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#please if anyone has information on why I shouldn’t watch it please send it to me or tag me
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I’m gonna fucking crack
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adenei · 11 months
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Mean
Well, the wheel gave me a Speak Now song and at least it wasn't Never Grow Up?
Please enjoy some legitimate crack!fic that has everything and nothing to do with Romione, but Harry being the absolute GOAT of a best friend.
Song Submission #2 for @cruelsummer-ficfest
Song: Mean (Speak Now)
Ship: Romione
Harry stares at the obscene stack of paperwork teetering precariously on one corner of his desk. He’s long since given up when it comes to clearing the pile. He always figured if he could get through a handful a day that would be enough to suffice. After all, he joined the Aurors to be in the field, not in a stuffy Ministry office stuck behind an old mahogany desk.
But he and Ron both promised Hermione that for the next two weeks, they’d work from their desks to avoid any injuries. They couldn’t risk taking a case or going on a mission for fear that it might put them in a bed at St. Mungo’s, or worse, make either of them miss the wedding all together. While he doesn’t understand why he also has to follow these rules, he supposes he gets it. You can’t have a wedding without the groom, and perhaps Hermione thought she’d have a better chance at keeping Ron safe if Harry followed along. He wonders how much gold she slid Robards to approve the arrangement.
Though much to Harry’s chagrin, it seems to be working. Maybe there’s hope to get through the stack of paperwork by the time Ron and Hermione tie the knot after all. He grabs a report from the top of the pile and begins working, only to be interrupted five minutes later by the clacking of a wooden cane growing louder with each click.
What pompous piece of shit is strutting around the office now? Don’t they know we can’t be bribed anymore?
He tries to ignore the noise until there’s a pronounced throat clearing across from where he sits. Who could possibly be trying to make this day worse?
Draco Malfoy.
“Sorry, I think you’re lost. This floor houses the Aurors and DMLE. We don’t take bribes from old money here anymore. I’m sure you could try the Department for Magical Transportation if you’re that desperate.”
“Very funny, Potter. I’m not here for any Ministry matters. I’m here to ask for a…personal favor.”
Harry peers up at Draco. He’s up to something; he always is. “If anyone’s going to ask for a favor, shouldn’t it be me? Considering I’ve saved your arse how many times now?”
“Twice,” he says through gritted teeth. “And that’s neither here nor there.”
“So, what is it then?” Harry doesn’t have time to play any games. The quicker Draco asks whatever ridiculous favor he’s searching for, the sooner Harry can tell him no and send him on his way.
“I need an invitation to Weasley and Granger’s wedding.”
Laughter bursts from every fiber of Harry’s being. “Yeah, alright, Malfoy. That was a good one.”
“I’m serious.” Draco snarls his lips. His knuckles turn white as they grip the ornate handle of the cane a little too tight.
But seriously, what twenty-two year old walks around with a fucking cane?
Harry’s ready to say no, but the request is too good to not gain more information to take back to Ron and Hermione later. Maybe he’ll even pull the memory out so they can watch it in the Pensieve.
“Why?”
Malfoy glares at Harry, clearly contemplating his choice of words. “Because according to the Prophet,” he spits, “it’s going to be the event of the year.”
There’s so much pure hatred and disdain in the blonde’s voice, but Harry can’t help but notice a hint of…envy, is it? 
“So?”
“So,” his nostrils flare, and Harry delights in how excruciating this must be for Malfoy, “If it is, then I need to be there.”
“Huh,” Harry ponders. “I didn’t realize ‘entitlement’ and ‘relevance’ were considerations when Ron and Hermione were creating the guest list.” He leans back in his chair and clasps his hands together. “I’m sure they’ll be horrified when they realize they’ve left such a prominent name in the magical world off the list and will want to correct it straight away.” 
Draco is seething. “I’m sure there will be enough people invited where they won’t even know I’m there.”
“Right. And you thought asking me, their best friend, to help get you in would be your best option? After you called Hermione a Mudblood more times than I can count and hexed her teeth during fourth year? And you tried to fuck with Ron during fifth year with the Weasley is our King chant during the Quidditch season because Slytherin didn’t have a shot of winning fairly? Oh, and let’s not forget that you’d be attending a wedding where two-thirds of the guest list will be from the family you insulted over and over because they were poor.
“Sure, Malfoy, let me get right on sneaking an invitation your way. I’m sure Ron and Hermione would love to have you there.”
Draco purses his lips, the thin fine line barely moving as he hisses, “ A simple ‘no’ would have sufficed. It’s not like I wanted to be surrounded by filth anyway.”
He turns on the heel of his overly-polished toe and struts off without another word. Unable to contain his laughter anymore, Harry lets it out. 
“And don’t worry,” Harry calls after him. “I’ll make sure the security detail knows not to let any ferrets in.”
Once Draco’s gone, Harry can’t help but shake his head, the lingering laugh lines still present on his face as he whispers, “Merlin, I can’t wait to tell Ron and Hermione about this at lunch today.”
All you are is mean
And a liar, and pathetic
And alone in life, and mean
And mean, and mean, and mean
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kavaeroexe · 2 years
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Yan!Ani x Yan!Padme x Jedi!reader???
WOAH WOAH WOAH ANOTHER-
Revenge
Yan!Anakin x Jedi!reader x Yan!Padme
summary: nobody should ever hurt General Y/N’s feelings ever again.
warning: typos, bad grammar  
attention! please do not try to repost my works, I only post my works on Tumblr, if anyone see someone stole my works please inform me through the comments, tag me in the works, or message me!  
now you are sitting, sipping tea with your two darlings, who else if it’s not Padme and Anakin, you could say you’re lucky to have them both, you look at Anakin who starts to give you a question.
“Have you heard of the Senator that you should guard for your next mission?”
you nod and then replying his question. “Yes I have, he’s a good person based on the news, data, and the project he does for the republic, no wonder I have to guard him this time because of the project he has to do...”
Anakin looking and Padme, silently telepating, and you silently just looking at what they’re doing.
“You guys have a secret that I shouldn’t know about hm?” you start to speak, but then both of them start to shake their heads, it’s like you’re an idiot, but then you just follow along with it.
.
.
.
“Apologise Senator, but I’m here to protect you until today’s project are all done”
“Why would I be guarded by a young naive Jedi like you? the council suppose to send a way better Jedi that is expert at their job already.”
you inhale, and then exhale, and then smile softly with your eyes closed, and just looking at many people working around, and you decide to just stay behind Senator’s back.
“You naive Jedi, stop following me around, you useless.”
wow, rude.
“I can’t”
“Are you stupid so you can’t follow my order?”
“my job is protecting you, not following your order, the council wants to make you safe and sure, and my duty is watching you in case there is some unexpected incident in the future, we don’t want that to happen,” you claimed yourself, looking at the Senator’s face looking annoyed by your answer, end up ignoring you and start wandering around.
Many things pique your interest, from the decoration, machinery, and how many people work on Senator’s project, all of that is fascinating. but besides that, this one mission did not leave you with a good impression.
.
.
.
after you are done with your mission, you hear some clones talking about many things while you checking your book, but then you hear something interesting...
“I heard General Y/N messed up in their last mission, they made the Senator mad.”
“That general must be very messed up, that Senator never mad before”
“Are they even deserve to wield the name Jedi after that accident?”
alright is that’s what they said, you walk past them and wave your hands toward them as you passed them away
“Do they heard that-?’
“Naah.. I think-”
“I heard everything, thanks.”
.
.
.
you put yourself leaning against the wall and sighing, piquing Anakin’s interest that standing beside you after you both complete a mission.
“What’s wrong? it’s rare to see you sighing like that” he asks, making you sigh even more before answering “The mission with Senator did not end up well... well for people’s eyes, I pissed him off.” 
“The Senator is actually a boring and annoying person, he gets pissed off easily, it’s just he has a good mask for the public, what did he say about you?”
“Young, stupid and naive Jedi,” you replied shortly, you could hear him clicking his tongue shortly but then you could feel he was patting your head. “Anything else that ruins your day?”
“Now clones are gossiping about me, rest in peace my reputation,” you said it, and the next second you sigh.
“Okay maybe that’s just too far,” he replied, but then he pulls you into his arms and take you back to rest.
well...guess what? Padme and Anakin will take care of the rest, don’t worry, soon everything will be fine.
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tada-no-honzuki · 9 months
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Ascendance of a Bookworm (29) Part 5 Volume 8 Extra Chapter 1
This translation is not supposed to replace the official releases of the light novel series and is purely made for my own entertainment. Please purchase the official light novel when it becomes available!
Since the title of this chapter contains spoilers, it has been hidden beneath a "read more"!
[The Battle for Ehrenfest] Giebe Kirnberger - Opening the Country Gate
With Spring Prayer just around the corner, an urgent letter from the castle arrived at Kirnberger’s Summer Estate. The white bird flew straight into my office and turned into a letter on my desk. One of the scholars picked it up, checked it, and then handed it to me.
"Giebe Kirnberger,” he said. “It is from Lady Florencia, Aub Ehrenfest’s first wife.”
I frowned as I accepted the letter and gave it a read. Since there was a high possibility that Lady Georgine of Ahrensbach would be invading Ehrenfest to acquire its foundation, we were told to increase our patrols and to immediately contact the castle if we came across anyone suspicious.
...they have been telling us to be prepared since the beginning of spring. Has Lady Georgine finally made a move?
I remembered the girl who, after enduring a strict education to become the next archduchess, had lashed out in anger when she was removed from that position on the day of her younger brother’s baptism. Was she still holding onto that grudge? Or was there some other reason?
During last winter's purge, several nobles were executed, because they had sworn their name to her. I had heard that she had been requesting names to antagonize Veronica, but I very much doubted she had many pawns left within Ehrenfest at this point.
"It certainly is a tense situation,” I said. “But I doubt it will have much to do with Kirnberger.”
If Lady Georgine were to invade, she would likely head toward the capital from Ahrensbach or old Werkestock, which were respectively located to the south or southwest of Ehrenfest. If her aim was the duchy’s foundation, it was quite unlikely she would come to Kirnberger, which was in the east.
"It is unlikely that she will come this way, but we should be prepared nonetheless,” One of my scholars said. “Would you like to increase the frequency of the patrols, as well as the training sessions?"
“Maybe we should also keep Kirnberger knights at the ready to assist the border provinces, in case a request arrives?” I mused.
"Please consider it carefully. There is no guarantee that she will not come our way.”
I gave a slight nod to my scholars and stroked my chin as I considered our options.
"If we are going to lend our knights to others, shouldn’t we prioritize the central district?” I mulled. “Protecting the foundation is what’s most important.”
"Why don't you try asking Lord Alexis? You never know when we may need their assistance."
My scholars suggested I get into Lord Wilfried and Aub Ehrenfest’s good graces through Alexis. I had to agree, if I were going to send reinforcements anyway, it might as well benefit my son. So, I sent an ordonnanz to Alexis to check whether they might need reinforcements from Kirnberger.
“This is Alexis. Has Lady Georgine already invaded the duchy? Lord Wilfried is still in a meeting with the archducal family and the higher-ups of the knight’s order, and no information of that kind has reached my ears yet. As soon as my Lord returns, I shall consult him on the matter.”
I folded my arms as I watched the ordonnanz repeat its message two more times. I had not expected Alexis to be unaware of the present situation. He was a guard knight of the archducal family after all.
“What news must have reached the Aub’s ears that Lady Florencia felt it necessary to send a letter to each Giebe in the middle of a meeting?” I muttered to myself. “Perhaps Alexis was ordered to keep quiet? Or maybe he is kept in the dark on purpose?”
“Maybe Aub Ehrenfest received some urgent news and had to step out of the room. His family may be waiting in the meeting room, unable to proceed.”
My scholars suggested they were possibly trying to do what they could until Aub Ehrenfest returned. A typical way of thinking for a scholar. However, I felt that, more than anything, it conveyed that Lady Georgine's invasion was imminent.
“I suppose we should at least assess the placement of our knights, just in case they do ask for reinforcements?” I concluded.
I immediately summoned the higher-ups of Kirnberger’s knight’s order and showed them Lady Florencia’s letter. Then, as we were discussing our next step, another white bird arrived and turned into a letter after landing on my desk.
“What is it?” I asked. “A request for assistance from Alexis?”
"No, it's another letter from the castle.” The scholar replied. “It’s from Aub Ehrenfest himself."
"We only just received a letter from Lady Florencia,” I exclaimed. “What is it this time?"
It hadn't been that long since Lady Florencia contacted us. If he were just trying to counter Lady Georgine's invasion, Aub Ehrenfest shouldn't have any particular requests to make to Kirnberger.
"...it seems that Aub Ehrenfest will be visiting Kirnberger tonight. To open the border gate.”
“He is going to open the border gate?” I asked confused. “For what purpose?”
I snatched the letter from the scholar’s hand and quickly skimmed it. The scholar was right. To summarize, the letter said, “I shall be arriving in Kirnberger around midnight to open the border gate. We will be using the teleportation circle located at your summer estate. There is no need for Kirnberger to take any action. I am just contacting you since I shall be entering your mansion's premises with my knights.” I tapped the letter with my finger, unable to fully grasp the meaning of the message.
"The teleportation circle of Kirnberger’s summer estate?” I frowned. “Does such a thing exist? Has it ever been used before? Where on earth is it? Exactly where will Aub Ehrenfest appear?"
“Although he says we don’t have to take any action, we can’t just sit back.” My scholar said. “Shouldn’t we review the night watch for tonight, find that teleportation circle, and clean the area around it?”
As it had not been used in ages, we didn't even know the location of the teleportation circle. It was quite possible that it was currently blocked by equipment, or the surrounding area was inaccessible. The blood quickly drained from our faces. Aub Ehrenfest had made it sound easy, but the estate and its premises were quite spacious. It would be difficult to find something that we had never seen before.
"Hurry up and find that teleportation circle!” I ordered. “Get it ready by midnight!"
"The magic circle is probably carved into the floor or wall.” A scholar suggested. “Even if it’s not visible to the naked eye, it might react if you pour some mana into it."
“Have the attendants check inside the estate and tell the knights to look outside. Make sure they do not forget to check the training grounds. I want all scholars to go through the documents in the archive and see if there are any mentions of the teleportation circle!”
Within a moment the whole estate was in an uproar.
As a result of everyone’s fervent search, we found the teleportation circle was carved into the stone pavement in front of the estate. The place was currently being used as a training ground for the knights. Unlike the teleportation circle connected to the Royal Academy, which could only transport up to three people at a time, the estate’s teleportation circle was much larger and seemed to be designed to transport many people at once. The shelves and training dummies that had been left on top of the teleportation circle were quickly removed. After which the knights used waschen to remove the dirt. We had successfully averted a crisis.
“Is he really coming?”
"He even went out of his way to inform us,” I replied. “I'm sure he'll come."
Aub Ehrenfest had said he would arrive around midnight. So, I took a quick nap, then sat up and waited. Although it was already mid-spring, the nights were still cold. So, I was watching the teleportation circle from my office accompanied by several knights.
Suddenly, the teleportation circle lit up. We immediately rushed out onto the balcony and jumped onto our highbeast. Black and golden flames swirled around. By the time we could see shapes appearing, we had arrived at the site of the teleportation circle.
“Welcome, Aub Ehrenfest.” I said.
Although my face radiated calm, my heart was in shock. It wasn't just the Aub and his knights who had arrived.
“… is that Lady Rozemyne?” I whispered under my breath.
“Judging by the guard knights around her, I suppose it is…” The knight standing next to me replied quietly. He seemed just as confused as me.
She had grown so much that it was hard to believe it was really her. I knew Lady Rozemyne had been indisposed for a long period and had consequently not attended the feast celebrating spring, but I had seen her at the start of winter. No matter how you looked at it, this was an unnatural amount of growth.
I couldn't help but wonder why she had grown so much, but the Aub and his knights were engaged in a serious conversation about the practical uses of the teleportation circle. The atmosphere did not allow me to inquire after Lady Rozemyne’s abnormal growth.
...that said, didn't those two go to Ahrensbach with Lord Ferdinand?
Lord Justus and Lord Eckhart were included in Lady Rozemyne’s entourage. Feeling at a loss as to what was going on, I folded my arms.
“Sylvester, would you please leave the discussion for later and open the border gate for me.”
"That's right. The assessment can wait. Let's go."
It seems that Lady Rozemyne had requested the Aub to open the border gate. Although she had grown into a beautiful young woman, she unfortunately still used that strange highbeast.
...it just doesn't suit her.
I felt a more elegant highbeast to suit her beauty would be better, but it seemed that Lady Rozemyne had no intention of changing her fat grun-like highbeast. Since I had seen her traveling with all her Gutenbergs, I knew it was a useful design that could carry a lot of luggage, but I still wished she would pay a little more attention to its appearance.
We also got on our highbeasts and accompanied our guests to the border gate. Since the white gate stood out against the dark, it would be hard to miss. However, we couldn’t just leave the Aub and his entourage to their own devices as we still had no idea what they were planning to do.
"It's Aub Ehrenfest. He is really here."
The knights on night watch looked down with interest from up on the roof of the border gate. Like them, I couldn't help but wonder what the hell was going to happen. As we quietly watched on, the Aub took out his schtappe and tapped the gate, chanting "offnetor."
The doors of the pure white border gate slowly started to open. At the same time, the pale rainbow-colored country gate came into view. It shone like a mother-of-pearl inlay. It wasn’t just a trick of the moonlight; it was actually glowing softly.
Even though I had lived in Kirnberger all my life, it was a sight I rarely got to see. As I admired the beautiful view before my eyes, Lady Rozemyne stepped out of her high beast and approached the country gate. She pulled out her schtappe and chanted “Grutrissheit." As she did, something that looked like a faintly glowing stone slab appeared in her hands.
...hold on, Grutrissheit!?
I gasped. Shouldn’t only the Zent be able to wield it? However, the country gate immediately started glowing strongly in response and its triangular roof started sliding open. It was clear as day that Lady Rozemyne wasn’t merely imitating Grutrissheit’s shape with her schtappe. Only those in possession of Grutrissheit could open a country gate. There was no doubt in my mind that she had obtained the genuine copy.
"Look how bright the country gate is shining! Never did I ever… "
“Wait, did she say Grutrissheit!?”
“I can’t believe it, Lady Rozemyne has…”
All eyes were glued to the country gate that was coming to life for the first time in about 200 years. Although it was a moving sight, I could not ignore the fear gripping at my heart. I approached Aub Ehrenfest, who was admiring the country gate just like us.
“Won’t this be considered treason?” I asked.
The failed attempt of Eisenreich’s archducal family to usurp the throne had meant the end of Eisenreich and was the cause of Kirnberger’s decline. The sight of Lady Rozemyne wielding Grutrissheit, while the current Zent could not, sent shivers down my spine.
"Don't worry. Adoption talks with the King are progressing in secret. Besides, there is this."
The Aub assured me the royal family was aware that Lady Rozemyne had obtained Grutrissheit and showed me the first prince had gifted her a courtship necklace. I was relieved to hear Ehrenfest would not be charged with treason, but my eyes widened when I realized this meant that Lady Rozemyne would soon be leaving the duchy. Not only would she be adopted by the King to bestow Grutrissheit onto the royal family, but she was also being courted by the first prince. It was clear she would not be returning to Ehrenfest in the future.
An incredible change was about to occur in Ehrenfest. At a loss for words, I watched Lady Rozemyne instruct her retainers to get into her highbeast, paying no mind to the blow she just dealt to all of us.
“Then, we shall be off,” she spoke. “Don’t worry, I promise I will bring Lord Ferdinand back.”
"Wait, Rozemyne,” the Aub interjected. “Take this... Prince Sigiswald asked me to give you this. He said, it will prove that you have received permission from the royal family, so be sure to wear it at all times."
Aub Ehrenfest offered Lady Rozemyne the courtship necklace. It had the emblem of the royal family engraved in gold into a feystone of six elements. She accepted it without any objection.
Lady Rozemyne stepped into her highbeast and flew up to the roof of the country gate, then landed on the plateau that had become visible due to the roof opening. The Aub and his guard knights chased after her on their highbeasts and so did I, but unlike her, we were all repelled by a barrier and could not approach the country gate.
After waving goodbye, the Grutrissheit in Lady Rozemyne’s hand lit up.
"Koschlussel Dunkelferger."
A magic circle that emitted light from all elements floated up into the air and started spinning. As if prompted by that light, the teleportation circle below activated too.
“Take care of Ferdinand, Rozemyne!”
As Lady Rozemyne disappeared, the roof of the country gate slowly started to close again, as if it knew its job was done. I had just witnessed an event I had only ever read about in history books. While everyone else was excited that the country gate had been opened and that Lady Rozemyne was going to rescue Lord Ferdinand, I tasted a bitter feeling in my mouth.
If Lady Rozemyne was adopted by the King, she would be able to bestow Grutrissheit onto Yurgenschmidt without Ehrenfest being charged with treason. It must be a joyous occasion for both Yurgenschmidt and Lady Rozemyne, who would be joining the royal family.
...I wanted Lady Rozemyne to become the next Aub Ehrenfest, but I suppose that won’t be happening anymore.
As a Giebe of Ehrenfest, I felt it was a shame, but Lady Rozemyne’s departure itself wasn’t a major issue. The much more pressing issue was what direction Ehrenfest, and the archducal family would take after Lady Rozemyne left. Since talks of her becoming the adopted daughter of the King were progressing, and she had received a courtship necklace from the first prince, it was clear the engagement between Lord Wilfried and Lady Rozemyne would be canceled soon. It was safe to assume that this had already been discussed behind the scenes.
...what will happen to Lord Wilfried afterward? He surely hasn’t forgotten his stained reputation, has he? How is he going to act going forward?
I stared at the Aub's back as he closed the border gate. He had been adamant about making Lord Wilfried the next Archduke. Even though Lord Wilfried had committed a crime that could have seen him disinherited, Aub Ehrenfest had gone as far as to reinstate him to the position of next archduke through an engagement to Lady Rozemyne.
I knew from the information Alexis had given me that Lord Wilfried’s archduke training had been put on halt due to his poor attitude. If his engagement to Lady Rozemyne was canceled, and Lord Bonifatius had given up on him, he would most definitely be out of the running for the position of next archduke.
...will Lord Wilfried remain a member of the archducal family? Will he receive any compensation from the royal family for the cancellation of his engagement? And what will happen to Alexis, who is serving him?
Yurgenschmidt's future was important, but my son's future was just as important to me. Even though opening the country gate with Grutrissheit to travel to another duchy was a historical milestone, Lord Wilfried, the supposed fiancée, and Alexis, his close retainer, were not here to share in the occasion. I could not help but worry about their futures.
However, neither could I bring myself to put a damper on everyone's joy and excitement. Unable to question the Aub, I quietly stared at the border gate as its doors slowly closed again.
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imthecleric · 2 years
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@familybyerstm​ said: Send 'note' for a goodbye letter my muse wrote to yours (Jonathan)
[ x ]
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Jonathan,
Do not blame yourself for this. It wasn’t because you weren’t there because you were always have been even when you don’t think you are. You couldn’t have done anything, my mind had been made up. I needed to end it, all of this stuff with the upside down. He made me begin it, and I chose to stop it for good. If he comes back, which I don’t think will happen, Zombie Boy will make a return.
I’m sorry for how worried I have made you over the years. I’m sorry I made dad leave, and then made you wake up early to make breakfast, and get a job to help mom with the bills. I know you two thought I didn’t notice, but I’m not stupid. I knew. And I’m sorry you didn’t get to be a teenager because of me. You skipped that step, so go be a teenager for a bit. You have to do enough stuff for both of us. And I know you’ll do stuff we both like.
I put in a cover for a cassette with songs on it. You’ll have to make the tape yourself, I didn’t have time. I hope you like it. I put stuff on their I like, stuff I found on my own. Consider it payback for all the tapes you made me over the years. I know you’ll like what I put on there, I mean my music taste was partially informed by you.
I want to ask you one last favor before you go off and are free of all the burdens I put on you, make sure you keep tabs on the Party. Especially Mike. Please make sure you keep up with Mike. Make him do stuff he doesn’t want to do, let him complain, say its from me. Guilt him into it. Please though. I--- I’m really worried about him. I know you and mom will be fine because you are both the strongest people I know. But for as strong as Mike is, he hides too. He needs someone to find him, and I know no better seeker than you.
Tell Hopper its going to be alright. Watch out for El, I don’t know how she’ll react. But we were like real twins at times. I’ve known her, since I was first taken. I saw her there, did you know that? She came to me like a vision like when Frodo sees Galadriel, but not nearly as scary. Though El definitely can be.
Don’t let mom worry or get in her head. You know how she is. If dad comes to this funeral don’t let him. He’s not welcome. I don’t want him there. Tell Hopper to punch him or something. Mom doesn’t need that. You don’t need that.
I’ve told you alot of things I want you to do. You don’t have to do anything. I feel like I’m still putting responsibility on you that I shouldn’t. But you’re my brother, my best friend who else am I supposed to count on? Who else has been there for me... Mom and Mike decidedly don’t count. This is about you. You have always been there. You know more about me than anyone else I think, even Mike and Mom. And I think its because of how well you know me.
I think you really know about me too. That conversation at Surfer Boy. Its why I want you to check on Mike. You know why. I don’t know when you knew, but thanks for letting me come to you, and letting me know I could come to you. Sometimes I needed a reminder like that. After that year, I absolutely did.
You are such a great person. You are kind and caring. You taught me it was okay to be a freak, even if I didn’t seem to like it at the time. You love exponentially, and I hope you get to touch more people with that love because they don’t know what they are missing out on.
Don’t miss me too much, I don’t want to weigh you down anymore.
Your freak of a brother,
Will
The cassette has a doodle on it of Will and Jonathan from when Jonathan first showed him Should I Stay or Should I Go. The bottom of the letter has a drawing of Jonathan as Will often saw him with a camera to his face. Its signed from Will, with a caption that reads “Photography was your art.”
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georgiapeach30513 · 3 years
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Desperate Affairs, Part 4
Summary:  The one where Ransom finds out
Pairings: Andy Barber X Reader, Ransom Drysdale X Reader
Rating:  Explicit
Warnings:  Explicit language, explicit sexual content, talks of cheating, pregnancy, paternity test, angry Andy, PIV sex, unprotected sex, cream pie, 18+ ONLY
Word Count:  3.9k
Previous
Series Masterlist 
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Everywhere Ransom goes since that last time with you, he sees you.  He can’t be sure that it really is you, but he convinces himself it is.  Even when he’s clearly losing it.  Thinking he seen you as a waitress at a local diner.  He knows Andy would never let you work there.  The few times he’s driven past Andy’s office, he doesn’t see your car, so he assumes that you and Andy are carpooling, because that makes sense.
Ransom really starts to lose it when he sees you smiling and happy, very pregnant, rubbing on your belly as you pick out some produce.  Now Ransom doesn’t usually do any kind of food shopping, but when he wants the random off chance to see you at your favorite spot, he’s going to do whatever it takes.  
He can’t deny that the glowing woman he’s watching is in fact you.  The same giggle, the same sway of your hips, and when you turn around and spot him, you freeze.  Casting your eyes down at your stomach you quickly walk away.  He knows it’s you, and he has a visceral need to talk to you.
Ransom is slightly irritated with how quickly Andy turned you into his housewife.  You were meant more than to be just a mother.  Planning to cut you off, he goes down a different aisle.  Coming right in front of you.  Your eyes glossy.  “Didn’t waste any time, did he?”
Leaving your cart behind you turn to walk away.  “Don’t walk away from me,” Ransom growls, coming up behind you.  His hand slides around your hip, and it shocks him the movement the babies make under his hand.  He jerks back away from you, looking at his hand almost confused from the movement.  “Holy shit.”
“Ransom, stop.  Just please stop.  I’m married.”
“I read the paper.  How far along are you?” your breathing speeds up, and he’s not sure why.  “You happy?”
“Yeah, I’m happy.  I’m seven months,” Ransom looks you up and down and takes a step back.  “Twins.  Girls.  They’re fraternal.  Doctor said it won’t be long until I’m most likely bed ridden.”
“Seven months?” he asks.  His eyes flicking over your hand that constantly cradles your stomach.
“That’s what you got out of all that?” you offer him a weak smile.  You see his brain doing the math.  “Oh, I see.  They’re Andy’s though, so don’t need to get all worked up,” you see Ransom doesn’t fully believe you, but being an entitled prick that he can be, he enjoys not having the responsibilities of being a father.
“Oh, good.  I mean…” he sees your eyes sadden.  “They should be Andy’s.  He’s your husband.  Where have you been?  Not that I’ve been following you or anything.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” you twiddle around, watching as Ransom moves awkwardly, wanting to look at anything but you.  “I mean, I shouldn’t bring this up now.  It doesn’t matter.  But Andy, he knew.  He knew because you were sending him photos of us.”
Ransom finally looks at you, shaking his head, “No I didn’t.”
“Ran, I saw the photos on his phone.  They were personal photos, you sent them.”
“I won’t deny I have tons of photos saved on my iCloud, but I never sent him anything.”
With this piece of information, it nearly makes you sick to your stomach.  Ransom had someone hack into his account, with the intent of burying him and you.  “Regardless of what you or anyone wanted to accomplish, it didn’t work.  We’re still together.  I need to go.  And if you could please delete the photos…”
“Wait,” he pulls at your shoulder, watching you as his hand roams to your stomach, smiling when he feels them move.  “I only wanted you to be happy.”
“I am,” you assure him and yourself.
“This is incredible,” he smiles only at your stomach, and you feel guilt rise up in your gut.  They could very well be Ransom’s, or Robert’s, or even Andy’s.  “Never…wow, I just…didn’t see this in my future.”  When he rolls his eyes up to meet back at yours a sadness laces through his deep blue eyes.  “Guess, I don’t have to worry about that though, huh?”
“I really do need to leave.  I’m sorry.  It was good to see you though, Ran.”
“Need to get dinner started?” he starts to laugh but stops himself.  “I’m sorry.  Have a good life,” he offers a quick kiss on your cheek.  Your hand goes and holds onto where his lips touched you.  Staring at him only for a moment before gathering your cart and walking off to pay.
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Ransom tries to forget you, he really does.  There’s that sinking pit in his stomach.  Seven months ago.  Seven months ago, you agreed to one last time with him, and his mangy half-brother.  
“What do you want?” Robert asks, as soon as Ransom calls him.  “What?  You called me, now you have nothing to say?”
“She’s pregnant,” is the only thing that he can get out.
“Yeah, and married.  Not your fucking problem.  Definitely not mine.  I had that shit taken care of years ago.  Never wanted any fucking brats of my own.  You should do the same.  Didn’t you say she was on birth control?”
Of course, that’s what you had said.  Assured him you were religious with taking your pills.  Even told him that you had agreed with Andy to quit before the wedding, which is why you and he had to stop.  But what if?  Andy wouldn’t dare, would he?  
“How far along is she?” Robert asks with a laugh.
“Seven months.”
All Ransom hears is cackling on the other end.  “You fucking idiot.  She fucking played you.  Seven months?  That’s right about the time…” he drones off in a fit of laughter again.  “Your best bet is to fucking forget about that cunt and her dumb ass husband.  He’ll be able to take care of her and the brat.  That’s what she wanted.  A perfect fucking life.”
“You know what?  Eat shit,” Ransom slams down the phone.  He’s unsure exactly what he wanted to gain from calling Robert.  Ransom decides for now, to leave it be.  If you were in trouble or were unhappy, he hoped you could trust him enough to help.  And unless you come to him, he’s letting it go.
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You and Andy happily push your two-month-old daughters through the park.  Aster and Iris are everything you could have ever desired.  They are your perfect little flowers.  When they started to get a bit older and Aster started favoring someone else, you thought for sure Andy would gravitate towards Iris and not have much to do with Aster.  You thought wrong.  True to his word, Andy treated those little girls like his.  He never questioned who their father was.  
Neither did you.  Because you know.  Every time you look into Aster’s eyes and you see Ransom’s deep blue eyes staring back at you, you just know.  But she is Aster Barber, Andrew Barber’s pride and joy.  Holding onto Iris while Andy holds onto Aster, soothing them while you can make your walk back home, until he’s being stopped by an older woman.  “Fancy seeing you here, Andy.  I had heard you had a family now.”
Her fingers play along Aster’s chubby cheeks, and her dark blue eyes smile up at the woman.  You would swear that you see her pause looking at the small baby, “Linda, this is my wife, Y/N, and our daughters Iris and Aster.”
“Twins.  Although, doesn’t look like they’re identical?”
“No,” Andy glares at Linda.  “Y/N, this is Linda Drysdale.  You know her son, Ransom.”
You glance over to Andy, and realize now why Linda cannot take her eyes off your precious little star.  “Nice to meet you, Linda.”
“How did you know my son?”
Andy clears his throat and answers for you, “She did work as my secretary.  With two little ones, it’s best for her to stay home.”
“I see,” Linda looks back at you with a smile, and touches Aster’s cheek again.  “Such a pretty little one you’ve got here.  I should let you two leave.  Probably about nap time, huh?” without another word she turns and walks away.
“You’ve seen him, haven’t you?”  Andy narrows his eyes looking at you.  “This whole time.  Am I not enough for you?”
“Andy, I haven’t seen him.  I told you about the time I saw him at the grocery store.  I haven’t seen him since.  They’re your kids.  Remember?” you go closer to him.  With a free hand you pet along his beard.  “You said you trusted me.”
“I do.  I just didn’t like the way she was looking at Aster, nothing good can come of this,” Andy looks at Linda as she walks away.  You see his gears already turning, but unless he’s offering up information, you don’t want to question him.  “Come on, it is nap time.”
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“I ran into Andy Barber and his wife the other day,” Linda drinks her coffee, and peers at her son over her mug.  “She’s quite a beautiful one.  Saw their two kids.  One you could almost guarantee was Andy’s.  The other one…”
“Mother, what are you asking?” Ransom normally likes games.  He honestly, wants to forget anytime he had with you.
“I’m just saying, son.  She was a beautiful little girl.  Didn’t you say you knew Andy’s wife before she was married?” she takes a not so slick sip of her coffee, offering Ransom a sly smile.
“Something like that.”
“Well, your grandfather always wanted to have great grandchildren.”
“They’re Andy Barber’s kids.”
“The one may be.  Listen, I know you got involved with that little tart.  You don’t keep things that private.  It might do you some good to find out if in fact the child is yours.  Dad might take pity on you or he might be thrilled you decided to procreate.”
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Ransom waltzes into Andy’s office.  He doesn’t have an appointment, nor does he care.  He’s Ransom fucking Drysdale, and he will get an audience with Andy.  When Andy sees who it is everything in him wants to kick him out of the office.  “Sir, Mr. Drysdale is here to see you.  He said it’s urgent.”
Andy can’t stand his new secretary.  She isn’t as good as you, but at least he has someone he can trust with the girls.  And at least he doesn’t have to worry about you having an affair.  With a huff he finally answers, “Send him in.”
“Andy, how have things been?  Heard that you finally got married.  Finally trapped her,” Ransom takes a seat, spinning around your family photo.  He sees your smiling face, clinging tightly to a baby with silky brunette hair, eyes that match his perfectly.
“What do you want?” Andy turns the photo back away from Ransom.  Needing him to realize that this is his office, and he will not dictate the way this goes.
“A hypothetical,” Ransom offers a cocky grin, and Andy rolls his eyes circling his hand, and wanting Ransom to get on with this hypothetical.  “Say I had a relationship with someone, and she’s engaged to another man, I know messy right?  However, she ends up pregnant.  Now I have no way of knowing whether the baby is mine or not, and now she’s married to said man.  How would I go about requesting a paternity test?  I mean, hypothetically speaking?”
The darkness in Andy’s eyes returns.  “Hypothetically speaking, you can subpoena the mother.  I would advise against that if I were you.  In the state of Massachusetts if the mother was married, the husband by default is the legal father.”
“Legalities.  I’m talking biologically.  It’s nothing personal,” another cocky grin and Andy loses it.  Pulling Ransom closer to him by his expensive scarf.  And Ransom has the audacity to laugh.
“It sounds pretty fucking personal to me.  They’re my kid’s ass hole.”
“I never said anything about your kids.”
The two men stare at one another.  Neither one blinking.  “Andy, you’re getting so worked up over nothing.  This is a hypothetical.  However, since we’re on the topic.  I need a paternity test ordered.  Two of them.  Just to be on the safe side.  She wasn’t being safe,” he gives him a quick wink.
“I think it’s time you found a new lawyer.”
“Are you really going to fight me on this?  Andy, I know you had pictures sent to you.  They weren’t from me.  I was under a pretty tight contract.  You would be so proud of her.  So, let’s quit talking in circles.  I fucked your girl.  Fucked her real good, and every time you left, she came crawling into my bed.  Now, I can do the math, there’s a possibility that those girls are mine.  You can’t say you don’t look at the one and see the resemblance?  You know she’s at least mine.  Maybe even both.”
“Get out of my office.”
“Andy, let’s be adults here.  I just want a test.”
“And then what?  You’re declared to be the father of both, and then what?  You’re paying child support?  I know you can afford the legal fees to get their birth certificates changed.  But why?  You weren’t apart of her life or theirs the whole pregnancy.”
“I didn’t get that opportunity.  You whisked her away, and I didn’t even know she was pregnant, until I saw her,” Ransom growls over to Andy.
“And you want to do what’s right?  No, there’s something in it for you.  I know it, hell, you know my wife will know it.” Andy scoffs at Ransom, finally feeling like he has the upper hand.  “You don’t even want to be a father.  I do.  Just walk out of here, we’ll pretend that nothing happened.”
“And what if I am biologically the father?  Wouldn’t that help in case of a medical emergency?  Wouldn’t they need to know their family’s history?”
Andy nearly has tears in his eyes, his usual cool, calm, and collected veneer is waning thin.  “Why are you trying to take them away from me?  They’re mine.  I was there when they were born.  I’m there every night and morning.”
“And you two took that right away from me.  I’m not saying I’m the father.  I’m saying what if?  I want those tests.  We can do it outside the courts or in it.  I’ll let you make the decision.  Here’s the address with the date and time.  Tell her to be there with the girls.  You fail to show up, I will subpoena your asses.  It’s up to you,” laying down a card, Ransom turns and walks away.
Andy looks at the stupid card.  Cursing himself.  He should have done more to protect you, to protect them.  Ransom is trying to destroy everything he’s ever worked for.  Pretty little rich boy.  He always gets what he wants.  Not this time.
When Andy finally makes it home, you and the girls are sound asleep.  He knew you would be.  It won’t be long until you wake up for a feeding and changing, and right now he just wants to stare at his girls.  Watch the two of them while they peacefully sleep.  The way their lips pucker when they dream.  The way their black lashes fan across their silky skin.  And when Aster’s dark blue eyes open to look up at him, he scoops the little girl in his arms.  “I won’t let anyone take you away from me, sweetheart.  No matter what I’m your daddy.”
You stand in the doorway watching Andy cradle your now sleeping daughter.  You know that he only comes home late now when something is bothering him.  You watch him gently lay her back down in the crib.  “Andy?  Babe, what’s wrong?”
He shakes his head leading you two out of the girls’ bedroom and into your own.  His hands softly rubbing along your skin.  “Shh, just don’t right now,” he whispers.
Never one to let things go right away you can’t help but argue a bit.  “But Andy?”
“No, right now, I need you to be my good girl.  I don’t want something hard and rough.  I just need to feel your gentle curves.  I need you to not let me go.  Can you do that for me, honey?”
“Whatever you need,” he pulls you into his lips with both his strong hands.  Gripping you tightly to him, and your body, pliable, moves with his.  When he pulls you two apart, his thick fingers wipe along your kiss swollen mouth.  Teasingly slow he eases your lacy nightgown off your body.  Watching as the mixture of satin and lace pools on the floor, leaving your body completely exposed.  “I’m going to undress you, babe.”
Andy nods his head, and your fingers remove each part of his suit.  Letting each piece fall to the floor until Andy is the one nude in front of you.  Staring up at him your lips connect to his body.  Peppering the sweetest kisses along his skin, lowering your body until you’re on your knees.  “No.  You’re not doing that tonight.  I just want you.”
“I want you to know how much I love you.  How much I look forward to you coming home.  I want you to know how much I worship your body, Andy.  You have been the perfect husband, the best father…”
“Stop,” he pulls you back up to him.  “Just, stop talking, please,” Andy’s voice a near whimper.  You’re not sure what is bothering him, what is hurting him, but when his eyes roll up to meet yours, you see the anguish and tears he’s been hiding.
Without another thought, you crawl onto the bed, dragging Andy with you.  “Make love to me, Daddy.  I need to feel you in me.”
With a nod of his head, he slowly spreads your thighs.  Grazing along your folds, and he hums with how wet you actually are.  It’s a good thing too, Andy isn’t really into foreplay at the moment.  He just needs to feel your warmth wrapped tightly around him.  He hovers over your body, and you reach down to line him up with your entrance, and he finally gives you a soft smile, making you feel as if you are the one in command.  “Please, babe,” you whine up to him.  Your hand still firmly surrounds his cock, but until he moves his hips, he’s still the one in control.  “Please, Daddy.”
Andy slides his hand up your arm, over your collarbone until it lightly wraps around your neck.  “You’re such a good polite girl, honey.”  You sway your hips around, pushing yourself closer to him.  His tip barely tickling your entrance.  “But you also need to understand patience.”
“Patience went out the door when we brought twins home.”
Andy huffs, but he also knows your right.  You two are granted such a small window to have sex.  With a crooked grin he thrusts his cock slowly into your warmth.  Pulling a leg up beside him, he grips it tightly to rut into your dripping cunt.  This sex is more than Andy’s languid thrusts, but not quite fucking.  A balanced medium between the two.
When your eyes roll back up to the ceiling, Andy pulls you back.  “Please, just…I need you to keep looking at me,” unsure of where this almost, insecure Andy is coming from, you nod your head, bringing his mouth down to yours.  Your tongue teases around his pouty lips, before he allows you entrance to his mouth.  Searching for his own tongue, before he allows you to dominate his mouth.  He’s doing such a fine job on your throbbing pussy; it only seems fair.
You love sucking on Andy’s tongue, biting his lip, and going back to taste him.  The lingering coffee taste that you love.  Even though you need to teach his new secretary how Andy Barber prefers his brew.  Both of you pull apart gasping for air.  “Going to fill you up.  Do you deserve it?”
“Yes, Daddy.  I’ve been your good girl.”
“My good girl needs to be rewarded then,” Andy’s thrusts turn near brutal.  Much harder and controlled now.  Pumping into your tight channel with an intent of ripping you in half.  Squeezing tightly to one of your nipples.  You keen with the pressure.  “That’s it, honey.  Let go on Daddy’s cock.”
Your hands grip tightly to his back, feeling every ripple of muscle with his movements, holding onto him with every part of you.  Your jaw goes slack when he slightly changes the way he ruts into you.  His cock hitting your g-spot delectably.  His hand snakes down your body, until his finger comes into contact with your bundle of nerves.  Needing you to cum before he fills you up.  “Andy…” you pant out, unable to say anything else, just whisper his name off your swollen lips like a prayer.
“Right.  There,” his voice growls on you.  You see stars as your orgasm rushes through your body.  Andy continues to fuck you through your beautiful release.  Connecting his teeth to your pulse point on your neck, and you feel your cunt milk him.  His own release rocks through you.  Without removing himself his body goes limp on top of yours.  If it wasn’t for his deep breaths, and his tears, you would almost swear he was sleeping with out tight he clings to you.
“Andy, baby, what’s wrong?”
“Don’t wanna talk about it,” his voice short.
“No, we’re going to talk about it.  Something has you upset.  We said we would communicate.  What happened?”  you feel his length softening inside of you, but he still makes no attempt to remove himself, or even let his face be seen by you.
“He came by today.”
“Who?”
“Ransom Drysdale.  You either have to take the girls to get tested, or he’s going to subpoena you.”
Everything makes sense now.  Why Andy was holding Aster.  Why he was upset.  Andy doesn’t need confirmation of who the father is, because he immediately took up that role.  Was ready to be whatever the girls needed.  Iris looks just like you, but there’s no doubt in your mind that Aster is biologically Ransom’s, but what if Andy is neither of their father.
“No.  We can fight this can’t we?”
“The Drysdale’s have an endless supply of money.  If they want to prove that their Ransom’s, they won’t stop.”
“No,” you pull Andy’s head to look at you.  “You’re their father.  Both of them.  I don’t care biologically what it says.  Andrew Barber those girls…they’re yours.  No, he can’t do this.  He doesn’t…he never wanted to be a father.  Why now?  He saw me pregnant, never…Andy say something.”
“We can keep this out of the court system if we play along.”
“I’m not playing with my daughters.  He can’t…what does he want if he is…” you can’t finish the sentence.  You can’t imagine having to split your time with the girls and another’s family.  “No, what can we do?”
“Let me worry about the legalities.  If we can keep this quiet, I’m sure that’s what Linda would want as well.  Honey, they’re not taking them from us.  Legally they can’t.”
“I’m sorry.  This is all my fault, if I hadn’t had been a cheating slut…”
“And if I hadn’t given you sugar pills.  We’re moving past this.”
“No matter what happens, I don’t want them calling Ransom dad,” Andy gives you a soft smile.  Holding onto you tightly before you hear both girls crying through the monitor.  “Alright, come on Daddy, let’s get the girls resettled.  We’ll deal with this later.  They know who their dad is,” your voice soft as you pet along Andy’s beard.  “They love you.  You know that right?”
“I know, honey.”
“We’ll get through this together then, okay?”
Andy offers you a weak smile and kisses your temple.  Throwing one of his shirts to you before dressing himself.  “I know.  You promise, you’re with me through this?”
“There’s nowhere else I would rather be.”
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georgiapeach305132 · 3 years
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Desperate Affairs, Pt. 3
Summary:  The one where Ransom finds out
Pairings:  Andy Barber X Reader, Ransom Drysdale X Reader
Rating:  Explicit
Warnings:  Explicit language, explicit sexual content, talks of cheating, pregnancy, paternity test, angry Andy, PIV sex, unprotected sex, cream pie, 18+ ONLY
Word Count:  3.9k
Previous
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Everywhere Ransom goes since that last time with you, he sees you.  He can’t be sure that it really is you, but he convinces himself it is.  Even when he’s clearly losing it.  Thinking he seen you as a waitress at a local diner.  He knows Andy would never let you work there.  The few times he’s driven past Andy’s office, he doesn’t see your car, so he assumes that you and Andy are carpooling, because that makes sense.
Ransom really starts to lose it when he sees you smiling and happy, very pregnant, rubbing on your belly as you pick out some produce.  Now Ransom doesn’t usually do any kind of food shopping, but when he wants the random off chance to see you at your favorite spot, he’s going to do whatever it takes.  
He can’t deny that the glowing woman he’s watching is in fact you.  The same giggle, the same sway of your hips, and when you turn around and spot him, you freeze.  Casting your eyes down at your stomach you quickly walk away.  He knows it’s you, and he has a visceral need to talk to you.
Ransom is slightly irritated with how quickly Andy turned you into his housewife.  You were meant more than to be just a mother.  Planning to cut you off, he goes down a different aisle.  Coming right in front of you.  Your eyes glossy.  “Didn’t waste any time, did he?”
Leaving your cart behind you turn to walk away.  “Don’t walk away from me,” Ransom growls, coming up behind you.  His hand slides around your hip, and it shocks him the movement the babies make under his hand.  He jerks back away from you, looking at his hand almost confused from the movement.  “Holy shit.”
“Ransom, stop.  Just please stop.  I’m married.”
“I read the paper.  How far along are you?” your breathing speeds up, and he’s not sure why.  “You happy?”
“Yeah, I’m happy.  I’m seven months,” Ransom looks you up and down and takes a step back.  “Twins.  Girls.  They’re fraternal.  Doctor said it won’t be long until I’m most likely bed ridden.”
“Seven months?” he asks.  His eyes flicking over your hand that constantly cradles your stomach.
“That’s what you got out of all that?” you offer him a weak smile.  You see his brain doing the math.  “Oh, I see.  They’re Andy’s though, so don’t need to get all worked up,” you see Ransom doesn’t fully believe you, but being an entitled prick that he can be, he enjoys not having the responsibilities of being a father.
“Oh, good.  I mean...” he sees your eyes sadden.  “They should be Andy’s.  He’s your husband.  Where have you been?  Not that I’ve been following you or anything.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” you twiddle around, watching as Ransom moves awkwardly, wanting to look at anything but you.  “I mean, I shouldn’t bring this up now.  It doesn’t matter.  But Andy, he knew.  He knew because you were sending him photos of us.”
Ransom finally looks at you, shaking his head, “No I didn’t.”
“Ran, I saw the photos on his phone.  They were personal photos, you sent them.”
“I won’t deny I have tons of photos saved on my iCloud, but I never sent him anything.”
With this piece of information, it nearly makes you sick to your stomach.  Ransom had someone hack into his account, with the intent of burying him and you.  “Regardless of what you or anyone wanted to accomplish, it didn’t work.  We’re still together.  I need to go.  And if you could please delete the photos...”
“Wait,” he pulls at your shoulder, watching you as his hand roams to your stomach, smiling when he feels them move.  “I only wanted you to be happy.”
“I am,” you assure him and yourself.
“This is incredible,” he smiles only at your stomach, and you feel guilt rise up in your gut.  They could very well be Ransom’s, or Robert’s, or even Andy’s.  “Never...wow, I just...didn’t see this in my future.”  When he rolls his eyes up to meet back at yours a sadness laces through his deep blue eyes.  “Guess, I don’t have to worry about that though, huh?”
“I really do need to leave.  I’m sorry.  It was good to see you though, Ran.”
“Need to get dinner started?” he starts to laugh but stops himself.  “I’m sorry.  Have a good life,” he offers a quick kiss on your cheek.  Your hand goes and holds onto where his lips touched you.  Staring at him only for a moment before gathering your cart and walking off to pay.
___________________________________________________________________
Ransom tries to forget you, he really does.  There’s that sinking pit in his stomach.  Seven months ago.  Seven months ago, you agreed to one last time with him, and his mangy half-brother.  
“What do you want?” Robert asks, as soon as Ransom calls him.  “What?  You called me, now you have nothing to say?”
“She’s pregnant,” is the only thing that he can get out.
“Yeah, and married.  Not your fucking problem.  Definitely not mine.  I had that shit taken care of years ago.  Never wanted any fucking brats of my own.  You should do the same.  Didn’t you say she was on birth control?”
Of course, that’s what you had said.  Assured him you were religious with taking your pills.  Even told him that you had agreed with Andy to quit before the wedding, which is why you and he had to stop.  But what if?  Andy wouldn’t dare, would he?  
“How far along is she?” Robert asks with a laugh.
“Seven months.”
All Ransom hears is cackling on the other end.  “You fucking idiot.  She fucking played you.  Seven months?  That’s right about the time...” he drones off in a fit of laughter again.  “Your best bet is to fucking forget about that cunt and her dumb ass husband.  He’ll be able to take care of her and the brat.  That’s what she wanted.  A perfect fucking life.”
“You know what?  Eat shit,” Ransom slams down the phone.  He’s unsure exactly what he wanted to gain from calling Robert.  Ransom decides for now, to leave it be.  If you were in trouble or were unhappy, he hoped you could trust him enough to help.  And unless you come to him, he’s letting it go.
___________________________________________________________________
You and Andy happily push your two-month-old daughters through the park.  Aster and Iris are everything you could have ever desired.  They are your perfect little flowers.  When they started to get a bit older and Aster started favoring someone else, you thought for sure Andy would gravitate towards Iris and not have much to do with Aster.  You thought wrong.  True to his word, Andy treated those little girls like his.  He never questioned who their father was.  
Neither did you.  Because you know.  Every time you look into Aster’s eyes and you see Ransom’s deep blue eyes staring back at you, you just know.  But she is Aster Barber, Andrew Barber’s pride and joy.  Holding onto Iris while Andy holds onto Aster, soothing them while you can make your walk back home, until he’s being stopped by an older woman.  “Fancy seeing you here, Andy.  I had heard you had a family now.”
Her fingers play along Aster’s chubby cheeks, and her dark blue eyes smile up at the woman.  You would swear that you see her pause looking at the small baby, “Linda, this is my wife, Y/N, and our daughters Iris and Aster.”
“Twins.  Although, doesn’t look like they’re identical?”
“No,” Andy glares at Linda.  “Y/N, this is Linda Drysdale.  You know her son, Ransom.”
You glance over to Andy, and realize now why Linda cannot take her eyes off your precious little star.  “Nice to meet you, Linda.”
“How did you know my son?”
Andy clears his throat and answers for you, “She did work as my secretary.  With two little ones, it’s best for her to stay home.”
“I see,” Linda looks back at you with a smile, and touches Aster’s cheek again.  “Such a pretty little one you’ve got here.  I should let you two leave.  Probably about nap time, huh?” without another word she turns and walks away.
“You’ve seen him, haven’t you?”  Andy narrows his eyes looking at you.  “This whole time.  Am I not enough for you?”
“Andy, I haven’t seen him.  I told you about the time I saw him at the grocery store.  I haven’t seen him since.  They’re your kids.  Remember?” you go closer to him.  With a free hand you pet along his beard.  “You said you trusted me.”
“I do.  I just didn’t like the way she was looking at Aster, nothing good can come of this,” Andy looks at Linda as she walks away.  You see his gears already turning, but unless he’s offering up information, you don’t want to question him.  “Come on, it is nap time.”
__________________________________________________________________
“I ran into Andy Barber and his wife the other day,” Linda drinks her coffee, and peers at her son over her mug.  “She’s quite a beautiful one.  Saw their two kids.  One you could almost guarantee was Andy’s.  The other one...”
“Mother, what are you asking?” Ransom normally likes games.  He honestly, wants to forget anytime he had with you.
“I’m just saying, son.  She was a beautiful little girl.  Didn’t you say you knew Andy’s wife before she was married?” she takes a not so slick sip of her coffee, offering Ransom a sly smile.
“Something like that.”
“Well, your grandfather always wanted to have great grandchildren.”
“They’re Andy Barber’s kids.”
“The one may be.  Listen, I know you got involved with that little tart.  You don’t keep things that private.  It might do you some good to find out if in fact the child is yours.  Dad might take pity on you or he might be thrilled you decided to procreate.”
__________________________________________________________________
Ransom waltzes into Andy’s office.  He doesn’t have an appointment, nor does he care.  He’s Ransom fucking Drysdale, and he will get an audience with Andy.  When Andy sees who it is everything in him wants to kick him out of the office.  “Sir, Mr. Drysdale is here to see you.  He said it’s urgent.”
Andy can’t stand his new secretary.  She isn’t as good as you, but at least he has someone he can trust with the girls.  And at least he doesn’t have to worry about you having an affair.  With a huff he finally answers, “Send him in.”
“Andy, how have things been?  Heard that you finally got married.  Finally trapped her,” Ransom takes a seat, spinning around your family photo.  He sees your smiling face, clinging tightly to a baby with silky brunette hair, eyes that match his perfectly.
“What do you want?” Andy turns the photo back away from Ransom.  Needing him to realize that this is his office, and he will not dictate the way this goes.
“A hypothetical,” Ransom offers a cocky grin, and Andy rolls his eyes circling his hand, and wanting Ransom to get on with this hypothetical.  “Say I had a relationship with someone, and she’s engaged to another man, I know messy right?  However, she ends up pregnant.  Now I have no way of knowing whether the baby is mine or not, and now she’s married to said man.  How would I go about requesting a paternity test?  I mean, hypothetically speaking?”
The darkness in Andy’s eyes returns.  “Hypothetically speaking, you can subpoena the mother.  I would advise against that if I were you.  In the state of Massachusetts if the mother was married, the husband by default is the legal father.”
“Legalities.  I’m talking biologically.  It’s nothing personal,” another cocky grin and Andy loses it.  Pulling Ransom closer to him by his expensive scarf.  And Ransom has the audacity to laugh.
“It sounds pretty fucking personal to me.  They’re my kid's ass hole.”
“I never said anything about your kids.”
The two men stare at one another.  Neither one blinking.  “Andy, you’re getting so worked up over nothing.  This is a hypothetical.  However, since we’re on the topic.  I need a paternity test ordered.  Two of them.  Just to be on the safe side.  She wasn’t being safe,” he gives him a quick wink.
“I think it’s time you found a new lawyer.”
“Are you really going to fight me on this?  Andy, I know you had pictures sent to you.  They weren’t from me.  I was under a pretty tight contract.  You would be so proud of her.  So, let’s quit talking in circles.  I fucked your girl.  Fucked her real good, and every time you left, she came crawling into my bed.  Now, I can do the math, there’s a possibility that those girls are mine.  You can’t say you don’t look at the one and see the resemblance?  You know she’s at least mine.  Maybe even both.”
“Get out of my office.”
“Andy, let’s be adults here.  I just want a test.”
“And then what?  You’re declared to be the father of both, and then what?  You’re paying child support?  I know you can afford the legal fees to get their birth certificates changed.  But why?  You weren’t apart of her life or theirs the whole pregnancy.”
“I didn’t get that opportunity.  You whisked her away, and I didn’t even know she was pregnant, until I saw her,” Ransom growls over to Andy.
“And you want to do what’s right?  No, there’s something in it for you.  I know it, hell, you know my wife will know it.” Andy scoffs at Ransom, finally feeling like he has the upper hand.  “You don’t even want to be a father.  I do.  Just walk out of here, we’ll pretend that nothing happened.”
“And what if I am biologically the father?  Wouldn’t that help in case of a medical emergency?  Wouldn’t they need to know their family's history?”
Andy nearly has tears in his eyes, his usual cool, calm, and collected veneer is waning thin.  “Why are you trying to take them away from me?  They’re mine.  I was there when they were born.  I’m there every night and morning.”
“And you two took that right away from me.  I’m not saying I’m the father.  I’m saying what if?  I want those tests.  We can do it outside the courts or in it.  I’ll let you make the decision.  Here’s the address with the date and time.  Tell her to be there with the girls.  You fail to show up, I will subpoena your asses.  It’s up to you,” laying down a card, Ransom turns and walks away.
Andy looks at the stupid card.  Cursing himself.  He should have done more to protect you, to protect them.  Ransom is trying to destroy everything he’s ever worked for.  Pretty little rich boy.  He always gets what he wants.  Not this time.
When Andy finally makes it home, you and the girls are sound asleep.  He knew you would be.  It won’t be long until you wake up for a feeding and changing, and right now he just wants to stare at his girls.  Watch the two of them while they peacefully sleep.  The way their lips pucker when they dream.  The way their black lashes fan across their silky skin.  And when Aster’s dark blue eyes open to look up at him, he scoops the little girl in his arms.  “I won’t let anyone take you away from me, sweetheart.  No matter what I’m your daddy.”
You stand in the doorway watching Andy cradle your now sleeping daughter.  You know that he only comes home late now when something is bothering him.  You watch him gently lay her back down in the crib.  “Andy?  Babe, what’s wrong?”
He shakes his head leading you two out of the girls’ bedroom and into your own.  His hands softly rubbing along your skin.  “Shh, just don’t right now,” he whispers.
Never one to let things go right away you can’t help but argue a bit.  “But Andy?”
“No, right now, I need you to be my good girl.  I don’t want something hard and rough.  I just need to feel your gentle curves.  I need you to not let me go.  Can you do that for me, honey?”
“Whatever you need,” he pulls you into his lips with both his strong hands.  Gripping you tightly to him, and your body, pliable, moves with his.  When he pulls you two apart, his thick fingers wipe along your kiss swollen mouth.  Teasingly slow he eases your lacy nightgown off your body.  Watching as the mixture of satin and lace pools on the floor, leaving your body completely exposed.  “I’m going to undress you, babe.”
Andy nods his head, and your fingers remove each part of his suit.  Letting each piece fall to the floor until Andy is the one nude in front of you.  Staring up at him your lips connect to his body.  Peppering the sweetest kisses along his skin, lowering your body until you’re on your knees.  “No.  You’re not doing that tonight.  I just want you.”
“I want you to know how much I love you.  How much I look forward to you coming home.  I want you to know how much I worship your body, Andy.  You have been the perfect husband, the best father...”
“Stop,” he pulls you back up to him.  “Just, stop talking, please,” Andy’s voice a near whimper.  You’re not sure what is bothering him, what is hurting him, but when his eyes roll up to meet yours, you see the anguish and tears he’s been hiding.
Without another thought, you crawl onto the bed, dragging Andy with you.  “Make love to me, Daddy.  I need to feel you in me.”
With a nod of his head, he slowly spreads your thighs.  Grazing along your folds, and he hums with how wet you actually are.  It’s a good thing too, Andy isn’t really into foreplay at the moment.  He just needs to feel your warmth wrapped tightly around him.  He hovers over your body, and you reach down to line him up with your entrance, and he finally gives you a soft smile, making you feel as if you are the one in command.  “Please, babe,” you whine up to him.  Your hand still firmly surrounds his cock, but until he moves his hips, he’s still the one in control.  “Please, Daddy.”
Andy slides his hand up your arm, over your collarbone until it lightly wraps around your neck.  “You’re such a good polite girl, honey.”  You sway your hips around, pushing yourself closer to him.  His tip barely tickling your entrance.  “But you also need to understand patience.”
“Patience went out the door when we brought twins home.”
Andy huffs, but he also knows your right.  You two are granted such a small window to have sex.  With a crooked grin he thrusts his cock slowly into your warmth.  Pulling a leg up beside him, he grips it tightly to rut into your dripping cunt.  This sex is more than Andy’s languid thrusts, but not quite fucking.  A balanced medium between the two.
When your eyes roll back up to the ceiling, Andy pulls you back.  “Please, just...I need you to keep looking at me,” unsure of where this almost, insecure Andy is coming from, you nod your head, bringing his mouth down to yours.  Your tongue teases around his pouty lips, before he allows you entrance to his mouth.  Searching for his own tongue, before he allows you to dominate his mouth.  He’s doing such a fine job on your throbbing pussy; it only seems fair.
You love sucking on Andy’s tongue, biting his lip, and going back to taste him.  The lingering coffee taste that you love.  Even though you need to teach his new secretary how Andy Barber prefers his brew.  Both of you pull apart gasping for air.  “Going to fill you up.  Do you deserve it?”
“Yes, Daddy.  I’ve been your good girl.”
“My good girl needs to be rewarded then,” Andy’s thrusts turn near brutal.  Much harder and controlled now.  Pumping into your tight channel with an intent of ripping you in half.  Squeezing tightly to one of your nipples.  You keen with the pressure.  “That’s it, honey.  Let go on Daddy’s cock.”
Your hands grip tightly to his back, feeling every ripple of muscle with his movements, holding onto him with every part of you.  Your jaw goes slack when he slightly changes the way he ruts into you.  His cock hitting your g-spot delectably.  His hand snakes down your body, until his finger comes into contact with your bundle of nerves.  Needing you to cum before he fills you up.  “Andy...” you pant out, unable to say anything else, just whisper his name off your swollen lips like a prayer.
“Right.  There,” his voice growls on you.  You see stars as your orgasm rushes through your body.  Andy continues to fuck you through your beautiful release.  Connecting his teeth to your pulse point on your neck, and you feel your cunt milk him.  His own release rocks through you.  Without removing himself his body goes limp on top of yours.  If it wasn’t for his deep breaths, and his tears, you would almost swear he was sleeping with out tight he clings to you.
“Andy, baby, what’s wrong?”
“Don’t wanna talk about it,” his voice short.
“No, we’re going to talk about it.  Something has you upset.  We said we would communicate.  What happened?”  you feel his length softening inside of you, but he still makes no attempt to remove himself, or even let his face be seen by you.
“He came by today.”
“Who?”
“Ransom Drysdale.  You either have to take the girls to get tested, or he’s going to subpoena you.”
Everything makes sense now.  Why Andy was holding Aster.  Why he was upset.  Andy doesn’t need confirmation of who the father is, because he immediately took up that role.  Was ready to be whatever the girls needed.  Iris looks just like you, but there’s no doubt in your mind that Aster is biologically Ransom’s, but what if Andy is neither of their father.
“No.  We can fight this can’t we?”
“The Drysdale’s have an endless supply of money.  If they want to prove that their Ransom’s, they won’t stop.”
“No,” you pull Andy’s head to look at you.  “You’re their father.  Both of them.  I don’t care biologically what it says.  Andrew Barber those girls...they’re yours.  No, he can’t do this.  He doesn’t...he never wanted to be a father.  Why now?  He saw me pregnant, never...Andy say something.”
“We can keep this out of the court system if we play along.”
“I’m not playing with my daughters.  He can’t...what does he want if he is...” you can’t finish the sentence.  You can’t imagine having to split your time with the girls and another's family.  “No, what can we do?”
“Let me worry about the legalities.  If we can keep this quiet, I’m sure that’s what Linda would want as well.  Honey, they’re not taking them from us.  Legally they can’t.”
“I’m sorry.  This is all my fault, if I hadn’t had been a cheating slut...”
“And if I hadn’t given you sugar pills.  We’re moving past this.”
“No matter what happens, I don’t want them calling Ransom dad,” Andy gives you a soft smile.  Holding onto you tightly before you hear both girls crying through the monitor.  “Alright, come on Daddy, let’s get the girls resettled.  We’ll deal with this later.  They know who their dad is,” your voice soft as you pet along Andy’s beard.  “They love you.  You know that right?”
“I know, honey.”
“We’ll get through this together then, okay?”
Andy offers you a weak smile and kisses your temple.  Throwing one of his shirts to you before dressing himself.  “I know.  You promise, you’re with me through this?”
“There’s nowhere else I would rather be.”
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drwcn · 3 years
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NEW!
《 Without Envy 》 storyboard 11 - concubine/sleeper agent!wwx & prince!lwj
Other snippets and storyboards can be found on [Master List]
Lan Wangji knew his Uncle and the imperial court and the elders of the royal family were never going to be okay with him making Wei Wuxian one of his concubines. The servant status is one thing, but that's not the crux of the issue. The issue is that there's already a rumour circulating about how WWX is a wily fox whose sole purpose in life is to seduce and befuddle the prince. Xue Yang: quite a reputation you've cultivated for yourself. WWX: *kuzo's meme*.........ah yes, everything is all coming together now.
Lan Wangji is a smart boy though. He knows how to get what he wants. As Wei Ying inched towards full recovery from his whipping, the autumn hunt is upon them.
The autumn hunt in the royal hunts ground was a competition. Anyone invited could compete if they chose to, and of Lan Wangji's household, Jin Ziyan, Luo Qingyang and himself were in attendance. Mianmian, being his concubine and a woman, had two escorts/chaperones accompanying her for propriety, but flashed him dazzling smiles of gratitude upon her horse.
"I'm very grateful, dianxia, for your allowing this indulgence." "Of course," replied Lan Wangji from his saddle. "My Luo-furen should have what she wants." "Dianxia, ce-wangfu." Qin Su approached them and curtsied in proper form. "I wish you all best of luck in the hunt." Then to Mianmian, she said quietly, "Be careful, Qingyang." Jin Ziyan paid the two women no mind, but Lan Wangji saw the hand Qin Su had clandestinely wrapped around one of Mianmian's booted ankles. Oh...well, this is certainly a positive development.
The rest of the noble women not participating in the hunt rested in their tented pavilions, with Meng Yao as their hostess. They drank tea and ate sweets and enjoyed their free time to themselves. Meng Yao noted Wei Wuxian's absence from Jiang Yanli's side, as did several other noble women, but Jiang Yanli only smiled and said, "A-Xian has been living at my father's manor for several years and is an excellent marksman. Dianxia thought it a waste if he were kept from participating."
The truth of the matter is like this: when Wei Wuxian cheated and lied his way into Jiang-fu, he'd told Jiang Fengmian and his family that he'd lived most of his life by the charity of a hunter's family, and so had trained to hunt game in the wild. After the hunter's family died of some infectious illness that plagued the region, Wei Wuxian had supposed made his way into the city and found employment as a shop boy. He couldn't reveal that he'd been trained in martial arts, but there is no need to hide his skill as an archer. At first, it was so he could use archery as a common interest to get close to Jiang Fengmian's son Jiang Cheng, but Wei Wuxian soon realized that it could also be used as a way for Lan Wangji to cultivate further interest.
"Lan Zhan..." Wei Wuxian stroked the snout of Lan Wangji's beloved ferghana horse and grinned. "You really want me to ride him?" "Mn." "You...won't be mad then, if I win?" Wei Wuxian's grin turned slightly wicked. "If I beat you?" Lan Wangji's brow twitched with interest, "Not at all. That's rather what I'm counting on." "Yeah? And why is that?" "Because while I can claim victory with the sword -" "- Very modest, you." Wei Wuxian teased, grinning, which earned him a subtle little glare. "- amongst my cousins, my marksmanship is not unrivalled. You may have a greater chance of winning with him. Huangxiong promised that whoever wins today's hunt will be granted one wish." A wish? Wei Wuxian mulled over this information. His own mission turned and circled in his mind. If I could but gain access to... ... Of course, Wei Wuxian glanced at the prince and the saw the light in his eyes. Lan Wangji is probably thinking of something entirely different.
And so it was inevitable that went the count of the hunt came in, Wei Wuxian's name was at the top. Lan Qiren's little mustache just about flew off his face the way he scrunched it up in displeasure.
Gentries, nobles, dukes and princes watched with envy and shock as a servant came forth to accept the Emperor's reward.
"Jiang-xiong," Nie Huaisang leaned close to Jiang Cheng while they watched from the sidelines as Wei Wuxian bowed before the Emperor. "Why do you look so smug?" Jiang Cheng played with the end of an arrow with an air of mock innocence, "I don't know what you're talking about?" Nie Huaisang pulled at the leather of his riding attire in discomfort - this was so not his style - and tsked, "I know you, Jiang-xiong, you're not subtle. What did you do?" "I was the one who told Lan Wangi that Wei Wuxian is an excellent archer when I went to visit Hanguang-fu." Nie Huaisang understood instantly, "Oh....oh I see..." "What? Don't judge me! You know what they did to him. String up like some unruly animal and whipped. I never agreed with my mother's plan to send him along with my sister anyway. Wei Wuxian may be lowborn but..." Jiang Cheng scowled. "He's too good for them. For Lan Wangji. He's clearly not going to do right by Wei Wuxian. I won't stand to see a perfectly good man wasted as some prissy prince's concubine instead of being where he could put his real skills to use." "Shhhhh, ancestors, Jiang-xiong, keep your voice down! Words like that are a great dishonor against bixia, you'll lose your head!" Jiang Cheng shrugged.
Xue Yang *at a later times*: so lemme get this straight, you won the Hunt, and then Lan Xichen asked you what you want as reward - WWX - as a good little servant I said "I want for nothing that wangye and Jiang-zhuzi hasn't already provided me" - XY *rolls his eyes* Right. And then Jiang Wanyin came out of nowhere and said - "陛下,魏婴乃微臣之家生子,是前管家魏长泽 的独子, 因幼年时父母过世一直遗留市井。上天庇佑,几年前父亲将他巡回。魏婴为人端正淳厚,虽未上过学堂,但头脑机智。陛下也看到了,他弓发出众, 是。。。如能加强训练,以后必会为我姑苏所用 - " Bixia, Wei Ying is this subject's home-born servant, the only son of our previous head of staff Wei Changze. Due to the unfortunate passing of his parents in his youth, he has been getting by doing odd jobs in the capital. Heavens be willing, Father was able to find him after these many years and brought him home. Wei Ying is kind and righteous; though never have been taught by scholars, he is sharp of mind. As bixia has seen, he is a great marksmanship, is ... If he could be granted proper training, he would be a great asset for Gusu in the future. - And what a waste it would be if you were left to twindle away within the confines of a harem. I bet Lan Wangji just loved that. The balls on Jiang Wangyin - I do love his style. WWX You're the only one. Jiang-shushu just about had a heart attack when Jiang Cheng dissed Lan Wangji in public. Madam Yu nearly popped a vein too. XY: Yeah well, he's got a point. You may be Jiang Yanli's companion, but you're not Lan Wangji's concubine, you're just a servant with a skill. Honestly why shouldn't they put you to better use than waiting to maybe spread your legs for a prince who might just as easily toss you aside after the newness fades. WWX *slaps him up the head* Rascal! I'm your shixiong. Don't be so rude. Anyways, Lan Zhan, he - he was willing to let me go. I think he loves me you know - XY: He what now - WWX: He said - Lan Wangji came to kneel beside Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin and bowed to his royal brother, "Huangxiong, Wei Ying is the peijia of my Jiang-furen, a servant of my manor. I... I long knew he is an excellent marksman and should have submitted his candidacy for the ranks but -" Lan Wangji looked at him then, eyes huge with something unreadable. "Jiang-xiao-jiangjun is right. Wei Ying is good, his mind is bright. He would be more suited to militia than...than within the walls of the inner court." "Wangye, have you....have you grown tired of Wei Ying -" "Wei Ying, no -" XY: Oh barf. So please tell me you chose to go to bingbu (ministry of war). WWX: Going to bingbu was never the assignment. If yifu wanted me in the ministry of war, I would've infiltrated them from the start. I refused. And it had the intended effect. "No?" Lan Xichen leaned forward curiously. "Joining the ranks will elevate your rank to that of a subject of the imperial government, and if you are truly as skilled and talented as my brother and Jiang-xiao-jiangjun say, you may rise yet to stand in my court as an officer of the imperial military. You will have your own commission, your own manor, marry, have children - all things which will be forbidden to you if you remain as you are now. As you are male, you cannot provide for Hanguang-fu any offspring, and your low-born status has precluded you from the position of consort or even vice-consort. Have you considered your options carefully? " "I understand bixia, and my decision is made. Nothing would please me more than to stay by wangye's side. I regret nothing." XY: >_> And A this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact you're increasingly horny for Lan Wangji? WWX: Of course not. Because of Lan Qiren, I couldn't advance in Hanguang-fu. But now that Lan Xichen had given me his royal decree, I am Lan Wangji's sanctioned mianshou. XY: *insert eye emoji* So...y'all fucked? WWX *wistful, thinking about the night he spent at the autumn palace after the hunt* : We did, you pervert. Ya happy now? *WWX sighed* But I know who we are and what I must do. Yifu needs me by Lan Wangji's side, for what reasons I do not yet know. No matter how he and I are now... one day it will
all end. XY: *stares into the camera like he's on the office*
Note: yifu = Wen Ruohan, WWX's adoptive father.
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All Men Have Limits - II
Character: Dick Grayson x Reader x Bruce Wayne
Summary: A certain bat believes that Y/N is in way over her head, that she’s too naive to act in her best interest. So, whether she wants it or not, the vigilante family is going to help and protect her before she gets herself killed.
Word Count: 4,300+
Previously on...
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When Y/N arrived at the master bedroom, she was surprised to find the door slightly ajar. She knocked always and found Bruce turning to face her, shirtless and only in his boxer briefs.
Bruce seemed subtly surprised to find Y/N standing in his doorway and not Alfred. But he didn’t seem to be embarrassed by the state Y/N found him in. 
Along with the first aid kit, Y/N had grabbed two ice packs from the freezer.
“I’m fine,” Bruce told her before she could even offer to help him.
“You can either deal with me or you can deal with Alfred,” she threatened. 
“Your choice,” she added when she saw how serious he took her warning.
Bruce’s heavy sigh was the only answer she’d get.
“Come on,” Y/N nudged her head toward his en-suite bathroom that was probably twice the size of most people’s studio apartments.
She pointed to one of the steps that led up to the giant bathtub, silently instructing him to sit.
“Put these on your ribs,” Y/N instructed as she handed him the ice packs.
To her surprise, Bruce did as she asked.
“I don’t need stitches,” he mumbled as he watched her open the first aid kit.
“I know,” she answered. “Which is lucky for you, because I have no idea how to stitch people up.” 
She dabbed some cotton in hydrogen peroxide. “But…you still need to clean those cuts or they’ll take longer to heal and probably scar.”
Once again, Y/N was surprised to see that Bruce did as she said. He didn’t complain or refuse her assistance – just sat there silently. The man didn’t even flinch and Y/N knew she was causing his injuries to sting.
“What happened tonight that has you so upset?” Y/N finally asked after silently caring for him for a few minutes.
“What makes you think I’m upset?”
She sighed softly. “I’ll be the first to admit that you’re nearly impossible to read. But clearly something happened that caused you to storm out of the cave like you did.”
Bruce didn’t respond.
“Was it them?” Y/N asked carefully. “The Court?"
For a moment, she thought he’d ignore that question too.
“They know I’m protecting you. Well…they know that Batman is protecting you.”
Y/N shrugged. “We knew they were gonna figure it out eventually.”
Bruce remained silent.
“Did they send the Talons after you?”
From his expression, Y/N knew she was right.
The Talons were a group of lethal assassins that did all of the dirty work for The Court of Owls. They were highly trained, almost entirely undetectable, and a force to be reckoned with. Probably only second to the League of Assassins when it came to deadliness.
“That’s why Jason was with you,” Y/N pointed out. “You needed backup.”
“We had it under control,” was all Bruce said.
“I know you were already going after The Court,” Y/N told him gently. “And you need my help.” She hesitated and took in a shaky breath, “But thank you for looking out for me.”
“What was your plan?” Bruce asked.
“What do you mean?”
“When I came to you and told you that you’d been made, you said that you knew. What was your plan?”
“Run. And keep running. You and I both know I’m hopeless when it comes to an actual fight.” She shrugged. “My plan was to keep working on exposing them and stay alive long enough to see it through.”
Y/N waited for some sort of lecture, for Bruce to tell her that it was a stupid plan and she had been sloppy. She waited to feel patronized and belittled.
But Bruce just stared at her.
“What?” She challenged.
“I wish you would prioritize your life a bit more.”
She moved back a little from cleaning his cuts and snorted. “What? Like you?” 
Then she shook her head and went back to cleaning his cuts. “You’re so not the person to be lecturing about self-preservation, Bruce.”
Then Bruce surprised them both.
He grabbed Y/N by the back of her neck and brought her down to him before his lips collided with hers.
She dropped all the medical supplies in her hand from the shock of it all. But then she was cupping his face and kissing him back.
Next thing she knew, Bruce had steered her body so she was straddling his lap.
It had been so long since that night that Y/N had almost forgotten what his lips felt like. Or how his hands touched her so tenderly, but his intent was always clear and effortlessly confident.
But then Y/N’s leg accidentally collided with one of Bruce’s bruised ribs.
It didn’t deter him. He had every intention of ignoring it.
But Y/N felt his body tense in pain and she swore she felt the vibrations of the quietest pained moan from him. 
She could’ve imagined it, but she wasn’t going to continue knowing that she had the ability to accidentally hurt him.  
But it was also her saving grace. Because Y/N shouldn’t be doing this. 
Y/N reluctantly pulled away from the kiss. Bruce allowed the movement, but his grip on her waist and neck didn’t ease in the slightest.
“You should rest,” she whispered to him.
Then she shoved herself away from him and awkwardly stepped backwards as if she was desperately trying to put space between them.
“Umm…make sure you keep that ice on your ribs,” she told him awkwardly, half turned away from him.
Bruce opened his mouth to stop her, but no words came out. 
The next second, she bolted out of the bathroom and then his master suite.
Her mind was racing with so many thoughts that Y/N didn’t notice Dick catching her race into her own bedroom.
Dick looked between Y/N’s closed door and the direction of Bruce’s room, putting it all together. 
—————
After the close call with the Talons, Bruce had all hands on deck. Even Jason – who usually did his own thing and had separated himself from family matters – had been brought into the fold. Which meant he was spending way more time around the manor.
Y/N knew things were getting serious.
Bruce wasn’t exactly keeping her in the dark. But he also wasn’t being forthcoming with information.
Y/N didn’t know if he was trying to shield her in some way…or if he was just doing business as usual and taking control, not allowing anyone in until he thought it was absolutely necessary.
Either way, through the chaos of it all, Y/N realized Dick hadn’t acted as her shadow in almost a week.
It wasn’t until Jason decided to bother Y/N that she realized what had changed.
Jason leaned backwards against the console Y/N was working on so she was forced to face him. He crossed his arms with a smirk and looked down at her.
“So, you and B, huh?”
“Get off my equipment,” she warned him darkly without even glancing at him.
But inside, she was internally freaking out. 
Y/N made a point to keep as many facts about her life a secret. And her sex life? That was top priority when it came to her privacy. This was worst case scenario.
But also, how the hell did he figure that out?
Jason shrugged, but did as she asked and took a step away from the console. “He didn’t say anything, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Y/N finally looked up him. “Please tell me what I have to do to get you to leave me the fuck alone.”
Jason smiled and whistled. “I think I like you.”
“The feeling’s not mutual,” she mumbled as she began typing again.
“Jason, leave her alone.”
Y/N turned to see Dick walking into the cave.
Jason held up his hands in surrender and gave his brother an innocent face. “I was just trying to be polite to our guest, Richard.”
“I’m sure you were,” Dick side eyed him.
Jason then turned to Y/N and put on his Red Hood helmet. “I look forward to having more of these titillating conversations, Y/N.” Then he turned to Dick. “I’m heading out on patrol.”
He mounted his motorcycle and raced out of the cave, leaving Dick and Y/N alone for the first time in awhile.
“No patrol for you tonight?” Y/N asked him slowly.
“They’ve got it covered.”
She just nodded and didn’t ask any further questions.
All at once, they were submerged into strange silence. The air was racing with thoughts, yet the tension seemed to simultaneously make it thick, as well.
Y/N sighed. She might as well get this over with. 
“I know you want to ask, so just ask,” Y/N mumbled as her fingers raced across the keyboard and her eyes never left the screens.
“Doesn’t the whole…” Dick really didn’t know how to put it delicately.
Y/N sighed, clearly annoyed with his fumbling. She turned around in her chair to face him. “Does his age bother me? Is that what you’re struggling to ask?”
Dick shifted his weight awkwardly, “I guess so. Yeah.”
She raised her brow. “Haven’t you dated a literal alien before?”
“That’s not the same thing,” he defended with a glare.  
“Oh, so as long as the alien is the same age as you, it’s fine?”
Dick really didn’t have an answer for that.
“It’s just that…aren’t you a little young for him?” Somehow he managed to leave out the rudeness in the question. That must be the Wayne charm.
“Isn’t 9 a little young to put on a costume and fight crime?”
Dick sighed, “Touché.”
“I am one of the most successful hackers in the world. He’s a vigilante who dresses up as a bat. What about us screams normal and conventional to you, Dick?”
He knew she had a point.
“Plus, we aren’t in a relationship. It was a one-time thing. Nothing more. It happened a long time ago.”
However, she conveniently left out the heated kiss they shared last night.
“You sure about that?” Dick challenged.
Y/N just eyed him.
“Because the only women he’s had one-time things with are the one’s he’s used or paid to keep the image.” He took a step closer. “And they definitely didn’t know who he really was.”
Y/N tried not to let it show that his words caught her off guard.
This exactly what Y/N didn’t want.
She didn’t want anyone putting ideas in her head that she actually meant something to Bruce Wayne. Because she might make the mistake of believing it.
It happened once. They slept together once. One time. 
Had there been a indescribable intensity between them since then? Yes. But Y/N didn’t like to acknowledge or think about that.
“Can we please stop talking about this?” She asked.
Dick blinked and shook his head. “Sorry,” he blurted out. “I didn’t mean to…make you uncomfortable.”
Y/N put her face in her hands and groaned.
Then she shot to her feet and faced Dick. If he wasn’t a vigilante who could break the average man in one swift move, he would be intimidated by the energy radiating off of her.
“Hmm…I wonder why this conversation could ever make me feel uncomfortable, Dick,” her sarcasm was almost too natural.
Then her face dropped.
 When her body language screamed that she was embarrassed, that’s when Dick felt like a piece of shit.
“Look, we’re not…” She didn’t even know how to explain this. “We’re nothing. OK?”
Dick nodded slowly, “OK.”
And he believed her. Because she believed it. Whether that was the truth though, that was an entirely different story.
“We met years ago because I threatened to expose his identity to the world.”
Dick blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”
Y/N at least had the shame to look guilty about it.
“You threatened him? You threatened Bruce Wayne? The man who dresses up as a bat and scares the shit out of the criminals of Gotham?”
“I didn’t plan on actually doing it!” Y/N tried to defend. “I needed to get his attention. And guess what, it worked.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose as she thought back in time. “I discovered a sex trafficking ring. I had all the information, everything to take it down. I just needed a little…muscle.”
“And you thought Batman could be that muscle,” Dick finished for her.
She nodded.
Then Dick looked at the all the equipment. Her story reminded him what she was fully capable of and why she was here in the first place. “How did you learn to do all of this?”
It was obvious that he was trying to change the subject and give her an out. But she let him still.
Y/N shrugged.
“Is this the part where you tell me about all your degrees from various Ivy League universities?” Dick teased.
“I didn’t go to college,” she told him evenly.
“You di–How is that even possible?”
“I don’t agree with institutionalized higher education.”
Dick rolled his eyes.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me,” she warned him. “You didn’t go to college either.”
Dick scoffed and crossed his arms. “Of course that’s old information to you. Is there anything that you don’t know about me?”
She smirked at his obvious frustration. “I don’t know your favorite color.”
Though she had been teasing him before, her confession was genuine. And her soft tone didn’t go amiss with Dick.
For a moment, Y/N didn’t think he was going to tell her. 
“It’s red,” he told her softly.
“Hmm,” she was surprised. “I always assumed it was blue…because of the uniform and all.”
“Red was always the color of my family’s costumes.” He knew the answer was rather vague.
Y/N’s face turned sympathetic, “The Flying Graysons?”
Dick nodded.
Maybe it wasn’t so bad that she seemed to know everything about him.
“Red’s a good choice,” Y/N added with a sad smile.
But he realized what she was actually saying was her condolences. Somehow it was better than the forced and awkward “I’m so sorry” he constantly got.
Dick grabbed a chair and sat down to face her with such purpose.
“What else do you want to know?”
Y/N allowed herself to smile at the question. 
“Everything.”
—————
Y/N got addicted to Dick’s openness.
Once Dick Grayson decided to trust someone…he really trusted them.
He didn’t hide himself from Y/N.
Unlike Bruce, Dick was easy to read. But Y/N knew that wasn’t the case for everyone. She saw the way Dick communicated with old team members or even on comms with his brothers. 
But for Y/N, if she asked him something, Dick gave her the answer.
It was as simple as that.
There were no games, no hiding, nor withholding, not manipulation, no fear.
There was just Dick Grayson.
But Y/N also new he was capable of all of those things still. She’d seen him twist conversations and put the focus on the other person. He doesn’t seem to have any issue with blatantly lying. That’s when Y/N saw Bruce.
So why was she different?
————
“I can’t stay another second in this fucking house,” Y/N snapped one day.
They had just eaten dinner and were now sitting in one of the dens. 
Dick laughed at her. “It’s not exactly a prison, Y/N. You’re in a mansion with everything you could ever need – and more.”
But this was the most time Y/N had spent in one place. She was always moving, always on the run. Yeah, she stayed in Gotham for the most part, but she missed the dangerous streets of the city.
“I’m not taking you out,” Dick gave her a warning look as he pointed at her.
“OK. First off, Bruce said nothing about me not being able to leave.”
Dick gave her a look that said, ‘How dumb do you think I am?’
“And if you were with me, then it’s fine. Right?”
“Y/N,” Dick groaned.
“And finally, I can do what I want,” Y/N added with a serious look.
“Sure you can,” he smirked.
But Y/N was being serious and she stood up. “I’m not his prisoner.”
Then she was headed toward the garage.
“No one said you were,” Dick called out after her.
He jumped in front of her, blocking her path.
“Y/N, you know more than anyone that The Court has eyes everywhere. Your face shows up on one street camera for a second and you’ll be tagged. They’ll follow you back here and then nowhere will be safe.”
“I know,” she answered as if it were obvious. “But we’re just going for a drive. Half of Bruce’s cars have tinted windows. And we’re going to take the backroads on the fringe. No street cameras. I doubt we’ll even see another car.”
Dick was adding up the risks in his head, calculating every possible outcome.
“Is Nightwing scared of what Batman will think?” Y/N teased.
Dick raised his eyebrow in amusement and crossed his arms. “Whatever game you’re trying to play…we both know I can play it better.”
She gave him the most innocent face. 
Dick sighed. Was he really about to do this?
“Come on,” he told her.
“Really?” Y/N was shocked she got him to concede.
“But I’m driving. And we’re taking the bike,” he called over his shoulder as he turned on the lights of the garage.
‘Garage’ was an understatement. It looked more like a fancy warehouse that housed at least 20 cars and a dozen motorcycles.
“The bike?” Y/N questioned.
Dick chuckled. “What? You scared of riding motorcycles?” 
Before she had the chance to answer, he pushed a helmet into her chest. It would fully cover her face and had a tinted visor shield on it. 
“Need I remind you that this was your idea?”
Y/N glared at him and put on the helmet.
She watched a safe distance away as Dick started his motorcycle and revved he engine.
Even though she was wearing a helmet, he could still tell she was apprehensive.
“Come on,” he encouraged her gently before putting on his own helmet.
Slowly, she approached the motorcycle.
“Just swing your leg over – there you go,” he instructed.
Then he put on his helmet and Y/N realized there were comms linked between the two helmets so they could hear each other easily.
“Uhh…where do I–how do I hold on?” Her question stumbled out.
To her surprise, he didn’t verbally answer. Instead, Dick just reached behind him for her hands and placed them under his leather jacket and around his waist.
The contact felt strangely intimate. And Y/N hated that it made her heart race a bit faster. She hoped he couldn’t feel it as her chest bumped against his back. Hopefully he would just think it was her adrenaline and fear from the bike. 
“Good?” He asked as he revved the engine again.
“I think so?”
Suddenly they shot out of the garage and raced down the long drive that led to the gate. 
Y/N didn’t think Dick was going unusually fast, by any means. But the motorcycle made everything feel more extreme. She slowly started to put together why people liked riding them so much. It was a rush. 
Dick did as he suggested and took backroads, avoiding any main streets or heavy-traffic areas. Which meant a lot of twists and turns.
But Y/N was surprised when he started to slow down and pulled onto a street that was just surrounded by forests. The sun had just set and the sky was colored pink and purple.
Dick turned off the bike when they reached a clearing. It was a meadow, with tall grass that moved like the ocean from the night breeze.
Y/N took off her helmet and grinned at the sight. 
She turned to Dick, “Didn’t expect a city boy like you to know places like this…”
“City boy?” Dick looked insulted. “I was a traveling circus kid before Bruce took me in.” He looked out at the land, “This was one of our stops. We set up right over there,” he pointed to an open field where the ground was even and the grass was short.
Y/N’s face changed when she realized Dick had a connection to this place. It wasn’t just a stop off the highway. It meant something to him.
“Thank you,” she mumbled. It was hard to meet his gaze.
“For what?”
“Taking me here. For taking me anywhere, really.”
“Despite how enormous the manor is, it’s suffocating sometimes,” Dick tried to reason with her. “Has it really been so bad, being stuck with us?”
“No,” she quickly answered and took a step toward him. “How much time have you spent working with a team?”
Dick thought about it. “I mean, after leaving Bruce, I just went from one team to another. Even when I think I’m working alone, my family is always around the corner.”
Y/N gave him a sad smile, already knowing that would be his answer. “I never had that. It’s always just been…me.”
“Why?” Dick questioned. 
He knew better than anyone that heroes found other heroes, whether they wanted to or not. And he knew from experience that a team had a stronger chance of changing the world for the better. Even Bruce gave up on being a lone warrior – despite him trying to believe he still is one. 
“I don’t go after criminals that wear face paint and shoot guns, Dick. I go after the people that terrify others into silence and submission. I go after the people that most don’t even know we should be going after.” She shook her head. “It’s dangerous in a different way. And I never wanted to risk anyone else’s life but my own.”
“But when things go south, who’s got your back?” Dick challenged.
Y/N thought about it a moment and just shrugged.
Dick’s eyes saddened. “It doesn’t have to be that way, Y/N.”
She didn’t acknowledge his statement.
When there was a large gust of wind, Y/N closed her eyes as if it would help her body absorb the nature around them.
Dick allowed himself to take her in while her eyes were closed – all of her. 
He still didn’t know so much about her past – what she’s seen, what she’s been through. But he felt like he understood her as a person. He saw how intelligent she was, how she explained things to Tim without sounding condescending or embarrassing him for not knowing. Or how patient she was with Damian when he was his bratty self, and she clearly saw his behavior for what it was: a child who didn’t know how to converse with normal people. And when Jason was a sarcastic smartass, Y/N gave it right back to him. Dick also didn’t miss how Y/N offered to help Alfred cook and clean up as if it wasn’t his job.
The moment Dick was having as he looked at Y/N was interrupted by his phone.
“100 bucks that it’s Bruce,” Y/N griped.
And when Dick pulled it out from his pocket, lo and behold, Bruce’s name was lit on the screen.
“Hello. Yeah, she’s with me. We just went for a drive. We’re heading back now.”
As soon as he hung up, Y/N asked, “Was he pissed?”
“He was extremely calm, which is probably not a good sign.”
But Dick didn’t seem too concerned with Bruce’s wrath. He’d grown out of that long ago. 
“Come on,” he nodded to his parked motorcycle.
Y/N slid on the bike behind him with much more confidence and finesse this time. And there was no hesitation as she wrapped her hands around around Dick’s waist. He swore her grip was tighter too.
“Ready?” Dick still asked her. 
But then his hand seemed to have a mind of his and slid over the grip she had on his waist, brushing across one of her hands almost…affectionately.
He didn’t even realize he did it until a few seconds afterward.
“Mhmm,” Y/N hummed.
The ride back was less peaceful. The sun had gone down and if they weren’t in view of Gotham’s city lights, they couldn’t see their surroundings. It also didn’t help that they knew they were returning to the manor to face Bruce.
When they parked inside the garage and turned off the engine, they both heard Bruce call Dick’s name from inside.
Y/N winced, but quickly recovered.
She squeezed Dick’s upper-arm. “Don’t worry. This is on me.”
Before Dick couldn’t argue and say he wasn’t scared of Bruce, Y/N was walking back into the manor.
“Need I remind you that you’re number one on The Court of Owls’ hit list?” Bruce told Y/N darkly.
He was wearing a black turtleneck and slacks. It was an off-duty look for him, but he still looked like he was in some sort of uniform.
“Dick had nothing to do with it,” Y/N defended calmly. “I threatened to photoshop nudes of him and sell them to TMZ and the Daily Mail.”
Bruce shared a look with Dick over Y/N’s shoulder, proving that he already knew Y/N had made no such threat.
“I’ll be in my lab,” Y/N announced, deciding to end the conversation before it could turn into a lecture or argument. 
When she passed Bruce, Y/N turned around and gave Dick a grateful smile before mouthing, ‘Thank you’ to him.
Now it was just Bruce and Dick.
“If you want to lecture me, just get it over with,” Dick sighed.
“You know better,” Bruce answered.
“She was going to leave whether I went with her or not. I thought it was best to keep an eye on her. I wasn’t stupid about it, Bruce.”
“Don’t let it happen again.”
Dick glared at him. “We can’t keep her locked up here forever.”
“She’ll stay until we take down The Court. Until then, she’s at risk.”
Dick quirked an eyebrow. “Careful, Bruce. It’s starting to sound like you’re making this personal.”
But they both knew there was another meaning behind his words. Dick saw Bruce put together what he was really trying to say. ‘I know you two have a history. I know what happened between you.’
But Dick didn’t know what was happening now. 
Bruce just glared at him and said, “I could say the same to you.”
Then he turned and left.
-----------------------------------------
Part III
Ooooooo. The drama!
Let me know what you think! Please 😔
522 notes · View notes
loserholland · 3 years
Text
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟? | 𝐁.𝐁
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Pairing ➺ TFATWS!Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader
Warning ➺ Nothing but fluff
Word Count ➺ 4.7k
Summary ➺ You have your doubts about going on a blind date, the past few dates you had been stood up. You just hope this guy doesn’t stand you up like the rest, but it turns out Bucky has doubts too.
A/N ➺ Kinda based off of “When he see’s me” I got the idea from when I was listening to the song, some parts of the song will be featured. This is set during tfatws timeline, but slight episode 1 spoiler! Please feel free to comment, reblog, send feedback <3 always appreciated! Maybe a part two? idk yet lol
✿ 𝓟𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓣𝓪𝓰𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓽 ✿ - @loveyathreethousand @killerqueen-gunpowdergelatine @spideyyypeter @lou-la-lou@babebenhardy @rivervixenbaby @acklesholland @zabdisamor @keepingupwiththehollands @sweet666pea @sspider-parker @jackiehollanderr @caro0512 @thewinchesterchronicles @cporter003 @kisses-holland @spideysnugget @cryszus @sunflowerharrystyles @peterunderoos @ohbabycal @laucontrerasv @spider-mendes @jessybellsworld @quaksonhehe​ @dummiesshort​
☞  Masterlist  ☜
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𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘜𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵? (𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵?)
“No! We’re not doing this again!” 
Nyiah groaned loudly following her friend out the door, the moment she said “A friend of mine wants me to set you up with his friend.” (Y/N) had ran out the door not wanting to hear the rest of what she had to say, only because Nyiah didn’t have such a great streak when it came to setting her up on blind dates.   
A few heads had turned in the cubicles but quickly shrugged it off turning their attention back to their computer screens. She hastily walked to the restroom wanting to lock herself in a stall an away from her friend, well only friend in the office. (Y/N) had moved to New York before the blip happened, and well it when it did happen she was sitting in on a meeting when she noticed everyone slowly began to disintegrate. She remembers attempting to call her parents before everything just went dark, then five years later she’s back where she was everyone running frantically around her.
Pushing the door open she quickly rushed into a stall sliding the lock across before slumping her body against the door letting out a sigh of relief an also trying to catch her breath. She honestly doesn’t remember why she agreed to going on these dates, she simply could say no. But, I guess being twenty-six and constantly questioned by her family about having someone in her life pushed her to go on these dates. She has been in New York for nearly six years now, and never really had a serious relationship since she’s been in the city. Before leaving California, she had broken up with her boyfriend of two years not wanting to do the whole long distance thing. 
𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘖𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴
That’s when Nyiah began to set her up on these blind dates saying “It’s time to get out there again! Everyone’s back you have an entire sea of men!”. The only thing she hated about blind dates, not knowing who the person is. Sure that’s the whole point of the date but, she likes knowing what she’s getting into. Searching them up on social media, getting as much information as them as possible to see what type of person she’s going to be sitting with for an hour or two.
“(Y/N)!”
Nyiah peeked her head over the stall peering down at (Y/N), the sudden noise caused her to flinch, she didn’t even hear her come in?! She looked down to see she had taken her heels off and was pretty sure she was standing on the toilet seat. 
“That is very unsanitary.” 
Nyiah looked down at her feet then back over the stall, “I’m standing on two toilet seat covers I should be fine.” (Y/N) scoffed lightly  unlocking the the door watching as Nyiah stepped down from the toilet rushing out to corner (Y/N) before she left. 
She pressed her lips into a thin line glaring at her friend, the last few two never even made their way through the door. Most of the waitresses took pity on you before you left they had offered free dessert for you to take home saying it was on the house, and how no one deserves to be stood up.
“Please- remember my friend Sam? He said he wants to set his friend up with you! This isn’t my idea, he asked me to ask you!”
Sam? She briefly remembers meeting him, he seemed like a nice guy- from what she had collected the few times they met. And well he is an avengers and a literal hero to New York City and well the entire world.
𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘮 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘐𝘧 𝘐'𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦? 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦?
“Nyiah-” she paused rubbing her temples with her middle and thumb finger, “The last two dates my date didn’t even show up! How do I know that Sam’s friend won’t do the same?” it always felt so humiliating, sitting there in the middle of the dining room waiting for the person to show up only and not even answering any messages you sent.
Nyiah sighed, “I’ve met him once or twice he’s nice.”
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘖𝘳 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧
(Y/N) sighed, “Nice doesn’t cut it Nyiah, how do I know he won’t be like the first two? The first one felt like I was doing some kind of interview- all he talked about was himself.” She had gone out with one of Nyiah’s close friends Brandon, he seemed like a sweet guy till he made it their date all about him leaving no room for her to talk.
𝘏𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦
“The second one was getting too close- he didn’t even know what personal space was! I went to the restroom for five minutes just to be in my own space!” Nyiah frowned slightly remembering how (Y/N) called saying she was about to just pay for the check and leave because Joshua didn’t know how to just give anyone space.
𝘖𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘖𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘴 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵
"I just-” she paused for a second swiping her tongue against her bottom lip. Doubt, was eating up at her. Doubt in herself and Nyiah. Mostly herself, she wanted to find the confidence to go on this date.
𝘐𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘵? (𝘈����) 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯? (𝘈𝘩)
“I just don’t want to disappoint myself again, if not myself then my date too- what if the reason why they don’t even make it through the door is because they see me and I don’t know they don’t like how I look?” 
The last date she had last week, she had gotten his number through Nyiah. She had arrived about thirty minutes early and when she had texted him if he was on the way, he never texted back. That takes a toll on your heart and mind, constantly questioning if you’re good enough.
𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬? (𝘈𝘩) 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 (𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?)
“I’m afraid.”
(Y/N) had every right to feel that way, every right to question whether or not she should say yes to her friend. She had every right to feel afraid after the last few dates not showing up, she had every right to also say no.
"(Y/N/N), this guy won’t do what the others did to you. Plus I shouldn’t call him a guy he’s moreover a man, like I said I don’t want to giveaway who he is but he’s a gentlemen, quiet at first but once you start talking to him- he’ll open up.” 
𝘚𝘰, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘰
She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment rethinking what Nyiah had just said. She didn’t want to make the decision just yet, she needed the night to think about it. The last four dates she jumped right into it, and well missed a few steps when the date arrived. This time she wanted to be careful, she didn’t want to disappoint herself again.
“I need time to think about it.” 
The brunette nodded, “Take all the time you need. Sam still needs to ask his friend anyway.” 
Later that night she had called her sister in hopes she had some advice for her, yet it turned out to be the opposite. Pacing around her living room she held her phone to her ear, “You should go- don’t let the past four dates define how this one will turn out.” (Y/N) huffed lightly moving to seat on her couch, “Yeah but, have you been stood up before?” 
Her sister moved around the kitchen waving her hands at her kids to settle down at the dining room table, “You’re using your aggressive tone on me- you called me remember?” (Y/N) pulled the phone away from her ear lifting her free hand and flipping off her phone. 
“And now you’re flipping me off, you’re getting defensive cause you know I’m right.” 
She pulled the phone back to her ear, “I’m not defensive! I’m simply being cautious.. plus I don’t know don’t you think it’s a sign? What if he’s all the like rest.” 
“(Y/N), you and your what if’s, just- take the night to sleep on it. I’m sure if Nyiah has met him and her friend thought of setting you two up, he won’t be like the rest.” 
What she didn’t know was that certain someone she may be going on a date with was having the same exact conversation as her, unsure if he should go out on a date. 
“A what?” 
Sam pressed his lips into a thin line staring at Bucky with a “you heard what I said so stop pretending you didn’t hear me.” look. He had presented the idea of setting Bucky up on a blind date. 
The last date he went on was with Leah, a girl at the restaurant he and Yori had gone to eat lunch at. Yori had set the date up, that was his first date in eighty years and since that date he hasn’t gone on another.
Bucky had tried online dating, he had downloaded tinder matched with a couple of people till they started texting “DTF” and of course being a 106 years old he didn’t know what that meant. Sam had spent five minutes laughing in his face before telling him what it meant, which lead him to delete the app. When he had told Sam he deleted the app, that’s when he contacted Nyiah asking if (Y/N) was still single and if she was willing to go on a date with Bucky. 
"Who is this girl anyway?”
“Woman.”
“What?” 
“Woman.” 
“Why do you keep saying Woman? Answer my question!”
Sam mentally face palmed himself, sometimes Bucky’s true age shows from time to time- damn fossil. He also needed to teach him a thing or two about modern day flirting.
“Girl makes it seem as if you’re going on a date with a teenager. So woman sounds a lot better, and to answer your question I can’t tell you her name that’s the whole point of a blind date. But, I’ve met her once or twice, She’s beautiful and nice.” 
“So I’m suppose to be okay with this because you’ve met her once or twice and because she’s ‘beautiful’ and ‘nice’.” 
Sam sighed lightly, “Look Buck, you need to get out there instead of being cooped up in your apartment. She’s a good friend of a friend of mine, remember Nyiah?”
Nyiah- oh yes she was the loud woman. Bucky noticed how flustered Sam got whenever Nyiah was around- he could tease him about that later. 
“I went on one date like a month ago and tried tinder out- you know how that went.”
He couldn’t help but feel worried, not because it’s been so long but he was worried that they’ll find out about his past. About how he has a vibranium arm or that apart of his past that he tried so hard to forget about, he was worried they would know he use to be an ex-assassin. He didn’t want them to run away once he opened up about his past- if he would ever open up about his past.
Sam could sense that he was worried he placed a hand on his shoulder, “She’s not one to judge Buck, I told you she’s really nice. I’m sure she won’t run at the sight of you, unless you continue to stare her down-
Bucky glared slightly causing a chuckle to pass Sam’s lips, “This is only a blind date, you determine whether or not you want to have a second or a third, or a forth. Right now it’s just one- and I’m sure you won’t regret it.”
The sound of her phone ringing woke her up from her deep slumber, she lifted her arm reaching forward towards the night stand in search for her phone tugging the charger off and swiped to accept the call before she missed it. 
“Hello?” 
“Nyiah! So I spent some time thinking-”
Nyiah pulled the phone away from her ear squinting to look at the time, 2:47 AM. Placing the phone back to her ear she sighed, “I’ll go on the date.” this caused Nyiah to sit up surely waking her up, “Are you serious?” asking in disbelief she pulled the phone away from her ear again checking that she was talking to (Y/N).
“Are you serious or am I dreaming?”
“I’m serious- I talked to Gen and she said that I shouldn’t let the past four dates define this one so- I’m willing to go on this date.” 
Nyiah squealed loudly surely waking up the person who was sleeping next to her, “What is it the voice?” the voice mumbled causing (Y/N) to raise her brow in confusion, “So- who are you with right now?” Nyiah’s eyes widen slightly looking down at the half- asleep figure in her bed.
“No one! Well, I’ll tell Sam in the morning, is it okay if the date is at 6 today?”
“Yeah that’s fine- now answer my-”
“Great I’ll come by later to help you out with outfits! Good night!”
She placed her phone back on the charger before turning her attention back to the sleeping person next to her, “Sam! Sam!” she shook her quickly, “(Y/N) said yes! So tell James first thing in the morning!” 
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘪𝘵?
(Y/N) felt her stomach turn, she felt so nervous. Nervous that she was going to have to deal with the embarrassment of being stood up yet again, Nyiah had raided her closet in search for the perfect dress before pulling out a beautiful baby blue midi dress. The last time she wore that dress was to her sister’s wedding.
She didn’t feel this nervous for the past four dates, why does this one feel different? Maybe because Nyiah gave more of a description of what this guy looked like, maybe it was because after talking to her sister, drinking half a bottle of red wine, and weighing out the pros and cons at one in the morning fueled her to want to go on this date and make an effort. 
“What if-”
Nyiah made a weird “Ngh” noise to stop her from finishing her sentence, “No more what if’s, I told you. This one is going to be different, trust me.” (Y/N) snorted loudly, “I hope you’re right- and maybe now you can tell me who you were sharing a bed with.” 
A pink tint painted the brunette’s cheeks, “It was Sam.” she mumbled causing (Y/N) to gasp loudly, “Sam? No way! Wow- took you two long enough.” she had remembered all the times Nyiah would call her drunk talking about how much she wanted to jump Sam’s bones or go flying around with him. 
She sighed lightly, fixing up her hair one last time, applying a little bit on mascara and lipgloss keeping it as natural as possible. Nyiah grinned widely, she knew that this date was going to be the best she knew that (Y/N) was going to for sure go on a second date. 
“Wanna know one more thing about him?” 
(Y/N) hummed in response raiding her closet for her white vans, “The color of your dress- is the color of his eyes.” That sly minx was at it again, slipping her shoes on slinging her purse around her, she took one last look the mirror. Before she parted ways with Nyiah she had said “You’re for sure going on a second date.” A part of her hoped she was right, the other part of her worried Nyiah would be wrong.
Bucky stood in front of the flower vendor looking between the different varieties, he stared at the peach roses. He glanced down at his watch, he wanted to be there at least a five minutes early, Sam had made the reservation under his name at this sushi restaurant that was in walkable distance of his apartment and his dates apartment. 
He grabbed the bouquet of peach roses handing a twenty dollar bill to the vendor mumbling keep the change before heading towards the direction of the restaurant. Gripping the bouquet in his hands, he tried to be as careful as possible not wanting to crush the stems.
From all the big steps he was taking he made it to the building in no time, stepping in to the slightly crowded restaurant due to it being nearly dinner time. Walking up the counter he looked around before speaking, “Reservation under Sam Wilson?” he watched as the host looked through the book.
“You’re the first to arrive, follow me to the booth.” he watched as the host grabbed two menus directing for Bucky to follow him. The room was filled with chatter, he felt his hand growing clammy not from the heat from the glove but from the nervousness he felt. 
“Anything I can start you off with?” 
Bucky set the flowers next to him in the booth, “Water is fine. Thank you.”
(Y/N) wiped her palms against her dress once more standing in front of the door of the restaurant, “Here goes nothing.” she whispered to herself tugging the door opened she stepped in. The room was dimly lit and full of chatter, she felt her heart beat race it felt as though it was trying to escape from her chest. 
Walking up to the host she swiped her hands down her dress once more, “Hi, reservation under Sam Wilson?” she watched as the host crossed the name off the list, “Follow me, he just got here a few minutes before you.” she could feel her heart beat in her ears, oh my god was she about to go into cardiac arrest? What the hell is happening? 
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵? (𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥?)
Nearing the table, all she could make out what his short brunette hair finally the host stopped in front of the table motioning for you to seat, “Your server will be with you in a few moments. Please take your time to decide.” Bucky stood from his seat gripping the bouquet of flowers in his left hand, “Hi I’m James.” oh Nyiah you were right, he had beautiful cerulean eyes they resembled the ocean. She had seen these eyes before, yet she couldn’t put her finger on it.
You stuck your right hand out enclasping it with his, “Nice to meet you, I’m (Y/N).” she let go right after hoping he didn’t notice how she wiped her hand down her dress once more. Bucky felt his cheeks turn a slight pink, he looked down slightly “These are for you.” you gladly accepted the beautiful peach roses bringing it to your nose to inhale the scent.
“Thank you, they are lovely.”
Bucky motioned once more to allow her to sit in the booth first before he slipped into his seat, she stared at him her brain was eating up at her unsure of how she had seen him before.
“So, how are you?” Bucky broke the silence, lifting the menu slightly enough for him to still see her face. Sam was correct, she was beautiful. “I’m good, a little nervous. How are you?” he chuckled lightly causing (Y/N) to smile lightly “I’m actually nervous too, it’s been a while since I’ve um-” 
“Gone out on a date?” 
He nodded in agreement still scanning the menu before finally settling on what he wanted to order. “You’re friends with Sam right? How do you two know each other?” (Y/N) questioned looking up for a second before brining her attention back to the menu. A slight glint caught her eye, it was silver and around his neck. 
“We’re uh-” he cleared his throat slightly unsure of how to answer the question, “we work together.” That’s when it clicked, she remembered where she had seen those beautiful ocean eyes. She had gone to the smithsonian museum almost every weekend, visiting the same exhibit. 
“Oh my god- you’re James Buchanan Barnes!” 
Bucky was unsure if she said it out of excitement or fear.
“I read about you in the smithsonian exhibit- wow okay I sound like such a nerd. But you were so brave, wait I shouldn’t use were, because it’s not like you aren’t brave anymore, you are so brave. I need to stop talking I’m sorry.” (Y/N) rambled reaching for the cup of water to shut herself up. 
Bucky couldn’t help but chuckle nervously, “I’m sure you’ve read other things.” she was currently sitting with an ex-assassin, why wasn’t she running for the hills right now?
“Well- that the thing” she leaned forward slightly, “I’ve read what was released and well- what they did to you.. no one deserves that. I remember reading them and I remember reading the information they had at the exhibit. Those were two different people-” 
“Hi, I’m Alex I’ll be your waiter for tonight. What can I get for you two?”
The two ordered their meals, thanking the waiter as he took their menus away. Bucky stared back at (Y/N), she felt unsure if she should continue talking. “You were saying?” she looked up from her lap her mouth was slightly agape, what if I angered him in some way?
“The person I’m speaking to right now, is James Buchanan Barnes, he is from Brooklyn and served as a sergeant in the 107th division during World War II. The person who no longer exist is the winter solider, someone HYDRA controlled and wiped constantly to do their dirty deeds. You are James Buchanan Barnes, a sweet guy who bought me flowers and said yes to coming on a date with a complete nerd.” 
Bucky smiled, this was the first time no one judged him for his past, nor tried to run for the damn hills once they found out who he use to be. He noticed how she kept her head down low unsure if she had angered him or not, “Enough about me- what about you? With that accent of yours I’m guessing you’re from the west coast?”
(Y/N) lifted her head meeting the same ocean blue eyes, “California, moved here in 2017. I work at an office, that’s how I know Nyiah. Got a degree in marketing, and I have an older sister, two younger brothers.” Bucky listened to her ramble on about her life smiling ever so often whenever she would derive to a different topic.
“I was actually close to not coming on this date..”
Bucky finished chewing the sushi roll that he ordered, reaching for his glass of water to wash down the rice. “Why?” he questioned continuing to pick off the sushi that was on his plate, he watched as she refocused her attention back on her lap. 
“Well- the first two dates Nyiah had set me up on were complete disasters, the first guy talked too much, the second didn’t know what personal space was. The previous two stood me up, so- thank you for not being like any of those men.” 
“Boys.”
“Hm?”
“They weren’t men, they were boys. Especially the last two who stood you up, you’re way too beautiful to be stood up. But- I should be thanking you for not running away or judging my past.”
(Y/N) smiled, she was definitely going to ask him out on a second date.
It felt as though they have known each other forever, they had spent hours talking without realizing it was nearly closing time. Bucky had beat her to pay the bill, standing from his seat as (Y/N) did the same, “Let me walk you home.” she nodded holding the flowers close to her body.
 As they were walking home, Bucky would point out here and there about how that building use to be this or he’d point out that’s where he saved Steve from being bullied yet again. The cool breeze kissed her skin causing her to shiver lightly, Bucky shrugged off his leather jacket placing it on her shoulders. She mumbled thank you, turning her head slightly to hide the arising blush on her cheeks. 
They walked in comfortable silence she would look up every so often admiring the way the moon kissed his skin, he looked like literal art, especially with those beautiful cerulean eyes. (Y/N) stopped in her tracks looking up at her apartment building, “Well- this is me.” Bucky looked across the street and up at the building they were currently standing in front of, “Wanna know something funny?” she rose her brow slightly ushering him silently to tell her. 
“I live in that building.” 
It was ironic honestly, and somewhat like fate, “Let me walk you up.” who knew that the guy she was going to be going on a date with lived across her street the entire time, she also wondered if Nyiah knew that he lived across the street from her. Once they stood in front of her door she fished for her keys, Bucky offered to hold the flowers for her to make it easier for her to find. 
Once she unlocked the door she opened it slightly turning to look up at Bucky he handed her the bouquet back, “Thank-” they both said simultaneously (Y/N) couldn’t help but smile, “You go first-” they said again causing Bucky to chuckle. 
“Please ladies first.” 
(Y/N) smiled she really didn’t want the night to end, “Thank you for an amazing night and for the beautiful flowers. I was wondering if you were free tomorrow for breakfast preferably, I know this 40′s theme cafe if you’d like to go?”
“I was actually-”
“It’s no problem if you can’t go!” 
“No! Not no as in I can’t go- I can go it was just, I was actually planning on asking you out too but you seemed to beat me to it.” 
(Y/N) mentally face palmed herself, her damn pessimistic mind getting the best of her yet again. She could feel herself growing hot, god dammit she needs to work on being more optimistic. 
“Oh sorry- I’m just thank you again for tonight really. It turned out better than I could ever imagine.” without thinking she leaned up pressing a kiss to his cheek. Bucky stood there with wide eyes, (Y/N) wore the same expression “Uh- I’m sorry-” Bucky leaned down pressing a kiss to her cheeks as well. God they looked she was sure they were acting like two middler schoolers who got into their first relationship. 
“I’ll come by around 8?” 
She nodded, she was sure she looked like a tomato by now. 
Bucky turned on his heels making his way towards the elevator she noticed he had forgotten his jacket, “Oh James! Your jacket!” he turned around smiling, “It’s okay! You can return it tomorrow, or keep it actually looks better on you than me.” the sound of the elevator door opening filled the hallway, she watched as Bucky walked in bidding her a small wave before the metal doors closed. 
Entering her apartment, she locked the door behind her smiling from ear to ear. Bucky leaned his head agains the walls of the metal box, a huge grin painted his lips. Their friends were right, they would most definitely be going on a second date together.
She had finally met someone, who when he see’s her wants to see her again.
And he had finally met someone, who doesn’t run for the hills once they learn about his past.
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spacexcowgirl · 3 years
Text
I Think He Knows - F.W.
Fred Weasley x Reader
Summary: Y/N gets drunk, and decides there's no better time to tell her boyfriend she loves him than the present.
Word Count: 3.9k
Warnings: Alcohol usage/intoxication!! There’s a make out scene. Also food. Otherwise mainly just fluff!
A/N: This is my first fic I’ve ever posted on here and the inspiration for it was born out of a drunken anon ask to @lumosandnoxwriting​ sooo here it is. I’ll probably end up writing another part about the next day and them recouping, but who knows. Totally open to any critiques/criticism/help anyone has to offer! Pictures are taken from Pinterest.
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The flashing lights were bright and the music far too loud, but you didn’t care. You had liquid courage flowing through your veins and it was making it increasingly easier to lose yourself on the dance floor. Typically, you weren’t much of a dancer, but several shots of some pink liquid you had forgotten the name of had you abandoning all traces of your usual self. You swayed your hips to the rhythm of a song you didn’t know, giggling every time you made eye contact with Alicia or Angelina.
As the song playing came to an end, you gripped your best friends’ forearms and dragged them from the dance floor before another could start. You briefly heard their groans of protests but couldn’t find it in yourself to care.
“I want another drink!” You shouted over the music, pulling them towards the bar.
“We don’t need another.” Alicia pointed out, but she was now following you on her own accord, which told you she wouldn’t be protesting too much.
At the bar, you ordered another round of shots for the three of you—asking specifically for ‘whatever the pink one is called.’ The three of you clinked the small glasses together before raising them to your lips and throwing your heads back, allowing the liquid to leave a burning trail down your throat. 
“I’m going to call him.” You announced brightly, slamming your glass down on the bar.
“Y/N, we talked about this!” Angelina whined. “Tonight is supposed to be girl’s night. Plus, Fred’s out with his friends. You should give him his space.”
“Oh please, you act like that boy wouldn’t drop everything to rush over here and be with her.” Alicia rolled her eyes lightly, a knowing smile lighting up her face.
Her words caused you to blush furiously, which you attempted to hide by sliding your cellphone out of your back pocket and bringing it to your face. The screen was too bright, but as you fumbled around with trying to turn it down, you came to realize just how drunk you really were. You quickly gave up on trying to turn down the brightness and instead opened up the call app, clicking at the button that read ‘Recents’ before tapping the name right at the top. You barely registered Angelina’s disappointed groan as you brought the phone to your ear.
“Hello?” 
“Freddie!” You called out, a sweet giggle leaving your lips. You were filled with the most wonderful elation at speaking to your boyfriend, sending a flutter of butterflies alive through your stomach.
“Oh, hello, Y/N.” The voice chuckled. “This isn’t—”
“Where are you?” You interrupted him, rocking slightly on your heels. Angelina was people watching those out on the dance floor, while Alicia had taken up flirting with some bloke next to her.
“We’re still at Lee’s flat.” There was a pause, then he continued. “Y/N, this is George you called. How drunk are you?”
“I don’t think I’m that drunk. Let me ask Angie.” You paused, putting the phone on speaker so your friend could answer for you. “Ang, how drunk am I?”
“Very.” Angelina answered over the music, earning a laugh from George on the other end of the line. “’s that George? Lemme talk to him.”
Angelina took the phone from your hand, ignoring your pout as she did so, and switched it off of speaker mode. At first, you had tried to listen in on the conversation she was having with George, but you quickly got distracted. You hoisted yourself up into one of the bar seats, kicking your legs back and forth as you gazed around. After a few minutes, you were pulled from your drunken thoughts when Angelina nudged you with your phone.
“He hung up?” You pouted as you looked at the black screen. “Are they coming here?”
“No, they’re staying at Lee’s.” Angelina shook her head. “But they said they’d meet us back at your flat when we leave here.”
“Well, let’s go!” You quickly went to jump down from the stool, only for Angelina to place her hands on your shoulders and hold you in place.
“Uh uh, we’re gonna let you sober up a bit first.” She shook her head. “Don’t want you doing something you’ll regret tomorrow.”
“Especially when we know you’ll blame us.” Alicia now joined in, evidently blowing off the guy she had been flirting with only moments before.
Perhaps if you were even a little less drunk, you would have been annoyed by their statements. But currently, you were in a state of almost childlike happiness and wonder. You couldn’t help but let your mind wander to thoughts of your boyfriend, causing a cheesy grin to rise to your face. The past 6 months together had been some of the best of your life, and you often found yourself wondering why you two hadn’t gotten together sooner. You had always been friends during your Hogwarts years, but neither of you ever attempted to take that next step in your relationship until years after graduation. Now, you couldn’t be more thankful with the change.
“I’m going to tell him I love him.” You declared, saying the words out loud as more of a way to convince yourself than to inform them.
“What?” Alicia sputtered, shooting a worried glance to Angelina. “You mean, tonight?”
“I don’t see why not.” You shrugged. “I mean, I do love him. Why shouldn’t I tell him?”
“Y/N/N, don’t you think maybe you should wait until you’re sober?” Angelina looked at you hesitantly. “I mean, that’s kind of a big step.”
“You guys don’t get it,” You sighed, crossing your arms over your chest like a child being scolded. In your drunken mind, you knew that they would never understand the ins and outs of your relationship with Fred. The two of you had never put pressure on things that others deemed ‘the big stuff.’ Everything always had just come so naturally between you two, and you were convinced this should be no different. A small voice in the back of your head told you that the sober version of you would disagree, but you pushed it away. Your decision was made.
“This is like, exactly what we mean by you doing something you’ll regret and blaming us.” Alicia sighed. “So, you better not be mad at us tomorrow.”
“I won’t be, promise.” You affirmed. 
How could this possibly go wrong?
About an hour later, Angelina and Alicia had enough of the club environment and had decided you were sober enough that they could safely walk you back to your flat. The three of you gathered your things and your excitement bubbled inside of you at the prospect of finally getting to see Fred. You nearly skipped out of the club, Alicia and Angelina trailing close behind you, and into the cool night air. Almost immediately, your eyes were drawn to two heads of red hair, backs to you, talking at the edge of the sidewalk. Although they were nearly identical, there was something about one of their postures and energy, and you just knew that it was Fred. Before Angelina or Alicia could stop you, you were running and jumping on your boyfriend’s back, nearly sending him tumbling over.
“Freddie!” You squealed, attaching your arms firmly around his middle as your feet replanted on the ground. He swiveled in your hold, a bout of laughter leaving his lips, as he took in your presence.
“’s good to see you too, love.” He slurred, bending down at a slightly awkward angle to pepper your face with kisses. You giggled at the tickling feeling his lips left behind.
“Thought we were meeting you guys back at her flat?” Angelina questioned as she approached the three of you.
“That was the plan, but Freddie here has had one too many glasses of firewhisky and decided he couldn’t wait that long.” George rolled his eyes. “Said he’d go with or without me to find you guys, so we’ve just been waiting out here.”
“Great, so they’re both drunk off their asses.” Alicia feigned annoyance, but the small smile on her face as she gazed at her two friends public displays of affection showed that she wasn’t truly bothered.
“Alright, love birds, it’s bloody freezing out.” George clapped a hand down on Fred’s shoulder, pulling the older twin’s attention away from you for the first time. “Let’s get going, yeah?”
Fred nodded and held out his hand for you to take, which you happily accepted. The two of you lead the others, swinging your hands between you as you walked down the sidewalk. The entire time, you whispered and giggled back and forth, finding anything and everything to be the funniest thing you ever heard.
“Your hand is so tiny.” Fred giggled, halting your swinging motion to bring your interlaced fingers up and examine them. 
“Is not.” You pouted. You attempted to pull your hand from his, but his grip on you was firm. He used your conjoined hands to pull you closer to him, causing you to stumble slightly, which of course resulted in both of you giggling even more. Fred placed a kiss on each of your knuckles before letting both of your hands fall comfortably between you again.
“It is, but it’s cute.” He looked down at you dreamily, as if you were the most perfect thing he had ever laid his eyes on. In an instant, all of his drunk giddiness seemed to fade and he became uncharacteristically serious. “How did I get so lucky?”
“Hm.” You pretended to ponder the question, bringing your free hand up to tap your chin. “Dunno. I still think you must have me under some spell or potion.”
“Oh, right, how could I forget?” He grinned. “That reminds me, I’ve gotta make another batch of love potion before this one wears off and you leave me.”
“Wouldn’t want that, would we?” You teased back, knocking your shoulder into his.
“Never.” And you could tell, he was serious.
Up ahead you could see the familiar outline of your building. You hadn’t realized just how tired your feet were from walking in your heels, and you longed for nothing more than to slip them off and lie in Fred’s arms for the rest of the night. Nerves began to bubble in your stomach the closer you got, because you knew that meant you were just another step closer to finally telling him. While you hadn’t faltered in your decision, as you began to sober up slightly, you couldn’t help but be anxious for how he would respond. 
“Do we need to help you two get in?” George questioned once you finally were outside your building.
“We’ll be okay.” Fred shook his head. You cuddled into his side for warmth, causing him to raise your entangled hands and wrap his arm around your shoulder. He pressed a kiss to the side of your head, causing a dopey smile to rise onto your face.
“You’re sure?” Angelina looked between the two of you with raised brows. In response, you simply nodded. “Okay, well, call me tomorrow, alright?”
Both Alicia and Angelina sent you one last glance, one that you knew communicated how they didn’t encourage what you had told them earlier, before they all nodded and offered goodbyes, carrying on their way. Fred untangled your hands and removed his arm from your shoulder to open the door, dramatically bowing forward and extending an arm to allow you to enter first.
“After you, m’lady.”
You giggled loudly at his antics, skipping into the building and beginning towards the stairs. Fred  was hot on your heels, causing you to quicken your pace and run ahead of him, his laughter ringing out behind you as he tried to catch up to you.  Just as you turned on the first landing to continue up the steps, Fred’s hands caught your waist and began ticking your sides, causing your laughter to increase. You did your best to wriggle out of his grasp, which was much easier to do in his drunken state, and continued up the steps. Once on your floor, you quickly turned the corner and found the way to your flat, fumbling with your keys to get in before Fred caught up.
Unfortunately for you, you couldn’t seem to find the right key let alone slide it in to unlock the door, so Fred was able to catch up as you fumbled. You forgot your efforts and instead turned around and blocked the door, a drunken smirk on your face as you gazed up at your boyfriend.
“Sorry, you’re not allowed in.” You teased, crossing your arms over your chest.
“You’re really going to leave your sweet, loving boyfriend out in the hall, after he went out of his way to safely walk you back from the club?” 
“Mhm.” You nodded. “That is, unless you can tell me the password.”
Fred pretended to think for a moment, before he swooped his head down and pressed your lips together in a kiss. It was clumsy, both of your mouths seeming just a bit off center, but it was clear that neither of you cared. You tangled your arms around his neck, pulling him as close as possible, as he pressed your back against the door. He pulled back first, leaving you in lovesick bliss.
“Did you kiss the fat lady like that every time you forgot the password?” You teased once you were able to find your voice.
“Only sometimes.” Fred teased back.
You rolled your eyes playfully before unwinding your hands from behind his head and finally, successfully unlocking your front door. You pulled Fred into the flat by his collar, dragging him all the way to your living room before dropping down onto the couch and shuffling to let him cuddle up behind you. 
For a few moments, you both laid tangled in each other’s arms, listening to nothing but his heartbeat. The sound was rhythmic, and you knew if you didn’t speak up soon you’d fall asleep any minute. But, you weren’t ready to fall asleep yet. You wanted to stay up, to talk to him, to tell him exactly what was on your mind. So, you shifted awkwardly and held yourself up on your forearms to gaze at him.
“‘m hungry.” You declared, your bottom lip jutting out into a pout as you put on your best puppy dog eyes.
“’s too late to order something.” Fred sighed. “Lemme go look at what you have in your fridge.”
You sat up to let him get up, resisting the urge to sigh at his absence. From the kitchen, you could hear the familiar clatter as he riffled through your pots and pans and opened and closed various cupboards. Somehow the sound was like the sweetest melody. It was like a soundtrack of pure bliss, a reminder that he was there, with you, and that you were happy. In the simplest terms.
You shifted to lay down on your back and stare up at your ceiling, breathing in what you could only describe as domestic bliss. You were so wrapped up in your thoughts that you didn’t even hear him re-enter the room, your focus only being drawn away when the couch shifted from his weight. He lifted your legs to rest in his lap, his hand lightly rubbing up and down your ankle at a soothing rhythm.
“Got a quesadilla cooking.” He declared, his eyes tracing up and down your figure as you moved to sit up and look at him.
“Couldn’t stay away from me long enough to watch it?” You teased lightly.
“Can you blame me?” Fred grinned at you, giving your ankle a light squeeze.
You giggled at the contact before sitting up further, swinging your legs around to straddle his waist. You let your arms rest around his neck, a dopey smile on your face as you fiddled with the short hairs there. Fred leaned forward and nuzzled his nose against yours, causing you both to giggle further. 
“You’re my favorite person in the world, you know that?” Fred breathed out, bringing your foreheads to rest together. 
His words caused the familiar butterflies to erupt in your stomach, your smile widening even further. Some part of you knew this would be the perfect moment to tell him exactly how you felt. To tell him that your days are just a bit darker when he’s not around, and how he can make you laugh even when you want nothing more than to cry. You wanted to tell him how whenever he was gone on business trips, you could only fall asleep if you were wearing one of the old t-shirts he had left at your flat, or how you always seem to find something that made you think of him no matter where you were. But, your drunken brain was far from articulate, and your nerves seemed to have a firm grasp on your tongue, so instead, you simply pressed your lips to his.
Fred kissed you back passionately, and it was clear that neither of you minded that both of your mouths held the aftertastes of different alcohols. His lip glided along your bottom lip as his hands found your hips, steadying your movements. When you knocked your teeth together in the drunken kiss, you both pulled back for a moment to giggle, before the passion resumed.
Things seemed to carry on like that for several minutes, wanting nothing more than to be close to one another in every way possible, to be tangled up in anyway that you could, but having to pause every little bit to let out drunken giggles at the situation. You were certain no one had ever gotten you the way Fred Weasley got you, that no one could make you feel so comfortable, and that you were irrevocably in love with him.
Your sweet moment together was brought to a halt by the sound of a loud screeching coming from the kitchen. It took a moment for your brain to recognize it as the sound of your smoke alarm, but once it did you both were to your feet and rushing into the kitchen. Fred cursed under his breath at the clouds of smoke rising from the skillet and quickly set to turn off the burner. You grabbed a drying towel from the counter and began to wave it by the alarm, attempting to cease the godawful beeping it was letting out. After a few minutes, the sound did cease and the smoke cleared, allowing you to breathe a sigh of relief.
“It’s burnt.” Fred pouted, lifting the skillet to show you the blackened quesadilla. 
You weren’t sure if it was the childlike expression on his face or the fact that you both had entirely forgotten about it in the first place, but you couldn’t help but erupt into a fit of laughter. Fred looked at you for a moment as if he were offended by your giggling, before turning his attention the burnt quesadilla, then back to you, and beginning to laugh as well. It was all so absurd and truthfully far from funny, but in that moment, nothing could make you laugh harder.
Fred slid the quesadilla in the garbage before placing the skillet in the sink, resigning to washing it later. In the meantime, you had grabbed the bag of shredded cheese and hoisted yourself up on the counter, swinging your legs as you scooped out a handful of the cheese and began to eat it.
Fred turned and smiled fondly at your actions, crossing the kitchen to settle himself between your legs. He opened his mouth and you wordlessly registered what he was requesting, leaning forward to drop some of the cheese into his mouth. Both of you continued to giggle lightly, feeling nothing but elation as you remained in each other’s presence. 
You raised your hand to offer Fred a bit more of the cheese, smiling warmly when he opened his mouth to accept some. The two of you weren’t as in sync as you might normally be, considering your varying levels of intoxication, and as you dropped some of the cheese onto his tongue you were too slow to remove your hand and he was too quick to bite down, causing him to nip your finger lightly.
You pulled your hand back hastily and Fred’s eyes widened as if he had just mortally wounded you. He swallowed the remaining cheese in his mouth before speaking up, taking your hand in his to examine it.
“Did I hurt you? Are you okay? Merlin, I am so sorry. Are you bleeding? You must be bleeding.”
You weren’t. 
His rambling and concern for you caused you to tilt your head back and let out a loud bout of laughter. 
“‘m fine, Freddie.” You assured, leaning forward to press your lips to his and squash his worries. 
Fred brought your hand to his mouth and pressed a soft kiss to the finger he had just bit, nodding to himself after as if to convince himself that now you were fine. Truly, it was just about the cutest thing you had ever seen.
You spent the next few moments polishing off the bag of shredded cheese, Fred abundantly more careful not to nip your fingers anymore. You chatted lightly, talking about every drunk thing that crossed your mind. Once the cheese was gone Fred poured the both of you a glass of water, sloshing it around slightly as he tried to balance them both in one hand and extend the other to you. You hopped down from the counter and accepted his hand, allowing him to guide you back to your bedroom. He spilled nearly half of each water on the way, mostly on himself, but neither of you could find it in you to care. 
Once inside, you threw yourself down into the center of your bed, extending your hands out in a grabbing motion as Fred set the glasses on your nightstand. Neither of you could be bothered to change into pajamas, so you settled by kicking off your shoes and doing your best to get comfortable in the dress you sported. 
Fred kicked off his shoes as well before crawling over to you and collapsing nearly entirely on you. He laid on his stomach and wound his arms around your waist, his head finding the crook of your neck and pressing a few soft kisses there. You wound your arms around his neck, your legs tangling together. Truthfully, it wasn’t exactly comfortable, but you had him close, and that was all that mattered.
You listened to the sound of his breathing as he slowly drifted off to sleep. Your mind was screaming at you to say the words that had been plaguing you almost all night, before it was too late. Now was your chance.
But, then, you noticed that Fred’s breathing had shallowed significantly and light snores had begun to leave his lips. You breathed out a sigh of disappointment from missing your opportunity, mentally cursing yourself and your nerves.
As if the sleeping boy in your arms could read your thoughts, his grip around you tightened, holding onto you as if his life depended on it. The small action brought a smile to your lips as your eyes fluttered shut.
Perhaps you could wait to tell him that you loved him until the morning. Besides, some part of you was aware that he already knew.
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alicemitch09writes · 3 years
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(un)loving miya atsumu
fourteen.
loving miya atsumu
Dear Atsumu,
I hate how much your face is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about the word - ‘happiness’ and ‘love’. Happiness, because it radiates off your bones, no matter the situation, in court when up against strong opponents, thwarting plays with a setter dump or when you’re up serving, or when pulling off nasty quicks with your brother or any other player, off court when you fight with Osamu over the last ice cream at the convenience store, when you share a stupid joke with your dad, or even when you’re with the people you care about. Love, because you do everything with just the right to too much amount of love, pouring your everything in it, pouring your heart in the things that make you happy may it be volleyball, Osamu, your family, Mika- not a single wasted opportunity to convey your love and happiness. Nobody compares the way you do.
You’ve set a standard for almost everything, which is why you expect nothing for the best to be at the receiving end of both happiness and love.
I hope you know that to me; you are the embodiment of both happiness and love. Because I really hate how you remain the embodiment of these two words I have difficulty expressing.
Your name literally translates to 'to devour' and in a sense, you are someone who happily, readily accepts love and happiness on a daily basis, allowing it to fill you up to the core and share it with everyone.
You are everything that is everything – the sun after a stormy day, the sunshine in my veins, the kiss of the wind against my skin, the light to my darkness, my sunflower. You are everything to me, and to you, I offer, my whole heart, which you don’t have to worry returning, because it’s yours. Always has been.
     - (Y/N)’s letter, 1 out of 13
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"MIKA!" launching yourself at your big sister, engulfing in a hug, the two of you laughed. Breaking away, you held your older sister an arm's length, taking her in. "You're home! You're here!" The excitement was evident in your tone, a bit of confusion as well, at the joyful arrival of your big sister.
"Just thought I'd surprise you!"
Frowning slightly, you ask again. "But how about school?"
"I'm on break!"
"Alexander and Pien?"
"The family's currently on vacation in Spain," sensing another question coming, she furthers. "the parents were the ones who arranged this trip, because they know it would mean the world to me and I would never want to miss my little sister's big day."
The grin on your face softened, engulfing your sister into a hug again. "I'm just so happy you're here,"
"Me, too."
Despite everything that went down, before anything else in the world, this was your sister – your best friend by design. After months apart, talking to her virtually for a year, having her in person was such a delight. Seeing her home was probably the best graduation gift you could ask more.
Swaying into your hug, relishing in the feeling of her touch, Mika slowly opens her eyes, seeing the twins, finally remembering that they weren't alone.
"Oh, no! I'm so sorry!" dropping the hug, she turns to the twins. "Atsumu, Osamu, hello!"
"Welcome back, Mika-nee," says Osamu.
"H-Hey Mika-nee," Atsumu stutters.
Something unsettled in your belly, coming at a screeching halt at the reunion. You could feel Osamu's eyes on you. Balling your hands into fists, you swallowed that ugly feeling, wearing a smile on.
"Shall we head inside?" Nobody seemed to notice the slight crack in your voice, which you were thankful for. Lowering your head, your eyes easily found your graduation pin, a reminder. 
Atsumu, however, seemed out of it. Even in the presence of his first love, he didn't seem the least happy to see her. In fact, he almost looked, dare you say, troubled.
While the three of you were taking off your shoes, the house filled with joyous noises from both families, you turned to the blond-dyed teen worriedly.
"Atsumu, are you alright?"
Is he alright? How was he supposed to feel? Mika was right there! Mika, the person he's been in love with since he was 9. Love, right? She's always been his standard, the perfect girl for some just as perfect as him. Boyfriend be damned. Mika was there. Mika was here. Shouldn't he be happy?
"Atsumu?" At the sound of your voice, he worked on a feeble smile, worrying you even more.
Snapping out of it, he quirks his lips up. Before you can say another word, his grandparents come barrelling down the hall to greet you three.
Atsumu's smile was worrying.
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"How I've missed Japanese food!" Mika gushes at the table, eyes bright at the food on display – especially at the seafood, care of your uncle (of course).
Laughing, the twins' father turns to her. "What's wrong with Dutch food, Mika-chan?"
Aside from sushi, there was an assortment of dishes like tempura, sauteed vegetables, salad, grilled meat, roast beef and chicken, and two cakes. With a feast like this, calling for the occasion, it was enough to water anyone’s mouth.                                          
"It's alright, but kinda bland." they laugh at that.
You sat next to your sister, Kaoru on your other side. Across you sat the twins, Atsumu directly in front of you. Catching his eye, he quirked his lips up – smile seeming forced.
Your mom was all smiles, lifting her glass up. “Well now, let’s make a toast to our graduates!”
"To our bright and wonderful children!” your uncle seconds, joyfully, loudly. “To Atsumu, Osamu, and (Y/N)! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Everyone was clinking their glasses against each other before digging in.
The adults were usually doing the talking, exchanging pleasantries about this and that, while the youngins were on a world of their own. It only made sense why the (extended) table was divided into two – young and old.
Lifting his gaze, Atsumu could see you chatting up with his grandparents, a pleasing and polite smile on your face. As his grandma was sharing about her newest hobby, you were wiping Kaoru’s face clean, much to the younger boy’s displeasure.
“Atsumu, I hear you’ve been scouted by a pro-league?”
Suddenly called by Mika, he was suddenly on the spot. Normally, he would preen, just to keep those bright (e/c) eyes on him. When in truth, he wants another pair of eyes on him.
“Oh, uh…yeah, that’s right.”
“Pfft, what kinda energy is that?” booms his dad’s voice, ringing throughout the room. “Give it more life, Atsumu!” Beside him, his mom pats her husband’s arm, smiling per usual, but had a loving look in her eyes.
“What team are you joining?”
“MSBY Black Jackals,” he replies, staring at his plate. “they’re based in Osaka.”
Atsumu still remembers the day you approached him, shared with him how a scout agent had approached you first, then asked for Atsumu’s contact information. He was so over the moon after you told him that.
“Oh! So it’s close by!”
“Yeah.”
“That’s nice, you don’t have to worry about university and just continue doing what you do best. I’m jealous.”
Atsumu works on a faint smile, happy to hear it.
You watched the whole exchange from the corner of your eye, taking a bite of sushi before washing it down with soda, swallowing down the lump in your throat as well.
“Nee-san,” something pat at the corners of your mouth, Kaoru grinning. “your mouth was messy!”
Smiling, you could only pat his head in gratitude. “Thank you, Kaoru.”
“And how about (Y/N)-chan?” the Miya’s grandmother asked you suddenly, bringing the attention to you.
Now at the center of attention, you set down your plate. “Um…I’ll be studying at Hiroshima University.”
“Hiroshima! That’s four hours away from here?” whines the twins’ mom, to which your uncle and mom shrugs easily.
“Well, it was her decision.”
“Waseda was also in her list, but she opted for Hiroshima University.”
Nearly choking on his drink, the twins’ father turns to you. “Wa-Waseda!?”
“Dad, calm down!” Atsumu berates, embarrassed. Beside him, Osamu just helps himself to another serving, handing his grandfather another, too.
“Don’t underestimate Waseda, Atsumu! That’s one of the most prestigious schools in Japan!”
Atsumu knows that very well, because you told them about it. Just that…
“Well, she didn’t pass.” Huffs your uncle, but goes on to explain rather excitedly. “So she went for the next big thing – Hiroshima University!”
“Dad, didn’t we already tell you this?” Osamu frowns, rice sticking to his cheek. “We also told you she passed the exams.”
Their dad deflated at that, scratching at his cheek. “A-Ah, eh…you know your old man, he’s getting old and his memory’s failing him.” Everyone in the table laughs, even young Kaoru!
“Still, Hiroshima’s a long way from here, (Y/N)-chan,” their grandfather turns to you. “Why not join Osamu at Kobe University? Or Atsumu in Osaka at Kansai University?”
Shrugging, you reached over to refill his glass. “I wanted a change of pace, I guess. Also,” sitting back, you brushed strands of hair behind your ear, exposing your conch piercing. “I had a bit of epiphany when we had our class excursion there.”
The adults smile at your words, Mika, most especially.
“Well, I know you’ll do well there which is why we want you to have this,” from his pocket, the twins’ grandfather produced three envelopes – for you, Osamu, and Atsumu. To say that the three of you were shocked would be an understatement. “Here,”
Ever so carefully, the three of you took the envelope with both hands.
“Go on, open it!” says their mom excitedly, recording with their phone.
“OH MY GOD MOM, YOU’RE EMBARRASSING US!”
“Open, open!” their grandmother clapped her hands excitedly, sharing the same sweet smile as her husband.
Glancing at each other, the three of you seemed to share the same idea.
“On three?”
Nod.
“One,”
“Two,”
“Three!”
Outside the window, the wind blew, sending a draft it in (L/N) household. One glance and you were greeted by a world painted in pink hues, blushes of nature come in falling petals – spring has come alright.
In your subdivision, there was only one cherry blossom tree that was planted in the playground just behind your house. At the epicentre of your neighbourhood, like a heartbeat that connected each household to its beating. When spring comes, it blooms, shedding off its petals, scattering against the wind everywhere – for everyone to see.
A chance to bring spring into their homes, to enjoy moments like these without having to worry about leaving. Like a hanami at home.
“Ohhh.”
“…we got money.”
“Granny, Gramps, thank you so much!”
“Use the money wisely now!”
“I’m jealous,” Mika tells you, watching the twins. “you three got to share moments like these, have been for years. But now,” her smile falters a bit. “you’re off on your separate ways. Will you be okay?”
Your big sister will always be your best friend, one deigned to you since you were born and because of blood. But having friends of your own was another story, especially worth noting just how quiet you can be, which is why when they moved to Hyogo and were introduced to the twins, it made her feel settled. The three of you were inseparable, always together, a bond she envied.
At this point in your life, there was no denying the consequences of growing up.
“We all have our own different dreams and ambitions, so it’s only normal that we chase after it.” Taking a sip of your drink, your eyes catch on Osamu. “Osamu’s not as ambitious as his brother, but he’s just as competitive – especially when it comes to his future and happiness.”
“True, but a shame that he’s not going pro like his brother, they would be such a team!”
It would, years of watching them grow together was enough of a testament. The most powerful twins in volleyball.
“They’ll always have volleyball and each other. But when it comes to happiness, that’s another story.” Recalling Osamu’s soft gaze on the finished onigiri he made, the tale he shared afterwards. “Osamu’s happiness in with cooking and food.”
Humming, Mika takes her own drink, sipping in.
“And the thing with Atsumu is that’s he’s always looking forward, never once settling on the past knowing that it will hold him back. In fact, he’s always looking ahead that he tends to forget what he’s doing in present time.”
“It sounds like he’s taken to heart your club motto, huh? ‘We don’t need memories’.”
It was such a powerful motto – moving and inspiring all at once. From the moment your eyes saw Inarizaki’s banner when you were young to the moment you became manager, that motto has stuck with you the most. You love that motto, love its implication and even took it by heart.
“We can’t always be ruled by our past after all.” You set your drink down. “How else are we going to move forward?”
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Atsumu stared at the ceiling before him, having given up tossing and turning for the past few hours. After the third hour, he threw in the towel – he was restless, unable to fall asleep from everything that’s happened today. It’s as though he found himself at an impasse – unsure of what he’s been holding on to, unable to comprehend how he should feel with everything going on.
Mika was home. Feelings he’s had for her…surfaced. He thinks. Atsumu broke into a sigh, sitting up, he was a mess.
Suddenly, he heard rummaging from below him, muted light glowing from below.
“’Samu?” he called out.
“Ah, shit.” Osamu craned his head, meeting his eyes. “Sorry, ‘Tsumu. Did I wake you?”
Shaking his head, Atsumu noted that Osamu was dressed up. “Where’re you headed?”
“Out.” He pockets his phone and wallet away.
“By yourself?” When his brother shakes his head, Atsumu shifts from his spot, asking again. “With whom?”
“…with (Y/N).”
Atsumu was silent for a while, coming to realization how Osamu sneaks out a lot in the past. It shouldn’t be a question and should be easy to tell who he usually hung out with late at night.
“Can I come?”
Osamu’s blinked at that. Atsumu waits, hopes. He watches as his brother looks at his phone, then back to his brother. Eventually, he exhales through his nose, wearing a half-smile as he nods slowly.
“Yeah, come on.”
Smiling, Atsumu feels excited as he gets down from his bunk and quickly changes. Following his brother's lead, ever so quietly the twins trudge out of the house, careful not to make any loud noises (which honestly, they shouldn't even bother for everyone in their family were heavy sleepers), door closing shut behind him. It amazed Atsumu how his brother does it all with practiced eased.
Spring evening was chilly, biting at his skin, nipping his nose. Good thing he thought of putting on his hoodie.
Together, the twins head out their house, bypassing their gate and turn, towards the (L/N) house next door where a figure waited.
Dressed in an oversized hoodie that stopped by your mid thighs, gazing up at the night sky in thought, in waiting.
"Yo, (Y/N)."
Lowering your head, (e/c) eyes widened slightly once realizing your best friend didn't come alone. At this, Atsumu raised a hand in greeting.
"Hey, (Y/N). Mind if I tag along?"
You shrug easily, standing to your full height. "Sure, why not."
Spring night was cool and crisp, biting almost – remnants from winter’s past.
Three teens walk along their quiet neighbourhood, cruising along houses for some few blocks until reaching a brightly lit establishment just next to the main road.
Upon entering the store, the cashier – a smiling, tired-looking woman, nods at Osamu and you, eyes shining in familiarity. A recurrence, it seems. Despite the wee hours of the night, the stillness of the silence, bright lights flooded the establishment with a multitude of goods lined up, budget meals prepped and ready, everything seemed liked a sight for any customer.
Following after Osamu, the two cruised through the aisles, his brother grabbing some chips and a seasonal onigiri, the twins nearly towering over. Reaching the end, he felt a chill, realizing he was by the frozen section, with you eyeing the selection with pursed lips.
"Aren't you full from all the food we ate earlier?" Atsumu laughs, standing next to you.
"Lest you forget, Osamu has a black hole for a stomach. I'm on my period, so I have cravings." Saying this, you stare at the selection of ice cream.
"How about curfew?" You were such a stickler for rules, this was so new to him.
Shrugging, you picked up strawberry and chocolate brownie. "Osamu and I sometimes pass off as adults. Plus, this neighborhood tends to be complacent when it comes to curfew."
He smirks. "So you're using that to your advantage, huh? Smart girl."
Your only reply was bumping your shoulder against his, putting the strawberry ice cream in his hands. Which he decidedly takes.
Over your meals, the three of you share laugh, meals, and talks. Unable to help himself, and taking a page from his mother, Atsumu takes a selfie to commemorate the moment, uploading instantly to his social media.
To any other bystander – or whoever sees Atsumu’s selfie, it was nothing more than a teenage hang out with your childhood friend and brother. Rather picturesque of perfect innocence, measured smiles, occasional banter highlighted only by the lights of the sleepy convenience store, saturated by the spring evening.
A moment that sent a lurch down each of your hearts at the knowledge that moments like these were numbered. Caught up in the moment, Atsumu desperately wished for time to freeze, wishing his life was always like this.
Nostalgia filled the night, between childhood friends – like that year of silence meant nothing. It was enough to choke Atsumu, bring him to tears with how much he's missed this. Memories from his past painted into his present with bright hues and ink, he wanted them to stay, etched on his skin - unready to have them washed away when the morning comings.
Late-night snacks ended up with the twins sneaking their game console to the (L/N)'s household, talks continue even as you three were playing video games until the wee hours of the morrow, filled with more talks that piled conversation over conversation, talking as though they had a clue – leaving you all breaking into fits of silly laughter.
Just as you landed second in Mario Kart, Osamu conked out first.
"I swear, he sleeps like a fucking log," Atsumu says, watching you carefully set Osamu's head on your lap, patting his head gently.
Smiling softly, you carefully take the blanket you snuck and tucked him in, and yourself, too. Atsumu stood to turn off the console and the TV, filling the room in darkness. However, the glow from the moon outside was enough to illuminate the living room.
"You'll be heading off to Hiroshima, right?" he whispers, reaffirming the question thrown to you earlier that day, you nod. "Wow,” sitting next to you, on the edge of the sofa, he settles in. “big step."
"I figured that I'd like to open my horizon, have a new pace."
Atsumu remembered the peaceful look on your face when they had their class excursion there, smiling at the memory and a bit on the history of the city.
"Like a fresh new beginning, huh?"
Nodding, eyes beginning to droop, Atsumu carefully brings your head to his chest, falling back. "Like you...you'll be off to Osaka...for MSBY Black Jack'ls" you slur. "Osamu's staying here..."
Humming, he brushes away hair from your face, listening to your voice against Osamu's snores.
"You seem t'be doin' fine," he almost laughs at how thick your Kansai was when you were on the brink of sleep. "'ve always been." Taking an inhale, through your exhale you say, "you don't need me, Atsumu, you never have." and then you slipped off to sleep.
How he envied the friendship you had with Osamu, the one thing that connected you both in the first place. Taking your left hand in his, fingers slotting together, scarred fingers touching against each other, he noses at your forehead, lips a hairsbreadth away from your skin.
“Oh, you have no idea just how wrong you are, (Y/N).” lips pressed the lightest kiss, the moon and the stars as his witness. “I’ll always need you.”
You must've heard him in your sleep, because you were smiling, adorably. It was the last sight he saw before Atsumu slipped off, as well. 
Dawn broke out slowly, as it always did in Hyogo, light streaming, searching almost for signs of life in the living room. With the sun slowly making its way up, light follows upwards, eventually finding three bodies knocked out in the living room - sleeping rather awkwardly with two boys sandwiching a girl, peaceful, lost in silence. Somewhat, it was a familiar sight.
Waking up to the smell of breakfast, Atsumu woke with a start, blinking wearily as he took in his surroundings. Right, he snuck out with Osamu and stayed over at the (L/N)’s.
Lifting his head, a ghost of a smile found its way on his face when a mop of (h/c) came to view, your hand still in his. Strands of hair littered your face, which he quickly swept away, causing you to stir.
"Good morning, sleepyheads!" a cheery voice greeted from the kitchen. "Hope you like pancakes!"
Fresh out of bed, with her hair in a messy bun with an apron on was Mika, she looked pretty, adorable even. Atsumu should've been happy by the sight of this, captivated even. But he felt nothing.
At the mention of pancakes, Osamu sleepily lifts his head, in alert, eyes still pinched close. Slowly, you rose from Atsumu’s chest, having used it as a pillow last night, rubbing at your eyes.
“Mornin’ (Y/N),” he laughs.
Blinking your eyes open, with the sight of Atsumu in front of you, between his legs, realizing your sleeping position from last night, instantly your face heated, darkened. “A-Atsumu! A-Ah…Um…G-Good morning…” folding his legs back, he did a stretch, Osamu slowly coming to beside you. “Did you sleep well? Does your neck hurt? Your back?”
Your concern was honestly adorable – like your morning self, it made his heart warm.
“No worries, I slept great!”
True to his word, the rest of the morning went swimmingly over heaps of pancake and another selfie.
“I fear you’ll be taking after your mother in that aspect.”
“Wow, selfie whore.”
“SHUT IT, ‘SAMU!”
After breakfast, the twins had to head back home, to greet their grandparents while you started packing. When lunch came, the twins were back – freshly changed and all. At the sight of them, your mom couldn’t help gushing that ‘it takes me back!’ to which your uncle laughed at heartily, welcoming the boys in before they both left for work.
“Oi, Kaoru what’re you doing?” Osamu asked, watching how as your brother stood on a dining chair he grabbed, pushed it against the wall as he reached up, tying something by the window.
Squinting, you asked. “Is…that a teru teru bozu?”
“Yep!” he smiled, letting the doll face outside, getting another balled-up doll from his pocket. “Nee-san’s birthday’s in a few days, don’t want it to rain then!”
“Kaoru, aren’t you a little too old for superstitions?”
“I’m only 13!”
“Yes, but there’s no scientific proof that they prevent rain from coming. Plus, it’s spring, it’s not so hot of a season for rain to fall.”
Miffed by your explanation, he turned, nearly toppling over had he not righted himself quickly. “You don’t know that, nee-san!” Kaoru hopped off the chair, pouting at you.
“Yeah, what the brother boy said!” Atsumu seconded.
“Better safe than sorry!”
You could only sip on your drink in reply, hiding the smile. Osamu gave you a funny look, amused.
“Plus, it has to be sunny on nee-san’s birthday! We’re going to-“ before Kaoru could finish, Mika appeared, slapping a hand on his mouth.
“Hey, how about I make us pasta for lunch?”
Instantly, Kaoru’s face brightened. “Yay, pasta!”
“By the way, (Y/N),” she calls to you. “Reiki’s coming over with the pizza you like that his friend makes, the spinach one and garlic shrimp?”
At the mention of the aforementioned pizzas, your lips quickly quirk up. It was so hard to find those specific flavors around Kobe, the last time you had them was probably before Mika left. Thankfully, Reiki, being the social butterfly that he was, knew a lot of people.
“Your boyfriend has my many thanks,”
Mika laughs, making you realize a little too late on the words that left your mouth. Sliding your eyes to Atsumu, you were surprised to find that he seemed relatively fine, cordial even.
When Reiki came with the pizzas later, pasta ready and waiting, you all feasted, but not before Atsumu insisted on a selfie with everyone.
“I swear, you’re turning to Ma and it’s scaring me,” Osamu tells his brother with a disgusted frown.
“Watch your mouth, ‘Samu that’s still our Ma!” Atsumu angrily bites off his pizza. “Is it so wrong to capture moments frozen in time!?”
“Wow, that was a rather poetic way of saying it,” you noted, nodding your thanks at Reiki would gave you two slices each of the pizzas.
“Come on now, let’s not fight!” Reiki says calmly, undeterred by the twins. “Let’s just eat, yeah?”
A long-distance relationship seemed to work fine for your sister and Reiki. Clearly, distance makes the heart fonder with how lovey-dovey they seemed. A peek over at Atsumu, and you’d half-expect him to go batshit crazy. But no. If anything, he seemed perfectly fine.
“Atsumu, do you have a minute?”
As Atsumu walked off with your sister, you could only watch, lips quirking into a smile. For some reason, you felt fine with that, too.
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It was probably when they first moved to Hyogo that Atsumu’s eyes fell to Mika, the ever-smiling, ever-kind oldest daughter. There were plenty of reasons to like her: she was pleasant, polite, pretty, smart, athletic, and kind. For years, Atsumu has always set her as his standard for his ideal woman, even assured himself that he was at her level (which shouldn’t be so hard, thanks to his genetics).
For the first time in the forever, he thought of finally confessing to her his feelings, that chance that he’s waiting for so long.
And yet, as the two enter the backyard, the door sliding shut behind him, Atsumu turns to Mika, with a question that’s been burning on to the back of his head for a while now.
"Why did you do it?"
"Huh?" Mika looks up in surprise, letting go of the door handle.
"Why'd you to talk to him?" Atsumu felt his patience running thin, anger building.
Mika's perfect face falls into confusion, exposing the cracks underneath. This was clearly not what she intended to talk about, but Atsumu didn’t care, he was leading this conversation now. Honestly, it feels like he’s finally seeing her for who she really is – for the first time, the rosy lenses he had of her were torn away.
Him, being their dad.
Pressing her lips together, a fist to her mouth, contemplating on her response. "...I just...I wanted..."
"A connection?" he finishes for her, an educated guess.
Mika nodded. "He's still my dad, you know? I just thought...I could get to know him..."
"And that hurt (Y/N) in the process," Atsumu threw out, rather impatiently, almost accusingly. "did you know that?"
Pain crosses over her face, bleeding through from her eyes down to the upturn of her lips, hands fisting on her chest.
"Maybe you wanted a relationship with him,” shaking his head, he thinks of you “but not (Y/N)." Of all his memories with you, one where he's caught your eyes on their dad, feeling his stomach twist at the longing in your eyes, hurt him the most. You may have had your uncle, but having your own father was a different thing. You told him that Mika was studying psychology, he couldn’t help but think how ironic that was.
"I'm not perfect, Atsumu."
Atsumu scoffed. "Don't I know that?"
He was an older sibling himself. Older by five minutes, he was still regarded as the oldest, has as much responsibility despite that minute difference.
"Older siblings aren't perfect," Mika says. "We make mistakes, we hurt people, even our siblings." She very clearly wanted to discuss something else, something that clearly wasn’t this. But now that Atsumu’s taken control, she felt herself lose rights.
"Did you tell him about our graduation?"
Mika fell silent, mouth pulled into a line.
That was enough of an answer.
Atsumu tried to imagine how the young you must have felt, the horrors you had to face, to witness, how your young, impressionable mind just paused and came to a screeching halt, to a horrible realization of how fucked up everything was now - he could only feel immeasurable pain, choking him. When that happened, did it also take away the life and spark in your eyes? The joy of life?
He loved his dad very much, his dad was one of the best men in his life who always encouraged him and Osamu to pursue their dreams, always at the frontline for them, and loved his whole family. Had he done what your dad did, he would also feel just as crushed. What he did was inexcusable – to you, to Mika, to your brother, to your mom. Scums like him didn't deserve a second chance.
"I can't believe you did that."
Without waiting for her to reply, Atsumu walked back inside the house, back to where his brother and you were.
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Late at night, you stare up at the ceiling, hugging ‘Inari’ – the fox plushie given to you by the trouble children – close to your chest. Mind filled with thoughts, just swimming over you.
Earlier, Atsumu had walked back in the house, the same worrying smile from a few days ago, eyes losing its usual luster. Yet, he assured you that it was nothing, ruffling your hair affectionately.
Mika then walked back in the house, all smiles – but even she had a weary looking smile. Before you could approach her, Reiki rushed to her side and the two scurried to the kitchen. Thankfully, Kaoru, hadn’t picked up on this, busy trying to beat his two nii-sans in Smash.
Shifting your head to the side, to where Mika’s bed was, your sister was dead to the world, deep in her slumber – peaceful and calm. Lifting yourself from your bed, covers dropping, ever so carefully you dropped your feet to the cold floor. Still hugging Inari, you walked away from your bed and to one of the boxes, staring at the contents – some books, stationary.
Bending down, you dig through, careful not to make a sound. From the box, you pulled out a wooden picture frame, hand painted blue, with sunflowers sticking on the top left, a few petals on the upper and lower. And in frame was the photo of the Inarizaki Volleyball Club. It was taken the moment everyone returned from Tokyo. Smiling fondly, fingers smoothed over the sunflowers, taking in everyone’s smiles.
At the center of the photo was you, sandwiched between Atsumu and Osamu, wearing wide grins. When your juniors handed you the frame, you were so sure you’d break out then and there. But it didn’t end there, because Coach Kurosu – tears spilling down his face, gave you his gift, too. Gently setting Inari down, frame sitting next to him, you plucked a small, thick, black cloth.
Sitting crossed legged, you opened it up, smiling at the familiar kanji of the club’s motto.
‘We Don’t Need Memories’
“Such a powerful statement,” you whisper into the silence.
Kita once shared that he wasn’t a fan of the motto – being a man brought by the small things, on how doing the minimum on a daily basis is already enough of an assurance for any needless worries. Yet, it fires him up when he’s up with his team mates.
Coach Kurosu also mentioned, overly fond of the motto, that nothing should ever hold you back from the challenges that life will hurl at you.
Smoothing over the smooth kanji characters, a wave of memories rushed over you – first stepping into the gym, applying as manager the same time the twins had their try-outs, introducing yourself as manager before the twins engulfed you into a hug, seeing Aran again, meeting Kita and the rest of your seniors, meeting Suna, Ginjima, and the rest of the team, being there when the twins got their jerseys, their first official match, making your way to nationals, the twins debuting their dyed hairs, the incident, Kita’s captaincy, him berating you for resigning and convincing you to stay, the painful and cold second year, walking out during preliminaries, breaking down in the club room, having to tell Atsumu he was chosen for the Youth Camp, meeting Sho-chan at nationals, resigning only to be brought back, arcades with the trouble children, sunflowers given by the juniors on your birthday, training in Asano and Yoshimichi, training the new recruits, warmer days in the club, nationals with with Sho-chan, smacking Atsumu in the face, the retirement and turning over, graduation – so many great memories, good and bad. They were definitely the time of your life, if not, the greatest. A chapter that’s come to a close, but filled with so many turning points.
Patting the banner affectionately, a single tear slips down your face, landing on the banner, what a deep tangent you’ve found yourself in.
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March 23, your birthday.
It fell on a Sunday, on a perfect sun shiny day, just as your family had expected.
On your birthday, it was decided that it would be spent at Sunflower Hill Park at Ono. Seeing as it was a special day, everyone had to dress their best – you included, being the birthday girl. Mika immediately busied herself prettying you up, even getting you to finally wear the dress that Kita had gifted you sometime back. It’s been gathering dust in the closet since he gave it, unsure on when to wear it.
“It’s just my birthday,” you grumbled, Mika immediately shushing you busily brushing your hair aside to work on your eyes, her face pinched into concentration.
“It’s not ‘just your birthday’, (Y/N).” she says, lighting brushing over your eyes. Setting down her eyeshadow palette, she picks up a blush set, instructing you to smile, exposing your dimples.
“19,” you say aloud, announcing to the world freely. “I’m at the peak of my adulthood.”
“You know, you’ve always been an adult all your life.” Mika teases, brush circling your dimples. “But that doesn’t mean you should be down on your birthday.”
“Studies show that it’s only natural to have birthday disappointments the older you get.” You rebuke, watching her frown cutely, setting her blush down, brandishing a mascara in her hand.
“And studies also show that you don’t always have to have that kind of mindset,” she rebukes back, twirling her mascara madly before taking out the wand. “Open your eyes and look up.”
Gulping, you do as she says, feeling the wand passing down your lashes.
“Birthday disappointments can also be stemmed from high expectations – either from childhood or from adolescence. And here’s the hard truth: you actually want to celebrate your birthday, but you just don’t know how to tell people.”
Capping her mascara, she instructs you to close your eyes, which you do, before you’re assaulted with a mist-like spray all over your face. When she tells you to open, you find yourself staring at yourself in the mirror – struck at the person staring back at you. Mika did a great job, highlighting your features, brightening your whole face, it was easy to see now the resemblance between you two.
“We’re not mind readers, (Y/N), we’re your family. And because we love you, we want to celebrate the day you came to bless our lives,” Mika smiles, smoothing your hair.
Helping you put on your dress, even lending you her sandals, she added some finishing touches like earrings and a sun brim hat.
“I look like those stereotypical animes shown in the summer.” You comment about your reflection in the mirror, to which Mika rolls her eyes at.
“Would you stop, you look beautiful!”
Taking her words with a grain of salt – seeing how pretty she was in her own dress, you smiled and the two of you walk out the room.
“Are you two done, now- Ah, how pretty!” coos your mother, pressing her hands to her mouth, eyes watering.
“Mom, you’re being dramatic-“
“My girls are so pretty! Especially the birthday girl!”
Beside you, Mika looks pleased with herself, especially at her work.
“Happy birthday, sweetie,” says your mom, taking your face in her hands, pressing a kiss on your forehead.
Swallowing down hard, fighting off tears that have strangely formed, you smile at her. “Thanks mom.”
“Alright, let’s go down now! Everyone’s waiting for us!”
Anxiety rose up, heart in your chest as you three descended the stairs, where you could hear people chatting about in the living room. Everyone was there – your uncle, Kaoru, Reiki, the Miyas, even the twins. It was Atsumu who saw you first, doing a double take, taking you in.
And then his mom squealed at the sight of you. “Ah!!!!! (Y/N)-chan, you look so pretty!” everyone turns to you, much to your horror. “Happy birthday, sweet girl!” she says.
“…thank you, Auntie.” Your voice was quiet, raspy.
Being the center of attention, everyone’s smiles on you was unnerving.
Self-consciously, you duck under their gazes, face burning.
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To your surprise, your family had long planned this together with the Miyas. What made it extra special was the fact that it was just days after the three of you graduated and of Mika’s return. An outing of two families, in a field of little suns spread across the field.
At the sight of tall, bright yellow and brown flowers, your eyes sparkled in child-like wonder. Sensing your excitement, Mika, with her uncle’s camera slung around her neck, hooked her arm around yours, giggling and pulling you further in the park, leaving Atsumu and the rest to follow after.
The adults were discussing amongst themselves, discussing where they should set up, Reiki happily stuck around them, ever ready to help around, while Kaoru was running off to join his sisters. Alone with his brother, Osamu elbows him.
"Is something wrong with you and Mika-nee?" Osamu asks him, feeling the breeze against his skin.
On the way to Ono, with the twins, you, Mika, and Reiki, in Reiki’s car, there was a noticeable avoidance between Atsumu and Mika. However, the two easily played it off. Mika was busy chatting up with her boyfriend, Atsumu looked over your shoulder, as you answered birthday greetings.
Even way before that, the two of them were masterful in their way of seeming fine, but when they interacted, it felt rather stiff.
Sighing, Atsumu’s eyes found Kaoru, who was giggling as Mika was getting you to pose in front of flowers, you, clearly embarrassed, tried to talk your way out of it.
"I confronted her about their dad," Atsumu grumbles, hands in his pocket. Eventually, you caved in your sister’s whims, posing demurely, before Kaoru cheered you to try other poses.
Osamu's eyes widened. "Are you an idiot!? Why would you-"
"Did you know that she also told him about our graduation?"
Osamu stopped at that, at its implication, their eyes going to the older (L/N) sister, showing the photos to you.
"Damn."
"I know. Pretty shitty of her."
"Wow, 'Tsumu badmouthing Mika-nee, that's new."
Scoffing, he lifted his head to meet his brother’s. "What the fuck does that mean?"
Shrugging easily, Osamu explains, as their parents walk southward into the park, where an open area for picnic was. "Almost a year ago, you were nothing but praises for her, wouldn’t shut up about her on and on and on.” Breathing out a laugh, he shakes his head when he adds. “Heck, even if she farted you'd think it was cute."
Atsumu's face wrinkles, cringes. "That was before."
“Still,” walking ahead, he stares his brother down, feeling a chill run down his spine. “you never let us forget. Never let (Y/N) forget that.”
Up ahead, the (L/N) siblings were soon joined by Reiki, who took the camera from Mika, opting to take photos of the siblings. (Y/N), who was sandwiched between her older and younger sibling, all smiles for the camera.
“A year ago, it was as though your mission was to make (Y/N) feel so shitty about yourself, all because of your stupid little crush. It took her finally deciding to leave for you to snap out of it.”
Swallowing thickly, Atsumu vaguely remembered that moment of panic, like something had clawed into his chest. Immediately, he feels a sense of shame – for everything he had done to you.
"'Tsumu, you realize that you never said you're sorry to (Y/N), right?"
The hardest pill to swallow was realizing that despite the year he’s had, devoted to making up to you, it just wasn’t enough. Actions may speak louder than words, but just saying those words were just as important. Especially because it was worth noting that, sometimes, Atsumu’s actions can be contradicting to his words and may confuse you. You, who’s suffered quietly all this time, who forced themselves to power through, who unselfishly put others before yourself.
“I’m way past that now,” determination was thick in his tone, strong in his words.
Osamu felt proud to see it, loved to see it. They were nearing their parents – who finally found a nice picnic spot, just right next to the playground hustle.
"Didn't you say that Mika-nee was your one true love?" he couldn’t help but say, egging on his brother, never letting him down on his fuck up.
Osamu nearly fell back as Atsumu tackled him, slapping a hand to his mouth, lest anyone heard it. "KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT, SHITTY 'SAMU!"
"Wasn't she though!?"
"I was a kid!" he reasoned out. "I didn't know shit!"
"Clearly still don't now!" Osamu yelled slapping his brother's hand away from his face.
"FUCK YOU!"
"Now, now, Atsumu, Osamu, no fighting on (Y/N)'s special day!" calls their dad, hands on his hips. Beside him was their mom, smiling as she took photos of the sunflowers all around them.
"Oh, oh, oh, sweetie, let's take a photo with the birthday girl!" hooking her arm around her husband's she didn't give him time to back out before dragging him with her, smiling sweetly at her sons. "And no fighting, Atsumu, Osamu, it's a special day!"
Speaking of special day, Atsumu’s eyes turned to the fields, where you were – feeling his heart settle at your familiar frame, your gentle expression as you gazed at the vibrant yellow sunflowers. He remembered that field trip when they were younger, remembered where your eyes were staring, dug through the display when no one was looking and snuck it in his bag, feeling giddy all over, remembered the smile that came to your face.
It was brighter than any of the sunflowers.
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Under the clear blue skies, the sun was shining bright, smiling down on everyone – especially a particular group down at Ono Sunflower Hill Park, circling a girl dressed in white, balloons in hands, all wearing smiles as they sang to greet her.
Their singing echoed out in the field, the wind carrying on their love for the girl in the middle, the girl whose heart was just filled with love with everyone around her.
A simple white cake, decorated in the same flowers that surrounded them was presented to her, and a single candle stood alit, waiting.
When the singing dwindled down, the girl stared at her cake, closed her eyes, and then blew.
She was now 19.
What a lovely day to be loved, feel loved, and be celebrated by love.
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Emboldened by his talk with Osamu, brought also by epiphany, Atsumu finds himself carefully approaching Mika.
“Mika-nee, can we talk?”
Reiki, having sensed the mood, excused himself, but not before kissing his girlfriend on the forehead and taking Kaoru with him away from the playground.
Squirming under his gaze, remembering his blow-up on her days before, she fixes him a pleading look. "Atsumu, look, I don't want to fight with you-"
"I'm not sorry for blowing up on you like that, Mika-nee.” He starts, meaning every word. “But I am sorry for intruding into your family business. I just care for (Y/N), she's..." he swallows thickly. "she's been through so much."
Mika’s expression softens, eyes shining. "You really care a great deal about (Y/N), huh?"
“Always have, always will.”
“I’m glad.”
Mika smiles sweetly at him, fiddling with her hands. “It’s just…he’s still my dad, what he did was unforgivable, but the idea of reconnecting with him,” she sniffles, wiping a tear. “how could I not? And then I thought, that maybe (Y/N) would be on board with the idea…” she shakes her head, laughing incredulously. “Clearly, I forgot that I can’t force it on her, can’t fix the trauma he did.” Her face pinches, pained and regret.
The old Atsumu would have rushed and comforted her, assured her that she did great. Emphasis on the old, the Atsumu now just stared, letting her wallow on her mistake.
Covering her face, she groaned into it, before fixing herself up, slapping her cheeks together. “Wooh! How embarrassing of me! Looks like I’ve got a long way to go!” she laughs. Atsumu can’t help but laugh with her.
Even now, her ability to smile through the pain, shoulder her burdens, amazes him. There was a reason he admired this young woman before him, but seeing her open up to her flaws made him admire her even more.
And then he felt it, the urge, something clawing at his chest, words that needed to be said.
“Mika-nee, actually,” the older girl looks up at him, waits patiently. “I…I like you.” Back when he was younger, he had envisioned the perfect confession – something almost like this, with the sun setting behind them, painting them in the afterglow. That was one of his two options for confessing, the other being in the letter he poured his heart in, with your help. “I liked you, Mika-nee.”
It feels freeing to finally say that, to let the person know how much they meant to them. Even if it were no longer the case.
She smiles, sweetly again. “I know.”
Atsumu looks up at her, surprised. Mika’s smile remains.
“E-Eh?”
“I received your letter,” his eyes widen, confusion crawling over. “(Y/N) snuck it into my things before I left for the Netherlands.”
You did that for him? You.
Looking back, his eyes could only widen, realizing that it had been during the incident. Atsumu is assaulted with guilt all over again, brought by your unselfishness, just unsure with what he could say.
“I always thought that it would be the two of you, you know? You three were thick as thieves, enough to rival the three musketeers. But you and (Y/N)? I always felt like there was a great bond between you two.”
“N-Nee-san…actually…I-“ Everything he did to you in the year following the incident came to mind, his self-hate rising, Mika deserved to know.
Instead, she gently shakes her head. “It’s not me you should be telling that to, Atsumu. It’s (Y/N).” taking his arm in her hand, she cups his chin, (e/c) eyes meeting his honey browns, smiling and squeezing on to him arm encouragingly. “Go.”
Coming to, he nods and quickly starts running. Before fully leaving the playground, Mika calls him. “Oh, and Atsumu? Thank you so much for your feelings!”
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“Osamu,”
“Hm?”
“Remember when you told me about your first love?”
“…yeah.” He sighs, heavily. “The umeboshi to my onigiri.”
“That’s a funny analogy,” with your arm over his, you leaned against his shoulder as the two of you walked along the pat. “but very fitting for someone you love.”
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it off. What’s yours?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” you look to the field.
“Ah, yes.” Osamu nods, following your gaze. “Sunflowers.”
Leaning against his arm, you murmur. “…he’s my sunflower, Osamu.”
Osamu doesn’t say anything for a while, watching how Kaoru and Reiki raced beside them. Two people missing from their group. “I know he is.”
“And you’re my chicken noodle soup.”
He snorts, looking down at you. “Why?”
“It’s my comfort food, remember? Also, you’re my best friend. You should feel honored.”
“Strange analogy you got there.” He waves at his grandparents, enjoying themselves watch the children play in the fountains.
“Not as strange as your umeboshi and onigiri,” you remind him, teasingly.
Rolling his eyes at that, he can’t deny the gentleness of your voice, its weight and wistfulness.
“Thanks for being my best friend, Osamu.”
Patting his hand over yours, he replies. “Always.”
Breaking away, you smile gratefully at him. He lets you walk off from him, taking a new path.
“Stop sounding like you’re about to die, (Y/N). S’not funny.”
Laughing, you could only tuck your hands behind you. “I’m just feeling nostalgic!”
“Where’re you going?”
“For a walk!”
“Geez, aren’t you tired of walking?”
“Nope,” and you walk further in the new path, Osamu watches you go, but doesn’t follow.
With all his heart, he wishes, for your birthday, all the best for you. Keeping his eyes on white, it slowly shrinks as you walk further and further, away and away, until you were out of sight.
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Huffing and puffing, he looked around wildly, searching for (h/c) in a white dress. Atsumu almost cursed at how big of an area the park was, felt pathetic that he was winded out after some runs – he was a fucking athlete, god damn it! About to join a pro-fucking-league-
"Are you looking for someone?" a voice asked him, turning, Atsumu nearly sagged in relief when he found who he was looking for.
You.
"You," he says breathlessly, lips stretched into a wide smile.
Your face scrunched into a light frown, wondering, before producing a handkerchief in your hands, patting his sweaty face. “Have you been running around the park?”
“Nah, just now.” Your frown softens a bit. “Like I said, I was looking for you.”
Tilting your head to the side, confused, you asked. “Why?”
Atsumu opened his mouth, only to stop, realization getting the best of him. Shiiiiiiit.
Suddenly shy, he laughed it off, nervously, uncaring that people were looking at him funny. Concerned washed over your features, which warmed him from the inside, especially with you looking at him all pretty like that. But heck, even without the makeup, you were something else.
“Come on,” you opened a hand to him, an invitation.
Atsumu stared at it, at the scar on your middle finger. Placing his in yours, his larger hand over yours, the two of you began to walk hand-in-hand. You took him by the fields, deep in, as though to hide you amongst the flowers, to be one with them, to a secret place for you both.
For all his life, he couldn’t imagine having to miss out on the feeling, like everything he’s known his whole life is nothing compared to the bright, vibrant yellows and browns around him, in the girl dressed in white, leading him through. And he let you.
How is it that he’s never noticed? Why had he never thought of seeing you? It feels as though he’s led a life blind.
With a tug, the two of you exit the field and into a clearing, all Atsumu can focus on was your smile.
“I’ve always wanted to do that,” you laugh, walking a few steps to the path. “walking across a sunflower field, I mean.”
Atsumu can’t keep his eyes off your smile, even as the both of you sit on the grass, facing the famed 'Sunflower Tower' made of Mikage granite.
The two of you found yourselves in your little hideaway, with nothing but the sky, the sun, the flowers, and the tower, and of course, each other.
“Sounds like something fresh outta a fairy tale,”
Nodding, you fold your legs, drawing your knees near. “Sunflowers are quite tall, after all. Tall and tough flowers.”
“Like me?”
Laughing, your turn to him, staring at him for a while. “Maybe. Especially with your blond dye.”
At the mention of his hair, he runs a hand through it. “…I’m, uh, thinking of keeping it.”
“You should,” your eyes follow his hands carding through his hair, dark roots slowly showing through. “it’ll be your signature look.”
Running a hand through the back of his hair, he fists them there, unable to look away from you.
You.
Amazing, smart, patient, kind, selfless, beautiful you.
“(Y/N)…” your name came easy through his mouth.
Tilting your head, letting strands of hair slip off your shoulders, you parrot back, “Atsumu…”
Just when did everything seem to feel different between you two? And just how long had he missed the way you look bathed in the sunlight?
Fidgeting a little, Atsumu could feel his strength leave him, being at the receiving end of your gaze. However, looking up, he also draws strength from them.
“I, uh, I kept them,” at your frowned confusion, he shyly – oh so quietly, adds, “your letters.”
Immediately, your face burns, feeling goosebumps run all over your spine. “Ugh,” slapping your hands over your eyes, you wish you could also slap the cringe away. “why.”
Atsumu smiles, despite your apparent horror, shrugging easily.
“It’s a reminder, I guess. A reminder that someone actually liked me. Genuinely and truly. Thought of me. Appreciated me. Written and practically poured her heart out in paper, when it’s the fucking twenty first century. Living proof that someone did that for me, but I was the asshole who humiliated her for something so genuine and heartfelt.”
You would’ve argued then and there, having seen the many love letters he and his brother received from his fan club over the years. And yet, the only one he recognizes are yours.
“Atsumu,” words were failing you, so you just sighed. “that’s behind us now.”
But the look on his face wouldn’t go away, eyes darkening – a dangerous storm brewing, festering.
"You can't return my feelings,” you say kindly. “that's not your fault neither is it your problem."
"Y-Yeah, but I could at least try to-"
"Atsumu, stop. Just, stop.” Turning to him, you take his hand in yours – the one with a scar, fingers rubbing comfortingly. “Please.” You’ve thought about it for a while, a long while, it needed to be said. “I'm not going to force you to like me back, it's not right and it's just wrong. Just because I liked you doesn't mean you're obligated to return my feelings when you clearly don't like me like that. That's that."
"B-But-"
"Besides, I've already accepted it – that my feelings can't reach you." swallowing down it all - the heartache and pain, you lifted your gaze and offered a smile. "If all you're worried about is me forgiving you, rest assured that I have."
"But I don't deserve your forgiveness!" he all but screams, shocking you, his eyes were wet and filled with so much remorse, pain, helplessness, and regret. "I've been an ass to you, (Y/N)! I hurt you while you were already hurting," he remembered having to listen to your cries, muffled behind your hands, the forced smiles, the pained look in your eyes, your back turned to him, his panic of not being able to find you during practice. The realization of the distance between both of you because of him. "I walked around you even though you were breaking from the inside. I might as well be worse than your deadbeat, asshole of a father because I wasn't there for you. I hurt you just as he did! I failed you! I-I-"
A gentle hand touched his elbow, shaking him, he looks up, meeting your kind (e/c) gaze. And that smile, that same kind smile that stretched to your eyes, reflecting an oh so loving gaze he knew he didn't deserve. Even without saying a word, you understood everything he wanted to say, all the sorries that's been resting on his tongue, heavy with the weight of his sins, of the burdens of hurting you, of the love he's had and continue to have for you.
He didn't deserve you.
You didn't deserve him.
But you both loved each other just as much.
"(Y-Y/N)," his voice was barely a whisper, wet and croaking. "I'm so sorry...!"
Enveloping you into a hug, he cries into your shoulder, repeatedly saying “I’m sorry” over and over again.
And you just hold him, caressing his head with your other hand.
“I’ll always love you, Atsumu,” your confession just tore at him, tears leaking more. “you will always be my first love, and that will never change.”
Atsumu hugs you tighter, cries harder. “I love you, too.”
When you let go, there was a smile on your face – a radiant, bright, reflected in your eyes that it brightened up your whole face. Like a sunflower greeting the sun, Atsumu found himself smiling, too. Released from the embrace, in his eyes, he feels his heart fill with a bittersweet sense of warmth and twinge.
Despite it all, it still felt good. It felt really good. Talking to you, settling things with you, loving you – it felt right.
Certain people come into our lives whether we like it or not, and you were no exception.
Sadly, just because you came into their life doesn’t automatically guarantee that they’ll stay with you forever. You can only have them for a time.
One of them may end up as your first love, but it's not guaranteed that they will be your last. They'll be just that - your first love, the first person you offered your heart to, but not the person who gets to keep it.
You were his forever person, the first love he realized too late.
end.
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seungmoroll · 3 years
Text
Fractures | Mark Tuan
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Word count: 1.3k
Genre: angst, fluff
Request: “Y/n didnt tell mark that she was sick/ injured as it was comeback season, until he found out unexpectedly. A fight broke out.”
A/n: this is set during last piece era. I hope all you guys enjoy this!
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        If anyone were to ask you if you were ignoring Mark, you’d simply say no, but rather you were occupying your time with non-Mark related things. Plus, you didn’t want to distract Mark during this time as it was the last GOT7 comeback as GOT7 under JYP. You knew that this was special to Mark, to all of the guys. The last thing he needed was for you to bother him. Even if it meant you had to hold back some information from him.
        Sometime before the comeback, while Mark was busy preparing for it, you had a minor accident that resulted in you fracturing your wrist. You chose to not tell Mark about it, knowing that he would’ve made a big deal about it, and taken his time to take care of you. You knew he didn’t have time for him to take care of you with the comeback and all. However, the last thing you expected was for Mark to barge into your apartment late at night.
        “Mark? What’re you doing here?”
        Gently grabbing your fractured wrist, he asks you, “When were you planning on telling me about this?”
        “After the comeback?” you say innocently. Wanting to change the topic, you question, “How’d you find out anyways?”
        “Youngjae.” Internally you curse Youngjae. You thought you could trust him with this information.
        “Please don’t make a big deal about this. It’s just a fractured wrist.” Although you were happy to see Mark after such a long time, you didn’t necessarily like that fact that he was acting this way towards you.
        “Yeah, a fractured wrist that could get worse if you put too much strain on it. I know you Y/n, you don’t like it when others do things for you, so I know you’ve been doing everything by yourself as if it’s just a normal day, but it’s not. You should’ve told me, so I could’ve been here to take care of you.”
        Pressing a palm against Mark’s chest, signaling for him to stop talking, you go on to say, “First of all, I didn’t tell you because you were too busy with the comeback and I know how much this means to you; and second of all, don’t talk to me as if I’m a child Mark. I can take care of myself.”
        Scoffing, Mark responds, “Obviously not if you’ve managed to fracture your wrist doing such a simple task.”
        “Oh my gosh,” wanting to get away from Mark, you leave the room with Mark following your trail. “Don’t walk away from me Y/n. We’re not done talking.”
        “Well I am,” you say, slamming you bedroom door in Mark’s face.
        Knowing you well enough, Mark doesn’t try to get you to open the door. He knows that the two of you just needed some down to calm down. Retreating from the door, Mark decides to leave and go to the dance studio, thinking that dancing could distract him from his frustrations.
        From the other side of the door, you slowly sink down to the ground, listening to the door slam. You knew that Mark was being irrational, but only because you knew that he cared so much about you and didn’t like the thought of you being hurt.  Neither of you said it, but you knew Mark’s behavior was because he blamed himself for not being able to take care of you.
        Even prior to this comeback, you and Mark had rarely spent time with each other. Of course the time spent apart put a strain on your relationship, so the message was very clear that Mark’s anger was not about your fractured wrist, but about your fractured relationship. And like Mark said, things could get worse if you put too much strain on it.
        Deciding to be the bigger person, you grab your phone and send Mark a text, “Please come back.”
        20 minutes later you hear knocking at your door. Opening up the door, you are met with the sight of Mark with a sadden look on his face. Speaking at the same time, the two of you say, “I’m sorry.”
        Stepping aside to let Mark in, the two of you sit down on your couch to talk. Before you could say your thoughts, Mark speaks up, “Before you say anything, I want to speak first.”
        Gently grabbing your hand, Mark begins to say, “What happened earlier was blown out of proportion. I was too much; I shouldn’t have spoken that way to you. I’m afraid to admit this, but this comeback has taken a toll on me and I was throwing all my emotions at you. I’m sorry.”
        “Mark,” you call out to him, making him look you in the eyes, “It’s okay. I know that things have been rough for you. That’s why I didn’t think it was necessary to talk about my wrist, but you and I both know that this was much more than about my wrist and this comeback. This is about our relationship.”
        Sighing, Mark runs a hand over his tired face, “I know. It’s just that we’ve been so distant lately, and I just miss you. I miss your voice; I miss seeing your face; I miss you.”
        “I miss you too, Mark, but you could’ve just talked to me. I know you don’t like talking about your feelings like this, but you know I would never judge you.”
        “I just thought that once this comeback was over that we could go back to the way things were before. I’m going to have more free time after this, so we’ll be able to spend time with each other more, but I realize now that I shouldn’t have waited. I should’ve just came to you.” Listening to Mark explain everything to you made your heart ache. This moment of time was one of the hardest for Mark and you realize now that instead of ignoring him, you should’ve been there for him.
        “Oh sweetheart, I’m sorry that I haven’t been there for you. I haven’t really been supportive recently, but I just want you to know that, I’m proud of what you’ve done up to this point, and that I’ll support you every step of the way afterwards.”
        Bringing your hand up to his lips, Mark plants a kiss on the back of your hand, “You know I love you, right?”
        “Of course I do, and I love you too.”
        Once the two of you have fully made up, you guys decide to order take out and watch some Disney movies.
        “Don’t you have to go back to the company?” you ask Mark as you snuggle closer into his chest, waiting for your food to arrive.
        “Nah, I told them I wasn’t coming back tonight.” Slightly pulling away from him, you look up at him, “Oh, so you just knew we were going to make up and that you were going to be staying over?”
        “I had a feeling.” Mark says before he presses a kiss on your temple. Gently grabbing your injury, Mark plants a kiss on your wrist.
        “What was that for?” you ask him.
        “I heard kisses made booboos feel better.”
        Feeling playful, you say to him, “Well, if that’s the kiss, I think I have a boohoo on my lips.”
        “Oh? Do you now? Then let me do something for you.” Shutting your eyes, you wait for Mark to plant a kiss on your lips, but when you feel his lips land on the corner of your mouth, you smack Mark on the chest with a big pout on your face. “I think you missed.”
        “Did I now? Here, let me try again.”
        This time, when Mark does plant a kiss on your lips, a smile forms on your face, “Better. Though I think you still need to work on your aim. Why don’t you try again?”
        As the two of you lean in for another kiss, someone begins to knock on your door. Swiftly, Mark removes himself from underneath you, “Food’s here.” Internally, you curse the delivery man and decide that once Mark returns he owed you more kisses, to make up for all the kisses you missed.
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nctsjiho · 3 years
Text
Explode
warnings: there’s 2 swear words in there and it’s a bit angsty this one
❀ There’s some unexplained tension between the 6 youngest members of Dream and JiHo
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A bunch of testosterone and very strong-willed men was a recipe for occasional conflicts. Getting into fights with your friends was never fun. It was even worse when that friend was someone you had to work with, live with and see everyday. It happened from time to time that the boys butted heads, but usually it was a very dumb and small problem which got resolved before the end of the day. (Often because other members got involved to tell them their problem was just dumb and nothing worth fighting over.)
This time however seemed like a very different situation. It wasn’t a small fight between the two youngest members about a dance move. It also wasn’t someone who was jealous of another member because they forgot about hangout plans to chill with someone else. No this time seemed a lot more serious. The older boys watched as the room filled with tension. JiHo had just walked in, not even saying as much as a hi or giving a smile. It wasn’t like her and before anyone had to ask anything they sensed the second source of the tension. The 6 youngest Dream members were all sitting together, blank to annoyed facial expressions and most uncharacteristically, not even one of them was talking.
The older boys were all exchanging questioning looks, but it was evident that no one knew what was going on. They even looked at Mark, hoping that if anyone, he’d be the one to know what was going on since he was a member of Dream after all, but alas. He seemed the most dumbfounded of them all.
Taeyong was about to speak up, but before he could one of their managers walked in, ready to brief them on their upcoming schedules.
Once the meeting was over everyone made their way over to the biggest practise room. JiHo had settled on the couch next to Kun and Yangyang, quickly putting her airpods in her ears, a clear sign she didn’t want to engage in any conversation. Since JiHo wasn’t going to talk the older boys thought that they could try prying some information out of the Dreamies. Not wanting to step on anyone’s toes though, they all agreed that Mark should talk to the boys.
He carefully approached the boys who had been talking amongst themselves and sat down in between Jisung and Jaemin. They made some small talk before Mark carefully brought up the subject. “So, did something perhaps happen? With- you know? With-...” Haechan scoffed, trying his hardest not to roll his eyes before standing up and turning to his backpack to find his bottle of water. Mark tried making eye contact with Jisung and Renjun who avoided it as if their lives depended on it. The other 3 boys just shrugged when Mark looked at them with Jeno starting to play with the strings of his hoodie.
Mark stood up defeated and went to report his lack of information to Taeyong. They decided to leave it at that for a little since neither party was going to talk and they still had a long day to go. Imagine what it would be like if their petty stare down evolved into a huge fight.
It had neared 3 pm. The members had been practising for about 2 and a half hours before they got their break. JiHo had seemed to become a lot less tense but Taeyong decided not to act on it yet. He had recruited Lucas, Johnny, Taeil and Hendery to come with him to the convenience store and grab snacks and drinks for everyone with the hopes that it would brighten up the mood and give everyone some more energy for the coming hours of practise.
What he didn’t expect was that on his arrival back at the practise room, a whole bomb would have exploded. Accusations were thrown around, and glares were being sent out. Yuta and Jaehyun were holding JiHo back while Kun, Ten, Mark and Yangyang stood by the Dreamies, Doyoung standing in the middle like some kind of referee. The other members standing off to the side, not wanting to intervene.
You’d might ask why 2 men had to hold a tiny girl back. Well Taeyong was confused as well, until he walked closer to see the deadly stares of the girl. He wondered how the younger boys hadn’t given up on yelling yet, one of those looks in Taeyong’s direction and he’d apologise straight away, even if it wasn’t his fault. JiHo was unarguably the scariest when angry, but the Dreamies were notorious for being stubborn and talkative, not backing down in the slightest.
“-if she would stop talking behind people’s backs!” Renjun had yelled. The boys who just walked in didn’t have a clue about what already had been said prior or what had ticked them off to start fighting right then and there, but their main goal now was to resolve the problem. “Oh what would you know?” JiHo scoffed, but Doyoung came to interject. “What did she say then?” “Why don’t you ask her!” Haechan argued causing Doyoung to groan. “I asked you didn’t I?” “I don’t even know what I did to get you guys so pissed of at me.” The girl was calm. Eerily calm and it send shivers down Jaehyun and Yuta’s spines who were standing next to her.
“Sure you don’t!” Haechan chuckled, not that he found it funny, he just couldn’t believe JiHo was feigning innocence right now. She rolled her eyes before turning around and walking over to the couch in the back of the room. She plopped down on it and pushed her head back against the back of the couch, her hands coming up to slowly massage her temples.
“Can someone explain-” “How dare you call Jisung a fake maknae and talk bad about him behind his back?” Jaemin had finally spoken up, his voice low. This comment shocked everyone. No way JiHo did something like that right? But before they could say anything Haechan fired another comment. “And say how Mark shouldn’t be in Dream anymore, because you’re just jealous that you’re not in Dream with us.” “Yeah! It’s not our fault you’re not getting any songs-” “What the fuck did you just say? I dare you to finish that sentence Renjun.” JiHo stood up from her seat, malice lacing her every single word.
“Wow wow wow- Guys I can’t imagine JiHo saying anything like that. It must be a misunderstanding-” Doyoung said before he once again got interrupted by the Dream members. “It’s true! We heard her say it!” Jisung said, his voice starting to crack as tears brimmed in his eyes. “JiHo?” Doyoung looked at her with hopeful eyes. “Please let this be a misunderstanding.” He thought. “Is it my fault that I didn’t get any songs to promote then?” JiHo asked, looking at Renjun, completely ignoring the question.
“Is that what’s important right now?! Jisung is crying for goodness sake! And it’s all-” Chenle started yelling but Mark silenced him. “Why would I argue about something that isn’t true?” The girl said in almost a whisper before turning towards Renjun again. “So? Is it my fault? Jaemin here gets to perform Work It with Jisung, Haechan and Jeno have 90s Love and Haechan sings From Home with you and Chenle. You guys also have Déjà Vu. Yes, maybe I’m not as great of a signer as you, or as great as a dancer as Jisung, or as great as a rapper as Mark. Maybe it’s because I’m a girl. Maybe it’s because I shouldn’t have been in NCT in the first place. But is it my fault?” Her voice was so steady and calm, causing everyone in the room to become quiet.
They all stood there for a minute, before a sob leaves Jisung’s lips. Everyone turns to look at him, but JiHo turns to grab her phone and bag planning to leave. “JiHo, wait-” “I never. ever! Said anything like that about Jisung. What you probably heard was me telling Johnny how I’m feel like the fake maknae of NCT 127. How I felt like I, NCT 127′s maknae, am just a silly excuse for an idol, and how I took Haechan’s place, while he’s 100 times a better fit for the role than I am. Oh! And that about Mark, I never said he shouldn’t come back to Dream. I was talking about how worried I was for him to join another unit because he already is in almost all of them plus SuperM. I was talking about the unit Lee Soo Man has been planning for 2021. Who would I be to tell him what to do and not to do? And yes maybe I’m jealous of you guys, but I’m not the kind of person to go behind someone’s back and talk shit. But if that’s what you think of me please go ahead.” JiHo said before putting her belongings in her bag. “Also Jisung? Thanks for trusting in Haechan so much, saying that you all ‘heard me say it’ when it was only Haechan there eavesdropping on my conversation with Johnny. I’m really happy that knowing you for all these years has build this much trust between us.” She scoffed sarcastically.
As JiHo walked out of the room she got stopped by Taeyong. “JiHo, we still have practise-” “What’s there for me to practise? I’m not in any songs anyway.” She pushed herself through the boys at the doorway before making her way to the dorm, supposedly.
With JiHo gone the boys had looked over to Johnny who sighed deeply. “I don’t wanna say it, but you guys really messed up. Everything she said was true. She was only talking about herself, she never mentioned Jisung, besides when she said she was proud of him.” The comment had sent all the Dream members over the edge, their actions finally sinking in and the severity of their accusations very clear now.
They had never meant to be so hostile towards the girl, but when they thought she had been talking badly behind their backs about one of their members, and definitely since they thought it was about Jisung, they couldn’t help but get furious. They had such a close bond and felt protective over each other. Jisung had taken the news of JiHo badmouthing him very poorly and that sparked protectiveness over the youngest from the other members. But now that they found out about what was actually said they all felt sick to their stomachs. How could they have said such awful words to her when she was already talking badly about herself? And out of all member Haechan felt the worst. How was he ever going to make things right again? What were the consequences for his actions? And how bad were they going to be?
---
Part 2
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hyunjilicious · 4 years
Text
that night [harry styles]
A best friends to something else type of story. Exactly 7.8k (literally 7800 words which is scary) and you know I can’t write that much without SMUT. This takes place during a sleepover at the end of quarantine! Maybe tell me what you thought? :) (I promise I’ll edit this soon!)
-
“Show me yer phone, love” Harry groaned, sending you the coldest of death stares. The night started off as usual, you two just watching some old documentaries, paying more or less attention to them as you mostly just sat and talked. Things took a turn when your phone started blowing up with messages. Being the kind of person who always replies in an instant, suspicions arose when you decided to completely ignore the texts. Although Harry never violated your privacy and never pushed you for answers you didn’t want to give, when you started laughing and got nervous about whoever it was that kept texting you, he figured it would be worth it to push your buttons.
“I said no” you repeated yourself, standing up from the couch. There were two main reasons you didn’t want to talk about the person texting you, and these 2 reasons were also probably the only two things in the world you wouldn’t want to discuss with him.
“Why no’?” he asked offended, following you into the kitchen, like a small child begging his parents to let him have his way, “What can be tha’ bad? I wouldn’t have asked any questions if yeh hadn’t been so off about it from the start”
You turned and looked at him dead in the eye, contemplating what to say next. He beat you to it.
“Is it a guy? Have you been seein’ someone?” Harry asked as he walked over to you, completely ignoring your personal space. “Is tha’ it? I don’t wanna read yeh texts, just tell me yes or no, and I’ll drop it. Promise”
You took a deep breath. “Yes, it’s a guy” you said calmly, “But we’re not seeing each other”
“Then why does he keep texting yeh like crazy?”
“Crazy…” you sighed, tapping your chin, “Good description”
“Come on, Y/n” Harry whined, tapping your shoulder as he walked past you and towards the refrigerator, “Just tell me, I’m really curious, crazy how?”
“Promise you’re not gonna freak out?” you laughed, grabbing whatever he was pulling out of the fridge and handing to you. You stopped paying attention after three cups of pudding and one bottle of wine.
“When have I ever freaked out?” he joked, mocking himself. He was usually a calm person, more composed than anyone you’ve ever met, and he less than rarely got angry. And from those times when he did lose his temper, 90% of cases were mild and he was still calmer than anyone else in that kind of situation, but that 10% left was pure terror. When his friends told you years ago that nothing’s scarier than Harry when he was truly mad, you didn’t quite believe them. You had to see for yourself to accept it. It only happened a few times in almost 5 years, but you always still did everything you could to keep him from going off again.
“Ok, so” you started speaking as you rummaged around your kitchen for bowls and glasses, “His name is Marcus and we actually met on Tinder-”
“Wait a second” he cut you off, “During the lock down?”
“Oh, no. It happened before all of this madness. Around january, I think”
It was obvious he was already bothered by how this conversation started, but he did his best to control himself so you wouldn’t decide to drop it. “Pretty serious, then, huh?” he said eventually.
“Literally the opposite” you laughed, pouring the pudding into the bowl, “We saw each other once-” and it hurt you to say the following part but you did it nonetheless, “hooked up, and didn’t talk since”
Pure annoyance was readable on his features. “Apparently haven’t talked until now?”
“Yeah, I mean-” you cringed, “He texted me like a week or so ago and we didn’t - vibe, and he got weird, so like I muted the conversation for 7 days because I didn’t want him to bother me anymore but he got so defensive it was funny so I didn’t really wanna block him”
“Yeh muted the guy a week ago and he still keeps trying?” Harry asked, completely taken aback, “Can’t blame him, but still, tha’s a bit much”
“It is” you nodded in agreement, and motioned for him to open the bottle of wine for you.
“He must have liked yeh a lot” he mumbled, twisting the corkscrew into the top of the bottle, “Maybe you two had a really great time, and he-”
“Harry” you stopped him, leaning your head to the side, “I know you’re squeezing information out of me right now, but I honestly don’t think you want to hear more of this”
“Ok” he sighed defeated, “I’m gonna stop pushin’ yeh. Thanks for tellin’ me tho. And sorry if I crossed any lines''
“You haven’t, H” you smiled, giving him a hug from behind. “It’s fine”
After gathering everything you had fixed up to take into the living room, the pudding and the wine, as you passed the threshold of the kitchen, you heard Harry speak up, traces of amusement audible in his voice. “But like… At least was the sex good?”
“You want me to answer that?” you chuckled, plopping down on the couch. “Do you seriously want me to answer that?”
“Yeah” Harry shrugged, smiling innocently.
“It was horrible” you said bluntly and watched his grin wilt away. “Probably the worst sex I’ve ever had. No, no, no.. Definitely the worst sex I have ever had in my entire life”
His mouth fell agape. “Seriously? Why?”
“Well, i got to his house… And you know, up until then everything was fine, like he seemed like a completely normal and fun guy while we texted but like, as soon as i got to his place he became really… I don’t even know how to put it, he was um.. Very clingy and weird and we talked for a bit but then when we went to his room he turned into literally the biggest asshole I met”
“What?” Harry exclaimed, “Tha’s not wha’ I expected”
“Exactly!” you laughed, “Neither did I!”
“Then wha’ happened?”
“I went down on him and he didn’t do the same because apparently he finds that gross? That’s what he told me but I didn’t wanna get into it because I went there to get dick so I was like let’s just fuck, and we did… We made out a bit, got him worked up again, and when we fucked I literally thought something was wrong with me, because he just.. I don’t know. Bumped into me and after he finished I was there like… What just happened?”
“Yeh were right when yeh said I didn’t wanna hear this”
“Told you” you giggled, grabbing your pudding and toying with your teaspoon.
“Jus’ stop using Tinder, please” Harry eventually shook his head.
“A girl has needs, ok?”
He was enraged and completely ignored your words, “And wha’ does he want from yeh now? He really thinks yeh’d see him again? Really?”
“I don’t even know what he’s been saying, honestly” you shrugged.
“Can I see?” 
“Can you like, read from the notification box? I don’t wanna leave him on seen”
Harry nodded in agreement and you gave him your phone. He pressed the lock button, the screen lit up, and it was instantly flooded with texts from him. Since you put the conversation on mute a week ago, you had no idea what he had been saying. It seemed that he didn’t appreciate your lack of interest and that he didn’t bother to hold back.
‘You pathetic whore, u really think ur gonna find someone better than me? U think ur so high and mighty and hot but  ur gonna die alone you bitch. Do u feel better about yourself if u juts ignore my texts???? Well good for fucking u-’ and Harry locked the phone, the screen going black.
“The fuck did I just read?” he questioned, his annoyance from earlier, now morphing into pure anger.
“You said you wanted to read” you shook your head.
“Why does he think he can talk to yeh like that?”
“I don’t honestly care” you sighed, “It’s not like I’ll ever see him again, so he can go and say anything he wants”
“‘S not how that works, darlin’” he said.
"Can we drop this, please" you sighed, unable to quite look in his direction, "I don't like this"
"Well-" Harry erupted and judging by the way his voice instantly died down, you could tell he almost lost control, "I don't fucking like it either, ok? But yeh shouldn't jus' accept tha'!"
"I wouldn't call it acceptance, H" you shook your head, discarding your bowl of pudding and jumping straight to the bottle of wine. "I told him I'm not interested, and I stopped replying. It's not acceptance... he just keeps trying"
"But for some reason yeh're letting him talk t' yeh like tha'"
"Well-" you shrugged, and took a big gulp of red wine, "He talks by himself"
"Y/n…" Harry called, his voice soft and you could tell that there was anger hidden somewhere deep inside, but you still appreciated the fact that he managed to keep it contained. He extended his arm, his fingers brushing against the side of your thigh. It was a soft, delicate touch, that made every hair on your body stand up. He did it to get your attention and boy, did it work. Instantly, your eyes snapped to his, and were met with something you did not see coming. "Can I say something?" he asked cautiously, his eyes shining with genuine worry.
"You're making this into something much more significant than it actually is"
"I'll drop it" he eventually nodded, "If you promise me something"
"What?"
"If anythin' similar to this happens again, tell me"
"And what are you gonna do about it?" you giggled, trying to lighten the mood. As you kept staring into his green eyes, you brought the wine bottle up to your lips, took a long sip, and then handed it to him.
He took the bottle out of your hands, seemingly not giving more than two shits about it. The warmth in his eyes accentuated as his eyebrows gathered into a concerned furrow, "Make sure it doesn't get to yeh"
"It doesn't" you smiled.
"Lemme make sure" 
"Ok, Harry" you laughed, "I promise you that the next time a guy from Tinder gets mad about me not reciprocating the feeling, and he starts sending me that kind of texts, I will tell you"
The sarcasm just flowed out of you, and he was not impressed.
"I meant in general, love"
"Any guy?" you taunted, "Not just from tinder?"
"Fucking put on tha’ movie" he shook his head, "I know yeh too well. Won't get anywhere until you get some wine in tha’ belly"
"That's your plan?" you laughed, "Get me drunk and make me spill all my secrets?"
"I never assumed you had any secrets, but yeah, now I wanna know those too" Harry grinned, throwing his arm around you and pulling you to his chest. Although this kind of intimacy was something you've been somewhat used to, tonight it was just a bit more difficult to bear. And it may all have been due to the way he mentioned he wouldn’t want anything to get to your head, and the way he said he’d make sure of it. Even though you weren’t truly clear how he’d do that and what exactly was going through his head, it was crystal clear how you’d have him do that.
But now was not the time. You glued your eyes to the TV screen, and begged your brain to focus on the movie in front of you and not whatever Harry was thinking about, mere inches away from you.
There had been something in the air that night, because neither of you managed to pay any kind of attention to the movie anymore. You talked, the conversation not going back to the previous topic, you laughed, gossiped like there was no tomorrow, and now it was almost 4am, and you and Harry were 3 bottles of wine in. Deciding to cut the alcohol before it was too late, you settled for water, as Harry went on to finish a weird story he once heard from a hippie touring the states in his van. He was completely smitten, his eyes shone with admiration for the old man. Harry spoke with words of great respect about a life he wished he could once live. It was only a matter of time until it would get to you.
“But,” you sighed, laying down and placing your head into his lap, “You really seem like the kind of guy to pack his bags and just leave. Like get a couple of friends or something, leave a note saying you’ll eventually be back, and just travel around the world”
“I kinda already do tha’ love” Harry laughed, double chin showing as he looked down at you.
“Not what I meant” you shook your head, “And you know it”
“Wha’ did yeh mean, then?”
He looked down at you, his hands finding their way into your hair as you contemplated how to put the words together. “I don’t know… Less social interaction-” you finally said, “Make it less about living the same songs in front of thousands of people, and more about living a completely new experience as you really get to know just a handful of people”
He didn’t look convinced. His dimples were showing, and a chuckle was threatening to escape his lips.
“That didn’t make any sense, did it?” you laughed.
“It did” Harry smiled, “Might have’ta resume this in tha’ morning, but i think i got the idea”
You pointed your finger to him, “Best”
“Me?” he grinned, grabbing your hand, “Oh, stop it!”
“Not you, your idea”
“Nice save, love”
You wanted to object and keep this topic going as the butterflies in your stomach started to riot, but just as you opened your mouth to speak, the sound of your phone receiving another text filled the air. In an instant, your eyes locked with Harry’s and you knew he wasn’t gonna let any of that shit slide. Not wanting to give him the chance to protest, you sprung up and leaned towards the coffee table, your fingers barely managing to brush against the side of your phone before Harry grabbed your waist and yanked you back, pressing you against the cushions of the sofa as he hovered above you.
The intimacy and urgency of this whole charade made your skin crawl, and you couldn’t help but let a few giggles escape, “What are you doing?” you laughed.
“Not lettin’ tha’ asshole ruin your night, love” Harry smirked, tilting your head so that you had to face him. 
“I’ll see the text in the morning and it will ruin my whole day” you played along, but as it turned out, you dug your own grave.
“Oh?” he grinned, “So it does get to you”
“No!” you belted, “That is not what I meant, Jesus harry”
“Come on, hon” 
His head tilted to the side, before he leaned down and nudged the tip of your nose with his. “Jus’ say the word”
That sent burning chills down your spine, and your cheeks couldn’t do anything but to comply and turn an erotic shade of pink.
“I’m not sure what to say” you mumbled, fighting against the urge to jump on him.
“I’m yer best friend, love-” he made a small pause, for dramatic effect, and just stared down at you while your blood boiled, “Lemme show yeh how good yeh can feel”
“I-”
He cut you off, obviously proud of himself, “I obviously wouldn’t have asked twice if I hadn’t felt you squeeze your thighs around me”
“Fuck, Harry-” you said, embarrassment rushing all over you as you threw your hands in the air.
He leaned down, and brushed his lips along your jaw, “Yeh could be screaming tha’ name”
Regaining your composure, you grabbed his chin and forced him to make eye contact once again, “What does this mean to you?”
“It doesn’t have t’ mean anything we don’t want it to” he nodded, “Just friends looking out of one another”
“Mhm..” you choked, “Yep”
“Tell me, and I’ll get off of you”
Your answer came a short second later. “Yeah, get off” you said sternly.
His features barely got a chance to show the disappointment that enveloped him, because as soon as the words left your mouth, you pushed yourself up. Excitement started showing on his face as you pushed yourself up. With a devilish smile on your lips, you grabbed the hem of his shirt; not giving him a chance to secure his balance on his knees before you pulled the material up his body. He clumsily shuffled out of it, his tattoos coming into full view.
“Is that a new one” you asked, pointing to his left shoulder.
To your surprise he took you seriously, and looked down, obviously confused, “Which one, love?”
“This one” you grinned, pushing yourself up and against his chest, this way, giving yourself a chance to press your lips to the base of his neck.
Harry’s whole body shivered under you as he let out a small chuckle. Instantly, his hands found your waist. Once your lips grazed his sensitive skin, the muscles of his neck relaxed as if under a spell and his head fell back. Harry’s fingers dug into your sides as your teeth sunk his flesh, sucking profusely. Having waited for this so many years, it felt all too real and completely unreal at the same time. There was a fire burning inside of you and the soft moans slipping past his lips were no help with taming it.
“Having fun?” Harry laughed, but his confidence and usual air of self control were shaking.
As a response, you bit into his ear lobe and delighted yourself with the whimpers of pleasure he didn’t even try to hide.
Although burning for it, you didn’t have it in you to go for his lips, so when he was the one to do it, all your radars went crazy. The way he grabbed your chin and pulled you closer, it was all you wished for. Years worth of pent up emotions dripped from your lips and onto his.
How ungrateful and inappropriate would it have been for you to beg for more and guide the situation in a different direction? Even if his gentleness made your knees weak, the heat between your legs begged for a less kissing and a lot more biting. 
It was when he pressed you down against him that made you forget about everything that held you back. His erection was rubbing against your thigh as you grinded down on him, and you couldn’t help but break the kiss and sink your teeth into his lower lip.
Harry threw his head back against your touch, and a proud smile lifted up the corners of your mouth.
“Come on” you moaned, kissing your way down to his ear, “Show me how you should treat a girl”
His fingers snuck into your hair and pulled your head back, forcing your eyes to meet his’, “Is it me? Or are yeh a bit more excited for this than you initially let on?”
Your eyes sparkled as you let out the fib, “It’s just you”
Grinning, he shook his head in mock approval, and secured you in his hold, before effortlessly spinning the two of you around. Now, a mess of limbs, you looked up at Harry with what could only be described as pure lust. And it all reflected on his features. His ridiculously messy curls framed his face perfectly, allowing his proud gaze to fuel your engines.
With all your might you wanted to let him take the lead and not show too much enthusiasm, but it felt next to impossible. Before you knew it, your hands were cupping his cheeks again, forcing his body flush against your own. He kissed you back with no hesitation, as if he too waited years for this to finally happen, as if this was his dumb way of confessing to you that he too, was head over heels for you. But that was a scenario that regardless of its likelihood, was sure to ruin your mood. 
So you pushed it aside, forced your mind to fall on standby, and instead, you concentrated on the way his hands explored every single inch of your body. When he broke the kiss, you wanted to protest, your tongue crying from the sudden loss of contact. But his lips traveled lower, kissing all the way over down your neck, along your collarbones, and across your chest. It was all aggravated and hungry, as if he couldn’t get enough. 
“Yeh good?” Harry asked, looking up at you, cheeks all flushed.
“Yep, yeah” you whispered, the weight of the moment turning your voice into a light chuckle. Breathless and innocent, you were on cloud nine, and all your struggles to keep that hidden were in vain.
Delicately, as only he could, Harry pushed your shirt over your head, leaving you exposed, a fact which sent a whole new wave of pleasure down your body. This gesture alone shook your whole world, but he wasn't wasting any time. You barely even got a chance to catch your breath before he lowered himself, and cupped your breasts into his palms. Your back arched in an instant, and when his warm lips connected to your skin, goosebumps propagated all over your whole body. As circled his lips and caught your nipple between his teeth, your mind went crazy, muscles sizzling with anticipation. A suggestive moan slipped from your throat, and you could tell it surely tickled his ego.
“Gettin’ there?” he questioned even if he already knew the answer.
You threw him half a shrug, tilting your head to the side and pressing your cheek to your shoulder.
“So fuckin’ cute, angel” Harry chuckled, shaking his head as he crawled up your body, “Why’re yeh so cute?”
“How would I know?” you blushed, playing along with his overly teasing approach, “You’re the one who sad it”
“Don’t know why I think yeh’re cute?”
You nodded no.
A small but sure fire lit up his features, and he knew it was on. He did maintain the eye contact for a while, but when he finally looked down at your body, nonchalantly staring at your chest, that was when your breath got caught in your throat. The pressure was building up, yet Harry kept pushing your buttons. 
In desperate need to pick up the pace, you nudged his chin with the back of your fingers, and when his eyes caught yours; you raised one eyebrow, motioning for him to continue. “Wha’ do yeh want me t’ tell yeh, love?” Harry grinned, leaning down to kiss your neck.
“Tell me what you like about me” you laughed, linking your fingers in his hair. While you laughed due to the amount of different emotions that coursed through you, Harry made it all the more difficult for you to keep it together. His kisses were light enough for you to feel the ounces of love that dripped from his lips, but carnal enough to keep you on your toes.
“I love everything about yeh” he murmured against your skin, his chain of passionate kisses crossing over to the other side of your neck, “I mean, wha’s there not t’ like?”
“Word” you giggled, your sarcasm coming in perfect contrast to the weakness his question brought to your knees.
“Fuckin’ love every inch” Harry said, having completely ignored your joke, “Every single part of yeh, yer body and god, yer mind”
His hands cupped the sides of your rib cage, as his lips traveled down your sternum. He seemed lost, completely absorbed. Every time he looked up at you, it was impossible not to notice how out of this world his eyes seemed. Glossy and dark, extravagant green looking to explore more of you. And those were only the times you managed to catch him staring. The pleasure this man provided surpassed the moaning level, he got you working hard not to scream in ecstasy, as his tongue ran laps around your nipples, and the way his lips sucked with that specific amount of pressure. It looked as if he already knew where all your buttons were, he acted as if he knew your body better than you did. And for you, that was a new experience, which would’ve already been too much, even without Harry involved. But seeing your fingers get lost in his absolutely perfect in a messy kind of way locks, as he treated your skin with such refined skill, you found yourself way too close to the edge.
In the high of the moment, probably following an unidentifiable stimulus, you found yourself concentrated on the way his palms felt against your skin. He held you in his arms as if you were the most precious thing he ever laid eyes on. And for some reason, that feeling alone had you skyrocketing.
It was when you moaned out loud, for the first time not holding back, that he finally decided to give you what he promised. 
“Yeh sure this is ok, angel, yeah?” he murmured, looking up at you. 
His light stubble tickled the lower side of your abdomen as his breath barely managed to reach your skin. 
“Yeah” you clumsily nodded, your words coated in fervid enthusiasm.
Something happened. Something clicked inside of him. You saw it in the way his eyes warmed up. For a second he didn’t move, instead he just took in everything that was happening. When he eventually pushed himself up, you expected him to help you or motion for you to undress, but he didn’t. Harry lowered himself on top of you, pressing his chest against your own.
His fingers locked themselves against your chin, “I really wanna fucking do this right for yeh”
His confession took you aback. The seriousness in this tone was not something you anticipated. At first, he was the one who made it all seem like a meaningless game, yet right now, it seemed as though he fell into his own trap. 
All you could do was nod. Nod in approval, nod as a sign for him to keep going. As a promise that it was all ok. This attitude of his was not something you signed up for. Even if it looked like the beginning of what you always wanted, it also felt a little bit too sudden.
“Come here” you cooed, cupping his cheeks in a loving manner.
In an instant, he leaned into your touch, his skin burning against your damp palms. For the x-th time that evening, his lips melted onto yours, but something felt different. But you kept going, allowed the moment to carry you further without giving yourself the burden of dictating a direction. 
And seconds passed, and with each one, his touch became more and more aggravated. You could feel his need, and you have loved to think that what you were feeling from him was love, but it was just too big of a step to take right now. Not too shortly after, the situation escalated towards the point you left off earlier. You let him take the lead, and he soon returned to his usual self.
Harry made his way down your body through a chain of lingering kisses, each one of them awakening yet another side of you. This time, you were given no time to prepare. His experienced hands grabbed your thighs, groping their way up to your hips. Although it was fairly fast, it felt like an eternity. You breathing picked up when his fingers hooked themselves into the waistband of your leggings, and without even thinking about it, you pushed yourself up, allowing him to take them off. 
Now, you hadn’t seen this coming, because if you had, you probably would have chosen to wear something less embarrassing than your Superman underwear. Your cheek heated up as if it was the first time a man had seen you naked, and all your insecurities washed over you. None of those thoughts crossed Harry’s mind though. 
He just smiled - a gesture whose roots you’d never know. 
Harry positioned himself between your legs, his fingers gingerly tracing up and down your outer thighs. “Really fucken gorgeous, yeh know tha’?”
His compliments have never been this hard to receive, “Shut up” you chuckled, rolling your eyes as you couldn't help but squirm under his stare.
“Wha’?” Harry grinned, leaning his head to the side as he let his teasing side take over, 
“Tha’ tinder fuckface never told yeh just how perfect yeh look?”
“This is still about him, huh?”
“It’s about yeh, love” Harry rolled his eyes, letting his nails graze your skin, “Always been about yeh, always will be”
With each word that let his mouth, he leaned down, lower and lower, until every inch of his body was pressing against your own. He dominated the moment, and you love it.
When he engulfed your lips into a kiss, his right hand traveled between your legs. That alone made your core vibrate, and knowing there was no way to hide your enthusiasm, made you smile.
You felt the back of his fingers trace up and down your opening, and his words confirmed your suspicions. He pulled away from your lips just enough so he could speak, but he was still too close for you to properly see his features - he was just a few literal inches away, “I can’t wait to taste yeh, doll”
The grin on his lips and the pride of his tone, had a visible effect on you. The hairs on your body stood up in anticipation, and you couldn’t help but arch your back and close your legs around him. You kissed him back, and this time, it was on.
As his tongue pushed past your lips, Harry’s hands lewdly traveled down your sides, caressing every inch of exposed skin they found in their way. You didn’t see the eagerness coming, but when he reached between your legs, the flimsy material of your underwear didn’t even begin to come in his way. He shoved his hand under your panties, his fingers instantly coming in contact with your opening.
It was solely the emotional value of the moment that made you nearly gasp. Harry took his sweet damn time, as if you needed any more foreplay. The pads of his fingers gingerly traced up and down your opening a few times, before coming back up again to rest against your clit. It was soft and easy at the beginning, but the feather light touch of his fingers started gaining more and more pressure as subtle circular movements started to form.
When you looked up at him, you were met with the mess of curls that had fallen onto his forehead as he had his head hanging low, with his eyes trained between your bodies. With a gentle nudge against his chin, you prompted him to look up. At first he seemed a bit disoriented, but a wicked grin shortly appeared on his lips. It made you smile.
He was the one to resume the kiss, making it gentle this time - in perfect contrast with the action of his fingers, as he slowly made his way past your folds. When the first finger went in, you curled the corners of your mouth in anticipation. It felt fine, but it was just the tip of the iceberg and you knew it. Eager for more, you allowed your teeth to lewdly sink into his lower lip, willing to show him you wanted more. 
With a grunt, Harry shuffled a bit, his knees bucking into your hips. The deep breath he released tickled your skin, but you weren’t going to let this go. As you forced your teeth just a bit deeper into his plush skin, Harry let his forehead fall against yours. 
His tongue neatly traced along your upper lip, and you thought it was in response to your actions. And this erroneous thought kept you from anticipating his next move. When Harry pushed one more finger in, your senses went mad, and the simple fact that he didn't give you too much time to adjust before he pushed a third finger in, rocked you completely. 
You moaned in return and arched your back.
"I got yeh, baby girl" he whispered softly, "Look at me, I got yeh, ok?"
After receiving an enthusiastic nod from you, Harry made his way down your body. This time, he swiftly shuffled to the side, pulling your legs together and riding you of the unnecessary piece of underwear you still had on.
Not waiting for him to take control, you spread your legs, and feasted on the carnal look he had in his eyes as he looked down at your body. He didn’t waste any time before finding the perfect spot between your legs. Your whole body shivered as he leaned his head to the side, his light stubble tickling its way down the inside of your thighs. 
And following the rough feeling of the still shy beard you didn’t think he was able to grow, when his soft lips brushed against your skin, you involuntarily clenched. You bucked your hips and your legs tried, but to no avail, to close the distance between one another. You wanted more - needed more. And he noticed it.
Looking down along your body, you could only see the top of his head. And his fingers, pressing into the skin of your legs. And the tip of his nose as he proceeded to tease you into oblivion with millions of kisses, each of them nothing less than heavenly, but still, nothing compared to what you knew was coming next. The only warning he gave you as a hurried grin, and it was nowhere near enough.
It was on. Elegantly, but with traces of dominance in his touch, and with two fingers, Harry spread your pussy wide open, his tongue lewdly slipping right inside you. The contact and the buildup made you gasp. Had you not been so over the moon and distracted already, you’d have heard him snicker in response to the sound you just made. But you were too caught up. You felt him on every inch of your body, and the signals your core were sending you, were not what you wanted.
You wanted this to last. To have him go at it, lapping at your core for hours. To feel his tongue wag until your senses went numb.It might have been the dry spell that was forced upon you as the pandemic overtook your life, or the timeless, painful crush you’ve had on him for years, but you were already on the edge.
Trying hard to make the moment last, you curled your pointer finger and shoved it into your mouth, biting down hard. Your back arched dangerously as your head flew back, but it all just worked in his favour. Your pleasure was building up, and the careful, experienced movement of Harry’s tongue against your clit was only gaining momentum.
“Yeh taste like fucking heaven but I think yeh already knew tha’” he said, for a second pulling away from your core and giving you a chance to catch your breath.
All you managed was a pathetic excuse of a nod, along with a shy roll of your eyes.
“None of tha’” Harry laughed, licking his lips, “Don’t care how close yeh are, ‘m not gonna stop until yeh moan my name, love”
“Jesus christ, Harry!” you panted, shaking your head.
He responded in a similar manner, and again, with no warning whatsoever, he went back in. This short break allowed you to regain your composure, even if it was just a tiny bit. Your excitement, although still there and just as consuming, was easier to control now. You felt his touch all throughout your body, his tongue tickling all your senses.
What brought you closer into the moment was the feeling of his hands, as he grabbed your thighs and pushed your legs up onto his shoulders. For whatever reason, this felt even more intimate, and as his fingers sank into your flesh, you felt your engines start up again.
The delicate flicks of his tongue were getting more and more aggravated by the second, and now it was close to impossible to keep calm. Sweaty palms gripping tirelessly into the cushions under you, your back under constant strain, your eyes squeezed shut - he had you entirely.
And as if that wasn’t enough, he went further. Harry pushed one finger inside of you, moving his lips up to fully concentrate on your clit. His tongue prepared you, got you all ready and wanting, and then, he wrapped his lips around your bundle of nerves and sucked - gently and with a minimal amount of pressure, but god-
“Fuck, Harry-” you called out. It was more of a cry, choked back in the depths of your throat, all breathy and muffled.
“Come on, angel” Harry whispered.
As you looked down, past your heaving chest, your eyes landed conveniently on the top of his head. Complete chaos - his unruly curls tickled the inside of your thighs, as his fingers dug into your flesh. The two rings he never takes off were sure to leave proud indents on your skin.
Harry sucked at your bundle of nerves, the eager touch of his tongue awakening absolutely every need inside your being. Add the experienced pumps of his fingers and the fact that this was Harry Styles and none other, and you were done.
With each passing second you started to lose more and more of the control you had on your body. Sweating nervously out of every pore of your body, you squirmed under his weight hoping you’d make the moment last.
“‘S good, love, isn’t it?” Harry smirked for just about a second, “I can see yeh, yeh’re a mess fo’ me”
“Fuck” you whined, covering your face with your right palm as your head tilted backwards, “Shut up”
“Oh!” Harry faked surprise, “Gettin’ cocky?”
As he spoke, Harry curled his fingers inside your pussy; maybe intentionally - maybe by chance, hitting all the right spots and making you moan out loud.
“I’ll take tha’ as an apology”
You scoffed.
Harry shook his head. When you looked down at him again, you caught him licking his lips. It was obvious he waited for you to catch him doing that.
Already at the edge of your self control, you curled your fingers into his hair, motioning for him to resume his work. He followed your lead without any complaints, and when his bottom teeth grazed your clit, even if it was light as a feather you lost it.
Your mind became numb, drunk on the pleasure he provided. Your eyes rolled back as you enjoyed every second of your high. Harry kept you spiraling, continuing to lap at your core as the muscles of your legs tensed uncontrollably around his frame.
“Holy fuck-” you breathed out, voice shaky and wounded.
He made sure to milk every ounce of pleasure out of your being, leaving you a heaving mess under his stare.
Harry pushed himself up, nonchalantly wiping his chin, his eyes not allowing yours to look away.
As you gathered yourself and worked on bringing your breathing back to normal, there was only one thought going on inside your head - that it would only be fair if you reciprocate the gesture. Thinking about it was enough to make your core buzz again, but you didn’t have it in you to bring it up, and instead hoped he’d show he wished things didn’t stop either.
But he didn’t.
However, you got to kiss him again. And no matter how badly you wanted to keep the atmosphere on fire, he had other plans. 
“Did I take good care of yeh?” Harry asked as he leaned down beside you. His hand found your cheek, keeping you in place for another longing kiss, “Did I do yeh right?”
You nodded against his lips, not willing to actually word the answer.
His chuckle made it clear that the point got through. And for a second it seemed as if the night wasn’t done. None of you was willing to pull away, and allowed the minutes to go by without a care in the world, lost in each other’s arms.
“Freakin’ love yeh, angel” Harry said.
It wasn’t the first time you’d hear this coming out of his mouth, but you couldn’t help but smile thinking this time it was meant in a different manner. You answered him by cuddling deeper into his chest, and that was a moment you wouldn’t have traded for the world.
And you fell asleep like that. No matter how big and luxurious your couch was, you still spent the night glued to one another. Harry felt every calm breath of yours on his skin and everytime he moved a bit to adjust his position, his hold tightened around you to make sure he wasn’t pushing you away.
After what was probably the best sleep you’d gotten in the whole year of 2020, morning came around. Actually it was lunch time, if we’re being generous. The sun was high up, proudly making its way into your living room, past the curtains to forgot to draw the other night.
When you awoke, Harry wasn’t there anymore. However, panic didn’t have the time to settle in as you heard movement coming from the kitchen, and the strong smell of coffee reached your nose in no time.
You got up from the couch, with herds of butterflies in your stomach. Harry’s words from last night still echoed in your head, and even now, with no alcohol in your system, they managed to bring goosebumps all over your skin.
“When did you get up?”
That was how you made your presence known.
Harry turned around with a smile on his face. He had a bag of avocados tucked under his arm, as he typed away on his phone. His undone pants were hanging onto his thighs for dear life, and the only other piece of fabric on his body was a thin, brown hair tie around his wrist. There were a few purple marks along his collar bones and his hair looked rougher than usual, things which deep down, shook you up a bit.
 “Wanted to take yeh out fo’ breakfast, but I gotta leave in like an hour, so I figured this should do”
“Yeah, yeah sure” you agreed, “It’s perfect”
“Would’ve done mo’, but Y/n, yeh have no food in this house”
You laughed, walking over to slump down into one of the chairs, “Didn’t get a chance to get any perishables”
“You got some” Harry chuckled, “You got weeks’ worth of everything you need to make guacamole and pancakes”
“I have no idea how that happened, those will spoil” you shook your head, “You can take some of them actually”
“Or I could just come over”
“Even better”
The food was ready in no time. Harry had everything done and set while you washed up a bit, and after that, you both sat down to eat. Minimal and light, but still, there was a weight in the pit of your stomach.
“About last night-” Harry began to say, but you tried to stop him.
“You don’t have to-”
“We kinda do, love” he smiled, “I need to apologise, angel”
You squinted your eyes, “For?”
“I don’t really have t’ apologise fo’ what I said because I meant every word” Harry slowly said, as if he has a hard time putting his thoughts together, “I jus’ wish I hadn’t said it like tha’ though”
“Like what?” you questioned, a bit lost.
“Like I had the right to say that kind of crap” he laughed. It was nervous laughter, like he was afraid of what was coming next, “I do fucking love yeh, but I shouldn’t have assumed you wanted to hear that”
“What are you talking about, I don’t understand” you groaned, growing a bit tired of the impatience he brought upon you.
“You’re my best friend, ok?” he sighed, “That’s all we are, Y/n, and that was not supposed to happen”
The food got lodged in your throat, and you felt like if you didn’t stand up, you’d no longer be able to breathe. “It was your idea” you scoffed.
Harry’s eyes followed your frame, but he remained seated, “I know”
“So what changed? If anything even changed. I don’t understand what the problem is. You regret we did what we did-”
“I don’t regret anything” Harry butted it.
“You said it was not supposed to happen!” you exclaimed, rolling your eyes as you walked over to the sink, just to make yourself useful and to stop just standing in front of him.
“The things I said to you-” he said sternly, pushing his chair back and throwing his hands into the air, “I shouldn’t have said those, ok? It doesn’t matter who meant what, I told you things that-”
“What did you tell me that’s bothering you so much?” you almost yelled, annoyance dripping out of your pores. You walked over to him, and he closed the distance by standing up.
“I-” Harry stuttered, playing with his hair to buy himself some more time. “All the-”
“What?” you pushed, “That you like everything about me? That’s what you regret saying? And what else?”
“God” he groaned, “I don’t regret saying tha’, it’s just tha’ it wasn’t my place to say it”
You fell silent.
“If I were you... I’d want to hear those things from someone that is more than just a friend to me” he confessed.
“And you can’t be that to me? More than a friend?”
After a few seconds of painful silence, realization hit him, “Y/n…”
He did reach out. He took a step towards you but you stepped back. The remorse in his tone was too painful to ignore. So you moved away from him and slowly made your way out of the kitchen.
“Y/n!” Harry called, following you.
“Just go”
“Please...”
“Please what?” you shook your head, but he didn’t have the words you needed to hear.
“I’m sorry”
“It’s fucking fine” you sighed, walking backwards towards your room, “Just show yourself out”
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mindninjax · 3 years
Text
Iron and Wine (4)
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Chapter 4- Two Blue Eyes
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Previous Chapter | Masterlist | Next Chapter
Erwin Smith x fem!reader (Royalty AU)
Warnings: They/them pronouns used for Hange, Miche literally almost charming the panties off of you, some minor character death, I'm not gonna ruin the surprise just know some of you will be disgusted with me and others will be thrilled lololol
WC: 5.1K
a/n: I'm sorry this took so long to get out. I changed so much shit around in this chapter because this is where it gets REAL. I think I've finally got what I want to happen from this point on locked and loaded though. Writing it may be a different story because this month is gonna get a lil busy for me. s/o to @lazyezstudy and @charlotteplsdosth for being sweet little darlings. 💖I'll dedicate this chapter to you.😘
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Erwin’s eyes scan the horizon once more as the fluttering wings of the raven in the rookery rustles his hair. It’s been two weeks and there’s been no word from Abel or Keiji. They’ve never gone this long without sending word back which can only mean trouble. Erwin chews his lip nervously, creasing his brow as he racks his brain. What should he do? Send more men to find the two he lost? That would be a wise decision, if he had men to send. A raven flutters down next to him and he pets the head with one finger, gently.
What could have hindered Abel and Keiji from checking in? A tingle in his gut hints at the answer, but he doesn’t dare give voice to it. It’s a bad omen and he’d rather spend energy preparing than worrying. He continues scribbling the messages onto the slip of parchment and ties it to the raven sitting next to him before releasing it toward the North. He lifts a finger to beckon two more birds down to him, attaches the other messages, and lets one free toward the South and the other toward the West.
There’s still the issue of the agreement or lack thereof with you. Perhaps he shouldn’t have pushed you last night. Though he will admit it was entertaining.
The sound of shuffling feet breaks him from his concentrated stupor and he turns to see Miche and Hange approaching. Miche’s large broad shoulders block the doorway to the stairwell as he fills the entryway and blocks Hange from sight. He bows respectfully before reporting.
“Sire, the war council has gathered in the war room. They are awaiting your presence.” Erwin watches the flapping wings of the raven he just released silently. He doesn’t turn around when he speaks.
“Miche, you’ve been in the presence of my special guest. How do you like her?” he asks as if asking about the clouds donning the skies. Miche gulps and blinks quickly in confusion.
“You’re asking me if I like her?” he repeats, trying to be sure.
“Yes. It’s no secret she is a beauty. Even Levi seems to have noticed. So tell me, what has your nose told you about her?” Erwin says simply. He turns to look into his comrade’s large honest eyes.
“Erm, well she smells of fresh grass and wood, moss and clear spring water with a hint of some sweet flower I’ve been having trouble identifying. I’ve only smelled it once or twice in my life, but it was so lovely I never forgot it. But…” Miche trails off as he watches Erwin raise an eyebrow at him.
“What is it?”
“It’s fading… that scent is fading from her the longer she’s here,” Miche finishes quickly. He sets his face in a confident smooth expression and looks into the king’s eyes.
Erwin matches his serious and confident expression, “Are you suggesting I let her go?” he asks slowly, enunciating each word.
“No, your majesty,” he drops his eyes, regretful. Erwin sighs and places a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t. Forgive me, I am just at a loss of what to do. It’s obvious the lioness doesn’t trust me and no matter what I give her she won’t change her mind. There is still no word from Abel and Keiji. I've sent ravens to Pixis in the North and Shadis in the South. War will be on our shores in months and I don’t have the support of my people, and decreasing numbers of soldiers thanks to famine and this petty war with the forest savages my father started,” he cards his fingers through his hair and runs a hand over his face. Miche can tell the stress of the situation is getting to him. A
“Erwin, perhaps you’re going about this agreement with the woman in the wrong way,” Hange speaks up then, pushing past Miche and clapping Erwin on the shoulder.
“Well you’re part of my damn counsel, so counsel me,” Erwin replies, giving a tired chuckle.
“You plucked a wild woman who’s people you just referred to as ‘forest savages’—it’s probably wise not to say that in front of her— from her home in the forest and put her in a castle expecting her to be enthralled with all the riches,” Hange explains holding out their hands in an animated expression as if the rest of the point is clear before them. When Erwin stares blankly at them and they sigh as if he’s hopeless and continues.
“It’s clear she’s not impressed by it, so why not show her something she will be impressed with? Something she’ll actually enjoy but can’t find in her forest village. If you can show her that you’re actually paying attention, she may be more inclined to join us. Moblit mentioned she was quite pleasant to him and she seems to have taken to Historia quickly.”
Erwin ponders their words for a moment and Hange knocks a fist against their own head as they try to think of something here in the castle that might impress you. Miche’s green eyes look between the two of them before he sighs deeply and grunts in a deep voice, “The private gardens.”
“Great idea big guy!” Hange says, clapping their hands together.
Erwin smiles at both of them, then takes a deep breath. He turns to look out at the horizon again, hoping to catch a glance of a raven. When he doesn't, he turns back to Miche and says, “OK then, I’m entrusting the lioness to you, Miche. Show her the gardens, make sure she actually enjoys it. Hange, you’ll join me in the war room. It seems we’ll have some things to discuss.”
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“I’ve been sent to escort you to the king’s private gardens, my lady.”
A large blonde man whom Historia whispers and informs you is named Miche Zachariaus, bows before you as you swing open the door. You recognize him instantly. He’s the strong one who carried you away after your first talk with Erwin. You take a moment to scrutinize him before responding. Everything about him is large. His chest is broad, his shoulders wide and strong, he could probably fit 10 bundles of wood on his back and carry them with ease. He is handsome as well, no doubt part of Erwin’s plan. As if you’d be swayed by a man’s looks, though you do quietly and begrudgingly thank him for the nice view. He’s not wearing his armor which you find alarming. He either doesn’t see you as a threat or his skills are far beyond any you’ve known or witnessed and that also puts you on edge. You decide to be polite.
“I humbly decline,” you say in a small voice. As you’re about to close the door, his large hand stops it and pushes it back open. He looks almost desperate and you furrow your brows in confusion as you look back up to him.
“Please, my lady. I implore you to reconsider. I’m aware most of the luxuries have not been to your liking but this I'm sure you will enjoy,” Miche says, holding out a hand for you to grab. Your eyes shift back and forth from his outstretched hand and up to his gentle green eyes. He looks hopeful, like he really hopes you’ll take his hand. You hear Historia’s soft footsteps behind you.
“I’ve never seen the king’s personal garden. You should go, it’ll be beautiful. Ser Miche won’t hurt you. He’s very gentle and kind,” she whispers to you.
You give her a teasing smirk as you whisper over your shoulder back to her, “You’ve said that about everyone here.”
“Well I haven’t been wrong, have I?” she huffs and pokes out her lip in a cute pout.
“Only once,” you say, remembering the night Erwin came to your room. Miche clears his throat to remind you of his presence and you smile back up at him. “Would she be permitted to come with me?” you ask, nodding your head in Historia’s direction.
“You can invite anyone you’d like, my lady,” Miche responds and Historia’s eyes light up in excitement. You try to hide the smile tickling the edges of your lips and swallow the excitement at the thought of seeing the gardens.
“Very well then,” you say, grasping his hand.
The garden is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s as if it’s located in another world. It smells wonderful, not at all like the moldy castle corridors or the stench of burning fire and metal that drifts in your window from the castle town below. The sun rays kiss the green leaves of each plant and the array of colors each flower offers is more beautiful than any you've ever witnessed in your village.
When Miche opens the heavy iron gates, you’re at a loss for words. There’s a cobblestone path that leads to a grand white marble fountain in the middle of the garden. Multiple paths break off in different directions showcasing different plants. Vines climb up the walls and cover the stone, butterflies and bees frequent the flowers, and it surprises you how much this one little place reminds you of home.
There’s no stopping the bright smile that bursts onto your face and stays there while you gaze around in fascination. Historia is next to you, matching your bewildered expression and when the two of you meet each other's eyes you both laugh in amusement and happiness. Your laughter echoes through the garden and mixes with the babbling water of the fountain, a glorious little melody. Miche is watching you with a warm-hearted smile and you catch him ogling you from the entrance. You try to pull yourself together as you watch HIstoria wander off and Miche closes the gate behind him and comes to stand next to you.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Would you like a tour?” he suggests and you look at him in shock.
“There’s more?” you breathe and he chuckles a deep rumbling noise before holding out his arm. You hesitate again looking at his outstretched hand with suspicion. He doesn’t take it personally, a man as large and strong as him doesn’t have much to worry about, but he does give you a reassuring smile.
“Yes, my lady there is more. I thought you’d like to see all the gardens have to offer,” he replies, gesturing to the entirety of the courtyard. You blink in astonishment.
“This was your idea? How did you know I’d-”
“Your scent is strong. You smell like the trees and a sweet flower. I've been trying to figure out the name since you’ve arrived,” he says matter of factly. He turns to you then and reaches out slowly to grab the braid sitting on your shoulder. You surprise yourself when you don’t move away from him, but the fact that this was his idea, that he mentioned your scent, makes you feel more at ease around him.
“May I?” he says, green eyes drifting to yours. His long lashes brush against his cheeks and his deep voice rumbles through his body when he speaks.
“You wish to...smell my hair?”
“Yes, if you would permit me to do so,” he says politely. Again you look at him with suspicion, but nod to let him know it is ok to move closer to you.
Your eyes stay glued to him as he crouches and brings the long braid up to his nose and inhales deeply. He drags it up and down your hair, inhaling and exhaling with a deep pleasurable sigh after each breath. His eyes are closed as he focuses on the scent, mumbling words to himself.
“Pine...a hint of lemongrass...cedar wood...ugh the perfume overpowers the natural scent… and there that flower again...what is it?” He switches back and forth from sniffing your hair and sniffing the sweet air of the gardens. He’s quite amusing to watch and you smile to yourself as his shaggy hair falls over his eyes when he bends down to sniff you again.
Suddenly his eyes shoot open and he turns to face a path leading away from the fountain. He grabs your hand slowly, his large fingers wrapping around yours and swallowing it completely and strolls down the path looking back and forth between the colorful petals. He momentarily stops to sniff the air again before taking turns in the maze of plants until he comes across a hedge of thick green bushes and vines.
“Is this what you’re looking for?” You ask him, gesturing to the huge hedge in front of you sarcastically. He doesn’t respond, only bends down on one knee and reaches into the hedge. You try to pull him back, the hedge houses many thorns definitely as a means to keep people out of that area.
“No, don't! You’ll hurt your–“
He pulls his hand from the wall of thorns, bloody and pin pricked but holding the loveliest flower you’ve ever seen in your life. It’s pure white and unphased by the thorns or by Miche pulling it from its hiding place. You’re stunned by its beauty and it’s perfect white petals. He hands it to you and smiles a big joyous grin.
“How did you–“
“I’ve always had a good nose. I knew I’d smelled this plant before. Once near the edges of the forest. And then again when you were brought before Erwin. There were hints of it here, but it doesn’t seem to belong here. I figure it’s only natural to give it to you considering…” He doesn’t finish this sentence, not wanting to rub dirt in the wound of you being forced from your home. The flower make tears well in your eyes and you quickly swipe them away before he can see them.
You take the flower from him and bring it to your nose, the scent immediately reminding you of home and the huge field that has many of these swaying in the breeze. “It’s a moon blossom. They bloom at night or in dark places under the moon. It’s a symbol of growth in dark times,” you explain to him.
He nods in understanding. “I’d like to think…” he starts grabbing the flower from you again and moving to place it gently into your hair, “that it represents you, thriving and standing beautifully despite being so far from home.” His finger skims across your cheek as he fixes your hair. He’s definitely a charmer and he flashes you a cute boyish grin that you can’t help but return. His charm is genuine and you snicker as he steps back to look you over.
“Are you attempting to woo me?” you ask playfully.
“No. If I were, my lady, I’d tell you that there’s not a flower in this garden that compares to the beauty you possess. And that the dullest of days would shine brighter, for the sun would be envious of your presence and beauty.”
He finishes his sentence with a bow and a soft but pointed kiss on the palm of your hand. You can feel the prickle of his moustache in your hand and paired with his soft lips and warm breath, it sends a shiver up your spine.
The moment his lips leave your palm, your heart is thumping. You can still feel the warmth of the kiss on your skin and it radiates all over your body, culminating at the apples of your cheeks. You watch as his smile turns smug much to your chagrin, you turn away to hide the smile creeping at the edges of your lips.
“Alright then, I see now why the king sent you to escort me,” you say, clearing your throat. He chuckles in a deep baritone and holds his arm out to continue escorting you through the gardens.
“He’s very interested in you,” Miche replies, looking down at you as the two of you stroll.
You roll your eyes, “I bet he is,” you say remembering the way Erwin pinned you to the wall, his lips on your neck and jaw.
“Truly my lady, In all the years of knowing him, I’ve never seen him so entranced before,” he replies, watching as you let go of his arm to sniff a large drooping pink flower. Entranced, a pretty way of saying “kidnapping”, but something else he says catches your attention.
“How long have you known him?” you ask, curiosity painting your features.
“Since we were boys. I was a stablehand in the town right outside the castle walls. Erwin wasn’t king then but he snuck out of the castle to spend time with me. He taught me to read, taught me how to use a sword, and helped me become a knight under his father’s rule. He took care of my family when the food supply started running out, gave them jobs in the castle when he became King.”
He looks ahead as if he’s picturing all the events unfolding in front of him. You shrug your shoulders. Of course his best man would speak great things about him. Erwin is the King, it’s treason to speak ill about him. Though you will admit, this isn’t the first time you’ve heard of him helping out one of the people in the castle. You remember Historia telling you he found her in her village.
“What about Historia? She mentioned he found her in her village. Did he steal her too? She is a beauty,” you challenge, raising your eyebrow.
“Ahh the little lady, very sad story. The King happened upon her village after it had been raided by barbarians. There didn’t seem to be any survivors, the houses were burnt down, blood and carnage all over. He was returning from battle and stopped the entire army to search for survivors. She was the only one. Erwin brought her back to the castle, dressed her wounds and let her stay,” he explains.
You’re shocked but try to keep it hidden. You don’t think Miche is lying to you, it would be foolish. You could just ask Historia and if the story matched you’d know it was true. But there’s something about the way Miche speaks with admiration, loyalty, and genuine respect for Erwin when he tells the story that cements the truth.
It confuses you, the wolf king’s actions. The battles between your people and his to keep him out of the forest and away from the precious metals you know he’s after, the way he neglected his people despite them dying in the streets from famine while he sits in his castle and gorges himself on delicacies, it makes no sense. If he were as compassionate as Miche is suggesting he would never do these things. But there must be some truth to it, the Mother protects him. What does she see?
You're left to the many questions in your head as another guard approaches you and Miche and whispers something quickly in his ear. He nods once then turns to you and bows.
“My apologies my lady, but I’m needed elsewhere. Gelgar will escort you and Historia back to your chambers,” he says, grasping your hand and giving it a final kiss before departing.
You thank him and watch him turn a corner out of the garden maze as Gelgar gestures to have you walk in front of him and inform you that Historia is waiting back at the fountain. You nod and walk past him.
You suppose it’s time to stop being stubborn and finally read the documents Erwin left for you. If it means you’ll get out of here sooner, you’ll oblige. Perhaps more answers about the type of man Erwin truly is will be shown to you after you’ve read them.
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The ravens reach Shadis and Pyxis in a matter of days and when they return it is not with good news. The number of men is less than what he expected to hear and more continue to drop from starvation as they speak. It has become increasingly more difficult to keep control over the North and South as the people grow weary and delirious with starvation. Pyxis and Shadis both report the same instances, talk of the lioness coming to bring them food and prosperity and good fortune as she did in Castle Town.
Lord Pyxis, ever the wise and kind old man and one of Erwin’s father's old friends, writes of the hope it instills in the people. He hopes that someone will come soon to help with this famine and the people are greatly appreciative of his faith. Shadis on the other hand is cold and views the whispers in the streets as a betrayal, a rise of another rebellion. He forbids any talk of you or the “nonsense” you would inflict upon his people.
Erwin scans the words on the notes from the two lords as Hange sits next to him, hands intertwined underneath their chin.
“Well it’s nice to know the people are of one mind. But Erwin, if we can’t get the lioness to agree we have no hope in helping anyone,” they say in a slurry of words. Erwin can tell their mind is working, filtering through the different possibilities.
“I have faith in Miche. She wants to help the people in this kingdom and she wants to keep her home safe and from invaders,” Erwin says, shuffling through many pieces of parchment on the table. He picks up a stained crumpled piece and glares at it. “And this will surely be a driving factor in her decis--”
The door to the war room bursts open as you stomp into the room, parchment gripped tightly in your hand. The lavender dress flows dramatically behind you as you drift into the room, drawing the attention of everyone present. Miche is behind you, desperately trying to keep up with your quickened pace as he flashes an apologetic frown and slight bow of the head to Erwin. You’re shaking with rage, head held high as you walk into the room with purpose. Your eyes are fixed on Erwin at the head of the table and you can hear the commanders whisper to themselves about your disrespect.
Erwin does not look bothered, rather amused as you come to stand before him and slam the parchment down on the big table in front of him. The goblets and war figurines tremble and topple over.
“What is the meaning of this?” You scream.
“Ahh my lady, I see you’ve read the document sent to the Beast across the sea.”
“This spews lies and deceit, we are not one kingdom, we do not fight as one. And I am not going to negotiate to share any of the fruits of my labor with you or this beast from the west!”
Erwin stands wordlessly and the others in the room immediately stand with him. He walks slowly around the table to grab pieces of parchment that sit in front of Hange. His face is no longer pleasant, but serious with a dark glint behind his glare. The pieces of parchment are wrinkled and stained with what you assume is blood. He holds them in his fist and hands them to you, nodding his head to encourage you to take them from him.
You do so, snatching them in a huff and uncrinkling them to read the neat scrawled handwriting. Your eyes scan through the first few words before Erwin’s voice rings out into the war room and demands “Read it aloud.”
You glare again at him before clearing your throat and reading the message aloud:
Greetings King Erwin, Wolf of the East. I am sure you and your war counsel have heard of me as they are tasked with keeping tabs on your enemies. I am not sure how much information your comrades Abel and Keiji gave you before I captured them but I can only assume they’ve completed their tasks remarkably. I can only imagine how thorough and intelligent you are King Erwin, as I've done my research on you as well.
I’ve received your letter, your partner sounds lovely but I have no interest in arrangements or agreements. I will simply take what I want: your lands, your resources, your people as that is what a conqueror would do. As I’m sure you already know, it is well within my power to do so. We will meet you in battle and crush you. I hope you will not take offense as you must be familiar with the rules of war. How many kingdoms have you crushed under your golden boot?
You drop the parchment, thinking it silly to continue with the self assured words of this foreign enemy. “You’re afraid of a cocky self assured bastard from across the sea? And I thought you to be a King.”
“Keep reading.”
“Why? It’s just nonse-”
“I said, keep reading.” Erwin’s voice is dangerous now, anger swelling inside him and you'd never admit aloud but it kind of frightens you.
You are probably wondering what has become of your loyal men, why they haven’t reported back in weeks? You're probably wondering what to tell their families, their wives and children if they have them. Well you’ll be happy to know I am a gracious war chief. I’d want to know what happened to my men as well. So I will tell you every detail of how your men suffered, until they took their last breath so you may explain to their wives and children as they wail in sorrow. And you may have what’s left of them, to bury or burn or whatever it is you do with your unfortunate dead. Their heads will stay here with me though, as my trophies. The details of their deaths are included in the lovely gifts I’ve sent you.
Best regards your majesty, and I look forward to seeing you when I land upon your shores.”
The note is signed with one name, “Zeke” in neat penmanship. Below that is what looks like a recipe, numbered steps and as you scan through them quietly you realize it is a step-by-step process of how the two men were killed. It is gruesome, horrific, unnecessarily cruel and you don’t have the stomach to finish reading it to yourself let alone aloud. You slam the parchment down on the table and look away. The other pages scatter and Erwin glowers at them.
“Did you see the diagrams, my lady? The diagrams of how he butchered my men? Or was the step by step process too much for you?”
“I don’t underst-”
“This letter came back attached to a bloody sack that held the maniac slaughtered remains of my men. This was a message my lady, a show of power. This… was Zeke’s way of telling me he will slaughter all who are in his path and he will not lose sleep over it,” his voice grows in volume and anger and soon it’s booming and echoing through the entire room.
“So you see, my lady I am no longer interested in the petty qualms of the past between our people. I no longer care about the hate your parents held for my father or the hate you have for me. What I care about is making sure this beast pays for what he’s done. And that he will never get his hands on any of the precious resources this land has to offer. So correct me if I'm wrong in assuming that we have the same goal.”
There is silence as Erwin stands before you now, scowling at you. He’s so close that your heaving breasts hit his chiseled abs as you stand there challenging him with your shoulders squared and your chin held high.
The silence stretches out into an awkward staring competition that you refuse to lose. The tension in the room could be sliced with a knife but your eyes never leave his crystal glare. For the first time, you can see past his brave mask. He’s confused, hurt, frustrated, and vulnerable and your hard icy stare warms the longer you look at him. You almost forget who he is and reach out to caress and comfort him but you lock your jaw and keep your hands clasped in a fist at your side.
“It’s different when it’s your men being slaughtered by a foreign enemy, isn't it?”
That catches him off guard and the anger slowly releases from him as you look around the room, looking at each of the advisors standing slack jawed at the exchange between the two of you. You look back to Erwin, determination on your face now.
“Seems we have a lot to discuss. When will the beast be here?”
Erwin sighs in relief, loud enough for everyone to hear and Levi scoffs under his breath and rolls his eyes at the show of weakness. “Nanaba estimates three months.”
“Perfect, that will be plenty of time.”
“Plenty of time for what? I need your decision, we need to start preparing,” Erwin says watching you look at the little figurines on the war table. You scan the map past the forest to the west where the blue coloring indicates the sea.
“This isn’t a decision for me to make alone.”
“What are you talking about? You’re their leader, are you not?” Erwin looks confused and slightly annoyed but no one in the room dares to speak up while the two of you converse.
You turn to look at him now, head held high. Your voice is strong and serious, like you’re stating the law of the land for all to hear. “Everyone has a voice and it should be heard. If you wish to have a decision, we will take this before my people and they will decide. Before you do, you will partake in living with us, learn our ways, drink with us, eat with us, celebrate and worship with us. And should they decide to accept your request, we shall solidify the deal underneath the full moon. It is in three days.”
You chuckle to yourself and though Erwin is still frustrated he can feel it slowly leaving him with every soft sound escaping you.
“What is it?” he asks, moving closer and looking into your eyes again.
“I suppose now you’ll be my house guest and I promise to be a better host than you.”
--
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