#I know I'm technically married
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
puppetmaster13u · 2 years ago
Text
Prompt 115
“Seriously old man?” the rumbling voice nearly caused Tim to jump, his eyes darting away from where Ras was sitting, the Al Ghul almost seeming to perk. It was kind of hard to miss the man�� teen… being? It was kind of hard to miss the owner of the voice what with how their hair looked like it was on fire. 
They motioned around at well, everything, crimson eyes looking exasperated. “Really?” They were definitely motioning towards him, interrupting Ras when he opened his mouth to talk. “No, I don’t want to hear it, I swear- Did he kidnap you?” That was definitely aimed at him. 
“N-no?” Tim was feeling slightly unbalanced and may be on hour sixty without sleep at this point, if the hour long nap was counted. “I need help finding my not-dad who's lost in time.” 
The being let out a strangled noise that Tim could nearly swear was almost another one, but couldn’t vocalize his slurred thoughts as the dude muttered something, motioning around as though he was tempted to strangle something or someone. 
Ras cleared his throat, looking almost awkward which was how Tim knew he had to be dreaming or drugged. Probably drugged. “Jordan, how good to see you, it’s been so long-”
“Can it Pops,” the being-named-Jordan scoffed, finger pointing towards the Demon’s Head. “Moms still pissed and isn’t coming back any time soon with you still pulling this shit.” 
Tim felt his brain stall, process for a moment, then process some more over what he just heard before his mouth ran before it could catch up. “Ras is married???” 
1K notes · View notes
0ann3 · 2 days ago
Text
Kurama having a tight grip on my heart rn fr fr
Tumblr media
I quickly fell in love with him (even though he caught me off guard with his gamer lingo) and his bond quests + hang out events are so cute 🤧🤧 I was even planning to pursue Subaru because I ship him and Kaguya (childhood friends to lovers, my fave trope of all time), but I couldn't help but immediately confess to this guy when I got the opportunity. Although, I did felt bad when I learned Kaguya and Subaru's history literally right after my first date with Kurama LMAO
Also a random comic idea that popped in my head
Tumblr media
I know villagers don't get new traits all of a sudden, but I just think it's funnier this way lolol
43 notes · View notes
hauntinglyghostie · 1 year ago
Text
Tumblr media
inseparable. a shadow and its source. life and death. as much as you want to tear away the thought of him, you can't. you stood by him, and his shadow lingers.
Tumblr media
also here's this TERRIBLY shitty drawing I made inspired by @denimscotch saying Lysandre needs to "take a chill pill. make slime or something" and @rainbowpufflez encouraged me to actually post it.
107 notes · View notes
katierosefun · 6 months ago
Text
.. . . . just realized that joan watson named her son arthur . . . . like....like sir arthur conan doyle? like the man who wrote the sherlock holmes stories?
20 notes · View notes
just-absolutely-super · 11 days ago
Note
could you imagine Tfo Elita meeting other versions of herself (Prime, g1, animated, ect), how do you think things would go between them?
Short answer: They all hang out and have fun, trading training tips and sparring together. They also talk about their respective friends and enemies in each universe as well as their versions of Optimus. Basically girl talk.
Long answer:
This became more of a loaded question than I anticipated given each continuity and what happens to each Elita lmao
I'm not including IDW Elita because I don't know her very well (and what I do know of, I doubt the others would get along with her that well)
I don't know ES Elita that well either, but know enough to kinda get a feel for her character. In regards to her and OP's relationship, ngl I'm ignoring the "it's complicated" line from the show. And I do not subscribe to the fan-favorite "they're divorced" interpretation. Instead they've just been married for so long they're in that comfortable stage where they don't show off how obviously in love they are unless it's in private
And while I thought it was funny to include TFA Blackarachnia just to have all the other Elitas be like ??????? I figured it would be better to just have it be TFA Elita before she became Blackarachnia (because in all sense and purposes, she is a different character)
Anyways, here's more detailed scenarios that happen during the meet up of universes:
TFO Elita tries to play it cool, but really she's super stoked to meet all these other versions of her because canonically she is the youngest of the interpretations and therefore it's like if the little sister was allowed to hang out with her cooler big sisters
TFA Elita wonders why everyone else is pink while she's yellow/teal. She admits she was never really a fan of the color, but now she's reconsidering it???
G1, TFP, WFC, and ES basically trade war stories since they're the only ones that have fully known war. They also give advice to their younger counterparts since they're going to be part of a military operation soon in their universes
Everyone starts trash talking about Megatron and his goons (especially Starscream). ES awkwardly reveals after 10 minutes of ranting that Megatron in her universe is a good guy now and every other Elita is absolutely FLABBERGASTED
(TFO Elita wonders if that means there can be hope for her universe's Megatron, at least for Optimus's sake, but dismisses it)
They start talking Optimus and TFO and TFA Elitas are even DOUBLE FLABBERGASTED that every one of them is in some kinda of relationship with him
G1, TFP, WFC, and ES talk about their romances and how complicated things could be when there's a war going on, and then they trade embarrassing stories about OP before talking about how much they love him despite everything
There's lighthearted jokes that TFA and TFO may get with him in their future and TFA dismisses it because her OP is such a stick in the mud and she only sees him as a friend (but now the idea is stuck in her head, thanks guys)
also she might be dating Sentinel in that universe idk it's kinda implied but i don't like him so i'm not acknowledging it
Meanwhile TFO Elita deflects REALLY HARD. Like nope, she definitely is NOT falling hard for the guy who got her fired but then showed her what it meant to have hope and inspired her to be better to the point she'd dive into the abyss if it meant she could save him from falling, no sir, not her
(she's falling for him, everyone can see it)
When it's time to part they all wish each other luck and go their separate ways and for very angsty and convenient reasons TFO Elita sees the tragedies that befall all her counterparts and is devastated...but then realizes that ES's future isn't so bleak so she vows to follow her example and not get herself killed or face devastating heartbreak
11 notes · View notes
seriousturd · 1 year ago
Text
Some more goofy BMB doodles
Tumblr media Tumblr media
58 notes · View notes
genericpuff · 2 years ago
Note
Hey so uhh about the Kawacy vampire comic my friend apparently is a fan and they said that it isn't grooming because the usual "He only loves her when she's an adult" and say that he also protect her from "actual predators"
Tumblr media
74 notes · View notes
circusgoth-dotcom · 6 days ago
Text
kind of want to make a tag for scout's ma 👀
3 notes · View notes
my-current-obsession · 10 months ago
Text
I gotta say, it took me a bit to really get into Rune Factory 3 (in fact when I first got the game and tried it out I quit after like two hours and didn't touch it for a few months just because the gameplay was a bit janky and it was missing some quality-of-life stuff I was used to having in 4 and 5 and I got really frustrated), but on my second foray into the game it really sucked me in. I might even like the story and especially the romance aspect better than the other games.
I really appreciate that the romance is a forced part of the narrative; you literally can't access the final dungeon and beat the game until you pick a girl to marry. And BECAUSE of that, this game went hard on actually developing the girls and giving you ample time to spend with them. The request system basically functions as a "route" for each girl, and while I've only completed (9/9 one-time quests done) a few of them (Raven, Daria, Marian) I've really enjoyed everything thus far and felt the relationships develop from strangers to friends to love.
And unlike 4 and 5 where I have clear favorites in terms of who to marry, I honestly don't know who I'm going to pick yet. The only girls I'm NOT particularly interested in are Carmen, Colette, and Kuruna. All the other girls are great and I'd be happy to marry any of them, though I AM leaning towards Raven, Marian, or Sakuya (who I WOULD have completed already if not for some of her events being locked behind plot progression...).
#rune factory#rf3#i find it funny that my top contenders are raven and marian. who is about as polar opposite of her as possible#literally what is my type. i've never been able to nail it down.#i will say i typically DON'T care for raven's 'type' - the distant/aloof girl.#but i think the writing for her as a character and her relationship with micah is EXTREMELY SOLID#one of my favorite moments thus far was her request where we go to oddward valley to mine ore together#and gaius catches us and it's CLEAR that they don't actually need ore. she's using it as an excuse to hang out with micah.#and gaius knows this. and raven knows that gaius knows this. but like a true bro he lets the lie go and just expects her to pay him back#with his favorite meal. i also might be partial to raven because it feels like micah DEFINITELY likes her in her requests#whereas some 'routes' are more slapstick/comedic or only highlight the girl's feelings... he's clearly into raven.#whole lot of mutual blushing and him WANTING to talk and hang out with her.#that said i'm not fully committed to marrying raven just yet. i still have to finish karina and sofia to be sure about my feelings for them#and marian is the biggest other contender. i love her design and personality. the fact that she directly confessed is WILD#and not even at the end of her 'route'! she had a few requests/scenes to go! so the looming specter of her feelings is just. there.#and while technically it's up to the player from a watsonian standpoint i find it Significant that micah still hangs out with her#and helps her after that confession. he still wants to be around her. even if he hasn't vocalized or directly reciprocated any feelings.#as for sakuya she was my early game fave. i was really digging her. and i like what i've seen of her route#but it's frustrating that i'll have to wait and delay my progress a bit if i want to pick her#and from an in-game perspective it's like she and micah had a falling out in that they hung out a lot at first...#but now they've drifted apart and he's gotten REALLY close to a bunch of other girls#so it's like. maybe she missed her chance? i dunno.
6 notes · View notes
Text
i am once again debating changing estrel's name and title
3 notes · View notes
soulsxng · 2 years ago
Text
*looks at Io, Luvi, and Zai in the royalty verse* ...I'm gonna be a little mean to you three, and have Elyki still be a thing, I guess.
Io, Luvi, and Zai: >:T
8 notes · View notes
meownotgood · 2 years ago
Note
your post about marrying aki unlocked a memory for me lol, when i was maybe five i went to the park by my grandma's house and had a "wedding" for me and tuxedo mask (who was invisible, of course) and instead of walking back down the aisle after we were married, we went down the slide
if I said this + childhood friends with aki where u get "married" together at the playground
17 notes · View notes
archersgoon · 1 year ago
Text
went looking for yata quotes because finnikins gilf hunter moment remains one of his best. am now doomed to yata math torment
#ok so if saro is ~10 years older than trevanion (~50) then by that that logic yata wouldve been 15 when he was born which is technically#plausible given that its stated later in the series that was betrothed at 14 but i think given the context that came up in if shed been hav#ng kids that young wed know. also. tilda was yata's fifth child and saro was presumably her first (he is mentioned to have brothers but#never any other sisters. if he is ten years older than trevanion then yata mustve been having those kids fast as fuck because the implied#gap between balthazar and his elder sisters is implied to be of a decent size (i think i have a different expectation of what a large#sibling gap looks like but that is not of consequence here). since vestie had yet to be married off i am assuming she was mid/late teens.#we'll go with ~15 because it is the best i can do. now. if we assume yata had 5 kids in 5 years (technically doable but no fucking wonder#seranonna had to rock up on the last one) that would make tilda five years older than trevanion and therefore ~19 when vestie was born.#so technically we can make the maths work. except for the part in qoc where it's stated that balthazar and isaboe were born when tilda was#older than tesadora is now and tesadora is at the very least mid-thirties (i'm not showing my tesadora maths but you can trust i've done it#so all of this is bullshit that doesn't matter because the timeline doesn't matter#that or i've missed something sickeningly obvious#whatever. krilling myshellf.#lumatere
2 notes · View notes
amtrak12 · 5 months ago
Text
Playing Echoes of the Plum Grove as Nancy Landgraab from the Sims 4 is fabulous because it means I do things like spend half my money buying a fancy ass bed from pirates (for no gameplay benefits, it's literally just for looks) and also immediately buy a death cake when I spot a new villager waltzing around looking EXACTLY like me, down to the hairstyle. Like ‼️ how DARE you steal my look?! Does the Landgraab name mean nothing to you, punk??? DIE! 💀
0 notes
fushitoru · 8 months ago
Text
seperation anxiety! a (clan head) gojo satoru fic
Tumblr media
pairing ⸺ clan head!gojo x wife!reader
summary ⸺ satoru begs you to attend a meeting with the higher-ups, but not for the reasons you thought. inspired by this art by @/baobei-bu!
warnings ⸺ SMUT, gojo is a warning by himself, VERY public sex, reader has a vagina, fem reader implied, no penetration, fingering, fondling, making out, panty-ripping, exhibitionism, kinda cucking but the only ppl humiliated and humbled are the higher ups, porn no plot, but plot if you squint, reader is a strong independent woman (until gojo charms her, bc who wouldn't turn into a cockslut for gojo?), this took me at least five hours to write for no good reason?, not edited (like always....)
a/n pls enjoy and thank u to the queen for making such delicious art (p.s. go to their twitter for nsfw ver i squirted)
general masterlist
Tumblr media
“Pleaseeeee,” Satoru has his face buried in your chest, nuzzling in further while complaining. It’s almost comical how he—head of the biggest clan in Jujutsu—is leaning down to match your height. You, meanwhile, stand firm, arms crossed, regarding him with a mix of exasperation and reluctant affection as he leans down to meet your gaze. “Will you come with me?”
The question comes as the dreaded meeting with the higher-ups looms, a gathering he's been dodging all day. It technically began ten minutes ago, and you barely managed to wrangle him into his formal kimono just twenty minutes earlier. You sigh, fingers brushing his hair. “Satoru, you know what they think of me. I'm not exactly their favorite person.” You’re both standing in the middle of your shared bedroom, you imploring him to be on time for his meeting to avoid getting even further shit from the higher-ups.
Mind you, you’re the more rational one between you and Satoru—in fact, most of the people who know you would agree that you’re a very mature, wise person in general (with the exception of some circumstances, of course). And despite the respect your skill commands, the higher-ups have never warmed to you, not since you refused to play a pawn in their games. Marrying Satoru, the one jujutsu sorcerer they could never control, only amplified their discontent. They see you both as threats—powerful sorcerers bonded in defiance.
At the mention of "higher-ups," Satoru's pout deepens, and his pleading voice grows more insistent. “Pleeeease,” he drags out, practically whining. “I have separation anxiety.”
You feel a pang of sympathy. These meetings are miserable for him—hours trapped in a room with men twice his age, trying to dictate his every move. “I don’t know, Satoru…” you murmur, hesitating.
But Satoru takes advantage of your softening resolve, hugging you tighter, his face pressing into you again. “Don’t make me go in there alone!” he says, his voice muffled. “You have no idea how much you silence them. One word from you, and they all think twice. I’m already one step away from wanting to kill them all.”
A sigh escapes you as you realize he’s not letting up. And while you’re reluctant, you know that your presence, your opinion—one of the few he truly values—might actually give him a sense of calm in that harsh room. “Alright, alright,” you concede finally, hand smoothing the fabric of his sleeve. "But no making a scene." 
His answering smirk is smug, giving you a fat, sloppy kiss on your cheek that you’re not afraid to show your partial-disgust about. You all but have to wrestle him off of you white he’s smothering you in kisses, getting out something about how much loves you, oh so thankful to have such a wise wifey like you as you get ready in a kimono similar to his and head to the limo waiting outside of the manor you and Gojo reside in. 
As soon as you get in, Gojo turns sharply to Ijichi, who’s shifting the gear. “Put the divider up.”
“O-Okay, Gojo-san.” A little intimidated by the commanding tone in your husband’s voice, he quickly presses the button to activate the screen, and Gojo pounces on you, grabbing you and hoisting you up by your sides to put you on his lap.
“Satoru!” you exclaim, surprised as he captures his lips with yours. His hands roam your body as he moans, almost obnoxiously, because he knows you’re always paranoid whenever he initiates anything in public. Your crotch aligns with his thigh, big and stuffed with muscle as he drives your hips to grind on him, and despite yourself and your circumstances, you find yourself leaning into his touch.
“My pretty wife,” he purrs, now trailing kisses down your jaw and into your neck. “So pretty, so supportive.”
Despite his dizzying movements, you try to get a hold of yourself. “Satoru, we shouldn’t be doing this here. We need to discuss what to sa—”
“Fuck that,” he sighs, so breathless that you want to cave in.
“No, but—”
His eyes darken, and his hands start creeping up your legs, going slowly and slowly closer to your pussy. “Baby, you know I value what you have to say,” and his fingers graze your folds, making you leak even more with his teasing, “but I wanna listen to something else.”
He drags his index finger up and down your slit, making you whimper. His fingers then prod into your hole, putting pressure there but not quite delving in. “Satoru,” you whine out, clutching his upper arms as he has his way while toying with you.
“Yea, that’s what I wanna hear,” he groans, giving you a kiss. It is then that he rewards you with inserting his digit in, curling to hit your spot as he fingers you. HIs other arm is around you, holding your panties’ crotch to the side to allow him to touch you. “My good girl.”
As he’s touching you, the squelching sounds fills the enclosure you’re in and you’re desperately praying to God Ijichi can’t hear the lewd things the both of you are doing in the back. You’re just reduced to whimpering, unable to reject Satoru’s dizzying touches, his free hand leaving your panties to grope at your inner thighs, ass, and breasts. It’s like he’s devouring you with his kisses, urgent, as he continues curling his fingers. 
Between kisses, you try to get out a “Satoru—mmph,” smooch, “we shouldn’t be—mm” smooch, “shouldn’t be doing this here!” 
“What,” he drawls, and with the glint in his eyes you know the fucker’s trying to toy with you, knows what he’s doing is mischievous. “I can’t touch my wife?”
Before you could utter a response, however, the limo suddenly slows, and the sensation of using the brakes to stop the car makes you sober up. “We’re here, Satoru we need to go—-” As you’re trying to rip yourself off his lap, he pulls out the finger that was inside you and uses his hand instead to entangle it with the crotch of your panties, pulling and pulling until the cloth is nothing but shreds, falling off your body.
Oh my god, you were not paid enough for this shit.
With his oh-so-irritating eyes—the same ones that you spent despising in your early school years—he looks at you through his pretty white lashes as he makes a show of sniffing the now tattered shreds that were your panties and putting them in his pocket. Under your kimono, you can feel your slick escaping your panties as the cool air wafts through it, landing on your pussy. You look at him in disbelief. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
He giggles, giving you a kiss on the cheek while helping you off his lap, putting a hand on your head to make sure you didn’t bump your head against the car’s ceiling. “Let’s go and deal with those hags, my love.”
To be honest, you don’t really understand why Satoru is so handsy today. He’s on some sort of man-ovulation, you think, as you stride into the room. Even ripping off your panties was a bit excessive, if not out of pocket (no pun intended). Breaking out of your thoughts, you grounded yourself in the present, noticing hostile eyes turned towards your husband, and then you. You match their barely-subtle glares with a stink eye of your own, holding your chin up as you walk past them dismissively. Just as you’re about to take a seat next to Gojo—being mindful of your kimono so you don’t flash any of these old bastards—one of them speaks up. 
“Gojo-sama, why is this woman here?”
You continue to take your seat, noticing Satoru’s jaw clenched. But right as he’s about to say something, you cut in for him. “This woman,” and you smile, deceptively sweet, “is the lady of the clan. It would do you well to remember the hierarchy of the Gojo clan.” You don’t need to turn to look at your husband to know he has a proud smile on his face, making no effort to hide his smugness. What shocks you instead is that he swings an arm around you, effectively dragging you closer to him until you’re basically sitting on his lap, and his hands go to roam your sides.
Now, some old grandpa starts talking, commencing the meeting, on their usual bullshit of the need for extermination of Sukuna’s vessel, but Satoru pays them no mind. Instead, what they receive in response is non-committal hums as his hands drag themselves up your stomach and down where your legs are crossed to the hem of your kimono, and then under. 
Any semblance of paying attention to the meeting and responding to their infuriating beliefs leaves your mind as you blank out, panicking that Satoru is trying to commit public indecency with you. As an argument erupts between the higher ups about something, you turn to Gojo to furiously whisper, “What is wrong with you today?! Cut it out.”
In your life, you’ve fought many curses, first grade and even special grade included as you climbed up the ranks of Jujutsu sorcery despite having a non-sorcerer upbringing. What you will never be able to defeat, however, is your husband’s charm. Satoru knows what he’s doing as he lets out a deep moan in your ear, making you squeak and become even more flustered, as he continues to make lewd noises, puffs of his breath fanning across your neck. 
a/n gojo the type to start moaning randomly to make you fold #sorrynotsorry 
The indecency of all of it—-Gojo basically whimpering in your ear sweet nothings like good girl, that’s my wife, gonna let me finger you in front of all these ugly hags, right?—-being loud in your ear but also just quiet enough that you’d only hear made you so wet, heat throbbing between your thighs as Satoru’s hands start rubbing your fold. It’s a teasing touch, one not enough to satisfy you but to stimulate you nonetheless. 
It’s just when his index finger starts slowly circling around your clit that you buck your hips slightly, making him look at you teasingly, peering down at you from above your shoulder. “Oh you liked that, didn’t you?”
“I hate you,” you puff out, trying to fight the heat creeping up your neck as Satoru’s circles on your clit get more tangibly, simulating you oh so deliciously. To make sure you hold yourself up, you set your elbows down on the table, Satoru’s arms engulfing you as you’re forced to take whatever touches he’s giving you under the table. 
“She’s so loud,” he whispers, pointing out the noises your pussy was making as his digits roved over your folds. The squelches were tangibly there, audible to anyone who would strain their ears. You could tell your lack of response to the meeting was catching attention, because there were several eyes towards you, waiting for something; it was then you realized that they had posed a question but were simply too fucked out to respond. 
A voice comes out to reprimand your husband sharply. “Gojo-sama, this is hardly appropriate.”
Satoru chuckles, not stopping his ministrations as he picks up a cup filled with water, his smug gaze still turned towards you while observing and appreciating your every hiccup and reaction. “Can’t my spouse attend this meeting? I value her opinion above everyone else’s in this room, after all,” he drawls, lodging his chin in the curve of your neck. “Besides,” and he flashes a dangerous grin to the man who spoke out, “weren’t you the ones who were oh so worried about me not having an heir?” 
At this point, you’ve filtered out all noises, focusing and honing in on the sensation of your orgasm coming. His digits are playful, curling up to hit your g-spot repeatedly, his palm tickling your clit. Each time he hits your spongy spot a bout of electricity runs up your body, pulling you closer and closer to your orgasm. 
“But guess what,” and he gives you a kiss on the cheek, despite the aversion the rest of the higher ups have to any displays of affection, “we can solve that problem right here, right now.” He punctuates it with a harsh sink of his fingers into your plush cunt, and, with that, you finally cream his fingers, a result of Satoru teasing you all day now. You try to temper the shakes wracking your body by slamming your fist against the table, trying not to moan out.
It seems that no one’s seen you riding out your orgasm out so visible, because there are gasps around the room at how obscene Gojo’s suggestion was. “It is shameful of you to be saying such things, Gojo-sama!” one of them sputters out, red with anger and outrage. 
Your husband not so subtly rolls his eyes. “Then don’t bring it up all the time, old man.” Satoru knows how touchy and vulnerable you are right after you cum, so he’s running his hands softly up and down your thighs to quell your quivers affectionately. “Actually, what about this? You all haven’t witnessed us consummate our marriage, correct?” He smirks. “What about witnessing the heir-making next time?”
Tumblr media
general masterlist
a/n pls see the vision like i want gojo to claim me and rail me into next tuesday while the higher ups just watch uncomfortably like maybe i am a freak like that. like gojo would be so obsessed with how he's claiming you in front of the fuckers that piss him off so much...might do a part two if pookiesa like this :P
comment and reblog to let me know ur thots :3
19K notes · View notes
leclerc-hs · 1 month ago
Text
a lifetime of summers - cl16
Tumblr media
pairing: charles leclerc x fem!reader summary: in which every summer, at the villa your families rent together every year, gives you a version of charles OR you and charles are childhood best friends with a complicated history. warnings: angst, language, childhood friends with complicated history, smut, angst, yearning, etc... idk what I'm missing, NOT PROOFREAD (prob typos or things that might not make sense), lots of back and forth, messy messy messy, also cute, jealousy jealousy, seriously lots of YEARNING, them being stupid also word count: ~8k author's note: this idea came to me a few days ago and i've spent as much time as possible working on it since (in between carlos version). y'know when the creativity just hits right and the words pour out of you?? that was me with this. i hope you guys like it!!!! xoxo ◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤
Age 7.
“I’m gonna marry you one day.”
The villa smells of sun lotion and salty air.
Your dad’s playing music through some tiny old speaker he brought. And the adults are laughing too loud over their drinks.
The sun is beginning to sink, but it’s still hot. 
You’re sticky with juice, hair tangled, and bathing suit clinging awkwardly.
Charles is chasing you. A water balloon in his hands.
You shriek, running against the hot stones. Smiling so hard that it hurts.
“Y’already got me twice!” You shout in between giggles. “S’not fair!”
Charles appears closer. Face sunburnt. A smile tugged on his lips. “You cheated at Candy Land!”
“You cheated first!” 
“Because you always win!”
And he raises the balloon over his head.
“If you throw that, I’m telling maman you said a bad word the other day.”
His smile drops. “I did not!”
You cross your arms over your chest. “Uh huh…you said ‘shit’ when you hit your funny bone.”
“It hurt!” He argues.
You stick your tongue out. 
And then he hesitates. Looking at the balloon. Then at you.
Throws the balloon anyway.
It explodes against your stomach. Cold water soaking you.
And you gasp. 
Then lunge for him. Chase him all the way into the back yard, shrieking. Laughing so hard that you both struggle to breathe properly. 
And eventually you both collapse into the grass. Side by side. Near the lemon tree. 
There’s a few moments of silence. Both of you panting from trying to catch your breath. 
“I’m gonna marry you one day.”
You blink. “Why?”
“Because you’re funny. And you like ice pops. And you beat me at Mario Kart once.”
You look at him. And he’s staring at the leaves above your heads. Arms touching.
“I don’t think that’s how marriage works,” your voice soft.
“Don’t care.” He shrugs. 
You roll your eyes. “Okay. But I don’t want to wear a dress.”
“Fine. But you have to split the cake with me.”
“Only if it’s chocolate.”
“Well duh.”
And you both fall asleep like that. In the grass. Smelling like chlorine. Sticky with sugar.
-
Age 12
“Why are you being weird?”
The summer heat is burning.
Heat clings to you like a second skin. And you’re still dripping from the pool. The stone tiles are too hot to stand on for too long, so everyone moves around them quickly. Your hair is wet. Trying to read a book, but can’t focus.
Because Charles won’t stop staring at you.
Well, he’s technically not staring. But he’s in the pool in your direct eyesight. Hands behind his head as he sits on a float. Sunglasses almost too big for his face. Smirking.
And every so often, he splashes water your way.
“Would you stop?” You snap. Wiping the water off your ankles.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says. Blinking. Innocent.
You groan, falling back on the lounger. Trying to ignore him.
He floats closer. “You haven’t turned the page in almost twenty minutes.”
“That’s because you’re distracting me.”
And he grins. A full sheepish grin. “You think I’m cute.”
You don’t answer. Keep your eyes on your book.
“Y’gonna tell your friends I have a six pack now?” He calls out.
You raise your eyebrows, “Six pack of what?”
“Muscles.” He says. Dead serious.
And your mouth twitches. “Your voice still cracks.”
Charles slips off the floatie. Swims to the edge and rests his arms on the ledge. Chin on his forearm as he looks at you.
“Yeah? And what does it do to you when I say your name?”
Your breath hitches.
“You’re blushing.”
“It’s the sun.”
He laughs. And you throw your book at him. 
He ducks under the water. And when he resurfaces, grinning…you’re trying so hard to not smile. And he knows it.
“Why are you being so weird?” you ask.
He shrugs. 
“You’re just starting to notice me now.”
And you don’t answer.
And later that night, when you’re brushing your teeth. Still burnt from the sun. You wonder what he meant.
You don’t ask.
But you do start to.
-
Age 15
“That didn’t count.”
“So kiss me again.”
The villa is quiet. 
Your parents and his mom stay up talking. Your siblings long asleep. Arthur passed out on the couch. 
A few candles flicker near the steps, but most of the light is coming from the moonlight.
You’re barefoot. The grass cool and soft beneath your toes as you walk to the lemon tree. The one where you and Charles always meet when its too late and you’re supposed to be asleep.
He’s already there. Leaning against it. 
He looks different this year. Taller. A little bit sharper. More grown into his body.
He glances at you. “Took you long enough.”
“Had to sneak past my sister.”
He grins, holding up a bag of chips. 
And you sit beside him. Your shoulder brushing his. 
Talking about nothing for a while. Catching up on the weeks you aren’t together. How he kissed a girl in Monaco and it was fine but also kind of awkward. And you pretend you don’t hate hearing it.
You tell him about the boy from school who tried to hold your hand during a movie when you went with your group of friends.
Charles almost immediately demands his full name. And address.
And you laugh.
He tosses a lemon up and catches it. Again and again.
“I heard you tell Joris that I was in love with you.” You say.
And he glances at you. “I did not.”
You narrow your eyes. A smile on your lips.
And he shrugs. “I said you were obsessed with me. S’not the same.”
And you laugh. Then scoff. “You wish.”
You shove his arm. And he grabs your wrist before you can pull it back. Fingers wrapping around you. Warm. Familiar. But somehow different.
Neither of you speak for a few moments. Just take in the sound of the cicadas, the faint chatter of the adults on the terrace.
“Y’ever kissed anyone?”
And your stomach twists. Look away. “No.”
He nods. “Me either…at least, not really.”
Silence.
And then he says, “Wanna try?”
You look at him. But he’s already looking at you. And he looks nervous. Hopeful. Like he’s been thinking about this for a long time. Nothing like the boy who used to throw water balloons and stick paint in your hair.
You nod.
And it’s awkward. Your noses bump. One of you breathes too loudly. His hands tremble at your cheek. 
But it’s sweet. Slow.
And his lips are soft.
And when you pull apart, you both stare at each other. Lips a little rosier than before.
“That didn’t count.” You whisper.
And he blinks. “Why not?”
“There was no tongue.”
And he grins. Slowly.
And then pulls you back into him.
And this time….it’s real.
-
Age 17
“This doesn’t have to mean anything.”
The villa’s light glow behind you. Laughter echoing from the kitchen where your parents and his maman are finishing a bottle of wine.
You and Charles are on the terrace. Barefoot. A shared bottle of win between you. Practically empty. And his leg brushes against yours every time he fidgets.
It’s the first summer where you’ve both been allowed to really drink. Not just a stolen sip of a half-empty bottle found on the kitchen counter. Or a watered down spritz. Real drinks. Poured and given to you like adults.
And you’re a little tipsy. Cheeks warm and rosy. Limbs loose. 
“You’re quiet tonight,” you glance at him.
He nods. “Jus’ thinking.”
“You do that?”
And he laughs. “Shut up.”
You smile. Taking a small sip straight from the bottle before placing it back down. “What are you thinking about?”
He hesitates for a little. “Uh…that night last year.”
You don’t have to ask which night. You already know.
The night behind the lemon tree. His mouth on yours. And you think about it often.
“Me too,” You admit. Soft.
And he looks at you. Watch as his gaze dips to your mouth.
And then he’s leaning in.
The kiss is soft. Deeper. Not rushed. And his lips are warm. Tastes of wine and something sweet. Like the fruit you guys were picking at earlier.
When he pulls back, his voice cracks a little bit. “I want you.”
You don’t answer. Just smile soft. Pulling his hand into yours as you drag him into the villa. Into the bedroom. 
Your clothes peel off slowly. Clumsy. And he’s careful. Like he’s afraid if he moves too fast, it’ll ruin the moment. 
“Y’sure about this?” He whispers.
You nod. “Yeah…want it to be you.”
And he closes his eyes for a second. Like his heart is in his throat.
And then it happens.
It’s slow. Messy. You both laugh when your arms bump. And he curses softly when he cant get the condom wrapper open. But then he’s inside you, and your laughter becomes hushed gasps. Fingers digging into each other.
“Y’okay?” He mutters. His forehead pressed to yours.
And your nails dig into his back. “Yeah.”
And then he kisses you again. Harder. Holds you closer.
Later, when you’re both lying tangled in the dark…you feel his fingers tracing your skin. Both of you enjoying the silence.
Then a good few moments later.
“This doesn’t have to mean anything.”
You swallow hard.
“Yeah.”
-
Age 19
“Y’gonna dance with him again?”
“He asked.”
“You let him kiss your cheek.”
“You fingered me in the kitchen pantry last night.”
“That’s different.”
You’re barefoot in the sand. Music loud. And Luca…or maybe it was Leo? You weren’t sure. Had his hands lightly on your hips. Flirty.
You’re laughing at something dumb he said into your ear. And then you feel it.
The heat. The stare.
Glance over your shoulder and…
Charles. Leaning against the beach bar. Beer in hand.
Eyes on you with a glint in his eye like you’ve offended him.
You try not to react. But the next time Luca spins you, you pull away with a smile and a I’ll be right back.
You only make it a few steps before Charles intercepts your path.
“Having fun?” He says. Trying to be casual. But his voice is too tight. Too bitter.
“Yes.” You brush past him. And he falls right into step with you.
“You’ve got weird taste in music.”
“That’s not my music taste. It’s called dancing.”
And he scoffs.
You walk to the side of the bar. To a more private area. Grabbing his shoulder to face you.
“Are you okay?” Voice sweet. Gentle. Caring.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re glaring too much.”
And looks at you. “I just think it’s funny.”
“Oh, here we go.”
“I mean, you don’t even like that song.”
You cross your arms against your chest. And he steps closer.
“You let him put his hands on you.”
You raise a brow. “So?”
“So…you let him touch you. Kiss your cheek”
And you laugh. Soft. “You fingered me in the kitchen pantry last night, Charles.”
His jaw clenches. Hands twitch. “That’s different.”
“Is it?”
You take a step closer. Testing him, And he doesn’t budge.
“It’s not the same.”
You stare at him. His cheeks are sunburned. And his eyes are so green it makes your heart rate spike. So handsome.
“So I’m not allowed to dance with a guy I’ll never see again?”
He runs a hand over his face. Grazing the slight stubble on his jaw. “You’re not just dancing.”
“No,” You admit. “But you’re not just fucking me either.”
His eyes widen. Slightly stunned.
And you don’t back down. Step even closer until your chests are touching.. “You don’t wanna talk about what this is? That’s fine. But you don’t get to act jealous then.”
“I’m not jealous.”
And you grin. Snort. Just a tiny bit.
“Okay,” he says. Throwing his hands up. “Maybe I am.”
Your stomach twists.
“I just…I don’t like seeing you with other guys.” His voice is low. 
“Well…it’s not like you don’t talk to other girls, Charles.”
And then you leave him standing there. Alone.
-
“Wanna go out for a bit?” He asks. “Just us?”
And you say yes without even thinking.
You’re on a light blue towel, sunglasses over your face, pretending to read a book. Charles is stretched out next to you. An arm tucked under his head. Throwing grapes in the air and trying to catch them in his mouth.
You glance over just as a grape hits his forehead and falls into the sand.
“Impressive.”
He laughs. “The wind interfered!”
He tosses another grape. Misses again. 
And you burst into laughter.
“I’m warming up.”
He laughs with you. Giving up and rolling onto his side to face you.
He squints his eyes at you. “Do you have sunscreen on?”
“Yes.”
“Are you positive?”
Your brows furrow. “Why?”
“I think that….” His hand reaches for the bottle of sun lotion, flicking it open. “That you missed a spot.”
He squirts some into his hand, a smirk on his lips.
“Back off.”
And he reaches for you, smearing it all over your chest. You shriek, tossing your book into the sand beside you.
And somewhere between this sun lotion assault, you’re both breathless and laughing so hard.
He pins you down, dropping heaps of sun lotion onto your skin.
“Truce,” You laugh. Stomach burning from laughter. 
He nods. Smiling. Rubbing the sunscreen into your skin.
“Don’t want you to burn.”
You throw a pile of sand at him. And he doesn’t even flinch.
-
His cock is already buried inside you. Deep. Thick. Fucking aching.
“God, you’re fuckin soaked.” He groans into your neck. Hand pressed into your stomach. 
You claw at his back. Back arched. Legs spread. Shaking every time he hits that spot in your tummy just right.
He looks down at you like he’s overwhelmed. Like he doesn’t understand how you can feel this fucking good.
“Swear to God,” He grunts. Pulling back slow, then snapping his hips forward. “S’like your pussy jus gets tighter every time.”
Your mouth falls open. Gasping.
His hands slip under your thigh, pushing your knee into your chest. Fucking you deeper.
And then he moans.
“Jesus….fuck.” He chokes out. “Y’feel that?”
You sob out. 
“I’ve been inside you like a hundred times this summer and it still feels like fuckin heaven.”
His forehead drops and presses into yours. Voice rough. 
“M’not gonna last.” He huffs. “You’re too wet. Too fuckin tight.”
You grip his shoulders, nails digging into the skin. “Don’t stop…”
“You’re fuckin milking me.” He cuts you off. “Y’gonna come? Please come on me. C’mon baby…please, yeah? Please let me have it.”
And you fall apart. Gasping. Shaking. Coming so hard around his cock it makes his head fall back.
And he swears. Filthily. French tumbling out go his mouth.
And then he’s spilling inside of you. Chest pressed to yours. Hips jerking.
He buries his face in your beck. Collapsing on you. 
And neither of you speak for a bit.
Just catch your breath. Comfortable silence. Holding each other.
Eventually, he reaches up. Tucks a strand of hair behind your ear.
Then whispers into the dark.
“I like it here.”
And he doesn’t elaborate.
You don’t ask him to.
-
Age 21
“He seems tense.”
“He’s fine.”
“He didn’t even blink when I mentioned that guy from Madrid.”
“I told you not to bring it up.”
Your best friend’s been here for five days and already the villa feels different.
She means well. But she talks fast, drinks fast, and has no filter. 
She also loves to talk about your love life.
The one that you’re apparently “thriving in”.
“So wait,” she says over breakfast, digging her fork into her food. “You never texted that guy from Madrid back? Y’know the one with the sexy voice?”
Across the table, Charles is picking at his plate. Fork pausing. Just for a little bit. Enough for you to notice.
You look at her, “No.”
“Why not? He was so hot.”
“Didn’t feel like it.”
“But he was so into you…” She takes a sip of her drink. “What about the Italian one? The one you really liked.”
Charles cuts into his eggs. A little bit harder. Knife scraping the plate.
“He ghosted.”
“Ugh, yeah total loser.” She laughs. “Oh my god, remember…what was his name? From the bar crawl.”
“Liam.” You choke out.
“Yes! Liam!” She snaps her fingers. “Didn’t he pick you up at the bar? Like just threw you over his shoulder?”
You laugh, slightly embarrassed. Nodding.
Charles sets his mug down a little too hard.
And then he stands. Takes his plate to the sink. 
And walks out.
“Was it something I said?” Your best friend asks.
-
You find him in the kitchen later. Your best friend is lounging out by the pool and you slipped inside to grab a water.
He’s rinsing the plates. Back to you. But his jaw is clenched tight.
You lean against the counter by him. “Hey.”
He doesn’t look at you. Just keeps scrubbing the dishes. A little harder than before.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” He says. “Just didn’t realize breakfast started with a running list of every guy you’ve fucked.”
You wince.
And he breathes deeply. Dropping the dish in the sink. “Sorry…that was, uh harsh.”
You give a tiny nod.
“I just…” He turns off the water. Looks at you. “Didn’t know it was like that?”
“Like what?”
He shrugs. 
“Is it a problem?”
He stares at you. Sucks his bottom lip in for a moment. Like he’s deep in thought. Before finally saying…
“No. It’s not my place.”
And there it is. 
You step back. “Right.”
And then you’re turning around, reaching in the cabinet for a glass. “Still going to the bonfire later?”
He shrugs. “Yeah, if you still want to.”
“Cool,” Your voice is light. 
-
Age 22
“You’ve been quiet lately.”
“I’m just tired.”
The long table on the terrace is full.
Extra chairs from inside scattered around it, one of your younger cousins crawling underneath it.
Your dad is asking your mom if there’s more grilled vegetables. Meanwhile your sister insists on telling the story about the jellyfish sting again.
“And she was crying so hard, she had actual snot bubbles on her face,” She says. Laughing.
You lift your hand, “I was six!”
Charles laughs. “You thought you were dying.”
“I thought it was venom!” You laugh. “And no one even helped me.”
“We were too busy laughing at the snot,” He says. Looking at you. That familiar grin pulled on his face, eyes crinkled. Like it was just you two.
And then Alex leans into him. Whispers into his ear. And whatever she says makes him smile wider. Makes him shift toward her without even thinking.
You chug your wine.
“I love that photo,” Alex says softly. And you glance at her to find her already looking at you. “The one of you and everyone in the inflatable pool. You’re the only one not smiling.”
You curl your lips. “We were sinking.”
“It’s so funny though,” She says. “You look so unimpressed by them.”
“She always looks like that,” Charles chimes in. “Probably came out of the womb judging people.”
You narrow your eyes, but the smile pulling on your lips gives you away.
Alex laughs. And your mom’s already popping open the next bottle of wine. 
And it would be perfect.
If it weren’t for Charles sitting across from you, arms wrapped around another person. Like he’s not yours anymore. 
You ask Alex about her job, and you mean it. She answers so soft and kind that it almost makes you hate her. Almost.
But you can’t. Because she’s nice.
“She’s good for him,” Your sister whispers under her breath, leaning toward you. “You’ve been quiet lately.”
You nod. “I’m just tired.”
Eventually, dinner ends. Alex excuses herself to help your mom bring out dessert. And Charles follows.
And when they come back, head thrown back laughing. 
He sets a slice of cake in front of you without a word.
And you thank him like its normal.
-
Someone suggest drinks at the beach bar. Something to do. The one with the bulbs on string down the street. 
You come barefoot, some sweet drink already in hand. Alex walks beside you, her wedges hooked in her fingers, hem of her dress brushing her knees.
She’s pretty in a way that doesn’t feel threatening. Not showy. Just perfect.
Inside the bar, you spot Charles leaned against the bar with a beer, grinning at something Arthur’s saying. And he’s wearing that linen button up that you used to tell him he looks like a recently divorced rich guy in. 
You find yourself smiling.
Alex touches your arm. “Hey…you want a new drink?”
You shake your head. “I’m good for now.”
She nods. A small smile on her lips.
“I was really nervous to meet you.”
You blink. Eyes slightly wider. “Me?”
She nods. “Charles talks about you all the time.”
You freeze for a moment.
“Yeah,” she smiles. “Not like in a weird way. Just like you’re part of the picture. In his life. Almost every story he tells involves you.”
You don’t know how to respond.
“I’m just glad you’re not..uh, like intimidating.” She laughs.
And you laugh back. “I save the intimidation after a few weeks.”
She smiles. “So I’ve still got time?”
You nod. “Yeah.”
And for this moment, you like her. Even if it hurts.
Because she’s kind.
Because she doesn’t know that you and Charles shared a bed when thunderstorms were scary.
Because she wasn’t there the summer he kissed you against the sand and told you he’d never want anyone else.
You chug your drink.
Later, you’re all gathered near the back of the deck, huddled around a wooden table and wobbly stools. Someone ordered a side of fries. Someone else ordered a round of shots no one really wanted but drank anyways.
You’re pressed between Charles and your sister. You’re laughing. Tipsy. Warm.
Charles is teasing your sister about something but you’re not really listening. 
And that’s when another guy slides in.
Not dramatically. Just casual. Confident.
He’s tall. Tanned. Cute. 
He talks to the guy beside him, someone you’ve definitely seen before, and then turns to you. 
“Did I hear something about you getting stung by a jellyfish?”
You smile. “Unfortunately.”
He nods. A grin. “Survival stories always get me.”
“Tragic,” you say.
He laughs. “I’m Nick.”
You take a sip of your drink, tilting your head. “Do you open with tragedy stories for flirting a lot? Or is it just me?”
“Only for girls who look like they bite back.”
You grin. Slow. “You say that like its a challenge.”
“Depends,” He shrugs, gaze dropping to your bare legs, then back to your face.
“On?”
“Depends how hard you bite.”
And you laugh. Like really laugh. Hard. Head falling back. And then you feel it. The way Charles stills beside you. The way his fingers grip his cup just a little bit tighter.
And Nick leans in closer. More private. “So…what other tragedies should I know about you?”
“That depends.”
“On?”
“If you want facts or warnings.”
He raises a brow. “Any preference?”
You place your cup down on the table. “I like a little risk.”
And Charles says something to your sister now. A little louder. Like he’s trying to distract you.
You don’t bother to look at him.
Nick grins. “And just how dangerous are you exactly?”
You grin back. “Pretty dangerous.”
He laughs. “Good.”
You both just stare at each other for a little. Grinning.
“You dancing?” He asks, nodding his head in direction of the dance floor.
“Are you asking or telling?”
“I’m hoping.”
You slide off the stool.
“Let’s go tragedy boy.”
And as he takes your hand. Leads you into the crowd. You catch Charles’s eyes.
Watching.
Burning.
-
The music’s slowed a little. Just swaying to the music, instead of the rapid jumping you were doing earlier. 
Nick’s hand rests at your hip. His other is holding your drink while you talk with your hands.
“You can’t seriously think pineapple belongs on pizza,” You yell over the music.
Nick grins. “It’s good.”
“You’re weird.”
“I’ve been told that before.”
And you laugh, bumping your shoulder into his. He leans in, speaking into your ear.
“You know your friend’s been staring at us for like ten minutes, right?”
You blink. “Huh?”
He tips his head. Over your shoulder. And you turn just a little bit. Just enough to see Charles still sitting at the table.
Drink in hand. Not talking. Not even blinking. Just looking.
You breathe out, turning back. “That Charles.”
Nick raises a brow, nodding. “Ahh.”
“Don’t read into it.”
He watches you.
“He has a girlfriend.”
Nick hums, a teasing grin. “He doesn’t look like he remembers that right now.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Cool.”
You shrug. “You don’t believe me?”
He smiles. “Doesn’t matter what I believe. Just means if I kiss you, he might kill me.”
You laugh. “You’re awful.”
“You’re still here.”
And you look at each other. Smiling.
You kiss him. Not because you’re falling for him. But because you’re single. Because Charles brought someone else. Because he gets to have her. Because you’re tired of thinking about him.
So you kiss him to feel good. To forget. To remind yourself that you’re free.
Hands in his shirt. Hands on your waist.
And you let yourself lean into it.
Enjoy the uncomplicated.
And for a few moments…it almost works.
-
Age 23
“You brought him here.”
“Yeah. Remember you said he wouldn’t last.”
You’re late this year.
Flight was delayed. Rental car place was too busy. And by the time your feet hit the familiar stone of the villa’s terrace, the sun is already low in the sky.
Theo’s beside you. Rolling your suitcase like a pure gentleman. He’s good. Kind. Gets along with your parents. Laughs at your sister’s jokes. 
And still, your heart flutters when you hear his voice.
Charles.
Laughing louder than necessary. As if he wants you to hear it.
You follow the sound. Trying not to think about the last time you saw him. A few months ago in Monaco. A hotel room you both swore you wouldn’t end up in. Both seeing other people. Both pretending it didn’t count.
And it wasn’t even the first time.
Since last summer, it’s happened a few times too many. Whenever him and Alex called it off. On and off. On and off. You slipped between the cracks. A quiet fuck in your apartment. A drunken make out at a birthday party. You pressed against the shower tiles. Bent over his kitchen counter.
Always followed by soft smiles and easy goodbyes. A promise to act normal. 
Best friends first.
And the moment you step further into the terrace, you see him.
Charles standing against the bar, shirt unbuttoned. Tanned. Holding a drink with the confidence of someone who knows exactly how hot he looks.
And worse…Alex is next to him.
Beautiful of course. Sundress swaying. Hand on his chest like it belongs there.
He notices you before you can even speak. Smile faltering for a fraction of a second. Just enough for you to really feel it. And then it’s back.
And he lifts his glass in a salute. “You’re late.”
Alex smiles. “We thought you weren’t coming til’ tomorrow!”
You smile back. She was always so nice. “Surprise!”
Theo steps forward. Hand extended with that charm that always made it hard to hate him. “Hey…Charles, right?”
And Charles doesn’t hesitate. Shakes his hand. But its the same one he uses with driver’s he never liked. “Yeah. We’ve met.”
And it hits you like a knife to the ribs.
You remember that night clear as day. Theo was still new. Only a few dates in. And you invited him to a party. 
Charles showed up late. And barely looked at Theo. Offered him a lazy smile before finding you later into the night. Pulling you into his car thirty minutes later and fucking you in the back seat.
And Theo’s smiling. “Nice to see you again.”
Charles smiles. But his eyes stay on you. Never leave your face.
Alex swings her arm into his. “So glad you made it. Saved you the good room too.”
You smile at her. “That’s sweet of you.”
Charles lifts a brow. “Didn’t know you needed a good room to enjoy yourself here.”
And you hum. “Guess I’ve gotten a little pickier.”
He takes a sip of his drink. “Since when?”
And you shrug your shoulders. “Since I started dating someone who doesn’t forget my birthday.”
And it hits him like a bullet. You see the way his jaw shifts. Swallow.
Theo’s hand slips onto your lower back. Whispering softly into your ear. Nothing specific. Just something that makes you smile.
And Charles swear’s he might just vomit.
-
The ocean is calm. Waves hitting the rocks. A few birds chirping. Air cool before the sun is fully up.
You slip out of bed, letting Theo sleep. Making your way down the stony path that you walked hundreds of times. Towel slung over your shoulder. Hair twisted up in a clip.
And you’re halfway across the sand when you see him.
Already waist deep in the water. Back facing you. 
You freeze. Debating if you should turn around. 
But it’s too late. He see’s you. And his face shifts into something. Longing? Guilt? You’re not sure.
“You’re always here early,” He calls out.
You drop your towel, walking into the water without glancing at him.  “Not always.”
He watches you. You can feel the burn of his eyes on your skin. “You do when you’re avoiding me.”
You glance up. The water cool against your skin. “Who said I’m avoiding you?”
He shrugs. “History.”
You reach him in the water. You both stand there, not touching. Not moving.
Eventually…he speaks.
“He’s staying the entire time?”
You raise a brow. “Are you asking as my best friend or something else?”
He doesn’t answer. 
You move a little closer. “You said he wouldn’t last.”
“I was wrong.” His voice is low. “Clearly.”
He swallows. Looks away from you. “Does he know?”
And your stomach twists. “Know what?”
He doesn’t say anything. Lets the silence tell you.
You feel your throat tightening. “He know’s we’re close.”
“Close.” He repeats. Half snort, half laugh.
“Best friends.”
He turns to fully face you now. Jaw clenched. 
“Right. Just best friends.”
You don’t respond. Because what else are you supposed to say? That you still feel his fingers dig into your skin. That no matter how many nights pass, you still wonder what this could’ve been if you both spoke up all those years ago.
He steps closer. Too close now.
“Y’still taste like that shitty rosé we used to drink.”
And you blink. Trying not to smile. “You’re not funny.”
“Not trying to be.”
His fingers brush against your shoulder. 
“You have a girlfriend.”
And his eyes look sad. He breathes loudly. “And you have him.”
-
The villa is loud tonight. Music is blasting. Too many drinks are being poured. Bowls of snacks turning stale.
All of you are packed into the living room. Sunburn. Sprawled into chairs or the floor. Hoodies thrown on. 
Your families are here. Everyone laughing and shouting. Bickering. Like its still 15 years ago.
Theo sits behind you on the rug, legs wrapped around you. Hand resting on your hip. And he’s been sweet all evening. He fits.
Yet every time you crack a joke. Or win a game. It’s Charles who looks at you first. Like he’s your person.
His leg bounces restlessly. 
“Alright,” Arthur announces. “We’re playing that game again. The one with the acting.” He holds up a deck of cards.
“Y’mean charades?” Alex asks. Soft.
“No.” Charles says. “The one I always win.”
And it’s you rolling your eyes now. “Y’mean the one you always cheat during?”
He leans forward. “I win.”
Theo laughs behind you.
Your sister tries to act out like Snow White. Falling over and laughing when Arthur misreads a motion. Theo keeps guessing too many times. And Alex’s impressions are almost too good.
And later…when the game’s over. You find yourself in the kitchen, stacking freshly cleaned glass and bowls onto the drying towel.
Humming to yourself.
And Charles leans against the doorway, arms crossed. Watching you with a lazy grin. 
“You two are cute,” He says.
You roll your eyes. “Don’t be weird.”
“M’not.” He shrugs. Pushing off the archway and stepping closer. “It’s just…uh.” He scratches the back of his neck. “You let him touch you a lot.”
You pause with a glass in your hand. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
And he smiles. Tight. Not genuine. “Nothing.”
“You’re being weird.”
He raises his hands. Says something mocking of Theo.
And it has you gasp lightly. “You’re such an asshole.” You try not to smile.
He steps even closer.
“Yeah.” He whispers. “But I’m still your favorite.”
And then he’s stepping beside you, taking the glass from your hand and dries it.
Finishes washing the dishes with you in silence.
-
“You’re staring again.”
“Yeah. Looks like you’re having fun.”
“Jealous?”
“Of him? Never.”
Silence.
“But of you? Maybe.”
The bar is tucked into the cliffs. A grand view of the sea. Well lit by bulbs on strings.
Everyone’s dressed for the night. Sun-kissed. Hair soft and flows. Laughter echoing. 
You’re on your second drink. Lightly buzzed. Your dress clinging to you just right. And you feel good. Happy.
Theo’s spinning you around. His hands warm on your waist as you move slowly in the corner of the makeshift dance floor. He’s not much of a dancer. But he’s trying. And in the end…that’s all that really matters.
He leans in close. “Y’look so beautiful.”
You smile. “Yeah?”
“I mean…y’always do.” He grins. “But-“
You don’t let him finish. Kiss him. Easy. Soft.
And when you pull back, you catch him in the corner of your eye.
Charles. At the bar.
Sitting with Arthur and Alex. Drink in front of him. Head tilted.
And he’s watching you. Not listening to either of them.
And when you’re eyes meet, he lifts his drink.
A challenge.
And later when you slip away from the loud music. He’s there. Leaning casually against the table. Shirt undone just enough to make your throat dry. 
“You’re having fun.” He says. A statement. Not a question.
“Isn’t that the point?”
He nods. “Theo’s a big fan of spinning you around like you’re some prize.”
You roll your eyes. “It’s called dancing.”
“More like claiming.” He huffs under his breath.
And you look at him.
Hard. 
Trying to read him. 
“What’s your problem?”
He doesn’t answer right away. Eyes dropping to the floor. Then to his half empty drink. 
“You kissed him.” He still isn’t looking at you.
You squint your eyes a little. “Yeah. I did.”
He swallows. Harsh. “Cool.”
You laugh. Dry. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“I’m the ridiculous one?” He finally looks at you. “You’re out here making heart eyes at a guy you know won’t last more than another year.”
Your mouth falls open. “You don’t even know him.”
“I don’t need to know him. I know you.”
And he steps forward. Voice dropping.
“And I know that’s the same dress you wore the night I…”
“Charles.”
You both go quiet. 
Alex’s frame flickers by. Laughter erupts. People keep dancing.
“Whatever. You’re right. Have fun with your fling.”
You narrow your eyes. “Jealous?”
He smiles. Sad. “Of him? Never.”
A moment of silence. And his gaze drops to your mouth. Stays there.
“But you? Maybe.”
-
The trip is winding down. Bags are beginning to be packed. Towels still damp. Nights slower. Everyone pretending that they’re not ready to be home.
The sky’s dark. Everyone’s inside finishing up packing. Winding down.
You slipped out.
Without thinking, ended up here. The lemon tree.
The same as always. 
You hear footsteps. Uneven. Dragging.
And you turn. Charles.
He’s drunk. Swearing under his breath as he loses his footing. A bottle dangling from his hand. Shirtless. Barefoot.
His eyes meet yours and there’s something bitter in them. “Of course you’re here.”
You breathe. “You’re drunk.”
“A lil’ bit,” His words slur. “Celebrating your last night as someone else’s girl.”
You cross your arms. “We’re not doing this.”
But he’s already walking closer. 
“Y’know….s’kinda funny.”
You don’t speak.
“How he holds your hand like its somethin’ delicate. Like you’re some untouchable thing.” He takes another step closer. Voice shaking.
“I’ve had you on your knees on the kitchen floor.” He says, bitter.
Your heart pounds. “Stop.”
“In the pool too,” He slurs. “Begged me to not pull out. Said you wanted to feel it. Feel me.”
He doesn’t even let you speak. Just rambles on. Slurring. Drunk. Angry.
“Had you in every room in that house,” He grunts. “Fingers shoved in you while our parents set the dinner table. Bent you over the bathroom sink. Panties still halfway up your thighs because you were too desperate to wait.”
“Charles…”
“The pantry…remember that one?” His voice drops lower. “You were so wet it dripped onto the floor. Had to stuff my fingers in your mouth so no one would hear you cryin while you came.”
“Don’t do this.”
“I fucking have to.” He snaps. “Because I can’t fucking sleep this entire trip knowing he gets to touch you.”
You swallow. “I’m not some prize.”
“No. You’re worse.” He spits. Stepping close enough that his chest is close enough and you have to crane your neck to look at him. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, and you handed it to someone else like I never fucking existed.”
“Stop it.”
“He doesn’t know what its like to hear you lose control. How you cry when you come. Shaking and begging.”
And your breathing hard now.
He leans in. Bending down to be eye to eye.
“He gets to hold you in public.” His eyes are glaring. “And I got your thighs shaking around my face while you said my name like a fuckin’ prayer.”
You don’t speak. Can’t.
Silence for a few moments.
And then…
“Tell me.” He slurs, small grin tugged on the corner of his lips. “Tell me which of us you think about when you touch yourself.”
You slap him.
Hard.
And his face whips to the side. He breathes heavily. Like he’s trying not to cry. Or scream. Or grab your face and kiss you.
He swallows.
“He gets you in the daylight.”
You don’t speak.
“He gets the sunlight.” 
And you whisper back. Soft. Heart breaking. “You only met me in the dark.”
You walk away barefoot. Tears forming in your eyes.
And Charles?
He stays at the lemon tree until sunrise. Alone.
-
You don’t talk for three months.
Which is considered a lifetime for you and Charles.
And then on a random weekday at nearly three in the morning, he sends a photo of the lemon tree in the winter.
No message beneath it.
You don’t answer.
Not for a day. Not even for three.
But then, on a random day the following week, you send a photo back.
A shot of your bedroom wall. A blurry photo of your hand holding a book in the corner.
Can’t sleep.
And the three dots appear before you can overthink it.
Me either.
And that’s how it begins.
You don’t FaceTime each other. At least, not at first. 
You fall back into a rhythm neither of you thought would come back. Almost normal. The funny kind of banter you guys always had.
Charles broke up with Alex. You broke it off with Theo.
Neither of you really said why.
-
Age 25
“Don’t sit in my chair.”
“This isn’t your chair?”
“I licked it.”
“You haven’t changed.”
“You haven’t either.”
The sun is long gone. You’re curled up in one of the cushioned chairs on the front patio. A half finished glass of wine on the stone table beside you.
The front door swings open.
“Don’t sit in my chair”
He doesn’t even hesitate. Charles drops into the cushion next to you. Barefoot. Hoodie swallowing him.
“This isn’t your chair?”
“I licked it.”
He makes a funny face. “You haven’t changed.”
And you smile. “You haven’t either.”
And its easy. The way he stretches out, folding his arms behind his head. Like nothing ever happened. 
You sip your wine.
His knee bumps into yours. Gaze on you.
“Thought it’d feel weird.”
“It did…for like,” You pause. Whisper. “For like a day.”
He holds your gaze. Doesnt look away. Smiles.
You break the tension first. “Maman said you still haven’t unpacked.”
He shrugs. “I’ll get there.”
“It’s been almost a whole week. That’s psychotic.”
“You’re just mad I haven’t asked to borrow your good smelling shampoo yet.”
“You are so not borrowing that.”
“I already did.”
You elbow him in the side. Laughing. Body shaking. He laughs with you. Head falling back.
He clears his throat. “I missed this.”
And you bump your knee back into his. “Rematch tomorrow?”
“Candy Land?”
“Don’t cheat.”
“I didn’t cheat.”
You narrow your eyes, smiling so hard. “You’re the worst.”
-
Monaco, Age 26
Your back hits the wall of his apartment. 
Urgent. Focused. 
Like he’s waited for forever to get you alone again. And doesn’t want to waste a single second of it.
His mouth is hot on yours. Hands at your hips. Your thighs. Slipped under your dress. And you’re clinging onto him like he’s a lifeline.
You can still taste the champagne on his skin. Skin warm from the race. But his mouth is desperate against you. 
He groans against your lips. “Thought about this almost every night.”
You gasp when his fingers curl around your thigh. “Stop thinking.”
And he’s about to take you right there. Dress bunched at your waist. Pants halfway down. But then you press your hand to his chest.
He stills. Panting. Flushed.
“I need to say something first,” You breathe.
He waits. Hands still gripping you.
And you look up at him. The man who just won Monaco. The boy you’ve known who’s been chasing that dream since you can remember. The one you loved. Hated. Missed.
“Your dad would be so proud of you.” You whisper.
And you feel his chest rise. Jaw clench. Fingers curl harder into your skin.
“I’m serious.” Your voice is soft. “Not just because you won. But because of how you’ve carried him with you.”
And his eyes are glassy.
He swallows hard. “I heard him.” His voice soft. “Right after I saw that checkered flag.”
You bring your hand to his check, pressing your palm. And he leans into you.
And then he’s kissing you again. But its different.
Still hungry. But more grateful. More claiming.
He whispers I love you into your mouth. Again and again. 
He whispers it when you tug his shirt over his head. When you lift your hips to pull your panties off.
Whispers it into your skin when he touches your bare skin. Like he’s seeing it all for the first time again.
And when he sinks in, he groans. Leaning over you, gripping you like you might just slip through his fingers.
“Y’feel like fuckin heaven.” He mutters against your lips. “You are heaven.”
And then he starts moving. Not fast.
Slow. Deep.
“Squeezing me like you missed it,” He huffs. “Did you, hm? Did you miss me?”
“Yes…” You pant. “Fuck…yes.”
He kisses your throat. Hot open mouthed kisses at the corner of your jaw. Hips rolling into you. Each thrust making you cry out.
“I love you.” 
He thrusts.
“I love you.”
Another.
“Not just tonight. Not just now. Always.” He cries out.
And you clench around him. Yelling out as your orgasm builds too fast.
“C’mon that’s it..” He breathes. “Come for me. Let me feel it, yeah? Let me have it…please baby.”
“I love you,” You gasp. “I love you…I love you..”
And then you’re coming. Body shaking, mouth falling slack as he fucks you through it.
Following seconds later, spilling into you.
He collapses over you. “Fuck. You’re it for me.”
You hold him close.
-
“You still take it with milk?” He asks, voice soft. 
You nod.
He hands you a mug. His fingers brushing against yours.
You sit on the couch together. Close.
“I keep thinking about the lemon tree,” You say. Cradling the mug in your hands.
He looks at you. “Yeah?”
You nod. “How many summers we sat there pretending everything was normal.”
He huffs a soft laugh. “We were idiots.”
You smile. “Still are.”
“I’ve loved you since we were kids.” He says quietly. “Since you made me sleep outside by the lemon tree because you said it wasn’t fair that only the birds got to live outside.”
You laugh, heart clenching.
“I’ve loved every version of you.” He continues. “The snot version. The barefoot version. The one who laughs too loud after a few drinks. The one who tried to date other people. The one who…the one who kissed other people in front of me because I waited too fucking long.”
You pause. Placing the mug down on the side table.
“I was scared that loving you would ruin everything.”
He pushes you hair behind your ear. 
“I love you too.” You whisper. “You idiot.”
He laughs.
Leans in.
Kisses you.
-
Age 28
“This is where I almost lost you.”
“And now it’s where you’re asking to keep me?”
“No. Not asking.”
“Oh.”
Its late. 
You’ve changed into one of Charles’s old shirts. Barefoot. As usual. 
He finds you standing at the edge of the yard. 
Where the broken stone path curves. Where the grass bends. Where the lemon tree leans.
You hear him before you see him. His footsteps always so loud.
Neither of you speak. He wraps his arms over your shoulders from behind. Your back to his chest as he nudges his head into the space between your shoulder and neck.
You hold his arms. Swaying to the light breeze. Staring at the lemon tree together.
“This is where I almost lost you.” He says.
And you glance at your side to him. 
“And now it’s where you’re gonna ask to keep me?” You say, laughing. Teasing. Soft.
He smiles. Small. Shaky.
“No.” He says. Unwrapping his arms from you. “Not asking.”
And then you’re turning towards him. 
And he drops to one knee.
Just like that.
Just him in the grass. Kneeling by the lemon tree. Choosing it to be the place where he does the most important thing he’ll ever do.
Your breath catches. And his hands tremble as he pulls a ring from his pocket.
“I wanted to do this right.” He says. “I want to choose you the way I should’ve all those years ago. Not just when it’s easy..or when we’re alone. But in front of every version of us we used to be.”
Your throat burns.
“I want every summer.” He whispers. Eyes glued to you. “Every winter. Every fight. Every make up. I want to kiss you goodnight when we’re tired. Want to raise mini versions of us.”
You laugh. You cry. And you’re nodding before he even finishes.
“I want you forever.”
And then finally, “Will you marry me?”
You fall to your knees right there in the grass. In front of the lemon tree. And kiss him hard enough that you both fall into it. Laughing. Like little kids again.
“Yes.” You whisper against his lips. “Always. In every lifetime…yes.”
taglist: @softtdaisy @zicosbitch @esmeextraa @evie-119 @teamnovalak @leclercmylove @skylyn-vais @tabisswag @annaswrites00 @chaconadine @sassy-persona @im-an-overthinker @ptrickbateman @angelique-rose-valentine @agmoon03 @whistlef0rthechoir @bvbyacid-666 @jenxjar @crazynyctophilia @theoriginalsfan124 xoxo love u all :)
3K notes · View notes