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roosterforme · 11 months ago

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Yours Truly, Bradley Bradshaw Part 19 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: With an uncertain future, Bradley gets ready to leave for Virginia. But he works on a plan to make sure you understand just how much he will be thinking about you.

Warnings: Fluff, smut, angst, adult banter, desperate Bradley, 18+

Length: 5400 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female teacher!Reader

Check out my masterlist for more! Yours Truly, Bradley Bradshaw masterlist

Bradley felt sick to his stomach as soon as he saw the stationery set. At this point, the only thing on his mind was quitting his job so the two of you didn't have to be separated. The paper looked expensive; he would have loved to sit in his bunk and write line after line to you and your class, but he wouldn't be able to do that at all.

"We can go back to being pen pals for a bit," you whispered, your hand coming to rest on his thigh, giving him a little squeeze. "I'll be refreshing my email inbox and waiting not so patiently for my mail to arrive. It'll be great. That's how I fell in love with you in the first place."

He felt guilty even though he had no control over the scenario. His heart hurt with loneliness already as he set the gift you gave him on the coffee table and buried his face in his hands. "Gorgeous. That's not gonna happen." He swallowed past the lump in his throat and turned to look at you out of the corner of his eye.

"I'm confused," you said, hand still on his leg. He covered your fingers with his rougher ones and pulled gently until you climbed onto his lap.

"Oh, god," he groaned, giving you a kiss before linking his fingers with yours. "I love that set of note cards. I would have taken them with me everywhere during my free time, and I would have written to your class constantly. And you would have been the recipient of some rambling love notes to be sure." Your brow was still creased with concern as he said, "No outside communication. For seven weeks."

Your expression went slack as a single tear rolled down your cheek. "You're joking."

"I'm not."

Bradley held onto your fingers as you whispered, "This keeps getting worse," through more tears. Your broken voice made his chest ache as you leaned closer until your cheek was resting on his shoulder. "I could go ages without you in person, but if I can't talk to you at all... Bradley."

Nobody else ever loved him the way you did. He'd be miserable without your letters, emails, dirty pictures and pretty face over video calls, but he finally had someone who would miss him equally.

"I know," he muttered, wrapping his arms around you. "It's seven weeks of nothing."

You were crying in earnest now as you clung to him. "Nothing," you sobbed. "I won't even know if I'm supposed to collect you in San Diego or Norfolk when your deployment ends. And I won't know where you're being stationed."

"Fuck," he gasped. "Gorgeous, when I tell you that nobody would have much cared where I ended up before I met you, I mean it." He kissed you as you snuggled tighter against him. "As soon as I find out what's going on, I'll let you know."

"Seriously," you murmured, voice shaky. "You better tell me as soon as possible if it's San Diego or Norfolk in my future."

Bradley didn't know what else to say besides, "I fucking love you." He smiled for the first time in what felt like weeks as he added, "Are you really going to fly out to Norfolk and collect me if they make me stay in Virginia?"

You pulled away from him, eyes puffy with a scandalized look on your face as you said, "Of course. What kind of girlfriend do you think I am?"

The kind he was going to upgrade to his wife.

-----------------------------

When you finally stopped crying, you were on the verge of a migraine, but you felt a bit calmer. Bradley got up to gather together some Advil, a glass of water, and a small gift wrapped in hideous paper.

"Your early Christmas present," he said, handing it to you after you swallowed two pills for your headache. "Well, it's actually kind of another gift for me, when you really think about it." He dropped down onto the couch again with his arm slung around your shoulders, and unlike him, you tore into the paper. Inside was a leather journal with little hand painted airplanes all over it. "Will you write in it every day so I can read it when I see you again?"

When you opened it to the first page, he had written you a note.

Gorgeous, I miss you with my whole heart. I can't wait to read about all of your adventures when I get home to you. Love, Bradley

"Yes," you whispered, closing it again so you could wrap your arms around his waist. "It'll just be a bunch of pages of me telling you how I argued with Jayden about his sloppy handwriting and how I asked Nia a hundred times to return to her seat. But yes, I'll write in it every day for you."

"I will eat up every page."

After that, he kept you by his side for the rest of the night. Even when you tried to dig around in the refrigerator to see if there was any food left, he was grabbing for you and kissing you. "You have no food," you said with a laugh, turning to face him. "What are we eating for dinner?"

"Hadn't thought that far," he muttered against your lips. "Just want you."

You took his face in your hands and ran your thumb along his scars. "If you don't eat, you'll get cranky. And you've got aircraft carrier food in your future."

Bradley grimaced and muttered, "Cabbage rolls," as he reached for his phone. "Let's get pizza today. And then maybe I'll try to talk the hostess at Salvatore's into letting us get takeout tomorrow. Then Thai on Christmas."

"And then you'll be gone," you whispered, dreading it all over again. "It never gets any easier, does it?"

"You're stuck with me, Gorgeous," he said, voice tinged with the tiniest bit of apprehension.

"I am." You kissed him before you said, "Pizza sounds perfect. Then I can help you pack a little more."

---------------------------

The last thing Bradley wanted to do was finish packing his duffle, but every time you looked up at him, eyes full of emotion, he was struck by several things. One, you really were so good at folding up his uniform components, something he noticed a few days ago. Two, every minute or so, you wrapped your arms around him, which made leaving with uncertainty so much harder. And three, you were absolutely nothing like Vanessa.

Last time when he packed to leave, he was treated to her incessant whining over the fact that he didn't want to take her out to dinner. She was always annoyed with him wanting a quiet night in. She was always annoyed by his job. It was so obvious that she never missed him or loved him the way you did as he watched you carefully fold one of his flight suits before tucking it in his bag.

"Gorgeous," he murmured, and as soon as your gaze met his, you had your arms wrapped around him again.

"That's enough for the night," you whispered, voice thick with emotion as he kissed the top of your head. Your face was pressed against his chest, and he could hear you trying to keep yourself calm. And god, he hated doing this to both of you.

"I agree," he replied, keeping you close while he tossed a few novels he'd been meaning to read in as well. He'd have plenty of time to read a whole stack.

You wiped your eyes on his shirt as you said, "Make sure you read at night and stay away from all the women."

Bradley tipped your chin up so you were looking at him again. "Surely you're not worried about that." You shook your head. "Good. But now that we're on the topic... be a good girl and don't talk to horny assholes."

You started laughing as you slipped out of his grasp, wiping at your tears as you said, "Never. Now let me add one more thing to your bag." As you disappeared from the bedroom, Bradley put his bag on the top of his dresser. If he had time, he would move some of his clothing around so you had room for your things when your lease was up. Otherwise you were going to have to fend for yourself in his house and just make decisions for him. If he just had more time with you, everything would be easier. The one promising thing would be returning in time for Valentine's Day and Career Day at your school. If he was allowed to come back to San Diego at all.

"Fuck," he groaned, hating this unsettled feeling that was expanding in his chest, but as soon as you walked back in, he started to feel better. Seven weeks without you was going to be painful when he had such a visceral reaction to your touch and your words.

"Just in case you feel like jotting down your own thoughts every day for me to read," you said before tucking the stationery kit in next to his uniforms. You slid a large envelope that looked like it was bursting at the seams inside as well and simply said, "Some more reading material for you," before pulling him toward the bed.

And that's when Bradley figured out just how to make you feel a little less alone when he was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

-------------------------

When you opened your eyes on Christmas Eve, you were already smiling. Your body was warm and tucked up against Bradley's, his big, heavy arm draped over you as he snored softly. You wanted to stay here and not move a muscle, because right now, everything was perfect. You could pretend like his duffle bag wasn't sitting on his dresser, mostly packed and ready to go. You could melt into the sweet ache deep inside from the hour he spent loving your body last night. You could close your eyes and go back to sleep.

Bradley's phone vibrated on his nightstand, and he groaned next to your ear. "Baby," he murmured, lips grazing your neck. "Don't get up yet."

You couldn't help but smile. "Your phone is vibrating. Not mine."

"Shit," he grunted, rolling away from you. Once he looked at his phone screen he seemed to wake up. "Nat's on her way to pick you up for girls' day."

"What are you talking about?"

You definitely hadn't planned a girls' day. Why would you want to miss out on any time with Bradley right now? You could have a day with Nat next week or next month when he was gone!

He had a little smile on his face as he pulled you close again for a kiss. "You better get dressed."

"Bradley! I'm not going out with Nat. You're leaving in two days!"

Naked and spectacular, he climbed out of bed and stretched. "Just for a bit. She wants to take you to get coffee, and if she tries to get me a Christmas present, I need you to make sure it doesn't suck."

"You planned this," you said, annoyed as he reached for you, pulling you away from the bed where you could pretend there was no scary uncertainty in your future.

"Just trust me," he whispered, holding you close. "Besides, I need some time to sweet talk someone at Salvatore's into letting me order dinner to-go."

You could handle an hour or two with his best friend while you counted down the time you had left before his flight out of San Diego. "Fine, but I'm wearing your sweatshirt, and I'll be thinking about you the whole time."

Bradley sent you down the walkway with a kiss, and he waved from the front door in just his underwear as you climbed into his best friend's car. "I won't keep you out too long," Natasha promised with a smirk. "I can already tell you want to get back to him."

"Why did he plan this?" you asked, wanting the answers he wouldn't give you while trying not to be rude. "No offense, because I would love to spend an entire girls' day with you, but why today?"

She simply turned up the Christmas songs on the radio and headed toward Starbucks with a smile on her face. "I was thinking after coffee we could hit up the mall for a few minutes? I need to find something truly awful to get for Bradley. I'm thinking some pink running shorts to match mine. High visibility colors are very important when you're out running, and I just don't think he fully appreciates that."

You laughed. "If you buy them, he'll probably just wear them to try to embarrass you."

"I don't embarrass easily," she said smoothly with a devilish grin. "And dare I say you might like to pick out a little something that you could wear as a going away treat?"

"Wear?" you asked before you quite knew what she meant.

"Sure. I mean, I don't want to know any specifics about what the two of you get up to, because gross, but deployments are long and lonely, and you're definitely going to miss each other."

While Bradley had seen all of your cutest underwear at this point, you'd never worn anything that you bought specifically with him in mind. Your cheeks grew warm as you thought about it. Truthfully you didn't even own anything terribly sexy.

"What would he even like?" you asked softly as she pulled into the Starbucks parking lot.

"On you?" she asked with a laugh. "Anything. Don't worry, we'll find something good."

------------------------

When Natasha texted to inform him that you were on your way back to his house, Bradley quickly hid everything that had been out on his coffee table while he juggled his phone. The woman he was talking to on speakerphone wasn't falling for his lines at all.

"Listen," he told her, making sure there was no visible evidence of what he'd done in his living room. "I just really want tonight to be special for my girlfriend and I before I leave for my next deployment. Just one order of spaghetti and meatballs? That's all I'm asking."

There was a deep sigh followed by, "Be here promptly at 5:00 to pick it up. I'll take your credit card over the phone."

"Perfect," he replied with a smile, digging for his wallet. "The name is Bradley Bradshaw."

You walked in with shopping bags in your arms, and rushed toward him as he finished giving his credit card security code, and he pulled you in for a hug as he reassured the hostess from Salvatore's that he would be there at 5:00.

"Hi," he said, kissing you after he ended the call. "Did you have fun with Nat?

"So much fun," you told him with a smile. "We're going to try out a wine bar next week up in Oceanside." The idea of you hanging out with his friend while he was away made him feel calm, especially since Nat knew how important you were to him. "Also," you said, pressing your lips together nervously, "I think I'd like to sleep here for the rest of my winter break." Your volume dropped to a whisper. "I'm not sure if it will make me miss you more or less, but I want to be here if that's okay with you."

"I love that, Gorgeous," he replied easily. Hanging out with Natasha and then returning to his house where you belonged anyway felt right to him. "Knowing you're sleeping in my bed might result in some dirty notes from me," he said with a laugh as you bit your lip.

"Please," you whispered. "Yes. Write me dirty notes to read when you get back." Just when he was about to kiss you, he watched you bend and rummage around in a bag. "Also, this is your gift from Natasha." You handed him some bright pink fabric that he turned around in his hands, trying to figure out what it was. "And she told me to hold up the gift receipt for you."

When he finally figured out that it was a pair of ladies running shorts, he grimaced. "She's so annoying," he groaned, reaching for the gift receipt, but you quickly chuckled and tore it up. "What are you doing?"

"You're not allowed to return them." You dropped the bits of paper, and he tossed the shorts onto the couch.

"Whose side are you on here?" he asked, peppering your face with kisses. "Don't think for a second I won't just put a jock strap on and run in those shorts."

"I tried to tell her you would," you laughed as he scooped you up. "I kind of want to see it."

"Play your cards right," he murmured, grabbing his keys and taking you out to his Bronco. "Let's pick up dinner."

------------------------------

Your belly was full of spaghetti and meatballs when you managed to sneak away to the tiny laundry room and quickly hand wash your new bra and thong set while Bradley loaded the dishwasher. Nat assured you that he would enjoy this tiny thing, and you were trusting her here. You set both items aside to dry before walking back out to the kitchen.

"You don't have a Christmas tree," you remarked, wishing you'd picked one up today from one of the many parking lots trying to unload them at the last minute.

"I told you I don't really celebrate holidays."

"You're doing a great job of celebrating this one."

He washed his hands and tossed the towel aside. It was barely seven o'clock, but he asked, "You feel like calling it an early night?" You agreed, ready to feel his warmth along your entire body as you fell asleep.

You got undressed and climbed in bed, and he did the same. Bradley's hands were everywhere, but his lips were gentle on your neck and shoulder as he whispered your name. "I love you. It's going to kill me inside when I can't talk to my favorite pen pal. Last time, you had my heart pounding every time you sent me a new email."

Tears stung your eyes in the darkness; you'd done a pretty good job of holding it together all day, but this was going to be your undoing. "I promise, every time you think about me, I'll already be thinking about you, too."

Bradley's arm tightened around you, his thumb stroking your skin, soothing you along with his sweet words as you fell asleep.

When you woke up on Christmas Day, his body was still right behind yours where he belonged, but when you rolled over to look at his handsome face, you knew the hours were going to go by too quickly. "Morning, Gorgeous," he murmured, voice raspy from sleep as he cracked his eyes open. "Let's go see what Santa brought."

You didn't have any other gifts for him, unless you counted your new lingerie which you were saving for later after dinner. And the printer you bought so he could have some photos of you without his phone on the aircraft carrier. But when you got out to the living room, there was an envelope on the coffee table.

"What is it?" you asked cautiously as you picked it up. But your heart melted immediately. It was a gift card for the wine bar in Oceanside.

"There's enough on there for you and Nat to take a few trips up if you like the place."

"The two of you have been plotting, I see," you remarked, taking a deep breath before snuggling up against his chest. "But nothing will beat the horribly expensive bottle of wine I accidentally made you buy on our second date."

Deep laughter rumbled through Bradley's chest as he said, "The look on your face just made me love you more." You groaned thinking about it. "Come on, we've only got one day left and then seven weeks of nothing. Let's make French toast and have sex on the couch and eat Thai food and watch movies."

You wore his sweatshirt around all day, licked maple syrup from his lip and rode him until he was whining for you. The Thai noodles went perfectly with Home Alone. Then you took a shower together and deep conditioned his hair, dragging your nails along his scalp until his eyes closed.

"I'm going to miss this," he whispered after every single thing you did. When you toweled his hair dry, he looked at you with so much emotion. "I'm going to call you as soon as I know what's going on with the Pacific versus Atlantic Fleet. And either way, I'll try to be as patient as I possibly can, but I can't live without you, Baby."

"Bradley."

"Shit. Even the way you say my name makes me ache."

"I want you here with me. I already hate this." A sob escaped your lips without warning. "I want you to come back for Career Day."

The words were barely out of your mouth before he said, "I will be here for Career Day no matter what. Disappointing you is bad enough, but I don't want the eighteen kiddos to miss out on spending the day with their favorite Naval officer."

You laughed. "You're not disappointing me, Bradley. This is just hard, because I love you so much."

If you couldn't see a future with him, this would have been easier. He set you down on the bathroom vanity, and you watched him carefully shave around his mustache, kissing you randomly so you had to wipe shaving cream from your nose, and then he started collecting his toiletries for his duffle bag. He was naked and perfect as you stayed huddled in your towel, wondering if you could even manage to pull off wearing the items that were surely dry now and draped over his laundry room sink.

"Where are you going?" he asked as you ducked past him toward the door.

"Meet me in bed."

You rushed down the hallway and threw your towel in the empty washing machine as you took a minute to touch the pretty lace fabric before sliding the thong up your legs. Next you hooked the bra in place, and it didn't matter if you didn't look perfect, because you felt good. And you wanted him to have this memory.

When you cautiously strolled into the bedroom, Bradley was still naked, laying on top of the bedding, looking at a small piece of paper. "I'm just double checking my packing list, and I..." His gaze shifted to your body, and you did a little turn for him. The paper drifted to the floor as he sat up, his hand coming to rest on his cock. "Come here."

Biting your lip, you did as you were told. Bradley's feet swung over the edge of the bed, coming to rest on the floor as his cock bobbed between his thick thighs. "Here I am," you whispered, standing between his knees with your hands on his shoulders. "Your going away gift."

One strong arm wrapped around you, and you squeaked as he pulled you flush against him. He kissed the rounded tops of your breasts above your new bra, one after the other before looking up at you. "What did I do to deserve this?" he rasped, his nose running along the lace as his fingers tangled in your thong.

Already so turned on, you tried to answer him twice before words came out. "I wanted to give you a proper send off. Something extra special." Then he kissed your furled nipples through the flimsy bra cups and you moaned, "Something to think about when you're lonely."

His fingers were digging into your butt as he grunted. His wide brown eyes were fixed on your face as he parted his lips and sucked on your breast, the black lace wet everywhere now. He was being a little rough, but it felt like he was worshipping you at the same time, and when his lip found your neck, he asked, "Is this little getup new?"

"I bought it yesterday," you gasped as his fingers slipped inside your thong, stroking your wet pussy. "Just for you."

Then you were on your back with your head on the pillow, Bradley's heavy cock resting against your thigh as he hovered over you. "Just for me, huh?" he grunted, biceps flexed as he fought to keep his breathing under control.

You nodded, running your toes up along his calf and thigh until your leg was hooked around his hip, ready to give him whatever he wanted. "Of course it's just for you. I'll wear it again when we meet back in the San Diego airport or in Norfolk. And I'll wear it when you're away and I'm touching myself."

"Fuck," he growled, pulling your panties to the side and running his cock through your wetness before pushing himself so deep inside you that it took your breath away. When you whimpered, his lips crashed against yours as his hands dug beneath you to unhook your bra. "Touch yourself right now." When the flimsy lace ended up on the floor while Bradley fucked you, he guided your right hand to his lips, kissing your fingertips before placing them on your breast. "I want to watch."

Bradley's pupils were wide, lips parted. When you looked down your body as his cock disappeared inside you over and over again, you felt even more turned on. When you ran your fingers along your nipple and up between your bouncing breasts, his eyes followed your every move. "Like this?" you asked, feeling bold as you added your left hand as well.

He gave you a harder thrust. "Exactly like that, Gorgeous. And what are you going to think about when you do?"

"My boyfriend," you managed before his mouth met yours in a deep kiss that only lasted a few seconds. "I'm going to think about my boyfriend. I'll miss you so much."

-----------------------------

Bradley's hips slowed to a gentler pace as he listened to you gasping and panting beneath him. There was no way you'd miss him as much as he'd miss you. He closed his eyes and thought about returning home to your arms in seven weeks and heading back to work in the Pacific Fleet. He hoped you'd appreciate the little surprises he was leaving behind for you. More than anything he wanted you to think about tonight when you got yourself off.

His rough excitement at you in the new lingerie melted into something sweeter as he fucked you with long, languid strokes. Your lips were on his neck and collarbones as he whispered how much he loved you over and over. When you came, it escalated quickly, sudden and loud as he ran his thumb across your clip. He couldn't hold on after that, and he let your body hold him in place with soft squeezes as he caught his breath.

"I have one more thing for you to pack," you whispered, voice ragged as you ran your fingers through his hair.

"I really hope you fit in my duffle," he mused, and you laughed softly.

You kissed his ear and whispered, "I bought a small photo printer since you won't be able to use your phone." He shivered at your words. "You can print out a photo or two of us together... or maybe you want to take a new one right now to print out?"

"Jesus," he grunted, kissing your lips. "You're spoiling me." He reached for his phone on the nightstand and snapped a few pictures of your fucked out face and your body with his cock still buried deep. "I am very spoiled."

When you stood and plugged in the printer with lips puffy from his mustache in just your thong, he couldn't keep his hands off you. He had his photo gallery open on his phone and his arm around your waist as he selected the picture you sent him ages ago with the sun setting behind you. "This one is an absolute necessity. So is this one of us together. I don't think I should take any with me where you're naked, just to be safe," he mused, and you threw your arms around him.

"You'll just have to use your imagination," you told him as the photos printed.

"That'll be easy with this fresh in my mind," he murmured, looking down at your tits pressed to his chest. "I'll be thinking about you nonstop."

Bradley's hold on your body was unrelenting as he dropped the photos into his duffle and led you back to bed. It was getting late, and his flight to Virginia was early. You snuggled up on his chest with a soft smile on your lips. "I hope you do. I hope you think about me constantly and write me notes."

He kissed your forehead. "Not just you... your whole class. Have to keep them interested in aviation. But you're my favorite pen pal."

You laughed and buried your face against his neck, and he could feel your breathing grow a little more ragged as you whispered, "I love you so much. Just be safe. I don't really care if we have to figure out long distance or relocation as long as you're safe, Bradley."

That's how he fell asleep, wrapped up in your arms with your sweet sentiments in his ear. And the next morning, when his alarm went off, he welcomed your tears, because they made him feel like he was important to a woman for the first time in his life. You cried softly as you sat on his lap and went over his packing list with him one more time, and your cheeks were wet as you kissed him.

Bradley let you button up his khaki uniform shirt for him, your fingers shaking as you smoothed down the fabric along his chest. "Thank you, Gorgeous," he whispered, watching helplessly as your face crumbled into more tears.

When he drove the Bronco to the airport, your fingers were linked with his in the silence as the light from the rising sun hit the buildings downtown, promising to bring another perfect day to southern California. His hand tightened around yours, knowing he was going to be flying into so much uncertainty. His voice sounded strangled to his own ears as he parked at the curb under the signage for departing flights. "This is it. I'll text and call you as much as I can when I land before they lock me down, but this is it for seven weeks."

You crawled onto his lap, holding him tight as he kissed you, and now his tears mingled with yours. "I love you, Bradley," you promised, and he believed you as he held you in his arms and climbed down onto the pavement. He pulled his duffle from the backseat and dropped it to the curb as he held you against him, unwilling to leave before he told you a few more things.

"I'll keep myself safe, but you need to do the same. If you need something, you call Natasha right away, okay?" You nodded against him, your fingers digging into his shoulder blades. "My stuff is your stuff, so do whatever you want at the house and with my Bronco. And tell me you love me every day in the journal so I can read about it when I see you."

"I will," you sobbed as he finally set you down. "And I'll be waiting to hear you tell me if it's San Diego or Norfolk."

He swiped your tears away from your cheeks and kissed you one last time before he picked up his bag and headed for the door. When he turned back one last time, you were clutching his car keys and crying. "I love you, Gorgeous."

----------------------------

We'll see how they manage apart. I think she might do a bit better than Bradley will. Thanks @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 20

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captain-bubble-wrap · 4 months ago

Note

since papi is here to stay imagine him with the reader and like him calling himself papa/papi instead of like dada or daddy

I AM SO SORRY THIS GOT LOST IN MY INBOX! 💔

Last night had been horrible. Both you and Auston had been up half the night, up and down until the sun had come up. Crying, screaming, and an unwillingness to lay down, had been the trifecta that lead to one of the worst nights the two of you had had since becoming new parents.

"Why don't you get some sleep, babe?" Auston whispered, watching you pace the floor with the baby in your arms. "I can take over from here."

You looked at him, eyes heavy and body pained from hours of walking circles. Sleep sounded so good -even just the thought- but with how much pain you were in, you wondered if you'd even be able to get any rest if given the chance. "C'mon, you look like you're about to fall asleep standing up."

His arms were outstretched, waiting for you to go along with his plan but you were reluctant. It wasn't because you didn't think he couldn't handle it, but you felt like you were getting close to some sort of breakthrough. But, on the other hand, maybe you were delusional?

"I'm gonna draw you a bath,, then it's my turn, okay? You deserve the break."

Before you could tell him no, he had already slipped out of the room, leaving you to continue bouncing the fussy baby who simply refused to nap. The searing pain across your shoulders burned with each movement you took; your feet ached, causing pain to radiate up your legs and settling in your lower back. Auston simply couldn't return soon enough, and when he did, you finally understood why he wanted you to take a break.

"Go on, mama. My turn." His smile was so warm, so inviting; his voice soft and full of love. "Take some time to yourself. We'll be alright."

Less reluctantly than before, you let Auston take your baby into his arms before giving you a soft kiss to your forehead. Slowly, due to the stiffness in your body, and the corresponding pain, you left the bedroom and went into adjoining bathroom. You'd get undressed as fast as you could and fully submerge yourself in the hot water. Like a rope being unraveled, the tension slowly melted away bit by bit and you'd finally allow your eyes to fall closed, although careful not to fall asleep.

After maybe thirty minutes or so, you wrapped yourself in one of Auston's robes and went to see how things were going, since you hadn't heard any crying. Silently, you wandered back into the bedroom where Auston was sitting on his side of the bed --his back to you--quietly talking to your baby.

"Shhh, shh, it's alright. It's alright. Papa's right here."

You'd put your fingers to your lips, smiling at the heartwarming moment you felt you were eavesdropping on. Auston was such a soft soul; a teddy bear when he felt comfortable enough to let his personality come through. Since becoming a father, it was like you had discovered a whole new side of him and it was such a wonderful journey to be on. But this moment? This was something different because he didn't know you were watching him.

You'd relish the memory for a moment before quietly making your way over to them. "How's it going?" You asked, laying your hand softly on his shoulder.

Auston smiled up at you, "We're alright, how are you?"

"I'm better, thank you. Need some help?"

He just shook his head, "No, mama, get some rest. I'm going to put this little one down for awhile then I'll come join you. You've done enough for today."

You'd give him a kiss before he rose to his feet. You could tell in his movements, that he was also feeling the effects of being up with so few hours of sleep. He was the best partner you could have ever asked for; one so selfless when it came to fatherly responsibilities. Turning back the covers of your bed, you'd wait for him to return before allowing yourself to succumb to any amount of rest you were granted. Thankfully, after just a few minutes, Auston returned to your bedroom -- his eyelids heavy with exhaustion.

"Come here, papi," you motioned, "Come to bed."

"What a night," he exhaled, nearly falling into the bed. "I don't think I've ever felt so tired."

"Me either," you replied, your sigh expressing more than your words. "We should probably get some sleep incase it starts again."

Auston looked at you concerned, "Please, not so loud... Don't tempt Fate like that, mama. I need more than just a two hour nap."

His words made you smile. You told him you'd take first shift so he could get some beauty sleep. Thankfully, his eyeroll was accompanied with a smile, or else you thought you may have hurt his feelings.

#🗣 hockey mom daydreams #auston matthews imagine #auston matthews #auston matthews x reader #auston matthews fic #auston matthews fanfic

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yanderefarm · 9 months ago

Note

May I request cuddling Emil and telling him how good of a mommy he would be

"mommy" emil

cw;; breeding kink, overstimulation, mess, feminization

this is probably poorly written but isn't everything. i have another request in the inbox of emil with a daddy kink ive been picking at. he can be your mommy or your daddy-

no one would ever expect to see the king in such a pathetic position, it was more befitting a whore than his royal highness. but here he was; cum was dripping down his thighs, a mixture of yours and his own, and his neck down to his chest were covered in bruises, itmarks, and the wet traces of your saliva. you weren't faring much better, emil had left scratch marks on your arms and back that made you look more like you got in a fight with a cat. one of your scratched up arms was wrapped around emil's waist while the other was under his firm thigh holding his leg up. you were both still panting.

emil let out a pathetic cry when you tried to drag your cock out of his abused hole, his nails once again digging into your arm. you grimaced in pain but you were too tired to say anything opting to whine like a kicked puppy.

"stay." emil ordered through panted breaths.

you gently released his leg, allowing emil to relax into your arms. he let out a heavy sigh as his head hit your shoulder.

"baby... let me get you cleaned up." you could feel more of your cum leaking from where you two connected.

"how w-wuh, ngh" his presumably haughty words caught in his throat when you shifted slightly. "stay."

you couldn't bring yourself to argue with his needy demands, how fucked out he sounded still, nor the warmth of his wet hole. so you simply shifted your bodies to a more comfortable spooning position and you wrapped yourself around him. emil's pretty pink eyes fluttered as exhaustion started to take his body. you helped him along by peppering gentle kisses along the bruises on his neck. just as your husband was starting to drift to sleep he let out a little whine and squirmed against your body.

"you're going to leave as soon as I sleep." he said like a pouting child.

you sighed. "i won't leave."

"you'll pull out and clean up and I'll never get pregnant."

you stifled a little laugh at his words before you kiss his cheek again. "ok. i promise i won't."

"i don't trust you." his arms cross in front of his chest as he pouts.

you let out another heavier sigh. "you're tired, emi."

"then you should be tired too." more cute pouting.

"i am tired. that's why we should sleep." you kiss his cheek.

he just shakes his head, crossing his arms more aggressively to make a point. you pepper more kisses across his cheek until he turns into your kisses. you finally capture his pouting lips and he stops crossing his arms to wrap around one your neck instead. he lets out a pathetic little moan.

"emi, you're so good for me." you keep one hand on his stomach while the other slides down to massage his thigh.

"mmgh, you're just trying to trick me" he rolled his head back against your shoulder.

"no" you kissed the corner of his lips. "you did so good tonight."

emil finally smiled, dragging you to kiss him again. "tell me how i'm good."

"you're so pretty. your skin looks so pretty all marked and messy," your fingers trailed up his sticky skin drawing more soft moans from him. "your moans are so pretty," you let your thumb gently brush against his soft cock causing him to shudder. "you look so pretty taking my cock."

you grunted feeling emil's hole clench around you. you moved your hand back to his stomach immediately trying to hold him still against you. emil hummed, satisfied at your reaction.

"i am pretty. what else?" he had a cocky smile on his face at that point.

you sighed, your head falling forward to rest against his shoulder. "you're an arrogant bastard."

that just earned you a painful tug of your hair.

you rubbed your hands against his stomach drawing a moan from him. "do you feel that?"

emil looked down at the bulge in his stomach, his cheeks burning. "thats... you."

"that's how I'm putting a baby in you." you rubbed the bulge holding back your own moan. "you're gonna be a mommy"

emil gasped his lips just hanging open.

"you're gonna be such a good mommy. i can't wait to see you carrying my children." you kissed his cheek as you rubbed wider circles in his stomach. "you'll be so pretty and swollen."

"i can't." you watched in shock as tears started to brim in emil's eyes.

"does it hurt?" you stopped your motions.

emil touched his own stomach replacing your hands. "i can't be a good mother."

you let out a relieved sigh before you put your hand over his own. "i would be so honored if you would mother my children."

"i would hurt them..." he started to cry properly.

you kissed away his tears. "no. you protect you don't hurt."

"i kill everyone-" you caught his lips and gave him a passionate kiss. he melted into your arms, body relaxing.

"our children will be so lucky to have you." you reassured him after your lips finally parted.

"they'll be lucky to have you..." he nuzzled into you. "my pretty husband."

you pulled him into another passionate kiss, his free hand desperately pulled at you. he rolled his hips purposefully causing you to moan against his mouth. the hand still on his stomach rubbed into the bulge this time causing you both to moan.

"emi I'm tired." you whined when he finally let your lips part.

"you're going to put a baby in me tonight." emil pushed you onto your back causing you to let out a whine. he repositioned himself to straddle your lap.

"even if it takes all night."

#top male reader #dom male reader #male reader #sub yandere #yandere ideas #yandere x male reader #replies #yandere oc #yandere king #yandere x reader #yandere drabble

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deerspherestudios · 10 months ago

Text

Short Break and To Dos!

Hello all! 🍄🍄👻 I'm glad to see people enjoying Day 3 so far! I was so nervous about showing another side to Mychael in the update I thought people wouldn't like him as much but plenty have reacted positively! ❤️

I'll add a TLDR; above the read more, but if you don't mind my ramblings and want more details about everything, I'll write everything below! Light spoilers ahead!

I'll be taking a short break from MO development until 28th October to work on a short VN for the Monstrous Desires jam!

Most probably missed it, but there's a tiny small patch to Day 3 explained here.

Queue will return soon! I just gotta handle some housekeeping first with my Patreon.

Regarding the feedback on Day 3, I'm glad people aren't as averse to the new side of Mychael, in that he isn't always soft and sweet. I want people to fall in love with a person after all, not a yandere caricature, and that means that person can get upset, angry and sometimes irrational when we don't know what's going on in their head even towards the subject of their affections. While some (understandably!) were shocked about his reaction to the mushrooms, it'll be clear as to why (hopefully!)

Some of you have given incredibly accurate theories, and I'll take that as something I've done well in building up the mystery!!! I'm excited to share more in the next update, but for now!

1. I'll be taking a short break from MO development to work on a short VN for the Monstrous Desires jam!

What I have planned for Day 4 of MO might be the biggest update so far, since one route will lead to a few official BAD ENDINGS as opposed to 'dead ends' like the current demo has. To those who really want to, you finally get to see Mychael at his worst. As usual, writing the script takes a few months with plenty of changes in between, and I don't wanna bulldoze ahead and rush the story when it's getting to the climax!

But before I jump into all of that I just wanna give myself a creative exercise and try exploring a different theme, style and setting with a fresh new character for the jam! Since I'm a sucker for the trope... yes, the new blorbo will also be a yandere, sorry, I'm predictable.💔 The jam ends on October 28th so development on MO will continue then!

The last time I wrote something remotely sci-fi was in high school, so this will be fun to try!

2. Most probably missed it, but there's a tiny small patch to Day 3 explained here.

What it says on the tin! If you've already played Day 3, rest assured there's no significant story changes. Just an updated credits list, three extra sprites for one route and a small fix in the code.

3. Queue will return soon! I just gotta handle some housekeeping first with my Patreon.

Plenty of people have sent such sweet and encouraging messages to my inbox on what they thought of the update and I cannot thank all of you enough for the support!! I can't wait to post them out to archive them on the blog and answer all your interesting theories and queries in my queue!

But for now I'm due for a short break from my socials and to catch up on my Patreon sketch requests haha. I also plan to release cut content from Day 3 for my Yearling and Deer patrons. Plus, I'll be working on some written prompts for extra lore so that's something to look forward to!

I'll be back soon! Take care, fireflies!! ❤️

#mushroom oasis vn #bts #cheea chatter

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maidragoste · 1 month ago

Text

Worry

Frank Langdon x Wife!Reader

Summary: You start to worry when your husband takes more days off than usual.

Now you can read part two here! The Pitt Masterlist

Okay, I'm very excited and nervous to write something that isn't about hotd, but I actually enjoyed writing it, so I want to share it.

As I always say, please don't hesitate to like, comment, and reblog. The interactions always motivate me to keep writing 🥰🥰💖💖

If you have any ideas, questions or headcanons you want to share, my inbox is always open 🤗💖

Disclaimer: English is not my first language so I apologize for any mistakes.

I hope you have a good reading!

The first day Frank stayed home, you didn't suspect a thing. You believed him when he told you he'd requested a day off after working extra shifts.

You and the kids were happy to have Frank all to yourselves. You all went to the park for a while, and at night, you watched Encanto and snuggled up on the couch after your husband made dinner.

It was a beautiful day, being able to sleep in, having breakfast together, and having your husband by your side helping you with the chaos of the kids. Hearing your kids's laughter, watching Frank being a father. You melt every time you hear him patiently explain something to the kids or when you see him hugging the kids. You loved these days, but you married a doctor and you knew that the next day Frank would be off saving lives and might come back too tired to give the kids his full attention.

The next morning came and, like every morning, you two woke up to his alarm. Frank quickly turned it off so as not to wake the kids, and when he saw that you were starting to move away from him to get up to make him breakfast, he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you towards him, your bodies pressed together.

“Don’t get up. I’m staying home,” he said, placing a kiss on your neck. You turned to look at him, confused. “What? I want to stay longer with my favorite girl and my buddies.” This time he kissed you on the lips, and you were distracted by the love your husband was giving you.

On the second day, you didn't go to the park; you all stayed home and made a fort in the living room with pillows and sheets, playing cards. That night, Frank cooked dinner again.

The third day came and you began to suspect. This time, your alarm didn't wake you up; you woke up alone—your biological clock had probably gotten used to always waking up at the same time—and you found your husband already awake, staring at the ceiling.

"What's wrong?" you asked, letting him know you were awake.

“Nothing,” he replied instantly, and you didn't believe him. He didn't look as relaxed as he had the morning before, but rather tense. “I'm staying home. You can go back to sleep.”

This time, you hugged him and let him rest his head on your chest. “I love you,” you said, hoping he'd understand the meaning behind it.

I'm here. I'm here to listen to you whenever you're ready. You can tell me anything, and I'll still love you.

“I love you more,” he said, feeling a lump form in his throat. He didn't want to disappoint you.

On the third day, you all stayed home again. You made cookies together and checked on Frank. You noticed he was more discouraged.

Fourth day. Again, there was no alarm; you woke up to find Frank staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. You didn't ask him what was wrong, just went to hug him.

"I love you," you reminded him again.

"I love you more," he repeated, caressing your hand.

You didn't need to ask; you both knew he'd stay home again.

You didn't go out. Everyone played board games. Frank was still discouraged, and you noticed he was constantly looking at his phone as if he was waiting for something, which made you worry even more, and you decided to be direct that night.

“Can we talk?” you asked as soon as Frank came out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth, ready to go to sleep.

Frank felt his body tense instantly. “Of course,” he said, trying to act as if nothing had happened, and he sat down next to you on the bed.

You took your husband's hand and looked him in the eyes. You gathered your courage and began to speak. “I'm worried about you. I know something happened, and you're not telling me.” You never stopped stroking his hand. “I just want to help you. Please, let me help you. Don't push me away. I'm here for you,” you pleaded with sad eyes, causing a lump to form in your husband's throat.

Frank let out a shaky breath. He didn't want to disappoint you. He didn't want to change your image of him. What if he told you what he'd done and you walked away? What if you took him away from the kids? That would kill him. He couldn't be without either of you; you and the kids are the best things in his life. He didn't want to lose you and them. But if he didn't tell you the truth, he knew he'd definitely lose you. You'd never forgive him if he lied to you now.

“I messed up,” he said.

“In the hospital?” you asked, just to be sure.

He nodded, his eyes glazed over, and you squeezed his hand tightly. “Yes.”

You looked at him silently, waiting for him to continue.

“I-I,” he found it hard to say because now that days had passed since what happened, he felt ashamed of how he handled the situation. “I stole medication from patients and I got caught. Robby found out and sent me home, but I went back to the hospital because of Pittfest. I tried to talk Robby out of reporting me, but he didn't agree and didn't react well,” he confessed hastily.

You're shocked and confused. Since when did this start happening? Had you been so focused on the kids that you didn't notice the changes in your husband? How did Frank get to the point of needing drugs so much that he was stealing them from his patients?

"Since when are you an addict?" you asked, and you obviously said the wrong thing because Frank let go of your hand.

"I'm not an addict," he denied instantly, and your concern increased.

“Frank, honey,” your tone held no malice, and you took his face in your hands with the same affection as always. “Think about it, okay? Your normal self would never have thought of stealing from your patients. If you've gone that far, it's because you have a problem,” you said gently.

Frank swallowed. He didn't want to admit it. If he did, it would become serious, and you might even ask him to check himself in and stay away from the children.

“We'll find you help, and you'll be okay, okay?” you continued, hoping to reassure him when you noticed the uncertainty and fear in his blue eyes.

“Please don't take me away from the boys,” he pleaded with a trembling voice, resting his forehead against yours. It broke your heart to see him like that.

“Never,” you promised. “We're in this together. You'll be okay, we'll all be okay,” you broke down. “I love you, forever,” you reminded him and kissed him.

And Frank took refuge in your love, your kisses, and your words. Knowing you'd be with him every step of the way, you'll work together and he'll be fine again.

#langdon's wife!reader #frank langdon x reader #frank langdon x you #langdon x reader #frank langdon #the pitt x reader #the pitt x you #the pitt fanfiction #the pitt fic #the pitt imagine #the pitt fanfic #dr langdon x reader #dr langdon x you #dr frank langdon x reader #dr frank langdon x you #frank langdon imagine #frank langdon fic #frank langdon fanfiction

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liliesdiary · 4 months ago

Text

➢ Be My Valentine

SYNOPSIS → Your Lovesick Anonymous who so happens to be the infamous Ghostface is your Valentine's date after several threatening messages.

READ PART ONE → ➢ Face Of An Angel

TAGS/WARNINGS → pornstar!reader, dubcon, yandere!ghostface, blackmail, power play, porn addict!ghostface, porn mentioned, porn addiction mentioned, obsessive!ghostface, love struck!ghostface, hyperfem!reader, soft angel porn name, obsessive thoughts, horror porno, knife play, violent threats, mentions of trauma, ownership obsession, possessive!ghostface, yandere themes & a lot of pink! Happy Valentine's Day <3

As you press accept, you receive countless love letters and lovesick anonymous messages from him. You picked the right choice.

Your heart pounded like a little dove trying to escape her cage. Your eyes scanned across your screen, the pink bright light reflecting in your doe eyes.

Did you make the right choice? You thought to yourself. Or did you just put yourself in a cage and gave your stalker the key?

The amount of love letters on your screen were overwhelming. The pink anonymous lovesick messages flood your screen, glitching and breaking your computer. The messages were filled with violent love letters, oh such sweet words were used to describe you.

Angel, little dove, doll, his little porn star.

He acted as if he owned you. As if because you were a porn star, he had every right to claim your body, the one you've exposed so many times to him. Horror porn fantasizes, gore and pictures of his precious little victims fill your inbox, making the knot in your stomach tighten even more.

What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?

You look away as soon as you see the countless pictures of gore he sent you, his pretty little victims covered in blood and ribbons, just for you.

Think of it as a little present.

You try to click off the screen, trying to press the x but it doesn't work. Your computer was completely frozen as your hands started to sweat.

Then all of a sudden, your computer flashes bright pink with him on the screen. Him in that mask of terror. The same mask he used to terrorize you so many years ago. Your pretty doll eyes trembled as you backed away from your computer screen. He was watching you. He's been watching you and not just from your live streams, but from your computer. You've been his trapped little dove for longer than you've known, entertaining him as you expose yourself everyday in front of that computer everyday.

And you thought he was just a fucking creep sending threats to scare you, but he was so much fucking worse.

He was the person that violated you so many years ago, your stomach aches as you remember how sweetly he twisted that knife into you, whispering sweet words as your trembling eyes couldn't move away from your friend's dead bodies on the floor.

Why couldn't he just leave you alone?

He already ruined your life, he brutally took everything away from you and he wanted more. He was starving for you and you were already trapped in his cage, waiting pathetically to be ripped apart by him.

Your heart aches, the urge to run away and hide filled it yet you couldn't move. You were frozen in fear, your heart pounding as your room got quiet. Way too fucking quiet.

Then you hear a ping from your phone. It was from him.

꧁ᬊᬁ LOVESICK ANONYMOUS ᬊ᭄꧂

Go to sleep, little dove. I won't hurt you just yet. Get some rest, I'll see you tomorrow for Valentine's Day.

Oh, how sweet. Maybe you were falling for him.

You wake up the next morning, your unsettling anxiety filled you. You felt haunted by the masked man whose presence was a haunting shadow that lingered in your life. You felt his eyes on you, his dark cold eyes clinging onto your skin.

Your eyes flickered at your computer screen, the screen still distorted and overflowing with his relentless love confessions.

You rose from your pink messy bed, your feet hesitant as you don't even feel safe in your own room anymore. You look at your computer, a new message has popped up. A sweet morning message with a threat laced with it.

The words twisted within you like a dagger, a reminder of the power he wielded over your very being. You knew you couldn't run from him, he was watching you. Your heart almost fluttered. In a sick twisted way, it was romantic.

He then sent another message through your phone.

꧁ᬊᬁ LOVESICK ANONYMOUS ᬊ᭄꧂

Happy Valentine's Day Angel. Will you get dolled up for me?

Oh. Did your heart just flutter?

Was the trapped little dove’s heart fluttering for him already?

You yearned to reply with a sweet yes, yet you restrained yourself. How utterly pathetic it would be to doll yourself for the psychopath who had mercilessly taken your friends. And yet, insatiably, your body betrays you, responding with an intensity that shivers at his mere existence. It feels as though he possesses you entirely, your very soul branded by his tainted touch long ago, an indelible mark of obsession that you cannot escape.

You shamefully respond with a submissive yes, your body and heart betraying you. You could feel him luring you in deeper and deeper, his hands roaming all over you as you allow him to.

꧁ᬊᬁ LOVESICK ANONYMOUS ᬊ᭄꧂

Good Girl.

His response made your heart flutter and your cunt throb. Fuck, he owned you. You stripped yourself from your clothes, exposing yourself as you felt his eyes watching you change. You knew he was watching yet you were vulnerable with him, as you always were.

Always too bare and vulnerable for a man who'll twist a knife deep into your stomach just to see the beauty of your wide, submissive eyes.

You picked a snug pink top that covered your notorious tattoo. Your pretty skirt clung just a bit too high, as your lace stockings caressed your legs. Your lips glistened with your signature pink gloss, while your hair was braided and adorned with delicate pink ribbons.

You were all dolled up for him. How pathetic.

You couldn't see him but you could feel him staining your body with his filthy eyes as you walked to your morning class. The mystery of his identity, hidden beneath that mask, sent shivers down your spine; he could be anyone, lurking in the shadows of your thoughts.

You try to pay attention to class, trying to finish your assignments on your laptop but your mind wanders off and won't stop thinking about him. You click off your assignments, trying to log into your porn account but you couldn't sign in.

He has complete control over your account now.

Your legs shake as he starts to control every part of your life, and you loathe the realization that you are beginning to crave it.

Then you hear a soft ping from your phone, you open the message and it was from him.

「 CLICK TO CONTINUE READING 」

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celestiliall · 4 months ago

Text

ᡣ Unexpected Encounter, But Fated To Meet 𐭩

Summary: realizing that your parents were struggling with financials, you decided to help them by taking up on a part-time job in a small Cafe in order to support them, including yourself. At first, it went surprisingly well—with you heading to the Cafe after school on a specific day, start working until the sun sets, and when your shift ends, you clock out. But one day, someone you knew from school had accidentally found you working, making you anxious at first. This became the worst moment in your life—! ...Or did it?

Note: To whoever requested this, I hope you like it! (Credits to loichiha on Twitter/X for the art)

Request inbox: open (Phainon only, fluff) feel free to request, as long as it's in my capability.

As the clock continued to tick with each passing moments, serving as a reminder that school was about to end soon for today, students were busy preparing to get home by tidying up their personal belongings and putting them into their bags. This way, they would only need to wait for the school bell to ring, and then go home right away.

Some were already planning to get home right away, choosing to spend the rest of the day by lounging in the house—while others preferred to hang out with their friends first, spending time together in a destinated location or working on group projects, so that they would have loads of free times on the weekends, etc.

But you, you already had a place to go to—from the moment junior year had started for you, you already had a scheduled plan in mind on where to go on this specific day.

You were going to work; as a part-time barista.

"(Name), let's hang out!" One of your friends called for you from a distance, standing next to the others who were still busy putting in their belongings as the rest of the students started scrambling out of the door, the school bell already ringing to give them the final cue that they needed to hear.

Checking your bag one more time to ensure that you wouldn't leave something behind in the class, your head turned to look over at the mention of your name, seeing your friends looking at you with smiles plastered on their faces, expecting for you to agree to their plan.

As much as you wanted to agree and spend time with your close friends after school, you didn't let the idea of hanging out to deter you from the original plan that you had already set up on what you're about to do after school.

With a guilty smile, you zipped your bag before slinging it over your shoulders, turning to move and approach your friends. "Sorry guys, I can't. I already have a plan that I'm about to do today after school." You explained, hoping that they would understand, considering that you would often excused yourself from doing any activities after school on this specific day.

Your friends gave eachother momentary glances, before their attentions diverted back to you. "Aww, you're busy again?" One of them decided to say, the same girl that had asked you to hangout with them. You could sense the disappointment from her tone, as well as the others' faces upon hearing the same excuse that you would always say almost everytime.

With a breathy chuckle, you apologized again for the inconvenience. "Sorry..." You mumbled, before most of them let out a sigh, feeling disappointed that you weren't going to be there for their hangout again. Nonetheless, they nodded. "It's fine. You're always busy on this day anyway, so it's not a surprise." Your friend reassured, before smiling.

"But don't forget to leave some free times for us in your schedule aside from today!" She told you, to which you nodded. "Don't worry, I will." You assured, confident that you would get to spend time with them aside from today.

Adjusting the straps of your bag, you looked at your friends with another smile, before walking passed by them, not forgetting to give them a proper farewell. "Well then, I'll be going now!" You announced, waving them a goodbye.

They reciprocated your action with their owns, waving you a goodbye and wishing that you would be safe along the road. "Okay, stay safe, (Name)!" One of them exclaimed, before seeing your figure walked out of the door, leaving them to their own accords in the empty classroom.

"...Do you think that (Name) secretly has a boyfriend?" One of them decided to bring up the topic out of nowhere, whispering to the others before all of them started to indulge themselves by figuring out the truth behind your tight schedule. "Or a girlfriend, maybe?"

"What? No way! Maybe— but why bring that up?"

"I won't be surprised if they do. They're always busy on this day everytime."

"Who knows? maybe they are secretly going on dates with their lover behind our backs. That's why they always say no whenever we ask them to spend time with us after school."

"Woah, wait— but that would be cruel though! If that's true, why would they choose to hide it from us and secretly go on dates with their lover without our knowledge?!"

"Everyone has personal stuff that they would much prefer be hidden away from others to avoid unnecessary conflicts—including them. Who are we to judge?"

"Haha, she's right!" One of them who had been quiet decided to acknowledge, agreeing with the friend who gave words of wisdom.

"Although, now I'm itching to follow them—to see if you're right."

"No. Well, yes— I do too, but let's just wait and see if we're actually right or not in the end to confirm our theory, okay?"

"Finee..." Most of them proceeded to say at the same time, before they changed the topic to the plan they were about to do after this, acting as if they didn't just create a wild assumption about you.

Despite the misunderstanding that your friends had assumed about you, thinking that you actually had a lover without their knowledge—you continued to walk by the roadside with a firm but casual manner, unaware of what was going on at school between your friends.

One thing's for certain though; you were about to head to work, to your part-time job.

Opening the door to the Cafe, the little bell above it chimed soundly, signalling to everyone in the room that someone had just came in; you.

The employees who noticed you decided to greet you with smiles plastered on their faces—feeling pleased that you had arrived. Most of them being older than you, but you didn't mind, since you're only here to work on a specific time due to your role as a highschool student.

Reciprocating their kind actions, you waved a hand to them with a smile, feeling more upbeat than ever to start working after they greeted you with opened arms. You had always viewed them as parental figures, due to their ages being far bigger than you. To be honest, it felt nice working with them, since they're more experienced when it comes to working in a Cafe—that way, you can always rely on them if you ever need any help, regarding your duty as a young worker here.

Entering a room specifically for employees, you changed your school uniform to the uniform that you had to wear in order to blend in with the others. After you're done, you walked out of the room to help the others by cleaning the place and preparing stocks in order to not be out of products, before you walked behind the counter; expecting for your first customer to enter the room.

"...(Name)? How rare! I didn't expect to see you here." Someone exclaimed from across the counter, their voice being far too familiar for you to assume that it was just some regular customer. You were busy checking the money in the cash register to notice who it was at first—but at the mention of your name, your head instinctively looked up, wondering who the person was.

Which left you baffled.

Standing across from you, there was a white-haired boy, appearing to be in the same age as you, his aquamarine eyes being one of the visible characteristics that would always leave people to be mesmerized when they got the chance to look into them from a close distance. His broad shoulders in tact, as well as his height being taller than an average man, making his presence to be known when he entered the room.

But most importantly; his smile. The same smile that would make people be relaxed everytime they got the chance to see it, letting their guard down in the bask of his positive nature.

The smile that you're all too familiar with.

Phainon.

Your eyes widened when you noticed who the person was, feeling a rush of panic tumbling down on you, in fear of someone you know finding out that you're working behind school's gates—not that it actually mattered.

"...Phainon?! What— what are you doing here...?" Your words came out in an abrupt tone, due to the sheer shock after realizing that one of your classmates from school had now seen you in your working garments, acting as a barista.

Your question caught Phainon off guard, not expecting for you to ask something like that, making him to raise an eyebrow at you. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" He chuckled, tilting his head. "I didn't expect for someone like you to be working here, (Name)." He commented, crossing his arms with amusement, deciding to indulge himself by teasing you once in a while.

However, when he noticed the anxious look coming from the way your expression fidgeted, he chuckled again, deciding to drop the idea, for now. "Don't worry, I come in peace. I just wasn't expecting to see you of all people to be here, (Name)." He continued, looking at you with his usual signature smile, albeit wider. "Do your parents own this place? Or are you actually working here?" He decided to inquire, not being able to hide his questions to himself, since this moment was too good of a coincidence to let it slip by from his grasp.

After you managed to calm yourself, you shook your head, which made Phainon intrigued. "No, I'm... Yes, I'm actually working here." You admitted, couldn't help but tap your foot behind the counter to express your nervous system. "My parents are low on money, so I wanted to take up on a part-time job in order to support them, including myself, since I want to go to college." You explained in a low tone, hands behind your back, gaze focused toward anything else beside the boy in front of you.

Phainon noticed the way you expressed your nervousness, but he decided to not divulge the matter, choosing to respect your boundary. Nodding, he brought his arms down. "I see. College, huh? Well, with those reasons, it's no wonder why you decided to take up on a part-time job." He acknowledged, nodding again with his eyes closed. "Though, out of every jobs I could think of—I didn't expect for you to be working as a cashier here." He commented, wanting to talk with you more.

Hearing his comment, your gaze shifted back to him, mouth hung open at the assumption before you shook your head again. "Ah, no... I'm actually a barista, but I sometimes help my senior colleagues whenever they're busy with something, by helping them clean the Cafe or being a cashier." You corrected him, one of your hands moving as you explained.

Your correction toward his comment made Phainon more intrigued, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Barista, huh? Interesting." He murmured, before glancing at somewhere else, noticing that you were the only one standing behind the counter. "Then, could I trouble you to take up my order? Since you're the only one here right now." He asked, taking this opportunity to have his order be made by you.

Not seeing through his underlying intention, you nodded, smiling genuinely now. You were pretending to be a cashier right now, after all, but also a barista at the same time. "Of course! What would you like to order?" You exclaimed, one of your hands reaching out to take one small note and a pen in order to take his order.

Fingers under his chin, Phainon decided to order what he wanted. "I'll have a..." You kept your eyes peeled to the note in your hand, as you scribbled the words that he said, unaware of the other's gaze as he observed you being so focused in your job. Cute.

After you're done, you tore your gaze away from it to look up. "Alright, your order will be ready in about a few minutes. Please sit anywhere you'd like while I make them." You confirmed his order, continuing to smile at him.

He reciprocated your smile with his own, nodding his head. "Appreciate it." He replied, turning around to find a seat that would be comfortable for himself. But, just as he started walking, he looked over his shoulder to steal a glance at you—who was busy preparing his order, too focused to notice his sneaky look, but he smiled, nonetheless.

Maybe, he should come back to this Cafe again from time to time—just so he could watch you work and strike up a conversation with you in order for both of you to get closer with eachother.

Cleaning the tables, you were preparing to head back home after your shift ended, making sure to not make it late at night since you weren't allowed by the manager to work until that period of time, due to your role as a student.

Unbeknownst to you, someone had been watching you from his seat, not moving an inch—but you were still too dedicated in your job to notice that his presence was still lingering in the Cafe. Just as you finished sweeping the floor, you turned around to change uniform; preparing to head home.

Phainon, who had been watching you from afar from the start, took the last sip from his drink before smiling, deciding to get up from his seat when he noticed that you were about to clock out from your shift.

This was his chance.

"Are you finished?" He questioned, appearing out of nowhere in front of you, which ended up making you startled, not expecting for him to still be in the Cafe. You were already changed into your school uniform, matching with his own set of ones. It would be an understatement if Phainon's sudden presence didn't make your heart almost leaped out of your body.

"P-phainon!" You blurted out, one of your hands clutching your chest at his sudden presence, catching you by surprise. "Why are you— you were here all this time...?" You murmured, not expecting for him to surprise you for the second time today. Phainon, who noticed you getting startled due to his presence, chuckled in a guilty manner.

"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." He apologized, hands in his pockets, before diverting his attention back to your question. "Why, yes. I was wondering when are you going to clock out from your shift." He mentioned, looking down to take in your school uniform. "Are you heading home now?" He asked, before his voice took a softer turn. "...Want to go home together? I can accompany you there, to your house—if you'd like." He offered, hoping that you would accept.

Was he being obvious regarding his intentions? Yes. Would he prefer to let this chance slip by in order to maintain his dignity? Of course not.

"Huh? Oh— no, it's fine. You don't have to." You declined, waving your hand. "I don't want to end up burdening you. Besides, my house is a bit far from our school." You added, knowing that you would have to pass by your school again if you want to get home, so you didn't want to end up dragging Phainon along—who lives in god knows where. You expected that he would understand and go home now, but you ended up underestimating the guy's effort.

"Nonsense! I insist." He exclaimed, closing his eyes with a huge smile. "I don't know if you knew this, but my house is actually close to yours." He suddenly mentioned, opening his eyes again. "I've always seen you walking home whenever I'm hanging out with my friends in our neighborhood, so I ended up assuming that your house is probably closer to mine than I expected." He explained, tilting his head before continuing.

"Which also means that we can walk home together! So? You up for it?" He asked again, feeling his smile becoming wider when he realized that there was no way you were about to decline his offer again, leaning a bit closer to you in order to showcase how eager he was to walk home with you, giving you a look that would make you hesitate to decline.

He looked like a puppy, you thought to yourself.

Shaking your head at the subconscious thought, you felt your cheeks heat up a little at how close his face was, but not close enough to make you uncomfortable. He must be so eager to walk home with you, judging by how he didn't back down when you declined his offer at first. Keeping your composure maintained, you gave up on trying to decline.

Nodding your head, you agreed to his offer, making him very pleased. "Great! I knew you'd come around." He claimed, before backing up to give you some space. "Well then... let's go." He said, keeping his hands in his pockets in order to hide how they kept fidgeting due to the rush of excitement building up.

In the end, you and Phainon decided to converse with eachother on the way home, walking passed by your school in order to get to your houses. The more you two talked to pass the time, the more you felt that your bond with him had become closer than it used to. Phainon must've felt this too—which is why he kept smiling as he matched your pace, enjoying both of your conversation.

What was once normal classmates who barely talked—turned into something more. You felt your lips curved up, feeling a new friendship had been formed with the white-haired boy.

Unbeknownst to you, it was something far more than just friendship. But you don't need to know that now, do you?

#phainon x reader #phainon x you #hsr phainon #phainon honkai star rail #phainon #honkai star rail x reader #hsr x reader #honkai x reader #honkai x you #hsr #honkai star rail #honkai sr #fluff #honkai star rail x gender neutral reader

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bucketbueckers · 6 months ago

Text

I'D RATHER PRETEND

extra 1: proposal ‘a few years had gone and come around...you looked at me, got down on one knee’

tags: @angryflowerwitch @avvwritesstufff @melpthatsme @rebecca-woso @bueckersg1rl @l0verl4ne @clouded-whispers @dolliest-thena @katemartinlvr @numberonepartyanth3m @glamourdaya @pbbucks @unadulteratedcyclepaper @paiges-1vur @thelightknight21 wc: 4.7k notes: based on this request 🫡 sorry this took forever, i took a break from writing for a bit (writing 80k+ words over the course of a month alters your brain chemistry tbh). i was gonna link the proposal and the wedding together but decided to split them just so i could get something out for y'all! soooo trust that the wedding oneshot will be in the works soon and other slice of life snippets. if there's anything you wanna see, feel free to request! i'll get around to it when i have the time & my inbox is always open for yaps 🙂‍↕️as always i hope y'all enjoy!! 🫶

NOVEMBER 13, 2028

The first week of their postseason vacation couldn’t have gone any better. After a successful last year with the Sparks and the Wings respectively, Tess and Paige needed the time out of the country, away from basketball and other people. For four years, they’d spend up to six months away from each other training, playing, or travelling – it wasn’t much different from what they were used to in college, but they were nearing their five year anniversary and if Tess was being honest, she loathed only having Paige for half of the year. They planned to spend the first two full weeks of the offseason in Naples, Italy, where Tess had grown up – completely alone with plenty of time to relax after a grueling championship contending season.

So the first week was amazing. They flew in on a Monday, ordered room service and promptly fell asleep after dinner, far too jet lagged and exhausted after hours of travelling. On Tuesday, Paige treated her to breakfast in bed: delicate pastries and fruits and savory meats, then they toured an art museum – the Sansevero Chapel Museum. Tess was pretty sure Paige spent more time staring at her than the actual art they’d paid to look at, but she wasn’t going to complain. She enjoyed Paige’s attention more than she liked to admit. On Wednesday, Tess showed her around the inner workings of the city and the street she grew up on. Paige even met some of her extended family, such as her paternal grandparents and some other cousins. Tess’s family welcomed Paige in with open arms and made sure they stayed for lunch. They spent the rest of the day walking around the city hand-in-hand with Tess sharing childhood stories as Paige listened intently. On Thursday, they visited the San Carlo Theatre – coincidentally enough, they were performing an opera of Romeo and Juliet, which endlessly amused the both of them. On Friday, Paige decided she wanted to try every pizza place that Naples had to offer, and Tess didn’t really have the heart to say no to her. The weekend was spent lounging around, walking around the city some more, and visiting the beach, although they quickly gave up on that endeavor because it was entirely too cold.

Then the second week rolled around and Paige’s entire demeanor changed. When Tess woke up on Monday morning, shirt and underwear haphazardly thrown on after a long night, Paige was lying silently next to her, hands folded over her stomach. She was staring at the ceiling fan like it held the answers for whatever existential question she’d been pondering. Paige and silent were two things that never ended well when they were mixed together. The last time Paige had been eerily quiet had been after New Year’s in 2024 – that was a month of dread and panic that Tess never wanted to go back to, so she rolls onto her side, gazing at Paige.

“Do you ever think the trees are trying to communicate with us but we’re too dumb to understand them?” she asks seriously, watching five different expressions cross Paige’s face before she settles on amusement, laughing quietly.

Paige finally cranes her head over, her face softening when she locks eyes with Tess. Her hair is unruly, a mess from the night before, mascara flaking and her skin littered with marks. Tess is certain she’s never seen anyone more beautiful than Paige and she’s certain she never will. Even after almost five years together, Paige still makes her heart beat like she’s a teenager with a crush. “What happened to ‘good morning?’” she jokes.

“Not a good morning when I wake up and you’re social distancing,” Tess grumbles indignantly, pointing at the space in between them. “What happened to, I don’t know, ‘loving your girlfriend?’”

“I’m so sorry, baby,” Paige croons, her tone teasing. She rolls Tess onto her other side, curling an arm around her abdomen, her fingers lacing together with Tess’s over her navel. She rests her chin just above the crown of Tess’s head, sinking into the pillow. “Better?”

Tess hums, content, her hair raising at the feel of Paige’s skin against hers. “You gonna tell me what’s wrong?” she asks.

Paige huffs out something akin to shocked laughter. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”

“Paige, we’ve been together for almost five years,” Tess states. “You think I don’t know when something’s on your mind?” She twists the ring on Paige’s thumb as the blonde falls silent, thinking. “I don’t want you to ice me out,” she admits. “We said we wouldn’t do that. If there’s something wrong –”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Paige says quickly. She squeezes Tess’s hand, craning her head to press a gentle kiss on her temple. “Nothing’s wrong. Believe me. Everything’s perfect. Just…a big moment for us right now.”

“Free agency?” Tess asks, turning around in Paige’s embrace to face her fully after adjusting her arms. Paige’s face looks torn, uncertain – free agency has to be what’s weighing on her now, right? They’ve had this conversation numerous times, especially late at night after rough games when they’re missing each other and the distance feels like a burden. They’ve done this before, which is what Tess clings onto – they’ve been hundreds of miles apart in college but it’s so different now that they’re in the league and that they know their future is with one another.

“Free agency is up there,” Paige confesses after a while, frowning. “We don’t gotta talk about it right now. This is our vacation.”

“We say that every time,” Tess says softly, trying to start a conversation, not an argument. That’s been one of the biggest points of growth with Paige over the past few years. Tess is often too quick to jump to a conclusion, to get into her head about a situation or however Paige must feel about something. They’ve had these growing pains discussions numerous times, learning to be patient and trust each other more and more. Tess searches Paige’s features. “You and I both want to play ball. You know I don’t mind competing against you, but…I don’t like the distance, either. So, what do you want from whatever team you’re interested in?”

Paige hesitates, but Tess stares at her imploringly. “A younger team,” she says. “Lots of people are retiring. Stewie, BG, Sloot, Natasha. I wanna go to a team that’s gonna be together for a while, be a championship contender. I wanna be closer to you, too.”

“Okay,” Tess says, feeling slightly relieved – she and Paige are in agreement on that much. She wants longevity, a team that’s reliable, where she can settle down. She’s been stubborn on keeping up her apartment lease in LA just because she didn’t want to purchase anything permanent that wouldn’t have both hers and Paige’s name on it. “Do you have a team in mind?”

“I’ve talked to some people, yeah,” Paige says. “Have you?”

Tess nods. Paige’s thumb finds her jaw, tracing the skin there absentmindedly. “Say it on three?”

“On three,” Paige confirms. “One.”

Tess swallows. “Two.”

Together, they both say “Three,” and then –

“Valkyries,” they say at the exact same time.

The tension melts from Paige’s shoulders immediately as Tess breaks into peals of laughter. Paige shakes her head fondly, tucking her chin into the crook of Tess’s neck to hide the blush on her cheeks. “Okay. So we’ll sign with the Valkyries if they reach out to us during free agency.”

“Don’t think there’s gonna be an ‘if,’” Paige says quietly. “I talked to Azzi and she said Natalie was very interested in us. They recently got some crazy salary cap increase so I think their plan was to splurge on us, make it hard to say no. Pretty sure they also got Kiki and Ayoka to resign, so me, you, Azzi, Kiki, and Ayoka? Playoffs, easily.”

“Oh, so you think we’re starters?” Tess asks teasingly.

“You think they’re gonna drop a couple million on bench players?”

Tess shakes her head fondly, but presses her lips to Paige’s hairline, unable to keep the smile off her face. “I can’t believe we’ll be playing together next season,” she murmurs, feeling Paige tighten her arms around her waist. “After kicking your ass for nine straight years –”

“That is not what happened,” Paige interrupts, smushing her finger into Tess’s cheek. “2025? Ring a bell? UConn natty?”

“I recall a lot of things from that night but a natty was not one,” Tess states. “I remember you coming to my hotel room, and –”

Paige slides her hand across Tess’s mouth, shutting her up, but her eyes are slightly wide. “Don’t,” she says softly. The corner of her mouth twitches like she’s trying to hold back laughter. Tess rolls her eyes and she pushes Paige’s hand off of her. “Does this mean we gotta start apartment hunting now?”

Tess hums. “Maybe a house?” she suggests, watching Paige’s reaction carefully. As her words sink in, a smile grows unabashed on Paige’s face.

“You wanna buy a house with me?”

“Paige,” Tess says, a little indignant. “Duh?” Paige’s expression turns unbelievably tender, her smile softening. Tess quirks a grin of her own. “I’m thinking of something permanent, you know? Settle down, finally? Stay with the Valkyries until we’re, what – 40 something, Diana Taurasi style. Retire in the Bay. We’ll have our house, maybe four bed, couple baths. Us, maybe a kid or two, guest room for our friends. We’ll probably be coaching somewhere, collecting our rings when we’re old and washed up.” Tess swallows, realizing the gravity of what she’s just said. “I mean, if that’s something you’d be interested in.”

“Tess.”

“Hm?”

“Shut up.”

Before she can respond, Paige’s fingers are curling around her neck, pulling her in closer until their lips meet, and kissing her with a softness and a gentleness that hasn’t disappeared after so many years together. Tess can’t help but smile, feeling the promise, the agreement, that Paige presses against her. When she draws back, Paige’s smile is wide, her teeth showing and the corners of her eyes crinkling. “I want that with you,” Paige murmurs, just so that there’s absolutely no confusion. “Lemme put a ring on it before we start talking about kids, yeah?”

Tess narrows her eyes dramatically. “You need to hurry it up, then,” she says. “I won’t wait around forever.”

Paige lifts one of her hands, kissing her knuckles with a coy smile. “Trust me. Gonna make it worth your while, baby.”

Tess honestly should have known that she had another trick up her sleeve, but she was too lost in the moment to overthink her words. So she acquiesced, giving into the deep, lingering kiss that Paige pressed into her lips, letting herself sink further into their bed and reveling in the way Paige’s lips danced across her skin.

The rest of the week passed with little interruption or further weirdness. Paige did seem a little nervous at times, though the moment never lasted too long, so Tess didn’t think much of it. She and Paige continued to make the most of their time in Italy. They had a private couple’s painting event, where Paige, for whatever reason, painted the two of them as stick figures driving around in a basketball shaped car (she’s lucky that Tess is in love because otherwise…God help her). Paige booked them in with a renowned Italian chef who taught them how to make homemade pasta and various sauces, which went as well as one could expect – that is to say Tess was just endlessly distracted by the way the veins in Paige’s hands protruded as she kneaded the dough.

Then, on Friday the 17th – Tess’s birthday – Tess woke up to Paige’s lips on her face and an assortment of brunch food. They indulged for the better part of the morning, not leaving the bed until the afternoon until their spa appointment. Paige had declared that she “deserved to be pampered” and who was Tess to argue against that? The resort masseuse and the nail techs were incredible at their jobs and Tess left the appointment feeling incredibly refreshed. Her birthday dinner was at an upscale restaurant in the heart of the city and Paige gifted her another charm for her bracelet – this time in the shape of the Italian peninsula to remind her of their time here.

Saturday the 18th was different – there was a palpable shift in the air. She woke up a little past eleven in the morning, alone, which was concerning in and of itself because Paige is rarely awake before she is. Paige is a chore to get out of bed in the mornings and always has been. She’s the CEO of “five more minutes” or “come cuddle” which, Tess will admit, has only become more endearing over the years, but right now, all it does is worry Tess after the conversation they had earlier in the week about free agency.

She hardly has the time to overthink it too much because Paige is shuffling back into their room, sporting an insane case of bedhead and a slight smudge of toothpaste lingering on her bottom lip. The blonde grins at her, easing her nerves instantly, and she presses one knee into the bed as she leans over Tess’s body, planting a kiss onto her lips. “Good morning!” she chirps, which is the next indicator that something is up.

“Good morning,” Tess says, honestly a little confused. She wipes the foam off of Paige’s lip. “What’s gotten into you?” she asks suspiciously.

“What, I can’t be happy?” Paige raises a brow, leaning in to kiss her again. Tess stops her with a hand to her chest.

“Okay, now I know you’re being weird,” Tess states. “You woke up before me. You got out of bed and attempted to make yourself…somewhat presentable, when the first thing you do in the morning is beg to be the little spoon for a little while.” As she speaks, Tess smooths out the mess on Paige’s head, frowning slightly. “You’re too happy right now. And you keep trying to distract me. So, you’re plotting something. What’s going on?”

Paige huffs dramatically, leaning away from Tess. “Nothing’s wrong, ma, swear,” she vows. Tess narrows her eyes at her, studying her features closely, but all she can make out is an anxious earnestness and unequivocal love. Paige cups her cheek as she kisses her temple gently, moving her mouth to her ear to whisper, “Everything’s perfect right now. Trust me, okay? Just wanna make you happy.”

“You do,” Tess affirms. Paige’s words soften the tension in her shoulders. Maybe she is overthinking again, which isn’t unlike her. Paige has never given her any reason to doubt her words, not in the near five years they’ve been together. She owes it to Paige to have more faith in her, in them.

A smug look crosses across Paige’s features as she pokes Tess in the cheek obnoxiously. “I know.” Tess rolls her eyes fondly as Paige leaves the bed fully. “Now get dressed. This is our last day in Italy and we got shit to do. Can you do my hair?” Tess meets her eyes through the mirror, raising a brow slightly. “Please?” Paige adds.

“I’ll house train you one day,” Tess mumbles, though she knows Paige is basically a lost cause at this point. Her girlfriend smiles at her and all of her faux annoyance washes away in an instant as Tess presses a kiss to her cheek, beginning to work on her hair. Paige gives her free reign to work and Tess elects to leave Paige’s down in natural, loose waves. Then, they get dressed – Paige dons a baggy pair of black cargos with an oversized white sweater and matching white sneakers. She doesn’t forget her chain or the various rings on her fingers, which makes Tess contemplate telling her to cancel their reservations for wherever they’re going so they can spend the day in bed (again – but that’s no one’s business but their own). Tess herself dresses in white sneakers, a pair of light-wash blue jeans, and a patterned sweater that she’d stolen directly from Paige’s luggage – the very sweater that Tess claimed made Paige look like an art teacher.

Once they’re ready to go, Paige leads her hand-in-hand down the busy streets towards a restaurant. They indulge in a late lunch, cracking jokes, sharing stories and optimism for the future – Paige wants an outdoor court built at whatever house they’re buying (possibly the least surprising thing Tess has ever heard), and Tess’s only real complaint is that she doesn’t want to live in an obnoxiously huge mansion. As long as the house has what they need and they have their family, then there’s not much else that Tess wants.

After lunch, they arrive at a private pottery making class, which takes a good few hours out of their day. Paige looked absolutely silly with her sleeves rolled up to her elbows and covered in clay, and Tess is sure that the only thing that stopped them from initiating an all-out clay war was the elderly woman who was carefully instructing them. Eventually, their creations start taking shape – a vase for Tess and a lopsided mug for Paige, and while they get fired in the kiln, the instructor talks them through the history of Italian pottery and ceramics.

Tess had thought the pottery class was their last stop on the day, but Paige had something else planned. “It’s a secret,” she claimed, but she seemed a little more nervous than she was earlier that day, which did little to quell Tess’s sudden anxiety until Paige pressed her lips to her knuckles. “Trust me.”

And so she did, allowing Paige to lead her down the streets once more in the fading daylight. The sky was lined with streaks of pinks, oranges, and a dimming yellow. Tess knows she says it a lot, but in this light, Paige looks absolutely radiant – the sharp lines of her face softened by the gentleness of the sky, the blush on her cheeks heightened by the chill in the air. Her palm was warm against Tess’s, rough in some places and smooth in others, but Tess loves every inch of Paige just the same.

Finally, the two of them stop in front of an unassuming door, one that Tess had never seen growing up here. Paige’s nerves seem to return tenfold as she pauses. Tess watches her face contort as if she’s battling some internal decision. She squeezes their linked hands, feeling the relief that exudes from Paige’s body, and the blonde smiles tentatively. “You first,” she states, resting her free hand over the door knob. Tess gives a confused, yet trusting nod, as Paige opens the door and ushers her inside.

The breath is all but sucked from her lungs as soon as she’s indoors. The lighting in the room is dim, but Tess can see nearly everything. The rose petals creating a path for them, the flickering of candles strewn about, but the part that truly captures her attention are the polaroids that hang from the ceiling on thin twine strings. The one closest to the entrance are incredibly new, selfies of the two of them from the week before, a picture of Tess and Paige swept up with Tess’s extended family. There’s a solo shot of Tess grinning at the camera for Paige, dolled up in her birthday dress and holding a glass of wine.

Paige doesn’t say anything – she doesn’t have to. She rests her palms over Tess’s hips as she guides the both of them forward, allowing Tess the time to properly look at all of the pictures. As they walk through the room, which Tess figures was an art gallery given the abstract paintings on the wall, the pictures get older and older. There’s a photo of the two of them from the WNBA finals, confetti sticking to their sweat-slick bodies as they embraced in the middle of the court. There’s a photo of them at the Olympics holding up their matching gold medals. There’s countless shots of them sharing the basketball court, as rivals, and part of Tess can’t help but get choked up because they’re not going to be rivals on the court after this vacation is said and done. After nine years, she finally gets to play with Paige, as teammates, and she’s not sure if there’s anything in the world that could possibly top that feeling.

Their WNBA memories filter out, leading to their college ones. There’s one of the two of them from the national championship, displaying the two of them staring at each other – Tess on one side of an half-empty court, Paige on the other swarmed by her teammates. The pride reflected on Tess’s face is evident in the photo. There’s a bunch of other memories, their February game, holidays celebrated with each other, their summer of 2024 world tour, and photographs of them from when they were “pretending.” Tess spots herself perched on Paige’s lap during the first Thanksgiving she spent with the extended Bueckers family, arguing over Fortnite with Paige as Paige’s siblings watched on in amusement. There’s countless FaceTime screenshots, back when the two of them were truly getting to know each other, selfies from their Bose trip that changed everything, and finally, as they’re nearing the end, the photographs melt into their initial soft launch photos, that damned coffee shop and Paige’s less than subtle appearance. But the last photo isn’t like the others. The rose petal path has led them to the back end of the art gallery, still illuminated by the soft lighting. The last photo is framed. It’s of the two of them shaking hands after the first game they played against each other on February 8, 2021. That date has stuck with Tess for a while now. If you’d told her younger self in 2021 that she’d be here, now, with Paige Bueckers, she wouldn’t believe you. But now? She can’t think of anything more fitting, more obvious than her and Paige.

With tears brimming her eyes and wrought with nostalgia and gratefulness, Tess turns to meet Paige’s gaze, but she’s already looking at her. She always is. Paige looks extremely nervous, but there’s a spark of determination that Tess knows all too well.

“We met almost eight years ago,” Paige states, her voice soft as her shaky hands reach out for Tess’s. “In Gampel. We played against each other and I learned so much from you – I just didn’t have the courage to talk to you, and I regretted that for months. Then, two years after that, in May of 2023, God sent you to me again. It was awkward, and unconventional, and I thought you didn’t like me –” the two of them share a watery laugh, “–but I knew I had to make the most of it. Of us. I wasn’t gonna let you get away from me, not again. So we fake dated. I just wanted you in any way you’d have me. I was happy to just be your friend. But as time went by, I fell for you, and…” Paige smiles at her. “I was scared at first, but part of me knew it was gonna happen. You’re a competitor, you’re stubborn, and the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known. You get me, always have, and me falling in love with you was real. We’re real. I’m so thankful for what we have, for you, and knowing that we’ll be playing together next season is everything I’ve wanted for nearly eight years. I can’t wait to do this with you. I can’t wait to build a life with you. On New Year’s Eve in 2023, I told you my resolution was building something permanent. I’ve kept that promise, but I’m gonna amend that to say my resolution is to build something permanent with you.”

Paige releases her hands, exhaling, and Tess almost chokes on a sob when Paige carefully drops down to one knee, her hands reaching into her pocket to produce a small ring box. Her hands shake as she opens the top, revealing the gold engagement band and a stunning, sparkling diamond, minimalist yet beautiful in the way Tess prefers her jewelry. But the ring doesn’t hold her attention for too long. She gazes down at Paige, at the tears beading at her waterline, the clear anticipation and nervousness and unfiltered love in her eyes. Tess watches a soft smile spread across Paige’s face as she finally asks the question she’s been waiting to hear for years. “Tess Kennedy, will you make me the happiest woman in the world and marry me?”

Tess doesn’t even have to think about it. She sinks down across from Paige, throwing her arms around her neck and pulling her in for a bone-crushing hug. “Oh my fucking God,” she murmurs, not even feelingly slightly ashamed as she soaks Paige’s sweater with her tears. Paige wraps her arms around her middle, pulling her close tightly as she laughs.

“So is that a yes?”

“Yes, Paige,” she stresses, barely resisting an eye roll when Paige’s face lights up, simultaneously melting with relief. “I told you I wanted to marry you almost four years ago. You really thought my answer was gonna change?”

Paige huffs, amused, as she slides the ring onto Tess’s finger. The candlelight reflects beautifully off it. The ring is gorgeous but Tess can’t keep her eyes off of Paige, whose eyes shine with tears and gratitude. “Just wanted to hear you say it.” Her tone is gentle but also a little smug. “Tess Kennedy wants to marry me,” she sing-songs.

Tess rolls her eyes fully as she and Paige stand up. “You literally got down on one knee and asked, you jerk,” she retorts, reaching up to cup Paige’s cheek and brushing away one of her tears. Her voice is soft despite her words, which makes Paige laugh as she grabs Tess by her wrist and presses a kiss to her open palm, her smile bright and fully enamored. Then, a realization dawns on Tess and she groans, pressing her forehead into Paige’s shoulder. “Oh my God. Is this what you were so nervous about last week? Not free agency?”

Paige laughs, a sound straight from the belly as she wraps her arms around Tess’s shoulders. “I didn’t lie. I was a little nervous about free agency, but I was a lot more nervous for this. Knew you’d say yes – you’re in love with me and shit –”

“And shit?” Tess asks, shaking her head.

Paige nudges her. “Just wanted to make it perfect for you,” she admits, all teasing gone from her tone. “Told you I had to make it worth your while.”

“It was perfect,” Tess says honestly. “You could have asked me anywhere, anytime, and I would say yes. I love you. But I did really like the pictures.”

Paige pulls back to grin at her. “Thought you would,” she murmurs, leaning down to kiss her gently. “I love you, too. Is it too early to call you Mrs. Bueckers?”

Tess pushes her away with a hand to her chest, affronted. “For the record, we’re hyphenating,” she declares. “Mrs. and Mrs. Bueckers-Kennedy.”

“Might not fit on the jerseys,” Paige goads.

“We’re gonna win the Valkyries a couple of championships,” Tess says. “They’re going to have so much money they’ll figure out how to get our names together on the jerseys.”

Paige smiles again. “That works for me,” she says, softer this time. She presses her lips to Tess’s again, pulling her flush against her body, enveloping her in a warmth she’s content to feel for the rest of her life. Tess grins against her, but Paige responds with a smile of her own, not minding, only holding her tighter.

She doesn’t know how to explain it – this overwhelming happiness. She’s engaged – oh my God, she’s fucking engaged; her parents are going to lose their mind – and she has everything she’s ever wanted. That much was true years ago when she had her natty wins and her girlfriend, but now? She has her fiance and the promise of a future together, on the same team, in the same house in the Bay, and all she really knows is that she can’t wait to walk down that aisle whenever the time comes.

#paige bueckers #paige bueckers x oc #uconn wbb #uconn

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