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mylovelies-docx · 10 months

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Sorry, I Love You - Part 5

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood afternoon, everyone.

:) Have fun

Plot: You and Bucky have a good thing going - best of friends that also have more than a little chemistry between the sheets. Everything is fine until you develop feelings for the man who doesn't want a relationship. What will happen when Bucky finds out?

C/W: Awkwardness, flashbacks, feels

Word Count: 1,950

Tag List: NOW CLOSED! If you'd like to keep up with this story, please follow my blog and turn on notifications! ❤️ you :)

[Prologue][Part 1][Part 2][Part 3][Part 4]

This wouldn't be your and Bucky's first undercover mission together, but it would be the first one where the tension between you is decidedly not sexual. You're not even sure how well the two of you can pull off this charade since you have no idea what your chemistry is like anymore. Used to, you could do anything together, be anything together.

Not so much now.

There’s an awkwardness between you. Silences pregnant with all the things left unsaid – or should have been left unsaid. You’ll catch Bucky watching you from the corner of your eyes, always with an unreadable expression like he’s trying to figure you out again without actually asking any questions.

You can't imagine that you've changed so much in the intervening months, but Bucky makes so much progress in therapy that his confidence in himself and his personality grow by leaps and bounds all the time.

You don’t know this new Bucky, but you wish you did. You wish you had been with him to see his growth, encourage him on.

You’ve missed out on so much of your life by staying away from the Tower. You’d had so many plans that never came to be – no walks in the park when the flowers started to bloom, no trips to the beach on the hottest days of the year, no ice skating when the first snow fell. You kept a tab on everything that should have been on the calendar in your mind, noting all the days that had significance in the past but went uncelebrated this year.

But what’s done is done, and you have to pay for your actions – half a year away is a small price to have Bucky back in your life, even as a stranger instead of your lover.

You’re now trying to organize your new life on the outskirts of a small town in Russia, just a few miles away from a HYDRA base. Snow was falling thick and fast as the quinjet touched down hours ago, leaving behind a pristine blanket of white outside your new home. The small, two-bedroom cottage looks rustic, but it is still nicer than most of the surrounding homes due to Tony’s influence. There is hidden technology that will help the house to stay warm in this cold climate and random high-tech appliances, lights, and other things that look normal and are anything but.

With the HYDRA base going radio silent, you may be in this little home for longer than was initially expected earlier this year. Bucky is sure that the base is still active, though. He spent a lot of time here as the Winter Soldier, but no one has received reports from the embedded spy in recent months. This inactivity is concerning since you're no longer sure what is going on inside the building anymore.

It would be too obvious for Bucky to go undercover inside the facility, so that leaves it up to you to infiltrate as a researcher. The spy had assured last year that no one from the facility lived in the town you’ve settled in, so it’s safe enough for Bucky to remain close by as you work.

But the small town you’ve settled in is so traditional that the only way to remain inconspicuous as a younger woman is to be connected to a man in some way – be it living with family members or a husband.

And since you don't want to be labeled an outcast or worse, Bucky is here.

Bucky is going to be a mechanic at the small family-owned shop just down the road, and his prosthesis is covered in Stark technology that makes it appear as if he’d never lost it. Bucky used to spend a lot of time fixing up old cars and motorcycles between missions, so he should really enjoy spending his days in the garage helping out the Kowalds.

Unfortunately, your background isn’t as fun. You’re a whiz when it comes to biology, so Nat cooked up a false resume full of lab work that centers around eugenics and biomanipulation – things your spy had reported the facility was actively looking into. In order to get your foot in the door at the HYDRA facility, the Avengers had to create a background so disturbing that you're not even sure if you can interview for it properly.

You're just zipping up into your thick winter coat when Bucky walks out of the kitchen drying his hands on a dish towel.

“You headin’ out now, doll?” He asks, a small worry line between his eyebrows.

“Yup,” you answer back with a comforting smile on your face. “I need to go meet with our contact to make sure that everything is still okay.”

“Just be careful, yeah?” he tells you, slinging the towel up onto his shoulder. Today is his first day at the mechanic shop, so he's dressed in blue overalls with a small name tag stitched onto his chest. The sun is just barely rising, but he's going to be late if he doesn't hurry.

"You know me, Buck. My middle name is Safe."

"Your middle name is Trouble and you can't convince me otherwise, babygirl."

You stick your tongue out at him and blow a raspberry, holding your middle finger up in the air as you turn around and head out the door. Once out of his sight, you smile and bask in the feeling of having your friend back.

You'd missed the banter and easy wit you used to share together, so this small exchange feels like a return to normal. The awkwardness might return in time, but you hope Bucky has forgiven you enough to power through.

You trek along the deserted streets. The early hour and layer of snow on the ground seems to be keeping the townsfolk within their homes, wrapped snugly under their warm blankets. You sigh heavily and watch your breath fog in the air, the mist condensing and freezing your skin as you walk through the cloud.

You pass house after house, noticing lights turning on and the sound of hairdryers, televisions, and conversations humming in the air. Everything has a vague, indistinct quality to it, lulling you into daydreams of what their lives are like. Is it simple? Do they enjoy this cold, snowy location? Or are they also dreaming of a warm day laying in the grass in nothing but a pair of shorts and a tank top?

A memory worms its way to the surface of your mind of a day spent just like that with Bucky.

This was only a few weeks before your friends-with-benefits situation started. It was the hottest day of the year so far, the humidity heavy in the air and making the sidewalks and parks of New York City intensely uncomfortable. Even though Stark has the Tower equipped with the latest technology, he's incapable of leaving anything well enough alone. He'd been tinkering with the HVAC and somehow short-circuited the entire system. Everyone in the Tower was miserable and cranky, choosing to avoid one another in an attempt to stave off arguments and confrontations.

You'd been sitting in the shade of the balcony, fanning yourself as you watched all the teeny tiny people on the ground maneuver the crosswalks and traffic to get to where they were going. It was no warmer outside than it was in your room, so you chose to people-watch instead of lay there and sweat miserably on your clean sheets.

Just as some bratty kid you’d been watching chucked the ice cream he’d been yelling for only moments ago onto the sidewalk, the sliding glass doors behind you whooshed open. The sound of metal knocking against the doorframe had let you know that Bucky was the one to interrupt your spying.

Regretfully turning your neck, you felt your skin sliding wet and hot against itself. A frown marred your features as you stared at Bucky as he stood behind you, his eyes alight with mischievous glee.

“What did you do…?” You question slowly, almost afraid to know what that look was all about.

He shrugged a shoulder and smirked. “Nothing too bad.”

“BARNES!!!” a voice roared from the depths of the Tower.

You quirked an eyebrow at him and a small, disbelieving smile graced your lips. “That doesn’t sound like nothing, Buck.”

Bucky hmm’d and glanced back into the building when a CRASH reverberated from where the voice had yelled moments ago. “I was going to get out of here for a while. You wanna come?” he questioned breezily.

“And why would I want to leave when Tony’s working on fixing the AC?” you replied as you continued to fan yourself. Bucky’s eyebrows had quirked ever so slightly.

“Y/L/N!!!”

Your hand had frozen mid-fan and your eyes widened so much that Bucky couldn’t help but laugh.

“Where’d you say we were going?” you asked as you rose quickly from your seat and bypassed Bucky at the door.

***

“You little shit!” You had laughed uproariously when Bucky finally admitted to the prank.

“What else was I gonna do?” he responded, turning his face to look at you.

Even with the intense heat that day, you and Bucky had decided to forgo the climate controlled vehicles in the garage and went instead with the fastest getaway vehicle – Bucky’s bike. The wind had whipped against your body when you held onto Bucky and watched the city fall into the distance behind you.

He apparently hadn’t had a destination in mind, so you had ridden until cities and towns disappeared. He’d pulled off beside a barely visible hiking trail and jumped off his bike. You had followed suit and watched as Bucky pulled a blanket from inside the storage compartment on the bike. You hiked your eyebrows questioningly, but only got a grin in response.

That’s how you had found yourself lounging on a blanket in the middle of a field with Bucky on the hottest day of the year. You’d chatted and laughed for hours until the sun had slowly faded from the sky. Out that far, the light pollution of the cities couldn’t touch the stars. You had gazed upwards, trying to draw the constellations as you remembered them.

You weren’t any good at astrology or astronomy, but the stories behind the figures in the sky captivated you nonetheless.

You laughed again and turned to face him as well. “And why’d you have to implicate me, huh?”

“Figured it’d be more fun that way,” he had answered slyly.

You had wound your arm up and smacked him on the stomach, your hand bouncing off of the toned muscles. He’d caught your wrist on the next swing and held it up and away from his body. You’d tried to tug it away, but his metal fingers held fast and didn’t let you go. You rolled over toward him and began trying to use your body as leverage, but you had only succeeded in pulling yourself closer to him.

You huffed and blew the piece of hair that had fallen over your eyes away and looked up at him. He’d had a look in his eyes that he hadn’t directed at you before, but you’d seen glimpses of it when he’d find someone to bring back for the night.

You can’t help but think that that moment had been the turning point in your friendship with Bucky, the moment he thought about asking you to be friends-with-benefits. Of course you’d found him handsome long before then, but that was a moment that really cemented your attraction to him.

You didn’t have romantic feelings at the time, but you should have known they were inevitable.

Part 6

@jackiehollanderr @rabbitrabbit12321 @12345sebby @blackwood-bodecker-housewife @lauraashley93 @themorningsunshine @happinessinthebeing @nash-dara @calwitch@stany0url0calwh0res111 @pono-pura-vida @learisa @introverbatim @kentokaze @marvelogic @kaz11283

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x y/n #bucky fanfic #Sorry I Love You

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tip-top-cloud-surfer · 1 year

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Left at the Altar - Hangman (Part 3)

Pairing: Hangman / Fem!Reader (Ex-Girlfriend!Reader)

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: Some Light Angst; References to Sex; Second Person POV ("You"), No Y/N, No Physical Descriptions of Reader

This work, all of my other works, and my entire blog are 18+ Only.

Summary: You struggle with your life back in Texas. Is California calling your name?

A.N. I double-checked and I'm pretty sure that I added everyone to the tag list who requested it and has their age on their blog, so hopefully this works.

Part 1 Part 2 Epilogue

Master List

Sitting on the couch of your childhood home, you held your wine glass close to your chest.

It was officially two days after you were left at the altar and the last forty-eight hours of your life were practically a blur.

After your night with Jake, you were forced to deal with reality. You moved out of the apartment that you shared with your ex and went through the process of literally cutting him out of your life one photo at a time. Literally. Your name wasn’t on the lease since you moved into your ex’s bigger apartment a few months ago, which worked to your advantage.

You dropped off anything to do with your wedding at your ex’s family’s home, including your wedding dress, since they paid for it and told them to do whatever the hell that they wanted with it. Or they could bring it back to you and you’d burn it.

And your last spiteful move against your ex was cancelling your honeymoon reservations and the extra ticket that he bought his mistress the night before they were supposed to fly out. And the best part was that they had already checked in. Your ex tried to angrily text and call you after he got to the airport, but you just blocked him and moved on.

And now here you were: moved into your childhood bedroom, with your life in a suitcase and a bunch of taped up cardboard boxes. Truly living life to the fullest. Well, at least you had some wine that your mom may or may not have stolen from the reception venue.

The night chill seeped through the screens on the windows and the back door and forced you to pull on a sweatshirt. It was one of Jake’s old faded UT ones that he got when you were both sixteen. He quickly grew out of it and you were happy to take it off of his hands. You kept it in the deepest corner of your closet when you were living with your ex-fiancé, but now, you wore it openly.

You thought that it would have been inappropriate to wear an ex-boyfriend’s sweatshirt in the apartment that you shared with your fiancé. Of course, you thought that fucking someone else would have qualified as inappropriate, but perhaps you didn’t have your priorities straight. You should have started wearing it months ago.

Taking a sip of your wine, you sighed and leaned back against the couch.

Even in the darkest days of your relationship with Jake, he never once degraded you like your ex-fiancé did. Sure, Jake could be an asshole and you were the first person to tell him that he was being an asshole, but he wasn’t irredeemable. He had his faults but his heart was always in the right place.

Your ex on the other hand; there was absolutely no way to justify his decision to break up with you over text on the morning of your wedding day. You were done with him and with the whole picture. Luckily, you already deleted and cut up all the remaining photos of the two of you together.

The sound of footsteps caused you to open your eyes and turn towards the stairs. Your mom slowly walked downstairs and smiled softly when she saw that you were still awake. Making her way over to you, she sat down beside you on the couch and squeezed your shoulder.

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked softly.

“Something like that,” you replied, just as quietly.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’ve been better,” you answered honestly, trying to force a small smile.

“Did you hear from Jake?”

“Yeah, we’ve been texting a lot. He apologized for fact that he had to run out.” You nodded slowly, pursing your lips together as you let a breath out of your nose. “But it’s not his fault. That’s just how it always goes with the two of us.”

“Why does it have to work out like that?” your mom asked softly.

“That’s just how it’s always been, Mom. You know that,” you replied, turning to stare down at your wine glass. “When we’re together and alone, everything is perfect. Everything feels right and I never ever felt like that with someone else. But then reality hits and we have to go back to the paths that we picked and . . . we’re separated in the end again.”

Your mom nodded solemnly, though her expression gave away her opinion on the subject. Straightening up, she glanced out the window at the rose bushes that sat right below your childhood bedroom window. The ones that were planted there for a very specific reason.

“I remember when your father bought those bushes,” your mom stated wistfully, causing you to pick your head up and turn around.

“You mean when he tried and break me and Jake up?” you mused, shaking your head.

“He was trying to prevent you from sneaking out and Jake from sneaking in,” your mom corrected you with a small smile. “And how well did that work?”

“Not even in the slightest,” you replied without skipping a beat. You smiled softly as you glanced out at the familiar bushes, working through some of the associated memories. “I remember when he fell into them one night. He showed up the next day to school looking like he lost a fight with a cactus. Told his parents and everyone that he fell off a skateboard and they somehow bought it.”

“And did he come back after that?”

“He might have,” you stated with a shrug, earning a look from your mom. “A few times.”

“Exactly,” your mom responded, folding her hands in her lap. “He kept coming back. He keeps coming back to you no matter what life throws in front of the two of you.”

“He does,” you agreed quietly.

“I mean, how many times have the two of you been in a relationship?”

“A few,” you replied, earning another look from your mom. “Seven or eight, depending on factors that I need to be a bit little drunker to discuss with you, Mom.”

“My point is,” your mom continued, resting a hand on your arm, “you two keep finding your way back to each other. Over and over again. And honey, I have to tell you this honestly. I’ve never seen you happier than you are when you’re with Jake. You could combine your love for all of your other exes and it still wouldn’t compare to the affection that you have for Jake. And we can all see that.”

“I know, Mom,” you replied softly, trying to not choke on your emotions. Letting out a breath, you sunk further into the couch. “I was so stupid for thinking that marrying anyone else was going to solve any of my problems. Or make me happy.”

“Well, the good news is that your ex looks like a complete ass and now you get to go on and live your fairytale without that burden on your shoulders,” your mom stated, squeezing your hand. “And, honey, I want you to have your fairytale. I want it for you so badly.”

“I know, Mom.”

“And I think that Jake is that person for you,” your mom reiterated, rubbing your arm soothingly. “You let him go and he let you go because you two loved each other and you wanted what was best for each other. But despite that, you two still found your way back together so many times that you can’t even keep track. And that sounds a lot like love to me.”

“I love him, Mom,” you confirmed for her. “I do. I love him so much.”

“Then why are you staying here?” your mom asked you, causing you to sit up more. “Honey, I know that you love living here, but I don’t want you to hold yourself back from your happiness because you’re scared of taking that first step out.”

You nodded slowly, not really sure what else to say. Your mom pulled you in for a hug. Pressing a kiss to the top of your head, like she did when you were a kid, she squeezed you tightly to her chest.

“I just want you to be happy, sweetheart,” your mom whispered to you. “And I know that I taught you to not rely on other people for your own happiness—and you still shouldn’t—but you always just seem happier when you’re with him.”

“I am happier when I’m with him, Mom,” you agreed, burying your face into her shoulder.

“Then I think that you have your answer, sweetheart.”

~~~~~

After another long day at work, the Dagger Squad decided to go out for a cold beer together before taking some time for themselves. Except for Coyote, that is, who made some excuse about having to run a random errand.

It was a warm spring afternoon, so the Dagger Squad gathered out on the back deck to get away from the afternoon rush. Hangman glanced down at his phone frequently, waiting for your text. After your shared night in the honeymoon suite, the two of you had been texting frequently. Obviously, you were both busy, but you tried to text a few times a day.

But today, you weren’t answering. Jake didn’t want to jump to conclusions on anything, but it still struck him as odd. Especially because he knew that you had the next few days off because you were supposed to be on your now cancelled honeymoon.

“If you don’t put your phone down, you’re paying for the next round, Hangman,” Phoenix warned him, taking a long sip of her drink. “Remember Maverick’s rule?”

“He’s not here,” Hangman replied back, though he still stowed his phone away. “No need to try and win the teacher’s pet award.”

“Says the man who always sits in the front row of every briefing,” Bob spoke to his pilot’s defense.

“He’s got you there,” Phoenix stated with a proud smirk.

“You know, I think that I speak for everyone when I say how happy I am that the two of you chose to keep flying together,” Hangman replied sarcastically, reaching for his beer.

“You get crabby when Coyote’s not here to back you up,” Rooster quipped as Hangman took a swig of his beer. “Actually, you’ve been crabby for a while now.”

“Been hanging around you guys for too long,” Hangman replied without missing a beat, setting his beer down on the table.

“You just had a break from us,” Rooster pointed out, shifting in his seat.

“Wasn’t long enough,” Hangman stated, reaching for his phone again.

“Well, Coyote’s here to cheer you up,” Fanboy announced, staring down the boardwalk. Fanboy frowned slightly and straightened up a bit. “But he’s got a woman with him.”

That announcement got everyone else at the table to whip around to stare down the boardwalk. Coyote was, in fact, walking over with a woman. And who was that mysterious woman who may or may not have spent half an hour in an airport bathroom making sure that she didn’t look like she woke up at three that morning to get to the airport to get to San Diego?

You smiled softly and waved to Jake, who was completely shocked to see you in California. And, of course, you wore a sundress that he bought you. He felt obligated to get it for you after the two of you got a little handsy in a dressing room while you were trying it on.

“Who the hell is—” Rooster’s question was cut off by Hangman practically knocking over the entire table with how fast he got up from the table. “Jesus Christ,” Rooster complained as some beer spilled on his jeans. “Really, Hangman?”

But Jake was already bounding down the boardwalk, slipping around the tourists, civilians, and other naval personnel. The Daggers stared after Hangman with mildly confused expressions and curious stares. Except for Coyote, who grinned when he spotted Hangman hurrying over.

“You know,” Coyote told you with an amused smile, “I think that Javier is a very strong name for a baby boy. It rolls right off the tongue.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” you promised Coyote with a small chuckle.

Coyote shot you a wink before walking towards the Hard Deck. Coyote sent Jake a mock salute that Jake returned before continuing on his way. You stopped in your approach since Jake was moving fast enough for the both of you and simply held out your arms.

The rest of the Daggers watched as Jake scooped you up into his arms and spun you around. You laughed and hugged him back, wrapping your arms around his shoulders and your legs around his waist to avoid any risk of falling onto the weathered wood below.

“What are you doing here?” Jake breathed out, slowly placing you back on your feet.

“Well, I had a few days off,” you replied softly, smoothing down the creases on his shirt. “And so, I hopped on the first flight that I could get to San Diego. I thought that I would surprise you.”

“I’m certainly surprised,” Jake mused, resting his forehead against your own.

Gently guiding your chin towards his own, your lips met in a soft embrace. Jake wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you closer to him. You cupped his cheeks with your hands and deepened the kiss perhaps beyond what was respectable in public.

But hell, Miramar was a Navy town. This was far from the most indecent reunion kiss that this town had ever seen before.

Coyote walked over to where the other Daggers were gathered and took Hangman’s spot. If Coyote knew how Jake operated when you came to visit, he wasn’t going to need his seat back.

“Hangman has a girlfriend?” Bob asked Coyote curiously, assuming that he knew all.

“I think ‘girlfriend’ doesn’t really cover it anymore, honestly,” Coyote replied honestly.

Back on the boardwalk, you reluctantly pulled away from Hangman’s lips for a little air. Smiling goofily, you wrapped your arms around his shoulders and just simply took in the fact that he was right here in front of you once again.

“How long are you in town for?” he asked you, slowly opening his eyes.

“Until Sunday,” you replied, meeting his gaze again. “So, we’ve got about five days together.”

“No time to waste then,” Hangman reasoned, picking up your bag from where you placed it on the ground. “This is it?”

“Yeah, I packed light because I needed to fly standby.”

“That’s fine. You won’t need to wear anything once we get back to my apartment,” Jake stated with a wink, earning a light smack to his arm.

Jake led you over to where his truck was parked. He put your bag in the backseat and handed you the keys. Jake sprinted back to the Hard Deck to pay his tab and gift Javy some beer for the surprise. Dancing around the invasive and curious questions from the rest of the Dagger Squad, Jake returned to your side as fast as he could.

“Ready?” he asked, shutting his door.

“Ready,” you agreed, leaning over to press a kiss to his lips.

Jake backed up out of the spot and started driving to his apartment. Once he put his truck back into drive, he reached over and grabbed your hand, threading your fingers together. You returned the gesture and squeezed his hand, trying to not melt into the seat when Jake pressed a kiss to the back of your hand.

“I missed you,” you told him softly, smiling over at him.

“I love you,” he returned confidently.

“You always have to one-up me,” you sighed, shaking your head playfully. “But I love you too.”

“What’s not the love?” Jake replied with a playful wink.

“Did you want me to get out the list?”

“Harsh,” Jake stated, smirking a bit. “Don’t worry, I can think of a way that you can make it up to me.”

“I intend to . . . Lieutenant.”

Part 1 Part 2 Epilogue

A.N. I'm thinking that I might do an epilogue that's set a few months or years into the future. So, if you're not already on the tag list and want to be tagged in an epilogue, then reply or reblog with that request (though you must show that you're an adult with your age in your blog to get tagged). Thanks!

Tag List (First 50 since there's a limit):

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writersdrug · 8 months

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Ghost x Reader x Konig: I Don't Need You (Ch. 4)

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Summary: You've been sold to a new group - again. KorTac just bought you off of the last team's hands, forcing you to uproot and settle a fifth time. Something feels different about this team, but you remain distant and cold from everyone. You figure in a few months, you'll be tossed onto the next bidder's plate, anyways. No sense in trying to bond with anyone now.

Additionally, Konig takes the first step at cracking through your outer shell.

Warnings: some distasteful jokes.

Notes: Nothing fancy here, just setting up the foundation for the upcoming events. This weekend should be more eventful! Thanks to everyone who's loved it so far, let me know if you'd like to be tagged in the next chapter! (Also, still working on some oneshots and a Price fic too)

A year had passed. It felt like ten. I had been traded between four different private military groups. It felt like forty.

Working with Jax’s group started out just fine. On the first mission, things couldn’t have gone more smoothly. I took down every single enemy that stood in between me, the team, and the hostile package we were saving. We were done in less than three hours. Apparently, that was a problem for the rest of the team. I was too good. So skillful, I was hurting their egos. Rather than think of how I was helping carry out missions successfully without any significant losses, the team complained that I wasn’t fitting in and was causing a problem among the members. “Like she did back at her old base.”

I hadn’t been causing problems at all, but I hadn’t been trying to fit in either. From the moment I walked onto the base, I felt like a reject. I minded my own business and kept to myself, only being a team player when we were briefing or when we were on the field. The rest of the team was just fine with that arrangement, until they thought my skill threatened their reputation. The results of the missions I attended with the group should have convinced Jax to ignore his soldiers’ requests to have me bumped, but as with Price, he had his favorites. And he chose to listen to them.

It was a similar talk as the one I had with Price. You’re good, but the team doesn’t like you. You’re not really causing issues but, indirectly, you are. So we’re selling you to another private group. Even though they were selling me off just as easily and quickly as Price had, this didn’t hurt as much. Because I never had anything here to root myself onto to begin with.

So there I was, back on the heli, squinting down at the complex as my hair whipped around my face. Some soldiers stared back at me, sneering. Some smug. I stared back, expressionless. I’d learned to grow a hard shell around my roots – if I couldn’t be planted anywhere, it wouldn’t hurt as much when I was torn out of the earth again.

The two soldiers in the front seat were quiet. They pulled the heli off of the landing pad, speaking to each other in a language I wasn’t familiar with. It sounded Swedish. I turned my attention to the file in my hands, gripping it tightly as the wind threatened to snatch it from me.

KORTAC

Majka/Ridgeback

CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT

I signed, looking out at the clouds. Another initiation briefing, another ice-breaker, another couple of months of hell. I mentally prepared myself for the unwelcoming stares and the countless cold shoulders I would bump into trying to rub elbows with this new group. I wasn’t sure if I would ever find a place to land, or if I would keep hopping across teams like rocks in a river, until I was swallowed by the water and carried away. Hopefully that happens sooner rather than later.

-----

I stood in the corner of the dimly lit room, settled in the shadows behind Ridgeback’s desk. He sat there, scribbling his signature on my document. I noticed how often he muttered to himself as he worked, his brow consistently furrowed, as if everything he read was something troubling. Eventually, he flipped through the pages once more, before grunting in approval. “Just about finished here, I’ll just need one more signature from you. Then you’re officially a KorTac sergeant.”

Like hell I am.

He held out his pen in my direction. I took it, scribbling my signature at the bottom of the page. It was sloppy. He scoffed. “You ain’t gonna give it a once-over?” he asked.

“No sir, I already know what’s in my contract.” I replied dryly. Five years, stealth expert, marksman, sniper-as-needed, subject to termination at director’s discretion.

He smirked at my expression. “I have a feeling you’ll fit right in with the rest of us.”

I doubt it. “We’ll see, sir.”

After signing my contract, Ridgeback collect the papers and we shuffled out of his office. He made his way down the hall as I trailed behind. The compound that KorTac was based at was surprisingly the most decent-looking out of the previous compounds I had been at. From what I had bothered to look at in the file, they were pretty well off; they carried out missions for different eastern governments as easily as one would check something off their to do list. And they were paid handsomely. Something I had to look forward to. Maybe something that would coerce me into putting in an effort to stay with the team.

Ridgeback was one of their leaders, and was a sinister looking thing. His eyes were always filled with suspicion, his body was hulking and tense… He looked like he was either ready for me to stab him in the back, or that he was getting ready to do that to me himself. His steps echoed through the halls rhythmically, while mine were nearly inaudible.

Despite my hard outer-shell, I was on edge. Every time I was signed to a new team, there were jabs, insults, threats, and sometimes petty attempts to trip me up – mentally and physically. I had no reason to think that this compound would be any different. If I could, I would have grown spikes from my skin, keeping everyone and everything at a distance.

We entered a small room with a table, some chairs, and a rug. How much do the governments pay them to afford such a luxury? Several people stood throughout the room, mostly against the far wall. Ridgeback slapped his papers on the table, spreading them to his liking, while I pressed myself against the wall behind him. Just a few minutes of this, then I can leave. I prayed that the meeting would go by quickly so I could go to my room. I felt like a dog, snarling and hunched as I faced the pack of wolves, who stared at me dangerously. You’re in the wrong group.

Ridgeback cleared his throat. “I hope you all looked over the files this morning.”

No answer.

“As usual, I see…” he sighed. “We have a new team member. I’d like you to please welcome ‘Bonnie’.” He stepped aside and gestured to me with a tilt of his head.

I met everyone in the eyes with an ice-cold gaze. I wanted it to be known: Leave me alone. I’ll do my job, you do yours. Otherwise, fuck off.

A few stares, some rolling eyes, some groans, and the occasional indifferent glance. I was used to it: no one wanted me here. Give it a few months and I would be sold off to the next group. My skills couldn’t make up for the lack of chemistry with the team – I would be wasting no efforts to change that.

“What does she bring to the table?” one man asked.

“Better be a sandwich.” Someone answered, earning a few laughs.

“Chlamydia.” Another said. More laughter. A few glares towards the speaker.

I continued to stare at the wall behind them, unamused.

“I expect you to treat her with respect.” Ridgeback continued, purposefully directing his words towards certain people in the room. “We’ve needed another marksman for a while now, and she just so happens to bring other skills with her. She’s a decorated sergeant major that specializes in stealth extractions and attacks. We need her. You all know that, seeing as how these last few months you all have been lacking.”

More silence. Some people shifted uncomfortably.

“So please accept her as one of our own, because she’s here for a while.”

I groaned internally. We’ll see.

Ridgeback moved on to talk about other things. An upcoming hostage-rescue mission set to take place two weeks from now. I remained against the wall, listening close to the details: I would be one of the first people to strike, alongside Fender, O’Connor, Konig, and Horangi. Fender and O’Connor would work together on a checkpoint, while Konig, Horangi, and I would be alone to take out the other three. Zero, Roze, Juno, and Oni would be retrieving and extracting the hostage package, with Castillo and O’Connor covering them as snipers – once O’Connor and Fender had cleared their checkpoint. Mine wasn’t too far away from them, so I would be backup as needed.

Simple enough.

After the briefing, we were dismissed, and I trudged out of the room with everyone else. I broke off from the crowd and walked briskly down the hall. I heard a few disgruntled voices as I pushed past the bodies.

“Gone so soon?” a woman’s voice called out. I didn’t bother to turn around.

“Got shit I need to do.” I replied.

“Fair – we’ll be in the commons later, you should swing by. I’d be rude if you didn’t introduce yourself.”

I ignored her and continued down the hall. I pulled my keycard out of my pocket – this compound was nice. Most bases didn’t even have the luxury of locked doors, let alone private barrack rooms. I reached my door and hurriedly tapped the card on the lock, stepping inside and locking myself in.

I let out a tired sigh, leaning back against the door. I didn’t feel anxious, yet my shoulders couldn’t have been more tense. Having to adjust to a new team for the fifth time… the weight of it finally settled on my mind, and I groaned. Maybe I should just quit. Being a civilian would be boring, but at least it’s a consistent life.

My bags were still piled on the floor near my bed. I had the convenience of an in-unit shower and bathroom, as well as a desk and a short dresser. I grabbed one of the bags, dropping it onto my bed and rummaging through it. I pulled out a pair of cargo pants and a compression shirt – I desperately needed to change, as my current clothes were still covered in dust and dirt from the helicopter ride.

I quickly took a shower, leaving my hair in a braid and focusing on washing the dirt from my body. I dried off and pulled on the new set of clothes. I looked at myself in the mirror – my eyes had dark bags under them, and my mouth had a slight downturn in the corners. Something that had become permanent over the last year.

I walked back into my room. My bag was still on the bed, clothes strewn about, along with a couple of books and files. I sighed, pushing them all to the side and flopping down on the mattress. Damn, I might actually try to stay this time… I thought, sinking into the pillows. I closed my eyes, wondering if I would even go to the common area tonight. They’d be fine if I wasn’t there.

Suddenly, I heard a soft knock on my door. I tilted my head up, staring daggers into the door, hoping whoever it was would just go away. I’d had my fill of strangers for the day. I dropped my head back down onto the pillows. Another, sharper knock thrummed against the door.

“Busy.” I stated loudly.

“No you’re not.” An accented voice spoke through the door.

I scoffed, rolling out of bed and making my way to the door. Who the fuck-

I opened it annoyedly; my eyes were met with someone’s chest under their compression shirt. I looked upwards until I finally found their eyes, which were the only things visible under his sniper hood. I cocked my head to the side. “Yes?”

The man cleared his throat. “Bonnie?” he asked. There was a sense of professionalism in his voice, with an undertone of… nervousness? I couldn’t quite place it.

“That’d be me.” I said curtly. Unintentionally, my demeanor became cold and unwelcoming, as I had forced it to over the years when I had to interact with anyone. Alone, I was myself. Around other people, no one had the opportunity to know what I was like. I refused to let them.

“Konig.” He reached his hand down in front of me. I grasped it firmly and shook it, surprised at how strong his hold was.

“Cool.” I said.

“I’m your Colonel.” He spoke, and I noticed his Austrian accent.

“Cool.” I repeated.

“Since we’ll be working together,” he started, taking a step back so I didn’t have to crane my neck so hard to look at him, “I figured a proper introduction was in order.” He peered over my shoulder, glancing at the clothes strewn about my bed. I caught a flicker of annoyance in his glance, before he looked back at me. “What do you say we talk over dinner? You’ll get a chance to meet the rest of the team, and figure out how we work.”

“Actually, we won’t be working together.” I stated, crossing my arms over my chest. Konig looked confused. I continued: “Ridgeback said you’ll have your own checkpoint to clear, and I’ll have mine. I don’t need to ‘figure anything out’. I know how to do my job, thank you very much.”

Konig’s eyes narrowed in disgust. I saw his hands clenching into fists. “You’re a part of a team. You need to work with them, you know.”

“I don’t need anything.” I snapped. “Tell me what to do and I’ll get it done. That’s what I do.”

Konig huffed in frustration. He gave me one last glare before muttering something in German and storming off. I sneered behind his back, then closed my door behind me.

I started to curse at myself – I was given the perfect opportunity to bond with the team, and I had squashed it like a bug. But I told myself what I always did. It wouldn’t have worked out anyways. Just wait until after the first mission, you’ll be sold of to the next director that deems you useful. It’s only a matter of time – no use trying to find a sense of home here. I walked back over to my bed, dropping on it with a scowl.

My roots were hanging in the air, desperate to grab hold of something, anything – just to ground myself. My leaves were starting to fall off and float away, and my branches were tired. I was so tired. I wished I was back with the 141. I wished I had said something to Soap before I left. I should have begged Price to let me stay. I should have tried to talk it out with Ghost from the night that it first fell apart.

I groaned, cradling my head in my hands. I’m not going to the common area tonight.

-----

Taglist: @igotmajordaddyissues

#konig cod #konig x reader #call of duty #ghost cod #ghost x reader #ghost x reader smut #konig smut #cod #cod mw2 #cod x reader #konig x reader smut #simon riley x reader #simon riley #simon riley smut #konig #ghost smut #simon ghost riley smut #simon ghost riley x reader

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cobaltcarbonpotassium420 · 1 year

Text

skin to skin - shidou ryusei

tags / warnings: kinda fluffy, shidou is a little confused about his feelings but that's okay, gn! reader, moderately suggestive content but nothing actually happens, not proofread

author's note: first actual fic??? i'm a lil bit bored so why not. i think shidou might be a little ooc in this perhaps but i tried my best! i'm also a little worried that i implied anything too much about the reader's appearance, so i am very very sorry if i did. constructive criticism is appreciated, though i might cry tbh. exams have me fucked up. enjoy!

his hands roam. they don't have any particular goal. he only glides his fingers gently over your skin, exploring the terrain while you sleep. the warm summer air is oppressive, so the duvet has long since been replaced for a much thinner, almost useless blanket. its use is less for warmth than modesty, not that such a thing was really necessary when shidou had already seen everything there was to be seen about you.

his hands traverse over your thighs, still hovering over with a touch so soft he might as well have been dragging a feather along your sleeping form. sure he might have seen everything, but had he ever truly indulged his other senses in you? perhaps he had tasted you, even some hours later you still lingered on his tongue. it's a bitter, salty taste that sent his nerves into overdrive when the first pang hit. he can recreate the moment in his mind, but it never gets him going quite as much as experiencing it does. thoughts are just thoughts, they're never true to the experience.

that's two senses shidou could tick off of his list of ways he knows you, and now he was about to tick off a third. he had felt you before. he held you tight and close, but the sensation was never what he was focused on. he was familiar with how light and malleable you felt in his hands, but truthfully he never indulged in the details of your body. why would he? at the end of the day, your relationship was largely transactional, with very few feelings atttached besides pure, unadulterated lust and passion. he knew your body the way a student might know a book for a class they had to take - they read the summary half an hour before the lesson, and have a vague grasp of the concept, but the details elude them. shidou decided for once to be a good student and learn those details for no reason in particular other than the fact that he was stuck in your apartment with you on account of him having been evicted for threatening other tenants in his old building, and the warm july night kept him awake.

so he goes about slowly studying you, trying not to rouse you from your sleep. his hand starts on your thigh, and slowly travels its circumference. you're laying on your side, back facing shidou, hair carefully tucked under your head (shidou had complained about it getting in his face while he slept before, and threatened to cut it off himself if you didn't do something about it), soft breaths escaping past your lips, and completely unaware of shidou's touch on you. he hopes you don't wake up and then misinterpret it for something more romantic and intimate than it is. he's just indulging his curiosity and trying to stave off the boredom from struggling to fall asleep.

he feels how soft you are, a fact he already knew, but never like this. he feels a slight dryness to your skin too, and thinks that perhaps you should invest in a good lotion, not that it mattered much to him. he doesn't care about something as menial as whether you're moisturising properly, but he knows you might. people less confident than him often look for silly insecurities that no one else could give a single shit about. he won't point out your dry skin. he doesn't care enough, he thinks.

his hands travel up further, and on the sides of your legs he can feel the evidence of the tight grip he held you in just hours earlier. he scowls slightly, thinking that something so unsightly and vulgar shouldn't be on you. it grosses him out a little, though he couldn't pin point why. he assumes its because someone like you doesn't deserve to have a reminder of someone like him on their body. shidou isn't completely satisfied with that answer, but he leaves it as it is, he's not a fan of overthinking things.

his hands now reach your hips. as his fingertips skate over the landscape, he feels stretch marks that go down your thighs and around to your back. he could follow these trusty guides to the back but chooses not to, he's too tired for that. instead, he follows them up to your hipbone, and he feels you stir. he retracts his hand, afraid you'll wake up and wonder what he was doing. any misinterpretation of his actions on your part could have devastating repercussions on the relationship between the two of you, and shidou makes an instant decision to lie and say he accidentally grazed his hand over you while turning in his sleep, should you interrogate him about what he was doing.

but you don't. you're still asleep, you just moved your leg a little, perhaps feeling his ticklish touch in your sleep, and assuming it was some annoying mosquito that came to feed from you while you slept. shidou waits a moment before resuming his late-night study session, listening to the occasional car drive by late in the night. light from the streetlamps and moon float into your open window, and the music from the corner shop across the road accompany it. the sound is tinny, and shidou is surprised it can even be heard all the way over in your apartment. the cashier is probably blasting it from the radio to stop the warmth from coaxing them to sleep.

a minute passes, and shidou gingerly places his hand back on your hip. with the way you've moved, he can slightly feel your hip bone poking out, and the change strikes him as a slight surprise. your soft body and his mindless journey have both been interrupted by the feeling of the hard, smooth bone of your hips. it's just a small intrusion though, and he traces it up and down with his ring finger a few times, suddenly conscious of how unpleasant his skin is compared to yours. callouses line his hands from long and difficult workouts; a figure like his came at a price. he's not insecure of them, but sometimes he picks at his callouses when he's bored and needs something to do with his hands, which in turn makes his skin raw, and lifting weights immediately becomes a much more painful activity.

amid his little sidetrack in thoughts, shidou's hand slips off of your hip bone, and ends up on your stomach. he knows for a fact that if you were awake you'd try to slap his hand off, saying that you feel fat when he places his hands on your pillowy tummy. its another insecurity that he doesn't see the value of. another pointless thought wasting space in your mind. he stretches his hand out over your lower belly, and gently tucks his fingers in on the far side, under where gravity has pulled your skin and organs to create a natural pouch. it radiates heat, and ordinarily shidou would retract his hand. he doesn't need something else to make him uncomfortably warm, not when he's already sweating slightly in the middle of the night from the hellish heatwave that feels like its attacking your apartment relentlessly. he decides this spot was made for his hand by the gods though, its the perfect size to provide him with a little grip on you, and the softness just makes it all the more perfect to hold.

the thought crosses his mind that if you were to wake up, you'd definitely misinterpret his actions. your presence is so soft and pleasant though, and your body is so perfectly moulded to fit into his grip that he decides just this one time to enjoy the feeling. he tentatively moves closer to you, yet again trying not to wake you, and decides he'll explain himself in the morning.

#shidou ryusei #bllk shidou #shidou x reader #blue lock #blue lock shidou #blue lock x reader

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arabellavernierwrites · 11 months

Note

Hii! I saw you're seeking requests and I may have one for Spencer Reid if that's okay. What if Spencer is invited to hs school reunion, and he really hesitates to go and maybe even getting emotional because that kid went through so much trauma. And reader (his girlfriend) being all supportive and ultimately he decides to go if she comes with him. It's up to you if you continue the story, them being on the reunion (it's always up to you!). If you not want to write this, that's totally okay, but if you do, can u tag me? Much love

Maya

reunion. s.r.

summary : spencer gets invited to his high school reunion, when it proves to be more difficult that he anticipated , you’re there for him.

word count : 1709

warnings : mentions of bullying , panic attack

a/n: hello ! oh my gosh i have missed you guys so much. this is my very first request ! thank you so much maya for requesting a really awesome idea , you have been so lovely and so supportive and i really genuinely thank you so much for it ! go read maya’s work !!! and my requests and dm’s are always open if any of you want me to write anything for you ! you all have continued to show me so much love and support , and from the bottom of my heart, thank you, it truly means so much to me. for some reason, when using tumblr on my phone , i am unable to follow back or reply to comments, so i will be trying to figure it out on my computer. but just know i see all of your comments and they mean so much to me, and even if i can’t follow you back, i check all your accounts and stories out all the time ! thank you again for all of the support, this one is a bit long, but i wanted to make sure it held you over for my absence. having the most amazing and wonderful day ever ! love you !

@c-m-stuff

as another successful day of work had come to a close, you found yourself setting your handful of personal belongings on the kitchen counter. purse, pile of documents from work, the mail. you slid your shoes off and sorted through the stack of papers.

the usual. bills, local advertisements, paychecks. an envelope from an unfamiliar address caught your eye.

you’re invited! 15 year high school reunion. event information and rsvp directions stated below. hope to see you there!

“spencer?” you called, making your way to meet him in the living room.

“oh!” you caught him off guard as he peered up from his book, “how was work?”

“it was alright,” you took a seat next to him on the couch, handing him the card, “you got an invitation to your high school reunion. 15 years”.

“what?” a look of bewilderment struck his face, “why would they want me there?”

it’s no secret that spencer’s high school experience was tougher than most. years of harassment and relentless bullying plagued him. faces he couldn’t forget, names that danced around his mind, traumatic memories that kept him on edge for a lifetime. they were demons that followed spencer everywhere he went, forcing him to treat his life like a fortress that most people never got access to.

“spencer-” you started, rubbing the back of his neck.

“i’m not going,” he interrupted, tossing the invitation off to the side.

“alright,” you smiled, placing a kiss on his nervous lips.

you were quick to throw the card away, not wanting a reminder of high school sitting out at all hours of the day for spencer to reminisce on.

•

a few days later, you and spencer were wrapping up dinner and getting ready to get in bed. he put the dishes away as you grabbed the trash to take out.

opening the lid of the trashcan, you noticed the paper with the words ‘you’re invited!” splayed across the top was gone. you furrowed your brow, thinking spencer could’ve thrown it out on his way to work, maybe he tore it up, the details weren’t important.

“i think i might go,” spencer spoke quietly, noticing your confusion.

“you think that would be good for you?” you asked, wanting to take the matter seriously for his sake.

“i think i’m old enough now to feel more removed from it, more comfortable facing it again,” he responded, unsure.

“if that sounds like it will be a positive experience, i’m all for it,” you stated, wanting him to be sure of himself, no matter what decision he makes.

“there’s a possibility. it’s just,” spencer placed the stack of plates down in front of him, taking a shaky breath, “it’s hard”.

you walked over, wrapping your arms around him, pulling him close to you. he dug his face into your neck, trying not to sniffle as he squeezed you.

“i’m sure it is,” you replied, giving him the chance to elaborate.

“when i think of high school, i think of names and faces. people who put me through hell, people who watched. i just don’t think i can do it alone. i think it’ll be too much,” spencer whispered.

“well, you don’t have to do it alone,” you offered.

you knew what spencer had endured in high school. you knew what it meant for a child to be stripped naked by a teenager, you knew that those were traumatizing years for spencer, and you wanted to be there for him in any way that he needed. even if that meant catching a flight to las vegas to attend a high school reunion.

spencer released himself from your grasp, standing to look you in the eyes, “what do you mean?”

“well, if it offers you any support, i’ll go with you,” you reached up to brush his pretty hair behind his ear, “if you need encouragement, a hand to hold, anything. i’ll go with you”.

you both paused.

“you’re sure?” he asked, appearing timid.

“it’s up to you. if you feel like this event is something you would like to attend, and you need someone to go, of course, i’ll be there,” you assured, holding his hands.

spencer thought about it for a few seconds, looking down and chewing on his lip, “i’ll go if you come with me”.

you cheered, “vegas!”

he laughed, swooping down to kiss your lips, “thank you”.

“anything for you”.

•

the next few days had been chock-full of planning. making arrangements with your bosses about needing a few days off, purchasing plane tickets, and booking a hotel room occupied most of your time. but you mainly wanted to keep an eye on spencer, making sure that he was still okay with this somewhat spontaneous trip, and prepare yourself to cancel everything if he changed his mind.

packing was a breeze, the flight was quicker than expected, and the hotel room was nice. overall, spencer seemed to be doing fairly well. aside from the usual stresses of traveling, he seemed to be slightly more stressed than normal, but that was expected.

“how are you feeling?” you asked, straightening spencer’s bowtie in the mirror.

he swallowed nervously, his adam’s apple bobbing, “fine”.

“whenever you’re ready to leave, just let me know,” you promised, knowing it would comfort spencer to have some kind of an out of the event.

“okay,” he nodded, “you look beautiful”.

you tried not to blush, but were unable to keep the heat from rising to your cheeks, “thank you. you look very handsome”.

spencer looked down, a small smile forming on his face, “thank you”.

“ready to go?” you asked, fixing a strand of his hair.

“let’s go,” he reached down to give you a quick kiss.

the journey wasn’t too far from the school, you arrived within a few minutes of leaving the hotel. spencer kept his hand intertwined with yours the entire duration of the ride.

the front of the school was decorated nicely, streamers softly swayed with the breeze, balloons populated either side of the gymnasium doors, and a large “class of ‘94!” banner framed hung from above.

“this is cute,” you nodded at the decor as you and spencer got out of the car.

he was silent. he squeezed your hand uncomfortably, as if you were one of the balloons tied to the front of the school, and he was worried you were going to float out of his grasp. it took him a moment to be able to step through the double doors. his breath wavered as music pounded the walls in front of you.

“you can do this,” you placed a hand on his cheek, looking into his eyes in an attempt to ground him, “we can leave whenever you begin to feel uncomfortable. okay? step by step”.

spencer nodded, “step by step”.

he took a deep breath and walked in. he kept his head low, paying more attention to his shoes than the scene in front of him. a gym full of people, mostly in their early thirties, standing around talking, drinking, and fluttering about tables to reintroduce themselves to their former peers. the lights were dim, the dj seemed to be having a nice time, and nobody was without a smile.

spencer looked up, trying to keep himself stable. he continued breathing in and out, making sure his grasp was comfortable in your hand, and allowed himself to appreciate the vibrations of the booming music. if things continued like this, he could even picture himself having a decent time.

the two of you walked a lap around the tables, not quite ready to engage in conversation yet, but allowing spencer to become more comfortable. he poured the two of you a small glass of champagne to nurse while you chatted with each other. you smiled, proud of the man in front of you.

“spencer reid?” a voice called out, approaching the two of you.

spencer turned to look, all color draining from his face as he realized who it was, “alexa lisbon”.

“oh my gosh, i haven’t seen you since you were just a kid!” she chuckled, “how have you been? i’ve heard you’re working for the fbi now”.

spencer was speechless for a few moments. he was finding it increasingly more difficult to breathe, let alone form sentences, “yes”.

“nice to meet you, i’m spencer’s girlfriend,” you shook her hand politely.

“i’m sorry, we have to go,” spencer choked out, grabbing your wrist and practically dashing out of the room.

he threw his back against the side of the car, digging the heels of his hands into his eyes and sliding down slowly, “i’m sorry”.

“don’t be sorry,” you sunk down with him, rubbing his arms.

“it was just so dark, and so cold, and all those kids were just watching. they watched and they laughed. i couldn’t- i couldn’t even tell my mom about it-” spencer’s breath quicked.

“spencer,” you took both of his wrists in your hands, pulling them away from his eyes before he hurt himself, “look at me”.

he looked up, panic exploded behind his eyes like a menacing firework show. his hands shook, his lips quivered, he was lost inside his own mind.

“you’re here, with me,” you looked deep into his eyes, “we’ll go back to the hotel and get a great night of sleep, then we get to take a lovely flight home back to our warm bed. you’ll go back to work and morgan will ask you how your week was, he’ll ruffle your hair and you’ll roll your eyes as hotch tells you guys to focus. you’ll come home and we’ll have dinner and a bath. we’ll get in bed and you’ll read to me, or i’ll update you on the latest gossip magazine that you definitely don’t care about. you’ll kiss my lips and i’ll kiss yours. we live our own lives now, you aren’t that kid anymore. they can’t hurt you”.

“right,” spencer nodded his head slowly, gaining control over his thoughts again. you held him until his breath evened out, until his hands stopped shaking, and until he was feeling okay again.

you made a promise to be there for spencer, and because of it, he couldn’t be more in love with you.

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jungle-angel · 4 months

Text

Lessons In Nursing: Part 2 (Calvin Evans x Reader)

Summary: You and Calvin have a little surprise for your nursing students

Tagging: @floydsmuse

Two days back at work and you and your husband already had a pile of lessons to get through. New semesters meant new lessons, new papers to grade and often times a new batch of students mixed in with the old.

Across the snowy campus you went with Ellen safely in your arms and Six-Thirty being led on his leash by Calvin. You hadn't expected the snow to be this bad with the encroaching storm coming down from the Great Lakes, yet here you were, you, your husband and daughter all bundled up in your hats, coats, boots and mittens, ready for another day on the job.

"Meet me in the cafeteria later for lunch?" Calvin asked, opening the door for you.

"Of course," you chuckled. "I wouldn't want to miss what's on the menu this afternoon."

"Mmm mac'n'cheese and a grainy dinner roll," Calvin hummed.

You kissed your husband and Ellen giggled and squealed like crazy as Calvin playfully nibbled at her soft, round little cheeks. "You go ahead and get to class (y/n)," Calvin said. "I'll see you both later."

"Stop in and see us if you want," you told him.

"I'll try," he answered as you began making your way down the hall with Ellen.

He waited until you rounded the corner and were out of sight, a little saddened that he wouldn't see you for the next three hours. Only when he looked down and saw Six-Thirty pawing at his leg, did he really start to make his way towards the chemistry wing.

"Alright boy let's go," Calvin chuckled. "Lets see if we can beat the bell."

Six-Thirty replied with a bark and soon, he and Calvin were both hurrying down the hall towards the wing.

********************

The sudden chattering of the girls in the lecture hall suddenly died down when you entered, taking your place at the lecture pit.

"Good morning girls," you greeted.

"Good morning Professor Evans," they chirped.

"So," you began. "As per usual, before the Christmas respite, I said we'd be starting our unit on pediatrics. Now, I've brought a little guest with me today who's going to help demonstrate, so come on down here and we'll begin."

You were practically blushing when you heard the delighted squeaks and squeals from your students as you carefully placed Ellen on the railed gurney. All of them thought she was the cutest little baby they had ever met with her big, gummy smile and her adorable laugh.

"Alright ladies, I know she's cute, but we've gotta get down to business," you told them. "Make sure you take notes because these questions will be on the midterms."

Some of the ones you had previously groaned while the newer ones simply stayed silent. You asked every question that you could think of, quizzing your girls until you were sure that they understood.

"Now it's important to remember that in the first few months after birth, weight gain for the baby is absolutely necessary," you explained. "However, not all are the same or will grow at the same rate, every baby is different....."

You continued the lecture even amidst Ellen's flurry of squeals and giggles. You yourself, had tried not to laugh as she attempted to fit her little foot in her mouth.

The bell rang just a little while later before you reminded your girls that Ellen would be joining for lessons for the next four weeks. You gathered her up, lifting her into your arms before making your way down to the cafeteria. It still surprised you how people couldn't get enough of Ellen. Professor Broussard, the art history professor, had often stopped to visit with her while Mrs. Petty, the receptionist, had gushed about how much Ellen looked like her great-granddaughter before slipping you one of the mini chocolate bars she kept in her desk drawer.

"Ladies and gentleman, the queen has arrived with the princess!" Calvin exclaimed as you entered the cafeteria.

You blushed and giggled as your friends and colleagues jokingly applauded. Calvin eagerly took Ellen from you, pressing a kiss to your lips before you were able to go and get in line for lunch.

"Mon bébé, tu deviens plus jolie chaque jour, tout comme ta mère," Professor Broussard chuckled, tickling Ellen's cheek.

"Thanks Professor, I'm sure her mother will appreciate it," Calvin answered.

"Think nothing of it," Professor Broussard answered. "My own were all just like her."

"Maybe I should take her home in that case," Dr. Powers chuckled. "Mother won't stop asking when Doris and I are gonna have one of our own."

You returned moments later to rejoin Calvin, Professor Broussard and Dr. Powers for the lunch hour. Sandy and Mei showed up along with Dr. Powers's fiancé, Doris Sperber. All of you went back and forth about the goings on in your lives, while you, Cal and Ellen enjoyed a close little moment with just you and your friends.

#calvin evans #calvin evans x reader #lessons in chemistry

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lovesunshinefelix · 9 months

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Mornings with husband Felix

Tags: husband!felix x reader, mentions of them having kids, tooth-rotting fluff

Edit: added a photo bc it looks so bland hehe

Your marriage with Felix has been one of the best things that happened to your life since he's always made you happy, which made him happy. Loving him has probably been the easiest thing for you to do in the world since the universe intended you to love him. But during the start of your marriage, you picked up a habit you used to look forward to whenever you're on the way to your old job—and now that you opted for a remote job, it has been better for yourself, as you feel like you can take care not just of yourself, but Felix as well.

You've never been a morning person, but your old job forced you to have that kind of routine. Now that you opted for a job which allows you to stay home, it has been better for yourself, but you still enjoyed the mornings now with the lesser burden of going to traffic for work. You always enjoyed the sunrise with a mug of hot tea, a piece of toast with your desired topping for the day, and a small bowl of salad as you watch the sun slowly rise in front of your front porch. It has been such an important part of your routine since you enjoyed the quiet mornings—how still the world is as it slowly prepares everyone for the new day. You just sit quietly for an hour, before you greet your husband and help him prepare before he leaves for work.

Now that you've had two kids with him, you were surprised to have kept this habit as you were too tired sometimes, but your body seems to always wake you up like clockwork for this routine. One day, a half-awake Felix stumbles outside of your house and sees the set-up of the area, making him look at you confused, "Is this where you go every morning?" He asks you, you try to hold back a chuckle at how cute he looks, before you nod. "You've only noticed?" He shakes his head as he makes his way to sit next to you, getting inside your blanket and hugging your waist, "I'm just too tired to look for you sometimes, but I miss you more today." He said, resting his head on your shoulder. You pouted at his response and gave him a peck on the lips, "Sorry, I just really like watching the sun rise at this time.", to which he just gave you a half smile.

After that day, Felix has always managed to join you after ten minutes of your solitude, to which you started making more breakfast for you two to share. From one toast to two of them, knowing his food tolerance in the morning. You even made fruit teas for Felix. Sometimes, he takes a bite of your salad and scrunches his nose at the taste, to which it makes you laugh. You two almost never speak during mornings, only basking in the stillness of the surroundings despite its continuous movements.

You always enjoy the first ten minutes all to yourself, but when he walks out of your house to enjoy a habit you developed with you? You love it even more. And as you take a sip of your tea for the day, you hear the door open as there comes out your husband. "Good morning love," he smiles half awake at you and gives you a peck, eating his part of the toast as you both enjoy the first few minutes of your day before the happy chaos of your family begins.

#stray kids #felix #skz x reader #felix imagines #felix x reader #lee yongbok #lee felix #felix fluff #skz fluff #skz imagine

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writingforstraykids · 5 months

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Addicted to you - Chp. 9

Pairing: Minlix | Minchan (mention of Changlix)

Word Count: 4252

Summary: Felix decides to try a new way to cheer Minho up for a bit, falling back into old patterns with him. Chan walks in on them and at first, Minho doesn't care...until he does.

Warnings/Tags: smut, sub!felix, switch!minho, friends with benefits, panic attack, emotional hurt/comfort

A/N: This for everyone who wished to see a little more of Minlix. I hope you like it~🌙

Chp. 8 | Chp. 10

How am I supposed to go out and find love again? Only know what it is 'Cause you showed me it exists How am I supposed to feel all the things that we felt But with somebody else? Knowing you exist Knowing you exist - Alexander Stewart

The following week, the atmosphere turned frosty whenever Chan and Minho were in the same room. Whilst Chan pretended nothing had happened and went on like before, Minho simply ignored him. To everyone else, Minho acted as normal, but Chan got the cold shoulder. The gap forming between their two hyungs worried the rest with every passing day. Especially when Minho started skipping group dinners, locked himself up in his room, or overstayed his welcome after dance practice. He refused to practice the new dance with Chan pressed up against him, and with every passing day, his appearance looked worse.

During interviews, he stayed quiet, and looking at the footage, everyone could tell he was feeling like shit, including the fans. When asked about the most important person within the team, Minho honestly answered Felix and Jisung since he didn't know what he'd do without them at the moment. Chan said Minho, saying he owed him a lot and hoped they'd always find each other no matter what. This caused Minho to stand up during the midst of the interview, stumbling over Seungmin's feet with tears in his eyes. Their management forced him back only shortly after, and for the rest of the interview, he kept his head hung low, hot tears threatening to spill down his cheeks after removing his microphone. He was shaking, and neither Felix’s hand on his back nor Jisung taking his hand calmed him. The others glanced at him worriedly occasionally, and Chan tried his best not to look, seeming anxious. The video later got him into serious trouble with staff and raised even more questions among fans.

Felix and Jisung had the most insight into what was going on since they were the only ones Minho really talked to. They knew that he was slowly destroying his knee by practicing harder and even more than before instead of resting. They knew that he had skipped meals quite often by this point. They were there to hold his hand before interviews or in situations when Minho had no choice but to deal with Chan. They ensured he got something to eat from time to time, held him when he felt sad, and helped him out when his body would shut down after a particularly long day.

Felix and Jisung took turns staying with him at night, knowing this was the only way Minho was able to sleep now. They didn't know how to make him feel better because deep down, what Minho needed was Chan, the one he’d been avoiding like the plague. It was a habit he formed a long while ago, to distance himself from anyone or anything that felt unsafe.

But one evening, Felix decided to try something new, wondering if it would help make Minho forget his pain, even if it was just for a few hours. They were sitting on the broad window sill in Felix’s room, leaning against opposite walls, facing each other. Minho was staring out into the night, anxiously fidgeting with the fabric of his sweater.

“Min?” Felix spoke up gently, and the older one turned to look at him. “What are you thinking about?”

Minho shrugged his shoulders. “Everything and nothing at once,” he told him, rubbing his neck. “I’m starting to have serious doubts about Chan and me staying.”

“What?” he asked, written in his expression.

“I feel like I need a break from all of this. I’m not saying I want to quit, but some distance might be better than trying to avoid something I live in the same house with,” he sighed, defeated. Felix tilted his head at him.

“You think you’ll love him any less once you’re back? Your heart won’t break seeing him again?” he asked gently. They both knew it wasn’t possible, and Minho couldn’t bring himself to say it even if his was.

“I…I just want to feel whole again, Lix. I can’t go on like this,” he told him and hugged himself. “It was alright before because there was nothing to miss…but I miss what we had so much. I never thought I’d feel so lonely and-,” he trailed off as Felix scooted closer, cupping his face with one hand. “What are you doing?” he whispered. Felix caressed his cheek and leaned in close. Minho's eyes widened as their lips brushed together. "Felix, you have a boyfriend."

"He knows, he’s fine with it," Felix told him quietly, and Minho's resistance crumbled slightly, but he was still on alert. "Relax, I got you, remember?"

Minho nodded, eyes fluttering close as their lips met. He melted into the familiar feeling and let Felix take the lead. He missed being held and kissed like that. He missed having someone close, showing him his worth with every passing day. Sometimes he really fucking missed Felix.

Felix pulled him onto his lap, hands tracing down his back. His heart hurt at how desperately Minho kissed him. The way he gripped his shirt, pressing himself as close as he could to feel something again. Felix leaned back against the wall and smiled into the kiss as Minho moved to cup his face in his hands. His hand slipped beneath his shirt, gently gliding up Minho's spine and resting between his shoulder blades. "Gosh, sometimes I really miss you," Felix mumbled against his lips.

Minho stopped in his movements and blinked at him. "You do?" he asked quietly.

"You were my first for so many things," Felix gently brushed back his hair and nodded. "You meant a lot to me, you know."

"Not enough, though," Minho said, and Felix hummed softly.

"Did I?" he asked, and Minho's eyes flickered guiltily.

"No, not like that," he then admitted, and Felix nodded.

"We both knew it would end sooner or later," he said, caressing his cheek. Minho leaned into the gentle touch and inhaled shakily. "And that's okay because we were open with each other about it."

"I miss you too sometimes," he told him honestly before covering his hand with his own. "I felt a different kind of safety with you."

Felix searched his eyes as if he was trying to memorize every little detail he could. "I think I didn't tell you how beautiful you are often enough."

"Yongbokie," Minho said softly, eyes radiating nothing but warmth.

"I mean it. You're beautiful," he told him and connected their lips. "Loving," he continued before kissing him again. "And too kind for this world," he added before pressing their lips together hard and full of desperation. Minho made a soft sound at the impact, and Felix grabbed his hips, leaning forward and pushing him onto his back.

Minho shortly searched his eyes, wondering how far they'd go. Felix didn't seem to think much of it, hovering over him and chasing his lips hungrily. Minho let him, spreading his legs to make room for him as Felix almost fell off the window sill, bracing himself next to his head. Felix giggled softly and rolled his eyes at himself. Minho reached out for him, thumb brushing over his lower lip. "God, I lo-," he stopped, closing his eyes and remembering that this wasn't like what he thought he had with Chan.

"You can say it, Minho. I know how you mean it," Felix told him, and Minho shook his head. "I love you, Min."

Minho looked up at him with teary eyes. "I love you too, Lixie."

Felix smiled gently, eyes sparkling with joy. He went back to kissing him, and the way Minho gripped his hair and arched up against him told him everything he needed to know. Deep down, Minho longed for more, longed to be close to him like they had been long ago. Felix knew better than to deny that he was feeling the same way. He reached down, smoothly opening the strings of Minho's sweatpants before palming him and rubbing his hand between his legs. Surprised, Minho gasped against his lips, unable to stop himself from bucking up into his touch. Felix slipped his hand into his pants, wrapping it around his dick, and stroked him experimentally. Minho moaned sweetly and gripped his hair tightly.

"Felix," he breathed out.

"I'm here," he said gently.

"You don't have to -," he broke off as Felix continued his movement.

"I want to," he promised, grabbing Minho's chin with his free hand. "Trust me," he told him and grabbed the bottle of lube stored in the drawer of his bedside table. He poured some onto his hand before reaching back into his pants.

Minho did trust him, and his eyes fluttered close as he allowed himself to enjoy this. He pulled Felix back into a kiss, trying to stifle his moans as he rolled his hips. Felix leaned down, kissing his neck and leaving soft bites down from his ear to his collarbone. "Mark me up," Minho breathed out, desperate to feel something.

"Are you sure?" Felix asked gently, nose still buried in his neck.

"Please," he said quietly.

Felix bit down below his ear in response, softly licking over the bite. He started sucking on his skin, moaning deliciously against his neck.

Minho moaned out loud, and the way Felix's body responded reminded him of how much he had enjoyed him being vocal. "Fuck, Min," he moaned as Minho pulled at his hair and bit down harshly.

Minho's eyes rolled back at the pleasurable pain, and he slammed his hand against the window, trying to brace himself somehow as Felix picked up the pace. His head fell back with a loud moan of Felix's name, making the younger one hum satisfied.

Felix barely noticed the door to his room opening, lips attached to Minho's neck and being pressed against his skin by him. He pulled a beautiful moan from his lips, and glanced over at the door at the intruder. He realized it was Chan staring at them in pure shock. Felix locked eyes with him but didn't stop, not wanting Minho to notice. He knew Min would feel guilty, and in his eyes, there was absolutely no reason for it.

"Fuck, don't stop. Please don't sto-," Minho moaned out, and Felix didn't intend to. His eyes were squeezed shut, chasing his high and indulging the weight of Felix's body on his.

"I got you. You're doing so good, babe," Felix mumbled against his skin.

He didn't expect him to use that old pet name for him. Minho arched up against him, pulling at his hair with a groan before tensing up and spilling into his pants. A broken moan of his name left his lips, and Minho pulled him up and into a needy kiss, panting against his lips. Felix kissed back fiercely, and Chan was gone the next time he looked up. Minho caught his breath before giggling softly and rubbing his face. "I can't believe you just did that in front of the fucking window."

Felix smirked and planted a tiny kiss on his nose. "You're so pretty," he told him adoringly, and Minho blushed a little.

"Stop it. I’ve been a mess lately," he chuckled.

"I mean it," he assured him.

Minho kissed Felix's lips softly, making the younger one moan. His hands traveled down his back and squeezed his bum. Felix melted against him with a soft groan and looked at him, eyes filled with need. "You want to do this properly for once?"

Felix nodded quickly before frowning. "I uhm…I never..."

"Me neither, but I'm fine with it," he assured him, and Felix jumped up quickly, pulling him with him to his bed.

"Do you mind doing this without a condom?" he asked.

"Do you?" he gave back, and they nodded in agreement. "But I have to clean up first. You made a mess of me."

"Wait here," Felix giggled.

Not much later, Minho was on his back, and Felix was straddling his lap. Their clothes were scattered across the floor, and Felix had pulled the curtains closed, turning on the lights instead. Felix leaned down, kissing him passionately as Minho's hands traveled down his body. He reached out for the bottle of lube. "May I?" he asked.

"Please," Felix nodded and buried his face in Minho's neck as he started preparing him. "Oh fuck," he breathed out as Minho opened him up one finger at a time. Felix took deep breaths and relaxed as he adjusted to the amazing feeling. Soon enough, Minho found himself four fingers in and Felix was breathless. "I forgot how skilled you are with your fingers- a-ah," he broke off with a moan as Minho's fingers brushed against his prostate.

Minho smirked and buried his hand in his hair, pulling him back and making him look in his eyes. "Huh, I forgot how easy you fall apart in my hands," he said and grinned succeedingly as Felix shivered above him, eyes rolling back as he poked at his prostate again.

Not much later, Felix was riding him, slowly working out a rhythm that felt good for both of them. Felix stopped suddenly and closed his eyes before shaking his head.

"What's wrong?" Minho asked gently and swallowed at the guilt clouded in his eyes. Did he regret it already?

"Chan saw," he whispered.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"He just walked in suddenly and stood in the doorway right as you…Min, I'm sorry, I should've told you," he said nervously.

Minho blinked, comprehending the information just shared, before shaking his head. "I don't care," he said and laughed weakly. "I actually don't care if he saw us or not."

"Don't you think he'll be pissed?" he asked.

"Let him be," he nodded. "I'm not his boyfriend, I never was. He has no right claiming me as his own, Felix. I can do whatever I want," he said, and for the first time, he actually believed it. "I've been patient for long enough, and he never made a move. Right now, he fucking lost me."

Felix stared at him for a long moment. "That's the first time you’ve said that and I actually believe you."

"It's the first time I believe it myself," he said, grabbing his hips. Felix squeaked, surprised as Minho flipped them over, hovering over him now. "And right now, I really don't care about him either. I have you here."

Felix's lips parted a little. "Don't you think we would've been amazing together in another life?"

Minho smiled gently. "Perhaps," he nodded and cupped his face. "I'll always be here; however you need me. You know that, right?"

"I know," he nodded. "The same thing goes for you Min. Now move before I really lose my mind," he giggled and lifted his head up to meet his lips.

Minho let him as he pulled out a little and thrust right back in. He worked out a rhythm that drew sweet moans and deep groans from Felix's throat. His hands found Felix's, and he pinned them down next to his head, fingers intertwining. Felix was chasing his lips whenever he pulled away to catch his breath, and Minho remembered how needy for physical reassurance he could get. Minho was moving slowly and gently, drawing the moment out as long as he could. Their kisses grew more passionate with every passing minute, and Felix wrapped his legs around his waist, pulling him in deeper.

Felix was a little overwhelmed right now. It wasn't like Changbin and Hyunjin weren't loving or gentle with him. He and Changbin didn't have sex often due to their busy schedules, which always included fleeting moments of desperate passion. Hyunjin loved to tease and help Felix explore what he liked and what he didn't. But Minho…Minho was making love to him. He'd always been gentle and caring and knew when to push which button. Today was no different, still. How he moved on top of him, held his hands, and kissed him with so much love felt different.

Minho met his eyes, and his heart skipped a beat at the expression in Felix's bright eyes. A deep longing mixed up with pure love and adoration stole his breath for a moment. "My beautiful sunshine," he whispered, and tears brimmed Felix's eyes. Minho gently caressed his cheek. "Are you okay?"

"That's the first time you called me yours," he whispered, not trusting his voice right now.

"Oh, I…I'm sorry," Minho stammered but relaxed as Felix chuckled.

"This might be selfish, but I don't mind Chan being an asshole if this is what I get for it," he said, and Minho couldn't help but laugh.

"You're an idiot," he said fondly before kissing him again and thrusting in deep and slow, hitting every sweet spot just right.

Felix shivered beneath him, his now free hand shooting up into his hair. He moaned needily into the kiss, and after a few more thrusts, he felt his stomach flip. "Min, I'm close," he told him.

"Go on, I got you," he told him, and Felix smashed their lips together before pulling away with a broken moan of his name. Minho watched his face as he stumbled over the edge, admiring how effortlessly beautiful he was. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if that was what Chan thought about him. He chased his own high, moaning sweetly as Felix pulled him in close and clenched around him. It didn’t take long for him to stumble over the edge and fill him up.

“God, you’re amazing, baby,” he said, and Minho’s throat tightened.

“You too,” he whispered, trying not to think of Chan saying those exact same words so often before.

Later, when Felix was asleep next to him, Minho still couldn’t sleep. He was thinking about the time he had shared with Felix in the past and today. He wondered if this had been a mistake or if he was actually alright with it. And somehow, he couldn’t stop thinking about Chan and the fact he saw them. Minho closed his eyes and felt his throat tightening, wondering if he just destroyed the mere chance of them forgiving each other and working this out. Before he knew it, he was up on his feet and leaving the room.

Minho closed the door quietly and stumbled down the hallway to his room. Tears brimmed his eyes, and he couldn't see clearly anymore. A sharp pain shot through his chest, and his throat tightened painfully. He clutched his chest, unable to breathe, and fumbled the door open, stumbling inside. Minho grabbed the desk in front of him tightly and leaned forward with a groan before realizing in panic that this wasn't where his damn desk was located. Only Chan had it this close to the door. How the hell had he walked into the opposite direction? "Fuck, no," he pressed out, frustrated, and straightened up, bracing himself on the wall to find his way back outside. Someone pulled him back, and Minho found himself pressed against Chan's chest, his arms wrapped around him from behind. "No," he whined.

"Shh, Min, you'll wake everyone up going outside like that," he said gently and closed his door again.

Minho was breathing heavily, still feeling like the air wouldn't reach his lungs. "I can't breathe," he said panicked. "Chan, I can't -."

Chan held him in his arms and made Minho lie down on his bed, climbing on top of him. Minho squirmed beneath him, protesting against it and hitting him forcefully against the chest.

"What the fuck?!" Minho shouted at him, and Chan quickly covered his mouth, which only fed his panic. He started kicking, and Chan groaned at the impact on his body.

"Fucks sake, Minho I'm trying to help!" he snapped at him, and Minho stopped kicking. He carefully pulled his hand off his mouth and swallowed hard at the tears running down his face. "It’s okay, you’re okay Min" he said gently, resting his hands next to his head. "I'll lie down on you now, okay?"

Minho pressed his lips together tightly before nodding. Now, he understood what Chan was trying to do. Minho needed to be held down, feel some weight on top of him to feel grounded again when he was too far gone already, and Chan was the only one who knew about it. He exhaled softly as Chan put his full weight on him, making himself heavier than he was.

Chan felt his heart race against his chest and very gently fondled his knuckles. "Take deep breaths, Min, you can do it," he encouraged him.

Minho tried his best and felt his chest opening up slowly again. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore how good it felt to have Chan so close again. He tried to ignore his familiar, comforting scent and warmth. He tried to ignore the way Chan's hands felt in his, his hair tickling his neck and his heartbeat against his chest. But he failed miserably. "Please get off me," he whispered more so to himself than Chan. When Chan didn't react immediately, he squirmed. He started pushing again as hot tears made their way down his cheeks.

"Hey, hey, relax," he told him and moaned softly as Minho's hand hit his chest again, pushing him off. "Minho, please," he told him firmly, already on his way to give him space.

Minho sat up, panting, and stared at him before burying his face in his hands, sobbing quietly. "I'm so sorry," he whimpered.

"Don't be," he told him gently and sat down in front of him. "You panicked, it's okay."

Minho shook his head firmly. "That's not what I meant," he said, looking up with pained eyes. "I…I just had sex with Felix."

Chan nodded, already knowing of it. "Him giving you a handjob can hardly be-."

"No, Chan, I just…I just came inside of him," he said, and Chan's face fell. "We did have sex."

Chan audibly swallowed and closed his eyes briefly. "Okay," he whispered.

"Okay?!" Minho asked in shock.

"I'm not mad at you," he told him, and Minho's eyes filled with tears again. "Un-Unless, that's what you want?" he asked anxiously, not knowing what was going on in his head.

"I said I wouldn't care about what you'd think," he said and closed his eyes, shaking his head. "I was never officially yours in the first place, so why would I keep on pretending I was?" Chan swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. "And it's true, I never was your boyfriend…but I still care about you," he said and sucked in a sharp breath.

"Why Felix?" Chan asked quietly. "I thought you were done being the second choice for him."

"You think he's my first choice?" he asked sadly, and Chan's eyes clouded with pain. "Felix always felt safe, no matter what, that's why. We knew what we were getting into, and that was fine."

"Sounds complicated," he said.

"Why do you even care?" Minho asked tiredly. "How am I any different from your one-night stands?"

"What?" he asked, frowning. "Min, I fucking lo-," he stopped himself abruptly and Minho nodded.

"You can't even say it now that it's real, can you?" he asked quietly, and Chan contorted his face. "It used to be one of the first things you said to me every damn morning for years now. You're so scared of the consequences that you’ll deny everything. You can't even allow yourself to tell me you love me."

"I'm the leader of this group, I can't afford to get kicked out because of some dating amongst members drama," he said firmly.

"We were never dating, though, were we? You weren't ready to label our relationship, and I should've stopped it all months ago," Minho said and swallowed hard. "Don't act like I said something wrong. We've never been a couple. You never called me your boyfriend. How is that any different from what Felix and I just did?"

"That's not fair," Chan shook his head.

"Calling me all those things and acting like I forced you into a situationship is not fair. Denying almost a year of shared intimacy isn't fair. Promising me to fight for us but not being brave enough to say those three little words isn't fair," he told him and saw Chan's firm expression falter.

"Min," he tried softly.

"Look, we’ve been having fun. And the fun has been amazing…but I want more. I want to be close to you in every single way, not just in bed or when we’re alone. You have to figure out what you want and quickly because I won’t wait around much longer Chan,” he told him quietly. "But anyways, I'm sorry for bursting in like that, I didn't know where I was going and-." He tried to change the subject, but his eyes widened as Chan suddenly moved forward and kissed him hard on the mouth. He shoved him off and panted softly. "What are you doing?" he whispered.

"That's what I want," he said, pointing at him. "I want you, Min."

"I got that," he nodded. "But that's not enough, not like that."

"Please, give me a chance to explain. We can talk about this," he pleaded.

"Not tonight, alright?" he asked, and Chan nodded reluctantly. Minho got up and looked at him for another moment. "Good night, Chan. Thanks for helping me out."

"Of course," Chan nodded and watched him leave.

Minho stood still in the hallway for a moment, fingertips pressed against his lips. What the hell was he doing?

Chp. 8 | Chp. 10

MASTERLISTS | PROMPT LIST | GUIDELINES

Taglist: (Please let me know if you want to be added to/ removed from the taglist)

@soullostinspaceandtime @mal-lunar-28 @malfoygalaxies @brownieloved @rebecca-johnson-28 @euphoric-univers @hyunniebunni

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saradika · 11 months

Text

— WASTELAND, BABY

ii. the stench of the sea, and the absence of green

[masterlist] | [part i]

boba fett x f!reader

rated E - 3.2k

tags: fallout au, post-apocalyptic, canon-typical themes, canon-typical violence & death, mentions and use of guns/weapons, corpse-looting

a/n: thank you so much for all the kindness on part i! It is so appreciated! 💖

As your first real taste of life outside the vault comes to an end, you find out just who your savior is.

The figure leaves you retching into the wasteland - empty stomach heaving as he moves to look through the doorway of the farmhouse.

An ache thudding in your hip, the back of your head where it had collided against the wooden steps on the way down. Fingers pressing into the packed earth as you try to look anywhere except the steaming, oozing pile of ash.

You can hear him returning - the hiss of the hydraulics, the weight of his steps. The dark shadow falling across where your eyes are cast downward. Waiting - but for what, you do not know.

"This where you live, girl?" The voice crackles again, the creak as his helmet tips down towards you.

You don't know how to answer.

Not knowing what he wants - not wanting to reveal where your family is sleeping. Not necessarily wanting to stay here either, not with the ground littered with charred corpses.

The lack of a response is an answer within itself, silence filling the space until he speaks again.

"There's a settlement, a few hours from here. I could take you there."

At this offer, you finally look up. Traveling up the miles of forest-green armor, meeting the dark shine of his visor.

And slowly, you nod.

Pushing yourself to shaky feet, your hand touching gingerly at your head - checking for bleeding. Your voice is no more than a rough rasp when you finally try to speak, weak after not talking for so long.

"My stuff is inside. Can I get it?"

There's another moment of silence, and then you see his helmet dip again in a nod. You give the bodies a wide berth as you take the steps back inside.

You'd have to go with him.

Most of your jars of food were shattered in the firefight, only two remain on the broken counter.

Belatedly realizing you should have kept everything together in your pack, but it was hard to forget the old habits. Your things were tucked around the home as if you actually lived there.

They are quickly packed up. The remaining jars, each of your precious books. A spare vault suit, your few small trinkets from your home - the blanket that stopped smelling like the vault days ago.

He's still waiting outside as you approach him. A shift in the broad, armored shoulders as he gives you a once-over.

He's bigger than you thought, now that you're close. Your head barely level with his wide chestplate, his metal boots twice as wide and long as yours. There's a jerk of his arm, the point of a glove in your direction.

"This all you have?”

Your fingers twist together. What else are you supposed to be carrying with you? The pack on your back carried as much as you dared - not wanting to take too many supplies in case someone else had woken.

There's a hum that sounds like a sigh, before he's gesturing at the figures on the ground, "You're going to need more protection than that on our journey. Take his coat, and his weapons."

His words travel through one ear, and then out the other side. Unable to help the look of confusion and disgust you throw his way.

He wants you to what?

Touch a dead body?

Loot a corpse for your own gain?

You can't wrap your head around how he says it so easily, even with those old public service announcements playing in the back of your mind.

There may be times when you must engage in questionable activities.

In the wasteland, essential supplies will be scarce. When an item of value is found, keep it close, and away from bullies.

You hadn't thought that advice was real - hadn't taken it seriously. Childish propaganda, with its blaring music, the radio-voice overlay.

"I can't. I'm not a-," You protest, search for a word that conveys your intense distaste. "A scavenger.”

The barrel of his rifle swings in his grip as he shifts, moving a few steps close to you.

"No, you're not. You really are from the vaults, aren't you?” His voice a low rumble from beneath his helmet - curiosity tinging his words. "I thought you had stripped that suit off someone else."

You shoot him a wild look, worry souring your stomach. At the thought of your vault - and then at the idea of such a deception.

“I don’t want-” You start, shaking your head, but he cuts you off, his words clipped and firm.

"There could be worse things than Raiders on our journey. I can't protect someone who won't protect themself."

His words cut into you. You know he’s right - that things has not gone well for you earlier.

That you had only survived because of him.

That you should probably listen.

Slowly, you approach the body on the steps. It’s hard to look at him, the crumpled form - the charred blast in his chest.

You hesitate, fingers reaching out towards the tattered jacket he wears - long enough to twist around his knees, the sleeves hacked off at the shoulders. Stopping, as you glance back towards him.

"You won't get anything off the other one." He comments darkly, and you resist the urge to look at the pile of ash, starting to scatter in the wind.

You still can’t bring yourself to do it.

He sighs, slow steps taking him over to your side. Making quick work of things - stripping the jacket from the body, scooping up a pistol from where it lays in the dirt.

Pressing them both into your hands, the grip heavy in your fingers.

“I don’t know how to use this.” You admit, holding the gun gingerly, slipping the jacket on. It covers a good portion of your suit, even with the tears and holes that rip through the back.

He makes a low sound, and you think his patience must be wearing thin, “Keep it. If you stick close, perhaps you won’t need to use it.”

At that, he turns - leaving the choice up to you as he sets off, away from the farmhouse. You give the body one last look - seeing the tire iron hanging from the holster around his waist.

The jingle plays in your mind, again.

There are other situations where you may find yourself in close proximity to unfriendly neighbors. For such cases, you must learn to defend yourself using your natural strength.

Use anything sharp, or sturdy enough to swing. Get creative with your implement, but stay reasonable, and look for anything that can further enhance your innate vigor.

You take it - the metal cool in your grip, much more comforting than a gun. The holster fitting around your waist, the gun tucking neatly into it.

When you look up again, your savior has started to look small against the horizon, moving down the path that continued past the Farmhouse.

"Wait," You call, jogging after him. "What is your name?"

The sun glints off the painted metal as his head turns fractionally to the side. Slowing, allowing you to catch up with him.

"My name is Boba Fett."

Your neck cranes up - despite everything, you want him to know. Eyes sweeping across the dark visor as you tell him, "Thank you, Boba Fett."

He nods - and then you find yourself following him into the wasteland.

You stick to the wake of his shadow, tripping after him across the open plane. Silent except for the rhythmic hiss of his steps - you take three for each one of his - and the high whistle of the wind.

Beneath crumbling overpasses that tower above you, around piles of abandoned cars - the glass blown out, rusted beyond belief. You're unable to help thinking about how they've been there since the blast, unmoved for centuries.

The worst is the scattering of houses - strewn out every couple miles you pass. Boba's steps slowing, the unspoken command to stick close as he stands still.

The clicking of his helmet as he watches for movements, checking for heat signatures. Only moving on when there's nothing.

You wonder if everyone in this world are like the men - the Raiders, as he called them. If the massive loss and sorrow had twisted everyone beyond repair, had created a life where only cruelty kept you alive.

But then - you wonder why Boba helped you. Had disintegrated a man that was about to kill you.

Now that you've had time to think about it, it had been very impressive. How he had arrived, just in the nick of time.

How he'd walked away with barely more than a scorch blast on his armor.

How he had offered to take you to the settlement.

The settlement.

Your thoughts loop back to before.

Wondering if he was taking you somewhere worse. Wondering - if he was - if you'd have any chance of escaping. Not with the open fields, you think. Not with his long steps, the rifle now slung across his back.

Eventually, you're unable to help asking. Wanting to know what's in store instead of waiting. You've been doing enough of that, lately.

"What is the settlement like?" Your voice breaks the silence, though he does not slow, "Are the people like... like them?"

Boba makes a low sound of contempt, "Mos Espa has all kinds of types. Bounty Hunters, smugglers, and mercenaries. But none of them are like the Raiders. Lawless sacks of bantha fodder."

A beat, as your legs slow to a stop. His head turns.

"They won't hurt you there, girl."

You're not so sure, but it's a relief that he seems to understand your worry. The journey begins again in silence - through a section of bare trees, the grass rustling beneath your feet.

Finally plucking up the courage to ask, "Can you tell me about it? I don't - I don't know what settlements are like, now."

After a long moment, he does.

Telling you, under the heat of the sun, about the city. An old town, built from brick and stone. Sections that have crumbled - some rebuilt, others laying in waste. The marketplace that curls throughout the circular town square, centered around the old capitol building.

It sounds beautiful, in a way. That the city had been rebuilt. Hasn’t sat empty - filled with the skeletons of before.

You’ve seen a lot of those, lately.

“You seem to know a lot about it.” You comment, your boot catching on a rock - sending it skittering across the packed earth.

“I do.”

A new worry fills you, worming it’s way into your thoughts. Your words quiet over the hiss of his steps, each one hesitant, “Do you think they'll let me stay?”

He doesn’t slow, his answer seeming to come without thought.

“Aye, girl. They will.”

You can’t help but wonder how he can be so certain.

Finally, after hours had passed - the sun creeping across the gold-tinged sky - you see it. The cluster of buildings on the horizon, starting small until they begin to loom like a cracked range of mountains.

Finally back on a road, a real one. The asphalt cracked and crumbling, but it’s mostly flat under your feet - far more easy than some of the terrain you had crossed.

Because the journey hadn’t been all easy.

A crash-course in wandering the wasteland.

Beginning with a shimmer on the horizon, his steps slowing until you almost crashed into him. The rifle on his back swung around, peering down the sight so he could see what was approaching.

“Tuskens,” he had said.

As if you knew who or what that was - but the low edge to his voice had you sticking close again, as his did a slow sweep. Waiting for them to come to you, the figures slowly growing.

People clothed in wraps and robes, their faces covered. Traveling together, the first riding a large, ox-like beast with a thick pelt and curling horns.

Banthas, you found out later. Mutated by the radiation from the fallout, like the Brahmin at the Farmhouse.

His voice, as it broke through your careful watch, “Might not want to meet them alone, but you’ll be fine with me.”

They had halted, when they saw your small party. The rifle slung back over his back, as they signed back in forth - Boba’s slow and exaggerated, with the weight of his armor. The gestures punctuated with calls, carrying with the wind.

You understood none of it - feeling on edge, with their numbers. A little over a half-dozen, armed with carved, tall spears.

“I warned them about the Raiders,” He told you, when your paths finally diverged. “They might use what was left behind. And we’ll need to take a different way back.”

“Why is that?” You asked, though you didn’t have another choice - already throwing a leg over the low fence that he cleared with a step.

The noise he makes buzzed in his helmet. Was he laughing at you?

“You not ready for super mutants, little one.” A sigh, as he added, “They shouldn’t wander this close, I will come back for them later.”

Leaving you to wonder what they were - and certainly not going to push sticking to the path if Boba seemed uncertain - as you followed him over the rough terrain.

Not wanting to think about the bodies being picked over - but you think you understood. That supplies could be scarce, better to take it for yourself than for someone to use it against you.

“Did you know them?” You has asked, once the figures were out of sight again.

“Some.” He has replied.

He told you a little a bit about them. That they lived in nomadic tribes, that he had stayed with one, some years ago. A weight his words that told you that he carried something - regret, grief - that you don’t ask about.

The story interrupted by the sound of scrabbling - the ground shifting beneath your feet. Creatures climbing out of holes - large mole rats with pink, mottled skin and biting teeth.

Another pair of those large roaches, like you had seen after you first left.

Your breath in your throat, they clicked and lunged, the tire iron cool in your fumbling, heated grasp.

A metal hand closing around your wrist as he tugged you behind him. The other reaching for a pistol at his own waist - a kindness, in the way he had fired first.

Even if his words made heat bloom in your chest, embarrassment rising at being so utterly unprepared again.

Definitely not ready.

The rest of the journey, made in silence.

But now - the city looms. You’re grateful to see it, your feet and aching from the hours of walking.

Passing the broken street signs on the side of the old highway. Some things starting to make sense - the edges of them torn off, peppered with bullet holes.

You hadn’t remembered a Mos Espa when you lived here. But there it was now - something new born in the remains of before.

The old name transforming, becoming something else as the sign decayed, letters faded and lost over time.

It’s a skeleton of a town, padded and expanded with hand-made additions. Layers of wood and metal, stacked together with webs of scaffolding connecting them together.

Miles of high fences surrounding the buildings like an embrace, keeping everyone tucked safely inside.

It was impressive. It was a community, and for the first time - there's a relief easing the weight in your chest.

He leads you to the center of the town. A tall rotunda with a dark brick dome, a flight of cracked stone steps cut into the hill to meet it. You wonder where he's taking you - confused by the way people in the streets call to him.

When he had talked before, he had made it seem like he would be passing by. But, he knows people, here.

There's a way that they speak to him that you pick up on, as you still follow close at his heels.

A sort of respect, a reverance.

The wide double doors open for him, bringing you both inside of the old capitol. Inside, it almost feels familiar. Like a moment from your life, before.

Neat floors that are swept clean. A string of actual lights, flickering with electricity. Framing a raised platform that sits between the branches of the ornate, bifurcated staircase. A large seat sits in the middle, pieced together with carved bits of stone and concrete.

A woman lounges on it, lifting up as the doors close behind you. Hair pulled back in a complicated braid, above sharp eyes and an even sharper smile.

"You're back," She calls - as Boba moves to a bright yellow rack, set into the wall of the stairs. "I was thinking about sending Djarin out to look for you."

"Funny." He answers dryly, lining himself up between the metal arms.

And then, there's a hiss. The suit opens.

You watch a man step out, clothed in a dark flight suit. Older than you, powerfully built with a broad chest and broader shoulders. The skin you could see was scarred, but it didn't take away from the depth in his pretty, brown eyes - his handsome face.

A part of you had known, had remembered the power armor advertisements and propaganda from before the Great War. Giant suits of metal, created to carry soldiers.

But you had met him in it - and it had felt like they were one. You hadn't really thought too much about who was beneath.

"I had to track the Raiders further than I anticipated," He comments as he stretches, rolling his shoulders.

Stepping over to an armor stand right next to the rack. Carefully slipping on pieces of a smaller, more compact set - still painted that pretty, dark green, "Ran into a little more than I bargained for."

"I see that." The woman glances you way, where you were left to hover in the doorway, "Who are you, little bluebird?"

You blink at that, glancing down at the bright blue of your Vault suit, before you answer - giving her your name. She smiles, stepping down elegantly from the seat, taking your hand in hers.

Fennec Shand.

She carries herself like a queen - beautifully intimidating, a fighter and a survivor in this new world. You don't know what you could offer her, but you tell yourself to be brave, to try.

"I don't have much, but I will work hard. Would there be room for me to stay?" You ask, hands clasped in front of you.

Terrified this woman will tell you to go - to turn you out after you had come all this way.

Fennec grins, her arms folding over her chest, "Boba Fett is the Daimyo here, sweet girl. Not me. Didn’t he tell you?"

Daimyo.

You remember the word from history classes. Ruler.

Not a mercenary, not an ordinary man. You'd been traveling with the lord of this settlement. All the lands around it - his.

You gape at Boba and he smiles - with a sly curve of his lips, his eyes crinkling with amusement. The rasp of his voice - clearer without the helmet, but still deep and smooth.

"Welcome to Mos Espa, sen'ika"

sen'ika - little bird

thank you for reading! 💚 part iii will be out thursday, the 15th! and if you’d like to get tagged, please fill out the series taglist here!

(0-pressure tags 💕: @spaceydragons, @luladoll, @obiknights, @wingofshadow, @bobathirstaccount, @reluctant-mandalore, @ohheyitsokay, @floral-force, @valentine-tx, @dreamlandcreations, @vellichormybeloved, @dukeoftheblackstar, @writeforfandoms, @winchestershiresauce, @monada43, @rescuethewretched, @thegalaxys-edge, @honeydjarin, @ri-a-rose )

#boba fett x reader #boba fett x you #boba fett x f!reader #boba fett x female reader #boba fett imagine #fallout au

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beautifulchris · 10 months

Text

love potion

pairing: seo changbin x gn!reader

wc: 4,9k

featuring: bang chan, lee minho, victon’s subin, the boyz’s haknyeon, i-dle’s soyeon, bts’ jeongguk, got7’s yugyeom, golden child’s donghyun

summary: changbin has been your best friend for years now, harboring feelings for you. on the other hand, you’re too absorbed by the cute hufflepuff quidditch fan to notice.

genres: hogwarts!au, best friends to lovers!au, slytherin!changbin, slytherin!reader, fluff, humor (i tried)

tw: swearing, food, jealousy

notes: moodboard made by me, pictures found on the internet. reposting works from my old blog

order of writing: chan - jisung - minho - hyunjin - jeongin - seungmin - changbin - felix

networks: @kflixnet @k-labels @straykidsland @kwritersworld

tag list: @badwithten @soobin-chois @raethethey send ask/dm/comment to be added!

“BINNIE!!” you yelled as soon as you spotted your black haired best friend in the crowd at the train station.

Just when he was turning to face you, you crashed into him, and he had to use every strength in his body to not fall over. He held you tight while gently patting your back. Once on the train, you talked about your respective summertime until you arrived at Hogwarts. It was your fifth year for both of you, and you were excited.

“Class started three days ago and I already have four parchments to write plus two exams next week. I know the O.W.L.S. are important but this is straight up overworking poor fifteen years olds. I’m still not over my summer holidays.”

You let out a deep sigh, pushing yourself deeper atop the table, your left cheek on your crossed arms.

Changbin chuckled next to you. “I don’t want to imagine how you’ll react in a few months when we won’t be able to breathe because we’ll crumble under an astronomical amount of homework.”

You straightened your back, eyes wide, then whined and got back to your previous position. “I have astronomy class tonight… how will I survive?”

Your best friend scoffed while rubbing soothing circles on your back. “You’ll be fine. I’ll be there.”

“I won’t survive this year,” you mumbled, eyes closed.

“You’re being overdramatic.”

Of course, you were. People only needed to spend ten minutes with you to know. Changbin liked this side of you, it was always fun to him, how you could say dramatic stuff while looking this cute. You’ll never catch him say that out loud, though.

A few weeks later, Changbin was on his way to his first Quidditch practice with his teammates —you were accompanying them— when a group of Gryffindors came to him, fifth year Haknyeon leading.

“Hey Changbin,” he called, “I bet I’m faster than you on a broom.”

“Is that why I’m on the Quidditch team and you’re not?” he retorted. A few teammates laughed.

Haknyeon scoffed, visibly upset. Then shrugged. “I’ll try not to humiliate you too much.”

“Why don’t you let your broom do the talking? I’m ready to fly whenever you are,” Changbin smirked.

“I’ve seen Haknyeon practice for hours on the Training Grounds,” Yugyeom, beater of your House, whispered to the team.

“Come on, you can win this with your eyes closed,” a Gryffindor encouraged his housemate.

“If the referee asks, I don’t condone this,” Soyeon, captain of the Slytherin team, warned with her hands up.

Changbin and Haknyeon prepared for the race, getting on their brooms.

“Loser buys the butterbeer. That’s you, Ju.”

Ju Haknyeon tsked and you approached your best friend. “Please, don’t end up in the Hospital Wing, Binnie.”

“I thought you had more faith in me,” he winked.

You moved back, rolling your eyes amusedly as they started the race.

“This is the race I didn’t know I wanted,” a Gryffindor said excitedly.

It was tight, until Haknyeon decided to push Changbin. They were going straight to a statue and didn’t seem to realize it. Changbin avoided it with ease though, while Haknyeon wasn’t so lucky, his robes getting caught in the lance’s statue. He kept flying and his robes ripped apart. Your best friend arrived safely on the ground and a few moments later, Haknyeon arrived as well, throwing his broom on the floor in frustration.

Changbin’s teammates were laughing, even Soyeon was giggling. “It was really fun to watch, but we have practice,” Jeongguk, the second beater, announced.

“It was a good race,” Changbin proposed his hand for Haknyeon to shake, which he did.

“It was. Next time I’ll win, though.”

“We’ll see about that. Don’t forget you owe me that butterbeer!”

You all left for the Quidditch Pitch; the team for practice, you to cheer on Changbin from the stands. He always said it helped him do better. So you used practice to do your homework, but always ended up sidetracking, due to a fervent Quidditch fan going to a lot of practices from every house. You often wondered if Subin was twenty four hours in the stands. I mean, you wouldn’t complain, because Subin was a pretty cute Hufflepuff that was always cheering on everyone.

Second Saturday of December, you went to Hogsmeade with your best friend.

“Binnie,” you called from the scarves alley, “how about this one?” He was sitting on a fir green leather bench next to the fitting room in Gladrags Wizardwear, the clothing shop of Hogsmeade.

“Now that is a pretty scarf. Emerald and silver stripes, nice and simple. You see, the purple one wasn’t really going well with the green of your tie and robes.”

“You’re right, I’ll take it,” you smiled.

You turned around and when your eyes landed on someone outside, you stopped yourself and stared, a shy smile on your face. Changbin curiously got up then followed your gaze but, upon seeing nothing, was confused by your behavior.

“What’s going on?”

“Subin walked past and smiled at me,” you beamed.

“Oh, I see. Better pay for the scarf and go if you want to talk to him, then.”

Yes, you had an embarrassing crush on the cutest Hufflepuff ever. Have you talked to him before? Eh. Made a whole conversation? Now, let’s not get over ourselves. He just always smiled when he caught you staring or when you bumped into each other in the hallways. He was just so sweet.

“I still can’t believe you fell for a smile.”

“Those are powerful things, you know?”

Oh, he knew alright. He fell for yours.

“I can’t believe this guy! Five gallions a scarf? It better lasts until the end of my school years,” you huffed loudly, putting away your wallet.

“Stop whining, you bought it anyway.”

“Well yeah, I need to stay warm this winter.”

“Remind me again why you’re buying it now?” His tone was teasing, making your eyes roll.

“A crup destroyed it yesterday during care of magical creatures class but I’m sure you don’t need a reminder,” you answered bitterly. You remembered how his laugh was louder than everyone else’s.

“You’re right. That was so funny.”

You had the urge to smack him but stopped yourself. “Stop mocking me, it was the scarf or my face!”

You didn’t spot Subin again that day, but Haknyeon did buy Changbin butterbeer like promised.

Classes were hard, but you were holding up just fine, compared to your whines the first week. Sometimes you were even a little too enthusiastic, like with the crup.

Now, the only pet that terrorized everyone but Changbin and you is his scops owl, Yogi. He loved you, somehow, while he could tear apart another student just because he walked too close to it for comfort.

Actually, it happened before.

Once.

First year. Yogi was on Changbin’s shoulder as he was walking to the owlery, when a student —was he a Ravenclaw? Probably a 3rd year at the time— bumped into his shoulder by accident. Right before Changbin could do anything, Yogi flew to the guy, lacerated his clothes and skin while giving him pecks, all the while flying around him. The poor Ravenclaw tried to cover his head with his arms.

After a few seconds, Changbin realized the gravity of the situation. He called Yogi who flew right back on his owner’s shoulder, not without barking in the boy’s direction.

The latter slowly dropped his arms on his sides and got up, visibly upset. “He tried to kill me!!”

“Yeah he does that, sorry! It’s nothing personal,” Changbin shrugged. “I suggest you go to the infirmary, dude, it’s not looking good.” He gestured to the upper body of the 3rd year who left in a hurry, a big frown on his face.

Since that day, Yogi stayed in the owlery to avoid having the whole school at Changbin’s throat because of his tiny and aggressive pet. He was happy, though, he could make friends and leave whenever and wherever, instead of being kept in a room full of hormones and sweat. I mean, the choice was quickly made.

The fifth match opposing Slytherin to Hufflepuff was coming soon, and you knew Subin was going to be there. So, as the skilled-at-potion-teenage-witch-in-love you were, your great idea was to induce chocolate chip cookies with a love potion and offer them to him after the match.

“It’s a love potion, what could possibly go wrong?” you whispered to yourself over your cauldron.

I could give you a list.

You purposely kept your plan to yourself, knowing what your best friend would say —and rightfully so, might I add— about the dangers of love potions, but really the most dangerous was amortentia, which was why you chose another one. The potion you decided to make was supposed to bring to the surface already existing feelings, not create an infatuation or obsession. You knew love couldn’t be created by a potion, and you didn’t want that either. Also, it wouldn’t last really long, just two to three hours, enough time for someone to confess their feelings.

Thinking about your best friend, though, you decided to make regular cookies to congratulate him on his next win —you were persuaded Slytherin would win. Once ready, you put them in different bags, naming them ‘S’ for Subin and ‘Q’ for the Quidditch team.

On the day of the match, you walked proudly in the direction of the Quidditch pitch with your potion-induced cookies in one hand and the normal ones in the other.

Arriving at the changing room, you entered with your eyes closed —who knew what you could witness— and called for Changbin.

“Scared of seeing a few muscles, Y/N?” You recognized Jeongguk’s joking voice.

A hand took your wrist and gently pulled you outside before you could reply.

“Is that cookies? For me?”

As you opened your eyes, you saw Changbin reaching for one bag, but you were quick to dodge his hand. “You’ll have to win first.”

“See you soon, then,” he spoke to the cookies with a smirk.

“I came to say good luck. You’re gonna win easily.” He thanked you with a hug.

“Who’s the second bag for?” your best friend asked, and you turned your head in embarrassment. “Let me guess. Subin?”

“Not so loud!” you whisper-shouted as you put your hand over his mouth, having now both bags in the other one.

“Too late.” You turned around super fast, losing your grip on the bags in the process. But no one was behind you. “I was joking,” he laughed, “your face was priceless. We’ll definitely win this match.”

He left you to join his team who was calling for him and you picked up the bags, realizing some cookies were broken. “I should be hexing you!” you shouted but wasn’t sure he heard. You walked up to the stands, searching for familiar faces.

The cookies safely installed in your robes’ pockets, you sat next to your Slytherin friends and watched as the Hufflepuff’s team came flying on the pitch. Next was your house. Changbin was already showing off his flying skills by swirling and spinning around the area. He stopped in front of you and gave you a thumbs up, which, despite the trick he pulled only minutes prior, you mirrored. You could never hate him, even if you tried.

Ten minutes into the match, Juyeon, one of Hufflepuff”s beaters, sent a bludger to your house’s keeper, San. Changbin was quick to borrow Yugyeom’s bat to send the bludger away before it could touch San. You heard someone in the crowd say: “Wow, Changbin is not only fast, he’s pretty strong too.” Damn right.

Your house won 190 to 140. It was time Changbin caught the snitch, or it would’ve been embarrassing for everyone. As promised, you went back to the changing room to deliver the cookies.

“You did so good,” you excitedly said as Changbin took the bag from your hand. “You can share with everyone, I made a lot.”

“Thanks Y/N, you’re the best.”

“You are!” Soyeon chimed in.

“Come on, go talk to your crush. I just saw him leave,” he urged you, pushing you out of the changing room. When you turned around, he wasn’t there anymore.

Subin was walking back to the castle, a little pout on his face. You ran up to him, and called his name. When he saw you, he smiled. “Y/N, hey. What’s up?”

“I, uh, wanted to give you these cookies,” you sheepishly said as you handed him the second bag. He reached for them as he thanked you. “And I’m sorry you guys didn’t win. But, for what it’s worth, you’re first in the course for the House Cup.”

“Thank you, Y/N, it’s really kind of you. Your house team played well, and Changbin is a really skilled seeker.”

“He is,” you acquiesced with a proud smile. Finally, Subin opened the bag and took a relatively complete cookie. “Sorry, I dropped them earlier…”

“No problem, they still look good.” Ah, this smile. Pretty cute. He started chewing, and you kept your eyes on him, waiting for a reaction. “Wow, it’s fantastic!”

“You think?” Your cheeks felt hot, he loved your cookies. One win.

“Really, it’s the best cookie I’ve ever tasted. Which oddly reminds me I have to talk to someone. Thank you again for the cookies, Y/N!” With that, he accidentally dropped the bag and ran to the castle. With fast reflexes, you caught it before it could reach the floor.

You were confused. Did it not work? There was still the ‘S’ written in black on the transparent bag. Did you make a mistake when naming the bags? A vision of horror crossed your mind as you sprinted back to the changing room. You prepared yourself for the worst when entering the room, but nothing seemed weird. Everyone was finishing changing in a good mood. So, either you didn’t exchange the bags and Subin felt nothing for you or no one here liked anyone—you lowkey preferred this second suggestion.

When Changbin saw you, he frowned and approached you. “Are you okay? How did it go?”

“Good, he liked my cookies,” you tried to smile but after running so much, you puffed a bit.

“Then why do you still have them, then?”

“Oh? Right, he, uh, gave them back.”

“That’s not polite,” he said without a shadow of a smile. Was that a clenched jaw?

“He didn’t do it on purpose, I promise.”

“What do you mean? How can you not give back a gift on purpose?” Great question, funny story.

“It’s… complicated.”

Your best friend huffed. “I’ll show him.” He took his stuff and left the changing room under the whole Slytherin Quidditch team confused eyes, and you followed him closely.

“I assure you, it’s nothing.”

“Nothing?” He stopped in his tracks and faced you. “Can I have a cookie, please?”

“No?” You nervously laughed as he raised a brow.

“Why not?”

“Because, uh, the… chocolate is melted. Yeah.”

“I don’t mind.” He extended an arm, palm up to receive a cookie. Refusing meant telling him the truth… “Thanks.”

Like with Subin, you waited for a reaction. “So, what did you want to prove?”

“A point.”

“Which is…?”

“That you put something in these cookies,” he said calmly.

Saying you were shocked was an understatement. “How did you know?!”

“Come on, Y/N, you’ve never baked anything in our five years of friendship and suddenly it’s a whole batch, plus you didn’t want me to touch it before the game. Felt suspicious. But the biggest clue is that you still have the bag.”

“As always, you have an amazing sense of observation,” you muttered, quite embarrassed.

“Yes, and I’m far from being a potion expert, but I honestly believe that your love potion works perfectly.”

What?

He smiled faintly and turned back to the castle, leaving you puzzled and pensive. You didn’t say what kind of potion it was… How did he know?

Lost in thought, you barely reacted when the Slytherin team patted you on the back, thanking you for the cookies, on the way back to celebrate their victory.

Then, it hit you. You ran past the team when they arrived at the stairs, almost tripping over your feet. In your search for your best friend, you bumped into Subin in the Entrance Hall, walking towards the Great Hall.

“Subin?” you called, stopping in front of him. “Are you okay?”

“Never better. You?” Here it was. The genuine and cute smile.

“I’m okay. I don’t really know how to say this but… um…”

“You can tell me anything,” he assured.

“O—okay. I like… you.”

“You mean…” You nodded. He was confused for a few seconds. “Oh. I’m so sorry Y/N, I’m flattered but I don’t feel the same way.”

“Oh, I thought, you know, because you’re always smiling at me…”

“I’m a smiley giggling idiot, that’s for sure. But I’m like that with basically everyone. I’m sorry.” You knew he was genuine, and it somehow made the rejection more bearable.

“It’s alright, I feel better now that I told you.”

Awkward silence —especially on your part.

“You remember earlier when I said I had to talk to someone? Well, it was Chaeyoung. I like her and I don’t know, I just felt the urge to tell her.”

Oh.

“About that…”

“Yes?”

“It’s my fault. There was a love potion that makes you realize your feelings of some sort in the cookie. I wanted to see if you liked me without creating any false feelings. I’m so sorry, I… I shouldn’t have done that,” you muttered, staring at your shoes and picking at your clothes.

“… I see. Thank you for telling me. It’s unconventional for sure, but, thanks to you, I shot my shot.”

You felt like he only reacted that way because he was still under the effects of the potion and you hoped he wouldn’t hate you once it wore off.

“How did it go?”

“She said she liked me too. We’re going on a date tomorrow at Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop.”

“I’m happy for you. Honestly,” you smiled. If he wasn’t going to be happy with you, at least he would be with Chaeyoung, and who were you to hate them or try to change that?

“Thank you, and I’m sorry I can’t return your feelings.”

“No, please, don’t apologize, no one can control those.”

“Not that it changes anything, but I always thought you and Changbin were a thing.”

Wha–

“We’re just best friends.”

“I believe you,” he smiled then reassuringly squeezed your shoulder before finally entering the Great Hall.

You stayed there for a hot minute, mindlessly staring in the distance. Then did the stupidest thing you could do: avoid Changbin, and clearly not tell him about what just happened with Subin.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ✿

A week later, the last match of the season opposing Gryffindor and Ravenclaw ended with Ravenclaw’s victory 420 to 310. Despite this win, Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup with 910 points. Ravenclaw was close behind with 880 points, Slytherin next with 770 and then Hufflepuff with 470.

Chan made sure to tell Changbin how he was right about his house winning (see Jeongin’s) and when Changbin didn’t seem to hear, he asked what was wrong.

“Y/N is avoiding me.”

“What? Why?”

“Last week, they made a potion… for their crush, and I tasted it. It felt like my love for them only grew stronger —which I thought impossible—, and it made me want to scream how much I loved them. I stopped myself, of course, and that’s the last time we spoke.”

“Tough. Have you tried speaking to them?”

“You’re asking this as if it didn’t cross my mind in a whole week.”

“Mh… Bitter failure, then. Well, you’re in luck! I know a guy who knows a friend of Y/N.”

“I’m afraid to ask where this nonsense is going.”

“Hush. Just say the word and Y/N will probably listen to you.”

This was awfully mysterious. “Probably? How would you do that?”

“That’s for me to deal with and you to be ignorant about. So?”

Changbin sighed deeply, wondering what he did in his past life to deserve such a weird friend. “Okay. Thanks, Chan.”

“No problem, man. Just be in your common room before dinner tonight.

A whole week without speaking to your best friend was pretty hard, but trying not to crumble under tons of homework was harder. To this, Donghyun was a valuable friend. He helped you with every subject you had in common, which was really thoughtful of him.

“So, that’s why reparo can only work on non-edible objects,” your fellow housemate finished as you wrote down the end of his speech.

“Donghyun, you have no idea how thankful I am.” You put down your quill and threw your head back under the laughter of your friend.

“You say that every day.”

“And I mean it every time!”

“That’s kind of you. Tomorrow, same time?” he proposed as he suddenly got up, putting his stuff in his backpack.

“Sure…” you replied, looking at him suspiciously. He never acted like this before.

“Sorry, I have to go. Bye,” he waved at you then left the common room quickly.

Wondering why he left so abruptly, you didn’t notice someone else sitting next to you.

“Hey… Are you mad at me?”

The question taking you aback, you didn’t have it in you to flee again.

“Of course not, Binnie. I’m just embarrassed.”

“Why’s that?”

“Do I really have to remind you?”

He gave you a weak smile. “No…”

“I’m sorry for avoiding you. You didn’t do anything wrong,” you said as you played with the hem of your robe.

“Why did you, then?”

You sighed. “Subin doesn’t like me.”

“I’m sorry, Y/N.”

“Oh, don’t be. Some people are meant to stay unloved.” Changbin would’ve laughed at your dramatics, but it was a serious matter —for him at least.

“Uh, that’s not true. I believe everyone’s loved, it’s just that some don’t act on it.”

“Why?”

“… They’re scared of rejection. Or they have too much pride. They don’t want to ruin a friendship. They’d rather see the other happy with someone else than try to change how the person they love feels about them.”

Suspicious.

Oh, right. The reason why he knew it was a love potion: he liked someone.

“You seem to have thought about it a lot. Do you have feelings for someone, Binnie?”

“N—no, of course not.” The red of his cheeks told a different story.

“And you never knew how to lie. I’ll find out, loverboy.”

“I don’t like anyone!” he tried.

“Nah, I don’t buy that.”

“Would you look at that,” he looked at his watch, “it’s time for dinner.”

He regretted saying that the second he sat at the Slytherin table.

“Minho, do you know who Binnie likes? He denies it but I know he does.”

Minho gave a pointed look at your best friend but the latter just looked away.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “Someone from your year probably.”

Changbin widened his eyes at Minho who didn’t give away any expression because you were looking at him.

“I knew it! Binnie, you sneaky imp, you won’t even tell your best friend!”

“I have my reasons,” he muttered as he avoided your gaze.

“What, is it Tzuyu?”

“No, no.”

“Wooyoung, then?”

“Uh, no.”

“Yeonjun?!”

“No!”

Minho deadpanned as you kept throwing names. You were so oblivious that it was painful for the two boys. Changbin was stammering but you could tell he was being sincere.

“Which house?” you asked Minho, knowing Changbin wouldn’t tell.

He hesitated. Their eyes met and they had a whole unspoken conversation. Finally, Minho turned to you.

“Slytherin.”

Happy, you scanned the table to see who it could be. “I’ll find out sooner or later!”

“Try a mirror,” Changbin wanted to tell you.

Desperately wanting to change the subject, he announced: “I think I’ll try out for the beater position next year.”

Right, it was Yugeom and Jeongguk’s last year at Hogwarts.

“It’s true you’re getting buff,” you commented, mindlessly feeling his arm with your fingers.

His face became so red, Minho laughed for a good minute after that, much to Changbin’s embarrassment and your confusion. “What did I do?”

(っ◔◡◔)っ ✿

On a warm day of June, Changbin finally had enough. He had to let you know about his feelings.

He lowkey regretted not making you eat your own cookies back in May, and he couldn’t brew the potion himself, because he wasn’t fond of that subject. You were the genius there, not him.

The best way to make you realize your own feelings —friendship or love for him, any was fine but he had to know— was to ask you.

What, you thought he was gonna give an elaborate plan?

Changbin wasn’t the type to plan. He would cut to the chase and be honest. He hoped you would be too.

He had a small smile on his face while waiting for you in the common room. It widened when his eyes fell on your frame, then fell seeing Donghyun walking through the door after you. It wasn’t part of the plan image of your conversation he created in his mind.

To be fair, when asked to come, you said you were coming soon, but didn’t specify with who or what you were going to do. Now it was clear that the subject of your ‘visit’ was working on essays with your favorite tutor.

Fighting it was useless, Changbin’s jealousy was here to stay. He watched as you both sat at the large table in the middle of the room, putting your stuff out and starting to work on defense against the dark arts. He came closer, until you spotted him and shot him your best smile.

His heart pounded at this simple gesture. “Binnie! Come, we’re doing our essay on ghouls. Have you finished it?”

“Of course,” he answered, trying to sound smug, but the look of adoration you gave him weakened him, and he swallowed with difficulty.

Donghyun chuckled a bit at the scene, resulting in your best friend shooting him a glare. You could only amusedly smile at Changbin before reporting your attention to your parchment. He sat across from you, handing you his own neatly written essay.

“Don’t copy word for word,” he demanded as he crossed his arms over his chest before resting them on the table.

“I will only add the few facts I missed,” you promised, suddenly feeling shy under his gaze, a blush creeping up on your cheeks and ears. Your parchment seemed not filled enough.

You worked for about two hours with Donghyun and your best friend was there the whole time, watching you guys write and helping here and there when he could. After your friend left under your thanks to go with other friends, Changbin took his place next to you, and fixed his robe’s sleeves.

“I need to ask you something.”

He seemed nervous, you noted. “I’m all ears.”

Here goes nothing.

“Do you still like Subin?”

Sorry, what? “Huh? Why do you ask?”

“Just curious,” he shrugged, but you noticed the blush creeping up his cheeks.

“No.”

“Okay… do you like anyone else?”

“Yes.”

He swallowed audibly. “Who is the lucky one?”

“I’ll tell you if you tell me.” Here was your chance to discover if your early conversation with Donghyun was true.

“Tell you what?”

“Who you like.”

There was no escaping this, so he gulped and nodded, “Okay.”

You counted to three, and both said: “you.”

“Me?” Changbin’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“How thick is your damn skull? I mean I love you.”

“Wh– You…” You used the L word!!!! “You’re one to talk! I’ve loved you for years and you’ve never figured it out!”

“It’s true, I’ve been pretty clueless. But! Donghyun and I–” Changbin slightly grimaced at the name. “talked on our way here and he told me how everyone around us thought we were together,” you pointed a finger to the both of you, “him included.”

“Oh…”

You faced the table, reflecting on your oblivious actions.

“Subin too, by the way.”

“Y/N,” he softly called.

“So yeah, I guess I’m the last person to realize my feelings like a stupid kid.”

“Y/N.”

“I’m sorry it took me this long, but hey, at least now you know.”

“Y/N!” he said firmly.

“Yeah?”

“Everyone is watching us right now…”

Indeed, as you looked around, you saw Slytherins of various years talking to each other, their eyes on you both. Your dramatic self had to say something.

“Oh I’m sorry, did you guys think this was a reality show? Are our lives that interesting compared to your boring ones? You better go elsewhere before my boyfriend and I hex the shit out of y’all!”

They quickly cleared out the room, some rolling their eyes and others with an amused smile on their faces. Minho came into view, displaying a knowing smirk as he walked to you. Changbin was as red as a rubis, shocked by what you just called him.

“Took you long enough, Y/N.”

Realization hit, your face and ears burned as you avoided facing any of the boys.

“Shut up, Minho.”

thank you for reading! if you enjoyed, please let me know <3 and here's the masterlist!

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captain-mj · 1 year

Note

can we have graves giving random trinkets to price like some sort of stray cat as like his love language and price is like "??? what do i do with this" and he doesn't know what to do until someone points it out that maybe, just maybe, that graves likes giving people he likes little items

This is such a fun idea!

~~~~

Price sat with the majority of his team after a mission, all of them drinking. He noticed Graves slip something in his pocket but he waited a minute before seeing what it was. A small coin, probably from the country they had just come back from, sat in his hands. It had been cleaned and shined slightly.

Odd. He couldn’t exactly use it now. He slipped it back in his pocket and didn’t comment on it.

The next gift was a couple weeks later after another mission. This one was set on his desk. It was a flower. Also from the country they just came from. It looked like it had been pressed, dried and very fragile to the touch.

“I found it while doing recon.”

Price nodded. “And you kept it?”

“Yes.” Graves nodded before leaving. He didn’t make any other comment on it, so neither did Price. The flower was kept in the drawer with the coin.

Graves gave him a bullet casing. He had stared at him for a while before moving on. Then a cigar holder. And most recently, a ring that was way too small.

Price had stared at that one a while. It didn’t fit any of his fingers and was clearly from someone Graves had shot in the last 24 hours. Any blood that might’ve been on it had been wiped away. Slim gold band, probably from a woman from the looks of it.

Price didn’t get it. None of the things particularly made sense. None of them could be useful at this time so they just stayed in his drawer at his desk. Sometimes, he looked at the flower, a bit worried it would break into pieces.

He held ring in his hand while with Ghost and Gaz. Soap was going to be joining them for a card game later but he was getting whiskey first.

“What’s that captain?” Gaz shuffled the cards.

“Uh... a ring?”

Ghost quickly looked at him. “Please don’t tell me you’re thinking of proposing.”

“Jesus Christ, Simon. No. Graves gave it to me and it definitely wasn’t a proposal.”

“Oh. Cute gift.” Gaz looked at it.

“Yeah, he keeps giving me random stuff. I don’t get it.” Price put it down, noticing they were both looking at him before they looked at each other.

“John. I know you’re not this dense.” Simon laughed, stealing a puff of Price’s cigar that he had sat down.

“What?”

“He never gives us little gifts.” Gaz pointed out, trying to coax him into the right direction.

Price was lost. In his defense, it was less being dense and more denial. Graves giving him gifts was strange enough. Giving him gifts as some sort of courting thing was even stranger.

“Alright. Let’s say you guys are right. What should I do?”

“Give him a gift back.”

“Like what?” Price looked between them. “A ring feels like too much.”

“A book? He keeps staring at mine. Might be worth a shot.” Ghost hummed. “I think he mentioned being a horror fan.”

Price nodded. “Alright. I’ll try.”

The perfect item ended up falling in his lap. They raided a building belonging to Makarov’s men and one of the guys was a horror fan. Under his bed, there was a book.

“Scary stories to tell in the dark”

It looked old, a few of the pages dog eared, but it looked cool.

Price went back for it after everything had been cleared. He hid it under his gear until they were safely back at base. The pages had gotten the slightest bit of blood on them but he thought it added to the charm.

Graves stood next to him, handing him a dog tag with a bullet through it. Price gave him the book.

Graves stiffened as he looked at it before slowly opening it up.

“Used to love these stories as a kid. My older cousin read them. She went all out for all of them...” He didn’t look up, just going through the pages quietly.

“Might have to borrow it some time.”

“It’s more for kids.” Graves blushed. “But anytime John.”

#cod #call of duty #call of duty modern warfare #Phillip graves #John Price #Captain John Price #Price x Graves #Graves x Price

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steflionheart · 11 months

Text

Fandom: Honkai Star Rail

Pairing: Sampo x Gepard

Wordcount: 2.520

tags: AU - canon divergent; Gepard chasing Sampo; Sampo being a smug fxxker; very slightly spicy (nothing graphic or anything, no actual mentions of nsfw, just some light hinting); Gepard actually being into it; Sampo being the sassy dude he is

“Stop right there, Sampo Koski! Running is futile, I will arrest you!” Sampo’s pursuer called, just a few steps behind and hot on his heels.

The blue-haired man chuckled low to himself at the fact that it was yet to be decided who would catch whom as he took the next turn leading into another abandoned alley.

He could do this for hours; walking around in circles, leading whoever was chasing after him into the darkest corners of the underground, or finding a hideout and simply waiting there until they gave up on trying to find him. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s done that and certainly not be the last.

And he’s been running in circles for who knows how long that day already while fooling his pursuer into thinking he actually had a chance to eventually get him. But even Sampo Koski’s patience was bound to reach its limit sooner or later, so he decided it was about time he finally lured his prey straight into his trap.

Knowing the streets of Belobog’s Underground better than anyone else, he took yet another turn, this time purposefully stepping straight into a dead-end.

“Oh nooo! What to do now? I’m trapped!” Sampo called over his shoulder in an overly dramatic manner, “What an unlucky fella I am…”

He said it loud enough for his persecutor to hear him but not too loud to give their position away to the other guards. Sampo was sure that none of them would be able to find their way here anytime soon in the first place but that was exactly what he’d aimed for from the beginning.

He didn’t need anyone interrupting them now.

Sampo slowed down, taking the last few steps toward the end of the alley. He came to a stop in front of some abandoned, old, and dusty wooden boxes that were scattered there in front of the tall stonewall. They’ve been looted before, considering that some of them were open, the tops mindlessly thrown aside and others simply cracked open to access their content.

A short moment later, his scheme played out just as planned.

“Stay right where you are and don’t you dare move a single finger, Koski!” Gepard Landau called, loud and firmly, voice booming across the narrow street. “You can’t escape anymore.”

Sampo grimaced before taking a deep-drawn sigh and slowly turning around, wearing one of his trademark lopsided smirks on his lips the moment his eyes fell on the blonde.

“No need to shout, Cap. I heard you just fine,” Sampo answered as he lifted his hands in feigned defeat. “Seems like you finally got me, huh?”

The Captain of the Silvermane Guards took two careful steps forward and Sampo waited for another few moments, letting the Captain believe just for a bit longer that he was actually cooperating. But Sampo had never planned to do that, so soon enough he narrowed his eyes, gaze turning predatory as he slowly let his arms down again.

Instead of staying put, the Mercenary was now slowly approaching Gepard. His lips stretched into a mischievous smile as he watched Gepard’s eyes widen with realization and a spark of anger flashing in them.

“Don’t move!” the Captain called.

Sampo didn’t bat an eye at the command, rather taking another few steps closer to his target.

“I said. Don’t. Move!”

A low chuckle escaped Sampo.

“Aw, or what?”

The Mercenary kept moving, only stopping right in front of Gepard, and staring at him with an amused glint in his emerald eyes. The Captain was frozen to the spot and his heart must’ve been racing, considering that he was breathing heavily through his nose while trying to hold Sampo’s gaze.

“Will you handcuff me?” Sampo asked, voice low and provocative.

He wanted to see how fast he could get the Captain of the Silvermane Guards, Gepard Landau, to let his guard down and how much Sampo could get under his skin. Considering that the Captain had been on Sampo’s mind almost every day those past weeks— it was only fair, one would assume.

It wasn’t out of fear that Gepard could eventually catch him and lock him up but for several other reasons. Reasons, which would certainly make Gepard get all flustered and tongue-tied if Sampo told him about.

“Will you punish me for being a bad boy, my dear Captain?” Sampo asked again as he took a step to the side and slowly started to circle the blonde while keeping his eyes locked on him.

Sampo studied every emotion flitting across the Captain’s face, watched a single bead of sweat running down his cheek, and was captured by the way his Adam’s Apple bobbed slightly as Gepard swallowed under the pressure of being observed so closely.

And Sampo wanted to do more than just watch, fingers itching to touch, tease, and simply do whatever indecent thought was crossing his mind right at that moment. Being this close to the sole reason for many of Sampo’s sleepless nights and being able to smell his heady scent— it was hard to resist. But Sampo also knew he needed to go slow about this and ought not to make any rash decisions.

But a little teasing never hurt anybody, right?

Sampo leaned in close, nose almost brushing the flushed skin at the back of Gepard’s neck as he continued.

“Would you enjoy doing all those things to me?”

The Mercenary lowered his voice even more, barely above a whisper as he breathed. “Or would you enjoy it more if I did that to you instead…?”

Gepard visibly shivered, his adorably flushed skin puckering and Sampo had to bite down hard on his lower lip to keep himself from simply latching onto the Captain’s neck right then and there. Instead, he let his hand wander to the small of Gepard’s back, gently brushing over it as he tensed. Sampo then finished his round and came to a stop in front of the blonde again, keeping his hands to himself with a satisfied smile on his lips.

“What do you think you’re doing here?” Gepard asked and Sampo swallowed hard at how unbelievably enticing the sight of a flustered Gepard was. His flushed cheeks, the frustrated look on his face, and the way his eyes were dancing around as he tried his hardest to hold Sampo’s gaze but ended up being too shy to do so— everything combined was almost too much for the Mercenary.

“I’m going to arrest you, so don’t get ahead of yourself,” Gepard eventually said, voice low and less convincing than before.

Sampo chuckled low.

“You sure about that, Cap?”

“What do you mean?” Gepard asked, brows knitting in confusion.

What Gepard hadn't noticed until now was that Sampo, while walking around him, had taken advantage of the situation and snatched the handcuffs from Gepard’s belt.

Sampo once again leaned in close, so close their noses almost touched. And at first, Gepard flinched hard, backing away an inch or two but just a moment later he visibly steeled himself and stood his ground, trying not to show any weakness.

Which played right into Sampo’s hands.

“I mean that I am the one who actually caught you…” Sampo whispered as the soft click of the handcuffs locking echoed through the quiet alley.

That was the moment Gepard’s eyes grew comically wide in realization as his face went slack and his mouth fell open in surprise. A moment passed, then another until Gepard blinked a few times, mouth moving in an attempt to form a coherent sentence but it just didn’t work. He tried to retreat, taking two steps backward but in the blink of an eye, Sampo grabbed him by the handcuffs and pulled him back closely.

“Nuh-uh, no running away now…” Sampo warned.

Their chests touched and even through the thick fabric of both their clothes, Sampo could feel the Captain’s heartbeat hammering in sync with his own.

Sampo’s eyes turned dark with burning desire as he uttered his next words.

“I gotta admit that at one point I started to enjoy our little cat-and-mouse games because you are quite the fascinating fella. I’d love to break through that stoic and upright facade of yours someday to see what you hide behind all that. But not today and not here, my dear Gepard…”

Sampo pulled back slightly, just to satisfy the urge to see a flustered Gepard once more but the moment his gaze fell on the blonde’s face, he was completely mesmerized.

A dark crimson had settled high on the Captain’s cheekbones, accentuating the brilliant blue of his sapphire eyes, and making them shine brighter than Sampo had ever noticed before.

But that wasn’t everything that had captivated him; he was taken aback at the glint of something dark and wicked hiding in them, a secret waiting to be found out, an ardent longing wanting to be released as Gepard stared straight at him, brows knitted in frustration.

Sampo was concentrating hard, trying to find out if his mind was trying to play a dirty trick on him or if what he’d just witnessed was actually real. He decided to go for the latter as a lopsided smile spread on his lips and he stated.

“Or maybe you’re already enjoying all of this more than I’d expected from you…”

Sampo closed the distance between them, grabbing Gepard’s chin between the thumb and index finger of his right hand, and pulled him in.

Their lips almost touching, Sampo breathed.

“I hope you don’t mind…”

Gently pressing his mouth on Gepard’s for a soft peck, Sampo felt him tense underneath the touch, body turning rigid against his own for a moment. The Mercenary was sure that Gepard would soon enough start a fuss and find a way to free himself of the handcuffs. Sampo was also sure that he was about to catch one of the blonde’s relentless fists any second now.

After another agonizingly long moment, Gepard suddenly relaxed, slightly pressing forward and—

Sampo needed a second longer to realize that Gepard was actually reciprocating the kiss.

It felt like a stroke of lightning had struck him, surging through his whole body, and setting every single nerve alight with a sizzling feeling that finally settled, pooling low in his gut. Sampo willingly took the invitation, angling his head, and slotting their lips together like fitting puzzle pieces and hands wandering, cupping the Captain’s face in both of them.

But before he could get any further or enjoy this moment a bit longer, he heard the stomping of heavy boots and guards calling Gepard’s name coming closer and closer.

Sampo reluctantly retreated as he heard them yell in the alley right beside them. He knew they would find them in less than a minute, so he had to act fast. Groaning, he pulled back completely from a still very much spaced-out Gepard while fumbling for a smoke grenade in one of his back pockets to prepare his escape.

Sampo couldn’t suppress the soft chuckle that escaped him as he focused back on Gepard, who was slowly coming back to his senses and flushed a crimson red the moment realization hit him hard. The Mercenary closed the distance between them, pressing their bodies together as he uttered a last warning into the small space between them.

“You better cover your sweet little mouth now or the smoke will cause a nasty coughing fit. And I wouldn’t want that to happen to you, my dear Captain Gepard.”

He watched with an amused smirk on his lips as Gepard’s eyes grew wide and followed the grenade Sampo threw over his head. It landed a few feet away behind the blonde and continued to roll a bit further until it stopped right at the feet of one of the guards who had just stepped around the corner.

Sampo placed a quick peck at the corner of Gepard’s mouth before he unlocked the handcuffs and freed his hands. Taking step after step backward, he blew the Captain of the Silvermane Guards one last kiss as the grenade went off and thick white smoke started to fill the alley. The Mercenary winked, then turned around, and climbed up the wooden boxes in a fluid motion before swinging himself over the sturdy stonewall.

The guards were coughing violently as Sampo landed smoothly on the other side of the wall in yet another abandoned alley. He paused for a brief moment and took a deep breath, heart and mind still racing as he recalled the latest events.

Sampo was still very much surprised and would’ve never thought that a simple kiss could break so easily through Gepard’s defenses and that he would willingly let him in. It was exciting, exhilarating even and Sampo wondered how far he could’ve gone if they hadn’t been interrupted. The possibilities were endless and thinking about them sent an electrifying shiver down his spine, fueling his darkest desires, and granting him some of the wildest fantasies.

He groaned and dragged one of his hands over his face in desperation as a wicked smile spread on his face. Just a moment later he heard a guard shout his name behind the stonewall he’d just climbed over.

“Sampo Koski!”

He didn’t hesitate for another moment, not wanting to risk getting caught after all as he took off and disappeared into the maze of Belobog’s Underground alleys.

Meanwhile, the Captain of the Silvermane Guards, Gepard Landau, was still unable to move a single muscle, blood rushing in his ears and heart hammering wildly in his ribcage as he dragged a single finger over his lips. They were still tingling from the touch of someone else’s lips.

Chapped lips, though skillful and luscious.

Lips that had him captivated.

Sampo Koski’s lips.

Gepard was so lost in his mind, reliving every second of what had just happened, that he didn’t notice the smoke engulfing him until the sharp sting of it burned in his throat. He hiccuped as it became hard to breathe and immediately covered his mouth with both hands. The Captain coughed a few times until he managed to calm down again and was able to somewhat breathe normally.

He needed another moment before he eventually shook off the thought of Sampo and what had just happened between them, straightening his back, and bellowing orders.

“Koski escaped! Scatter ‘round and find him, we can’t let that happen again! And cover your mouth and nose while searching in this area until the smoke has dissipated.”

Gepard himself then moved to leave the dead-end he was still standing in but stopped after a few steps. He turned around and looked back at the wall Sampo had disappeared behind, just a few minutes before.

A thought crossed his mind, one so indecent, he tried to shake it off as fast as it came up. But it didn’t keep his face from erupting into a crimson shade of red as he grimaced and sighed miserably.

Eventually, he stomped off, determined to catch the obnoxious and sassy Mercenary sooner rather than later.

#sampard #sampo x gepard #sampo #sampo koski #gepard #gepard landau #honkai star rail #honkai star rail fic #fanfic writing #slight spice #I just love their dynamics #and also love me some gepard secretly but not so secretly into sampo #me loves them #steflionheart #steflionheartwrites

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whatstruthgottodowithit · 8 months

Text

Here You Come Again [Part Thirteen]

Fandom: Elvis Presley, RPF, American Actor

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Original Female Character

Characters: Elvis Presley, Addison Goodwin, Original Female Characters, Priscilla Presley, Colonel Tom Parker, Vernon Presley, Gladys Presley, Minnie Mae Presley, Marci Cunningham, Jerry Schilling, Red West, Sonny West, Marty Lacker, Joe Esposito, Charlie Hodge, Lamar Fike, Alan Fortas, George Klein, Memphis Mafia

Rating: Teen

Word Count: 4792

Summary: When Addison Goodwin was seventeen years old her life was turned inside out after a chance encounter with her past. Now, fifteen years later her life is the best it’s ever been. She has a home, a good job and a daughter she loves more than anything in the world but will all that remain when an old familiar face rolls into town.

Tags: Angst, Fluff, Graceland, Las Vegas, The International Hotel, Elvis In Vegas, 1970s, 1970s Elvis, Friends To Lovers, Rekindled Romance, Parenting, Time Line is Sketchy, Guilt, Betrayal, Teenage Pregnancy, Hawaii, Hidden Pregnancy, Jealousy, Sex, Absence of Parent, Single Motherhood, Trauma, Oral Sex, Tension

Notes: Only a short one because I had planned this and the next chapter as one and it got far too long. So I've split them where it seems apt.

LINK TO ALL PARTS // LINK TO AO3 // LINK TO PINTEREST

The first couple weeks back in her old world were odd for Jess and it wasn’t just because she had gotten used to spending her days wandering the halls of Graceland but because people actually seemed to notice her now. They didn’t say anything of course [though she figured that was because the last time they had seen her they’d watched Jerry nearly knock someone’s head off for talking to her] but there were definitely more stares. And as a girl who’d kept to herself the majority of her school career that feeling felt odd.

Her only saving grace seemed to be that her friends, though few, remained as normal as they had been. Naturally they understood what a big deal it was and though they were a little hurt about being lied to overall they supported her. She supposed it helped that Elvis’ popularity amongst the youth had dwindled a little because if it hadn’t she didn’t know how she would’ve fared. Going back to her old life was one thing, going back and having everyone treat you differently was another.

And going back to her old life had been hard in itself.

It hadn’t been as bad with Jerry around but once he’d gone home it felt more as though she was in the life she had been living last year, the one where he didn’t know she existed. He had been trying so hard though. They had spoken almost every day on the phone, sometimes even practicing the guitar together though they were miles apart. Still, it was hard. Especially when she could hear how much he was missing her.

She had heard it in his voice this evening when he’d called. He had been hoping they’d manage to catch a weekend together but it was proving difficult to line up. With midterms coming up there was no way she would be able to wangle a weekend out of state and given that the Colonel had already had a tour lined up for him there was going to be no time for him to fly in to see her. So he’d informed her that it would probably better if they settled for dates during spring break as planned. She’d been sad but she’d agreed though that hadn’t stopped her moping around the house for the last hour.

‘Jess?’ she heard her mother call from the front door.

‘Up here,’ she called pushing herself back on the bed until she was resting against the wall waiting for her mom to come in as she could hear her coming up the stairs. After a moment or so she pushed the door open looking at Jess with a smile, ‘hi sweetie, are you okay with pizza? I’m exhausted from work and don’t feel like cooking.’

‘Pizza’s fine,’ Jess said with a smile though it seemed weak, making Addison frown.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked moving into the room though she rested on the door handle.

‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ Jess said.

‘But?’ Addison asked wondering what was bothering her.

‘Nothing…I spoke to dad earlier,’ Jess explained making a knot form in Addison’s stomach, ‘he said he won’t be able to see us until spring break. Some tour or something.’

‘Oh,’ Addison said that knot lessening though she tried to mask her own disappointment as she said, ‘well that’s not all that far away, is it?’

‘I suppose,’ Jess shrugged.

‘And you two have been calling every day,’ she reasoned though she wasn’t sure who she was trying to reassure. Jess seemed to think about and then nodded, offering her mom a small smile. Addison didn’t feel much more reassured, but she smiled anyway and said, ‘how about some pizza huh?’

‘Sure,’ Jess said, ‘barbecue?’

‘Sure thing,’ Addison smiled before she closed the door and headed downstairs.

Yet as she descended her staircase she found her mind was on Elvis as it had been most of the time they had been home. She missed him, a lot, and the only thing that had been getting her through was the prospect it wouldn’t be too long until they could see each other again. She didn’t know why she was so desperate to see him. She was still firm in her decision that they couldn’t be together, and he had lived up to his promise of not forgetting about them the second they were out the door. In fact she probably spoke to him more than when they were living in his house. He called Jess nearly every day and it somehow ended with the pair of them on the phone together. Then it had started happening when she was sure he knew Jess wouldn’t be home or ridiculously late when she was in bed. She should’ve said something but she couldn’t bring herself to. That was why this prolonged gap scared her - they were doing so well.

When she got downstairs she tried to put it out of her mind. He’d no doubt call at some point and they could discuss it properly and she should’ve felt grateful he was being open and honest with Jess instead of putting her off with excuses or asking Addison to be the bearer of bad news. Yet as she picked up the phone to dial the pizza place she found her finger twitching to put in that familiar set of digits and she had to force herself not to. As the phone rang out for the pizza place she stripped out of her uniform, donning a pair of pyjamas that had been sitting on top of her neglected pile of clean laundry for over a week but just as she went to throw her shirt on the line clicked on and she was forced to give her order in just her bra, holding back laughter as she pictured Tony on the other end of the line completely unaware of the scene, Elvis’ teasing in her mind. Though as the order finished up and the line went dead she found herself dialling again, throwing her shirt on as it rang out until it eventually clicked on.

‘Hello?’ Elvis’ voice rang out clear but soft in her ear.

‘Hey…it’s me,’ she said. She didn’t know why she called him and now she was on the phone she found it was evident she had no reason to, her words not coming as she stood there. On the other end she could hear Elvis shift, waiting for her to say something but when she didn’t he answered for her, ‘uh everything alright?’

‘Fine, fine,’ she said twirling the phone cord around in her fingers nervously,

‘You know you’re a horrible liar,’ Elvis chuckled making her flush, ‘what’s the matter?’

‘Nothings the matter,’ she protested hopping up on the countertop so she could speak, ‘I’ve just come home to a very forlorn teenager you wouldn’t know anything about that now, would you?’

‘Oh that,’ Elvis sighed.

‘She said you’re going on tour?’ Addison asked.

‘Yeah, it’s been booked for a while I just kinda forgot… what with everything going on,’ Elvis said sheepishly.

‘That’s understandable,’ Addison said as amenably as she could. She knew it wasn’t his fault but the fact the Colonel’s doings would push them apart once again did sting.

‘Which isn’t ideal I know especially since I was hoping I’d be able to swing by sometime soon,’ Elvis explained.

‘Swing by? Oh sure just pop on over it’s only what fifteen hundred miles?’ Addison giggled.

‘Well it’s not ideal but it’s doable,’ Elvis said soaking in her laugh as it travelled through the line, ‘just not right now, I guess. Looks like spring break is gonna be the next time we can meet.’

‘Well we knew that might be our only option,’ Addison said.

‘Yeah, I suppose,’ Elvis said sounding just as upset as Jess had. It was a tone that made her chest feel tighter. Elvis didn’t seem to notice she had paused and asked, ‘Jess isn’t too upset right? I tried to explain-’

‘She’s fine just a little bummed out,’ Addison said hoping her words made him feel better.

‘Me too,’ he admitted, ‘but hey maybe one day it’ll slow down and then you guys will be sick of seeing me around your place.’

‘Does your life ever slow down?’ Addison countered. It was joke though its only purpose was to deflect that funny feeling inside her when he mentioned them seeing each other all the time.

‘Yeah, I guess you’re right,’ he sighed making her worry she had over corrected.

‘But there’s always spring break,’ she said trying to reel him back.

‘Yeah true,’ he agreed with a smile and then without any prompting she found the words tumbling out of her mouth before she gave them permission to.

‘I’m looking forward to it. I miss you,’ she said. He paused for a beat making her wince as she heard how desperate she sounded though that desperation didn’t seem all that bad as he said, ‘I miss you too.’

Fortunately her little slip of vulnerability seemed to be forgotten and Elvis remained true to his word about staying in contact. Though life got busier he managed to find time for them even if the calls were now every other day. And as time went on Addison couldn’t help but feel excited about going back to Graceland, he may not have brought up her mentioning how much she missed him but that didn’t mean she had stopped. In fact it only seemed to get worse, no more so than when they were pulling into the gates of Graceland. He was mere meters away instead of miles and it was taking all she had not to run into the house like a mad woman so she was disappointed when they came in through the front door and found him nowhere to be seen.

She didn’t know what she had expected and though Dodger and Vernon’s warm welcome from where they had been waiting for them in the living room was nice it wasn’t the same. Still, she smiled through it all, making casual conversation about their trip even though her feet were itching to run and find him. Fortunately there was no need to just as Vernon was talking about their plans for dinner she heard the dining room door open and looked up to find Elvis coming through it.

‘Has anyone seen Nancy?’ he said stopping in his tracks as he noted the pair of them standing in the living room entry way, ‘what are you guys doing here? I-I mean so soon I thought you weren’t due till four?’

‘Our flight got in a little early and Jer was already there,’ Addison said feeling a little better that he hadn’t just forgotten.

‘I wish I’d have known,’ he said. He’d been hanging around all day, anxious for them to arrive and now he had missed it, though he seemed to pull out of his disappointment as he noticed Jess was standing there, ‘hey Jessie.’

‘Hi Dad,’ she smiled going over to hug him. He hugged her close, revelling in what he had been missing for the past couple of months.

‘Have ya got taller?’ he smiled, ‘feels like ya got another inch on ya.’

‘Don’t think so,’ Jess smiled, ‘maybe you’ve shrunk.’

‘Maybe,’ he chuckled, looking up at Addison who was watching him closely. As Jess pulled back he moved towards her opening his arms for her to step into which she did, cherishing every second of the feel of him against her. The best she had felt in months. When she pulled back she lingered in his arms for a minute, the pair of them smiling at one another, unwilling to let go.

‘What about me?’ she said.

‘Huh?’ Elvis asked trying to ignore the way his heart was thudding in his chest.

‘Have I got taller?’ she teased making him smirk.

‘Nope, still the same lil shorty you’ve always been,’ he ribbed making her roll her eyes though as she did she noticed there was something on his face and moved her finger to brush it off.

‘Is that flour?’ she asked as his hand flew to his cheek as he brushed at himself, removing himself from her grip as he checked himself in the mirror close by, much to her disappointment.

‘Oh uh yeah,’ he said, ‘I’m baking a cake.’

‘You’re baking a cake?’ Addison said raising an eyebrow.

‘Well me and Lisa are with Nancy’s supervision that’s what I was comin’ out to find her for,’ Elvis said feeling a touch shy as the girls shared a smug look.

‘Why are you baking a cake?’ Jess asked intrigued but just as she did Lisa appeared at Elvis’ side.

‘Elvis you’re taking too long,’ she whined pulling on his shirt impatiently.

‘I’m just talking baby. I’ll be in in a minute, okay?’ he said making her nod as she opened her arms in expectation for him to pick her up. He did so and only once she was securely on his hip did she seem to notice they weren’t alone and her gaze shifted past him, finally noticing Jess and Addison standing there.

‘Hey Lisa,’ Jess said first making the younger girl smile.

‘Hi Jessie,’ she beamed before looking at Addison and saying, ‘hi Miss Addison.’

‘Hi sweetheart,’ Addison said, ‘I hear you and your daddy are baking a cake.’

‘We are,’ Lisa said her eyes lighting up as she responded, her annoyance at Elvis’ lack of haste all but forgotten, ‘it’s for you and Jess!’

‘It is?’ Jess said with a smile.

‘Yep!’ she said beaming back at her.

‘You didn’t need to do all that,’ Addison said leaning in towards her with a smile.

‘We’re celebrating,’ Lisa said seriously.

‘Oh yeah what are we celebrating?’ Addison smiled.

‘Jessie is my sister! So I asked Elvis if we could make a cake,’ she smiled making Addison pull back.

‘Yeah, uh Cilla thought it was better she knew,’ he said looking at Jess who smiled, ‘Jess why don’t you two go and see if it’s ready?’

‘Okay,’ she said offering her hand out as he slipped Lisa off his hip. Lisa took it immediately, looking up at her sister as she started telling her every single detail about the cake she could remember. As they disappeared into the kitchen he turned back, finding Addison watching him with a smile.

‘You okay with her knowing?’ he asked.

‘Everyone else does,’ she said, ‘not exactly fair to keep her in the dark.’

‘Yeah, Cilla figured she was better telling her than someone else,’ he said. It felt weird to mention her in front of Addison. For the past couple of months he had done nothing but think of her, long for her, and to mention another woman, even his ex-wife, in front of her felt wrong. He loved Priscilla of course, he always would, but right now he just wanted to revel in the fact she was back in front of him, for at least another few weeks.

‘Yeah she’s right. And if it means we get cake I’m in,’ she smirked, ‘you made chocolate cake right?’

‘Like I’d be stupid enough to pick anything else,’ he smirked throwing his arm around her shoulders in a manner that made her stomach flip flop as they walked towards the kitchen, ‘but uh I’m not promisin’ it’ll be edible.’

‘Cakes cake,’ Addison smiled.

✵✵✵

Over the next couple of days Addison was surprised just how quickly she fell into the groove that was Graceland. As a kid she’d become part of the furniture in months, as a teen just weeks, but now as an adult she found she was back feeling just as comfortable as ever in days if not hours. Which was why she was filled with trepidation as she headed downstairs to the kitchen. Now if she was at home the day would be like any other. A day at home with maybe a dinner out with Jess, the perfect way to spend her thirty third birthday. But being familiar with the aura the house brought meant she doubted today would that simple. Which is why she was confused when she walked into the kitchen to find Elvis, Jess, Lisa and Dodger sitting at the kitchen table like they had for the past couple of days. No frills. No outright celebration. It made her suspicious. At her presence by the stairs Jess looked up from her breakfast and smiled.

‘Happy Birthday Mom,’ Jess said as Addison moved to pour herself a cup of coffee whilst Dodger got up to make her a plate.

‘Thanks sweetheart,’ Addison said as Dodger set her plate down and said, ‘happy birthday.’

‘Thanks,’ she smiled slipping into the seat beside Elvis who was watching her.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘Am I allowed to say happy birthday?’ he asked.

‘Of course you are why?’ Addison said confused.

‘Well I asked Jess if we could put up some banners and she said no. So I suggested we go out for breakfast and she said no,’ Elvis teased making her roll her eyes, ‘so I just wondered what I could do.’

‘Pass the syrup,’ Addison retorted. Elvis smirked but grabbed the syrup bottle by him all the same, handing it to her as he said, ‘happy birthday.’

‘Thank you,’ Addison smiled.

‘Happy birthday Miss Addie,’ Lisa said with a mouthful of pancake.

‘Why thank you Miss Lisa,’ Addison smiled.

‘Hang on I left your present upstairs,’ Jess said moving to get up from her seat but her mother waved her off.

‘It’ll keep,’ Addison said.

‘Mom,’ Jess protested.

‘Honestly it’s fine,’ Addison said, ‘eat your breakfast. I can go another hour or so without cards and presents.’

‘I made you a card too,’ Lisa beamed.

‘Well thank you sweetie that’s very kind of ya,’ Addison smiled glancing at Elvis who smirked as he picked up his coffee cup.

‘Well don’t be expecting anything off me,’ Elvis chuckled as he sipped his drink, ‘I know better.’

‘Are you saying you’ve finally listened?’ Addison teased.

‘I just figure you’ll be as stubborn at thirty-three as you were at three,’ Elvis smirked before he added, ‘though I hear old age is supposed to mellow folks out.’

‘Hey you’ve still got five years on me bub,’ she quipped.

‘Oh so I’m old now?’ Elvis mused. She was smiling at him, her hazel eyes sparkling as she teased him, and he found it odd how their age difference didn’t feel like the chasm it once had. Back when they’d been dating he’d been so aware of it even though she was never the seventeen-year-old she should’ve been thanks to the stressors in her life. Yet now he felt as though they were equal.

‘By God if you two are old what does that make me?’ Dodger laughed making the girls giggle. As Addison looked towards her Elvis continued watching her for just a second feeling his heart flutter as he took her in though he was forced to shift his gaze to his grandmother as he felt Jess watching him.

‘You’re probably more of a spring chicken than any of us,’ Addison said.

‘Have to be to keep up with you young ‘uns,’ Dodger chuckled, ‘anyway what are you doing to celebrate?’

‘Oh nothing much,’ Addison shrugged.

‘Oh come on Addie,’ Elvis moaned. He had been lenient. He knew if he went overboard it wouldn’t go down well and though Jess had supported his ideas she had reigned him a little. He had listened, well mostly, but if he was going to have a chance at doing what he had planned for later he needed her to be at least halfway on board, not flat out refusing.

‘What?’ she asked, ‘I’m good.’

‘Come on mom we gotta do something,’ Jess said.

‘I’m doing what I want. I’m hanging out with you guys,’ Addison said.

‘Aw you big softy,’ Elvis teased earning a playful glare.

‘Oh shut up,’ she said.

‘Seriously though we have to do something today,’ Elvis said.

‘Yeah, I agree,’ Jess said.

‘Me too,’ Lisa agreed making Addison sigh as she looked at the three of them watching her with the same big blue puppy dog eyes. Dodger chuckled and shifted out of her seat, taking Jess and Lisa’s empty plate from in front of them as she looked at Addison and said, ‘ain’t no use fighting ‘em.’

‘No I know,’ Addison sighed, ‘okay fine but what?’

‘Anything, the world’s your lobster,’ Elvis said as she agreed.

‘Nothing too over the top though,’ Addison warned, if anything she was at a loss of what she actually wanted to do. She hadn’t been lying when she’d said spending time with them was enough and so she looked to the girls for help, ‘what do you girls want to do?’

‘Ooh how about we go horseback riding? Dad said he was going to show me some of the trails off the grounds,’ Jess said.

‘Yeah!’ Lisa cheered.

‘Well that would be good if I could actually ride a horse,’ Addison said.

‘You could ride with me,’ Elvis said making her look at him though as he felt a heat pool in his lower belly he backtracked figuring maybe it wasn’t the best idea to have her tucked in front of him for the whole afternoon, ‘or Jess she’s a real strong rider.’

‘Yeah, I promise we won’t race,’ Jess giggled. Addison hesitated; it wouldn’t have been her first choice but seeing how excited they both were she couldn’t help but smile.

‘Horse riding it is,’ she said.

✵✵✵

Despite her uncertainty Addison found her birthday actually going pretty well. After their late breakfast stroke lunch they’d headed out to the stables where Elvis had introduced her to the horses. She’d met some of them on their first visit but seeing how much Jess and Elvis enjoyed riding together she’d chosen to stay away so they could enjoy something just the pair of them. Lisa had told her all about her horse though as they headed out she had opted to ride with Elvis on Rising Sun whilst Jess and Addison shared Priscilla’s horse Lady. They’d wandered through the grounds at a slow pace, talking about anything and everything though there were times when the four of them were content to just watch the laziness of the springtime pass through the Graceland grounds. Eventually they made their way out onto the back streets, most of which Addison was sure Elvis owned as they remained deserted and unbothered well until they looped back onto the main stretch of road out front of the mansion and people started noticing them.

As they headed back up to the gates Elvis remained calm, waving at folks as he passed them though she noticed how he directed Jess to steer in closer to him. It wasn’t busy but as they pulled up by the gate they were stopped. Whilst Elvis slipped gracefully off his horse he kept Lisa on gesturing for the guard to walk her through as he nodded for Jess to trot on in. They lingered by the open gate, waiting for him as he interacted with the couple of fans waiting - taking pictures and signing autographs. And as Addison sat watching him from a distance she was struck by how normal it all felt. That even though he was talking to fans outside a literal mansion it felt as though they could be anyone. Just the four of them. A family.

And for a moment she let herself believe just that. She’d been protesting it all so much her head was a spin but she couldn’t deny how much she liked that idea. How she liked that as they came into the gates he’d taken charge just in case. She liked how Jess had become so acclimatised to what she had once feared she didn’t even bat an eye as people started staring at them. She liked that Lisa seemed to like having her around. And so she was going to enjoy it even if just for the day, as a birthday present to herself.

After the ride the girls had insisted they spend the rest of the day by the pool and given that it was a comfortably warm 75 degrees Addison and Elvis agreed. Whilst Addison read her book by the side of it, chatting to Mary when she came out with a tray full of drinks and snacks, Elvis and the girls made the most of the water. She tried to focus on her book but from time to time she couldn’t help but watch them play. She loved how laid back he was with them, how his head fell back with such radiant laughter as they played. She loved how the girls shrieked when he lifted them into the sky, launching them into the pool with an almighty splash. She loved how he pretended not to notice the girls plotting to dunk him under the water though the fervent giggling gave them away almost instantaneously.

After a while they climbed out, Jess barely having time to grab a towel before Lisa was pulling her by the hand towards her outside play area. Addison watched them go, using her hand to shield her eyes from the sun though she was distracted as Elvis shook off like a dog beside her causing water to spatter up her bronzing skin. Since they’d gone outside she hadn’t really seen much of him. He and the girls had been so excited they’d practically ran down the stairs and allowed her to take her time. Now he was standing beside her looking at her with a cock sure grin as he towelled water droplets off his toned tanned torso. It made a fire burn in her lower belly, one she had to force herself to stomp out. She was already living in enough fantasy for today.

‘You alright over here on your own?’ Elvis said as he dropped down onto the sun lounger beside her, running the towel over his legs as he tried to get dry.

‘Perfectly fine,’ she said popping her bookmark in the crevice of her book and placing it on her lap, ‘you guys looked like you were enjoying yourselves.’

‘Yeah, it’s been a good day,’ he beamed flopping onto his back as he placed his legs up onto the lounger.

‘Yeah it has,’ she smiled. She could hear the girls from far away, laughing and giggling, and the rustle of the breeze through the tall trees on the grounds which caught her attention as she watched their leaves flutter for a moment. When she looked back towards him he was watching her.

‘Have you had a good day?’ he asked hopefully.

‘Yeah, I really have,’ she smiled though it dimmed as he shifted, pulling the wet material of his swim trunks off the skin on his thigh that they had been sticking to. He looked hesitant for a moment but then he seemed to think about whatever he was going to say and decide it was a good idea.

‘You know I’ve been thinkin’,’ he said quietly.

‘What about?’ she asked wondering what on earth might be going on in that head of his. If her little fantasy for the day had been so overtly obvious that he had noticed.

‘Today,’ he admitted, ‘and I know you said low-key, but I’d like to take you out to dinner…you should celebrate.’

‘I am,’ Addison said though it wasn’t an attempt to be abrasive. Sitting in the sun surrounded by her favourite people had been more than she could have asked for.

‘I mean properly,’ he said quietly.

‘I am,’ she said, ‘besides it’s not like it’s a big birthday or anything.’

‘No but…I’ve missed your big birthdays,’ he said glancing at her before he dropped his gaze, ‘eighteen, twenty-one, thirty…so I’d like to do something nice for ya. Nothing extravagant just a dinner nothing more, just us, the kids, Daddy and them.’

‘Okay,’ she said smiling at him as he braved looking at her though as she did an idea flicked through her brain making her sit up quickly as did Elvis now panicked, ‘oh god what am I gonna wear?’

‘Jesus Ads you almost gave me a heart attack,’ Elvis said sinking back as she flushed, embarrassed at her theatrics.

‘Sorry I just haven’t brought anything…fancy,’ she said.

‘You think McDonalds is fancy?’ Elvis asked raising an eyebrow though he smirked as he saw her frown, ‘I’m just kiddin’.’

‘Har har,’ she said, ‘still wherever we go I don’t think I’ve got anything…’

‘Well if you want you could go shopping with the girls this afternoon, take my card, buy something new. Don’t look at me like that,’ he said as she glared at him, ‘you can spend as much as little as you want. Besides I ain’t bought ya anything so you can count it as your present.’

‘You really haven’t bought me anything?’ she said in a tone that made Elvis suppress a smile. She was disappointed he could tell though she was pretending she wasn’t. It was true he hadn’t technically bought her anything but that didn’t mean he hadn’t arranged her a present. And having them all out of the house would definitely help him set it up.

‘Nope,’ he said.

‘Smart move,’ she said putting her eyes on the page of her book she had reopened.

‘Can’t promise Dodger hasn’t though,’ he said.

‘She shouldn’t spend her money on me,’ Addison tutted making him laugh heartily which confused her, ‘what?’

‘Nuthin’,’ Elvis chuckled, ‘I just think it’s sweet you think it’s her money.’

‘Looks like you bought me something after all then huh?’ Addison said.

‘Looks like,’ he smiled.

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#my writing #elvis #elvis presley #elvis x ofc #elvis presley x ofc #here you come again #elvis and addison

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