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theresnosafeharbor4myships · 3 years

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Overheard - Chapter 2 (also on 9L) (Chapter 1 here)

Daryl ignored the overheard conversation for two whole days. At least that's what he told himself. It wasn't the cause of him offering to keep night watch again to avoid spending the evening alone with Carol after the kids went to bed, it wasn't why he snapped at the crew when they didn't get as much of the walls secured as they'd planned to that day, it wasn't why he'd smashed his own finger with the hammer as he fixed one of the garden planters, and it most certainly wasn't why he now traipsed around the compound late into the night when by all rights he should be sleeping. No, he'd forgotten all about that little tête-à-tête. He glanced down the block to the house where he knew Carol, Lydia, Judith, and RJ slept and an empty room awaited his presence. It looked closed up tight and secure, windows darkened just like every other house on his block. You're the only dumbass too afraid to walk into his own home, that sneering voice mocked. Dammit, he needed sleep, especially since he expected yet another grueling day of fence-mending and trap-checking tomorrow and he knew the kids would be up bright and early as per usual. Sighing deeply, he bee lined for home, sure he could slip in unannounced and settle in for yet another restless night of thinking about the woman sharing his home and owning his heart but still eons away from where he wanted her. It wasn't until he opened the front door that he saw the oven light on. Carol stood at the island, busy when she should be sleeping.

He turned away quickly. Damn this... What had she called it? An open-concept house? No way he could sneak to his room now. He closed the door behind him, set his crossbow down, kicked off his shoes, and shrugged out of his jacket and vest, hanging them on the peg on the wall. He started to move in the direction of the stairs, sure she’d stop him to chat, but made the mistake of actually looking over at Carol and found himself arrested mid-step.

A spread of foodstuff lay on the island, and her hands deftly went about their work, but it was the way she looked in the soft light, her hair on one side pushed behind her, long gray locks cascading down the other, that left him frozen in place. She wore a fitted red tank top with spaghetti straps, and he knew if he could see the bottom half of her she'd be sporting those ugly, careworn pajama pants she loved so much. Her skin looked invitingly soft, and when she peered up to find him there, a smile broke over her face. He could barely breathe. "Hey." "Hey. Whaddya doing?" "Making lunch for tomorrow. Lydia and Judith are going to teach RJ how to feed the chickens and gather the eggs before school and weapons training, so they'll be up extra early." He barely heard what she said, his thoughts a million different places, and about half of those in places they shouldn't be. All he could see was her in the home they shared, mothering kids that weren't theirs, distracting as any minx, and stealing his breath and his thoughts like a perfect thief. Maggie and Aaron's refrain, a broken record in his brain, played again. “…times I thought Carol was about to make a move. Been thinking the same thing about Daryl lately.”

He couldn't take it anymore. Before he knew what he was doing, the words had already come out of his mouth. "Do you like living here?" Carol looked at him quizzically, then glanced around the darkened house. "It's better than most of the other places I've lived," she stated as she wrapped up the kids’ lunches. He took a few steps closer. "Do you like it here with—" He nearly said 'me,' but recovered before the singular word slipped out of his mouth. "—the kids and me?" She kept glancing up at him as she finished putting the food away. "Yeah. I think it's good for Lydia. No one else could understand what she's been through better than you and me," she admitted quietly. "Being around Jude and RJ has helped her open up and allowed her to be a kid—when she lets herself. And you know how much I love Judith and RJ. I wouldn't want them with anyone else." He kept moving slowly towards her, unsure what compelled his feet to close the distance between them even as he felt mystified by the direction of his questions. What was he doing? "And me?" he heard himself ask quietly as he rounded the island. A teasing glint entered her eyes. "You have to ask after all this time? You know I liked you first." Her words took him back to another lifetime, another home they'd shared. A time when his mind had first begun thinking about her constantly, when he’d started wanting to care and protect and provide for her, wanting her near. Wanting her. Nothing had changed since then, unless he counted how strong those feelings had become over the years. She expected him to bashfully retreat—he saw it on her face—maybe give her his usual 'stahp' so she could chuff a laugh and they’d go on as they had been for yet another decade. But that overheard conversation had played like a broken record in his head for days. He’d envisioned all the ways he could find out the truth of their words, and laughter was the farthest thing from his mind.

"Carol," he said lowly. His eyes dropped to her shoulder, and of its own volition his hand rose until his fingers trailed over her soft, cool skin, a slow back-and-forth graze across her shoulder. The air around them sizzled, and the voices of his friends, which had accompanied him for days and somehow compelled him into this moment, suddenly dissipated until only the internal drumming of his own heartbeat remained.

He lifted his eyes back to hers, and she peered up at him with desire. "Daryl." He heard his name ghost from her lips, and though he barely knew what he was doing, the sound drew him closer, closer, until his lips finally met hers.

He'd imagined this moment in myriad ways, most of them flushed and frantic and fast. Now that he was here, he wanted to make it last forever in case this, the greatest risk of his life, ended in spectacular shambles.

He moved his lips slowly, deliberately taking his time, and Carol let him. She turned towards him more fully, and his hand cupped her shoulder before sliding down her back, holding her in place, though she seemed content enough on her own to match him, her hands against his chest sending fire spiraling through him.

He eased away just enough to look at her, to make sure this was real. The heat in her eyes and the wonder on her face told him everything he'd ever wanted to know.

He kissed her again, gently, languidly, until it wasn't enough. She slid her arms around his neck, feverishly pressing into him and his hands roamed from her shoulder blades to her hips. Instinctively, he lifted her as her legs wound around him, and he started to move towards the bedroom.

"Too far," she mumbled against his lips, the hum of her voice and the friction of her body against him causing his blood to rage within him.

It was only a few steps to the living room, but they barely made it before she started removing his clothes, and he was more than happy to help. Somehow they missed the couch and ended up on the floor, but he couldn't care when her lips and hands and skin were touching him all over and she urged his own roaming hands to continue mapping her body. And moments later when he stared into her eyes, he knew he'd never be the same.

*****

Daryl took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart, before he opened his eyes and looked to his left. His arm was falling asleep where it pillowed Carol's head, but he didn't dare move. Her eyes were closed, cheeks tinged pink, a look of contentment on her face.

He couldn't believe what had just happened.

For the first time in his life, he didn't care that he'd completely lost control, let loose every emotion he felt, every word that formed on his lips, every thought about Carol that came to him. Didn't care that he lay completely exposed, both physically and emotionally. Because she had done the same, and it was glorious.

He took a final deep breath, his heart rate finally returning to normal, when, in one smooth move, Carol rolled towards him onto her side and tucked herself against him, slinging one leg over his. His arm curled around her, and he trailed his fingertips across her hip as she placed a kiss over his heart.

"So that was fun," she purred playfully, eliciting an amused huff from him.

"Best thing that's happened to me all day," he admitted.

"Daryl Dixon, are you

flirting

me with?" she asked coyly, clearly pleased.

He raised an eyebrow in response, one side of his mouth turning up in a lopsided smile, and she kissed his chest again.

"Why now?" she asked softly. "I mean, what made you...?"

He flushed a little, embarrassed to admit the truth. "I overheard Aaron and Maggie talkin'. Seems they've been waitin’ for us to get together for a long while and think we've been taking our time."

Her eyes smiled at him. "They're not wrong. We should stop waiting."

"I think we just did," he reminded her.

She moved over him, straddling his hips, seduction written all over her face.

He wanted to. Hell, he'd been waiting 10 years. He could spend the next 10 years making up for it. Still... "Carol, I don't think I can--"

She set a finger over his lips. "Shhh....we'll take our time," she promised as she leaned down to kiss him.

And they did just that.

#caryl #caryl fanfiction #caryl fanfic #carol x daryl #daryl x carol #caryl fan fiction #caryl fan fic #my writing #my caryl writing #overheard #personal

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alinastracker · 3 years

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If you’re still doing the prompts I have oneeeee hehe

" i mean... i-i'm cool with sharing the bed if you are. "

you got it baby 🥰

but i know something’s starting right now

It’s a sweltering Ravkan summer day, but nothing brings heat to her body like watching Mal in the pool, water droplets racing down his chest. His shaggy hair is a mop on his head, and she realizes this is what he must look like in the shower.

This is exactly why she didn’t want to bring him on the trip.

It’s the first week of July, and for the past three years, that’s meant a trip to the Os Alta Resort with Genya and Zoya. It’s a way for them to relax after exams and catch up now that they all attend different schools. But at the end of May, the two of them had FaceTimed her about a change for this year.

“We were thinking of taking the boys with,” Genya says gently, nervous for her reaction.

Zoya is frank as ever. “It’s cheaper that way. Besides, after all this long distance, I could use a week of uninterrupted fuc—”

“Zoya!”

“Relax, Starkov. We’re all adults here.”

“Anyway,” Genya cuts in. “We’re just telling you in case you wanted to bring someone, too. Maybe Mal?”

“Mal and I aren’t dating.”

Only in her dreams.

“Might as well be,” Zoya mutters.

So in the choice between bringing Mal on what has basically turned into a couple’s retreat and going to said couple’s retreat alone, she’s chosen the former. It would be fine. Mal knows her friends. Him and Nikolai like to talk sports. Maybe it’ll be a little weird, being the only non-couple, but they could deal.

It would have been fine, if it weren’t for this morning’s check in.

"So it looks like we have you booked for three single rooms," the concierge says.

Alina frowns. "One of those should be a double."

The concierge checks again, each click of his mouse making her anxiety rise. He frowns. "Sorry, miss. It's showing me all singles."

"It's fine," Mal says. "Could we just upgrade it to a double, then?"

"Er, I'm afraid we're all booked, sir."

Nikolai claps his hands together, cheerful as ever at Zoya's side. "Well, I'll just switch with Alina, and Mal and I can — shit, Zoy!"

Zoya had stomped on his foot.

"We are not switching shit," she hisses under her breath.

Nikolai sighs. "My deadly dearest, certainly it's no big deal—"

"I bought us a new toy for this trip. We are not switching."

There is a brief moment where everyone freezes, then Genya groans, shaking her head as she murmurs apologies to the concierge, who is trying hard to pretend he hasn’t heard a thing. The tips of Mal's ears go red, and Alina is sure hers match. David, lost in his audiobook, is oblivious to all of it.

Nikolai clears his throat and turns to the two of them with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, mate. You're on your own."

The concierge slowly raises a finger and says, "We might be able to supply a cot?"

Alina can feel everyone's eyes on her, which is the last thing she ever wants. She has the strong desire to curl in on herself, but that only really works in the winter when she dons large coats and sweaters. But it’s summer, and she is in only a mustard yellow crop top and jean shorts, though she suddenly feels as exposed as if she were completely naked.

Mal takes one look at her and gently nudges his foot against hers. "I mean . . . I'm cool with sharing the bed if you are?"

Her brain is looking for anyway out of this whole conversation, so she nods.

So far, they have been in their room once to drop off their things and change into bathing suits, both of them dancing around the bed without ever touching it. The air in the room feels charged even with sunlight still pouring in. What would tonight be like?

More importantly, how was she supposed to handle sleeping beside him when she can’t even handle watching him in the pool?

Genya climbs on Mal’s shoulders for a game of chicken — David is, unsurprisingly, not in the pool, but sitting beside Alina on a lounge chair. She feels a pang of something like jealousy as she watches the game commence, which cannot be more ridiculous.

They can’t avoid the night forever, and it comes much too quickly despite how long they spend mingling at the resort bar. In their room, Mal lets Alina use the bathroom first. A kind offer, she thinks, until she realizes it leaves her to stake out a spot on the bed first. No more dancing.

Left side or right? Does Mal have a preference? Does she? How long until Mal finishes in the bathroom and comes out to see her staring at the bed like a mental person?

Right side, she chooses finally. She curls up on the left side of her body usually, so this way, she doesn’t have to face him as they sleep. Good call. As she untucks the covers from the bed, she secretly hopes to find something horrifying, like blood or bugs, so they can get a refund and leave. Sadly, it is a perfectly fine bed. Alina plops onto it and tucks herself in.

Mal finishes in the bathroom a few minutes later, and if he’s as rattled about their sleeping arrangement as she is, he does not show it. There’s plenty of space between them as he settles into bed. Maybe this won’t be as bad as she feared.

“Well, goodnight,” Mal says through a yawn.

“Goodnight,” Alina replies.

They each turn off their bedside lamps. Mal is softly snoring soon after, but Alina stays awake much too long for her liking, thinking of how close he is.

They fall into a similar routine for the next couple nights. During the day, all is fine. Their little group meshes well. Genya and Nikolai are often off together, both of them on a mission, it seems, to try every flavor of ice cream from Os Alta's ice cream bar. Or sometimes it’s Nikolai and Mal running off, joining a game of pool volleyball, both of them stupidly competitive. When Zoya gets annoyed with the overload of children at the waterpark, she joins David on one of the lounge chairs to read for a while — Zoya a smutty historical romance and David a nonfiction on modern space travel. We just shouldn't let Jeff Bezos come back, he argues to Genya later, while Zoya murmurs to Nikolai something she wants him to do to her that night.

Alina thanks the saints her room isn’t next to Zoya’s.

The trip is going so smoothly that she doesn’t realize what trouble Sunday brings with it. It’s always their favorite part of the trip: bottomless margarita night. They all have absolutely horrific, hilarious pictures and videos of themselves from the past three years thanks to bottomless margarita night at Os Alta. But the thought of being drunk like that while she’s sharing a bed with Mal?

Okay, so she just won’t drink tonight. Problem solved.

“You can’t not drink!” Zoya says, personally offended.

“Come on, it’s tradition!” Genya agrees.

But she’s determined to hold out. Only when she sees the others with their drinks, she decides one sip won’t hurt. One sip becomes one drink, and one drink becomes a couple. Soon enough, she’s drunk enough to sign herself up for karaoke, another Os Alta tradition.

“I dunno what I should siiiing,” she slurs, swaying lightly on her feet.

“I have the perfect song for you!” Genya cheers excitedly.

So that’s how she ends up on stage, drunk off her ass, horridly singing Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. She really gets into it, jumping and nailing the talking parts a little too well. But she can hear Genya and Zoya screaming the lyrics along with her, and it only encourages her.

Genya records a Snapchat of her performance, snickering to Mal and David about how she’s going to accidentally send it to the asshole Alina dated last year who’s still entirely too obsessed with her.

Nikolai is the only one of the boys drunk enough to sign up, taking the stage after Alina to perform a disgustingly off-key version of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now. They all agree that Freddie Mercury is rolling in his grave.

By the end of the night, the four of them are totally wasted. David, who had spent the night nursing one drink, his focus on getting Genya her drinks and ensuring that she didn’t trip over herself, has to help the aforementioned redhead up to their room. Nikolai and Zoya are a sight, both wickedly drunk, trying to help each other stay upright. Mal had only downed a couple drinks and is mostly sober, which Alina is very thankful for, as she can’t hold herself up to save her life. She nearly trips on absolutely nothing so many times that Mal finally scoops her into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way to the room. Alina giggles the whole way.

There’s no getting ready for bed that night. Mal sets her on the bed, and she resigns to sleeping in her red summer dress. When Mal joins her after having a shower, drunk Alina has no qualms curling up against him and sniffing him.

“Mm, you smell good,” she hums.

Mal chuckles even as he tenses. Alina has her arm around him and her face pressed into his side. He’s not sure he can breathe. She’s too drunk to notice the blush on his face.

“That’s probably just because you smell like alcohol,” he hedges.

Alina giggles and shakes her head. “No, you always smell good.”

He doesn’t know what to do with this information, but he does a lot of thinking instead of sleeping as Alina passes out next to him.

Monday morning brings with it a pounding headache for Alina. She prepares for the bright sunlight streaming through the window, but the room is dark when she opens her eyes. Mal isn’t beside her, but he left aspirin and a glass of water on the nightstand in addition to pulling out the blackout curtains. She falls in love with him a little bit more.

The day is a quiet one. The girls and Nikolai spend their time at the spa, Mal and David off doing saints know what. She gets the best massage of her life, and while her head still aches despite the pain pill, seeing Nikolai get his toenails painted bright red makes every sip she had last night worth it.

When they’re in the room again after dinner, tucking themselves into bed, Mal says, “You told me I smell good last night.”

Alina pauses. “I did?”

The night comes back to her. She totally told him he smelled good, and she had closed the space between them on the bed, curling up right next to him. She remembers all of it, suddenly and painfully.

“Oh, saints. Mal, I’m so sorry. I didn’t . . . I shouldn’t have—”

He cuts her off. “It’s okay, ‘Lina. You don’t have to apologize.”

“I don’t?”

Mal smiles an amused smile and leans over, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “No, you don’t. Not you. Never you.”

Alina is almost positive she can hear her heart pounding as Mal reaches for something tucked in the drawer of his nightstand.

“For you,” he says, handing her a long rectangular box. “Saw it today when I was out with David and I just— I thought of you.”

She can’t even process the image of Mal and David out shopping together, needing to open this damn box. With shaky fingers, she lifts the lid. Waiting for her inside is a dainty necklace with a gorgeous gold sun charm.

“Oh,” she says softly.

Mal blushes, and this time, Alina notices. “Do you like it?” he asks. “I just thought of you singing last night when I saw it. You’re so bright, Alina. All the time. Just like the sun.”

She has no idea what this confession means, or how she earned it from drunkenly telling him how good he smells — which his really quite good — but her heart has kicked into overdrive. She isn’t sure what, or how, but she knows something’s starting right now.

“I love it, Mal.” She turns so her back is facing him and hands over the necklace. “Will you help me put it on?”

He wraps the chain around her neck. The sun rests perfectly against her heart. She notices every little brush of his fingers against the back of her neck as Mal works the clasp.

When the necklace is secure, they both lay back down, noticeably closer this time. Not as close as last night, but close enough that their arms occasionally brush, close enough that she’ll end up kicking him during the night. Alina sleeps on her right side.

Their trip might be ending tomorrow, but something better was beginning tonight.

#malina #malina fanfic #fanfic #grishaverse fanfic #writing #my writing #THIS IS DAYS LATE BUT I KEPT STARTING THIS OVER BC I WASNT HAPPY WITH IT #also tried writing in present tense which i rarely write in so excuse if it's a mess lmao #short and sweet and not my best imo but i hope u still like it bb!!#cuddlingwithharry #if u spot the song reference (besides the obvious) u r superior

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thebakingqueen5 · 3 years

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KW 2021: Height Difference

Day 1 for Kataang Week 2021 hosted by @kataang-week with the prompt Height Difference!

Links: AO3 | FF.net

Summary: Another year, another summer, another week of prompts celebrating our favorite couple. Kataang Week 2021 Day 1: Height Difference. It’s his 14th birthday and Aang is feeling frustrated. Katara wants to help and Aang confides in her about some of his insecurities.

Word Count: 2.2K

After a long day of festivities, night had finally fallen across the Fire Nation palace, and Aang and Katara were ready to head to bed and get some well-earned rest.

The couple had just finished up at the banquet and silently walked through the dimly lit halls to Aang’s room so as to not alert Katara’s overprotective brother. Though they had merely been cuddling the last few nights before sleeping, Sokka would surely throw a fit if he knew that they were sharing a room at all, hence a bit of secrecy was needed.

At last, they arrived- the third door on the right in the central wing of the palace had been designated the Avatar’s quarters since as early as Kyoshi’s time. It was a fair distance away from the rest of the bedrooms in the west wing, and it also had far more extravagant commodities with its own mini-courtyard and balcony, giving the pair plenty of space to get away from the rest of the world and simply enjoy being with each other.

“Today was fun,” Katara sighed as they finally entered the room, taking off her shoes at the entrance and immediately going towards the inviting bed.

She let herself fall onto the soft mattress, groaning softly as her limbs were finally able to relax after a long day of dancing, cooking, and celebrating for the airbender’s 14th birthday, while Aang gently closed the door with a soft thump.

“Yeah,” Aang chuckled as he joined her on the bed. He pulled some of the thin cotton sheets over them and then curled up next to her on his side.“It sure was... something.”

The waterbender shifted slightly to allow her boyfriend to rest his head in the crook of her neck and absentmindedly traced the outline of the blue arrow on his head while he closed his eyes in contentment.

“Something?” she questioned. Katara furrowed her eyebrows, her movements faltering. “Did you not have fun, Aang?”

The airbender winced when he heard the twinge of hurt in Katara’s voice. She hadn’t been trying to make it sound that way, but she had been planning the event for weeks and naturally was a little offended by the implication of his words.

“Oh. No, sweetie, I didn’t mean it that way. The party was amazing! The food, the drinks, the music, everything was spectacular. You did an amazing job, and it means a lot to me that you care so much.”

Katara let out a quiet breath of relief, resuming her gentle touches to his tattoos.

“Of course I care, sweetie. You’re my boyfriend, and I love you. That’s why if you didn’t like it, I won’t be mad, really.”

Aang tilted his head up and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “That wasn’t it, I promise. I just… I had a bit on my mind today.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked him tenderly.

He sighed and buried his face in her neck. “I guess... it would be nice to get it off my chest. It’s not like anyone else would get it anyways.”

The waterbender gave him a curious look, silently encouraging him to continue.

“It’s so stupid, but I heard some nobles talking when I stepped away to get us some water. They just kept going on and on about how much of a child I was and how I’m too young and too scrawny and too short for you, and, well, they’re right!”

He turned his body away from her now frowning face and pulled the blankets snug around his body like a protective cocoon.

“You’re almost 16, Tara,” Aang murmured. “A young woman in every sense of the word. Spirits, you’re of marrying age in a month! Me? I’m just a loser kid you found washed up in an iceberg. How could I ever be deserving of you?”

“Oh, Aang…”

She shifted onto her side as well and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his back and listening to the rhythm of his breathing.

“Those nobles are utterly ridiculous. First of all, it’s only two years! What difference does two years make in the long run? It doesn’t, that’s what. My parents were four years apart and were the happiest two people in the world! A gap of two years is insignificant,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Second of all, sure we’re young, but considering that we saved the world even younger, I think it’s safe to say we’ve matured beyond our years. We’re certainly old enough to know we love each other, and that’s all that matters.”

“Doesn’t change the other part though,” Aang muttered in response. “Spirits, I’m 14 and barely the same height as you. A little shorter if we’re being honest. It’s so annoying! Why can’t I just grow up already?”

“Sweetie?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t mean for this to come off the wrong way, but why do you care about that? What difference does it make?”

The airbender remained silent for a few moments and pondered her question, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

“The monks had always taught me to judge people based on the content of their character, not their exterior, and to draw satisfaction from being self-assured, rather than care about what other people thought. And in most cases I feel like I do that pretty well, but…”

“But?”

A subtle pink tinted Aang’s cheeks and he took her hands in his, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

“You’re different, Katara. You’re the one I love more than anything, the one I would do anything for, the one whose opinions, thoughts, and feelings mean the world to me. You’re the most amazing person on the planet, and you deserve someone worthy of you. Look at Haru and Jet! They were both older and taller and so even something as small as noticing the height difference when we’re dancing kinda hurts. It just feels like I’m the odd one out. I know that’s silly but-”

The waterbender cut him off and shook her head.

“It’s not silly, Aang. Believe me, I’ve felt the same way more times than I’d care to admit. But, in the end, none of that matters. I love you. I chose you . You’re not just my boyfriend, you’re my best friend."

He turned back around to face her and swept her up in an embrace, mind immediately put at ease by her words.

“Plus,” she continued, “So what if you’re a little shorter than me now? You’ll grow in no time. Quite frankly, I’ll miss being taller than you when you do.”

The airbender quirked an eyebrow. “You’ll miss it?”

Katara chuckled softly and pressed a kiss to his forehead, right at the tip of his arrow.

“Yeah,” she whispered, “I will. Being able to do that, not having to look up or go on my toes trying to kiss you, I won’t be able to do all that forever. Things like kisses, hugs, they’re a lot more… accessible with our current heights.”

“Hmm,” Aang hummed. “I guess I never really thought of it like that. I still want to grow taller of course, but when you put it like that, I might miss this a little bit too.”

“Let’s not get too carried away with the future, okay?” Katara laughed. “We have our whole lives ahead of us, let’s just stay in the present- the present where I love you, and you love me, and nothing else matters.”

The airbender grinned with her, pressing his forehead gently to hers.

“I like the sound of that. Thank you, sweetie. For listening, for the reassurance, just everything. It means a lot.”

“Of course, sweetie. I’m always here.”

Katara pressed a sweet kiss to his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck as Aang returned it, pulling her closer to him. They broke apart after a few seconds and grinned like idiots at one another. There was silence, but it was comfortable. The two didn’t need words, they were just enjoying being with each other.

“It’s getting late,” the waterbender murmured after some time. “We should probably go to bed.”

“Probably,” Aang whispered back, unable to take his eyes off the angel in front of him. With a flick of his wrist, he put out the candles that had been lighting up the room and settled into his pillow as Katara drew closer to him and interlocked their fingers.

“Good night, Aang. Love you,” she said, beginning to drift off to the dream realm.

“Love you too, Tara,” the airbender yawned. “Sweet dreams.”

One year later…

“Happy birthday!” the room chorused as Aang blew out all his 15 candles.

The airbender grinned and began to cut the apple cake- an ancient recipe of the Air Nomads recreated by some of the top chefs in the Fire Nation as a gift from Zuko.

“Thanks guys!” Aang laughed. “Man, it’s crazy to think that the war has been over for a little more than two years now.”

Katara smiled and leaned up on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek.

“We’ve all done a lot of growing up. We’re older, more mature-” she gave Aang a quick look from head to toe. “ Taller .”

He chuckled, pulling her close to him and peppering kisses all over the top of her head. She was right, of course- as if triggered by their conversation that night, Aang had grown rapidly over the next year. A month later he was the same height as her, two months following he was comfortably able to rest his arm on her shoulder, and now, a year later, he towered above her with her eyebrows barely at his chin.

“Ugh,” Sokka groaned. “Give it a rest you two. The oogies are out of control! Spirits, you act like a newly wedded couple still in the honeymoon stage half the time.”

“Oh, leave them alone, Sokka,” Suki chided. “It’s his birthday! Let’s give the lovebirds some alone time. They’re just kids, they’re nowhere near that yet.”

“Yeah, haha, absolutely not,” Aang nervously laughed as the other couple exited the room. The stone pendant in his pocket began to feel like poisonous lead weighing down his vision for the hopefully not-so-distant future.

“You never know,” the airbender heard Katara mumble, so quiet he wasn’t even sure she had actually said it. “Sometimes things will come when you least expect it.”

He stood there blankly for a moment, brain struggling to process her words and had just opened his mouth to ask her what she meant (she couldn’t possibly be talking about what he thought she was… right?) when she decided to speak up instead.

“I can’t believe you were ever nervous about staying short, sweetie,” Katara quipped, her eyebrows raised teasingly.

Aang merely blinked at the subject change, promptly concluding that the last thirty seconds were simply a figment of his imagination, and sheepishly scratched the back of his head in response to her comment.

“I guess it was kinda silly, huh,” he laughed. “Look at us now.”

The waterbender pouted, going up on the balls of her feet and craning her neck to gaze up at him. “You’re too tall for your own good. I miss when you were shorter and I didn’t have to tilt my head every time just to look at you.”

“Oh c’mon, it has its benefits.”

He gave her a quick look to warn her for what he was about to do, and with one swift motion, Katara was suddenly off the ground and in Aang’s arms bridal-style, her arms around his neck and their gazes interlocked.

The airbender touched their foreheads together and gave her a cheesy grin.

“I couldn’t do this before, now could I?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow up at her.

“No,” Katara smiled, her head tilted as she looked at him endearingly, “I suppose you couldn’t. And I certainly won’t be one to complain about you holding me more often.”

Aang laughed and carefully set her back down, hearing the growing volume of the room next to them. He quickly grabbed the two full glasses on the table and handed one to the waterbender.

“Here’s to hoping you’re the one who grows by next year so my neck isn’t always sore from looking down at you,” he said as he held his drink up.

Katara gave him a dry stare before rolling her eyes and smiling.

“Cheers.”

The two clinked their glasses and turned to face the door behind which the rest of their friends had already begun to celebrate.

“Shall we?” Aang asked as he held out his arm to her.

“We shall,” Katara responded, accepting it. “Happy birthday, Aang.”

#kataang week #kataang week 2021 #kataang #kataangtag #aang x katara

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a-simple-imagine · 4 years

Text

A Treasured Memory

Synopsis: You reminisce on the past with Charlie. Prompt: "you're quite cute when you're tired"

Pairing: Charlie Weasley x fem!reader

Words: 2.1k+

A/N - This was written for @blisfvll‘s 1.5k writing challenge. This is my first time writing for Charlie Weasley but I am utterly in love with him as a character. This whole thing is just pure fluff so I hope you all enjoy it.

Shrouded in the dim light of flickering candles, you're sat up in bed examining a photo album that arrived by owl. It had been addressed to the both of you so you took it upon yourself to open it. Your fingertips dance over the silky smooth film almost like you could feel the energy of that day from many moons ago. It showed Charlie dead centre surrounded by white snow and bare trees, just in the distance you could see the Shrieking Shack. He wore a thick green coat that reached to his knees, darkish blue jeans and a maroon jumper adorned with a deep yellow 'C' right in the middle. A red and yellow scarf rested tightly around his neck and flecks of pure white sat upon his flaming red hair. The smile on his face indicated a desire to be anywhere but in front of the camera and he was utterly oblivious to you creeping up behind him. As your hands slap against his shoulders, he jumps out of his skin. You can't help but smile as you watch the simple memory play out within the confines of the photograph. Bill had been the one to take it and you were rather grateful that he had. It was a special day forever engraved in your mind.

"What are you looking at?" Pulled from your thoughts by the man himself, Charlie enters the bedroom in nothing more than a pair of red and white checkered PJ bottoms. The bed dips beside you as he climbs in and you place the photo album carefully in his lap.

"Do you remember this?" A day so special to you could be long forgotten by him.

"Where did you get this?"

Your gaze falls to the photograph once more. "Your parents. It's mostly photos of you and your family," Flipping over the page, there was a picture of a very smiley Charlie with a tiny Ginny Weasley. It was an adorable shot but you quickly turn back. "Except for this one- do you remember?"

"Kind of... We went to Hogsmeade with Bill right?"

You nod a little before proclaiming ever so proudly. "I remember this day perfectly."

"And why is that?" Charlie passes the album back so you can continue your walk down memory lane.

"Because it was the day I realised I was actually in love with you..."

Grey clouds filled the afternoon sky, covering the ground in a thick blanket of snow. There was a brisk chill laced with the breeze that threatened to invade your winter clothes, but for now, they kept you reasonably warm. Snow flew into the air with every kick of your shoe and just a few paces behind you the crunch of Charlie followed. The day had been spent accompanying the two eldest Weasley siblings, Bill and Charlie around the small village of Hogsmeade. Nothing had struck your fancy except a Pumpkin Fizz purchased at The Three Broomsticks; the boys had both ordered Butterbeers. Bill was the first to leave so when the time came to return to Hogwarts, it was just you and Charlie. Not that you minded, he was your best friend after all. It had been that way ever since your second year when you showed a mild interest in dragons only to discover your fellow Gryffindor was rather... passionate about the subject. It was one of many things you came to admire about Charlie; he was so passionate about everything he engaged with. It was very sweet to witness just how excited he came at the mention of the ferocious magical creatures.

"It's so cold today." You muse out loud; a shiver spilling through your veins as the cold air blew against your face. It was beginning to feel numb with how cold it was. Charlie hummed in agreement. "Maybe next time you drag me out in the snow we should invest in some hot coco." Spinning on your heel, you begin to walk backwards so you can face him.

"You actually invited yourself," Charlie countered, his brow creasing. It really brought focus to the scar across his eyebrow. "It was only supposed to be Bill and me."

"Oh I see how it is" Arms folded, your bottom lip comes out in your best pout. "You could have just said you didn't want to hang out,"

"You know I didn't mean it that way," His expression softens, he really was too gentle for his own good. Of course, you knew he didn't mean to make it sound like your company was unwanted, you just liked making him sweat. "Sorry,"

"For what?" Bending at the knee, you brush the snow around you into a messy pile. Grabbing a handful off the very top. "I'm the one who intruder on your brotherly bonding." Standing back up, you roll the snow between your hands into a responsibly neat ball. The melting flakes quickly seeping through your Gryffindor mittens.

"We were happy to have you."

His words bring along a smile. "Thanks," Without hesitation, you throw your completed snowball directly at him. It smashes against the large yellow C of his jumper, covering him in white powder. "Now, come on."

Turning back around, you march forward with sincere child-like glee. There was something so magical about the way snow could make a person feel. You come to an abrupt stop as snow crashes into the back of your head; luckily none of it got into your coat. Glancing towards Charlie, he's brushing his hands together with an undeniable smirk. "Oh, it's on Weasley,"

Open fields, bare trees and stone walls guide the way back to the main castle meaning there was a lack of places to find cover. However, there certainly wasn't a lack of ammunition. Running ahead, you duck behind some cobblestone as best you can. Snowballs fly in your direction and you manage to dodge each one as you prepare your own stockpile. With one snowball in hand and five or so in reserve, you very carefully peer over the edge of the wall. Nothing but stone and snow; Charlie had completely vanished. Nicely played. With a deep breath, you listen for the sound of shoes against snow but the whistle of the wind is a heavy distraction. By the time the crunch hits your frozen ears, it's too late; Snow descends from up high like your own personal avalanche, covering you entirely in the frozen flakes. "Gotcha."

"Weasley," You whine, springing to your feet. Shaking your entire body to rid yourself of snow but it already managed to find it's way down your collar while freezing cold water begins to seep through your coat. Hearty laughter fills the air from an utterly amused Weasley; you try to look angry but it's a losing battle as you giggle alongside him. Feeling a lot colder than before, your eyes narrow in on him like a hawk and with the reflexes of a hare, the boy flees for his life. Grabbing the spare snowballs, you launch them one after the other as you chase after him. "You'll pay for that," A few land on their target but he's an agile little bugger. As he sprints past the wall collecting snow, he tosses it back before dropping to the ground. Both concerned and amused, you jog up to him.

"Charlie?" You find him face down in the white snow creating an almost perfect outline of his body. With a deep groan, Charlie flips onto his back; face flushed in a shade of bright red bringing his freckles into the spotlight. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine- don't worry." A sigh of relief, you offer him a gentle smile and a helping hand which he gladly accepts; pulling him to his feet. "Thanks,"

A tender smile graces his lips and for a split second you find yourself lost in his eyes; you've never noticed quite how unique they are. The light brown that surrounds the pupil fades so elegantly into the sea of blue. They're... mystical. Your heart beats a little bit faster as you both stand there in comfortable silence. Reaching up slowly, you brush some snow from his hair. "You should be more careful. We don't want you getting hurt." So many hours spent together and yet something felt different. Pulling your hand away quickly, heat rushed to your cheeks and you push him away. It was only then, while alone playing in the snow, did you realise that somewhere along the way your feelings towards him had changed; or perhaps you had just been scared to admit it to yourself before. "The last one to the castle is a rotten egg- and If I win I expect a chocolate frog."

As fast as you believed yourself to be, the snow made it increasingly difficult especially with it being rather deep. You also didn't count on Charlie Weasley being as fast as he was.

"Cheater," Is all he has to say as he so easily surpasses you; reaching the castle before you have a chance to think of a witty comeback. The boy leans so smugly against the castle wall as you approach, brows furrowed. "That's one chocolate frog for me,"

"How - are you - so fast?" You question between each breath. The race took more out of you than expected; at least you felt a little warmer now. Charlie shrugs at the question and so it's soon forgotten. What used to be such a normal act for the two of you now set your stomach a flutter as you take hold of his hand. "One chocolate frog coming right up."

"You don't have to," He replies, shaking his head a little.

"It was my idea and now I have to pay the price for losing."

Could he sense your nerves as you drifted through the castle corridors towards the common room? Did he feel the beat of your heart or the fluttering in your stomach with your hands together? Did he recognise the moment too? Heat washed over you as you entered the common room; a tickle contained in the bridge of your nose and your head begins to throb.

"I'm gonna go get changed." Dropping his hand, you disappear up to your dorm opting for something more comfortable and warm. It was awfully cold in here now. Heading back down to the coom room, you find Charlie lounging on the couch in front of the fire; just what you needed right now. There were a few students littered around the room but it was relatively quiet. Sitting on the edge next to him, you hold out your hands in front of the fire in search of its warm embrace. "Are you sneaking off into the forbidden forest tonight?"

"Not so loud," He hushes you. "Not tonight, it's way too cold. Not even mum's jumpers will help."

"I think your mum's jumpers are plenty warm," You fall back against the couch; head feeling cloudy. Why did you suddenly feel so hot?

"I can ask her to make you one if you like?" Charlie offers brightly meanwhile your head falls to rest against your best friend's shoulder. "She's always looking for an excuse to knit more." Chuckling to yourself, your eyes drift closed to deal with the sudden onset dizziness. "You alright?" You nod a little against him. Distant voices and the crackling of the fire filling the silence between you. "you're quite cute when you're tired"

Your heart skips a beat but you try not to think anything of it. It’d hurt your head too much to think anything of it. "I'm always cute,"

"Sure you are," a playful chuckle that's quick to fade leaves his lips "Maybe we should get you to bed?"

A gentle groan in response. "I'm fine here. Just... talk to me."

"About what?"

You knew Charlie better than anyone other than maybe his family so there was only one obvious answer. He just needed a little encouragement to ensure you didn't find him annoying; which unknown to him you never do when he talks about them. "I don't know... dragons?"

You don't hear much after that as you feel yourself begin to drift off but you just know his eyes are glittering with every ounce of passion he has for the beasts...

"If I remember correctly, didn't you get sick that day?" Charlie's voice breaks you from the memory. He was right; it turned out that you felt so exhausted because you'd actually caught a cold.

"Yeah," Closing over the album, you place it off on the bedside table for another day. Attention turned to Charlie, he's laying back with his head rested against his hands. Leaning down you place the gentlest of kisses against his lips. "Then you asked Bill to help brew a pepperup potion. Worked a treat although I didn't appreciate the steam shooting out of my ears."

#Charlie Weasley #Charlie Weasley x reader #charlie weasley imagine #harry potter imagine #hogwarts mystery #harry potter fanfiction #blisfvllswritingchallenge

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wrenhyperfixates · 3 years

Text

Of All the Places

Chapter 14

Pairing: Loki x reader Series Summary: Washing up in a small town in Oklahoma was definitely not part of Loki’s plan when he came to conquer Midgard. There is one good thing about it, though: No one recognizes him as the one who just wreaked havoc in New York. So, Loki plans to recover from the battle and move on with his life. The only problem? He’s not sure he can leave you. Chapter Summary: Loki and the Avengers arrive in Oklahoma City, but he still has to get to your farm before it’s too late. He figures out a way to get the Chitauri off of Midgard once and for all. Chapter Warnings: brief, slightly descriptive blood and violence; some language I think A/N: Last chapter is here! The epilogue posts in a few minutes, and then this series will be done! I hope you enjoy :)

Tag List: @lucywrites02 @frostedgiant @lunarmoon8 @twhiddlestonsstuff @marvelousdaydreams @andromedasstarship @lokistan @thelokiimaginechroniclesficrecs @sourpatchspinster @gaitwae @whatafuckingdumbass

✥ Start at Beginning ✥ | ← Previous Chapter | Next Chapter →

Disclaimer: Gif not mine

When the Quinjet finally landed just outside Oklahoma City, Loki was quick to duck down to the best hiding spot he could find. Behind a few crates, he watched and listened as the Avengers moved around him, waiting for the all clear.

“Ok, listen,” Captain America said, squatting down in front of him. “We let you come along, now you have to follow our plan.”

“With all due respect, Captain, I cannot do that. Unless, of course, you plan to let me get to the farm I was staying at, but I highly doubt that is the case.”

“It’s not. Why would we do that?”

“Because the Chitauri are after me, and they are not going to stop at the city.”

“And you know this how?”

“I do not, but I feel it. That family, those innocent civilians, they are in danger because of me. After all that they did for me, I must save them. Certainly you can understand that.”

Captain Rogers just sighed and stood up to deliberate with his teammates. The whole conversation was merely just a formality, though, because Loki planned on teleporting himself home—or, well, to the farm which he may never have the privilege of a calling home again—even if they wanted to keep him here. While he appreciated Thor’s trust in him, it was rather naïve of them all to keep him unrestrained.

With everyone else distracted, Loki took the opportunity to peek out the window. There were at least fifteen other jets and planes on the ground, and more agents than the god could count. At least the city would be covered while he saved his friends. Beyond that, everything was chaos. While SHIELD’s defenses got into position, the Chitauri continued rampaging in the streets, most of them still well equipped from the last attack. Looking at the damage, Loki felt indescribable grief and sadness. How many more people were going to have to suffer because of his actions? The guilt was getting to be too much to bear. He stifled a cry as he turned back to the Avengers.

“Ok, fine,” Captain finally said once they were finished debating. “You can go, but only if they’re actually in danger. If not, come right back.”

“You have my word. I shall teleport myself there and report back once they are safe.”

“Not so fast, Reindeer Games,” Tony cut in, the mask of his suit shutting closed. “We’re not quite at that level of trust yet.”

“It is true,” Thor added. “I will be coming along, just to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

Loki was a little offended, but all in all, it was understandable. And backup wasn’t the worst thing to have, he supposed. Knowing that anything he said would end up sounding rude, he just nodded his head in agreement.

“It is settled then. Good luck, my friends,” Thor said before turning to Loki, who was conjuring his armor onto himself. “This shall be great fun, brother. Think, the two of us, fighting side by side once more.”

“Yes, you always did enjoy a good battle,” Loki reminisced, laughing a little. “But right now, my main focus is on my beloved. I know you will cover me, brother, but our first priority must be getting them and their family to safety.”

“Indeed. Let us go then.”

Not wanting to waste another second, Loki quickly teleported them to your farm. A wave of sadness washed over him as he saw the house, a million memories he’d already been trying to forget flooding back. Stealthily, they moved as close as they could. Everything was quiet, except for the chickens clucking in the distance. Though nothing seemed particularly out of the ordinary, Loki still knew something was wrong.

Thor looked around and then back at Loki. “It seems that there is nothing happening-”

His statement was cut off by a Chitauri appearing out of seemingly nowhere. Loki wondered why, now that he was fighting against them, they suddenly became so skilled. Thor quickly flipped the alien off his back as more appeared. Including the first one, there were six outside plus at least one inside judging by the scream that suddenly came from the house.

“Can you handle these ones, Thor?” Loki questioned as he stabbed one in the eye, blasting another with magic.

“Easily,” Thor responded, swinging Mjolnir down on one of their heads. “Go inside and help there. And be safe, brother!”

“You too.”

Without another word, Loki was taking off and smashing through the front door. He looked around frantically, but saw no signs of a struggle. He feared that he might be too late, that they took you by surprise and wiped you all out in a matter of minutes. Thankfully, a large crash came from the kitchen, followed by another scream. He ran in to find a pitcher shattered near the door, and Mama backed into a corner by two Chitauri.

Loki’s old, vengeful self decided to make an appearance now, of course. This was the woman who turned him in, who time after time prevented him from being with his beloved. Of all the members in this household, she was the one who never accepted him. Hell, the cat was more friendly than she was. But even after everything, she was just doing what she thought best for her family. He couldn’t leave her to die for something like that. And, really, didn’t he understand her, too? To know such pain that it changes your perception of the world to be so cynical of everything, everyone. Yes, he most certainly was familiar with that.

“Stay back, you foul beasts!” he screamed at his former allies before taking a swing with his trusty dagger.

Loki found himself missing his scepter as he fought his opponents, leading them away from Mama.

She screamed again, though he wasn’t sure if it was directed at the Chitauri, him, or the generally gory scene of him running one through. Most likely the last one, but he’d have to worry about any trauma after the battle was done. Even with a fatal wound like that, it kept fighting. They dealt a few good blows to Loki, too, including a particularly painful gash across his cheek, right above the part his helmet covered. He tasted blood in his mouth as they started getting the upper hand. He made clones of himself, confusing the simple-minded creatures. With the distraction, he was able to finish them off, completely decapitating one and smashing in the head of the other against the banister of the stairs.

That same unsettling quiet settled over the house again. Loki wanted to believe he’d finished them all off, because, really, how many could there be? But he felt it in his gut: something still wasn’t right.

Taking off towards the kitchen again, Loki decided the best thing was to just get Mama out of there and figure out where the rest of you were. Still on edge, he kept looking around, but found nothing.

“Listen,” he said to Mama, who was still cowering in a corner. “I know how you feel about me, but you have to get out of here. And I need you to tell me where everyone else is so I can keep them safe.”

“I... I-Behind you!” she screamed.

Loki whipped around just in time to see a Chitauri about to bash his head in. Before he could move any further, the alien fell to the ground. Looking back up, he saw you standing with a baseball bat still raised. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the fallen enemy begin to stir again, and quickly finished it off with his dagger. When he was sure it was dead, he looked back up at you. The second your eyes locked, you dropped the weapon. A silence followed the clatter of wood on wood, no one quite sure what to say.

“I gotta stop going out in the morning,” you nervously laughed after clearing your throat. “I keep missing all the excitement.”

You and Loki looked at each other for another beat before rushing forward at the same time, lips colliding. With his daggers back in their dimensional pocket, the trickster’s hands were free to cup your cheeks. You wrapped your arms behind his neck, getting lost in the kiss. All too soon, you had to break away, but you kept your foreheads pressed together, not yet willing to lose contact. He noticed you were wearing the hoodie he’d given you back on that first day at the creek. It only occurred to him now that you’d never actually returned it. You gently brushed away some of the hair that was clinging to his face, poking out from his helmet. It seemed to you that this might just be a dream, that he might not be real.

“My brave little Midgardian,” Loki whispered, his voice cracking ever so slightly. “Are you alright? Are you injured?”

“I’m fine,” you choked out in a tone heavy with emotion. “But... But you, are you ok? They just dragged you out. Loki, I was so worried.”

“I am ok. I have much to tell you. But, I saw you with Denzel. I thought you were with him again.”

“Oh, Loki. I was just upset, and he happened to be there. I want to be with you.”

He didn’t know what else to say, so he kissed you again, hoping it was expressing everything words couldn’t. Loki wished you could stay like that forever, but he knew there was still so much to do.

“My darling, I am so sorry. For everything,” he said. “You deserve a proper explanation, and I promise you will get one if it is the last thing I do.”

“That wouldn’t be the first promise you’ve broken,” Mama scoffed, getting up from her corner, but her heart wasn’t really in the snide remark.

“Excuse me, but he just saved your life,” you shot back before Loki could, surprising both him and your mother. “I think you owe him, at very least, a thank you.”

“Fine, you’re right. I’m sorry. And thank you. For saving me. Us.”

“You are quite welcome. I would do anything for this family,” Loki confessed for the umpteenth time. “It is like I told you, it was never my intention to hurt it.”

“I know.”

“Loki,” Thor bellowed from the front door. “Are you in here? Are you injured?”

“Brother! I am in here and unharmed. Relatively.”

Your mother’s jaw dropped as a relieved Thor walked in, Mjolnir still in his hand. You barely even paid him any mind, now fussing over Loki who had taken his helmet off, fully displaying the cuts on his face. He hissed a little as your fingers brushed along the skin under the worst one, but he was quick to reassure you that you hadn’t hurt him. Instead of letting your fingers continue to wander his bloodied face, he took your hand in his and kissed your knuckles. Then he pressed your body to his, holding you close, safe and protected with his arm circling your waist. You were quick to wrap your arms around his torso and bury your face in his shoulder, a little shaken up from the events that had just transpired.

“Wait,” Loki said as a thought occurred to him. “Where is the rest of the family?”

“They’re in the city,” you replied, growing panicked as Loki paled. “Why? Loki, the attack was just here, right? They’re safe, right?”

“Do not worry,” Thor declared. “The Avengers and noble agents of SHIELD are there as we speak.”

“And my brother and I will go, too. Nothing will happen to them, I will make sure of it,” Loki added, kissing your temple.

How he wished there was time for proper introductions, but there simply was not. He would have to settle for waiting until the battle was over. If he and his brother both survived, that is. It was a chilling thought, and one that had come unbidden into his mind, but now it would loom over him the whole fight.

Loki tried to pull away from you, but you just grabbed his hand and pulled him right back. He looked at you in confusion, then worry as he noticed the determined look in your eyes. It was obvious what you were thinking, and he felt an odd mix of pride and nauseating fear.

“Absolutely not,” he sternly said. “Do not even think about it.”

“Oh, come on, Loki. Like I’m not coming, too,” you replied, stamping your foot. “I already lost you once, I’m not about to again.”

“And I lost you, my darling. If you come, your life will be in danger. I simply will not allow it. I cannot.”

“Listen, we’re stronger together, aren’t we? So we’ll face this together. Please.”

“Brother?” Thor asked, anxious to get back and help his friends. “Are you ready?”

“Alright, fine. You win, my darling,” the God of Mischief conceded. “On one condition. You must follow my orders. I will not have you getting yourself harmed out there.”

“Ok, deal. As long as I get to come make sure you’re safe,” you agreed.

“Honey, please. Don’t go,” Mama begged, beginning to cry. “You heard him, it’s going to be dangerous. You could get hurt. I-I don’t know what I’d do if you got hurt.”

“I’m sorry Mama, but I’m going.” You gave her a hug, letting here blubber into your shoulder. “Loki’s going to keep me safe. And you’re just going to have to trust me.”

You said goodbye as she managed to pull away from you, somewhat calmer. She tried to put on a brave face with some success, but Loki could see it wouldn’t last for long. At least she was finally putting some of her trust in you. It was about time. Tucking you under his arm and back against his side, Loki gave the woman a quick nod, a promise that he would let no misfortune befall you. Walking over to Thor, Loki began to work his seiðr. With one last look around the house, he teleported the three of you back to the city.

Landing behind a Quinjet, Loki heard you let out the most adorable little gasp. He smiled down at you before taking in the scene around him. It seemed like SHIELD’s top priority was to evacuate the city. Everything was still in a state of chaos, and he immediately regretted letting you talk him into allowing you to tag along.

The first order of business for him and Thor was obvious: Find the rest of the Avengers and help them take out the Chitauri. But you he had no idea what to do with. In a way, he felt better knowing that you were here, with him. That no other aliens could randomly appear at your house and hurt you. Then again, now that you’re here, you’re in just as much danger, if not more. You were too precious to him for him to be able to think clearly about the situation. Plus, the longer he stood there debating his options, the less time he had to find the rest of your family. His heart stuttered in his chest as he realized they might already be hurt. Or worse. The thought spurred him to action.

“We must get into the city and help with the evacuation. You know we stand the best chance against these monsters,” he said to Thor, who nodded along. He turned to you and softened his voice so you wouldn’t be any more scared than you currently were. “And you need to stick by me. Keep an eye out for your family. Remember, they might not all be together, so eyes peeled for all of them. Do not worry, everything will be ok.”

“Ok, let’s go,” was all you managed to say before the three of you moved towards the pandemonium in the streets.

“There you are, Point Break,” Tony shouted from overhead. “We could use some help here.”

“At your service, Man of Iron.”

“Ok, great. Quick question, why are you bringing a civilian into the city. You do know what an evacuation is, right?”

“This is my beloved,” Loki replied. “They insisted they come along and look for their family. And to, uh, be with me.”

“Aww how cute. They’re just as stubborn as you, Reindeer Games. Keep them out of the action please.”

Loki rolled his eyes, but pulled you closer still. It was his intention to keep you out of the battle, but he also planned on fighting. He couldn’t feasibly do both at the same time if he also wanted to keep you at his side.

“My darling, take this,” he said, equipping you with a dagger. “If you are attacked, aim for the eyes.”

“Thank you. I- Loki look! It’s John,” you shouted over the noise of a helicopter flying overhead, spotting your brother-in-law.

The raven haired god led you over to the man, who was bleeding out of a scrape on his arm. Loki had enough experience with wounds to know it looked a lot worse than it actually was. As you got closer, he saw that John was helping direct people out of the city, along with a few other civilians. The god nearly scoffed at the idea that SHIELD hadn’t even brought enough people to properly conduct an evacuation. When would they stop underestimating threats? Or maybe he’d just done some damage to their numbers. Pushing the thought out of his mind, he refocused on the task at hand. He was beyond relieved to see his friend, but unfortunately didn’t have much time for a reunion.

“John!” you said, taking the last few steps to him.

He looked over his shoulder at you and shouted your name. His face quickly went from a look of excitement to worry. Then he spotted the god, and it took on one of shock.

“Loki?” he gasped. “Are you alright, man? What’s going on?”

“I am just fine,” Loki told him, grasping hands in a firm shake. “As for what is happening here, the Chitauri are an alien race, regrettably brought here by me when I did not have full control of my faculties. Now they are searching me out, but I intend to stop them.”

“Where is everyone else?” you questioned, frantically searching for the rest of your family. “Ana and Matt and Papa? Have you seen them?”

“They’re already out of here,” John answered as you and Loki let out a sigh of relief. “They should be safe by now. But why are you here?”

“I’m helping Loki and the Avengers save the city. Speaking of, we should probably be meeting up with them now.”

Loki looked at you, then at the crumbling buildings in the distance and knew he’d let you come as far as possible. The situation was looking rather hopeless as it was right now, and he had to get into battle if he had any chance of making up for his past wrongdoings. But you, for as brave and determined as you were, had no training in combat. If he were to keep you, his beautiful, courageous Midgardian safe, then he’d have to give you some other task with which to distract yourself.

“No,” Loki replied. “I need you to stay here, help direct everyone else out of the city. It is of the utmost importance.”

“You’re just trying to get rid of me, aren’t you?” you pouted.

“For your safety and the safety of others, I need you to do this. Please.”

You looked into his eyes, having a battle within yourself. The desperate, pleading look on his face helped you reach a decision. “Ok, fine. I understand. But you have to promise me you’ll stay safe.”

“I will. You too.”

It seemed as if he was going to leave then, but he couldn’t resist capturing your lips in a passionate kiss. The rest of the world melted away as you held on to each other, wishing things didn’t have to be this way. Alas, they were, and it was his fault. But no, it was really that damned Titan and his obsession with the Tesseract that had caused all this madness. Remembering that blasted relic did give him an idea, though. Loki would stop at nothing to set things right, and he had just figured out how.

“My darling, I must go now,” Loki said, breaking away from your lips only to place a kiss to your forehead. There was still one last thing he wanted to say, though, and as far as he could tell, it was now or never. “I love you.”

He broke off in a sprint away from you, not waiting for a reply, for he feared you would not feel the same. Your voice did shout after him, but he dared not look back. If he did, he knew he may never be able to leave you again, and he needed all his strength for what he had to do next. He would just have to trust that John would hold you back, that you would follow his directions as you promised you would.

Running through the streets, battling these wretched aliens he once commanded, Loki assessed the situation. He had his plan, but the city would have to be completely clear for it to work. That included the agents and Avengers. He’d need his brother’s help with that for sure.

“Thor,” he called out in a panic. “Brother, I need you!”

“Loki! Loki, what is it?” Thor asked, appearing quickly. He gripped Loki’s shoulders and began inspecting for injuries. “Are you ok? Is your beloved?”

“Yes, we are fine. I know what we must do to stop the Chitauri.”

“What is it?”

“There is no time to explain.” Well, that was actually a lie, but he knew Thor wouldn’t like the plan. Better not to tell him. “You are just going to have to trust me. I need you to get everyone out of here. And I mean everyone, yourself included.”

“It is a very odd request, Loki,” Thor said, mulling it over. “But I will do it. And what of you?”

“I must get to the center of the city. But do not worry about that, I will manage. I just need some kind of sign when it is clear.”

“It shall be done, but promise me one thing. You will stay safe.”

“You have my word.”

As they shook hands, Loki felt a twinge of guilt. His last statement to his brother, possibly ever, had been a falsehood. But he was the God of Lies, so he supposed it should not affect him. And yet, it did. At least this time it was a necessary one to tell.

Loki continued to weave his way through the streets. It was a great feat to dodge SHIELD agents, help civilians, and fight his foes all at the same time. Not to mention keeping his eyes open for you in case you were trying to make your way back to him. Tears stung at the back of his eyes as he thought of you. He was regretting not waiting around to hear how you felt about him. Now he’d always wonder about it. Well, for however long “always” was for him, anyway. If this all went down as planned, it wouldn’t be much longer.

The center of the city was the most densely populated with enemies. It would be difficult to hold them off while he waited for the signal, but he would manage. He had to manage. For the sake of you, your family, and the whole of Midgard. Just as things were starting to look bleak for the trickster god, the sky was lit up with a brilliant bolt of lightning and a resounding clap of thunder. He knew that was it, what he was looking for.

Loki struck the ground with a blast of magic, pushing the Chitauri away. He needed a second to get ready. Calling out to the Tesseract, he pulled it out of its dimensional pocket and into his waiting hand. It was a good thing he had not handed it over to his brother, after all.

The thought of Thor nearly made him cry out. He’d just gotten his brother back, but now he would never see him again. And what of his mother, Frigga? Would she mourn him when he was gone? Or would she be like Odin and scorn him forever? He believed it would be the former, but he could never know for sure.

And then there was your family, who was practically his family, too. He’d felt that way for a while now, but this time the thought filled him with only sadness. He was going to lose them, but he had no one to blame but himself. Well, and maybe Thanos, but Loki wasn’t one for giving himself a break. Regardless, they’d probably never even hear that part of the story. He hadn’t even seen half of them again. Loki hated that their last memory of him would be SHIELD agents dragging him away like some common criminal. It was strange how much things had changed, he mused, that he’d have such strong feelings about a group of mortals.

No matter how sad leaving behind everyone else made him, leaving you hurt the most. You were everything kind and good in his life. A beautiful, brilliant angel. You’d seen his scars and showed him he wasn’t broken, just healing. You made him realize that he was whole, and you were his match. The one the Norns has destined for him to be with. And now you were being separated by that same fate. It was a cruel punishment for what he’d done. He could only hope that this would redeem him in the eyes of the world. But he didn’t need it for his own view of himself; your love had done that already.

“Alright, you sons of bitches,” he said, taking a breath and gripping the glowing cube. “Time to send you back to the hellhole you crawled out of.”

In a flash of light, the city was encompassed with a blue, cloudy smoke. You looked on in a panic as it moved back into the center where Thor had told you Loki was. Once the fog had disappeared, you broke through the line of agents and ran into the city. It should have made you happy that all the Chitauri were gone, but it only filled you with dread. If they were gone, then what happened to the man you loved? Was he...? No, that thought was too terrible to entertain. You wouldn’t even consider the possibility until you’d exhausted all other options. You rushed to the spot where he should have been and let out a sob into the empty air.

Loki had disappeared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Loki.”

His eyes opened and looked around. What was that noise? Where was he? What was happening?

Everything was blue.

“Loki.”

He knew that voice, so kind, so perfect. But who? His beloved.

You.

“Loki!”

You were crying out. Searching. For what? For who? For Loki.

For him.

A rainbow, sparkling lights. A void. It would be so easy to let go. He’d done it once before. It didn’t end well. But this time it was different, warm and inviting. Not cold. Not vengeful. Not full of hate. It was peace. But there was something else out there. A whisper.

“Loki, please.”

He was falling again, but he wasn’t scared this time. Deep in his heart, he knew where he was going. He knew he was safe. It was no decision, really.

It had always been you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Loki landed on the ground with a dull thud. His head was throbbing a little, but he’d been through worse. His eyes shot open, and he noted the familiar surroundings. A wheat field, similar to the last time the Tesseract had deposited him. In fact, exactly like it. He was back on your farm.

All that was ringing in his ears was your voice, calling out to him. It took a minute for him to remember anything else, then it all came flooding back. The city, the battle, his brother, his plan. That gave him a bit of a pause. He’d meant to send the Chitauri back where they came from. And then it hit him. He’d told the Tesseract to send them home. It had done the same for him. Of course! He was home.

The sound of a car in the distance made him snap back to his senses. He heard the slamming of a door, followed by shouting. There were a great number of voices that he could recognize, but only one really mattered right now. Yours.

Calling your name, Loki started running. You responded with his name, sounding confused and hopeful at the same time. Then you did it again louder and started running, too. Somewhere near the middle of the field, both of you stopped, just standing there staring at each other. Neither of you could believe it. It was like a dream, an outlandish fantasy. Then, at the same time, you ran the last little distance between each other, and met in an embrace.

You pulled away and Loki held you at arm’s length, examining your body for any serious injuries. After doing the same to him, you cupped his cheeks, caressing them with your thumbs. He covered your hands with his, trying to find the right words to say. You smiled through teary eyes, and Loki didn’t realize he was crying too until you wiped away a tear making a track down his face.

Loki couldn’t wait a second longer, he moved in and kissed you. It was like professing his love all over again, just without his words this time. He held you as close as possible and let your tongue slip into his mouth, taking control of the kiss. It was an odd thing to feel so tired, yet so alive at the same time. Your lips, they were electrifying. Addictive. If only he could live by breathing in you, not air. But he couldn’t, so he had to break away. Still, he didn’t know what to say. But that look in your eyes, it reflected back everything he was trying to tell you.

“Loki?”

“Yes, my darling.”

“I love you, too.”

79 notes · View notes

refinedbuffoonery · 3 years

Text

Flawless (2)

masterlist.

Content Warning: swearing, violence, sex, PTSD

I’m really proud of this chapter. It’s some of my best work, maybe ever. Also, in case you missed, this fic will be updated every Sunday, so check back in next weekend for chapter three!

*****

“So,” Riley began as she dropped her arm-load of overflowing paper grocery bags on her slate gray granite kitchen counter. Mercifully, the feds hadn’t connected Riley to any of her aliases after her arrest, so her overpriced Santa Monica penthouse apartment was exactly as she left it.

Well, not exactly the same. After Riley’s arrest, Nikki had thrown out all her food and hung up the laundry Riley had left in a pile on her bedroom floor. She’d also paid Riley’s bills, which led to a whole argument in the grocery store that Riley knew they’d be rehashing later.

“If Leanna’s out, then we need a new member,” Riley said. “Otherwise we’ll have to rename the team ‘Four Eyes,’ and I’m not about to do that.”

Nikki snickered, haphazardly unloading groceries into the fridge. “Why not? You’re a nerd. It’s fitting.”

“Bold words for the only one of us who wears glasses.”

“They’re blue light glasses, you asshole. My vision is just fine.”

Riley gave her a shit-eating grin. Whatever you say.

Putting the groceries away took forever; Riley bought way more food than any one person needed. She couldn’t wipe Nikki’s disapproving face from her mind—the one that accompanied comments about Riley being too skinny. Nikki was just looking out for her, she knew, but that didn’t make Riley hate the scrutiny any less.

Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, Riley asked, “Do you have anyone in mind?” To replace Leanna, she didn’t need to say. Nikki chewed her lower lip nervously. “Who is it, Nik?”

“It’s a long shot, but this girl I work with. Jill Morgan.”

Riley frowned. “We don’t need a third techie.”

“She’s not that.” Riley raised an eyebrow. “I mean, she is, but Jill is nothing compared to you or me,” Nikki quickly corrected. “Before she got the IT job, Jill worked for LAPD as a forensic analyst.”

“I’m listening.”

“Apparently she is one of the best in all of SoCal, but LAPD fired her after someone caught her using evidence from a closed case to conduct research for the crime novel she’s writing. No police department would touch her after that, so she managed to swing the IT job in the most bullshit interview I’ve ever sat in on.” Nikki crossed her arms. “Jill obviously didn’t know how to do half the things she said she did, but she managed to convince our boss otherwise.”

“And let me guess.” Riley leaned on the counter. “You were so impressed with her ability to lie that you took her under your wing and taught her everything you know.”

Nikki grimaced. “Yeah.”

Barely stifling a snort, Riley said, “You never could resist a liar.” A low blow, considering the fate of her most recent relationship, but Nikki laughed it off.

“Want to meet her?”

Riley wasn’t sure this Jill girl would fill Leanna’s shoes, but if Nikki thought she had potential, then Riley had to give her the benefit of the doubt. For now, at least.

“Sure. I just have something I need to do first.”

*****

To his credit, the man standing before her wasn’t a coward, but Riley didn’t miss the slight tremor in his voice or the way he flinched every time she moved. He was short—she had a couple inches on him in her high-heeled boots—and dressed like a Hollywood film industry wannabe. Judging by the film equipment stashed in the adjacent living room, he was one.

“Remind me of your name again,” Riley purred, leaning against the kitchen counter. Cleaning non-existent dirt from under her nails with a butcher knife, she looked like a female James Bond villain, with her sleek high-ponytail and dressed in black leather leggings and a tight, black tank top.

The man had been busy cooking dinner when she’d broken into the house, and Riley delighted in the way he cowered against the sink, brandishing a vegetable peeler as if he thought he could actually land a hit on her.

The old Riley would’ve worried about the man trying to attack her in some shoddy attempt at self-defense. The new Riley simply gave him an icy, feline smile to remind him of his place.

Maybe prison had been good for something after all.

She kept toying with the man, knowing full well what his name was. “Brian?” she mused. “Boxer?”

“Bozer,” the man said through gritted teeth. He had a white-knuckled grip on the sink’s edge, and Riley did her best not to sneer at the alcohol label stickers covering the stainless steel—perhaps the only decor choice trashier than the empty bottles lining the windowsill like a frat house. How Leanna could stand to date a man whose house looked like he majored in partying was beyond Riley. She certainly wouldn’t.

“Right,” she said.

Riley hadn’t expected Leanna to still live in LA after remaking her identity, and she was correct. According to her classified CIA file, Leanna had a nice apartment in Virginia, with a short twenty minute commute to Langley every day. Imagine Riley’s surprise when the file also disclosed Leanna had a long-distance boyfriend, right here in LA.

What Riley still didn’t understand was how a millennial could afford a house in the Hollywood Hills, but that was beside the point.

A little more digging through the CIA’s heavily encrypted files revealed orders sending Leanna to the City of Angels for two weeks to assist another agency. The orders failed to mention which one.

So, Riley waited for her friend, terrifying her clueless boyfriend to pass the time.

“What are you making?”

Bozer glared at her, pressing his full lips together. He was attractive enough, although he wasn’t Riley’s type. He seemed a little too domestic for her taste.

She chastised, “There’s no need to look at me like that, Bozer. I don’t bite.”

“Says the woman holding a freshly-sharpened knife.”

Riley examined the blade, gently brushing her thumb over it to confirm Bozer’s statement. “A sharp knife is a good thing, actually. Sharp knives make clean cuts.” Bozer’s throat bobbed under the intensity of her gaze. “It’s the dull ones you have to worry about.”

Before she could torment him any more, Riley heard the unmistakable sound of tumblers rolling over and the front door opening. A familiar voice called out, “Baby, I’m home!” Riley set the knife down and turned to greet her friend.

She noticed the physical changes immediately. Leanna’s hair was a lighter shade of brown than before. She had bangs now. Her posture was stiffer, more uptight, and Riley could just see hints of well-defined muscle beneath her friend’s navy pantsuit.

Upon seeing Riley, Leanna stopped dead in her tracks, eyes blown wide in surprise. “What are you doing here?” It sounded more like a threat than a question.

“No ‘Hi’? ‘How are you?’ ‘I missed you’?” Riley placed her hand on her chest in mock offense.

“You—” Leanna started. Her eyes flicked to her boyfriend, then back to Riley. He doesn’t know anything, the look said. “Let’s talk outside.” Without another word, Leanna gripped Riley’s elbow and led her through the back door.

The balmy night air smelled like jasmine and rotted oranges, and crickets harmonized above the distant hum of freeway traffic. Instead of having a backyard, a multi-level wooden deck spanned the entire backside of the house. Beyond the deck lay a wall of bushes and a sweeping view of downtown. Again, Riley thought there was no way a millennial could afford a house like this. Unless...was there more to Leanna’s boyfriend than met the eye?

“I know what you’re thinking,” Leanna said, leaning on the railing. Riley tried to catch her gaze to no avail. Leanna’s eyes were firmly on the city lights to the south. “Bozer is a normal guy. Harmless. The house belongs to his roommate, and the mortgage was paid off long ago when his roommate’s grandpa lived in it.”

The lingering hope that Leanna might not be as clean as Nikki suggested dwindled by the minute. Riley gave up on trying to meet her eye.

“How long have you been out?”

“Two days.”

“That’s...good.”

Riley hated how awkward this was. Once, Leanna had been her closest confidant. Now she couldn’t feel farther away.

“Did you enjoy terrorizing my boyfriend?” Leanna asked, mercifully lightening the mood. A small smile curved Riley’s lips.

“I started cleaning my nails with a knife so I’d look more intimidating, and he nearly shit his pants.”

Genuine laughter bubbled from Leanna’s throat. It was infectious, and within seconds Riley giggled too. It was almost enough to make her forget why she was here in the first place.

Almost.

Riley decided to just bite the bullet and get it over with. She spoke in a low, tentative voice. “Why’d you leave, Leanna?” Riley watched Leanna’s chest expand and collapse as she sighed deeply. She waited, giving Leanna time to think through her answer.

After a long pause, her friend finally said, “You, actually.”

“Me?”

“Watching that was one of the worst moments of my life.” Leanna kept her wording vague, in case her boyfriend was listening, but Riley didn’t need to ask what the ‘that’ referred to. That haunted Riley’s every waking moment for the last two years. “I realized I couldn’t do it anymore. Not when that was the cost.”

Riley furrowed her brow, not quite believing. “And yet your current job is better?”

Leanna laughed bitterly. “You got me there.” She ducked her head. “In all honesty though, it is different. I’m not close to my coworkers like I was to you.”

Was. Past tense. Riley frowned at the implications of that.

“You could come back, you know.”

Leanna scoffed. “Let me guess, Nikki found someone to replace me because you cooked up a new job, and now you’re here to drag me back just so you don’t have to deal with a weak link. Sound about right?” Riley pressed her lips into a thin line, refusing to dignify that with a response. “I’m done with that part of my life, Riley. And you should be too.”

“Agree to disagree.” Just like that, the last flickering bit of hope inside Riley was extinguished. “It was nice to see you again, Leanna,” she said softly. “I’ll show myself out.”

She made it as far as the stairs leading down into the house when Leanna called out, “Where?”

Riley offered her friend a sad smile. “Paris. Just like we always talked about.”

*****

The next day, Riley met Nikki and their new recruit for lunch at one of the sketchiest taco shops LA had to offer. They were already there when Riley arrived, standing in line to order and looking incredibly out of place in their nice business clothes. Nikki and the new girl were about the same height, and both wore their blonde hair in loose waves, but the new girl had wider hips and her shoulders caved in slightly, as if she were trying to make herself smaller.

Riley silently walked up behind them, grinning. “How’s it going?” The new girl jumped, glasses sliding down her nose. Nikki smirked, unfazed.

In fact, she didn’t even bother taking her eyes off the ridiculously extensive menu as she chastised, “Play nice, Riles.”

Even though Nikki couldn’t see her, Riley rolled her eyes anyway. “You’re no fun.”

The new girl watched Riley with apprehension. Jill. Her name was Jill.

Riley extended a hand. “I’m Riley.”

“Jill,” she squeaked. Her grip was feather-light as they shook hands. She’s shy, Riley noted. Shy wasn’t a good trait in a criminal.

Neither was jumping to conclusions, however. Riley had promised to give Jill a fair shot, and that meant taking time to get to know her.

Riley let the blondes go first before ordering a California burrito for herself. There were only two booths—every good taco place was the size of a broom closet, after all—and Nikki led them to the one further from the entrance. She and Jill sat on one side, while Riley slid into the other, her back to the door. Riley couldn’t remember a time she and Nikki didn’t do that—sitting on opposite sides of the table, one facing each exit, just in case.

She doubted anyone would come after them in a dingy taco shop, but slipping into old habits brought a calming sense of normalcy Riley loathed to admit she needed.

“So,” Riley addressed Jill directly. “Did Nikki fill you in on what we do?”

“A bit, yes.” Jill’s eyes flicked around the room warily. Riley wished Leanna or Cage were there to psychoanalyze her. Jill was clearly nervous, but she didn’t seem afraid. Confidence Riley could teach. What Jill needed to prove was that she could hold her own against some of the biggest egos in the Western Hemisphere.

Present company definitely included.

“Good,” Riley said. “I want to be very clear on something. We are not Robin Hood. We do it for the adrenaline and the money.” Riley’s gaze flicked to the thousand-dollar watch on Nikki’s left wrist. “Although, none of us need the money anymore.”

“Then why don’t you get your adrenaline fix somewhere else?” Jill questioned bravely. “Maybe pick up skydiving.” There it was—the spark Riley was looking for.

“We all have our own deeper, more personal reasons. But me?” Riley leaned closer. “I do it just to see if I can.”

“One day, you’re going to be caught. You know that right?”

Riley’s stomach dropped. It seemed Nikki had left out some key information. Riley forced herself to grin as she said, “Maybe, but that day isn’t today.” The cashier called out their order number, and Riley retrieved their food before launching into her interrogation. “What I need to know now is what you can do for me.” She consumed her burrito in classless, ravenous bites, uncaring what Jill thought of her table manners. Each bite tasted like heaven.

Jill’s eyebrow twitched, that spark flaring up again. “How would you like to never leave a fingerprint ever again?” She casually bit into her taco.

“And how would I do that?” Riley probed. Nikki’s attention flicked between the two, observing, listening.

Not even bothering to swallow her food first, Jill said, “I’ve met plenty of your type before—” Riley took note of her careful use of innuendo— “and I’m not dumb enough to give away that kind of information for free. If you want it that badly, you’ll pay me.”

Riley pocketed that key detail for later. “Out of curiosity, what would you use the money for?”

“Paying off my student loans.”

Riley nodded. She’d never gone to college, but she had the utmost respect for anyone who drowned themselves in debt for the sake of an education. In addition to that, Jill was smart, not easily swindled, and responsible—all traits Riley was looking for.

The bell tied to the restaurant door jingled when it opened, letting in a hot gust of summer air. Two men entered; one was about Riley’s age, with blonde surfer hair. The other was older—fifty maybe—and he scanned the room the same way she’d seen Desi do a million times, but it was the blonde one Riley focused on as he froze, eyes locking on the women.

More specifically, on Nikki.

“Time to go,” Nikki warned. She shoved Jill out of her seat and dragged her toward the back door. In their haste, Nikki and Jill left their remaining tacos on the table, but Riley clutched her half-eaten burrito as she ran after them.

For the moment, Riley didn’t care who these men were. All she cared about was getting them off her tail.

She paid no mind to the cook shouting as she hauled ass through the kitchen. Riley spied an apron hanging off a doorknob, and an idea clicked into place. She grabbed it, turned on the gas stove, and held the fabric in the flames until it ignited. The blonde man skidded around the corner. Riley threw the flaming apron, and her feet carried her away before it even hit him.

Nikki and Jill were already out the back door and waiting in the alley when Riley caught up.

“You two didn’t happen to drive here, did you?” Nikki and Jill shook their heads.

Jill asked, “Did you?”

Riley shot Nikki a glare that could’ve curdled milk. “I would’ve, if someone hadn’t put my car in storage and then been too lazy to get it back. But noooooooooo, I had to take an Uber.”

“Shut up,” Nikki growled at the same time Jill questioned, “Storage?”

Ignoring Jill’s glaring lack of information, Riley grimaced. “Then I guess we’re running.” She took off down the alley, Nikki and Jill at her heels. Over her shoulder, Riley said, “I really hope I’m wrong here, but was that who I think it was?”

Nikki groaned. “Unfortunately.”

“Is someone going to fill me in?”

“My ex.”

“Oh.”

Before they even reached the main street, both Riley and Nikki had broken a sweat, but Jill kept pace alongside them like it was nothing—wearing stilettos, no less.

Perhaps Riley had underestimated Jill.

Shouting erupted behind them. The men were closing the distance between them, despite the blonde one being too busy fiddling with something in his hands to watch where he was going. The three women ran faster.

“What the hell is he doing?” Riley hissed.

“You know how we hack computers? He hacks everything else.”

A bullet pinged off the alley wall. “Perfect.”

The main street wasn’t as crowded as Riley had hoped. There was far too little coverage to hide from...whatever these men were. Nikki had some explaining to do when they got home.

They ran one block before another alley divided the storefronts. First glancing over her shoulder to ensure the men hadn’t turned the corner on the main road yet, Riley pulled her companions into the alley. It was empty aside from a large, faded black dumpster. Riley’s stomach churned at what she was about to suggest, but now was not the time to be picky about solutions.

“In the dumpster,” she ordered. “Now.”

Nikki and Jill made pained faces, but neither argued. They tossed Jill in first, then Riley gave Nikki a boost. Yanking her phone from her back pocket, Riley quickly opened a FaceTime call with Nikki and hid her phone beneath the dumpster before climbing inside and closing the lid over their heads.

The women waited in silence.

The smell was nauseating, and trash bags squished under Riley’s combat boots. Her boots were going directly in the trash when she got home, favorite pair be damned. She might very well toss her cutoff jean shorts and tank top too. Any article of clothing that touched garbage fluid was not going on her body ever again.

Nikki dutifully studied their makeshift security camera feed. The dumpster muffled outside sounds too much for Riley to listen for the heavy footsteps of their pursuers. Jill mercifully knew to refrain from making any sort of noise. At least she won’t get us killed, Riley thought.

When Nikki finally signaled that the coast was clear, Riley breathed a deep sigh of relief she immediately regretted. Gagging, she desperately shoved the dumpster lid open and clawed her way to fresh air, doing her best not to vomit. She’d already sacrificed the uneaten half of her burrito to the dumpster. Riley wasn’t about to give up the half she’d already swallowed too.

Nikki wasn’t so lucky.

Jill held back her coworker’s hair, rubbing her back in smooth circles. She didn’t seem affected by the smell at all. When she noticed Riley starting, Jill explained, “I’ve dug through dumpsters filled with half-decomposed bodies. A plain old trash dumpster is nothing.”

Riley could only nod and offer her a queasy half-smile.

Retrieving her phone, she called Desi and begged the woman to pick them up, conveniently leaving out the part about the dumpster. When she was done, Riley turned to Jill. “I want you on my team. Take the rest of the day off from work and think about my offer. There’s a team meeting at my apartment tonight. If you’re in, have Nikki pick you up on her way. The choice is yours.”

#beth writes #flawless au #macgyver #riley davis #nikki carpenter #leanna martin #desiree nguyen #samantha cage #jill morgan #macgyver fanfiction

29 notes · View notes

straymackerel · 4 years

Note

idk if your requests are open but if they’re not then feel free to ignore this. 😅 id like to request an imagine with dazai having a long, deep conversation with his new co-worker who happens to be a former member of the port mafia but she left for obvious reasons and only fukuzawa knows for now but ofc dazai being dazai, he’s sharp af so he decided to talk to her bc one, he understands her and second he developed feelings for her shortly after she joined ada. thanks in advance! 🥰

➽─{done! they were actually closed, but this was such a fun request i made it 2k long (✿´ ꒳ ` )}─❥

You often wonder if it was something you said.

Ever since you joined the Armed Detective Agency, all of your new coworkers have been nothing short of friendly and accommodating. All of them––except for the bandaged mystery who can’t quite take his eyes off of you.

At first you thought it was just your imagination. When he answered your questions dismissively, you thought maybe he didn’t have a way with words. When he bailed on group trips to Café Uzumaki––but only when you were going too––you brushed it off as a coincidence. And when you first ‘caught’ him fixated on you, looking you square in the face from his own desk, you hoped he was actually looking at something above your head or next to you.

After all, in the Port Mafia, you always felt as if you were being watched, precisely because you were being watched. Your every move was silently documented, your behavior acutely observed within a larger culture of distrust and suspicion. You wondered if maybe you carried that instinctive unease with you to your new day job. (The only proper day job you’ve ever held.)

But there was no need for deft maneuvers to realize that this intimidating brunette was, indeed, staring you down in silence. He has no intention of hiding it; he’s openly tracking your movements, peering into your essence. And the most unnerving part of all: he’s smirking half of the time. If you didn’t know any better, you would confront him the first chance you got; but your situation is precarious, delicate. You have no business drawing attention to yourself, a former member of the Port Mafia. Sure, the President is already aware of your circumstances, but the Mafia has engrained the virtues of secrecy into you. You hope to keep your past on the down low.

Besides, there’s something off about this brown-haired detective. Something you realized at the beginning of your employment, way before he started staring into your soul. Something you hope you’re wrong about.

So you wait it out, anxiously. Drained by the presence of your colleagues, you find yourself in Café Uzumaki alone one slow-moving afternoon. The paperwork was piling up, the tension in the air almost tangible as Dazai declined yet another offer to do actual field-work with the others in favor of keeping tabs on you (unbeknownst to anyone else). You’d left the office at your earliest convenience, hoping to relax in the corner with your favorite beverage.

It is all you can do to keep from spewing the profane as he invites himself to your table, waltzing in without a care in the world.

You’re trapped.

Ordering himself a double shot espresso, your coworker ignores your apparent apprehension as he gets comfy in his booth seat. Downing his drink while you’ve barely touched yours, he glances behind him to check out the waitstaff. No words are exchanged until the baristas are out of earshot.

“Well, you certainly seem to have a vested interest in me,” you say in the most nonchalant manner manageable––nervous because of his constant surveillance, but also because he’s quite handsome for a borderline stalker.

“You can drop the tight-lipped smile,” Dazai replies, eyes darkened.

You lower your voice, hackles raised. “How much do you know?”

“I suppose it’s all speculation, but my hunches are rarely wrong. You chose to work at a detective agency after all.” Though he’s avoided your question, the look on his face tells you everything you need to know. Eyes narrowed, the corners of his mouth upturned, he most definitely has your former occupation pegged.

“What gave it away?” is the only thing you can think to say.

“Are you sure you want to know?”

“Perhaps it will aid me in playing detective,” you quip. He chuckles dryly.

“Oh, where to start. That concealed weapon you carry––it’s not issued by the Agency. Though its outline is comparable to our standard Beretta 92FS Inox sidearm, there are some subtle differences, even when it’s tucked away and wrapped in cloth.” You raise your eyebrows, surprised that anyone would notice.

“The way you move soundlessly and seamlessly,” he continues, not bothering to pause. “It’s obviously second nature. You hardly make a sound if you can help it. And then there’s your understanding of the underworld, even though you try to hide it. You obviously know much more than you let on; your knowledge is too convenient. You claim to know just the perfect tidbit or two for a case, having overheard a street vendor or a barkeep, but the expression on your face is all too telling of a certain sense of pride. Such a seemingly mild-mannered sweetheart as yourself. Did you know that when you flinch at violence, you always react a hair slower than everyone else, as if you’re simply following suit? Also––”

“Okay, OK, I get it,” you say, defeated. “So that’s the reason why you’re leering at me every day? To add to this never-ending list of yours?”

“Well...” Dazai’s voice trails off. His features relax for the briefest moment, more alarming than reassuring to you. And then that nagging thought resurfaces. That is, the very first thing that came to mind when you were first introduced to him. Again: something you hope you’re wrong about.

“You’re quite suspicious yourself,” you interject. “Let alone your little stalker habit... you have the same name as him.” The corners of his eyes crease.

“That’s an odd way of putting it,” he says with a hint of mirth in his voice, and not a smidgen of denial. Fuck.

Logic dictates that you should be scared shitless right now, sitting across from one of the most dangerous men in Mafia history. Logic dictates that you should’ve used more covert methods of uncovering his past. Straightening up, you tell yourself not to think about it.

“Well, I was under the impression that Dazai Osamu was only a legend and nothing more. I mean, a teenage orphan prodigy who threw their life as a Mafia exec away, only to disappear forever? Sounds like bullshit,” you state with as much cool-headedness as you can muster.

“I take that personally!” he gasps, twisting his arms every which way in mock offense, as if to shield himself from your harsh commentary.

“You didn’t consider changing your name?”

“Not even once.” He winks, to which your heart may or may not skip a beat. Are you scared, or oddly enamored?

You push your cup along your side of the table. “How come you turned tail too? You had the status to do literally anything you wanted.” He brushes it off.

“What is this, my interview? The last time I checked, you were the one on trial,” he says, waving his hand like he’s batting your assertion out of the air.

“I’m on trial?” you ask, the cup coming to a stop. “Do the others have suspicions as well?”

“Oh no, nothing in particular to go on. Though Ranpo most definitely has you figured out,” he says, to which you startle. “...but he couldn’t care less, so don’t worry.” You unintentionally sigh relief as he continues: “My colleagues have this peculiar way of testing their new recruits. We call it an ‘entrance exam.’ And before you ask, I’m not responsible for administering yours, but I might be able to push you in the right direction.”

“Any hints?”

He shakes his head, “Not really. No general tips or tricks. I need some more information,” he says, leaning in a bit. “So tell me about yourself. Why leave the Mafia for the ADA?”

You press your lips together, realizing he’s asking you the very same question he himself dodged moments ago. “I needed a change of atmosphere. And scenery. I wasn’t quite taken up with the constant death threats and daily bloodshed.”

“Oh, death threats? And bloodshed? I don’t suppose you were on the receiving end?” Dazai asks, one eyebrow cocked.

You laugh a restrained laugh, nodding. “I wasn’t. But those kinds of tactics... they aren’t in my nature. Everything about that job was suffocating, and I just couldn’t do it anymore.” Dazai looks at you thoughtfully.

“It’s interesting, though. You carry your past line of work in all of your mannerisms. Any chance you were born into it?”

You nod again, “Not my choice.”

“What a coincidence.” He flashes a toothy smile, silence thickening the air. You scramble to break it, eager to talk about something else.

“...So? Any advice for my test?”

“I’d be a little more forthcoming if only you’d tell me the full truth,” Dazai responds, and your face falls.

“What do you mean?” Your strained voice comes out meeker than you’d like, and it’s Dazai’s turn to sigh. He leans back into his booth seat, as if a little distance might solve your unease.

“I lost someone. The best friend I’ve ever had. He told me I wouldn’t find what I was looking for in the Mafia, so here I am. And I’m pretty sure you have someone like that too.” How does he know? Why is he telling you this? Your hands––they’re clammy. You turn your gaze to your lap, realizing that he’d dismantle anything but the truth. There are no options but one.

“It was... a family member.” More silence. Is your nose getting red? You hope your nose isn’t getting red.

“The Mafia threatened them?” he prods.

“They were collateral,” you say slowly. You hadn’t expected to talk about them today. You hadn’t expected any of this from a coworker who kept you at several arms’ lengths for days. Another coworker might respond “that’s horrible,” or “I’m sorry for your loss,” but not Dazai.

“Dazai, do you ever wonder if it’s our fault they got hurt?”

“No,” he replies immediately. Then he hesitates. “I mean, yes, and for a very long time, but not anymore. Evil will do evil; if not to our loved ones, then to someone else.”

He’s right. Of course he’s right.

“But does it make it any easier?” You peer at him, hopeful, and he dismisses your expectations with a quick shake of the head. “Right.” Pause.

“But you’ve come to the right place. Unlike the Mafia, this is an environment where you can heal. Sometimes the wounds reopen,” he says, “but I promise you that your feelings will go towards something productive.” You swallow, blinking back would-be teardrops. The salty marinade seeps back into you.

Then, under your breath: “Okay.” “Thank you.”

“Of course. I could talk about this all day.” The tightness in your throat dissipates, the water in your eyes no longer threatening to spill.

“So, the entrance exam? I’ve told you everything now,” you pry. He thrums his fingers, amused.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I figured pretty early on that you would be okay. You’re gonna pass just fine without my help––I only wanted to get to know my new coworker better.” His fingers stop as he gauges your response.

“Wha–?” This guy! He played you, straight to the verge of tears..! Shoulder tense, you jump to your feet.

“Sorry to deceive you. I’ll see you upstairs, then.” Jeez, the bandaged bastard’s already heading out!

“Wait!” Cheeks flushed, you’re unsure why you’re calling out to him, but it makes him stops in his tracks.

“...Yes?”

“...You’re not gonna tell anyone, right?”

“I’ll think about it.” Dazai’s coy voice is all but reassuring.

“No, seriously,” you plead, eyes wide. “I really need this. God forbid someone else prompts a retelling of my life story.” He turns to face you.

“Then let’s make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?”

He steps towards you, leaning in to whisper in your ear: “Meet me in front of this building tomorrow at 10 PM. There’s a restaurant I want to take you.” You feel your mouth open, then close by itself.

This is it. This is why he can’t look away from you. If he was only observing you, he could, would do it without being so obvious. You’re sure of it now. You replay each once-menacing occurrence of eye contact from the past few days in your head, and you notice something new. Hunger? Want? Even greed? You can see it in his eyes right now. Those eyes, they threaten to dance around, maybe even travel a bit... lower.

(You jest yourself. ‘Once-menacing?’ He’s still menace, still a danger.) He turns away, heading for the door again, not waiting for a response:

“Don’t be late.”

A chill runs up your spine. It’s a mix of fear, and bitterness, and panic, but most of all...

A growing anticipation.

#Dazai Osamu #bsd fanfic #bsd fic #dazai fic #dazai imagine #bsd x reader #bsd oneshot #dazai oneshot #armed detective agency #dazai fanfiction

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pikemoreno · 4 years

Text

if you ever wanna be in love

Chapter IV: Plan B and Other Messes

a/n: this is my favorite so far, but it’s only gonna get better from here!

taglist is open if you’d like to be added. sorry if you asked and i missed it or forgot. please just ask again if you aren’t on there and would like to be. :’)

pairing: marcus pike x f!reader

word count: 2k

warnings: none, and i don’t expect there to really be any serious ones in upcoming chapters either. this is just fun.

If this plan was foolproof, you were all worse than fools.

It had started fine. It had been more than a week since the disastrous failure that was Plan A, and you spent the week doing some reconnaissance to keep Wendy’s brief interaction with Adrian on the top of her mind.

On Tuesday, you had asked her again about the elevator incident, stating: “Wow, that must’ve been scary. Did you have someone with you? I don’t think I remember.” She responded that there had been and that he was “nice.”

On Wednesday, you had asked her if she had caught the name of the “mystery man” in the elevator. Did he work in the building? What department? Was he cute? She had said that she “Didn’t catch his name or his department, but… Yeah, he was alright, I guess.” Not a lot to work from, you lamented, but it was a start. You told her you’d see what you could find out and she groaned, telling you not to get into it, that she was fine. If only she knew how late she was on that sentiment.

On Thursday, you had taken the day off from bothering her about it. After all, you couldn’t make it seem like you found out everything about him in a day. Because that would have just been absurd.

Today-- Friday-- you spilled all of your “research” to her: name, age, department, and the information that he’d been “asking about her too”-- ignoring the fact that that was only true because Marcus had been giving him the same treatment you were giving Wendy this week. Her eyes lit up a little at hearing she’d been asked about too, and you knew you had her hook, line, and sinker.

You met Marcus outside on your lunch break to debrief and discuss the finale of Plan B, sitting on a wooden-slatted bench with him underneath the slowly changing leaves of the trees in the courtyard. While an uncharacteristically cool breeze blew by, you were starting to decide that if you could just get Wendy and Adrian to this point right here, that would be enough to bring them together. It was a quiet and secluded place, a blessed change from the chaos of work on the other side of those glass double doors in the distance. There was something undeniably romantic about it all.

With the right person to share it with, of course.

This wasn’t a romantic exchange. It was planning, organizing, talking about another’s romance, and never your own. There was absolutely nothing inherently romantic about this, certainly nothing in the way he smiled at you from the corner of his eye as you talked about how the week had gone with Wendy. There was nothing in the way you admired the light in his eyes when he grinned and how they crinkled when he laughed and nothing in the way you wanted to make sure he laughed every single day.

Oh no. Oh no no no no.

This whole thing was about Wendy, not you. And certainly not Marcus.

“So, what’s the plan for this evening?” His question brought you out of your daze.

“Umm,” you cleared your throat, re-gathering yourself as you poked at your lunch with your fork. “We’re gonna text them both separately to meet us at Copper Coin for coffee. We won’t be there when they arrive. We’ll be twenty minutes late and hope that they’ve decided to sit together in that time. If they haven’t, we’ll make sure they do,” you shrugged.

“Right,” he nodded, and you returned it. Silence overtook the moment, but not in the serene way it had previously. This was decidedly more awkward. You were back in your head, doing the mental calculations of why and how there was nothing at all romantic about your friendship with Art Squad over here. That’s all it was; that’s all he was. You vaguely heard him call your name-- your real name.

“Hm?” you blinked, looking back to him.

“Where’d you go?” he murmured quizzically, his eyes searched your face in a way that undid all of the mental calculation you just went through.

“What? Nowhere. Anyway,” you stood quickly, gathering your stuff, “See you later.” You couldn’t ignore the feeling of his curious eyes still on you as you walked away.

This was not happening.

You’d be lying if you said that lunchtime exchange wasn’t at the forefront of your mind for the rest of the work day... And as you drove to the coffee shop… And now that you were sitting across from Marcus yet again, waiting on Wendy and Adrian, who still had yet to show up after the predetermined twenty minutes you were giving them before sitting inside the mahogany-saturated, hipster’s paradise yourselves.

Plan B was most certainly not foolproof, and the four of you were the grandest of fools. Where could they be?

“They’re gonna walk in and think we’re the ones on a date,” Marcus quipped as he took a sip of his drink. You almost spit yours out from the surprise of the comment, but couldn’t help the huff of laughter.

“Oh, if Wendy walked in and thought I was on a date with a guy like you, she would probably cry tears of joy.”

“What does that mean?” You missed the warm pink take over the skin of his neck at what he was hoping was a compliment.

A guy like him?

How did you see him?

“My recent track record is not great,” you stated, running a finger around the rim of your drink, “I would go on a couple of dates with someone. Never let it go anywhere. Decline any attempt to make it exclusive. Get the hell out of there. Rinse and repeat.”

“Why do you think that is?”

You were making him nervous. It was pretty obvious to him now that he was starting to be interested in you beyond just being a work friend helping him with a “project”. But hearing your hesitance to commit in the past made his heart sink. He knew too well the feeling of being the one more invested in the relationship, of scaring someone off by going all in. He couldn’t let himself fall into that again with you. He’d have to force himself away, push down what was threatening to blossom.

“Afraid of getting hurt, I guess. I’ve seen a lot of committed relationships around me fail. People falling out of love. I don’t want that.” You shrugged.

“That’s a very reasonable fear.”

“Exactly. So I’m just… Waiting I guess. Wendy sees it as me just having commitment issues. I don’t have commitment issues per se. I just haven’t really found anyone worth committing to yet.”

“I’m afraid I have the opposite problem.” You tilted your head, questioning, and he continued, “I haven’t found anyone worth committing to, but I don’t realize it until it’s too late.” he sighed, “I was that one teenager who had one steady girlfriend from eighth grade all the way through high school and never looked at anyone else-- probably for the best, I was kind of a dork,” he laughed despite himself and you joined. It fizzled sadly, “But anyway. Everyone thought we were gonna be together forever. And I started to think so too after, you know, five years. I had it all planned out by the time we got to senior year. We wanted to go to the same college. We’d date through college, I’d propose on our graduation day... We didn’t make it past senior prom. She had disappeared for a while, and I found her in a supply closet with another guy.” You couldn’t help but gasp a little. He continued “Then I still got married pretty young, not long out of college,” he shook his head, seemingly to clear out the emotions that reared their ugly heads for what was obviously the first time in a while. You wanted him to know he didn’t have to explain himself to you.

“Marcus, don’t--” you tried to stop him.

“I was ‘too much’ for her.” You froze at the admission. His mouth contorted into a frown that didn’t suit him at all. “I’m still not sure I know what she meant by that,” he laughed humorlessly, “Guess I cared too much? Who knows. She divorced me, and that was that.” You both looked down to find that you’d put your hand on his. There was a part of you-- maybe more than a part, really-- that decided that what he was saying sounded nice. That he would be a blessed change from relationships that never lasted longer than a month and whose conversations never reached the level of depth that you were already experiencing with Marcus after just the couple of weeks you’d known him. You breathed, letting your hand stay resting on his as you spoke truly.

“What you said was right. Neither of them were worth your commitment. I’ve seen your commitment to someone who’s just a work friend, and I can’t imagine anyone not wanting that in their life. They couldn’t have been worth your time.” His thumb reached up to brush against the side of your hand. “I would--” You stopped yourself mid-sentence upon looking at the cafe door to find Wendy finally walking in.

If only you knew that Marcus was holding his breath waiting for the end of the statement, hoping to hear you say that he might be worth that commitment.

“There’s Wendy now.” Your hand left his as you got up to meet her, and Marcus found himself immediately missing the contact and entirely unsure of what just happened.

“An hour late? Where have you been?” you laughed as Wendy met your eyes excitedly.

“You’ll never guess what just happened,” she practically squealed in response, yet not answering your question.

“Probably not. Go for it.”

“I got my rebound!” You blinked.

“You-- What?”

“So right before you left the office, I received a tip on a case from the Elisabet Ney Museum. They had some priceless jewelry of hers on display. Only supposed to be up for a week. Family heirloom. It’s on display for two days before it turns up stolen. But get this: the bust of hers it was on was also stolen. Meaning this case also falls under the jurisdiction of the Art Squad. I figured ‘Hey, the more, the merrier,’ so I hopped on down to the 6th floor to talk to them about a team-up and guess who I ran into?” Your eyes widened, finally getting the point of the story.

“Adrian.”

“Adrian!” she nearly squealed again, talking a mile a minute. “So anyway, we’re gonna be teamed up on that next week.” You subconsciously shot a glance over to Marcus. Having to work a case with him? After the day you just had? “But the crazy part is that I started talking to Adrian and he’s so great, you know, now that I’m not freaking out in an elevator. Turns out he’s a recent dumpee too, and we’re gonna go out tomorrow night. Oh, and we might’ve made out in the supply closet.” The words of that last part all ran together as she tried to play it off nonchalantly. You let your mouth hang open in the flurry of words and admissions that came far too quickly for you to process fully.

“Wow. That’ s-- That’s great! I told you he was worth looking into,” you smiled weakly, trying to get over the newest developments in this absolutely ridiculous story. “So, this case? Starting next week?”

“Monday morning, bright and early. Hey, didn’t you say you had a friend on Art Squad? The one who gave you a ride that one day? That’ll be fun, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, for sure.” You caught Marcus’s eye, and your face must have betrayed just how exasperated and confused-- and… relieved?-- you felt because the look he shot back to you was full of concern. Everything was somehow simplified and complicated in one fell swoop.

Plan B: Success? You guess?

forever taglist: @acomplicatedprofession @hdlynn @makaela27 @space-floozy @catfishingmorales @ithinkhesgaybutwesavedmufasa @princessbatears @synystersilenceinblacknwhite @findhimfives @mistermiraclee

series taglist: @whiskeyslasso @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @dindjarindiaries @absurdthirst @roxypeanut @fioccodineveautunnale @dirty-dancefl00r5 @starryeyedstories @buckysalefty @wickedfrsgrl @the-feckless-wonder

#marcus pike x reader #bri writes #iyewbil

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azurevi · 4 years

Text

on land where we can touch the moon (3/?)

PART 1 PART 2

Everything was weird up here, like how the air felt thin and the stuff was all too dry, but Azul supposed it's only natural.

It was a sleepless night. He was inside a guarded guest room in a palace whose outline was too blurry in the night to make out. The bed beneath him was the softest one ever. Most importantly, he had legs. At this thought, he raised them in the air, stretching to the very end.

At some point into the dead of the night Azul had started to feel hope again. To find the most beautiful thing in this world was the only way to ensure that he didn't turn into inanimate water bubbles, and it was arguably the easiest task ever.

Everything on here is beautiful, of course. He could just snatch any one of it. Beauty held no prejudice, there's no prettier or less pretty, just pleasing. Certainly, the Raven Healer hadn't thought of that.

Before he'd gone to bed, the guards having rescued him told him that they would need him in the morning. They seemed way too friendly to a foreign man standing on the beach in the middle of the night, hiding behind a rock along with a golden statue-

The golden statue!

He'd completely forgotten about that. Hopefully the statue was unscathed. Azul started making plans to retrieve it during the day.

Thoughts came rushing, leaving him tired in their wake. He started to wonder what Jade and Floyd were doing right now. How would they act upon knowing what had happened? Surely Jade would get mad at his impulsiveness. Floyd would probably feel down because of his disappearance.

It didn't sit right with Azul, leaving his friends behind irresponsibly, but he had no other choice. If he managed to get the Raven Healer off his back, it would equally mean that the chances of seeing the twins again was slim to none, though if he failed the chance would be a solid zero.

And these thoughts just came on and on, asking him, what have you done, what have you done, what have you done?

"You look good for someone who was still sick as a dog yesterday," you teased.

"Wake up sleepy head!" a booming loud voice had you jolting upright and gasping in fear. Ace looked well-dressed and way too energetic this early in the morning.

"What can I say. I heal in a flash," Ace flexed his arm muscle. His show didn't last long though, as Deuce rushed in and pushed him out of the way.

"Your highness! You're going to want to hear about this. We were patrolling along the beach last night, and-"

"What is this ruckus?!" Deuce was pushed aside in a similar manner. A taste of his own medicine. Jack appeared by the door, looking sharp and dressed up just like the others.

You rubbed your forehead in exasperation. All the sleepiness that you were still drowning in evaporated the moment they started bickering again.

"Ok, stop!" you said. The three of them fell into silence and turned to you. "Deuce. What were you trying to say?"

"Oh, right. Ace and I were patrolling along the beach, and guess what we found?"

You shook your head, but he kept waiting.

"...we found a man," Ace finished the sentence for Deuce, who glared at him in distaste.

"Why haven't I heard of this?" Jack challenged with a deep frown.

"You see, you were asleep! We didn't want to disturb you,"

Jack didn't look satisfied with the answer, but he seemed quite content with not having his sleep disturbed by two chirping nuisances.

"Anyways, that's not the point! The point is that he matches the descriptions of the man who'd saved you that day!" Deuce said.

Now that was a real serotonin. Your eyes rounded and the weariness in your limbs faded away as you asked, "Are you for sure? Where is he? Did he admit that-"

"Slow, slow!" Ace shushed. "We didn't press him with too many questions. He's now resting in the guest room. We can fetch him for you anytime," he winked provocatively.

"Of course. They're splendid," Azul said. "But I do have an inquiry,"

You took a deep breath, then jumped off your bed swiftly. "I told you I was not out of my mind! Arrange a meeting an hour from now and bring me my best outfit!"

"Are you sure you're alright in those shoes?" the blue-haired guard who'd introduced himself as Deuce asked, looking back with concern. Azul had been so distracted that he'd tripped thrice during the short walk through the corridor.

"Ask away," the red head, Ace said.

"Why am I needed by your highness?"

Ace and Deuce shared a meaningful look, and Azul was sure they'd raised the corners of their lips in mischief.

"Because they've been waiting for you, Mr Ashen…" Ace's confidence faded as he pondered over Azul's last name. "Mr Ashento?"

"Ashengrotto," Azul repeated for what seemed like the hundredth time. Deuce only shook his head in disappointment.

Azul was led through an outdoor garden, and as he passed a fountain he looked down at his reflection. It was completely devoid of who he'd been just mere days ago. The man looking back at him was dressing in a fitting blue suit, the tie slightly pressing into his throat. His hair was groomed so perfectly that he didn't dare make the slightest of change.

Bushes and flowers lined up and created a clear pathway for him to pass. Creatures that he'd only heard of and half-believed, like butterflies and sparrows, were all presenting themselves before him, chirping and swirling like they were reserved only for his eyes.

Ace and Deuce were already walking up the huge flight of steps, the top of which showed the front entrance. Azul planned his steps carefully as he raced up. Guards stood every ten steps, and none of them paid attention to Azul at all.

At the top of the steps was a long corridor. There were so many archways and alleys in here that it was a miracle how Ace and Deuce didn't get lost at all. So they turned and turned, passing by curious and curiouser faces, until they stood before an exceptionally high archway. With each of their hands on either side of the two-person door, they pushed it open while announcing Azul in a booming voice.

"Your highness, here is Mr Ashengrotto to see you,"

When they didn't move from their position, Azul reckoned awkwardly that he was to walk up the red carpet alone, and so he lowered his head in respect and fear and walked until he was quite close enough.

And there stood the princette. The royal figure. He could only see your feet for he didn't dare gaze any further.

"Mr Ashengrotto?"

Now that was a familiar voice that seemed to cause ripples in his mind. He gazed up tentatively and his breath almost caught.

Oh, he should've known. How could he be so slow?

"Mr Ashengrotto, is it?" you asked with an excited smile. He failed to smile back, still in shock's grip.

"Yeah, yeah," he cleared his throat. "Azul Ashengrotto,"

Beside him stood a melanin man, arms crossed and looking down on him as though he was an easy prey. Azul recognized him as the guy who'd talked to you about marriage that night. Jack, if he was not mistaken.

"I'm-" you seemed to be paralyzed with joy. "I'm ever so grateful to have been able to find you. You still remember saving me on the beach that day, yes?"

Azul gulped, his mind racing around to make up a persuasive story. "I do remember, your highness,"

"Splendid, then. I would like to thank you. I would've died if it hadn't been for you. Which is exactly why I have to repay you! Is there anything you'd like? Just ask away!"

Jack coughed loudly, clearly hinting something, but you seemed to have missed it. Or rather, you paid no mind to him and continued looking at Azul expectedly.

"I-uh," he stammered embarrassingly. He wished he could have had more courage to speak to you confidently, like a knight in shining armor or a chivalrous soldier. "There's nothing I quite need, your highness,"

Liar. There're a lot of things Azul wanted in life, and on top of the list, the 'most beautiful thing in the world'. But he couldn't possibly ask for it, could he? It'd put him in a bad light. He'd want anything but to appear a villain in your eyes.

"That won't do. You must need something. Worry not, nothing's impossible," you chased, and Azul could see now that you were genuinely asking to grant his wishes. There was eagerness in your voice where a hint of tentative interest leaked. He had failed to notice how you've gone out of your way to lean forward, though there was still a decent distance between you. In the finest clothes you carried the promise of hope that wouldn't be extinguished by consternation, and suddenly Azul felt so, so small. Like a child who longed for the unrealistic sky.

"Well then," he found himself complying. "I'm actually quite in need for a safe shelter,"

"Done," you smirked. "The room in which you stayed will belong to you until further announcement,"

"Your-"

"Your highness, we need a word," Jack butted in and snatched you away from Azul's sight. You seemed to be engaged in a fierce conversation as he flaunted his hands in exasperation. Azul swiveled and found Deuce and Ace leanly sluggishly against the marble walls.

After what seemed like forever, you finally reemerged with a restrained smile. "Like I said, Mr Ashengrotto, you will have the ownership of our finest guest room. However, you will have to take on a role in the palace to eventually afford your own place,"

"It's more than enough. Thank you so much, your highness," Azul bowed deeply, eyes shut in mixed feelings. He's got a shelter in what could possibly be the grandest place on the land of the humas, where you lived, where he's bound to find wonders that could fulfill the Raven Healer's wish.

After Ace and Deuce led him back to his room and planted the looming fear of getting lost in his heart, Azul started looking for a place to start. How he would deal with his current situation he wasn't sure, but the crucial thing right now is to make sure he would live longer than three days.

The vases, the carpet, the golden brimmed cups. There were so many catchy things fighting for his attention that he became restless. He'd never felt so hopeless surrounded by treasures.

There were knocks on the door and Azul took it as a chance to rest his search. Standing on the other side was you again, but in a much more casual and plain, yet still plush outfit.

"Hey. Would you like to accompany me for lunch?" you asked. Azul subtly surveyed around and found himself relaxing in the absence of Jack. It wasn't that he hated him. He just disliked how Jack always seemed to be suspicious of him. I'm onto you, his expressions seemed to say.

And so the two of you walked through the same replicated hallways and into a larger, even grander room, where, to Azul's disappointment, waited Jack.

"Lunch will be served soon," he said, this time not bothering so much as to glance at Azul. Azul was thankful for that.

"In the meantime, let's learn more about each other!" you suggested, propping your elbows on the table as you waited. "So, Azul, where are you from?"

He was prepared for everything but that. How could he respond when he didn't even know the very own kingdom he was in?

"The… the East. From across the ocean,"

"The East! I heard it's famous for cultivation. How did you end up an ocean away?"

Another unintentionally sharp question.

"I was hoping to seek some fortune, I suppose. It was hard living over there, and I thought, why not change the scenery?"

"Well, now you know it works because you've got yourself a guest room in the palace," you giggled.

The door was flung open and emotionless butlers served dishes after dishes. There were food and cuisine that Azul had never seen of -- like green leaves and red, juicy pearls, a bowl of creamy liquid called 'soup' and a dry crunchy loaf of bread. Then the man pried the lid away, and Azul found himself resisting the urge to gag.

"Do you not like crabs?" you asked, nonetheless noticing his change.

"I, uh, allergic," he pushed the dish to the side slowly, frowning in embarrassment. Seemingly to have read his expression you dropped the topic, and the three of you dug into your food.

Jack kept bringing up your pending list of proposals, either from neighbouring kingdoms or dukes who believed wealth could get them out and in of everything. And with every passing minute your shoulders slumped lower and lower until you were squishing the side of your cheek on your palm and looking uninterested than ever.

"Your highness," Azul decided to speak up, earning a thankful expression from you. As for Jack, he preferred not to take note of his reaction. "May I take a tour inside the palace later?"

"Absolutely! I'll be your tour guide!"

"Your highness, you still have documents-"

"Documents that can wait, Jack. Let's finish this as quickly as we can and get going," you flashed him a wink, which seemed more like an illusion for it was long gone before it could be registered.

Jack'd insisted on tagging along, but you were adamant that you went alone, hence explaining why the two of you were now barging in and out room after room.

The library was filled from floor to ceiling with collections of books in dozens of languages, about hundreds and thousands of things. Azul spent an hour or so proving his belief that at least some of these books had to be fake, but they were at most uncut.

"What do you need so many books for?" Azul asked as he ran his fingers across the book. The rough texture of the paper was something entirely foreign, and he found the scent of the pages close to musky.

"I believe it's to flaunt," you commented bitterly. "My parents never stop buying them. I'd rather give them to people who're actually literate,"

"Are you deeming them illiterate?" Azul asked.

"They're just way too busy to even read a page. It's such a waste. All this knowledge locked up from people who actually need it,"

Could knowledge be the most beautiful thing in this world, for it opened eyes and introduced new lands to every type of creature?

Azul was about to make an inquiry, but you beat him to it. "Let's go to the vault. It's just down the hallway,"

"Vault?"

"Yeah. Treasure vault," you raised a brow. "Don't worry. Jack won't hunt you down for it. He's softer than he looks,"

Azul found it hard to believe.

The vault was guarded by four armed guards, who pulled the door with combined force. Light spilled out from the crack before it was even completely opened. Chests were locked and placed at the feet of the hills of glistening accessories. Even the walls were decorated by framed paintings and posters behind marble statues that looked horrifyingly surreal. The closer you got, the wider Azul's jaw hung. With these piles of gold coins with necklaces and jewels interspersed among them -- four guards were certainly insufficient to guard this place!

"You know, if you want anything, just go for it!" you said, making random observations on the treasures.

"I can't possibly, your highness,"

"Why, of course you can. Because I said so,"

"You're quite bossy, huh?" the words slipped Azul's lips before he could realize, and he immediately covered his mouth. "I'm terribly sorry, your highness, I didn't mean-"

Rather than enraged, you looked amused. At his flustered state, you burst into laughs that were almost inconsiderate.

"It's not the first time I've been called that. It's completely fine. Loosen up, will you?"

You swiveled around curiously, then your eyes lit up with a gleam. "Let me show you something!"

Azul could swore he almost passed out from shock when you grabbed his wrist. Such an unexpected but friendly gesture. No one'd ever done this to him before.

He came face to face with the golden statue that'd been on his mind for days. It was the one that'd sunk into the sea, the reason he'd fled from his realm, the replicate of your aura. It seemed as though it followed everywhere he went.

"Deuce and Ace ordered this for my birthday," you gasped. "You don't know, do you? The day you saved me was also my birthday. I was so lucky,"

"Likewise," he smiled shyly. He could still feel the burning wonder in his chest, the exploding firework and ruckus on deck. The hype of it all, the pbeat melodies and items and tools that he'd never seen. He could be trapped in that moment forever and never get bored.

"I don't really like it though. Too… pretentious, I think,"

"I think it portrays you just fine,"

You swiveled around with another amused smile, quietly surveying him. And to his own surprise, he held your gaze steadily as if everything would be okay if he'd just stayed in this moment forever.

It was probably a favourable time to ask for your opinion. But then you looked away, and his words were swallowed instead.

It didn't matter. Azul still had time.

Nothing seemed to have changed, which was normal. However, for Azul this beach seemed to be reminding him of all the things that'd happened -- the day he rescued you from the tempest, the night when he made a deal with the Raven Healer, and this sunset when he's strolling on the sand beside you, which was almost like a fever dream, or a fantasy.

By the time you'd finished introducing the palace and suggested a small walk on the beach, the sun was already setting in impatience. The sea, tainted red, stretched out to infinity and on top of that, a looming darkness neared the thin horizon. The wind was cool and welcoming, and it'd messed with your hair so many times already that you decided to let it be. It was something that Azul could never see under the cramped sea.

But you were still real and present.

"Have you… heard of the Raven Healer?" Azul asked gingerly.

"Oh, of course. He's the most renowned magician in the world," you said.

"I see," he bit his lip, unsure how to ask for more. "What is he known for?"

"Well, for one, he's powerful and masters almost all elements of magic, which makes him the rarest among the rare, because magic isn't all that common around here. His mysteriousness probably contributes to it too. People are attracted to what they don't know,"

Just like how Azul yearned for the land.

"Have you ever met him, then?"

"God, no," you chuckled. "Rumor is that he only ever finds you. He can't be tracked down. I've also heard that he only approaches those who are in dire need of his help. It sounds like a very charitable act, but some hearsay say that he's actually a greedy man who takes advantage of people's dreams. There's even a third version, about how he punishes sinners by pretending to give them what they want while actually making them taste their own medicine. Personally I like the first story, it's reassuring knowing that there's a capable and chivalrous magician out there,"

Azul was pretty sure your belief was false. Every evident pointed to the third story - about how he made sinners realize their evil and thus punish them. Perhaps this could explain why his scandalous deal was so much like Azul's, and how he couldn't seem to find anything to satisfy it.

If his assumptions were true, then perhaps it was to punish him for all the frauds he'd committed. No matter how much he repented, guilt could still somehow find a way back to him like a haunting, lingering ghost.

"You said you were new around here, right?" you opened a new topic and immediately Azul's worries were torn away.

"Yeah," he lied.

"Well, perhaps I can show you around the kingdom tomorrow. What do you say?"

"Just the two of us?" he asked.

"I could bring Jack along, if you like?" you joked, raising a skeptical brow. Azul scrunched his nose in dismay, to which you laughed in response.

"Fine, fine. But if he insists on coming with, we'll have to sneak out,"

Sneaking out had never sounded so thrilling before, and he found himself rather looking forward to it.

"Speaking of Jack. Why is he so worked up about your marriage?"

You sighed, and for a moment Azul feared that he had ruined your mood. But you carried on with the same softness in your voice.

"There are a lot of heirs from different kingdoms asking for my hand in marriage, actually. They are mostly aiming for our kingdom's fertile resources. Father and mother encourage it too, for they want to form alliance with other kingdoms. At first they were very laid back, but I guess I've been ignoring it for too long. Now I've got everybody agitated,"

"It's not your fault. They can't force you if you don't want to do it,"

"Yeah, but it's still my responsibility, you know." you waved vaguely at the colossal palace behind you. "I could hate it as much as I want, but it's my mission to secure the kingdom,"

"Not to be blunt, your highness, but if you're pushing it back, doesn't it mean you don't want to fulfil your mission at all?"

You frowned slightly. "That was really blunt, you know?"

He only grinned. "I'm right though."

At that, you sighed. "Yeah. I guess you're. I just don't want to spend the rest of my life with someone whom I barely know. It's cliche, really, but I prefer real and fervent love over materialistic and - forced relationships,"

"Then don't marry," Azul murmured. "Wait until you find the one true love,"

You remained silent, and Azul was somehow too scared to meet your eyes. Silence settled between the two of you, serene and tranquil, familiar and comforting.

"We should head back," you started abruptly, as if you'd been practicing this line over and over again. "It's getting late,"

Then it was quiet all over again. Azul turned to the dark sky, then to the palace's outline, then to you who was closely beside him.

You were like a trap, dangerous and alluring. You had a way of stealing the spotlight, and every trivial act you did was a stern promise of hope. Somehow, time passed quicker when he's with you, and his worries seemed to retreat into their caves in the meanwhile.

And it's dangerous, for he was so spellbound by you that by the time he'd come to realization, a day had already passed.

#twisted wonderland #azul ashengrotto x reader #twst #twst x reader #sie writes

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hopelikethemoon · 4 years

Text

sunflowers (Javier x Reader) {MTMF} [Smut]

Title: sunflowers Rating: Explicit Length: 3600 Warnings: Smut (pregnancy sex, fingering, cuninglus, they’re so raunchy) Notes: You can find the Maybe Today, Maybe Forever Timeline here. Set in Februrary 1997. Here is a link to the house that’s described and the dress she’s wearing. Full disclosure this is not one of my favorite chapters, but YOLO. This is 100% Javier being turned on by the dress she’s wearing. Summary: Javier enjoys the dress Reader chooses to wear.

Taglist: @grapemama @seawhisperer @huliabitch @pedropascalito @rogrsnbarnes @thewallpapergoesorido @twomoonstwosuns @gooddaykate @livasaurasrex @ham4arrow @hiscyarika @plexflexico @readsalot73 @hdlynn @lokiaddicted @randomness501 @fioccodineveautunnale @roxypeanut @just-add-butter @snivellusim @amarvelousmandalorian @lukesrighthand @historynerd04 @mrsparknuts @synystersilenceinblacknwhite @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @exrebelshocktrooper @awesomefandomsunited @ah-callie @swhiskeys @lady-tano

“I can’t wait until we have our own backyard.” You mused as you joined Javier on the porch swing. You had always coveted the Murphy’s backyard, which was ironic considering you had only ever pictured yourself living in an apartment.

The idea of a house — a real home had never crossed your thoughts.

You grinned at Javier as you stole the sunglasses off his face, lifting the hem of your sundress to clean them off. You turned to meet his gaze as you pushed them up the bridge of your nose. Sure, you could get your own sunglasses… but where was the fun in that?

Javier slid his arm around your waist, pulling you into his side. “Hopefully those assholes don’t outbid us again.” He sighed, curling his hand around your hip and giving it a squeeze.

“Maybe we should let them know who they’re bidding against.” You quipped as you rested your head against his shoulder, watching Josie as she played with Olive and Emily across the yard. They seemed to be in hot pursuit of an iguana or some other Florida-fauna. Steve was keeping a close eye on them.

You closed your eyes as you tilted your face upwards, enjoying the warmth of the sun on your skin. “I’m glad the weather held out today. There’s definitely something to be said about seventy degree days in February.”

“So am I.” Javier reached across to rest his hand on your stomach, his fingers sprawling out over the curve. “I like this dress.”

“Of course you do,” You rolled your eyes and swatted at his leg playfully.

It was one of your favorite sundresses. You had worn it frequently last summer, but it definitely wasn’t made to be a maternity dress. The hem fell just below your mid-thigh, shorter now that your stomach had claimed extra fabric. And the sunflower pattern was stretched out where the soft fabric clung to your rounded belly.

You despised the frumpy clothes that all the stores thought pregnant women wanted to wear. When you already feel like you’re becoming a beached whale, why would you want to wear a potato sack?

This dress was cute… and your boobs looked amazing in it. Which was an added perk to the outfit.

“What?” Javier feigned innocence as he tilted his head to look at you.

“Nothing. Nothing.” You laughed and shook your head. You knew exactly where his mind had gone, given the way he was gripping at your hip. “I’m going to go see if Connie needs any help in the kitchen.” You told him as you pressed a quick kiss to the underside of his jaw.

“Hey,” Javier grabbed your hand as you started to get up, “I’ll come too, baby.”

You interlaced your fingers with his, squeezing lightly as you headed through the glass sliding that led into the Murphy’s kitchen.

You and Javier had always been very physical people. You had never shied away from touching him, even years ago when you were both just friends. But today, you were certain he was being extra touchy. It had started at the condo — he’d held you from behind while you brushed your teeth in the bathroom, followed by his hand on your knee for the duration of the drive over to their house. And now you were certain he hadn’t taken his hands off of you since you arrived.

“Something smells good,” You remarked as you released his hand and moved towards the stove to look at what Connie was making. You pulled Javi’s sunglasses off and tucked them into the front of your dress.

“I’m trying out this new recipe for stovetop enchiladas.” Connie explained, gesturing to the cast iron skillet on the stove. “One of the nurses on the floor gave me the recipe. I’m not sold on it yet.” She smiled at you, “How are you handling spicy food?”

You shrugged a shoulder, “Surprisingly it’s not as much of a trigger as it was with Josie.” You glanced back at Javier, who had his arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the kitchen counters. And his eyes were very much on your ass.

Oh.

“Javi,” You started with a too-sweet voice, smirking when he met your gaze. He knew you caught him staring. “What do you think of this?” You gestured for him to come closer.

He pushed off the counter and walked towards the stove, hands on his hips. “Hmm.” Javier clicked his tongue against his teeth and shook his head as he looked at the skillet. “I wouldn’t call these enchiladas.” He offered Connie a sympathetic smile. “But it smells good.”

Connie sighed, “Let’s just hope it tastes good too.” She laughed a little as she moved towards the other side of the kitchen to finish working on the bowl of guacamole.

Javier’s hand moved to rest at the small of your back briefly, smoothing his fingers over your back for he trailed them lower. You bit your lip when he gave your ass a light squeeze. “Hopefully we get the new place.” He remarked, looking towards Connie as his hand lingered on your ass. “We’re looking forward to entertaining.”

“Everyone except Tracy and Jeff.” You added with a laugh. “There’s so much room. I don’t think I’ve ever lived anywhere with that much square footage.”

He nodded in agreement, “I think pop’s ranch is the only place I’ve been that compares.” Javier walker back towards the counter he’d been holding up before, staring across the kitchen at you.

“I mean I love the condo, but…” You made a face. “I can’t imagine the four of us living in it comfortably.” Your hand went to your stomach. “Plus Josie deserves her own room.”

“And the master walks out to the patio.”

“It also has a massive bathroom.” You pointed out. “That tub would change my life. I haven’t had a bathtub since my first place out of college.”

Connie shot you a look, “You’re making me jealous! I can’t wait to see it when you have a housewarming party. Because you’re getting it.”

“Don’t be too jealous.” Javier rubbed at the back of his neck, “It doesn’t have nearly half the backyard you and Steve have.”

“We traded indoor space for outdoor space.” Connie said as she grabbed something from the fridge. “Luckily the girls don’t mind sharing a room.”

“If ours decide they want to sleep together, then we’ll have a guest room.” You remarked as you walked over to where Javier was. “There’s plenty of space.”

Javier shifted closer to you, draping his around your shoulders. “It’ll be nice to have something that’s fully ours. I’ve never bought a house before.”

“It’s surreal.” You leaned into him, sighing softly. “Hopefully the owners don’t make us wait much longer. I’d like to be able to move in before I look like a beach ball.”

“You look beautiful,” Javier whispered as he pressed a kiss to the spot just beneath your ear. The way that his breath danced over your skin had goosebumps forming.

If this was how he was going to handle things two could certainly play that game.

You bit down on your bottom lip, tilting your head to look up at him. “You’re sweet, Javi.” You said slowly, tracing your fingertips over the patch of skin where his shirt was unbuttoned. “Go see if Steve needs help with the girls.”

His lips parted, “But—”

You cut him off with a kiss.

Connie had her back turned towards you both as she tended to the skillet on the stove. And you were just bold enough, thanks to him, to slip your hand a little lower. You lightly grazed your fingers over the slight bulge in his jeans.

“Later.” You promised, grinning up at him as you pulled away. “Hey Con, do you need any help?”

“Could you get the cheese out?” She requested. “Do you think it would be best to put it in a bowl? That way everyone can choose how much they want.”

“That sounds like a plan.” You answered as you headed for the fridge.

Javier hadn’t budged from the spot you had left him in and you were fully aware of the fact that he was watching you.

You bent over to get the bad of shredded cheese out of the bottom drawer, knowing that your skirt had risen up the backs of your thighs.

The glass door slid shut harshly as Javier ducked out of the kitchen quickly.

———

“What are you doing?” You questioned as you stepped out of the bathroom and found Javier lingering in the hallway.

“I was waiting for you.” Javier answered before he closed the short distance between the two of you. He pressed you back against the wall.

You pushed your fingers through his hair, looking up at him as your heart hammered in your chest. “You’re full of yourself today.”

“Baby, you’ve been driving me crazy all day.” He dragged his hands over your hips. Javier leaned in and kissed you and you melted from the intensity of it.

Your fingers curled around the back of his neck, nipping lightly at his bottom lip as you pulled back. “We can’t do this here, Javi.” You breathed, brushing your nose against his.

“They’re teaching the girls badminton,” Javier whispered, kissing you again. “They’re busy.” He ran his hand along your side. “You’ve been driving me crazy all day, baby.”

“Javier.” You warned softly, even as you dragged your fingers through his hair. “What has gotten into you?”

“That dress is really doing it for me.” Javier told you, sighing heavily as he took a step backwards heeding your warning.

“I wore it all of last summer.” You grinned at him, cocking your head to the side. “What changed?”

He pointed looked downwards at your stomach and you couldn’t help but laugh. “What?”

“You’re such a man.” Your hands went to your hips as you shook your head at him. “You wouldn’t be this horny if I had on one of those hideous maternity dresses.”

He clicked his tongue against his teeth. “You could be dressed in one of those potato sacks and I’d still want you, baby. You look… gorgeous.”

You smiled warmly at him, taking a step towards him. You brushed your fingers over the column of his throat as you leaned up to kiss him again. “You’re such a jackass.” You muttered against his lips as you tilted your head to deepen the kiss.

Javier’s hands trailed from your waist to your hips as he pressed you up against the wall again. His tongue swept out over your lips as they parted, seeking entrance. His hand slid lower, rough fingers dragging over the smooth skin of your upper thigh, just beneath the hem of your dress.

The sound of the glass door in the kitchen sliding closed jerked you out of the moment. You pushed at his chest gently, slipping out from between him and the wall. While neither Connie nor Steve would be surprised by the two of you making out — you really didn’t want to be that person. As tempting as it was.

You quietly retreated back into the bathroom, pulling the door shut as quietly as possible. You turned the sink on, staring at your reflection in the mirror. Your cheeks were flushed with desire he’d started to stoke within you.

You couldn’t blame him… you did look hot in the dress.

“What are you doing Javi?” Steve questioned from the other side of the door. You bit your lip to keep from laughing.

“Waiting for her.” Javier answered. “Morning sickness.”

You coughed quietly, before shutting the water off. “It wasn’t the enchiladas!” You called out through the door. “Don’t worry Connie about it.”

“I learned a long time ago not to comment on the cooking,” Steve retorted with a laugh. “I hope you feel better. I just came in to get some water.”

You pulled the door open a crack, “Hey Javi, do you mind coming in here?”

“Sure thing, baby.” Javier stepped inside and smirked once the door closed behind him.

“Don’t get any ideas.” You warned him, even as your eyes swept over the length of him. It wasn’t fair how easily he could get you wound up. “We’re not doing this here.” Your hands went to your hips, staring him down. “But you are going to take me home. Sooner, rather than later.”

Javier reached out and traced his fingertips over your cheekbone as he leaned in to kiss you. “You’ve given us the perfect excuse to leave early.”

You grinned up at him. “I think fast on my feet.”

“One of the many reasons I love you.” Javier pulled you close and kissed you softly.

“God, you’re such a fucking sap.” You let your arms drape over his shoulders, your fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. “You’re lucky I like this sappy shit most of the time.” You brushed your nose against his, “Take me home, Javi.”

“All I can think about is ripping this dress off of you.”

———

“Is it just the dress that flipped your switch?” You questioned as Javier pulled into the parking spot behind the condo building.

Javier’s tongue darted out over his bottom lip as he tilted his head to look at you out of the corner of his eyes. “It’s just… you. The dress is just the icing on the cake.”

Your cheeks burned hotly as you unbuckled your seatbelt. “Well we don’t have to pick Josie up until eleven tomorrow so…” You looked over the roof of the car at Javier. “I’m tempted to tell you to do your worst.”

“I already planned to.”

“You did attempt to fuck me at the Murphy’s… why am I surprised?” You rolled your eyes, resting your hand on your stomach as you walked around the car to join Javier.

“We had the bathroom to ourselves.”

You shot him a look, “What is it with us and bathrooms?”

He shrugged a shoulder, slipping his hand into yours. “I dunno, baby. But all I’m thinking about right now is getting you into bed.”

Your breath caught in your throat at the specific tone he took. You had once jokingly called it a ‘panty dropper voice’ and… you weren’t mistaken.

It was a sheer miracle that you both managed to get into the condo and back to the bedroom with most of your clothing still on.

Javier was good at making you feel worshipped. He had been the same way when you were pregnant with Josie — the reverent ways that he would stroke your belly, the way he’d kiss you like you were everything.

He always seemed to know exactly when you weren’t feeling particularly confident about your body. For the man he used to be, he was remarkably skilled at being tender.

“This is what set you off, isn’t it?” You questioned as you laid back on the bed and stroked a hand over your still-covered stomach. “What? Does it appeal to your caveman sensibilities?”

Javier climbed onto the bed, carefully situating himself above you so he wasn’t putting pressure on your stomach. “That’s only part of it.” He smirked, sliding his hand over the soft cotton that rested against your stomach. “You’re so fucking gorgeous, baby.”

You bit down on your bottom lip as you looked up at him. You reached up and curled your hand around the back of his neck. “You make me feel gorgeous.”

Javier leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to your lips, before he trailed a line of kisses down your throat, his tongue sweeping out over your skin.

He moved lower, kissing along your collarbone before he sat back and started to peel your dress up your hips. “You’ve got to wear this again, baby.”

“Trust me. I will.” You laughed softly as you sat up and pulled it off over your head.

Javier climbed off the bed, fumbling with his belt buckle, before he worked his jeans off, followed by his shirt.

He rejoined you on the bed, laying down beside you. “C’mere.” Javier rasped out, his fingers curling around your thigh as he pulled you close. He pressed a kiss to your cheek, his nose brushing against you as his hand slipped between your thighs. “Relax, baby.”

You leaned against him, half fitted into his side as you let your legs fall open for him. He had his other arm curled around you, his palm resting against the curve of your stomach.

You drew in a shaky breath as he brushed his fingers over you through your underwear. He groaned as he discovered just how slick you were. The heated looks he’d been giving you all day had you aching for him.

“Is that all for me?” Javier questioned and you turned your head to kiss him, rather than answer. He drew a tight circle around that little bundle of nerves, making you moan against his mouth.

Your hand trailed down his bare chest, nails gently scraping before you followed the path of hair that led beneath his boxers. You pulled back from the kiss, eyes on his face as you ghosted your hand over the outline of his cock, “Is that for me?” You mimicked his tone.

Javier smirked at you, “What do you think?”

Your lashes fluttered as he slid his fingers under your underwear, working them through your sensitive folds. “I think you better not tease me.”

He hooked his fingers in the waistband of your underwear and tore them down your hips. You wiggled to get them off, kicking the fabric down the bed. “I hate to disappoint you, baby. But I plan to take my time with you.”

Your lips parted with a breathy moan as he gave your cunt a swift swat. “Bastard.” You hissed out.

“And you love it.” Javier retorted, pressing two fingers into you and hooking them just right. “Are you going to be a good girl for me, baby?”

Your heart skipped a beat. You should’ve never told him how much you enjoyed it. “Javi, please.”

“Please what?”

You swallowed thickly and tilted your head to look at him. “Don’t stop.”

He drew his hand away from your stomach, fingers playing with your hair. “I won’t.” Javier promised you, his fingers slowly moving in and out of you. He pressed his lips against your temple as his thumb circled your clit.

Your hips rocked upwards, your heels digging into the mattress as you reacted to his touch. “Fuck.. fuck.” He hissed out through clenched teeth. You reached down and rested your hand against his cock through his boxers, stroking him slowly. “I’m so close Javi,” You told him, tilting your head lazily to look up at him through your lashes. “Don’t stop.”

And the bastard stopped abruptly.

You keened, hips rocking upwards — chasing after his touch. “Javier.” You snapped, fingers tightening on around his cock. “I told you not to tease me.”

Javier dragged your hand away from his cock, fingers curling around your wrist as he met your gaze with a wry smirk. “I have plans, baby. Don’t worry.” He released his hold on your wrist, reaching up the bed to grab a pillow. He lifted you up and placed the pillow beneath your head, dipping down to kiss you.

You relaxed back against the pillow and watched Javi as he started moving downwards. Your fingers played through his hair as he peppered your skin with kisses, a soft moan rising up in your throat as he ran his hands along your waist in his downwards pursuit. He settled between your thighs.

“Goddamn,” Javier clicked his tongue against his teeth. “Do you have any idea how fucking hot you look like this?” He questioned, running his hands along your inner thighs. “You’re a mess.”

You lifted your hips up off the bed, rolling them towards him. “I wonder why.” You shot back, glaring down at him, but it was hard to keep a straight face when he leaned forward and swept his tongue over you.

This time, Javier didn’t tease.

———

“It’s surreal to think that this time next month we might be in our new bedroom.” You mused as you intertwined your fingers with Javier’s, your cheek pressed against his bare chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

“I know.” He chuckled, squeezing your shoulder, before he ran his hand down your arm and rested it against your stomach. “I’m the fucking luckiest man in the world.”

You laughed, “I’ve heard that a time or two.”

“Because it’s true.” He kissed your shoulder. “I did a lot of shit in Colombia that I’m not proud of, baby. And I feel like I shouldn’t get all this good shit because of it.”

“Didn’t we all do things we regret?” You questioned, tilting your head to look at him as you squeezed his hand. “But if we hadn’t, we wouldn’t have Josie or Sofía.”

“I know.” You watched his Adam’s apple bob in his throat.

“You’re allowed to be happy, Javi.” You brushed your fingers over the column of his throat.

Javier pulled you in close. “I am happy, baby.” He pressed his lips to your temple. “I’m so fucking happy. And sometimes it doesn’t feel real. How good I’ve got it with you.”

“It is.” You promised him, “And I’ll keep telling you how much you deserve all of this if you go make me a grilled cheese and bring me a bowl of ice cream.”

Javier gave your hip a squeeze, “Anything you want, baby.”

#javier pena #javier pena x reader #pedro pascal x reader

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ralphspina · 4 years

Text

The Sound of Your Voice, The Sound of Your Laugh

The sound of Roe’s voice is something Luz simply can’t get enough of.

Taglist: @gottapenny @itisjustmethistime @indigosandviolets

-------

George Luz collects impressions the way others might collect rocks or coins or stamps. His imitations include everyone from his first grade teacher to the clerk at the corner store back home to the likes of Major Horton. He takes a certain pride in his peculiar collection - the sheer span of accents, dialects, and speaking quirks is downright impressive (or so he likes to think). And after only a few months at Toccoa he has damn near his whole company down pat., There’s a few voices he’s not interested in learning - they’re either too plain or too similar to ones he’s already picked up. There is, however, one voice that he’s dying to collect like an auditory version of those butterflies pinned in frames. And it’s slowly driving Luz up the wall that he hasn't yet captured this particular butterfly-

Eugene Roe.

The man just doesn’t talk enough. Luz can count on one hand the amount of times Roe’s talked to him. Hardly enough for Luz to perfect any sort of impression but more than enough for the Cajun accent to capture his full attention. Roe’s voice isn’t anything like Luz has heard before. There’s nothing like it in Luz’s repertoire of stolen voices and Luz can feel a growing desperation to add the warm Cajun lilt to his hoard.

And then there comes the day he manages to get a laugh out of Roe after an offhand comment during one of their night marches and the desperation grows. It wasn’t a chuckle or one of those breathy huffs of amusement, but a real, honest to god, laugh - a laugh that spreads a sunshine warmth through Luz’s body. And, oh, now there’s a laugh he’d love to stash away in his memory forever, replaying it whenever he needed to feel that particular warm glow again - if only he could hear it once more so that he could properly engrave it in his mind.

Over the following weeks, Luz, being both desperate and determined, does what he can to insert himself into Roe’s life. Using his abundance of charm, Luz gets himself assigned to the same duties around camp as Roe. Luz also makes sure to plant himself next to Roe on marches and runs. When meal times roll around, Luz makes sure to grab a spot at the same table as Roe. Slowly but surely Luz becomes a front and center daily fixture in Roe’s life.

But even with his constant presence, it still takes a surprising amount of time for Roe to open up to him. Roe isn’t shy, just slow to let himself get attached, and Luz approaches it as a challenge. That makes two challenges now - impersonating Roe’s voice and getting him to open up - and, well, Luz does enjoy a challenge (or two).

It’s been over a month now and still Luz has no grasp on that unique Cajun accent. He’s had more conversations with the man than probably anyone else on base and yet no dice. Every time he tries his ever-evolving Roe impression out in front of Perconte or Skip or one of his other friends, it elicits nothing but laughs but not for the reasons he wants.

As time passes, the laughs slowly change over to moans and eye rolls - being bombarded almost daily by less than stellar attempts at a Cajun accent can get tiring, even if they love Luz dearly.

Luz and Perconte are making their way back to their barracks one afternoon, Luz complaining yet again about his inability to capture the particular smoothness of Roe’s voice, when Perconte interrupts with an annoyed sigh and a mumbled “Jesus Christ.”

“The hell’s your problem?”

“You think maybe you can’t get his voice down ‘cause you don’t wanna?”

“What?”

“I’m just sayin’, maybe you don’t really wanna get his voice right ‘cause then you ain’t got an excuse to talk to him all the damn time.”

“What? No. That’s not... no. I just…”

Suddenly his own voice, and every single voice he had ever collected, fails him and he’s left with no words.

The next day Luz stares hard at Roe during breakfast. He doesn’t mean to stare like he does but his mind is working overtime, chewing its way around what Perconte said the day before. Because maybe Perconte was right. Maybe what Luz is doing has to do with more than just trying to perfect yet another impression. More than just adding to his already expansive collection. Maybe there really was more to this than the way he enjoys how a certain Cajun accent rings in his ears and curls its way along his spine...

Over the course of the rest of the day, Luz begins to slowly realize just how often Roe crowds his thoughts. He seems to occupy a spot in Luz’s mind almost constantly, maybe not always at the forefront but always there, hovering in the background. He also catches how often his eyes wander to where Roe is, as if they have a mind of their own and know what they like to look at. And the fact that almost every time Luz’s eyes glance over at Roe only to find Roe is looking right back? Oh, that certainly catches Luz’s attention too. It has already happened a handful of times that day when Luz and Roe lock eyes as they step up to the obstacle course, only inches away from each other this time. Luz can feel an odd sensation in his stomach, as if the entire thing flipped over and got itself all tangled up. The thought that perhaps he shouldn’t have eaten that mystery meat at lunch today crosses Luz’s mind.

(The mystery meat has nothing to do with the feeling in his stomach. Even if Luz doesn't acknowledge it at that moment.)

The following morning, as Luz is quietly marveling at the way the word Louisiana sounded as it left Roe’s mouth during a story about home earlier, he’s startled by Roe’s sudden grip on his arm.

“You alright, George?”

George. Roe used his first name - the thought makes him feel something he can’t quite put his finger on.

Blinking up at Roe, George stumbles over his response, “Yeah, yeah I’m alright. I’m… I zoned out a second I guess.” Luz smiles as brightly as he can, a little too aware of just how much of his mind had just been dedicated to simply thinking about the way Roe says Louisiana. He can feel his cheeks warm at the thought.

“Alright, then.” Roe smiles back, nodding, and although he says nothing further there’s a hesitation before he finally lets go of Luz’s arm and turns back to stacking crates.

Luz goes back to stacking crates as well, his arm still warm from where Roe’s hand had just been.

It’s a Tuesday when it happens. Luz finds it a bit funny that something so significant would happen on a Tuesday of all days and yet…

Roe heads to a quiet spot under a tree to get some field medicine studying done. Luz follows along under the guise of needing a quiet place to get a nap in. As they settle into their respective spots under the tree, Roe gets right to studying while Luz picks up a stick and starts poking at some monstrous bug. A few moments pass in peace before the bug decides he’s had enough of being poked at and flies off, making a quick detour to fly straight into Luz’s face before going on his way. In a panic, Luz slams the side of his head against the tree as he tries to veer out of the bug’s path.

“Ow! Fuck!” Luz rubs the side of his head, wincing.

Roe reaches out and gently rubs the side of Luz’s head, his lips twitching up involuntarily in amusement.

“Big mean bug almost get you, George?”

In faux seriousness Luz responds, “It was a close call, Gene. Could have gotten taken out before I even got my jump wings.”

“Hmmm, that would have been a shame. Hate to celebrate gettin’ our wings without you.” Roe leans over and presses a soft kiss to the side of Luz’s head. Luz can hardly hide the surprise on his face at the gesture and it seems neither can Roe - the look on his face as he sits back makes it clear that he surprised himself with the action as well.

They stare at each other in silence, shocked and unsure of what to do or say. The building tension drives Luz to do the one thing his suddenly overloaded mind can scramble to come up with - kiss Roe. The kiss is a bit rough and quick, over in seconds, but the mere press of their lips together is enough to leave both their hearts racing wildly in their chests.

“Oh.” Roe looks almost… awed at the unexpected contact of Luz’s lips against his own.

“Yeah,” a smile slowly spreads across Luz’s face, “Oh.”

The days melt into each other - each one filled with running, barely edible Army food, Sobel’s screaming, marching, and more marching. Roe and Luz steal time whenever and wherever they can, which doesn’t amount to much in Army training, especially Army training under Sobel. But the time they can spend together is spent with a new closeness, with talking, with laughter, and with plenty of (hurried) kisses too.

They’re cleaning the barracks one hot and sunny afternoon, just the two of them, when the previously chaste kisses become something more. In the blink of an eye, Luz is pinned between a wall and Roe’s warm body. Their kisses are hungry and impatient, speaking volumes in and of themselves. Luz’s hands are curled into the front of Roe’s shirt, holding him close as Roe’s hands slip beneath the hem of Luz’s shirt, fingers running curiously over the skin he finds there.

Their intimate moment is interrupted by the grating sound of Sobel’s voice, complaining to an unknown second party, as he walks by the barracks. The kissing stops immediately but the two men freeze in place like deer caught in headlights as they listen to Sobel pass by. As soon as Sobel’s voice fades in the distance, Luz grins up at Roe and in his best Sobel impression says, “Is this what you call cleaning, gentlemen?! Because what I see is not Army standard cleaning!”

Roe collapses against Luz in a fit of laughter, face buried in the crook of Luz’s neck. The sound of his laughter reverberates through Luz’s body, spreading an indescribable joy deep into his bones.

Roe’s laughter is his favorite sound of all.

It’s during one of their many, many runs up Currahee just a few days later, that they manage to attract the ire of Sobel. Sobel is already turning red in the face, yelling at the company non-stop, when Roe and Luz make the mistake of sharing an inside joke that gets them both laughing. As punishment for their merriment, their weekend passes are revoked and they’re assigned the task of spending their Saturday inventorying and reorganizing the stuffy, overcrowded supply shed behind the barracks.

(It’s hardly a punishment.)

Saturday rolls around, dawning clear and bright, and finding Roe and Luz, alone and unsupervised in a dusty supply shed, an entire day stretching before them.

The aloneness is a rare opportunity and it’s quite clear that neither wants to waste it. They are almost immediately glued together, moving as one, towards the back of the supply shed. Luz is so enraptured by the way Roe’s body fits against his own and the taste of Roe in his mouth, he hardly even notices when they go from vertical to horizontal. It’s not until the sharp corner of a metal buckle digs into his back does his mind start processing semi-coherent thoughts again.

Roe is here. On top of him. Kissing him. While they lay on a bed of reserve chutes.

Luz pulls Roe closer, fingers curling into the hair at the back of Roe’s head as he slams their mouths together greedily. More is all he can think now - more, more, more. He hooks his legs around Roe’s as he tightens his grip in Roe’s hair. The move elicits a soft moaning sound from the back of Roe’s throat. The sound sends a shock wave of pleasure through Luz’s body. It’s a sound he knows he'll never replicate on his own (it’s too innately Gene, much like his voice) so he settles for doing whatever he can to drag that sound out of Roe again, just so he can hear it again and again and again.

Within the space of a few breaths, Luz is already discovering a myriad of new Roe sounds and all the ways he can move his hands and mouth to induce even more. It’s a game, a challenge - What will Roe sound like when I move my hand here? When I kiss him there?

Luz is making his own sounds too, although he hardly notices because he’s far too absorbed in the quiet sounds Gene is making. Only when Gene whispers, “shhh, gotta keep it down” does Luz make an effort to swallow back his own moans and exclamations.

When they do finally break apart, Roe’s face hovers inches above his own and suddenly Luz isn’t sure his heart is working right anymore. Some distant part of his brain wonders if maybe he should see a doctor because he can feel his heart both completely stop beating and yet beat far too fast all at once.

“I can’t do your voice,” Luz is slightly horrified that he blurts the statement out, seemingly out of nowhere. He doesn’t know why he says it or what he was thinking - or perhaps that’s the problem, he isn’t thinking at all right now - there’s far too much Roe, far too close, for proper brain function.

“What?” Roe looks utterly confused at the sudden confession.

“I, uh, I can’t mimic your voice. Can do everyone else’s but not yours. I’ve been practicing too, since we met. Don’t know what’s taking me so long.” That last bit is a lie and Luz knows it - he knows damn well why it’s taking so long and has known the reason quite clearly since Perconte pointed it out, even if he didn’t want to admit to himself at first. ”But you might be stuck with me until I get your voice right.”

“An’ how long will that take?” Roe presses a kiss to Luz’s temple. “Weeks?”

“Definitely.”

Roe presses another kiss to Luz’s cheek, “Months?”

“Maybe.”

“Hmm,” this time there’s a kiss to the corner of Luz’s jaw, “years?” The word is mumbled against Luz’s skin, sending spikes of goosebumps down his body in an electric wave.

“Possibly.” Luz barely gets the word out, hardly recognizes his own voice in the whisper quiet way it slips out.

“An’ the more I talk, the faster you’ll pick it up?”

Luz has to clear his throat before he can respond. “Yeah. Need to hear it to learn it,” Luz, face flushed, grins up at Roe, “Guess you’ll have to tell me all those old Cajun stories after all.”

“Mmm.”

“Like that one about the louie garoos. Lou garooies? Shit. What’re they called again?”

Roe makes an amused sound at the back of his throat but doesn’t respond.

“Gene?”

“Mmhmm?”

Luz’s eyes meet Roe’s and he can see the mischief that fills them - it’s a playfulness that extends down to the smirk forming on Roe’s face.

“Oh, so no more talking then?”

“Mmm-mm.”

The delight that explodes through Luz’s chest makes its way out in a sudden fit of laughter. Luz manages to gather himself quickly and cups Roe’s face in his hands, pulling him down into a series of kisses, breaking them only long enough to get out a teasing “Well, I guess we’ll just have to do other things then.”

#happy birthday to me!#i was a dork and wrote myself something very self indulgent #band of brothers #eugene roe #LuzRoe #george luz #i wrote a thing

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afictionaladventure16 · 5 years

Note

Sebastian x daughter!reader, so he gets really busy with something and forgets her birthday and it ends up in argument between the two and he says something really mean to the reader? Then the two of them go to cevans for help and don't know the other is already there? i know it's angsty but that's what i live for

Did You Forget? (Sebastian Stan x Daughter!Reader)

Actors Masterlist

Sebastian Stan Masterlist

Warnings: mentions of an absent mother.

Word Count: 2,032

A/N: Thank you for being so patient! I hope this was angsty enough for you!! Love you!

“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry, I’ll be over in about thirty minutes,” Sebastian said into the phone as he rushed around the kitchen. You sat down at the kitchen table, watching him rush around like a chicken that got his head chopped off. Your heart felt heavy; the fact that he hasn’t said anything was eating you up. “Alright. See you later,” Sebastian said before hanging up his phone. “Make sure to clean your mess up before you leave for school, Y/N.” With that, your dad left the house. No ‘good morning.’ No ‘I love you,’ and most certainly no, ‘happy birthday.’

“Happy birthday, Y/N,” you softly said to yourself. “Oh! Thanks, dad! I almost thought you had forgotten about me!” You replied to yourself. “Because you would never forget your daughter… right?” Tears brimmed your eyes at your little scenario. You never thought your father would be so busy that he would forget his only child’s birthday. You were the apple of his eye.

But with everything, you carried on with your day. You went to school and then came home to an empty house. You heard your phone ring, quickly answering it. “Hello?”

“Happy birthday!” Chris said with glee. “How old are you now? 100? 200?”

You chuckled. “Chill, I’m not as old as you, Chris.”

“Ouch!” Chris laughed before clearing his throat. “Your dad wanted me to tell you that he’s going to be home late.”

“Oh?” You questioned.

“Yeah, they’re holding him, hostage,” Chris joked. You hummed in response but Chris quickly took notice of your tone. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” you said softly.

Chris knew not to press it any further; it’s the way you were. If you wanted to talk about something, you would. “Alright, well, you call me if you need anything, okay?”

“Yeah.” You ended the call. Tossing your phone onto the couch before sitting down. You wondered if you even mattered to your dad at times. If he even cared about you. Of course, he did, right? He raised you. He took care of you all on his own. So, how could he forget your birthday? He already knew how hard it was to celebrate a birthday without a mother and now here you were, basically celebrating it without a father.

A few hours went by before your dad had finally arrived. It was nearly eight o’clock at night.

“Nice of you to finally show up,” you mumbled as you got off the couch.

Sebastian groaned. His head had been hurting all day and all he wanted to do was go straight to bed and forget today ever happened. “Not now, Y/N,” he said as he made his way towards the stairs.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” you called out.

Sebastian stopped in his tracks and looked over at you, giving you a confused look. “No.”

“Unbelievable.” You rolled your eyes as you walked over to your dad. “Nothing about today rings a bell? Maybe the day that changed your life forever?”

Sebastian’s expression quickly changed as it dawned on him the date of today. “Fuck!”

“Thanks a lot, dad,” you said as you moved past him.

“Hey! I’m sorry I forgot but it’s hard when I’m working these ridiculous hours while also being a single father!”

“And it’s hard to celebrate a birthday without a mom or a dad!” You yelled. “Sometimes, I even wish she would’ve taken me with her! Maybe then I wouldn’t have been such a burden to you!”

“Maybe,” Sebastian mumbled.

You narrowed your eyes at him. Sebastian instantly regretted what he said, “Y/N, I di-”

“Save it!” You hissed as you brushed past him towards the door.

“Y/N, where are you going!?” Sebastian panicked as he saw you heading towards the door.

“Far away from you!” You yelled as you walked out of the house and ran down the street.

“Y/N!” Sebastian called out. He ran out the door. He saw you in the distance, running down the street. “Shit.”

The streets of New York were no friend when it came to trying to just have some time to yourself. You groaned in irritation as another passerby bumped into your shoulder without saying sorry. The sound of roaring thunder pierced through your eyes. Not even a second later, you felt the droplets of rain on your skin. You rolled your eyes. “Just great,” you commented. Before making your way to the familiar hotel that Chris was staying at. If there was someone you knew you could trust, it was Chris.

You made your way into the hotel and towards Chris’ room. Softly knocking on the door, Chris opened it seconds later, surprised to see you. “Y/N? Come in! You must be freezing!” He said as he noticed your outfit slightly damp from the rain.

You walked into the hotel room; Chris closed the door behind you and sprinted to the bathroom. You sat down on the bed before Chris came back into the room with a fresh towel. “Here,” he said softly. He wrapped the towel around your shaking body. “Where’s your dad?”

You rolled your eyes once again, shrugging in response. “Probably forgetting my birthday somewhere.”

Chris gave you a confused expression before sitting down on the bed beside you. “Care to explain?”

You sighed, feeling the tears well up in your eyes. “He forgot my birthday, Chris,” you choked out, “and we argued and I was angry and I said some things about maybe if my mom had taken me I wouldn’t have been such a burden and he agreed with me!” You sobbed out.

Chris sighed, knowing damn well that Sebastian fucked up, but he couldn’t point the finger at him right away. Chris knew how much Sebastian loved his daughter and how he would do anything for her. There had to be a reason why Sebastian said what he said.

“You know he doesn’t mean it,” Chris reassured.

“Yes, he does! He’s been ignoring me for weeks! It’s like I don’t exist to him anymore!”

Chris pulled you in for an embrace, kissing the top of your head in a platonic way. “That’s not true, Y/N. Your dad loves you so much. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to him.”

“Then why would he say that?”

Chris shrugged. “I don’t know, sweetie, but I’m going to find out.”

Sebastian frantically called your phone, but the sound of the ringtone of your phone coming from the couch caused him to panic even more. You didn’t have your phone, and he had no way of contacting you.

“Fuck!” He expressed. Grabbing your phone from the couch, he made his way towards the door, and the sound of the thunder caught his attention. He grabbed his jacket and then yours, knowing very well that you were going to need it.

Sebastian drove around the block, hoping that you were still around. He cursed to himself, “I had to sign her up for track,” he mumbled to himself. Commenting on the fact that you were a fast runner. Sebastian took his phone out of his pocket and quickly dialed Chris’ number.

“Seb,” Chris didn’t take long to answer.

“Chris, man, I fucked up,” Sebastian began to say. “Y/N, she ran away and I can’t find her,” Sebastian began to choke up, tears welled up in his eyes as he leaned his head against the headrest. “I can’t lose her, Chris. I can’t. I… I need help finding her.” Chris couldn’t help but chuckle. “This isn’t funny, Chris!”

“I’m sorry, man, I didn’t mean to laugh.” Chris cleared his throat. “She’s right here with me, Seb. I was gonna call you once she calmed down.”

“Oh thank god!” Sebastian expressed. “Is she okay?”

Chris looked at your sleeping form before walking out of the room and into the hotel hallway. “She’s hurt emotionally.” Chris let out a soft sigh. “You fucked up, dude.”

“I know.”

“She’s asleep right now, but I’ll make sure she stays here until you get here.”

“Thank you, Chris.” Chris hummed in response. “And Chris?”

“Yeah?”

“What do I do?”

Chris let out another chuckle; he found it humorous that his friend was asking him for parenting advice. “You’re asking the wrong person, man.” Sebastian let out a heavy sigh, desperate for any advice at this point. “But if I were in your shoes, I would apologize.”

Sebastian let out a frustrated groan, “How the hell do I forget my only child’s birthday!? I was an only child, and my parents never forgot my birthday!”

“Well, you have been working long hours, I believe you need a break. After a while, it starts to mess with your head… You know this already. You’re not new to this crazy lifestyle.”

Of course, Sebastian knew that. He’d been an actor for quite a while but even then, with all his other projects and crazy hours, he has never forgotten your birthday. Maybe a break was needed, Sebastian has been jumping from one project to another for the past two years. He hasn’t had a well-needed break in quite a while. “A break sounds nice,” Sebastian commented.

“And I would also explain to her about the crazy hours you’ve been working.”

“You’re right,” Sebastian said.

“You got this, Seb.”

“Thank you, Chris. I appreciate it.” Chris smiled, even though Sebastian couldn’t see him. They both said “see you later” before ending the call.

It wasn’t long until Sebastian made it to the hotel, meeting Chris in the hallway. “She’s asleep,” Chris informed Seb.

“Thank you again,” Sebastian repeated before walking into the room. He looked at your sleeping form, letting out a relieved sigh. You were safe. A bit damp from the rain, but you were safe. Sebastian walked closer to you; he began to pick you up gently, but it startled you awake. “Shh, it’s just me,” Sebastian said calmly.

Tears quickly welled up in your eyes. You covered yourself with the blanket and faced the other direction. “Go away, I don’t want to talk to you.”

Sebastian sighed. “Fair enough,” he softly said. “You don’t have to talk, but can you at least listen?” You didn’t respond. Sebastian took that as ‘yes’ and continued. “I didn’t mean anything I said, sweetie, and I’m sorry I forgot your birthday. I really am. It’s just, with the crazy hours at work and the constant jumping from project to project, I haven’t had a decent break in a while and I guess it finally got to my head.” Sebastian let out a shaky sigh, the thought of the words he was going to say next, the thought of everything being different. It broke him. “I have never, ever, thought of you as a burden. Never. You know what I thought of you as?”

You turned your body so you were facing your father’s direction. He gave you a somber smile. He wiped away the tear on your cheek that had gone astray. “What?” You questioned.

“I thought of you as a blessing.” He pushed a strand of your hair behind your ear. “I don’t know what life would be like without you, and I am so sorry if I hurt you, baby girl. I’m still learning how to be an amazing dad to you. I’m going to make mistakes. There’s going to be arguments, but I promise you, you are not a burden. I love you so much.”

It felt like a dam broke within your eyes. You got up from your position on the bed and wrapped your arms around your dad. “I’m sorry I ran away.”

Sebastian held you tightly. “It’s okay,” he said softly. He placed a kiss on the top of your head. “I’m going to ask for a break from work. It might cause some setbacks, but I don’t care. You and I are in a dire need of some family time.”

“May I suggest a place?”

Sebastian chuckled, already knowing your answer. “Let me guess, Disneyworld?”

The door to the hotel room quickly opened, “I swear I wasn’t eavesdropping but did I hear Disneyworld?” Chris asked.

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yezielmoore · 4 years

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Prompt #12: Tooth and Nail

Put under cut because this has some vague 5.3 spoilers. Vague, as in the kind of spoilers someone who hasn’t played yet and doesnt bother to avoid them may know. (like me! lol)

Of all the things you were expecting as you made your way back from the Tower, precious cargo in hand, a slumber party was not one of those.

When you finally enter the Rising Stones, you're received by muted cheers, not because they aren’t ecstatic at the Scions revival, but exactly because of that, because the rejoining of mind and soul to body had been taxing and everyone is utterly drained. Tataru is also waiting for you and right next to her is Krile. Krile, who immediately zeroes on the body you're carrying on your back.

"Is he…" alive, she doesn't say, doubt and hesitation plain in her face, even though she should know better. She does know better. She can see and feel his aether after all, deeper and richer than before, but still the same hue it’s always been. But maybe that's why, the miqo'te on your back probably feels little like the young man she knew. Like the friend she thought lost forever.

He may not be lost, but he certainly isn’t the same man, and for all that Krile has known that all along, it’s a hard truth to reconcile when finally presented with undeniable proof.

“Tired,” you say.

Before the start of this journey, G'raha had explained his experience to you, what it had felt like to wake up 200 years in the future, how weak he had been despite the fact that his body was perfectly preserved; how tired he had been, as if 200 years of slumber had just been a two minutes’ catnap after a two days’ bender.

This time it wasn’t nearly as long, barely three years and change, but the feeling is much the same. Or so he had said, face pressed to the floor on Xande’s throne room, after his failed attempt at standing on his own two feet landed him there.

Krile hovers around you for a moment, uncharacteristically anxious and solemn. You don’t know her well enough to guess at her thoughts but you don’t think you imagine the relief in her gaze, the fondness in the slant of her mouth, the worry hidden underneath it all.

After a moment or two, she shakes herself and turns away in a direction you know by heart. “Come, the others are already resting.”

You follow behind her, despite the fact that the path towards the Scion’s temporary lodgings is burned in your memory. You say nothing, for if there’s a thing you have in common with her is your love for these people and you understand in a visceral way the urge to check and recheck that they’re alive and here and present.

That this is not a dream.

If the life you now carry on your back hadn’t been on the line, you would have never left their sides, not until they got tired of your hovering and sent you on your way.

You weren’t expecting the slumber party.

The beds had been stripped bare and pushed against the walls, and in the middle of the room, in a nest made of mattresses and every single piece of bedding in the room, was the cutest, most wholesome image you had ever seen in your life. occupying a place of honor in the middle were the twins, Alphinaud face up and Alisae half draped over him like the most belligerent and most protective blanket in all worlds. To one side, not quite touching but definitely turned towards the youngest members, was Urianger. Thancred was on the other side, arm extended over the twins and unconsciously reaching towards the one person not in touching distance. Finally, Y’shtola was drapped over Thancred’s back like a lazy cat, tail swishing contentedly.

She’s the only one that stirs at your entrance, opening a blind eye in your direction. She doesn’t speak, as that would only disturb the precarious balance. She hums and smirks in your direction and then closes her eye again, breath evening out.

Next to you, Krile huffs, part amusement, part exasperation. “We told all of them to rest,” she whispers, not really upset.

You hold back a snort. As if Y’shtola would ever do something just because she’s told it’s in her best interests.

You move forward and proceed to carefully disentangle G’raha dead weight from your back and onto a free spot close to Urianger. You don’t plan to stay, as you don’t need rest like they do used as you are to traversing the rift. But before you can get up, G’raha’s hand weakly tangles in yours, pining you as surely as if he had casted a spell on you.

“My… friend?” he asks, voice rough with sleep. You see him visibly struggle to wake up and you can almost see his thoughts running around in a panic because if you’re leaving then there’s a job to do, an enemy to fight or a friend to assist and he can help. He can help.

“Fine. I’m. Fine,” you say softly. He languidly blinks up red, red eyes up at you, adorably confused and so visibly exhausted you feel tired just looking at him. “Rest.”

“But…”

“I… stay,” you assure him, “rest.”

“...okay,” he mumbles and just like that he’s once again unconscious.

So that’s how you sit watch over your family that night.

G’raha never liberates your hand and at some point he moves and curls until his head rest on your knee, which you know must be uncomfortable as hell, but he seems more content that ever so you let him be. Instead you use your free hand to pick apart his braid and proceed to run your fingers through his hair, marveling at its softness as well as its rich red color, not a single white tip in sight. He curls closer to you at this, but doesn’t stir.

You look up and you feel the same marvel at the sight of your family, reunited in the correct world at last, finally out of (immediate) danger. Something tight and hot in your chest loosens its hold on your heart, until you can finally take the first full breath you have had since Thancred collapsed in front of you, so long ago. You’re here, you’re all here, safe and sound. Alive. It’s a marvelous thing, a miracle you sometimes didn’t feel you could pull off and then your failure would signify the deaths of this patchwork family you somehow managed to build.

It’d have killed you.

But you fought, and moved and ran and fought some more; with the Empire self-destructing and wreaking havoc on one side, the threat of Zenos looming on the other, and Elidibus doing his damned best to ruin it all. You fought tooth and nail through it all so that you could get this miracle, your friends and family at your back, as always lending you their wisdom and strength to continue, and you did it. You all did it.

You can hardly believe it, even with the evidence right in front of you. But it is true, and somehow you let yourself relax, you let yourself live in this moment where you’re all safe and reunited.

There’s more, much more to do, but for now, for tonight, you let yourself breathe, you let yourself just be.

Unseen, Krile smiles as the most bull-headed member of the group finally surrenders to her well-earned rest. She closes the door with utmost care and finally lets out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

“Sweet dreams,” she whispers to the empty hallway.

#FFxivWrite2020 #FFxivWrite #ffxiv #yeziel writes #my writing #x'lial ris #g'raha tia #the resct of the scions #fluff #vague spoilers

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aliceinanderson · 4 years

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two doors down - self para

who?: alice anderson & male oc (with a special appearance from lincoln clarington-smythe) where?: dan & nia’s wedding reception / mckinley choir room when?: saturday, november 7th / monday, november 9th about?: alice has a revelation of sorts while hiding in the bathroom at the wedding and decides to bring her new found confidence to the glee club just in time for dolly vs. taylor week. set to dolly parton’s two doors down.

Alice couldn’t help the niggling feeling of regret that sat in her gut. Yes, the wedding had been beautiful and she had enjoyed watching the married couple’s first dance and it gave Alice an excuse to wear the dress she had been given for Christmas last year, but it became pretty clear pretty quickly that most of Alice’s night was going to spent standing against the wall.

As Jaz & Serenity continued their Wedding Party Opener, Alice felt her stomach twist and turn with anxiety. Wiping her sweaty palms on the skirt section of her dress, Alice did her best to discreetly get up so that she could head to the bathrooms. Head down and shoulder slumped, the brunette felt someone grab her by the elbow and spin her around. It was Lincoln, making his way to the side of stage for his duet, dressed it what Alice had to assume was a recreation of a Doja Cat look from her knowledge of the song she new Bodhi and Link were going to performing. His face was pulled into a look of disapproval and Alice felt herself shrink under his glare. “You’re really going to dip right before I go on? I’ll remember that, bitch,” he stage whispered to her, as if to not disturb the other wedding guests around her. While Alice knew there was more likely than not no actual malice behind his words, it certainly didn’t help with her sudden and intense episode of anxiety and the second he let go of her arm, she dashed out of the hall and into a bathroom stall.

Locking the stall door and sitting on the closed seat of the toilet, Alice put her head in her hands. This was a mistake. She just didn’t know how to be a person in social situations where she wasn’t playing a character. Alice was a nobody, she didn’t have the private school experience that her brother did, she didn’t have the popularity and social circles that some of the other girls in Glee did. And every day she had to deal with the fact she was planning to pack her bags and leave her family behind and run back to L.A. She didn’t belong here but how the Hell was she supposed to belong in L - fucking - A?

“ two doors down they're laughing and drinking and having a party. and two doors down they're not aware that I'm around.”

Alice choked out a sob, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, not caring if her makeup ended up smudged of if she had just ended up with a total snot rocket on her face. She had no plans on going back to the reception. But the last thing she was going to do was call her dad to pick her up.

“ but here i am crying my heart out, feeling sorry but they're having a party just two doors down. ”

Pulling a wad of toilet paper out of the roll and giving her face a quick wipe-over before flushing it, Alice took a deep breath and unlocked the stall, only to be staring at the face of a total stranger through the mirror, who was washing his hands and looked just as emotionally fucked over as she felt. Alice gave the boy, who appeared to around her age, although she assumed he must’ve been from NIa’s side of the family considering she had never seen him around McKinley, a empathetic smile and went up to the sink next to him.

“i think i'll dry these useless tears and get myself together. i think i’ll wander down the hall and have a look around 'cause i can't stay inside this lonely room and cry forever. i think I'd really rather join 'em two doors down. ”

She nudged the other teen’s shoulder with her own, trying to get him smile. Alice hated seeing people sad, it was the last thing she wanted. He let out a breath through his nose, corners of his mouth twitching up. “I’m Alice,” she said as she turned off the faucet, and as she pulled out a few sheets of paper towel from the dispenser, she heard him answer; “Pleasure’s all mine. I’m Coop.”

Alice turned around, nose scrunched up. “Coop? Like Cooper? I wish you didn’t tell me that, that’s my dads name!” she exclaimed playfully, faking a look of disgust that got a proper laugh out of him. God, he had a really nice smile...

“So, you from Dan’s side of the family?

“Kinda, he coaches one of the Glee club’s at my school and my uncle’s were his dad’s students because dad also coached the same glee club, like, a billion years ago. It’s a weird family dynamic,” she explained with a shrug. She tried not to over think how everyone she knew was connected in some way or another. “Enough about me though, Coop, what’s got you so sad for?” She quickly changed the subject, handing the boy some paper towel of his own.

“I’m...not great at parties. Even back in New York, I’m much a mess at them. Big social events with people I don’t know? With two white boys singing Tia Tamera no less? It was just too much for me, I needed to step out for a second.”

Alice nodded in understanding, looking down at her feet. She knew exactly how he felt.

“Come here, lemme fix your face up real quick,” he said softly, holding up a piece of the paper towel he had been given, the corner wetted.

Tucking a section of her hair behind her ear in nervous habit, Alice took a few steps forward until the two were only a few inches away. Coop took the extra step, closing the gap, and carefully wiped away some of the smudged mascara from under her eyes. Alice’s mouth grew dry, breath becoming shallow. She’d never been this close to a pretty show off-stage before...She swiped her tongue over her now-dry bottom lip and watched as Coop’s eyes followed down to her lips.

Oh my God...Was what Alice thought was going to happen...about to happen?!

Coop slowly pulled his hand away, resting the paper towel on the sink bench before bringing it back up and placing it on Alice’s cheek. Her face red, Alice felt something in the back on her mind click and she placed her own hand over Coop’s, his skin warm against hers. Slowly, the two leant close into a kiss.

This was it, Alice’s first ever off-stage kiss with a boy and she didn’t even know his last name. She fucking loved it!

When Coop eventually pulled himself away, a smile curving up across his face that Alice couldn’t help but copy, the two stood, frozen for a few more moments.

“So...my folks were able to get me a room with a double bed, so they could be with my baby sister...if you wanted to, I dunno, stay the night or something.” Coop’s voice was quiet and his tone hesitant, not knowing where things were going to go from here.

Alice reached out and straightened out Coop’s bowtie before letting a smirk sneak upon her mouth.

“‘Or something’ sounds like it could be nice.”

“ two doors down we're laughing and drinking and having a party. and two doors down they're all aware that i'm around. 'cause here i am no longer crying and feeling sorry. we're having a party just two doors down! ”

The two teens ran down the hall of the Inn, hand-in-hand and Alice’s heel clutched in her free hand, past the ballroom and into the elevator.

It felt like a dream. A hot boy from New York City had just kissed her at wedding and now they were going to his hotel room to do...it! Alice had read this trope a thousand times in her books - although they usually ended with the boy revealing he had fangs or something - and never in her eighteen years did she ever think it would happen to her.

“ i can't believe I'm standing here dry-eyed, all smiles and talkin', making conversation with the new love i've found. i ask him if he'd like to be alone and we start walkin' down the hall to his place waiting two doors down, yeah. ”

The two continued to kiss, pressed against the corner of the elevator, until the universally familiar ‘ding’ of them reaching their desire floor sounded. As they stumbled out into the hall, giggling and laughing just like the movies, Coop fished his room key out of her pants pocket as he did, Alice’s face dropped into a serious expression and she quickly placed her hand over the door knob as he went to unlock the door.

“Just so you know, I’m not prepared for the emotional commitment of a long distance relationship and once I graduate I plan on going to California. But I will happily give you my number and social media and if I ever find myself in New York one day...”

Coop laughed, warm and sweet, and took Alice’s hand in his once again.

“Understood. No strings attached. Just two new friends getting to know each other and having some fun.

“Exactly.”

“ two doors down they're laughing and drinking and having a party and two doors down we're not aware that they're around. 'cause here i am feeling everything but sorry. we're having our own party two doors down! ”

Alice felt like a new woman. Well, not literally. Nothing had physically changed and she wasn’t a strong supporter of virginity as a concept in the first place...

But, boy, it just felt so right! She had gotten the ‘talk’ from her dad, about how she only have sex when she was certain it was the right time, right place and with the right person.

And it felt really right.

It was Monday, the start of a new week at school and she had gotten a text from Coop first thing in the morning, saying he was about to board his plane back to New York and she had sent back a ‘have a great flight!! text me when you land!’ in return.

She had a friend from New York now. Wow.

It seemed perfect timing that the women of pop month for Glee was in full swing because she sure felt empowered. So much so that she had dug through her wardrobe until she found something at least slightly reminiscent of a cowgirl inspired look. A lacy maxi dress and a pair of old cowboy boots were all she could find, but with the braids she had done the night before, it got the message across.

Alice strolled into the choir room, head held high and gave a nod to the band who she had spoke to earlier than morning in terms of preparing her song of choice. Dolly had a song for every occasion and this one in particular really spoke to...recent events.

“ oh, oh, ooh, two doors down! two doors down they're laughing and drinking and having a party and two doors down we're not aware that they're around. 'cause here we end feeling everything but sorry. we're having our own party two doors down!

Jumping up on the piano on the key change and throwing in some simple boot-scootin’ choreography during the choruses, Alice let herself act the fool. It was the most herself she had felt performing in a while. Because she wasn’t ‘performing’ for anyone, just singing a song in a room with some friends.

Yeah, maybe Alice did belong in the Glee club after all.

“ two doors down they're laughing and drinking and having a party and two doors down we're not aware that they're around here we end, feeling everything but sorry. we're having our own party two doors down! ”

#tag. self para #// this is... long.... i got carried away sddksk #// because what's glee without a musical number to symbolize having sex at a wedding!?#// also just for my own personal reference coop's hypothetical fc is rj cycler

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