and this day had started out so good too. Why did this have to come up and derail your happiness? You’d finally started to settle down, get a little slice of domesticity and happiness for yourself, and now your father, like usual, had to ruin it.
You bit your lip and squeezed your eyes closed. Why you? Why were you not allowed just a moment of happiness? Why couldn’t you get it?
You will get it. Just wait.
You had to remind yourself that this situation was not permanent, but a temporary nuisance. You were on top of it. You’d caught the problem soon enough to get rid of it. In a matter of weeks, you could return to normal, and this would all be over. It would all be okay.
A knock at your office door once more drew you out of your thoughts. You didn’t open your eyes as you called out, “You know it’s open! Just come in already.”
The person on the other side obeyed and the door creaked open.
You couldn’t help but chuckle. “Damn, Peggy. I thought it would’ve taken you longer to get back.”
“It’s not Peggy, Precious.”
Your smile melted into a frown and you sighed before opening your eyes. “Brock.”
He grinned softly, sliding onto the couch beside you. “Did you miss me?” He moved to wrap his arm around your shoulders.
Lifting a hand and setting it on his forearm, you stopped his advance. “Brock, what are you doing here?” Your voice was low, hesitant, guarded. It surprised you how cold you were being towards him.
It must’ve surprised him too because he looked taken aback. His jaw tightened as he forced a smile. “I came to see you, Precious. It’s been a while, and I thought that we could—”
“Fuck?” Your arms were crossed over your chest, your chin tilted up, and you looked at him down your nose. “I’m sorry, Brock. I’m not in the mood. You can leave now.” You’d never spoken to him like this. Holy shit, what were you doing? Your heart raced in your chest, but you kept your face stoic and unfeeling.
He squinted his eyes at you and tilted his head to the side, his lips falling open ever so slightly. “What? No, (y/n), that’s not what I—”
“Really? Then what did you want, Brock?”
“I-I… I just wanted to talk to you. I haven’t seen you in so long, and I thought that… We could… You know.” He was floundering and you could tell.
You had a gut feeling that the only reason he’d shown up today was that he’d seen you and Bucky earlier and he wanted to know what was going on. But the funny and satisfying thing about it was that you didn’t have to tell him. He didn’t own you. He wasn’t your boyfriend. You owed him no explanation. You looked away from him, biting the inside of your cheek. “No, Brock, I don’t know. While I might have many powers and abilities, mind reading is not one of them. You’ll have to spell it out for me.”
His eye twitched just barely, but he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I missed you, (y/n). I wanted to spend time with you. Talk to you. Do something?”
“Oh, so you’re only now just missing me? Not three months ago, but now? Huh.” You kept your gaze trained ahead as you stood. “Well, I’m sorry, Brock, but I’m a little busy right now. I don’t have the time for this.”
You took one step away before he reached out and latched onto your hand, halting you and keeping you close. “(y/n), please!”
You took a breath before pulling your hand out of his. “‘Please’ what, Brock? What do you need?”
He wasn’t sure; it was written all over his face. You could see the confusion and desperation in his face—the furrowed brows, the longing eyes, the parted lips… It was a foreign look on his face. “I just… Who was that man you were with?”
You almost laughed at the question, but you were glad he finally stopped beating around the bush and gotten to the point. Now you could stop wasting time. You turned around to face him, craning your neck downwards to meet his eyes. “No one of your concern.”
“You were holding his hand; I think it is my concern considering you’re my—”
“I’m your what? Not your girlfriend—you made that perfectly clear decades ago. I’m also not your wife—I would remember that wedding.” You pressed your lips together and lowered your head. “I’m nothing to you other than a woman who you were able to fuck with whenever you wanted.”
“Come on, (y/n)! You know that’s not true!”
“It’s not? Then why did you never stick around the morning after? Why was it that every time you came over we ended up in bed?” Your voice was growing louder now, more agitated than ever. “Why did you never stop to ask me how I was doing or ask to meet my family? Why did you…” A lump had risen in your throat and you squeezed your eyes shut, trying to push it down. “Why did you laugh at me when I suggested that you become my king? I’ve given you so much—so many chances to make me yours, and you’ve thrown it all away. I’m done.”
“You’re done? What do you mean, ‘you’re done?’”
“I mean, I’m done with you. I can’t keep doing this, Brock: letting you in and letting you break my heart over and over again. I’ve had enough. Whatever we are, whatever we had, it’s over.”
“(y/n). You can’t mean that. You just can’t.” He stood up and grabbed your waist tenderly. “Please. I love you.”
“If you loved me, you would’ve told me sooner.”
At that, his gaze hardened. “This isn’t you. Is this that boy speaking? Did he do something to you?”
“He did nothing to me other than be everything you weren’t. And that ‘boy’ is ten times the man you ever will be.” You pulled yourself out of his grasp and took a step back. “You can leave now.”
He stood there, dumbstruck and incredulous like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “(y/n)...”
“Leave.” Your voice was firm with resolve and you stood your ground.
He opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out. He only stood there, unable to really do anything other than obey. He walked towards the door, pausing before leaving. He turned to look at you over his shoulder. His voice was small when he said, “I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.”
Yours was strong when you said, “Maybe you never did.”
Next
12: He Gets the Visit of His Life
#bucky barnes x reader#bucky barnes x you#bucky x reader#bucky x you#mcu#greek au#greek mythology au#greek mythology au!#hades and persephone#hades & persephone#hades & persephone au#persephone!bucky x hades!reader#pragma(tic)
597 notes
·
View notes
Text
Object Impermanence for Beginners
Words: 1.3k
Fandom: Julie and The Phantoms (TV 2020)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Julie Molina & Reggie Peters, Alex Mercer & Julie Molina & Luke Patterson & Reggie Peters
Characters: Julie Molina, Reggie Peters (Julie and The Phantoms)
Additional Tags: Object Impermanence, Ghost Shenanigans, Dumbasses (affectionate), Forgetting that they're ghosts, Hanging Out, Inside jokes
Summary:
Being in a band that's three fourth ghosts can be pretty fun, Julie has to admit.
Sure, there's the whole object impermanence thing they still struggle with, but for the most part, once you get used to having them around, it becomes surprisingly easy to forget that her bandmates are not, in fact, human.
Julie tries not to let it become a problem.
A/N: for @unholyobsessions as part of the JATP Secret Valentine Exchange. I’m so sorry I’ve only been able to post this now. I had a mental health episode that I did not see coming and kept me from being able to post. I hope you still enjoy this. It’s mainly Julie & Reggie, but some other characters have smaller or bigger appearances.
Thanks go to @the-sneering-menagerie for beta reading this! <3
Read on AO3, on wattpad, or below:
Being in a band that’s three fourth ghosts can be pretty fun, Julie has to admit.
Sure, it’s taken all of them a while to get used to everything that comes along with it, especially her, but Julie thinks that they’re doing a pretty great job by now.
And yeah, there’s the whole object impermanence thing they still struggle with, but for the most part, once you get used to having them around (constantly, as Julie sometimes mourns, but always in good humor), it becomes surprisingly easy to forget that her bandmates are not, in fact, human.
Julie feels like, as the token human member of the band, she’s the only one slipping up on that account. Considering Flynn has been the first and so far only person to point it out to her, it’s safe to assume that the boys haven’t even noticed. For the sake of all of their sanity, she promises Flynn to work on it, but, even though Julie has always preferred music to maths, she still knows that the odds of her succeeding converge to zero.
In Julie’s defense: When she’s lounging on the couch in the music room, essentially mirroring Reggie’s position next to her, both of them listening to what Luke and Alex are working on while Reggie browses through a magazine and Julie scrolls through her Instagram feed, it’s easy to forget that they’re not the same. It’s very easy to get fooled by the mundanity they fell into.
Once Julie registers what just happened, she doesn’t even remember what Reggie said, only that it was funny, and that she had offered him a high five in response, as well as the tingling sensation going through her arm when he’d tried to reciprocate her gesture. The two of them keep staring at their hands and the point in the air where they failed to connect, wondering where their high five went wrong.
“Well, that was unexpected,” Reggie says drily and Julie bursts into laughter.
It’s not that funny, but Reggie joins in after a beat and they don’t stop laughing until long after Alex and Luke stopped playing and share a worried look over the state of their friends.
When she’s thinking about it later, the failed high five serves as a calming reminder that Julie’s not alone in this.
It also helps that it keeps happening.
The day is windy and cold, clouds slowly darkening overhead and making Julie believe it’ll probably start raining soon.
All in all, not the best weather conditions. For a human, that is. Reggie next to her doesn’t seem bothered in the least.
Which is good, Julie thinks to herself, as he may have decided against keeping her company otherwise, quickly poofing back into the warmth of the studio, leaving her cold and alone, instead of just cold.
“What’s wrong?” Reggie asks then, causing her to subconsciously wrap her thin cardigan more tightly around her shoulders.
“Oh you’re cold,” he realizes, stripping off his leather jacket, “you can have my jacket if you want.”
Julie furrows her brows as he proceeds to cautiously drape it over her shoulders, only for it to softly float down towards the ground, as if Julie was made of air. Well, no. It’s the jacket that’s made of air.
“That was unexpected,” Julie quips, lacing her words with teasing irony, startling a laugh out of Reggie.
Picking his jacket off the ground, he crosses his arm defensively.
“How was I supposed to know that my jacket is a ghost too?”
This time, it is kind of funny.
Her dad only lifts an eyebrow in question when he comes to retrieve her, soaked through but giddy with laughter. Reggie responds with a smug smile, for once both of them aware that Ray won’t be able to see it.
Other times, it isn’t quite as funny.
Like the time when they’re backstage at one of the bigger venues (those that Julie is afraid to ask how Flynn got them to play at), where there’s a lot of people, but the corridors are still empty.
Julie’s been making music her whole life, been backstage more times than she can count, but the bigger venues never stopped being a little terrifying.
The boys are poofing in and out of rooms and corridors, their curiosity knowing no bounds, their movements not limited by having to be granted access to pass. It’s fun hearing what they discover, small and big practice rooms, signed posters on the walls, rare instruments collecting dust under protective coverings. She wishes she could see it herself.
But mostly, she wishes that Flynn were walking with her to keep her company in these dimly lit corridors with the sickly artificial lights while the boys disappeared in discovery. Still, she wasn’t about to ask them not to. She wants that info of what’s hiding behind the closed doors just as much as them. She can handle some weirdly lit concert hall hallways on her own.
But then Reggie poofs back in next to her with the words, “Alex thinks we should take turns staying with you because you seem uncomfortable.” and Julie exhales.
“The hallways are a little creepy,” she admits, shrugging.
Reggie nods. “Don’t be scared. I’m right here,” he says, and Julie has to admit that she feels better having someone by her side.
Then he adds: “I’m gonna protect you.”
Julie says nothing, just clears her throat, careful not to make him self-conscious.
“I did it again, didn’t I?”
“Yeah.” She smiles at him. “For what it’s worth, I do feel safer with you here. Even if you can’t protect me.”
They stay quiet for a while, just walking past the doors that lead to the other practice and storage rooms, listening to the echo of their steps on the linoleum floor.
“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Reggie asks, and Julie gets the feeling that he’s been stewing on that for a while.
“The ghost thing?” she says, “Uh, yeah.”
“That too.” He shrugs. “But I don’t really mind it. Of all the supernatural beings that could exist and that we could be, ghosts are kinda chill.” There’s a small smile playing around his lips now. Julie nods along.
“We’re still together, and we met you, so that’s cool. We adapted quickly, and so have you, but…”
She turns her head to a surprisingly quiet Reggie, a contemplative look on his face.
“Sometimes you still slip up and forget what it means to be a ghost?” Julie prompts, searching. Finally, she sighs. “Me too.”
Reggie sways in her direction. Julie draws her eyebrows together, then laughs.
“Was that supposed to be a shoulder bump?”
Reggie covers his face with his hands a little too forcefully for it not to have hurt. If ghosts feel that kind of pain.
“Yes, it was.” He sighs exasperatedly. “Why does that happen to us?”
“I think,” Julie says, “that it happens to remind us that you still have unfinished business you have to get to.” More quietly, “And to remind me that I won’t be able to keep you forever.”
“That’s sad,” Reggie says.
Julie shrugs noncommittally. “It’s life, I guess.”
“And death, in our case,” Reggie adds.
That puts a reluctant smile on Julie’s face. “And death, in your case.”
“Do you think that if we just never do our unfinished business, the four of us could stay together?”
“That would be nice.” Julie sways towards Reggie, imitating his earlier shoulder bump.
Reggie answers with a grin.
That’s when a tingling sensation through her whole body causes Julie to stumble. Once she’s caught herself, she looks towards Reggie, who fell a few steps back, now half-obscured by the body he ran into. She recognizes the pink sweater.
“We didn’t aim well,” Alex apologizes.
Julie concludes that she must have walked through Luke then, turning in the direction she expects him to be in.
“You okay?” She finds herself looking up to worry etched onto his face and a hand outstretched to steady her.
A hand outstretched to steady her.
Her gaze flits to Reggie, only to see that his eyes have caught it too. He lifts his eyes to meet hers and god, does she wish they had a better reason to burst into laughter.
AO3. Wattpad.
#jatp#jatp fic#julie and the phantoms#julie molina#reggie peters#reggie jatp#sunset curve#roughly#julie and the phantoms fic#julie molina fic#reggie peters fic#gen fic#genfic
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
Blood for Blood: An Owl House Story Chapter 1 Part 6
Hello all, this part 6, and the last part of chapter 1! Everybody clap your hands!!
As Luz walked down the halls of the Conformatorium, she spotted King and Eda fiercely waving to her up ahead. As she made her way over, she spotted King desperately clawing at the, admittedly impressive, door.
“Hey, kid. ‘Bout time you got here! Come on, the Warden’s currently distracted tormenting some poor helpless creature.” The reminder of what Tiny was going through, and Eda’s seeming indifference to her suffering, almost made Luz snap at the witch. Almost, that is, if it weren’t for the slight shift in her eyes as she said it.
Luz calmed down; Eda was every bit as bothered by what the Warden was doing as she was, but they had a mission, and she had to focus. Eda wasn’t being callous, she was focusing on what she could actually effect.
Forcing herself to smirk, she gently pried King away from the doors. “You don’t need to do that little conqueror. You got a human with you this time, remember?”
“Yeah, but the feel of my crown, so close yet so far from my grasp is driving me crazy!” King stomped his foot in outrage. Luz wisely held back the part of her that wanted to say ‘don’t you mean crazy-er?’
The sight of Eda fondly shaking her head at the little demon’s antics helped ease some of Luz’s mood. As they opened the doors, Luz barely had time to blink before King hurled himself forward, eager for his treasure... only to be stopped and shocked by the barrier of energy barring his path.
“Uh, King? Human first, remember?” With a bemused stare, Luz moved past the dazed demon and easily crossed the threshold, which all but immediately started collapsing behind her. Huh, guess they half to re-cast whatever spell made that barrier every time it’s breached. Good to know for future reference.
The sheer bevy of junk, treasures, and confiscated goods that surrounded Luz made her feel like she had stumbled upon a hoarder’s private stash, even more so than Eda’s house did. As she walked towards the center, Luz caught sight of the pedestal in the middle, and the crown resting on top. As Luz got a closer look at it, she noticed how familiar the crown was-
“You’ve got. To be kidding me.” Deadpanning, she took the crown in hand, and gently plopped it on King’s head.
It was a crown all right. A BURGER QUEEN Crown, the kind they gave out in kids’ meals back home.
“YES! I CAN FEEL MY DARK POWERS RETURNING!! You there! Creature of darkness!” As King exulted over his “reclaimed power,” he dramatically posed at a nearby stuffed rabbit. “You shall be a general in my army, and I shall call you Francois!”
As King played, Luz turned a flat stare onto Eda. “That crown doesn’t give him any kind of power outside of his own head, does it?” The wry smirk she got in return told her all she needed to know.
“Ha! Of course not. It’s just some dumb little thing I found while looking through my scrap that he took a liking too.” Suddenly, Eda hunched over, suddenly looking older, more tired. “Ah, who am I kidding. Look kid, Luz, me and King? All we have in this world is each other. So if that stupid crown is important to him,” She turned a soft, warm smile onto the joyous demon. “Than it’s important to me- Are you crying!?”
Luz was indeed crying. What could she say, that was beautiful!! Still, she managed to stifle her tears long enough to voice what was on her mind.
“*Sniffle* As touching as this is,” And it really, really was, “I spotted the Warden earlier on my way here, and I think this whole thing might be a trap.” As comprehension, and tired resignation, dawned on her face, Eda summed up the situation perfectly.
“Aw crap.”
“Indeed.” As the ominous voice of the Warden sounded out, Luz couldn’t even let out a shout of warning as the Axe-Hand-Arm-Thing that was his right arm currently effortlessly cleaved through Eda’s neck.
Luz did not panic easy. And this certainly wasn’t the first severed head she had handled. But she had to admit, she was much closer than usual to her breaking point.
She did not expect Eda’s head to yell in pain. “OW! Darn it, I always hate it when that happens.” Seeing at how nonchalant Eda seemed to be at being a severed head, Luz decided to ask what was bugging her before she lost her nerve.
“I gotta know, is this a ‘Witch Thing’ or a ‘You Thing?’“
“Honestly? I think this might be a me thing, but I do think other Witches might be capable of it under the correct circumstances.”
Before Luz could process that little tidbit, one of the nearby guards rushed her, pinning her arms behind her back (badly, she noted). She watched on as Wrath picked up Eda’s head.
“I finally captured you, Eda the Owl Lady. I knew that if I took your pet’s toy,” With that said, he reached over to King, who had stopped celebrating at the trouble around him, and crushed the crown, eliciting a cry of despair from the small demon.
“That you would come running.” Luz was really starting to not like the sound of this, and neither was Eda, going off her face. “And now, I want you... to go out with me.”
What? The cheers of support from the guards confirmed that, yep, Luz had heard that right. And she hated what she was hearing. As Wrath monologued, talking about how attracted he was to Eda’s ability, and how she wasn’t really in a position to say no, Luz’s disgust peaked.
“I hate everything your saying.” That, apparently, wasn’t the smartest thing to say, as Wrath lashed at her in rage. Apparently, his arms were shape-shifting tentacles. If he weren’t suck a colossal prick, that would probably be pretty cool!
Now pinned in place on the ground, you would think Luz would be in trouble, but if anything, Wrath’s temper tantrum gave her the opening to slip herself one of her knives. And as Eda starting toying with Wrath, and Luz really tried not to laugh at the raspberry she gave and Wrath’s reaction to it, she knew her opening would be coming right... about... now!
As Eda’s body, which had been secretly inching closer to Wrath with her staff, whacked the angry demon over the head, Luz spun herself, breaking the grip the guard holding her down had, lashing out with her knife for his tendons; she would’ve aimed at the torso, bigger target and all, but she didn’t know how different Witch Anatomy was from a human’s to ensure she didn’t hit something fatal.
As the other guards rushed her, apparently preferring to take on the human child than face off against the grown witch currently going toe-to-toe with their boss, Luz swept their legs out beneath them, aiming deep cuts in their shoulders to hamper their movements further.
Just as she was about to move, Eda suddenly collided with Luz, as the two of them and King were suddenly hurled through the new hole in the wall. Wow, Wrath and Eda must’ve been causing some serious mayhem.
“Alright, listen Luz.” Her attention pulled to Eda, Luz barely held in a wince, Eda was pretty banged up. “I need you to take Owlbert here,” she indicated her staff, and pulled out the key she used with the portal, “and get yourself home. You held up your end of the deal, now it’s my turn to hold up mine.”
As Luz was suddenly scooched onto Owlbert, the staff had a name huh, her brain managed to process what was happening. They were sending her back, and taking on that maniac Wrath who, wow, could apparently breath fire. “But what about you guys?”
For some reason that felt strange, King spoke up first. “HA! This is nothing, you should’ve seen her last boyfriend.” The retort he got from Eda, and the clear laughter on his face, helped ease some of Luz’s concern.
“Ugh, you little menace.” Deciding to turn away from King, Eda turned to Luz, hoping to convince her before Wrath spotted them. “Don’t worry about us. We’ve been through some pretty tough scraps before, and we’ve always come out fine in the end. I’m not gonna have a kid’s life on my hands because I got reckless. Besides, us weirdos gotta stick together.”
Putting on a brave face, hoping Luz didn’t see the worry she felt about how this whole mess was going. Before Luz could protest, Eda slapped the butt of her staff, sending Owlbert, and Luz with him, flying. “Alright King, let’s do this.”
“This is gonna suck, isn’t it?”
Letting out a bitter chuckle, Eda replied in kind. “Oh yeah.”
As Luz soared overhead, her heart ached. Luz was no stranger to ducking out on trouble, but this time, she wanted to help, and not being able to... it hurt. Pulling the portal key up to her eye, she murmured, “Weirdos stick together huh?”
Getting an idea Luz leaned down to the staff, to Owlbert, and started talking. “Hey, staff? I know you are probably only supposed to listen to Eda, and she said to get me out of here, but do you think we could go back? I... I really think Eda is in trouble, and I can’t just run away from it. She and King, they need all the help they can get, and I wanna be one of the ones who help them.” The eyes of the staff flashed, and suddenly, the staff stalled in the air, and turned around. Luz cheered.
As the staff raced back into the Conformatorium, Luz was mildly surprised to find herself outside the very same cages that housed the first prisoners she met here. In fact, despite the cages being trashed, they were still there. “Why aren’t you guys, you know, leaving?” She was honestly curious.
The fanfic writer from before turned to her, a tired, sad, frown on her face. “What’s the point? The Warden will just catch us again.”
The eyeball-eater spoke up next. “We belong here.”
“Self-doubt is a pwison that none can escape fwom.” Tiny Nose through in her voice.
Luz couldn’t believe this. How couldn’t they see it? How could they not understand? Welp, she supposed she would have to MAKE them understand. “Now that’s a load if I ever heard one.”
The prisoners snapped their gazes to her.
“Who care’s if your different.” She pulled herself to her feet, still atop the staff. “Your differences might make you strange, but they also make you INCREDIBLE!! I was raised to believe that nobody should be punished for being true to themselves, and that includes you guys!”
The writer spoke up. “Why? Why are you helping us?”
Luz turned a sad smile her way. “Because I know how much it hurts to be treated like being yourself is a crime, or some type of disease. You are all unique, and you shouldn’t let the words of a bitter old creep,” Tiny Nose perked up at her words from before being repeated, “Convince you that their is anything wrong with that! So society says you have to change? Nuts to that! You be the one’s to make society change instead!”
Now all the prisoners were looking her way, the hopeless fear gone, and replaced with burning hope. “Now... WHO’S WITH ME!?!?” With a roar, all the prisoners cheered in unison.
Eda dropped to one leg, King collapsed to the ground beside her. This was not going well. She was nearly out of magic, she was beaten silly, the only real upside to this was that the kid had gotten away.
“And now, Owl Lady, since you rejected my heart, your life is mi-” as she braced herself for the blade, she was a little bit confused when Wrath cut off with a choke. Lifting her gaze, she was dumbfounded to see Wrath being pinned in place by what could only be prisoners from inside.
“Uh, Eda, are you seeing what I’m seeing, or are we finally dead?” Morbid question aside, Eda was wondering the same thing as King. As the prisoners wrestled Wrath to the ground, a series of blasts went off, the guards from before running around with holes poking through their uniforms and fire coating them.
“HIT THE DECK!!” At the shout, all the prisoners, Eda and King too, jumped clear, a rocket of sorts rushed through the air, crashing into Wrath with a boom.
Eda marveled at the damage the thing did to the brute of a demon, small puncture wounds dotting his chest and torso and burn marks all over, he probably would’ve died if he wasn’t so tough. At the sight of the downed Warden, the guards panicked, dropping any attempt to round up the prisoners to prioritize tending to their leader’s wounds, while the escaping prisoners all cheered.
Turning around, Eda and King both stopped and just stared at the sight before them. Luz, standing on Owlbert, as carefree as can be, idly flicking a knife open and closed, holding a strange bottle stuffed with a burning rag in her off hand, which she promptly tossed at the wall behind her, another hole blasting open in response.
“So. You guys just gonna stand there, or are we gonna get out of here?” Shaking off their disbelief, both Eda and King smirked, rushing over to the staff, and the newly formed trio took off, back for the Owl House.
As Owlbert landed outside the Owl House, Eda marveled at the strange human girl. She was smart, good with a weapon, could apparently make improvised explosives, and was a good fighter. Sure, she was a little scary, but she just had this sweetness about her.
“Well kid, this has been fun, but I think this is where you head home.” And just when the kid was starting to grow on her too.
“Hold up.” Wait, what? “Who said anything about me leaving.”
“Uh, kid, you do know you are in the Demon Realm, right? This place ain’t exactly safe for your kind.” She wasn’t kidding earlier when she said she didn’t want a kid’s blood on her hands.
“Yeah, but the thing is, I really don’t like people telling me what I can and can’t do. Plus, I kind of need a place to crash for the summer, you know?” Wait a minute...
“You aren’t thinking of staying here, are you!?” She already had enough trouble with the roommates she already had, and she didn’t think she could take another, even one as interesting as Luz was turning out to be.
“Well, yeah. Why not? I can help cook, clean, bring in cash,” Cash? Oh, probably what the humans call their snails. “I could even teach you some of the skills I got under my belt.” Okay, now Eda was tempted. For all that she was young, this kid did seem to know an awful lot of very useful skills that she wouldn’t mind getting her hands on.
“And in exchange, you can teach me magic!” Okay, better head that one off before it gets out of hand.
“Hate to burst your bubble kid, but humans can’t do magic.”
Luz, though, wasn’t having it. “Has any human ever actually had the chance to try?” That, honestly, stumped Eda, as she genuinely didn’t know. It was just one of the things that was treated as common sense. But... she always did enjoy turning things on their heads.
A tug at her dress got her to glance down at King. “Let her stay. She can make snacks!” Eda blinked. She snorted. Than she just straight up laughed. Looking at Luz’s out-stretched hand, she grasped it in her own and shook it.
Grinning broadly, Eda sealed the deal. “Alright kid, you win. As long as you help pull your weight, you a got a place for the summer (whatever summer actually is), and I’ll do my best to try and teach you magic.” And with that said, she decided to turn up the showmanship.
“And I might’ve said this once already, but...” As she gestured expansively, lights burst into place once more, illuminating her home in all its splendor. “ Welcome. TO THE OWL HOUSE!”
Luz grinned, excitement burning through her. So maybe her Mami might be a little (extremely) mad if she ever found out. But right now? She was gonna live the dream she has had ever since she read her first fairy tale. She was gonna be a witch.
After all, nobody told Luz Noceda, Mafia Heiress, what she could and couldn’t be, not in the Human World, and not in this one either.
And we are done! Let me know what you all think. The ending stretch wasn’t as strong as I felt it could’ve been, but I think I did a good job.
5 notes
·
View notes
Text
No Place Like Home
Hello, Friends! My brain is fried so there is no introduction like there normally is. I honestly doubt anyone reads them anyway. Whatever. ONWARD!
Background: Noelle and Loki were “Bound” by a witch in Alfheim after a battle they fought in. This means that the witch split each of their souls in half and one half switched places. Noelle has half of Loki’s soul and vice versa. They can feel each other's emotions and hear each other's thoughts. Noelle is also Half Asgardian, half Midgardian. Her father is Tyr and her mother is of Midgard. Loki enchanted her wedding ring so that she can be immortal with him.
Summary: Noelle is kidnapped by Hydra while on a mission in Europe and help captive in an unknown base somewhere in the country. Loki needs to find her before the worst can happen.
Warnings: Kidnapping, swearing, suggestions of attempted rape, creepy Hydra guys being gross, slight angst with a fluffy end.
No Place Like Home
Noelle PoV:
Well.
I am not sure how to describe my situation in any other way than this: I'm fucked.
It was supposed to be a routine mission. We were supposed to be in and out, no big deal. That is no longer the case.
Nope. The current situation is much more dire than such things as "routine" and "easy in-and-out". The situation is now me, gagged, bound, and surrounded by the darkness of the van that the Hydra agents had thrown me into. So I repeat. I am fucked. But then again...
So are they.
If there is one thing I know, it's the power my husband holds within himself. A power that does nothing but grow, especially when I am in danger.
They have created a cuff to cut off my magic and tied my hands behind me so I couldn't use my knives or gun. It's not ideal but I've been through worse. The only thing I'm afraid of now is who will control these men from putting their hands on me. I can't defend myself with my hands tied and magic quelled.
I soon get my answer as the van comes to a stop. I'm hauled out by the two guys who sat in the back with me. They seem to be expecting me to kick and scream, thinking they will have to drag or even carry me into the concrete structure we are about to enter. They are wrong. I keep my emotions in check. I stay cool and collected and let them walk me to the elevator.
The bigger of the two men, who I have decided looks like a Chuck, jabs his finger into the button of the floor number we need to get to. -5. Noted.
When the elevator doors open again, I am faced with a small grey room with a metal chair in the middle, a small cot in the right hand corner of the far wall, and one small light that dangles from the ceiling.
Chuck and his buddy Frankie sit me in the chair and take the gag out of my mouth. The first thing I do is make eye contact with Frankie and give him a small smile. He is clearly unsettled by my calmness and looks extremely guarded as he unties my hands and cuffs me to the chair. I let them do their job and nod my head at Chuck, who looks equally unnerved by me. Yay!
They both walk backwards to the elevator and keep their eyes on me until the doors shut once again. I keep my smile on until they are gone. Now that they left and my eyes have adjusted to the dim room, I can scope it out.
There must be hidden cameras. I can get a general sense of where based on the discolouration of the concrete. They were recently installed. This is a new base. We may not have record of it yet.
Shit. Okay, plan B. If I let the wall between Loki and myself down, he could follow the pull and find me. But that could take days. I hope that by the Fates that the tracker we have installed into our suits is still working.
I'm still thinking through my game plan when the doors open again. I look up to see a very... boring? I think that's a good word, yes. A boring man walks through the door.
"Lady Noelle." I hear the accented voice say. I unintentionally tense up. He addressed me as "Lady Noelle." No one calls me that except the Asgardians and they haven't called me "Lady" anything since my marriage to their Prince. They say "Princess" now. This man isn't of Asgard.
"Oh, not to worry, my dear Lady. You are... well, I cannot say safe but you will not be harmed if you cooperate." He walks into the light, circling me. I relax my body, with some effort, and try to appear calm.
"Forgive me, sir, but you seem to know my name, yet I don't know yours."
He chuckles. "You think me a fool?" He asks, stopping his pacing in front of me. I can see it relatively well. He looks like the basic Hydra douche in the stupid uniform and such things, but there is something about his eyes. I can't understand it but it's more frightening than I let on.
"I am not going to just give you information on myself. I suppose you think I am going to just surrender my plan to you as well?" He steps forward, resting his hands on the cuffs holding mine to the chair, and leaning in a bit.
I force a calm smile and tilt my head slightly. "Of course not. That would be ridiculous. Though, you did just tell me you are a head officer in this joint, if not the mastermind. I'll know your name sooner or later. I'd prefer sooner if you don't mind." I cock an eyebrow at him. "Build a rapport and all that jazz?"
He chuckles again and stands straight. "It appears you would be right. My men will call my name eventually and then you will know. My name is Leon Becker. I am, in fact, the leader of this base and this mission. And you, my dear, are my guest." He smiles coldly.
"Do you normally strap your guests to chairs?"
"If they are Avengers, yes."
"Ah. So you are afraid I will hurt you. Okay, no big. I totally understand." I nod in faux agreement. "Makes sense to keep a woman with no weapons and stripped of her powers locked up."
"I am not stupid, woman." He growls at me. "Your reverse psychology will not work on me. You were trained in Asgard as a warrior and then in the Avengers compound by super soldiers and highly trained assassins. I know you can beat me. You have otherworldly strength that you received from your father: an Asgardian." He begins pacing around me again.
My smile falters for a moment. How does he know about Tyr? I regain my composure. "So you know of my parentage. Well done! You did your homework." I snip sarcastically.
He smirks at me as he passes. "Your mother died of Osteosarcoma. Bone cancer. That's sad. What's it been now, three years? You laid beside her and sang to her until her last breath. Such a devoted daughter." He shakes his head. "Well, maybe not so devoted. You saw her, what, four times in the three years you lived in Asgard at that point?" I feel my throat start to close up. Momma. I do my best to hold it together. "Aw, my apologies, Lady Noelle. Did my talking of your mother upset you? Oh dear." Leon tsks. As he walks to the elevator, he says over his shoulder. "I suppose we can start in the morning. Rest well, Lady Darkness."
The doors shut behind him. As they do, the cuffs holding me to my chair release me. I take a deep breath. I will not cry. I refuse to give him the satisfaction. Making my way over to the cot, I rub my wrists absentmindedly as I break down the wall between Loki and myself.
'NOELLE!' He shouts into my mind. I wince. 'Where are you? Are you hurt? I will kill them. Do you have a location?'
'Loki, honey. I'm very tired. One question at a time.'
I feel him take a deep breath. 'Are you injured in any way? Have they touched you?'
'No to both questions. I'm not hurt and most of them are frightened of me.'
He smiles at that but it quickly falls. 'What's your location?'
'I don't know. I was in the back of a van, it was dark.'
I feel his emotions shift from anger to distress. 'I can use our... What did you call it? The link that helps us find each other?'
'Built in GPS. And you can try but I think it will be too far. We were driving for a while.'
He scowls, 'I meant what I said. When I find you, I will slaughter them all. They put their hands on my wife. I will be sure to put every last one in their graves.'
'I love you for that but really, please focus on finding me and getting me home.'
'You cannot teleport. I can't get you here either. I've been trying for hours. Why is that?'
'Well, they are getting smarter. They have found a way to create a cuff that cuts off my magic. The only reason we can communicate is because we are bound. They must not know about that.'
There is silence for a moment. 'What do they know?' He asks in a small voice.
I sigh. 'Too much.'
He nods but doesn't press the matter. He knows I will tell him eventually.
~~~~~Le Time Skip cuz I'm lazy~~~~~
I have no idea what time it is or how long I've been here. I only sleep in intervals and I'm not even sure how long they are. They can't be very long. I'm exhausted.
'You sleep in one hour intervals about 4 times a day.' I sigh. He isn't sleeping. 'Can you blame me, Noelle? You are in captivity and I do not know where you are. I am working on finding you and I will not rest until I do so.'
'I love you for it but you can't keep doing this. You're going to burn yourself out.'
'You are not the first to mention that.' He grumbles. 'Thor is saying the same. Agent Romanoff as well.'
'They're right. Listen to them. I'm alright. She is pretty smart so you should listen.'
He laughs, 'She? Only she?'
I smile, 'Thor thinks with his heart. He is thinking of you because he loves you and wants to keep you safe. Natasha thinks with her brain. She needs you to keep your wits about you and she is right.'
'I-' he is interrupted by the elevator doors opening. Frankie and Chuck step through. One is holding a tray of food, like every day, and the other holds a case file. That's new. So are the looks on their faces.
Damn it.
'I love you.' I whisper in my mind. 'Please forgive me.' Before he can respond, I put up the wall in our minds. He can't hear or feel me now.
"Breakfast for you, Lady Darkness."
I smile and say, "Thank you, Chuck." I sit up and take the tray.
"Again, that is not my name."
"Yeah, well, that's what I'm gonna call you. You realize that my best friend is the greatest nickname maker of all time?"
Chuck scowls and Frankie crosses his arms.
"You should really hold your tongue. You cannot beat us both at once without your powers." Frankie tells me. He runs his fingertips over my knee. I immediately jerk away from him. He laughs. It's a sickening laugh. I've always been outspoken and strong about things like that but he is right. I couldn't stop them both.
"The loud-mouthed Princess is speechless. Probably for the better. I would be afraid if I was such a small girl as well."
I feel a burst of heat pass through me. Whether it was bravery or stupidity, I let it control me. "Wait a minute, Frankie. You're telling me you're not a girl? Wow. Could have had me fooled."
His face turns red. "You little bitch." He growls menacingly.
"You know, I was actually pretty proud of you for a minute. A female soldier protecting a... what did you call me? 'Loud-mouth princess'? Pretty cool. But know that I know you're a guy, meh."
"Shut your mouth." Snaps Chuck before turning to his little buddy, "She is trying to provoke you. We can take her easily. Don't do anything stupid."
"You too! You think you're big tough men? You follow a coward who hides behind his pride. You do his bidding like dogs." I stand up and start summoning my strength. "That's what you are. Not men. Not women. Dogs. You are disposable and worthless to him. You mean no more to him than a-" WHACK.
Frankie slaps me hard across the face. I stumble back and hit the chair. As I stand and start towards him, the doors open and Leon stands there with another few guards. They grab hold of me and strap me to the chair again as Frankie and Chuck board the elevator.
"That was unwise, Lady Noelle." Leon says calmly. I blink away the tears that pooled from the sting.
"Never said I was wise." I mutter. I take a deep breath and straighten my back, crossing my ankles. "It was a sudden moment of weakness you will not have the pleasure of witnessing again." I raise my chin, remembering what Loki showed me when we sat on the throne while Thor was away.
"Your bravery never ceases to amaze me, my dear. The beauty and power you possess to be strapped to a pathetic chair and still sit as though it is a throne is truly remarkable."
"I learned from a king."
This comment shakes him for a moment. He walks towards me and leans his face closer to mine. "Those fools do not deserve such a pleasure you could provide." He breathes me in. I suppress a shudder.
"And you think you do? Interesting."
"I deserve better than an alien's whore," he snarls before standing straight. "But I would settle for you."
I feel my lungs grow tight. "Not to worry, Lady Noelle. I will not touch you until your husband is dead."
I laugh, though there is no humour in it. "You will be waiting for a very long time, I'm afraid. Loki is immortal."
"Ah, but that is not true, is it? They can be killed." Leon cocks an eyebrow.
"Well if that is your master plan, I suggest you pray to whatever God you believe in, Mr. Becker. My husband is not easy to kill."
~~~~~Le Time Skip II~~~~~
The next day, Leon decides that it is a splendid idea to have dinner with me. He makes idle conversation, I make an occasional sarcastic remark. He proves that the food wasn't poisoned by eating off of my plate himself. Even then I don't eat much.
"So, Lady Noelle. You grew up in New York, yes?"
I simply smile knowingly. He already knows.
"And your husband attacked New York in 2012?"
Another smile.
"It makes me wonder whether you agreed with those actions. Very curious." He puts a bite of salmon in his mouth.
"Not that I need to explain it to you, Mr. Becker, but if you must know, I was not in on Loki's attack on New York. At the time, he and I were not in contact. And for the record, he was brainwashed and being controlled by an evil being." I take a bite of rice, watching his reaction. "We later destroyed the being that tortured him for two whole years. Loki tore him limb from limb." I say casually.
He seems shocked (yay) but does his best to compose himself. "Your husband's past is very dark. And his cruelty is shocking."
"Hmm." I hum absently, "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. Though I should tell you to prepare yourself because what he did to Thanos is nothing compared to what he will do to you."
Leon's eyes grow wide. He takes a breath and pushes a button. He stands as Frankie and Chuck come in and move the table and the chair Leon was in away. As the three if them walk back towards the elevator, I decide to take a small parting shot.
"A normal man can do the impossible to save the woman he loves, Leon." I call to his retreating form. "My husband is no ordinary man." Before the elevator doors close, I say, "He is a God."
I feel Loki laughing in my mind.
'Good show, darling.' He says.
'Thank you, thank you. Have you found me yet?'
'Just a bit longer, love. I will find you. We will find you soon.' I nod as I lay on my cot.
'I love you.' I tell him.
'I love you more.' He replies.
'I love you most.' I say as I shut my eyes, willing my body to sleep.
~~~~~Le Time Skip III~~~~~
I am awoken by banging and screams coming from above me. And then I feel it.
Loki is here.
I sit up and try to speak to him in my mind. He doesn't respond quickly and I can feel his adrenaline coursing through him in the fight.
After a few minutes, I hear him calling me.
"LEVEL -5! LOKI!"
Its not long before he finds me and wraps me up tight. "I've got you." He says. "I've found her." He says, louder this time, and not to me. He is telling the team.
"You are practically frozen, my dove." He says, kissing my forehead. I nuzzle my way deeper into his chest. He takes off his thick, green cape and tugs it around my shoulders. He kisses my head again before taking my hand in his and leading the way back to the stupid elevator.
"Loki." I whisper once we are in.
"Noelle?" He responds. I hold out the wrist the anti-magic cuff is on. He takes the hint and takes it off. Immediately after, I feel a surge of power running through my body. The sensation is so strong that I almost crumble. Loki catches me and holds me up. We reach the top floor soon after that where a helicarrier is waiting for us.
Loki gets me settled in my seat before trying to leave again, presumably to kill every Hydra agent in sight. I take his hand quickly and tug him back to me. He looks at me questioningly and kisses my knuckles.
"Please, don't leave me. Let the others get to Leon."
He clearly doesn't like it but agrees to stay. "Do you have an earpiece? I want to talk to Tony."
He hesitates for a moment before standing up to go get me an earpiece. He hands it to me when he returns and I stick it in my ear quickly.
"Tony." I say.
"Good to have you back, Elle. You alright?" Tony says, cool as ever.
"I'm alright. Listen, the leader's name is Leon Becker. He has the most decorated uniform, well-kept brown hair, a lame ass mustache that looks exactly how you imagine it will, and dark dark brown eyes. Keep him alive. We should question him."
I hear Tony sigh. He agrees but he doesn't want to. Neither does Loki, as I gather from the growl. "Fine. I'll find him and put him in the cargo hold with Nat and Clint."
"Cool. I'm going to rest a bit. And Tony? Thank you. For saving me I mean. Thank you to everyone."
"We got you, Elle. Now go cuddle your man." I hear Nat's voice and smile. I take out the earpiece and put it aside.
"Cuddles?" Loki asks, opening his arms. I need no further invitation. I climb into his lap and bury my face in his neck. I breathe him in and, for the first time in days, let my body feel. I start to cry, not because I'm sad or hurt, but because I'm safe. And happy to be where I am.
My home is in the lap of the love of my life, his arms around me and mine around him, my face buried in his neck. And there's no place like home.
@thelokiimaginechronicles @just-the-hiddles @is-it-madness @frostbitten-written @poetic-fiasco @myoxisbroken @myraiswack @lehuka123 @head-over-heart
#loki fanfic#loki fic#loki x ofc#loki x noelle#kidnapped! OFC#avengers#avengers fic#tony#nat#clint#thor
22 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
grizzlybearvisser
char
moraypower
SAY IT WITH SIZZLE!
jock-swim
Hot underwear and speedos
boystown
BOYSTOWN
k-rayel
dp brain rot