#a row done while unpacking

[lordofthegoldenflower]

Is it done yet? No, but she's pretty and I'm making progress!

[hellenhighwater]

Do you carry any other fun and whimsical things in your purse besides the brass measuring tools? can we see them??

"What do I carry in my purse" is actually a really long answer! Not very whimsical though.

I don't carry a very large purse but it is actually jam-packed with stuff. Obviously the usual—credit cards, ID, badge, money, car keys.

But the rest is taken up by a tidy little lineup of things that are useless 99% of the time and crucial 1% of the time. Some of it (most of the top row) floats loose in my purse; most of the bottom row packs into the little bag there. My sketchbook du jour is usually carried separately.

So: top row:

Sketchbook and the little brass drafting tools, which I carry inside the sketchbook, and also a little metal ruler that has honestly become redundant.

Then, a bunch of pens and marking tools: A ballpoint, some pencils, paint pen, permanent marker, white gel pens, white paint pen, white mechanical pencil, and eraser. This varies depending on what I'm working on and what I've absently left in the wrong place.

Some lip gloss, hand sanitizer, concealer, chapstick, nail polish, and heavy lotion (clay dries your hands out SO hard) and a hair pin. Usually there are several sword shaped hair pins also; I took them out while working on a project and they'll migrate back when I'm done.

Headphones, a couple knives, and a tiny foldable gerber multitool. A little flat card multitool, with a heavy needed shoved into its case also, and a pack of clear sticky notes.

A two-port USB brick; I usually also carry a power bank but it's charging in the car right now.

My change purse and my wallet, which is just the IDs; my actual cards are in a pocket in the purse that also has a little nail kit. My car keys, which have a bottle opener and a combined window breaker-seatbelt cutter, a 64 gig USB key, and keys to my studio, house, garage, and the courthouse.

The bag itself is metal mesh, which means it’s durable but also somewhat see-thru.

That little tin is a tiny first aid kit, which probably I should have unpacked, but it's got bandaids, bandages, skin tape, blistex; antiseptic, itch, and burn cream; eyedrops; several small packets of common meds (tylenol, advil, etc) and a little folded chart for meds, since I’m terrible at remembering which can be taken with which; a breath mask. There's also a razor and some safety pins tucked in there. It's held shut with a hair tie.

There's some single-use earplugs and some zip ties, some more eye drops, and a tiny vial of liquid breath mint.

A deck of mini playing cards.

A tiny sewing kit--needles, pins, earring backs and pin backs, some heavy black thread on a bobbin, a measuring tape, and some foldable scissors. There's a couple glasses screws in there from before I had Lasik.

Another little multitool, some binder clips, a tiny level, a 120 gig USB, and some bobby pins.

Matches and a lighter, a flat pen, and coils of 20 lb fishing line, picture wire, and monofilament, as well as two short USB cords.

A tide pen and a glasses screwdriver.

The bag contains cardboard strips with several yards of tape: Electrical, packing, scotch, duct, gaff, and skin tape. Superglue. A spare piece of heavy cardboard to use as a cutting surface if needed.

An Xacto knife with the blade reversed (learned my lesson after jamming my hand into my bag and taking a chunk out of a finger when a springloaded switchblade opened itself) and spare blades.

Some more clear sticky notes and a tiny lined notebook for when I just need scratch paper.

My car actually includes two slightly different emergency bags—one for regular roadside emergencies (including emergencies in blizzard weather) and one for camping emergencies, and a bit more of an extensive first aid kit.

[marauder-misprint]

Sentient shadow

Theodore Nott x fem!reader

Part II

5.4k words

cw: fluff, no y/n, stranger to friends to lovers

Theo had never been to his grandfather’s house. The old man always went to Nott Manor when Theo’s mother was still alive and he was barely seen after her death. So Theo was surprised when he arrived with his things that his grandfather truly lived in the middle of nowhere. Nott Manor was secluded by the acres of land on the estate, the closest neighbor was kilometers away. This, wherever he was now, was a small town with what looked like the necessities on a main street that was surrounded by a few rows of houses. The next nearest town was over a day’s walk, ensuring that any travel would be done via broom, floo or apparition. 

This was his new home. At least until he graduated from Hogwarts and could be allowed some money from his family’s fortune to rent a flat near whatever job he ended up getting. 

His grandfather tried to keep Theo active, assigning him chores for in and outside the house. They sometimes got done. Theo often opted to lock himself in the dingey guest room that was his “for as long as you need it,” as his grandfather said. Theo was grateful that he was allowed to stay with family and said family lived in a wizarding town, but it wasn’t home. 

Still, his grandfather persisted. After a few days of allowing Theo to “unpack and get settled,” he sent his grandson out of the house and told him to get some fresh air. 

“You can come back in for dinner. Get lunch from Mr. Lester, tell ‘im I sent you. Meet people. Get to know the area.” 

Theo wanted to say that there wasn’t anything to get to know. He bit his tongue and nodded. He left the house and strolled down the stone street with his hands shoved in his pockets. 

That’s when he saw you exiting the bakery with a muffin in hand. He recognized your face. Sort of. You looked around his age and he was fairly certain he’d seen you around Hogwarts, but no name came to mind. When you saw him walking in your direction, confusion flashed across your face. 

“Theodore,” you said when he got close enough. 

“Ah, you know who I am,” he said casually. 

You rolled your eyes. “Who doesn’t know Malfoy and his friends?” 

It was clear you didn’t like Draco with how you said his name. Not that Theo could blame you; not many people outside of his immediate friend group liked him. 

You gave Theo a curt nod and started to walk away, but he went with you. He didn’t say anything more and neither did you. You ended up leading him to the small park-ish area of the town. There was a small play structure for children, a few trees in the grassy area and picnic tables. You gave Theo an odd look when he sat across from you at the picnic table. You just wanted to eat your muffin in peace. 

“What are you doing?” you asked, not even attempting to mask the rudeness in your voice. 

“Sitting.”

“And why are you doing it at this table?”

“From what I can see, you’re the only one around here who isn’t five or fifty, Dolcezza.”

“The Watsons live here,” you stated dryly.

Watsons? Theo didn’t recognize the surname.

“You can get to know Parker.”

Parker Watson. Right. He was a Slytherin a few years younger than Theo. 

“I’m not wasting my summer with a thirteen year old.” 

You sighed. It seemed as if you weren’t getting rid of Theo anytime soon. At least he wasn’t staring directly at you while you ate. He was obviously taking in the area. You tried to be fine with the silence, but your curiosity was getting the better of you. 

“Why are you here?” 

“I told you. You’re the-”

“Not at this table. Why are you in my town?” 

“It’s our town now. I have to stay with my grandfather since Father’s been shipped off to Azkaban and my mum’s eight feet in the ground.”

“Oh,” you said quietly, looking away from Theo. “I didn’t…”

“Yeah.” 

You sat in silence with Theo for a few minutes. Eventually, he stopped looking around and just stared at you. You did your best not to shrink into yourself under his dark eyes, but you did shift in your seat. A few more minutes passed and you got up. Theo mirrored you. He walked with you as you headed to the corner store. 

He follows you around the small shop. You don’t buy anything. You rarely do. It’s really just something to do. Neither of you spoke to each other as you went down aisle after aisle. Theo even went with you as you walked home, but as soon as he continued all the way to your front door, you stuck your arm out to block him from entering the house.

“If you’re going to be my shadow, stay out here. I’ll be back.” 

He nodded. Then he leaned against the wall of your house to wait for you to return. You don’t hurry to gather the few things you need. You took your sweet time. 

“Who were you talking to?” your mother asked when you went into the kitchen to grab a water bottle. 

You hummed, not looking at her. “Uh, someone from school. They’re staying here… for the summer.” 

You knew Theo was staying for longer than the summer, but you didn’t need to be having this conversation with your mother about someone you really barely knew. 

“Someone from school? One of your friends?” your mother pressed. 

“No.”

“Who is it?” 

“No one,” you said before turning to leave. 

You didn’t let her ask another question. You knew that she was about to start asking questions that you didn’t have the answers to. Theo was waiting for you when you walked out of the house. You didn’t look at him or greet him in any way. Like before, he followed you. You went back to the park and sat at the picnic table again. Theo retook his spot across from you. You read for the rest of the morning. 

“Can you point me in the direction of Mr… uh, Leprechaun? Leprosy? Lemon?”

You raised your eyebrows, not looking up from your book. “Lester.” 

“Yeah. Him.”

“Butcher shop’s next to the store we were in,” you said lazily. 

Theo wordlessly got up and left you. You rolled your eyes. You were glad to be truly alone for the first time since you left the bakery. But it didn’t last too long. Theo got lunch from Mr. Lester and ate it outside his shop. Then he went back to you and sat back down.

That’s how the two of you sat for a while. Silence. The wind rustled the leaves and you turned the pages of your book, but you didn’t talk. Eventually, Theo laid down on the bench with his hands behind his head. It was better than him watching you. 

When the sun started to set, you got up, ready to go home again. As soon as you stood up, Theo sat up. 

“Where are you going, Dolcezza?” he asked.

“Home.” 

Theo got up and walked with you in the direction of your house. At first you think he’s walking you home, like the shadow he’s been. But then he turned down the pathway to Mr. Faust’s house. You stopped walking.

“Your grandfather… He’s Mr. Faust?” you called when Theo was halfway down the path.

Theo looked over his shoulder at you, barely pausing to say, “Yes.” 

You were distracted for the rest of the evening. You’d talked to Mr. Faust before. Spent a little bit of time with him. Such happens when you live in a smaller, remote town. You know the residents. And Mr. Faust told you that you reminded him of his daughter. You knew he only had one daughter – who apparently was Theo’s mother. 

Once inside, Theo’s grandfather calls for him from the kitchen. He was working on dinner for the two of them. 

“I hear you’ve met Y/N. Lovely girl, isn’t she?” 

“She goes to Hogwarts, Grandfather. Of course, I know her.” 

Once his grandfather said your name, Theo could place you in his year, your house, the classes you’ve shared over the years. He hadn’t spoken to you much, only when he had to. He isn’t sure how his grandfather knows he spent practically all day with you. Maybe one of the other residents of the town is a gossip. 

“Well, I wasn’t sure if you were friends. I’ve never heard her talk about you.” 

“How much time do you spend with her?” Theo asked.

“Oh, not too much. She does some mending for me and some others, and she tells stories about Hogwarts to the littler ones when she works. Sometimes I listen for a little bit after dropping off or picking up my things. She’s never mentioned you.” 

“Well, I do know her. We’re just not close.” 

“Maybe that will change.”

“Maybe.” 

Theo’s grandfather considered telling him that you are like his mother. For now, that would be something he kept to himself. A little reminder of her lived on in you. He’d tell Theo about it if he got to know you better.

---

Theo waited for you at the end of the pathway of his grandfather’s house. He assumed you would walk by again. If not, he probably would have stood there all day, casually leaning against the stone wall. When you passed him, you didn’t greet him. You didn’t even acknowledge him. But he still pushed himself off the wall and quickly matched your stride.

“Reading again today?” he asked as you sat down at the same table as yesterday. 

You placed your bag on the table and pulled out some clothing that you were working on mending. 

“I see, telling stories instead,” he said with a smirk. “Entertain me.” 

“I tell stories to children,” you clarified as you quickly got to work. “You aren’t a child.” 

“I can act like one if it gets me a story.”

“Once upon a time, there was a new person in my town and he decided to follow me around like a sentient shadow. His reasoning for doing so is unknown. The end,” you said dryly, not looking up from your work. 

“A sentient shadow?” 

“Mine doesn’t talk to me. Does yours?” 

He shrugged, which you were just able to see in your peripheral vision. Your lips twitched as you stifled a laugh. Theo saw it. You kept working. He watched you for a while, admiring how your fingers pushed the needle and thread through pants and shirts and a stuffed animal. Eventually, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. He held the pack out to you.

“Want one?” 

“No,” you said flatly. “And I’d rather you didn’t around me.” 

“Alright.” 

Theo stood up and walked away from you. You didn’t think he’d actually listen. He stood at a distance until he finished his lit cigarette. Once it was finished, he came back to the table, but he didn’t sit down.

“You’ll show me around sometime, Dolcezza?” Although his voice said it as a question, it felt like a statement. A prediction, even. 

He stood at the end of the table, waiting for a response. He could wait. Your hands stopped, setting down your needle. 

“If you wait, I can. These won’t take all day.” 

He nodded before laying down on the bench like he had done yesterday. You got back to work. Your thoughts drifted to every time you interacted with Theo at school. They were all brief interactions. The occasional partnered spellwork. Him asking you to pass some ingredients in Potions. You saying ‘excuse me’ as you moved past him in the library. It really was strange to be spending time with him. But he stuck around until you finished what you needed to.

“Ready?” you asked, standing up and slinging your bag over your shoulder.

He was silent as he got up. You started down the main street with him at your side. You pointed out each building and who ran the shop.

“You’ll learn their names soon enough. Only so many people live here.” 

Then you started around the neighborhood. You listed off the names of who lived in each house, making sure to note the Watson house in case Theo decided that he did want to spend his summer with Parker rather than you. Every few houses, you told him to wait in the street while you dropped off what you had mended. Everyone looked past you at Theo. Word of his arrival hadn’t fully made its rounds through the town.

“Is that your boyfriend?” an older lady, Mrs. Thomas, asked.

“No. Mr. Faust’s grandson is living with him this summer.”

“Shame… He’s a handsome one.” 

You gave her a tight-lipped smile and wished her a good afternoon. You knew she was watching you as you walked back to Theo. She would more definitely be spreading the rumor that you were dating him, being the gossip that she was. 

The next day Theo was waiting for you again at the end of his grandfather’s property. 

“What’s the plan for today, Dolcezza?” he asked. 

You weren’t headed in the direction of the park, rather you were walking out of the town’s perimeter. Theo wasn’t complaining. He was looking forward to doing something new.

“If you’re following me around again, you’ll have to wait and see.”

He nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets. You walked in silence on the path that would eventually take you to the next town. Your town wasn’t even out of sight when you turned off the designated path and onto one that appeared to be made from being walked on so many times. Theo hesitated slightly before following you. You moved quicker on this trail. It wasn’t on purpose; it was simply a habit. You were the one who made the trail so you knew every step and every turn like the back of your hand. And you knew it would lead to a clearing.

You had planted some flowers around the edge of the clearing, and by their own pollination, they expanded inward. You sat down against a large tree and sighed. This was your spot. You had debated telling Theo to not follow you today, but he had been tolerable enough the last two days. It was really to get away from the people in town when you needed a break. You didn’t see him as someone from town. Plus, he would probably need this space as well as the summer went on. You were being thoughtful. 

You didn’t bring anything to do. You were going to sit and do nothing. That’s usually what you did out here. All you needed was fresh air and your imagination to keep you entertained. And sometimes you fell asleep. It was connecting with nature. 

Theo brought a book with him, because he was expecting to end up at the park again. He stood at the edge of the clearing, taking it in, as you sat down. He didn’t enter it right away. He seemed to sense that this place was special to you. When he did sit down, he leaned against a tree on the other side of the clearing, giving you your space. 

He read for a while. You watched him for a while. You had to agree with Mrs. Thomas, he was handsome. But he was also friends with Malfoy and all of his friends. They weren’t people you normally associated with. Theo himself didn’t seem too bad. Maybe he was okay. At least he could be okay for the summer and you could go back to not talking to each other when the school year started. 

After a while, you assumed when he finished a chapter or two, Theo put down his book and took something out of his pocket. It was too small to be his wand. He flicked his wrist and a shiny, silver blade appeared. Your eyes widened with the sudden fear that maybe you had led him to a secluded area and now he could kill you and no one would ever know. Then he flicked his wrist the other direction, and  the blade disappeared. He did this a few times before he reached for a small branch. He started one of the ends into a point. Once one end was sufficiently sharpened, he flipped it and did the same to the other side. When that was done, he stabbed the ground next to his leg. And he reached for another stick. 

You watched him do this a few more times before you laid down and stared up at the branches high above you with their green leaves. His repetitive scraping was oddly soothing. You didn’t realize you had fallen asleep until Theo was prodding your shoulder. 

“It’s about dinner time. I don’t know how to get back.”

You sat up and stretched. “Yeah. Right. Just give me one sec.”

He backed up, giving you space to get up and gather yourself. It wasn’t like you had brought anything with you. You walked in silence back to town. Theo hesitated before heading down the path to his grandfather’s. 

“I like that place. Thanks, Dolcezza,” he said monotonously. He nodded and then walked toward the door.

You waited until he was inside. You hadn’t expected that. You and Theo, despite having spent three days together now, didn’t talk. But the sentiment behind those five words left a warm feeling in your chest. You thought it was possibly the beginning of friendship. 

“Where’d you take Faust’s grandson today?” your mother asked as you entered your house. 

She stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching you kick off your shoes. 

“Nowhere,” you lied. 

She chuckled. “Was he who you were talking to the other day?”

“Yes.”

“I see… I hear he’s handsome.” 

“Can we not talk about Theodore?”

“Is that his name? Mrs. Thomas didn’t know.”

“What’s for dinner?” You tried to change the topic and your mother smiled knowingly. 

You were avoiding. You didn’t want to talk about it so why wouldn’t you? You knew that you’d be dodging her questions all through dinner anyways, and probably the rest of the week. And if Theo kept following you around, it would be all summer. 

The next few days, you stayed around town. You couldn’t shake Theo. Wherever you went, he went, except for your house. You didn’t let him in. If you had to go back to your house during the day, he wanted on the front porch until you came out again. He watched you do more mending. He read when you read. You actually started working on your summer assignments. He had muttered something about doing the assignments the week before school. Then he laid down on the bench and fell asleep. A few times you went back to the clearing and Theo added more sticks to his collection. 

Throughout all of this, you started talking more and more. You were actually getting to know him. He was still pretty quiet though, letting you talk. But if you asked him a question, he answered, although his answers were consistently shorter than yours. 

During July, your mother asked if you could get some fish. You said you’d try. You grabbed your pole and went out. Like always, Theo was waiting for you outside his grandfather’s. He eyed your pole warily but didn’t say anything. You walked out of town side by side. He gave you a confused look when you didn’t turn off on the trail to the clearing. You kept walking. If he wasn’t going to ask, you weren’t going to tell him. 

After a little bit, you turned down another trail. This one was even less worn than the clearing. You didn’t have as much speed on this one and Theo was able to keep right behind you. He let out a ‘huh’ when you came upon a pond. It was tiny compared to the Black Lake, but it was big enough to have fish. There wasn’t a dock or anything so you stood on the edge of the grass to fish.

Theo stood off to the side as you cast your line into the water. He had a strange look in his eyes that you can’t quite place as he watched you. You realize it’s some kind of mix of wonder and amazement once you reel in a fish. If anyone asked, you’d say the fish in the pond were dumb. They were easy to catch. 

“Can you teach me?” he asked all of a sudden. 

You jumped, having been standing in silence for over an hour. You looked over your shoulder at him. 

“You’ve never fished before?”

He shook his head. You sighed and motioned for him to come closer. You explained the button that allowed the line to slack and how to flick the rod so that the hook and lure went flying. 

“Some people use live bait, but my lure has done me good so far. And after you cast, you spin this handle to reel it back in. The lure mimics a smaller fish swimming. And if you feel a bite, you jerk the rod to catch the hook in the fish’s mouth.” You paused and held out your rod for Theo. “Give it a try.”

He exhaled through his nose as he took it. “Swish and flick, right, Dolcezza? Just like what Flitwick taught us.”

You laughed. Theo smiled at that and then he attempted to cast. It didn’t go nearly as far as when you did it. 

“That’s okay. It takes practice. … You’ll want to go a little faster than that. The fish is swimming, not lollygagging.” 

“Right…” 

“And it’s all in the wrist,” you said when he was about to cast again. 

This cast was better than the first, but it still needed work. For a first time fisherman, Theo wasn’t doing too horribly, but you knew all the fish you’d be bringing home would be yours unless Theo got a stroke of luck. You stepped back to observe him. He looked happy, peaceful. There was a lightness to his features that you hadn’t seen at Hogwarts. 

After a decent amount of casting and a few bites from fish that got away, Theo gave you your rod back. You fished until you had enough to bring home to your mother. You hung them up on a tree, leaned your rod against the same tree and took your shoes off to wade in the water. Theo watched you in silence.

“It feels nice,” you called to him. “If you want to…” 

He slid his shoes off and tentatively walked into the water, wincing slightly at the coldness and squishy feeling beneath his feet. 

“No ponds on the Nott property?” you asked as he walked toward you.

“No.” He took a startled step to the left. “What the fuck touched my leg?”

You laughed at his expression. “Either a fish or seaweed. You know, algae and underwater plants.”

“Gross.”

“You know what’s gross?” You leaned down and slashed water at his face. “Tasting this water.”

He swore again before splashing you back. You were both thoroughly soaked by the time you were done splashing each other. He had turned his back to you to head back to shore when you gave his back a gentle shove. It took him by surprise. He stumbled. It happened in slow motion: him somehow turning around, grabbing you and pulling you down into the fall as he completely lost his balance. You practically landed on top of him. You could feel your face burning as you rolled away from him in the shallow water. 

“That was evil,” you said, earning a laugh from Theo.

“Says the girl who pushed me.”

“Touché.”

Once out of the water, you put your shoes back down. You grabbed the fish and your pole, but then Theo reached for the fish to take them from you. 

“I know I didn’t catch any, but I can carry them. You got the rod.”

You let him take them. The walk back to town is quiet but comfortable. You occasionally look at him through your periphery. He appeared to be so content with whatever this friendship was, even if it had led to him walking a distance in drenched clothing. You’d be lying if you said your clothing was comfortable right now. 

He walked with you the entire way back to your house. He stood on the porch as you put away your rod and then he held out the fish when you came back to get them. 

“You can-” The words couldn’t come out of your mouth fast enough.

“Is this Theodore Faust?” your mother asked, appearing behind you. Your face burned more than it had when you fell on him earlier.

“Nott, ma’am,” he corrected her. 

“How lovely to meet you,” she said with a smile. “Oh, you went fishing too? Would you like to have dinner with us? We’ll be cooking some of those up.” 

Could your face turn any redder? 

To your relief, Theo shook his head. “I’d love to, but I should be getting back to Grandfather. I appreciate the offer, ma’am.”

“Another time, then. I’ll invite your grandfather as well.”

You offered Theo a pained smile, which he returned as he handed you the fish. You knew that your mother was going to talk about this all through the evening and possibly the week.

“Mrs. Thomas was not doing that young man justice,” your mother murmured as she turned back into the house. 

You rotated what you did over the next few days. Going to the clearing, sitting in the park, just going for walks, working on homework. And whatever you did, Theo did too. You told yourself that he just didn’t want to be alone, whether that was his choice or if his grandfather was forcing him to leave the house. You wouldn’t’ve been surprised if it was the latter. Still, he seemed to be enjoying your company at least. He wasn’t complaining. 

“Can we do fish tonight?” your mother asked. 

You nodded as you drank your morning tea. 

“If that Theodore is going with you, bring your father’s rod. I’m sure Mr. Faust wouldn’t mind some.”

You nodded again. Your father hadn’t used his rod in years. You grabbed it and headed toward Mr. Faust’s house, where Theo was waiting. He tilted his head slightly when he saw the second rod, but his face lit up when you handed it to him.

“Don’t break it,” you warned, despite knowing that Theo wouldn’t do that on purpose. But for good measure, you added, “It’s my father’s. I don’t think he’d forgive me if I only came back with one rod.”

“Two rods leave, two rods will come back,” Theo said solemnly. 

There was a spring in Theo’s step as you headed for the pond. You couldn’t help but smile at how excited he was. He really took a liking to fishing. A wide grin took over his face as he cast his line into the pond next to you. You didn’t talk much. You just cast, reeled, recast, reeled, removed a fish, and repeat. It was a comfortable quiet, only broken by the occasional comment. 

When you were done fishing, you didn’t go back into town right away. You turned down the trail to your clearing. You leaned your rod against a tree and hung up the fish; Theo leaned his rod up against yours. You went to sit down where you usually sat. You expected Theo to sit by his ever-growing stick spikes, but that’s not where he sat. He sat right by your side, close enough that your shoulders were touching. 

After a few minutes of peaceful silence, you said, “You’re not too bad, Theodore.”

He hummed. “You expected I would be?”

“Take a look at your friends. They’d hate living here.”

“I think Draco’d combust,” he said with a snorted laugh. 

“But you seem to be doing alright.”

“Thanks to you.” 

It’s quieter. It hung in the air between you. You don’t know what to do with that.

“You’re welcome.” There was silence. “You like fishing, huh?” 

“It’s… nice.” 

And that was it. Short answers were Theo’s forte. 

July came to an end. Despite what your mother said, Theo and his grandfather had yet to come over for dinner. You figured it would’ve been an awkward night if it had happened. You weren’t complaining that it wasn’t looking like it was going to happen. 

But you kept spending time with Theo. It got to the point where you would say you were friends. You were accustomed to his presence. Your sentient shadow really wasn’t as bad as you had expected, especially with the conversations you had in the clearing. During one of your days out there, he said that you could call him Theo if you wanted to.

“It’s what my friends call me,” he said as he stared up at the sky. You were both lying on your backs. “Well, except Draco. He’s a surname kind of bloke.”

“Theo…” you said, trying it out. “No offense but it’s weird. I mean, you’re Theodore Nott. Not Theo Nott.”

“I said if you wanted to. You don’t have to.” The words had a bit of bite to them. It felt like he wanted you to call him Theo, like that confirmed that you were friends and he wanted that.

“We are friends. I just don’t know…”

“Don’t worry about it. Really.”

More days passed. More sitting in the park. More walking around the corner shop and through the other shops. More mending. A few more fishing trips. And more afternoons in the clearing. 

You were both leaning against your usual tree. Theo had started sitting closer and closer to you each time you did this. His collection of spikes had stopped growing, with a few even falling over after a storm. He didn’t bother standing them back up. 

You sighed.

“This is all going to change when we go back to school, isn’t it?” you asked quietly as you stared up at the leaves from the trees across from you.

“Hm?”

“Whatever this… friendship is. It’s going to change once we’re back at Hogwarts. You know, when you’re back with Malfoy, Parkinson, Berkshire, Zabini.”

Silence fell between you. It was thick with something. You couldn’t put your finger on it. Theo was thinking about what you said; he didn’t necessarily want it to change. He had decided that he liked you. Whatever this was between you two, it was nice. 

“Do you want it to?” he asked slowly, his voice low like he didn’t want the trees to overhear his question.

“I mean, I like this Theo. He’s nice to be around. Funny. Good company.” 

Theo sat up a little straighter. You called him Theo. You noticed his adjustment and what you said. You could feel heat beginning to creep up your neck, which only got worse as he looked at you. You didn’t meet his eye, not knowing that if you had, you’ve been met with a soft look. 

He took a deep breath. Slytherin ambition, right? He got what he wanted, and you were what he wanted. He reached over, gently using your chin to turn your head. He leaned in and pressed his lips on yours. You froze. You wanted to gasp, maybe pull away in surprise, but you were completely frozen. 

When he pulled away, he whispered, “I would like it to change, but not in the way you’re implying.”

“Oh,” you breathed. It’s all you could do. 

Theodore Nott had just kissed you. In your clearing. Someone, who before this summer, you never would’ve imagined being in your clearing. Someone, who before this summer, you never would’ve imagined kissing, let alone not hating it. 

“So… erm, what do you say?” he asked after you hadn’t said anything more, nor had you moved. 

“Um, one sec…” You leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Soft. Sweet. Gentle. His hand moved to hold your cheek until you pulled back.

“I think I’d like that.”

You and Theo wore matching smiles. You were going to have a lot of explaining to do when you got to school. 

tags: @navs-bhat

[wchswift]

ଓ The apple pie life

Pairing: Dean Winchester x fem!reader Summary: you and Dean are tasked with going undercover as a married couple in a suburban neighborhood to investigate a string of mysterious disappearances linked to a local HOA. Content: fluff, one kiss, angst (kinda), idiots oblivious to their own feelings, hunting/working a case, mentions of murders, demons, spells, not proofread, English isn’t my first language :) Word count: 4k a/n: I've been keeping this in my drafts for a while now and while life happens and I work on my dofp!logan one shot, I decided to post this :) I hope you enjoy it

mdni 𖤐 18+

“Yeah, no. This ain’t happening.” Dean Winchester stood at the edge of a freshly mowed lawn, surveying the neighborhood like it was a Hellmouth in disguise. Which, for all they knew, it very well could be. Rows of cookie-cutter houses lined the street, each painted in calming shades of beige, sage, or blue. Even the mailboxes were identical. Dean glared at one as if it had personally offended him.

Sam sighed, arms crossed, watching his brother’s tantrum. “Dean, it’s a neighborhood. Not a death sentence.”

“You’re asking me to pretend to be Mr. Suburbia. Me. You know I don’t do...” Dean gestured vaguely at a garden gnome. “This.”

Standing between the two of them, you held a faux wedding photo that Sam had printed for the cover story. “We’re married. You’re a mechanic. I work from home. We moved here for the good schools. Sound familiar?” you said with a smirk, holding the picture up.

Dean snatched the frame and scowled at the image. “I look like a hostage,” he muttered.

“You always look like that,” you shot back. “Now come on, let’s get unpacked. Our ‘friendly neighborhood welcome committee’ is stopping by in an hour.”

Dean groaned, but there was no backing out. Sam had been adamant: five people had disappeared from this very block in the past six months. The only connection? All were new to the neighborhood, and all had been avid participants in the HOA’s activities.

“Fine,” Dean grumbled, hoisting a box from the Impala. “But I’m not calling you ‘honey.”

Dean’s idea of "unpacking" consisted of dumping boxes onto the floor and shoving furniture into place like he was playing Tetris with his life. You trailed behind him, trying to make the house look halfway livable. It wasn't easy; the entire setup resembled a sitcom scenario, complete with ruffled curtains and throw pillows that Sam insisted would help you blend in.

Dean picked up one of the pillows, squinting at the stitched slogan: Home Sweet Home. “This thing screams demon bait,” he muttered, tossing it onto the couch.

“Maybe if you acted like a halfway decent husband, it wouldn’t,” you quipped, earning a low chuckle from Sam.

“Yeah, hilarious,” Dean shot back, hauling a box of what appeared to be mismatched kitchen supplies onto the counter. “This is my nightmare, by the way. Thought you should know.”

“It’s not exactly a dream for me either, sweetie,” you replied, stressing the endearment with a sugary grin. Dean’s eye roll could’ve powered the whole neighborhood.

The doorbell chimed just as you finished arranging a vase of fake flowers in the living room. Dean peered through the peephole like he expected to see a mob of demons. Instead, a group of impeccably dressed neighbors smiled back at him.

“Kill me now,” Dean muttered, opening the door.

A blonde woman with a Stepford-wife grin and a clipboard stepped forward. “Hi there! Welcome to the neighborhood! I’m Lana, the HOA president. And these are Sheila and Rick, your next-door neighbors!”

Dean gave his best approximation of a smile, though it looked more like a grimace. “Uh, hey. I’m Dean. This is my—uh—wife.”

You plastered on your most winning smile and shook hands all around. “So nice to meet you all!”

Lana’s eyes swept over the living room, clearly appraising your decor. “You’ve done such a lovely job already! Oh, and Dean, we’ll have our weekly HOA meeting at the clubhouse tomorrow night. We expect all new residents to attend. You’ll come, won’t you?”

Dean opened his mouth, likely to come up with an excuse, but you elbowed him. “We’d love to,” you said quickly.

“Wonderful!” Lana chirped. “I’ll leave you with the neighborhood handbook. Everything you need to know is right here.” She handed over a spiral-bound monstrosity of rules and regulations before bustling off with her entourage.

Dean stared at the handbook like it might explode. “Fifty bucks says they’re part of a cult.”

That night, Sam joined you both in the kitchen, where you poured over the HOA handbook. Sam had come by under the guise of helping you move in but was really playing the role of a nosy family friend who conveniently lived a few towns over.

“Okay,” Sam said, flipping through pages. “This is weird. Every house here has to have a specific type of lawn ornament? And look at this—rules about curfew, holiday decorations, even what kind of car you can park in your driveway.”

“Classic control freaks,” Dean muttered, popping open a beer.

“Or something worse,” Sam countered, pointing to a line about mandatory attendance at neighborhood socials. “People start disappearing, and the HOA gets more power over the remaining residents. It seems like they're under some spell… perhaps they made a pact? Maybe with a demon.”

Dean groaned. “Great. So it’s not just bad casseroles we have to survive.”

“We need to hit that meeting tomorrow,” you said. “Whatever’s going on, that’s where we’ll find the first clue.”

The next evening, you and Dean made your way to the HOA meeting at the neighborhood clubhouse, blending in among the perfectly groomed crowd. Everyone was dressed like they were auditioning for a suburban magazine spread: crisp polos, floral blouses, and smiles that didn’t quite reach their eyes.

Dean leaned closer to you, muttering, “Tell me this doesn’t feel like a Stepford reboot.”

You elbowed him lightly, smiling for the neighbors. “Try to look like you’re not plotting their demise, honey.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, adjusting his flannel like it was armor. “Let’s just hope these people don’t sacrifice newcomers to their God of Lawn Care.”

Inside the clubhouse, Lana, the HOA president, stood at the front of the room, clipboard in hand. She welcomed everyone with her signature cheerfulness, but you couldn’t miss the way her eyes scanned the crowd, lingering on the newcomers—you and Dean.

“Now, let’s get started!” she chirped. “First order of business: Mr. Peterson’s garden gnomes. We’ve had complaints they’re too whimsical.”

Dean raised an eyebrow at you, mouthing, too whimsical? You struggled not to laugh.

The meeting droned on, a mix of petty complaints and rigid enforcement of bizarre rules, until Lana’s tone shifted.

“And finally,” she said, her voice dropping an octave, “a reminder that all residents are expected to attend next week’s neighborhood barbecue. Remember, harmony is our greatest strength. We’re all part of something... bigger here.”

Her words sent a ripple of unease through the room. Most of the neighbors nodded dutifully, but a few glanced nervously at each other. You caught Dean’s gaze, and his expression was sharp, all traces of humor gone.

Later that night, back at the house, you pored over what you’d observed with Sam and Dean.

“It’s not just the rules,” you said, pacing the living room. “It’s the way they act. Like they’re afraid of stepping out of line.”

“And what’s with Lana’s ‘bigger picture’ speech?” Dean added, tossing the HOA handbook onto the coffee table. “She’s definitely hiding something.”

Sam tapped at his laptop. “I did some digging. Lana moved into this neighborhood ten years ago, right before the HOA’s rules got so strict. Before that? No disappearances, no creepy cult vibes.”

Dean frowned. “So she’s the ringleader?”

“More like the summoner,” Sam replied, turning the screen to show an old news clipping. It detailed Lana’s involvement in occult studies years ago. “If she’s behind this, it’s not merely a pact. It’s using the HOA to enforce perfection, as it literally sustains the spell that keeps it anchored here.”

“So, the HOA handbook’s not just a pain in the ass,” you said, glancing at Dean. “It’s the demon’s playbook.”

The next morning, Dean decided to “blend in” by taking his role as a suburban husband to absurd levels.

You came downstairs to find him in an apron, flipping pancakes with an exaggerated flourish. “Morning, sweetheart!” he called, his grin annoyingly smug.

“What are you doing?” you asked, still half-asleep.

“Being the perfect husband,” he said, loading a plate with a stack of slightly burnt pancakes. “You should try it sometime, darling.”

The sarcasm in his tone made you roll your eyes, but you couldn’t suppress a small laugh. “If this is your idea of perfection, the demon’s going to smite us before lunch.”

Dean’s antics didn’t stop at pancakes. Later that day, he decided to tackle the front yard—shirtless, of course, because “that’s what husbands do, right?”

You stood on the porch, arms crossed, watching as he wrestled with the garden hose like it owed him money. His flannel was tossed onto a nearby fence, leaving his t-shirt in a crumpled heap in the corner. The summer sun glinted off his shoulders, and despite the ridiculousness of it all, you couldn’t help but stare.

“You know,” you called out, fighting a smirk, “the neighbors are going to think you’re some kind of exhibitionist.”

Dean glanced up, his grin wolfish. “Or they’ll think you’re married to the best damn landscaper on the block.”

“You missed a spot.” You pointed at a section of the lawn.

He mock-groaned, holding a hand to his chest like you’d mortally wounded him. “Man slaves away, and this is the thanks he gets? No wonder I’m burned out on marriage.”

“Burned out implies you ever tried,” you shot back, leaning against the doorframe.

Dean’s expression shifted, just for a moment—a flash of something vulnerable, quickly buried under his usual bravado. “Yeah, well... guess I never found the right reason to try.”

The air between you grew heavier, the teasing edge dulled by an undercurrent you didn’t quite know how to address. He broke eye contact first, turning back to the yard. “Don’t just stand there, princess. Grab a rake or something.”

The barbecue was the kind of event you’d have laughed at if you weren’t actively part of it. Neatly arranged folding tables with checkered cloths stretched across the neighborhood park, and neighbors mingled with drinks in hand, every one of them smiling just a little too wide.

Dean leaned against the grill, flipping burgers with the same intensity he used while sharpening knives. “This is a trap. You know that, right?” he muttered, glancing around.

“Obviously,” you replied, sipping a too-sweet lemonade. “But we’re undercover, remember? Try to act like you’re enjoying yourself.”

Dean’s grin was laced with sarcasm. “Oh yeah, I’m having a blast. Love talking about lawn fertilizer and HOA-approved fence heights.”

Just then, Lana appeared beside the two of you, her ever-present clipboard tucked under her arm. “Dean, those burgers smell amazing! And you—” She turned to you with that polished grin. “You’re just glowing, aren’t you? Married life suits you two so well.”

Dean, never one to miss an opportunity, slung an arm around your shoulders. “Well, Lana, we’re just one big, happy couple.” He punctuated the sentence with a quick kiss to your temple, the smug look on his face daring you to react.

You forced a tight smile. “Couldn’t be happier.”

Lana beamed, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Wonderful to hear. It’s so important to maintain harmony in the neighborhood.” She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping. “After all, everything falls apart if even one house doesn’t meet expectations.”

Dean’s arm stiffened against your shoulder, his instincts flaring. “Is that right?”

Lana nodded, her expression unreadable. “Absolutely. Well, I won’t keep you. Enjoy the barbecue!”

Once Lana was out of earshot, you and Dean regrouped with Sam near the dessert table.

“She’s hiding something,” you said, cutting straight to the point.

“Definitely,” Dean agreed, setting his plate down. “And what’s with the whole ‘harmony’ thing? She sounded like a cult leader.”

Sam nodded, keeping his voice low. “She is. It is indeed a deal, an exchange. The more the neighborhood conforms to the rules, the stronger it gets. People who can’t meet the standards? They’re the ones who disappear.”

You frowned. “So the HOA rules aren’t just annoying—they’re literally fuel for this thing.”

Dean’s jaw tightened. “Well, good news. We’ve got the perfect distraction right here.” He gestured at himself and you with a smirk.

“Perfect distraction?” you repeated.

“Think about it,” he said. “We’re new, we’re not exactly HOA material, and if anyone’s gonna tick off a demon about their precious rules, it’s us.”

Sam sighed. “Just be careful. If the demon gets wind of what you’re doing, it won’t wait for you to break a rule—it’ll come for you directly.”

The first crack in the HOA’s perfectly polished façade came two days after Dean decided to rebel in his own loud, stubborn way. The offending incident? A single garden gnome—brightly painted and flipping the bird—set proudly on your front lawn.

You crossed your arms, staring at the gnome as Dean lounged against the doorframe. “Really?”

Dean grinned, proud as a kid showing off a bad report card. “What? It’s art.”

“It’s bait,” you corrected, shaking your head.

“Exactly.” He smirked, arms crossed. “Lana won’t know what hit her.”

Sure enough, Lana arrived within the hour, clipboard in hand and fury barely masked beneath her painted smile. “Dean, we need to discuss your lawn decorations,” she said through gritted teeth.

Dean stepped outside, wearing the smuggest expression you’d ever seen. “What’s the problem, Lana? Don’t you like art?”

She blinked, momentarily stunned by his audacity, before recovering. “This neighborhood thrives on harmony. Your—choice of ornament—disrupts that balance.”

Dean leaned casually against the porch railing. “Huh. Didn’t see anything in the handbook about freedom of expression being against the rules.”

You watched from the window, biting back a laugh as Lana sputtered, her usual control slipping. She left with a curt, “This isn’t over.”

After Lana stormed off, you expected Dean to be all bravado and quips, but instead, he started fixing the fence. It was such a rare sight that you almost did a double take.

“What are you doing?” you asked, leaning against the porch post.

“Making sure the place doesn’t fall apart,” Dean replied, hammering a nail into place. “If we’re staying here long enough to take down a demon, might as well make it look good.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t know you were so handy, Mr. Winchester.”

He smirked, not looking up. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m full of surprises.”

That night, you found Dean in the kitchen, you noticed Dean seemed... different. Focused. Almost like he belonged here. He stirred a pot of chili with a level of precision that rivaled his aim with a gun.

“You’re surprisingly good at this,” you remarked, leaning against the counter.

Dean shrugged. “I used to cook for Sammy when we were kids. Guess some habits stick.”

The soft admission caught you off guard. For all his bravado, moments like these reminded you of the man underneath—the one who took care of everyone else, even when he didn’t have to.

“This is weird,” you muttered, setting the table.

Dean looked over at you. “What is?”

“You. Doing all this domestic stuff. It’s like you’re... enjoying it.”

Dean shrugged, placing the bowls of chili on the table. “I don’t hate it. Beats getting shot at every day.”

“Guess you’re not half-bad at this husband thing after all,” you teased.

Dean smirked, his usual cockiness back in place. “Don’t let it go to your head, sweetheart.”

Later, the two of you sat on the couch, flipping through channels. Sam had gone back to his motel, leaving you and Dean with a rare bit of downtime.

The sound of the TV faded into the background as Dean spoke up. “You ever think about it? A normal life, I mean.”

You looked over at him, surprised. “Sometimes. Why?”

He leaned back, one hand draped along the back of the couch, his expression unusually serious. “I don’t know. It’s just... this case, all this fake domestic stuff... It’s kinda nice. Not worrying about what’s lurking around the corner every second.”

“You’ve never thought about it before?” you asked gently.

Dean gave a short laugh, his gaze distant. “Nah. Figured it wasn’t in the cards. Even when I was a kid, normal wasn’t exactly in the Winchester playbook.”

His words hung in the air, heavier than you’d expected.

“Maybe it’s not about the cards you’re dealt,” you said softly. “Maybe it’s about finding your own kind of normal.”

He turned to look at you, his green eyes searching yours. For a moment, the air between you felt charged, but he broke the gaze first, his usual smirk returning. “Well, my kind of normal definitely involves better TV shows than this crap.”

You laughed, nudging his shoulder. “Fair enough.”

The tender moment passed quickly as the two of you turned back to the case.

The next morning, Sam returned with a crucial discovery. “Lana made a deal with a demon ten years ago. She wanted the perfect neighborhood, and the demon delivered. But the cost? Anyone who doesn’t fit her version of perfection gets sacrificed to keep the deal going.”

Dean clenched his jaw. “So she’s trading lives for lawn perfection? Well, that’s messed up.”

Sam nodded. “It thrives off the conformity she enforces. The more people play by the rules, the stronger the demon gets. The ones who disappear? They’re used as sacrifices to maintain the spell.”

Dean stood abruptly. “Great. So we take down the demon, and her whole Stepford act goes up in flames.” He looked at you. “But first, we gotta piss her off enough to make a move.”

After talkng with Sam, you and Dean turned the dial on your undercover roles.

You started your day loudly arguing in the driveway about “trivial” things—how Dean never folded the laundry right, how you “always” bought the wrong coffee creamer.

Dean played it up like a pro, throwing his hands in the air dramatically. “Fine! Next time, you go grocery shopping!”

“Oh, because you’re so busy, huh?” you shot back, struggling not to laugh.

So you two just keeped violating the rules. Determined to push Lana past her breaking point, Dean added strung mismatched Christmas lights across the front porch, even though it was July.

“Dean,” you said, standing in the driveway with crossed arms, “I’m pretty sure even the demon is rolling its eyes at this point.”

Dean grinned as he plugged in the lights, which flickered in a garish rainbow. “Oh, come on, admit it. This is the most fun we’ve had on a case in months.”

You couldn’t argue with that. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re married to me,” he shot back, winking. “You know,” Dean said, leaning in close as you adjusted the strand of blinking lights, “we make a pretty good team when we’re breaking all the rules.”

You smirked. “Better than your pancake-making team, that’s for sure.”

He laughed, the sound rich and unguarded. “Touché.”

Lanas’s car pulled up just as Dean propped his flamingo lawn ornament next to the mailbox. Her expression was a masterclass in repressed rage as she stepped out, clipboard in hand.

“Dean!” she barked, her voice sharp enough to make the neighbors glance over from their gardening.

He sauntered up to her, feigning innocence. “Morning, Lana. Lovely day, isn’t it?”

Her smile was brittle, her grip on the clipboard tightening. “We need to talk.”

Dean’s escalating antics had done the trick. By the time night fell, Lana’s perfectly polished demeanor had cracked. She called an emergency HOA meeting, under the pretense of “addressing a disturbance in harmony.”

“You ready for this?” Dean asked as the three of you crouched outside the clubhouse, peeking through a window.

“I’ve been ready since the gnome,” you replied, flashing him a quick grin.

Sam whispered, “Looks like she’s prepping for a ritual. We need to stop her before she completes it.”

Dean nodded. “Sam, you cut off the ritual. We’ll handle Lana.”

“We?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dean smirked. “What, you don’t trust me?”

“Not as far as I can throw you,” you shot back, but the teasing tone didn’t quite mask the warmth in your words.

The two of you burst through the clubhouse door just as Lana lit the final candle on an ornate altar covered in sigils. The neighbors, all eerily quiet, stood in a semicircle around her, their expressions blank and glassy-eyed.

“Lana!” Dean called out, his voice cutting through the room. “You forgot to put this on the HOA agenda.”

She turned, her face twisting into something feral. “You don’t understand,” she hissed. “This neighborhood is perfect because of me. Because of what I’ve done!”

Dean raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, well, your definition of perfect kinda sucks.”

Lana snarled, grabbing a knife from the altar and lunging at him. You moved instinctively, stepping in to block her path. Together, you and Dean fought her off, moving in perfect sync.

She was fast, unnaturally so, but you matched her step for step, Dean covering your back with practiced ease. At one point, she swung the knife in a wide arc, and Dean caught her wrist, twisting it just enough for you to knock the blade free.

“You good?” he asked, glancing at you.

You nodded, catching your breath. “I’m fine. You?”

“Peachy,” he replied, his grin full of adrenaline-fueled bravado.

Behind you, Sam chanted Latin, his voice steady as he worked to dismantle the ritual. The sigils on the altar began to glow, flickering as the power binding the neighborhood started to unravel.

Realizing she was losing, Lana screamed, “You’ll ruin everything! Without this deal, this place will fall apart!”

Dean shrugged, stepping closer. “Good. Then maybe it’ll feel a little more human.” With a final swing, he knocked her unconscious, the force of it sending her crumpling to the floor.

Sam finished the ritual just as the sigils burned out entirely, plunging the room into silence. The neighbors blinked, their blank expressions fading as they seemed to wake from a dream.

“It’s over,” Dean said, his voice low.

Outside the clubhouse, you leaned against the Impala, catching your breath. The air felt lighter now, the oppressive weight of the neighborhood’s perfection finally lifted.

Dean stood a few feet away, looking at you with an unreadable expression. For once, he seemed at a loss for words.

“You okay?” you asked softly, stepping closer.

“Yeah,” he said, his voice quieter than usual. “Just... thinking.”

“Dangerous habit,” you teased, but the smile you gave him was gentle.

Dean���s eyes met yours, and for a moment, everything else faded away. Before you could think, he closed the distance between you, his lips crashing into yours.

The kiss was intense, filled with all the emotions he’d been holding back—relief, affection, gratitude and something deeper, something unspoken. When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against yours, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Took me long enough, huh?”

You laughed softly, your hand resting against his chest. “Yeah. But worth the wait.”

᭝ ᨳଓ𓂃⋆.

The next morning, as the three of you packed up to leave, Dean was back to his usual self—mostly.

Dean hesitated, glancing at the house. “Gotta admit,” he said, his voice softer than usual, “this whole domestic thing... wasn’t the worst.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Really? I thought you hated it.” Dean smirked, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, well, turns out I don’t suck at it. Could even get used to it, maybe.”

“You know,” he said, leaning against the Impala as you loaded the last bag into the trunk, “this whole married thing has its perks.”

“Oh yeah?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

He smirked. “Yeah. Hot meals, shared insurance benefits, someone to remind me when I forget my wallet.”

You rolled your eyes, shoving him lightly. “God, you’re insufferable.”

He shook his head, but there was a warmth in his gaze as he looked at you. “Maybe in another life.”

You didn’t answer, but the smile tugging at your lips gave you away. Dean opened the driver’s side door, his usual cocky grin back in place. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s hit the road.” You climbed in, Dean kissing you on the head before closing the door.

As the Impala roared to life and the too-perfect neighborhood disappeared in the rearview mirror, you couldn’t help but think about Dean’s earlier words. Maybe this undercover mission had been more than just a case.

Maybe, in some small way, it had given both of you a glimpse of what could be.

𖤐 reblogs and feedback are appreciated! requests are also welcome, ty!

[pipsqueaks89934]

Yandere Bull Hybrid x Chubby Cow Hybrid Reader

Background: Your farm was going out of business since the owners of the farm were getting too old to care for it anymore so they decided to give you and a few other hybrids to Serenity Meadows acres, orchards, and farms to live out the rest of your days. Serenity Meadows had a problem of its own called Rainer, he was a bull hybrid and the only bull hybrid that didn't have a mate this is the main reason that Serenity Meadows wanted you at their farm since they were tired of dealing with him and they think that if he has a mate he will be easier to tame.

They packed me and the other hybrids in a large trailer once we were done packing our stuff.

I don't want to leave!

I looked at the other hybrids and sighed before I started doing a small craft that I brought with me to pass the time. After an hour or so the trailer came to a slow stop and the door slowly opened to reveal a farmer and farm hands.

“Okay, since there are a lot of you,” one of the older and bigger men said while looking at a sheet of paper. “I want you to get in groups based on what hybrid you are so we can lead you to where you are supposed to be!”

Once everybody else got in a group one farm hand went to each group before leading them out of the trailer and to their new home. After watching most of the groups leave I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“You are a special little one,” I turned my head to the left and saw the older man who told everyone to get in groups. “I asked for you specifically since I needed a female cow, I didn't need any more bulls or male cows I just needed a little cow hybrid.”

He must be the owner of the farm.

“Follow me,” he said as he picked up some of my stuff and walked out of the trailer with me following close behind. “Do you want to meet some of the other cows before I take you to your stall?”

“I just want to get unpacked for now,” I whispered as we stopped in front of a barn. “But thank you for the offer.”

“Okay,” he said as he led me into the barn and down the rows of stalls. “All the other bulls and cows are in the fields, orchards, or hanging out around the farm, currently.”

“Thank you for letting me know,” I said while following close behind me. “So are there certain times that we do things?”

“Only for feeding time or when we have an event going on,” he said before stopping in front of an almost empty stall. “Here is where you will be staying, I hope that you will come to call this place your home soon.”

After he said that he gently put my stuff down on the ground and left me with a wave of his hand and a smile. I wrapped my arms around myself before I started to cry.

I want to go home to my family!

I put my stuff in my stall but I didn't unpack anything I just took my blanket and pillow so I could wrap myself in something that felt like my old home. After a long time of crying, I ended up falling asleep.

RAINER POV

“So what's this about new hybrids coming to our farm?” I asked while walking up to one of my friends.

“One of the farms nearby is closing down so they are sending some of their hybrids here,” he said while picking an apple from one of the trees. “But only certain ones that the farm needs.”

“What does that mean?” I asked while looking at him confused.

“I heard that the farm is getting a new heifer,” he said while smiling at me and nudging my arm with his elbow. “I also heard she's going to be your mate!”

“What?” I asked as I looked at him with disbelief.

Great, just what I need, another ugly heifer that I’m going to have to scare or threaten!

“Yeah,” he said before taking a bite of his apple.“Do you want to try and get a sneak peek of her before you get introduced?”

“Sure,” I grumbled as I crossed my arms. “Might as well see what I will have to reject!”

“Don't be that way,” my friend said as we started walking to where the trailers normally drop things off. “She might be cute and nice!”

“I don't want a mate,” I said as we arrived at the loading and drop-off space only to see most of the hybrids leaving a trailer. “I don't want to be bound forever with some random heifer!”

“Who knows she might be nice?” he said while we kept looking for the new cow hybrid.

I rolled my eyes before turning my attention back to the trailer where the hybrids were when I saw the farmer come out with a cute little heifer following not too far behind him.

That's going to be my mate?

“I'm going to follow them!” I said before getting up and following not too far behind them.

“Alright, have fun!” my friend yelled after me as he went back to the apple orchard.

I was about 1-2 minutes behind them so they didn't think anyone was following them. Once they went inside the barn I decided to wait outside the barn doors until the farmer left so I could go inside and meet my mate without anyone (but my friend) knowing. After the farmer left I snuck inside and headed toward the back of the barn since that's where most of the empty stalls are located but when I got closer to them I heard someone crying.

Why is my little mate crying? Maybe I should come back later when she's feeling better.

Y/N POV

"Is that her?" I heard someone ask in my sleep.

"I'm not going to lie, but I feel SO bad for her!" another person said.

"Right, imagine having to his mate!" a new voice said.

"Anyone would feel bad!" the second person talked again.

"I think she's too small for him!" the third person let out in a whisper but I still heard her.

"Shh, she's waking up!" the first person shushed the others as my eyes fluttered open.

I woke up to the sound of multiple people talking and walking around. Once I opened my eyes, I took a look around before slowly sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

Where am I?

Then everything hit me like a punch, the move, the new farm, and leaving my family.

I forgot I moved farms!

I looked at the stall door and saw some female hybrids looking at me with shocked and interested expressions in their eyes.

Are they the people that I heard talking?

"Hi, my name is Christal, this is Polly and Mishell,” the first girl said while introducing herself and the other girls. “What's your name?"

Yup, it's them alright!

"Y/n…" I said quietly while looking at my feet.

"That's a pretty name,” Christal said as she smiled at me. “The farmer wanted me to come get you for feeding time."

“Oh, so you're going to be his mate?" Mishell asked under her breath.

"Uh, I'm sorry, what?" I asked her while looking at her confused.

"You don't know?" she asked me with a shocked look in her eyes.

"She just woke up and is probably hungry,” Christal said while helping me to my feet and leading me out of the barn and to the mess hall. “We shouldn't bother her with that when she doesn't even know him yet.”

“HEY, YOU TWO STOP RIGHT NOW!” We all heard someone yell from the mess hall.

We all ran to where we heard the yelling, and when we got to the mess hall, we saw two bull hybrids being held back from each other but still trying to fight.

"For someone who just got a mate,” Mishell started while she looked at her nails. “You think he would calm down a bit!”

"Maybe that's the reason why he's trying to start a fight,” Polly said while looking at Mishell with her hands behind her back. “Maybe he’s unhappy?”

"What do you mean by that?” Christal asked while looking at her friends with a glare.

“Maybe he doesn't want her as a mate!” Polly explained while looking at her with a deadpan look.

“That’s nonsense!” Christal scoffed while crossing her arms.

Once everything settled down we got food and sat down in a space on one of the large benches so we could eat. After a few minutes, some of the bull hybrids sat down in front of us and began talking to the girls while I looked down at my food.

“What’s your name, new girl?” one of the bulls asked while pointing his fork at me.

“Y/n…” I whispered as I continued to eat my food.

“So you’re Rainer’s mate,” he said as he looked at the guy sitting beside him with a smirk before nudging the other bull's side with his elbow. “She’s a pretty one Rain!”

THAT’S RAINER?

I looked at Rainer with utter shock since I had never expected someone like him to be my mate.

This is going to be a rough life, I can already tell.

[corvessa]

A Pesto Masterclass, A Little Bit Of Roasting, And A Whole Lot Of Love

a/n: okay i know i've said in the first post that its model/actor theo, but i just know this man would be a mad cook, also i will try and make something more related to his career i promise you, for now you'll have to live with a cute cooking stream <3

Summary: During a surprise kitchen stream, the reader hands over control to their charming, perfectionist boyfriend Theo, who confidently cooks authentic Pesto alla Genovese while playfully roasting the reader’s past cooking fails. Between Theo’s precise culinary skills and their easy, affectionate banter, the stream turns into a cozy, heartwarming moment full of teasing, casual kisses, and chat’s emotional meltdown over their genuine, effortless love.

The camera flickered on.

Instead of your usual studio backdrop, chat was greeted with the warm lighting of your shared kitchen — a sleek, marble island centered in frame, black cabinets bathed in golden morning light, and a suspicious absence of LED lights or chaotic desktop clutter.

- HELLO?? - kitchen stream??? - she’s never willingly entered that zone before

You appeared from off-screen, already grinning. “Alrighty, chat! We’re mixing it up today. No studio, no monitors, no code—don’t panic. It’s a cooking stream. Well—technically not my cooking stream.”

You stepped fully into frame and gestured dramatically. “It is, in fact, a stream starring my beautiful, talented, extremely Italian boyfriend, Theo.”

- freaks out in all caps - KING THEO IS IN THE BUILDING - finally the content we DESERVE

You clasped your hands together, smug. “Now, why not me, you ask? Great question. I’ve been banned from the kitchen ever since I managed to cut my finger while slicing a mango. A mango, chat. It wasn’t even moving.”

From behind the camera, a low voice chimed in. “She cut herself before the knife touched the fruit.”

You ignored him. “So today, I’m moral support. And also tech support. Because Theo, despite his many talents, doesn’t know how to operate a stream.”

- imagine being banned from your own kitchen - we’re all here for theo anyway let’s be honest - i love her but she’s a menace

And then he appeared: Theodore, hair messy, sleeves rolled, eyes already scanning the countertop like a Michelin-star chef about to reclaim his rightful throne.

“Ciao,” he said smoothly, nodding once at the camera with an infuriatingly perfect smirk. “Today we’re making Pesto alla Genovese. Properly. No weird substitutions. No food processors. No... pink glitter salt.”

Your eyes narrowed. “I knew you were gonna bring that up.”

“We share a kitchen, darling,” Theo replied, starting to unpack his ingredients. “I’m haunted daily.”

- HAUNTED 💀💀💀 - i want to be bullied by him so bad - he said glitter salt like it personally offended him

Theo held up a small container and gave the camera a deadpan look. “She also owns heart-shaped measuring spoons. And a whisk that sparkles.”

You gasped. “And you love it here.”

He didn’t argue. Just turned back to toast the pine nuts like a man trying to preserve his dignity.

Soon, he had everything set up in a neat row: fresh basil, garlic cloves, pine nuts, grated parmesan, olive oil. You peeked over his shoulder, arms crossed.

“You know you’re intimidating chat right now, right?”

“Good,” he murmured. “Someone needs to hold them accountable for using garlic powder in pasta.”

- he’s coming for everyone - that wasn’t even directed at me and i feel attacked - i’ve never peeled garlic in my life

Theo worked like he’d done this in another life — measured, precise, talking through each step in that warm, quiet voice that somehow made basil emulsification sound romantic. But you weren’t really listening.

You were too busy sneaking pine nuts.

“Stop eating the ingredients,” he said without turning.

“You didn’t measure them.”

“I eyeballed them.”

“You say that, but then judge me when I do it.”

“Because you eyeball salt like you’re trying to kill someone.”

Eventually, the pasta was cooked and plated: a perfect swirl, topped with vibrant pesto, a bit of parmesan, and a basil leaf, as if he were serving royalty.

He slid one bowl in front of you with a little flourish. “Your Highness.”

You took one bite — and immediately groaned. “Oh my god. I hate you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That good?”

“It’s criminal. I can never eat jarred pesto again.”

“I told you. You’ve been committing basil-related war crimes for years.”

- BASIL WAR CRIMES - i can’t believe this is a real couple - this is marriage coded i don’t care

You narrowed your eyes. “Don’t act like you didn’t fall for me while I was still microwaving pasta in a mug.”

“That wasn’t a courtship,” he said. “That was an intervention.”

As you both ate, the chat slowed — heart emotes taking over, chaos turning into cozy. Theo sat beside you now, elbow resting on the counter, watching you chew with a small smile. Like he didn’t need to say anything.

And then, mid-bite, he reached over to swipe his thumb across your cheek.

You blinked. “Did you just—on stream?”

“There was pesto on your face,” he said simply.

- screams in lowercase - they’re so casual about it i’m LOSING MY MIND - someone hold me

And just when things couldn’t get any worse for chat’s emotional stability, Theo leaned over and pressed a kiss to your cheek. Casual. Like he’d done it a thousand times before. And he did, just not on stram.

You didn’t move. Chat absolutely exploded.

He just picked up his fork again. “Do they always scream this much?”

You shrugged. “You kissed me on camera. You did this to yourself.”

“I’m beginning to understand.”

By the time both bowls were empty and the contented silence set in, you leaned back in your seat with a sigh. “Okay, fine. You win. This was perfect.”

“I always win,” Theo replied, and the worst part was — he didn’t even sound smug. Just matter-of-fact. Like gravity.

You smirked toward the camera. “Alright, chat. I’m gonna end stream before Theo gets recruited by some Food Network exec in the comments.”

Theo reached over and flicked one of your sparkly measuring spoons. “Let it be known, I disapprove of glitter in food.”

- you don’t get a say you kissed her - he’s literally glitter-proof. i love him.

You clicked a few things on your stream deck and waved at the camera. “Thanks for hanging out with us today, nerds. Back to your regularly scheduled tech gremlin chaos next stream.”

“And no more glitter salt,” Theo added, just as the screen faded to black.

[lazysoulwriter]

a little longer. - pedro pascal ── .✦

requested! thank you. ♡ content: normie!reader x Pedro, long distance softness, facetime calls, gentle heartbreak, surprise reunion, Pedro being the most thoughtful man alive. fluff with that emotional ache we love.

---

You didn’t say anything. Not really.

You didn’t tell him you missed the way he left his mug near the sink instead of putting it in. Or the way the bed always sagged a little more when he flopped into it next to you at 2am. Or the way he hummed without realizing, every time he was folding laundry.

You didn’t say how lonely the apartment felt without those tiny signs of him.

Instead, you listened when he talked. You laughed when he made jokes. You supported him like you always did — with soft encouragements and sleepy phone calls and tiny little care packages you mailed across time zones.

And Pedro?

He noticed.

-

The first time you called and said, “Sorry, I’m just tired,” when you clearly meant “I miss you” — he noticed.

The third night in a row you wore his hoodie to bed and didn’t realize you were doing it — he noticed.

The way your eyes flickered when he told you he’d be gone another two weeks — he noticed that, too.

He didn’t say anything. Just smiled like his heart ached. Because it did.

-

You were on FaceTime when it happened.

“Can I call you back?” Pedro asked, eyes bright.

“Yeah,” you smiled, curled up on the couch. “I’ll be here.”

But you weren’t prepared for what happened an hour later.

The doorbell rang.

You blinked. Walked over. Opened it.

And there he was.

Pedro. In a hoodie, carrying a tote bag, grinning like a boy who just did the bravest thing he’d ever done.

“Hi,” he said softly. “Surprise.”

You didn’t even speak.

You just launched yourself at him.

His arms wrapped around you instantly, burying his face in your neck, breathing you in like air. You felt your whole body collapse into him, like a string being cut, like something finally giving way.

“I missed you,” you whispered, voice thick.

“I know,” he murmured. “I missed you too. I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For being gone so long. For knowing you were sad. For not fixing it sooner.”

You pulled back, eyes wet, but smiling. “You didn’t have to—”

“I did,” he interrupted gently. “You’re my home. And I needed to come home.”

That night, he made pasta while you sat on the counter, talking his ear off. He unpacked his bag and left it open on the floor. He trailed after you around the apartment like a shadow.

And when you finally crawled into bed together — warm, safe, his arm wrapped tight around your waist — he whispered:

“Don’t be afraid to need me. I want to be needed.”

You closed your eyes, tears on your lashes, your heart finally still.

“I love you,” you breathed.

He smiled against your skin. “I know.”

---

✦ please do not copy, repost, or translate this work. © lazysoulwriter // i write with a lot of love and care, so please respect that.

---

taglist: @sarahhxx03 @lloydmustache @lolareadsimagines @greenwitchfromthewoods @silksepia @pascalswiftie @itstokyo-cos @mani-pedro @llsister @authorbriannarae13 @introvrtedjellyfish @aj0elap0l0gist @spencercmlover @cixrosie @cherrqbaby @cup-half-full-of-anxiety @joelmillerpascal @freakbobcult @sunlightpleasure @barnes70stark @mooniscrying @ohnaurshayla @croissantbakerylws @nellispunk @kasienka @taylorswiftsrep-blog @emerencedaily @byzyz @noovaarq @kristend512 @alltounwell @libbyaller @beaagiannelli @broad-shouldrs @oceanmcu @kysosa @melloispunk @jollycupcakeblizzard @angvlicsoulll @needz1nk @daddypascal17 @agustdpeach @mrsbilicablog @k4t13ispunk @hotdadlvr95 @lnnysnts @pedropascalfan221 @queenofklonnie22

---

[ilyprs]

P I S T A N T H R O P H O B I A | s.geum

───𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛───

pistanthrophobia : the fear of trusting people, forming close romantic relationships, and being vulnerable in interpersonal connections

' in which she can't escape her first love

•seong-je x reader

•part 4. (the other parts are out on my profile!🩷)

ׂׂૢ་༘______________________________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

▶︎•၊၊||၊|။||||။၊|။•✩♬ now playing: psycho | red velvet

The following night, Serim got just as little sleep as before and couldn’t bring herself to get up in the morning. She had thrown her alarm clock against the wall, and it had immediately stopped ringing. She’d deal with the broken clock later—right now, she was too worn out. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, and she was exhausted by everything and everyone. The situation from the day before had only made things worse. His words still echoed in her head, and suddenly, the gravity of it all hit her.

Lee Serim would never be able to escape Seong-je. She’d never again be able to live in peace without fearing he was watching her—or could show up from any corner at any time. The realization had thrown her into a panic, and she hadn’t gotten a single minute of sleep that night. She smoked two cigarettes in a row and spent the entire night shivering alone on her balcony, trying to enjoy the view of the central park in front of her apartment—but she couldn’t distract herself. No matter how hard she tried, memories of their meeting and his heartbreakingly beautiful face swirled through her head. The promise she had made to herself—that she’d never cry over him again—was already broken, and she’d had one panic attack after another. She couldn’t even remember when she’d dragged herself to bed and finally passed out. Her mind was pure chaos.

⸻

The ringing of her front door yanked her out of sleep. She tried to pull the blanket tighter around herself and ignore the annoying sound, but whoever was outside had different plans. One ring after another, and Serim realized this person wasn’t going away. Begrudgingly, she got out of bed and shuffled to the door. For a second, a thought flickered in her mind—it might be him. But she shook it off immediately. He would never show up at her front door. He never had, and he wouldn’t now. Right?

Still, she couldn’t be sure, so she stepped forward with trembling feet, whispering to herself quietly. When the doorbell kept echoing in her ears, her patience completely vanished and she cursed under her breath as she flung open the door.

„Which motherfucker is—”

She stopped, startled mid-sentence, as she saw the two teenagers standing outside.

„Wow, she really does look as bad as you said,” Baku said in surprise and looked the girl up and down, making Serim shoot him a confused look before glancing at Gotak beside him, who held a takeout bag from her favorite restaurant. That’s when she noticed the drinks in Baku’s hand.

Serim really did look terrible. She was still wearing her oversized T-shirt with her favorite anime character, Sasuke, and a pair of Gumball cartoon pajama pants. Her hair was sticking out in all directions, and her eye bags were better left unmentioned. When she saw the food, her mouth watered, and she was suddenly aware of how little she’d eaten the past few days since Seong-je had reappeared in her life. Her hunger hit her all at once.

„Told you,” Gotak said, squinting at her through the sunlight her tired eyes weren’t used to.

Before she could say anything, the boys pushed past her into the apartment. Baku gave her a soft nudge on the cheek, and they began unpacking everything in the kitchen. The boys were over all the time, so they felt right at home and knew where everything was. They quickly set the table while Serim just stood there, dumbfounded. What had she done to deserve such good friends? Whatever it was in a past life, she was grateful for it now.

„You gonna stand there all day or finally start eating? Some food might do you good—maybe you’ll look alive again,” Gotak called from the kitchen with his mouth full, while Baku was already stuffing his face. Silently, Serim stepped forward and joined them.

⸻

The boys—well, mostly Gotak—talked through lunch about everything that had happened at school, especially with the new student and Jun-tae. Serim had to remind them multiple times not to talk with their mouths full, since it grossed her out, but the boys just carried on, so she resorted to kicking them under the table.

She could barely believe what she was hearing. Jun-tae tried to fight? She tried to imagine the tiny boy trying to defend himself before the new student stepped in, but no image would come to mind. Hyun-tak briefly mentioned how strange the new student really was, and that maybe the rumors about him weren’t so far from the truth after all.

With wide eyes and full attention, she listened. For a brief moment, the world felt light and weightless, as the three teenagers sat around the kitchen table, laughing with their mouths full. Serim knew this freedom wouldn’t last long, so she tried to savor it while it was still there.

The boys didn’t ask why she hadn’t been at school—and for that, she was immensely grateful. She couldn’t talk about it, not yet. Every time she tried to form words, her tongue tied itself in knots, and it felt like an unbearable weight pressed down on her shoulders, making her sigh in frustration. She knew she’d have to face the conflict eventually—but not today. Today, she just wanted to enjoy the company of the two idiots who had dropped everything to be with her. She bit into her corndog and rolled her eyes in bliss at the flavor explosion in her mouth.

„Good bite,” Baku commented, watching her as he held out a napkin under her chin where she had smeared some sauce. She accepted it with a grateful smile—the first real one in days.

⸻

The teenagers spent the entire day and evening at Serim’s place, watching their favorite shows, the ones they had already seen a thousand times. They threw snacks at each other—Serim almost choked on popcorn—and teased Gotak until her dad came home.

„It’s this late already?” Serim asked, looking at the wall clock. She couldn’t believe how fast four hours had passed. That was what she loved about her friends—time with them felt like minutes, and she could spend every free moment with them without ever getting annoyed.

The day had been exactly what she needed, and for a second, she got emotional, overwhelmed with gratitude for the two idiots—but she pushed it down before anyone could notice. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to come up with an excuse and would have had to explain what had happened. She was never an overall emotional person so they definitely would have noticed that something was wrong with her.

Baku and Gotak got up to clean the dishes, with Serim helping to speed things up.

„Boys, why don’t you stay a bit longer?” her dad offered, patting their shoulders in a fatherly way. But they apologized and said their parents were already waiting at home. He understood, of course, and everyone headed to the front door. He said goodbye one last time and jokingly threatened to beat up Baku if he skipped training again. Baku promised he wouldn’t miss another session—but everyone in the room knew he was full of it and laughed.

Serim walked them to the door and thanked them over and over again.

„Cut it out already. You’re the annoying one in the group. It was way too quiet without you—I was starting to wonder why I didn’t have a headache today,” Gotak joked as he put on his shoes, earning himself a kick in the butt from the girl. He had to hold onto the railing to avoid falling and cursed her loudly.

„I heard that!” her dad called from the living room, and Gotak yelled a loud apology, which made everyone laugh again. Everyone knew he was just joking—he liked the boys as if they were his own sons. Serim couldn’t imagine life without them anymore.

Before they left, they made her promise she’d come back to school—even though Baku probably wouldn’t go himself due to his suspension—and they all shared a group hug before Serim closed the door behind them. Smiling for real now, she headed to her room. Maybe things weren’t so terrible after all.

Just as she was about to enter her room, her dad stopped her.

„Serim, honey, is everything alright?” he asked from the couch, looking concerned. Serim panicked. Shit. Had he noticed something? Had she forgotten to hide her cigarettes or not aired out the apartment properly? Did her clothes smell? Or was it the broken alarm clock still lying in her room that she hadn’t thrown away yet? A thousand thoughts rushed through her head, but all she managed to say was:

„Yeah, why wouldn’t it be, Dad?” she replied quietly, hoping he wouldn’t say what she was already thinking.

Avoiding his gaze, she tried not to show anything. Her dad had never been strict—always kind and patient. She knew she could talk to him about anything, but there were still some things she wasn’t ready to confess. Like her bad habit of smoking. Before she could overthink it, he interrupted her.

„Okay, just checking. Good night. I love you,” he smiled and continued watching his show.

And just like that, all her thoughts vanished. Her shoulders relaxed—she hadn’t even noticed how tense she’d been.

„Love you too, Dad. Good night,” she replied before slipping into her room, trying to shut out the dark thoughts for just one night. But it proved harder than expected.

—

After three hours of lying awake, she sighed and got out of bed again. For the third night in a row, she reached into her nightstand. Serim knew smoking when stressed wasn’t healthy, nor a solution—but right now, she didn’t care. She blindly grabbed a jacket from her closet, but when she caught a glimpse in the mirror and saw what she was wearing, she froze.

It was a purple training jacket that had once belonged to Seong-je—Serim had snatched it from him. She remembered that night vividly, when he’d walked her home and, like in every cheesy romance movie, offered her his jacket. Only Serim had stupidly refused, and Seong-je had practically forced her to take it.

At the memory, a smile crept across her face. The jacket no longer smelled like him—but in the beginning, she could’ve bathed in the scent. With the jacket on and cigarettes in hand, she opened the balcony door and sat down, gazing out at the central park.

She lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, letting her eyes wander—until they landed on something strange. There was someone in the park,sitting on a bench which was facing her apartment, staring right at her. A chill ran down her spine. Narrowing her eyes, she tried to make out the figure. She didn’t live that high up, so it wasn’t too hard. As the silhouette became clearer, her heart suddenly stopped.

On the bench sat a smirking Seong-je, cigarette in hand, watching her closely.

Instinctively, she pulled the jacket tighter. He looked directly at her jacket—and grinned wider. He put the cigarette in his mouth and pulled out his phone.

A moment later, her phone rang. Serim already knew what was coming. She took another drag and unlocked her phone. She was sick of his games—but part of her was scared that if she ignored him, he might actually come upstairs. So she opened the message.

"Nice jacket you’ve got there.”

She could almost hear his smug voice as she read the text. She stared at her keyboard, unsure what to reply. She typed a few things, deleted them again—and in the end, sent something simple:

"Couldn’t bring myself to throw it away.”

She took another drag and felt his eyes still on her. Minutes passed—no reply. Confused, she set the phone down and stepped closer to the balcony railing to get a better look—but first, she quickly put out the cigarette and threw it down to hide the evidence of her nighttime habits.

Seong-je was staring at his phone, reading the message over and over. He placed it aside for a moment, lit another cigarette, then finally began typing. Her ringtone ripped through the silence again.

"Since when do you smoke? Not that I’m complaining — you look fucking hot doing it — but back then, you were pretty strongly against it.”

She could hear his teasing tone trough the text massage as she read it.

That was all he wrote.

"Since you became a monster.“ she typed but immediately deleted. The girl couldn’t bring herself to send it to him.

Lee Serim suddenly felt stupid for sending a message that basically admitted she still cared. And that was all he had to say? She felt played—though she knew Seong-je had always struggled with emotions.

He’d always seemed cold, but she’d been the only one to see through the mask. It had taken him a long time to trust her—but once he did, he was incredibly fragile. He had cried in her arms and talked about his problems. She’d been grateful then. Now, they were just painful memories of better times—before everything changed.

Before she could spiral further, her phone buzzed again.

„I’ll never leave you alone until you’re fucking mine again. Get that in your damn head.“

Seong-je had always been possessive—that wasn’t new. But times had changed. She wasn’t his anymore and never would be. A shiver ran through her. She looked at him one last time and gave him the middle finger before quickly stepping back inside and locking the balcony door.

She was done with his games.

a/n : guys i promise you will get more of serim x seong-je next chapter i just fully wanted to built out the story and i can’t help myself, i love me some good slow burn sorry! 🙈💌

taglist: @gacktsa @dripoftheseus @rockerica @b3eutyist3rror @jaymiwrld @urfavsagsblog @shonerd @mordessaa @inhoswifee🩷

[heartmaddie]

SAKUSA KIYOOMI doesn't know what he's doing here.

standing outside your door, tightly gripping onto the flimsy plastic of a convenience store bag which was filled with various medicines and groceries for him to cook. to him, this felt a bit too intimate. showing up to your home unannounced because your classmate told him you were out sick and he knew that your parents weren’t home, so who would look after you if it wasn’t him? 

realistically, he could turn around right now, you didn’t know he was here yet. but there was something unfamiliar which pulled him towards your front door. an unsettling sensation bloomed deep in his chest when he’d imagine you sick, all alone on your bed. 

before he knew it, his legs were pulling him towards your door, he sighs as he presses his finger against your doorbell, hoping that you weren’t sleeping. a couple moments later, the door shifts open and he sees you, bundled in his dark sweatshirt and a pair of large trousers, and his expression softens slightly.

“oh, yn” he mumbles, gently rubbing your cheek, “you look so unwell.”

“why are you here kiyoomi?” you ask, obviously congested as you looked up at him confused. you knew about his aversion to disease, and how he’d go out of his way to ensure that he wouldn’t get sick, so you weren’t exactly sure on why he was here, holding you gently like this.

kiyoomi shrugs nonchalantly and pushes past you, closing the door as he slips off his shoes and neatly places them near the door. 

“i just felt like it, why aren’t you in bed?” he questions, unpacking all the medicines and aligning them in a neat row before moving to wash the vegetables and fruits, looking over at you occasionally.

“i had a really horrible headache, and i couldn’t get to sleep.” you explained, moving to lean your head on his back, gently brushing your fingers against his arm. kiyoomi smiles to himself, looking back at you with a soft expression.

“tired?” he asks gently, curling his fingers against your soft hair. you nod in response, letting out a yawn as you rubbed your face against his back.

“so exhausted, i hate being sick like this,” you complained. he thought you were cute, with your nose red and dry as you looked up at him expectantly, “what are you cooking?”

“okayu.” he states simply, washing the rice efficiently, “you should go lie down on the couch, have you had any medicine today?” he asks pointedly, letting out a deep sigh when you shake your head no. “you should be taking better care of yourself, there’s pei ko on the island bench.”

“i know, but i’ve just been so bedridden today.” you slip away from him, and kiyoomi can't help but miss the comfort of your warmth. he watches as you pour 10 ml of the thick medicine into a plastic cup, before downing the medicine, it’s sickeningly sweet on your tongue, and he smiles when he sees you scrunch your face up. 

“go lie down on the couch while i make this for you.” he sighs, gently pulling you in for a soft kiss before walking you to the sofa, he guides you onto lying onto the couch, pushing your hair behind your ears as he adjusts the pillow behind you. 

you look up at him as he works, letting him pamper you as you feel the weight of your sickness settled in your bones. sakusa kiyoomi was infamous for being a perfectionist, but he let that go when it was just you. he’d gently lay blankets over your body, pressing kisses against your cough ridden lips between each layer.

“okay, just try to sleep while i cook for you, and i’ll wake you up when it’s done. okay?” he asks, his voice uncharacteristically soft as he strokes your hair, lulling you to sleep.

he promptly moves back to the kitchen, continuing to swiftly cut shallots and occasionally check on the simmering pot as the sea-like smell of dashi powder wafts through the air of your home. sakusa would have a small smile on his face when he heard you sleeping soundly, this was oddly domestic, and he somehow didn’t mind the predicament. 

a half hour later you feel kiyoomi gently nudging you awake, the tray of okayu and a variety of different side dishes on a tray which is laid on the coffee table.

“is it ready?” you asked tiredly, rubbing your eyes as kiyoomi nodded.

“yeah, here.” he passes you a box of tissues and rubs your shoulder when you blow your nose, “ready to eat?” he asks curiously, helping you sit up.

“yeah, thank you. it looks really nice, baby.” you smile up at him, bringing the metal spoon to your mouth. the porridge was warm on your tongue, and had a satisfying light taste. he was good at this.

you sat in silence, leaning against his shoulder as the only sounds which surrounded you was the metal scraping against the wooden bowl. kiyoomi was glad that you seemed to be enjoying the meal he prepared, he would bury his nose into your hair as he held you close, circling his fingers against your waist.

he watches as you set the cutlery on the finished tray and he hums softly.

“did you enjoy it?” he asks curiously, “made your throat feel a bit better?”

“yeah, it was really soothing, thank you omi.” you reply, curling against his chest.

“okay, let’s get you to bed then.” he’d scoop you up into his arms, walking you towards your warm bedroom and tucking you in tight, “i’ll come join you in a bit, i’m gonna clean up first.” but before he could leave you clutched onto his arm tight.

“stay, just for a bit.” you ask, looking up at him with tired eyes, “just until i fall asleep.” 

who was he to say no.

sakusa nods and slips into the bed next to you, pulling you against his chest and wrapping the blankets around you securely. he lets out a deep sigh of relief, feeling his muscles relax in your comforting presence, even if he can already feel his throat tightening with the same sickness as yours. 

“feeling better?” he asks, twirling your hair against your finger as he feels your head shift up and downwards against his chest.

“yeah, a lot better since you got here.” you admit, “it was miserable being home all alone today.” making kiyoomi nod in response.

“sounds boring, i’m glad i came since you weren’t eating your proper nutrients, hm?” he scolds, smiling against your scalp, “it’s how you’re supposed to get better, silly girl,” you nod lazily in response.

“i know, but i was just so tired.” you whine,

“then rest, and be quiet now.” he shushes you, pressing a final kiss to your lips before cradling your head in his arms, signalling that he wanted to sleep too.

sakusa kiyoomi would gently pepper kisses against your temple as he felt your slow breaths rise up and down against him, he’d spend hours memorising the pattern, occasionally matching his breaths to yours. he’d shift his hold on you when you moved around in your sleep, sometimes taking the subconscious initiate to curl against him, wrapping your arms tightly as you’d nuzzle your soft head against him.

kiyoomi didn’t think he was built for this, the domesticity of somebody else in his arms. he was scared of course, it was so him to be afraid of contracting your disease, but he didn’t necessarily think about it this time. you were his priority now, so he was okay with the high chance of having the flu than watch you suffer in your lonesome. maybe the way you’d fit perfectly in his arms every time would make him rethink his innate desires, because kiyoomi had a very individualistic mindset, his whole future was planned out since the ripe age of 11, but maybe he’d want to welcome you into that too. 

! extra

a couple weeks later, you look over to your boyfriend and hear a newly familiar sound,

“a-achoo!” he sneezes, cringing as he wipes his nose, “it’s all over for me” he sighs dramatically, leaning against your shoulder as he seeks your warmth, letting you spoon feed him bits of okayu with poached chicken.

©heartmaddie all rights reserved. please do not repost my work.

[sensitivepluto]

On the Down-low

Short & Sweet - Day 3: Secret Meeting

Touya Todoroki x Gn!Reader // smau + angst/fluff

[TW]: injury & care, cursing, pet names, Touya Todoroki in general

This is @thewritingstar's prompt list - here's the link to the post!

After those texts you'd rushed to his place immediately, your first aid kit in hand. As annoyed as he made you, the wound he shared with you didn't look good. You'd never admit it to him, but his dangerous lifestyle often had you lying awake at night with worry.

When you finally made your way up the fire escape to his window, you rapped your knuckles against the cold glass. And then after a few moments you did it again...and again. Why wasn't he answering? Did he pass out? Maybe you should go around to the-

You watched as a shirtless Touya stumbled to the window and opened it haphazardly for you. By the time you'd wiggled yourself in he was already collapsed face down on his old creaky bed.

"Touya..." you sighed, unhappy that he'd gotten himself injured again.

"I don't want to hear another lecture, doll. Can you help or no?" He grumbled. "Also stop calling me that. It's Dabi now and you know it."

A disapproving hum left your lips and you joined him on the bed. Of course you knew what he was doing was all a means to an end, but it didn't mean you approved of it. Especially since all he was doing was injuring himself.

Trying not to waste anymore time, you took a look at his back. The gash was worse than the picture he sent you told. A deep gash spread across his back, starting at the shoulder and cutting diagonally to his hip. You lightly touched at either sides of the wound, inspecting the inflamed skin. It definitely needed stitching

No words were shared between the two of you for quite some time. You unpacked your first aid kit for alcohol and cotton rounds. The kit wasn't much, but it was what you had. You soaked the pad in alcohol before positioning yourself over Dabi.

"This is going to sting." You warned before delicately running the pad over his back. The man hissed in pain, causing you to hesitate. You worked as fast as you could, cleaning the wound and prepping it to be closed.

"Jesus fuck..." He growled. It made your heart ache to watch him in pain, but it needed to be done. You reached over to his bedside table, grabbing his stapler and a row of staples. If you weren't so engrossed in your task, maybe you would have noticed Dabi staring you down. Most of his face tucked into his arm. His eyes were half-lidded as he watched you prep his stapler, your faced scrunched in focus.

"Okay, are you ready for the staples?" You asked, finally catching his eyes with your own. He held your gaze for a moment before looking off lazily.

"Go for it, doll." You nodded and adjusted yourself back over him, steadying yourself. Of course you'd helped him with his staples in the past, but no matter how many times you did it left you uneasy. Nonetheless you took a deep breath and started.

Click...one...Click...two...Click...three.

Twenty. It took twenty staples to finally close the wound. You were amazed that Dabi took it without a word. Maybe a hiss or a grunt in tender areas, but otherwise completely silent.

A thought overtook your brain while you cleaned up your mess. The many cotton pads littering the bed, as well as searching for a gauze wrap for Dabi - of course you never found one. All the while, his gaze studied you.

"So why was it you wanted me to sneak in again?" You questioned, your back turned to him. The thought on your mind finally in the open. He rolled his eyes at the question.

"Didn't want to get the league involved." He posed. You turned to look at him with question in your eyes.

"What do you mean 'get them involved?' They've seen you injured before, no?" The man grunted and pushed himself up to sit on the bed.

"Doesn't matter..." He trailed off, not making eye contact with you. You thought for a moment and rounded the bed, coming closer to him.

"Unless..." You teased. "You simply just wanted me to take care of you." The statement sat in the air between you. He looked at you with those lazy, piercing blue eyes. "Am I right?" You pressed.

Dabi rolled his eyes once more. "Don't test me, sweetheart." He warned. You feigned offense.

"Oh no? I guess I'll just leave you alone then. Go on home." You turned to leave dramatically, but his hand caught your wrist in an instant. Dabi pulled you in so you were face to face with him.

"You are not going anywhere tonight, doll." A dangerous smirk pulled on his lips. And you smiled at the implication. It was going to be a long night.

Masterlist

[moonlitcelestial]

Chapter 22 

Beyond the Lens - Logbook Videographer!Reader x OT8 Ateez

W/C 11,915

🎥 Series Masterlist 🎥

☽ Masterlist ☾ 

Inspiration Pictures

Pinterest Board Masterlist

Previous Chapter (Chapter 21)

Disclaimer: This story is purely a work of fiction. It is not meant to assume or mock anything about Ateez, Atiny, or anything relating to what I do not know about being a videographer. This story will follow several of the events that Ateez have done in the past year for Golden Hour Part 2, that being said I will not be able to include everything. 

Contains she/her pronouns.

The logo in the center is mine. Please do not reuse or copy.

I strongly recommend looking at the inspiration pictures and the Pinterest boards linked above (which will be updating as the story goes on).

General Warnings: cussing, conflict, angst, fluff, and obliviousness. 

CHAPTER WARNINGS - None, let me know if I should add any.

Let me know what you think! <3 Moonie

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

You finally landed in Paris, after being in a plane for upwards of 10 hours you were absolutely exhausted and stiff. Most of your time was spent rotating between sleeping, watching shows, catching up on some of the editing you could with the shotty Wi-Fi, and switching between listening to your most current audiobook and your favorite playlist. As soon as you landed you started moving to get your bags. Thankfully you had been in one of the first rows so you got off the plane quickly. When you got out and into the main portion of the airport you pulled out your phone to message everyone that you made it safely to Paris. They rapidly fired responses back to you shortly after. You knew it was early in the morning for them because of the time difference so you told them to get back to bed. 

When you got out of the airport after grabbing your bag from the baggage claim you made your way out to get a cab. You finally flagged one down after a few minutes and the little old man was smiling at you, after a little while you safely made it to your hotel. Checking in was a breeze as this was a hotel you had frequented when you came up here. The older woman had recognized you and already had some of the things ready as you made it up to her counter. You thanked her with your very limited French and she giggled at your thick accent. 

Your room was the perfect size for you as always. You took off your Beyond the Lens Studios baseball cap, threw it on the bed, and ruffled your hair out before you started to unpack your things. First you hung your clothes so they wouldn't wrinkle too badly, then you got your computer set up on the desk on the far side of the room right next to the door to the balcony. At one point you found a stray Jjongrami and Hetmongi, those sneaky bastards; you set the two of them up by the pillows on your bed. When you had those things set up you started getting more of your smaller things out, plugging in your cameras and all of the chargers for your electronics. You changed out of your airport outfit and into the blue space sleep set you brought. Flopping yourself into bed you sent off another message that you were in and settled at your hotel and that you would update them as you could throughout tomorrow.

While you were sprawled across the bed you checked your emails and some of your socials. There were several confirming the schedules of the shoots you were participating in. You shot off responses stating that you just landed and got settled and that you would be there at the requested meeting time. There was something that you were CC’d in from Aurora but that could wait until tomorrow. You responded to some of the other emails you had before getting on your socials. In the end you were watching edits and all sorts of things until your brain had slowed enough that you could get to sleep. With heavy lidded eyes you took off your glasses and plugged in your phone. Shortly thereafter you fell into a dreamless and restless sleep. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

You woke up freely which generally meant early as hell. With a groan you moved to grab your phone. It had been lit up with several messages from everyone back in Seoul. They were already into their afternoon while you were just waking up. Forrest had updated you on the filming he was taking over for you with the Ateez boys. Willow told you about all of the things she was doing to keep you updated on the progress of the edits for the first logbook Beyond the Lens was in charge of as well as the other things you have filmed for them. She was nearly finished with her part and would be sending it back to you soon for final edits, sadly you would have to hang onto it until they debuted the music. Aurora was messaging you about the project you and her collaborated on giving you a general rundown of everything including the CC’d email. The boys had been giving you little updates on how everything was going throughout their day. Some of them had taken to sending you ridiculous selfies and odd blurry pictures of some of the other boys. You smiled and responded to all of them with a blurry selfie of you with the covers pulled up to just under your eyes the Jjongrami and Hetmongi next to either side of your head. The responses were immediate, most of them protesting that you brought only those two, the team was rolling as they watched the chaos. You had to explain that you hadn't packed them and the two in question were smug as they admitted to sneaking them into your suitcase. San and Wooyoung had sent a selfie together saying the real thing was better. You responded by telling them if they wanted to be that way you would buy plane tickets for Yeosang to come up here; you left Hongjoong out of it because he already was coming up here. They immediately stopped their ranting and instead sent good mornings and a few other stray pictures. You rolled your eyes at them and couldn't stop smiling. 

Despite the initial chaos it felt like you were finally a part of a family, one that loved you as much as you loved them. You layed in bed for a little bit before you decided to get up and start getting ready. You threw on your cropped tank top, comfy shorts and one of your zip up hoodies as well as a few of the necklaces and rings you brought with you. When you finished getting dressed you grabbed your small backpack and put one of your cameras in it along with your essentials for going out on the town. Today was going to be a jet lag recovery day, you always planned a day into your schedule so you could adjust so you would be at your best when you were working. It also was the day you had been anticipating for weeks, something that you were extremely excited about.

As soon as you were ready you headed down for breakfast in the lobby. With a wave to the front desk people you started piling your plate high with some of the breakfast foods they had. In all honesty the food here was one of your favorite parts of the trip. As you sat down in the back corner of the dining room you brought out your phone and took a picture of your breakfast to send out to the Never-ending Nonsense group chat formerly known as the Ministry of Chaos. The name changed as soon as the boys Forrest and Aurora started arguing in the chat about something you can't even recall now.  You dug into the breakfast and watched people as you ate. It was almost too quiet, the chaos from the boys was missing. It was weird how much the few days of chaos seemed to have ingrained itself into your mornings. Just as you were finishing up you were met with multiple vibrations of your phone. You checked it and your heart warmed with more cute responses of your favorite people.

After you finished your breakfast you started to make your way over to your first and most likely only stop for today. On the way you got sidetracked and decided to go into a small shop to grab some snacks for throughout the day. You snagged some danishes, croissants, a couple of donuts and macarons. As soon as you got to your destination you couldn't stop smiling. One of your acquaintances owned the shop you stood in front of; Midnight Inkworks. She must have seen you because shortly after the door opened with a cute ding. Aurélie was standing there with a large smile on her face as she peaked at you. Her tan skin and black hair was gorgeous as always. The colorful tattoos and silver piercings stood out against her darker outfit; very similar to your own. While she peeked out the door she was just about a head shorter than you. It always cracked you up how short she was compared to you. You laughed at her and started stepping toward the open door. As soon as you passed the threshold she hugged you.

“Long time no see dear,” You hugged her back and started chatting with her as she started asking her normal questions. You fell into conversation easily with her, the two of you had found common ground the first time you came here for the moon tarot card piece on your hip. She was thoroughly impressed with you because you sat through it in one sitting; she had said you were one of the best clients she had after the fact. 

You set down the bag of snacks you procured while she pulled out the design you had been working on together. When you laid eyes on it your jaw dropped. It was absolutely perfect. This was the first time you got to see the finished product, the two of you had been shooting it back and forth working on it together for the past few weeks. The last time you saw it it was still fairly raw and unpolished, she had taken your visions and drawings and made them into a masterpiece. The sword through the middle was beautifully detailed with stipple shading. The yin and yang koi looked absolutely amazing with the small amount of shading she added to your initial drawings. The small flowers she added made the entire piece come together. (Tattoo it’s the last one) It was going to look perfect on the back of your left leg. You turned around so she could place the stencil. Before she did she took the first of several before pictures. After she placed it you stepped away from her and took a look at it in the large mirror and absolutely fell in love with the way it flowed. 

Aurélie brought you over to her chair and made you stand there for a second set of before pictures. When she was satisfied with the amount of them she started her work. 

You got to watch as her partner came in and had several clients throughout the morning, each time they left with large smiles on their faces. The two of them were the reason this business was constantly busy. They both were amazing artists with the kindest souls; even if they could be intimidating at first with their multiple sets of piercings and tattoos. You saw through them immediately because you were almost one in the same. People were always too quick to judge but if they truly got to know the people behind the ink they would realize that they were some of the best people you could have at your side. 

There were only a couple of times you took a break for her and for you. At one point she sat in front of you while you snacked on some of the small pastries you brought. She asked you about how life was going in Seoul and how you were doing in the photography business. You filled her in about your old company and how you got Beyond the Lens. Throughout the story she was telling you how proud she was of you as she was once in a similar situation; which is how she ended up having a very successful tattoo shop. She also asked if you had any luck in the dating pool; to which you told her yes without giving too many details. You talked about all of the qualities of the different boys making it seem like it was one person you were discussing instead of eight. She was absolutely swooning at the mention of how you were treated. 

While you were laying on your stomach in the chair you kept up with messaging everyone so none of them would get suspicious. Thankfully every time one of them asked how you were doing you could give a short noncommittal answer and then ask them what they were up to. Which generally resulted in a flurry of a bunch of different messages with everyone’s replies. 

Before too long the constant chatter of a couple of other people, the buzzing of the tattoo gun, and the soft lofi music lulled you into a light sleep. Apparently you hadn’t gotten enough last night; like always. 

You were awoken with light pats on your arms. Aurélie was squatting in front of you with a large smile on her face. The first time you fell asleep in her chair she panicked, almost calling the medics. After talking her off that ledge you told her that you fell asleep for most of your tattoos especially the large ones; which is what most of your body was covered with. This time was no different, “You're done doll, it came out amazing if I do say so myself.” 

She helped you stand and you turned to look over your shoulder at the large tattoo spanning from your thigh just under your butt down to your calf and to your achilles. The way she made the koi fall on either side of the bend of your knee made it look perfect. You couldn't stop smiling and immediately lunged at her to give her a hug. The two of you laughed and you praised her talent while you rocked back and forth in her arms. 

You separated from her and put your hands on her shoulders. “You are a saint, it looks absolutely magnificent. It is better than I imagined it being, I can't wait to show everyone back home!” 

“I'm glad you like it Y/n! Let's get some after pictures!” You nodded at her and let her stage you for the several pictures she was going to take for her profiles. After she had enough pictures you pulled out your camera from your backpack and took one over your shoulder with her standing proudly in the mirror. Then came the large clear bandage to keep it from drying out for the next couple of days. When the two of you were finished you made your way over to the register as she was half assed explaining the aftercare to you; she knew you already knew what she was telling you anyway. When you got to the register you pulled your cash out and handed it over to her, making sure to tip generously. She had tried to give some of it back but you were already halfway out the door. You waved to her and stepped out of the store as she was protesting the amount; she was worth it for the work she did. By the time you got out of the shop it was already close to two, you had been in there for just about six hours. You decided to head back to the hotel to possibly get some of your work done. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

When you stepped into the hotel you were met with the smiling face of the front desk receptionist. She watched you as you passed and went to the elevator. You unlocked your door and as soon as you stepped in you were met with the overwhelming scent of roses. Peeking around the room you spotted the bouquet of beautiful deep red almost black roses on the desk next to your laptop. You approached the desk and looked over the roses, there was a small note attached. 

Our Treasure,

We are happy you made it safe and sound.

With love, your Pirates 

How in the fuck did he even know where you were? You pulled your computer forward and turned it on so it could get booted up. While it was booting up you opened the balcony door so the fresh air could get into the room. Before you got too into work you decided to call the boys, it was getting late in Seoul and it felt odd not having them around.

You pulled up facetime on your Mac and clicked into the 9 Makes 1 Team group chat to start a group call with them. When it started ringing you moved over to the horizontal monitor on the left side of your laptop to see which projects you could help with in the Beyond the Lens Cloud. There were still some photos that needed editing for one of the shoots you were helping Willow with. You clicked into a few of them and brought them into Photoshop on your vertical screen which was on the right. While you were in the middle of adjusting the brightness of the first photo you heard the call ping alerting you someone had joined. Glancing over you realized Wooyoung was the first and only one to answer the call so far. 

“Noona! Hi! How is the city of love?” 

“Hi Woo, it's beautiful as always. It was absolutely gorgeous outside so I went out for a bit of a trip around the area and visited some shops.” You hadn't quite looked at him just yet, when you had the picture to a spot you wanted it to be you fully looked over.

“Did you get anything interesting?” He was watching you with a cute small smile. You grabbed one of the pastries you had leftover from earlier today and showed it to him before taking a large bite. 

“That looks really good!” You covered the bottom half of your face and you nodded while Wooyoung laughed at you and your chipmunk cheeks. Yunho and Mingi popped up onto your screen next. The two of them looked slightly out of breath like they had just been dancing. They both waved at you as they took large drinks of water. 

“Hi Princess! How are you? Is jet lag kicking your butt?” 

“I’m doing really well. It was but I got a decent amount of sleep on the plane and took a nap earlier today so I’m good to go.”

“Yuyu took one too, he was worn out from being up so early.” Yunho lightly smacked Mingi for revealing that bit of information. You and Wooyoung laughed at the two who started to lightly bicker. Hongjoong popped onto the screen and immediately clocked the twin towers bickering, he shook his head with a click of his tongue. 

“Hi Shutterbug, what are you up to?” He was looking at something beyond his phone, from what you could tell he had his phone propped up against his monitors in the studio. Sometimes you forget how similar you were to him. Workaholics at their finest.

“I think I am doing just about the same thing as you, talking to our loves while piecing some work together.” You started clicking around to see the before and after your quick edits. They looked good but there was still something you wanted to do to bring the focus to the model in the middle. There were a couple of clicks that came through his call as well. The two of you looked back at your respective devices at the same time which prompted a giggle from you and Wooyoung who was just watching everything. Mingi and Yunho’s bickering match paused hearing the two of you laughing. Hongjoong smiled at you before looking back up and speaking to someone. Shortly after, Yeosang popped into your view on Hongjoong’s call. 

“Hi Sangie! Having fun recording?” He gave you a small wave before looking at Hongjoong and taking a step back. He motioned violently that he wasn't, you could tell it was in a joking manner. Hongjoong was watching him from the reflection in the monitor. He turned around quickly in his chair and Yeosang froze. Your eyes widened just like Yeosang’s did as he stood up deliberately slowly and murmured something that the microphone on Hongjoong’s phone couldn't quite pick up. Yeosang turned beet red and his mouth was in a tight line trying to suppress what you could assume was a smile. You could only imagine what he had said to him. You looked at Wooyoung’s little box and he was watching it with a sly grin. Mingi and Yunho were doing the same. San popped up behind Mingi and Yunho and startled them, they must not have been paying attention. 

“Hi Sannie!” 

“Hi Y/n-nie” He gave you a small wave and kissed Mingi and Yunho on the cheeks before squeezing himself between the two of them. You looked back to your right screen and a lightbulb went off, you knew exactly what you needed to do to get the picture where you were imagining it. A smile and a noise of triumph left you before you started furiously clicking around in Photoshop to adjust the things you needed. When you zoomed back out from the picture you clapped your hands, it came out perfect. You saved it quickly and sent off the several saved versions to Willow and put them into the cloud under the correct file. When you focused back on the laptop screen you realized that you were being watched by all eight of your boyfriends; even Hongjoong had looked away from his computer to watch you. When Seonghwa and Jongho had gotten there you had no idea. You felt the heat rush to your face as you tried to suppress your bashful smile. 

“You're cute.” the words fell from the maknae’s lips before he could think anything of them. You crossed your arms with a small huff. 

“You're one to talk, Aegiya (baby). I have to repress the urge to squish your cheeks any time I am in your presence” The responding laughter at your muttered phrase made the smile you were suppressing finally slip free. With a quick glance you saw that he was suppressing a smile and his face may have been just a little red. He was also rolling his eyes at you and the rest of your boys. The teasing of the maknae never stopped. 

Your afternoon consisted of most of the boys chattering with you while you listened and worked. For the most part you have been productive until someone demanded your attention away from your photos. The first time it was Wooyoung, when he finally got your attention he made several aegyo faces at you. You rolled your eyes at him and continued your work with a smile. A while later the second time was Jongho who had taken you into one of the practice rooms with him. He serenaded all of you while he practiced. You had stopped all together to watch him while he sang, the smile never left your face. The third and final time was when Mingi, Yunho, and Yeosang had demanded that you watch them practice next. As soon as the music started you were absolutely a blushing mess as they started the choreography to Wake Up. When they finished they picked up the phone and took you with them to head back home. Most of the other boys did the same within the next 30 minutes. San had sent you pictures of the giants as soon as he made it to your house. There was also a video of Toothless screaming at him while he stood in the kitchen which made you laugh.

As it got later they slowly trickled out of the video call to go to bed. You had given them warm goodnights as they left. The only one that was there now was Hongjoong, he looked absolutely exhausted but you knew his mind was flowing with creative ideas and that he wouldn't stop any time soon. A little while later you glanced down and saw that it was just about 6 p.m. where you were, which meant it was almost 1a.m. there in Seoul.

“Joongie, you should probably go home to sleep some time soon.” He was in the middle of putting something together when you spoke. The only indication that he had heard you was the quick flicker of his eyes to his phone and then to something behind it. He opened his mouth like he was going to speak but as soon as the track he was working on started playing he muted himself. You tilted your head at him but after a minute of not being able to hear him shook your head and continued working on the last couple of photos in the album. You continued like this for a while before your stomach rumbled. 

“Joongie, I know you can hear me. If I have to I will call someone to go pick you up and drag your ass home if you continue much longer. I know it is nearly 2 a.m. there.” He looked down at his phone and then to the computers behind it, the dark circles under his eyes were fairly prominent. He leaned forward like he was going to unmute himself and started speaking, not even glancing at you on his screen. You tried to get his attention to let him know he was still muted, you spoke, you waved your hands in front of your camera but nothing was working. 

After a few more minutes of this continuing you decided to get up and go to your room’s phone. You called down and ordered yourself some room service for dinner. When you finished you looked back at your screen to see him still talking, but now you could see someone in the frame. That’s why, he was talking to someone and most likely deafened you. You made your way to the bathroom in the hotel room and looked at the back of your left leg. There were a couple of spots under the wrap that had blood on them but other than that it looked amazing. You ran your hand over the wrap that was on it, there was a slight twinge of pain as you made your way toward the back of your knee. It honestly surprised you that Hongjoong hadn't seen it when you were on the room phone. There was a small knock on the door to your room. You smiled widely at the man as he rolled the cart into your room. 

“Thank you!” He sat the dinner on your dresser as the desk was full of electronics. 

“Of course, have a great evening.” He nodded to you and started back out the door. You followed him and closed the door to the room. The food smelled absolutely divine. With quick steps you moved to the desk to push your computer back so you had enough room to eat; taking special care to avoid the roses. When it was situated at a good place you grabbed the tray of food and sat down to eat. Hongjoong was bopping to something while you ate. You just watched him quietly. He was so in his element but he really needed to go to sleep.

“Joongie, I don't know if you can hear me but I think you should go home, you have other schedules tomorrow morning and a packed full week. You need sleep if you're going to survive it without making yourself sick.” He was looking at something off the screen. You continued to watch him while you finished your meal, he had been completely silent and you had no idea if he could hear you anyway. With a sigh you decided to just hang up the call, “Please take care of yourself.” you whispered. Maybe if the light changed and you disappeared he would finally realize what time it is. 

When you were completely finished with your food you took the plate and placed it outside the door. You decided to grab your camera and go sit on the balcony. The air was warm as you stepped outside from the open sliding door. You lifted your camera up and started taking pictures of miscellaneous things. First it was the small flower shop across the way, then it was the couple standing in front of it smiling at each other while they picked out flowers for a bouquet. You turned to look at the beautiful one that was sitting on the corner of your desk. With a small smile you turned back to look over the city, your eyes caught on the Eiffel tower. Your body moved before your mind registered, your camera came up to your face and you had taken off your glasses and set them on top of your head before snapping the picture. Most of the time you had the camera close enough to your face that you didn't need your glasses, it was either that or you smacked into them while moving quickly. You watched as the photo popped up and quickly disappeared. It went on like this for what felt like a few seconds, it could have been an hour for all you know. There was no concept of time to you when you were taking pictures. You followed the streets and captured the genuine interactions of the couples coming out of the restaurants with large smiles. You almost wished at least one of your boys was here right now so you could do the same. 

A vibration came from beside you on the chair you tossed your phone into. You picked it up and held it extremely close to your face to see Hongjoong calling you. With a light roll of your eyes you answered the facetime call and put your glasses back to their normal place. He was pouting on the other end, before you could greet him he spoke. “You left.”

“You were in the middle of something, I tried talking to you but you had me deafened and you were muted.”

“I'm sorry Shutterbug, Maddox came into the room and was asking me a bunch of questions about the track I was working on.”

“That’s okay Songbird, I just figured I would be one less distraction you had to worry about while you were working, even though the both of you should be asleep because it is nearing” you tapped your phone which showed it was about 7:30 pm here, “2:30 am. You especially because I know you have a schedule tomorrow morning and then a flight here soon thereafter.” he rubbed the back of his neck with a small sheepish smile. 

“I’m heading home now, I promise.” He flipped the camera and showed the back of one of the company vans. You nodded to him and flipped your camera to show the city, more specifically the Eiffel tower. 

“Wahh, you've got a great view of everything! I love that you can see the tower without being too close to it.” He was leaning in close to his phone as he inspected the view. The wonder on his face was almost comical. You took a screenshot of him with a small smile. 

“That’s why I chose this hotel forever ago. Every time I come here I use this hotel, I've been here enough that some of the long term staff recognize me at this point.” You flipped the camera to focus back on yourself. He moved away from the screen slightly and you smiled at him. 

“Now that is a breathtaking view.” Your smile turned bashful and you could feel the heat creep up the back of your neck. When he saw that you were blushing his smile widened. The simplicity of the compliment made your heart flutter in your chest; it really didn't take much to make you blush like a schoolgirl talking to her crush. 

“Joongie, I have a question for you.” He nodded at you indicating he was listening as he got out of the vehicle. 

“How did you know where to send the bouquet you got me?” A small laugh left him at your question. 

”Magic.” You rolled your eyes at his answer. Of course he wouldn't tell you, you should have known. 

“Stalker.” There was a small snort of laughter that came from him as he walked in a door. You watched as he brought the phone up to his face and peered into your soul. All you could see was his eyes and forehead for just a brief second. He took you with him as he made his way through the darkness of the dorm. He changed out of your view and ended up carrying you to the bathroom and set it down on the counter while he brushed his teeth. It was so domestic, something that despite the several days they had spent at your house you haven't seen. 

“Shutterbug, you're staring,” you straightened slightly, zoning back in and looked everywhere but the phone in your hand. What you didn't see was he was watching you too. You moved and settled yourself on the seat your phone was previously on. When you looked back at the phone he was laying in bed. The small smile that graced his face was beautiful. 

“Stay with me?” You nodded at him as he settled. His small whisper showed how tired he was. You watched as his eyes slowly started to droop as soon as he was completely comfortable. There was just a little movement behind him that caught your eye. An arm moved around him and pulled him closer; you may or may not have wished that was you. There was a small sigh as the two of them got comfortable with each other. Hongjoong’s eyes had finally fallen closed and his breathing was just beginning to even out. The phone started tilting and before you knew it you were looking at the ceiling of his room. You stayed just a little longer making sure he was actually asleep before you hung up. 

The warm air had kept you comfortable as you basked in the quiet, the only noise was the bustling city below you. For as much as you loved the chaos, you also loved the quiet. It may have felt odd before but now as you were sitting in the quiet you realized how much you almost missed it. The same quiet that sometimes destroys you. You sat there for a while just watching the sky change. Mother nature was always the best artist; you grabbed the camera from around your neck and started adjusting the settings to be able to capture the beauty. When you were finally satisfied that it looked good you took several shots. 

Something overtook you then, the want to take more pictures. Your body was moving before you completely realized. You had slipped on your shoes, put on your Beyond the Lens ballcap and started making your way to the first floor. As soon as you stepped off the elevator you heard the laughter and clinking of glasses from the restaurant to your right. With a small smile you walked out to the street. The hustle and bustle almost overtook you but knowing how the flow worked here worked to your advantage. Falling into the rhythm of foot traffic you made your way wandering wherever you could. There was music coming from somewhere and you paused to listen for where it was coming from. When you found the source of the music you had completely stopped and watched the people dancing to the violin and piano. Everything was alive with joy, the people dancing, the crowd and the musicians. The warm lighting was perfectly shining to create soft shadows from the people scattered around. You lifted your camera and started taking pictures of the beautiful moment. The people were all smiling while you took pictures, you captured the genuine love in their gazes. You started garnering more and more attention as you took more pictures. This made you happy that you were wearing the hat that had your company logo, your personal photography social, and the QR code that brought people to your website. 

While you moved expertly through the crowd the smile didn't leave your face. This, this is what you are meant to do. You are meant to capture people’s favorite memories. You moved toward the people playing the violins and piano. You took several action shots of the three of them, there aren't many people that would ever think of capturing the people that were creating the moments for others. That’s where you always wandered, someone needed to take care of the people taking care of others. As you were taking pictures the pianist glanced at you with a large smile, it was the perfect opportunity to capture his picture. With a quick movement of your fingers your camera shuttered. You tipped your hat to him before wandering over the duo playing the violins together. A man and a woman who were smiling at each other as they played. You captured the moment from several different angles before they caught sight of you. When they did they slightly bowed as they kept playing. Just like the pianist their fingers were moving quickly over their instrument. 

You needed to move fast if you could capture the picture you wanted to. Gently you moved through the crowd to some of the chairs at a nearby cafe. You grabbed it and set it up so you could stand over the crowd that was laughing and clapping. Just as you were getting up onto the chair the end of the song was nearing, your movements were quick and precise as you brought the camera up above you. With a quick flip of the viewfinder you held and adjusted it to get the best angle. This was going to be either an amazing shot, or a blurry one. You took the chance anyway. Holding your finger over the button you let the shutter do its job. The musicians finished the piece with a flourish. You came off the chair and clapped along with the rest of the people. 

There were a few of the couples that had seen you approaching you. You smiled at them while they approached. When they asked about where they could find the pictures you told them about your socials and the website QR code. There was a general spiel that you started spewing without thinking. 

“We are a photography and videography business based in Seoul, South Korea. We travel all over the world for our clients and when we visit anywhere we always make a point of getting some more genuine pictures instead of the posed ones we always see. We do this not for the clout or money but for the people beyond the lens. We want to be able to make your memories come to life through our pictures. It will take a little while before I can get the pictures up but I promise it'll be within the next couple of weeks.” The couples listened to you while you spoke, the most rewarding thing was being able to show some of them their pictures. The gasps and general excitement that flowed from them made your heart happy. You took off your hat and offered the back of it so they could get the link to your website. When they had dissipated you slid one of your business cards to the man still sitting at the piano chatting with a couple of people. You did the same by dropping one in the violin cases for the violinists who were standing near a table talking animatedly with some people. 

After you had made it away from the crowd you meandered around. Somehow you ended up in front of the Eiffel tower. You took a seat and just watched the people mill by you, some were dressed casually some were dressed to the nines. There was a couple that you saw standing together just looking everything over. You quickly got up, a gut feeling was telling you that you needed to capture the moment. When you got close enough the man separated himself from the woman. You knelt and brought the camera up to your face as quickly as you could; smacking into your glasses in the process. After a moment’s hesitation so you could recover you started snapping the pictures as he knelt in front of her. 

Her hands flew to her mouth in shock, the man was grinning so widely as he held a box out in front of him with a gorgeous ring. The tower was perfectly behind them from this angle, the lights twinkling like starlight just like the ring in the box. You watched in real time as she nodded and threw herself into his arms. The both of them tumbled to the ground in a fit of giggles, she was laying on top of him just smiling while he slid the ring on her finger. You continued getting pictures intermittently as you approached the couple. They had gotten up by the time you finally got to them. They shared a sweet kiss while they held hands, you took one more picture.

You got closer to them and they both acknowledged you. “Hi, I’m so sorry for interrupting your absolutely beautiful moment, congratulations by the way. I just so happened to be nearby when I saw the two of you and felt the need to capture some pictures for you.” The woman squealed and looked over to her now fiance who was staring at you gaping. You let out a small chuckle at the two of them and moved forward to show them some of the pictures you captured of their life changing moment. The woman’s enthusiasm reminded you of San and Wooyoung. She was bouncing around excitedly and every once in a while she would smack her partner’s shoulder lightly when a picture came out particularly good. You stood there for a couple of minutes showing them the pictures, in the end you exchanged emails with the woman and gave her one of your business cards. They both thanked you several times before you parted ways. 

There was a perpetual smile on your face the entire way back to the hotel. As soon as you walked in there was a younger woman who greeted you as you passed. In the elevator you hummed to yourself a tune that had no name. When you stepped into your room you started getting changed and plugged in your camera so it would be charged for the first of many shoots tomorrow. You pulled out your favorite all black suit and hung it on the back of the bathroom door for tomorrow. After doing your nighttime routine you got under the covers and cuddled down grabbing the two small plushies and squishing them as close to you as you could. Your mind took a little while to shut down but as soon as it did you were brought into a dreamless sleep. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

Your alarm woke you up, you smacked around blindly and grabbed it before turning off the offensive sound and getting up. Trudging your way to the bathroom you checked your messages. Most of them stayed fairly consistent with yesterday but this time there were more pictures of the boys being professional from the team. With a light smile you saved all of the pictures you could. You did your morning routine and made quick work of light makeup. When you were done fixing yourself up to look at least somewhat professional you made your way over to your cameras and started packing everything up for the day. Before you left you grabbed your glasses chain and put it around your neck before attaching it to your glasses then you clipped your name tag to your blazer. You and the team had these made so people would recognize you and put a face to the name. Yours was a black name tag with white text; the other’s had colors corresponding with their alias’ Aurora with white, Forrest with gold, and Willow with purple. On your way out of your room you snatched your sunglasses and settled them over your normal glasses. You walked out of the hotel after grabbing a small breakfast to take on the road with you. Thankfully hailing a cab was fairly quick, you gave her the address and were there within thirty minutes.

You walked into the building closest to the bridge and immediately the woman at the front desk greeted you and asked for your credentials so you could get back to where everyone was. Once you got all of the things sorted and had a photographer’s pass you made your way back. When you walked in it was absolute chaos, the models were sitting at their stations with makeup artists surrounding each of them. The stylists were surrounding the racks of clothes and there were people running around trying to cater to everyone’s every whim. The chaos from your boys seemed to pale in comparison to this. You were approached by someone who held an air of confidence among the chaos. It was an older woman holding a clipboard, one that you recognized as the manager. She was beaming at you while she walked. 

“Onyx, wonderful to see you again. We are preparing for the initial shoots and then the show later. We are going to be taking the pictures on the bridge so once you get everything taken care of here we can head outside. Let me show you where you can get yourself set up.” You nodded to the woman and followed her through the crowd of people. You and her weaved through it with expert precision having done this many times. When you got into the makeshift studio you relished in the quieter nature of the room. She smiled at you and left you to get yourself set up. First the harness, then the extra lens holders, and finally your cameras. You made your way back out of the room and were met with her standing there speaking to someone. When she realized you were ready she led you back to the large room everyone was in. she already knew how you ran things so she let you take the lead. You grabbed a chair and stood on top of it and put your middle finger and thumb into your mouth to let out a loud whistle. Some people gasped and others completely froze at the high pitched noise. Perfect. 

“Alright everyone, my name is Onyx. I am the designated head photographer for today. I will be relying on all of you to help me make this go smoothly. I know all of you are stressed for the show later tonight, so if we can make this as quick and seamless as possible you will have less on your plate to worry about as the clocks tick down. I know that there is a tentative schedule all of you have for the shoot. That being said, I am going to be relying on all of you to help me through this process. Stylists, I am relying on you to have each model ready for me as we finish the shoots and get approval of the pictures. If there are group shots it will be your job to coordinate them with each other. Makeup artists, I would like a few of you on hand just in case we need touch ups. The reason I request only a few is because I need all the room I can get without having to worry about tripping over people. Staff, I will be counting on you to keep everything in a decent order, I will need you to be bringing out the models as they are finished among other things like keeping everyone on schedule. While I know that is a monumental task considering how many people we have here I know you can do it. Models, pre-show jitters are normal, in my years of working in this industry I have seen them in even the most experienced models. Do not forget you are the stars of the show today, I know this is stressful so I will try to make it as easy on you as I can.” Your voice carried over the large room and as you spoke each of the groups you spoke to were smiling and nodding along with you. Some of the crowd was whispering amongst themselves as you spoke to them, hopefully to create their gameplan. 

“All of that being said, I look forward to working with all of you. Let's make this a memorable shoot and kick ass on the runway together!” You held up your fist in a fighting motion like you had almost every other time you had photographed someone in Seoul, it was an unconscious habit at this point. There were cheers from some of the people as you stepped down off the chair. You made your way out and past the large group of people with the manager. The first model appeared shortly after and you gave him a smile. You gave light instructions to each model as they came through. When they finally got into the flow you smiled and joked with them; something you found made them loosen up a little. When you did this it made for the best pictures. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

Most of your day consisted of getting the pictures taken care of. Throughout the entire thing the miscellaneous staff kept you informed of the time and some of them even brought you things to snack on between the models. At one point between models you had gotten too warm so you ended up taking off your blazer, after adjusting your nametag and harness, and threw it over your shoulder. The woman who had become like your assistant gently took it from you shortly after. Some of the people gaped at your tattoos, most of the models had come closer to inspect them as you waited for the approval of their shots. It was endearing how they were fascinated by you, most of them expressed the want for a tattoo but they couldn't because it was a one way ticket out of their industry. 

When the final pictures got approval everyone started celebrating, yourself included. It had been a fast paced eight hours, but this is what you loved. Most of the models were laughing and celebrating having enough time to be able to relax before the chaos of show time started. You made your way away from the large crowd of people toward the back of the large bridge. When you were finally far enough away you pulled out your bluetooth headphones and hooked one of them up to your phone. You grabbed your phone out of your vest pocket and clicked on one of the members you knew you could just bask in the quiet with. 

After a couple of rings Yeosang appeared on the screen. “Hi Y/n-nie!”

“Hi my Sangie, how are things back home?” 

“They’ve been hectic. Joongie-hyung is trying to cram lots of things in before he leaves.” There was a lingering exhaustion in his gaze. “How are things in Paris?”

“It's also been hectic, I just finished an eight hour shoot for Louis Vuitton and then I have their runway show at eight. I wanted to at least see one of you today, and you are okay with just being in the quiet so I thought of you.” He nodded with a small smile. The two of you just sat there with each other, soaking in the moment of peace between your hectic schedules. In the background you could hear some of the other boys rustling around. His eyes flickered to who you could assume was Jongho by the sound of his voice. Just a second later the man in question appeared on the screen. 

“Hi Sojunghan,” you tilted your head at him.

“It means precious,” Yeosang was quick to come to your rescue. The flush that came to your face was instant at the realization of what Jongho just called you. You thought he would have been more reserved with nicknames. He had just proven you so absolutely and utterly wrong. 

“Hi, Aegiya (baby), how are you?” The small smile on his face widened just slightly at your term of endearment. Yeosang was looking back and forth between the two of you as you just looked at each other for a second. 

“I’m surviving the chaos of the rest of the children around here.” Yeosang let out a noise of complaint and you laughed at the irony of his complaint. Of course he was ‘suffering’ through the childishness of the other boys. You shook your head at the two of them. Jongho was snickering at his own joke as he leaned back with an arm around Yeosang. 

“Onyx, we are about to order some food for the staff, do you want anything?” The woman that approached was someone you had worked with in the past; you just couldn't for the life of you remember her name. 

“I'd love some,” you gave her your order and she took it down in her phone before offering a small wave goodbye. 

You turned back to your phone, Seonghwa had joined the two sitting in the frame. You smiled at him and gave him a slight wave. He returned the gesture and continued to look at something beyond your field of view. The three boys were just chatting quietly while you watched them. Being in their presence, although not physically, brought you a calm in the middle of the chaos. There were several voices that echoed toward you, with a glance you saw several of the staff coming your way. They probably wanted to escape for a little while too. 

“Loves, I think I should probably go. It is getting close to the chaos starting back up before the show.” the three of them whipped their heads to look down at Yeosang’s phone as you spoke. There was a slight pout on Seonghwa’s lips when he realized what you said. 

“Okay our treasure, good luck with everything. We can't wait to hear about it when you get back.” Seonghwa was the first to speak up after his exaggerated pout. The other two boys echoed something similar before you hung up the call. You stood up and slid the phone into your vest pocket before getting up and making your way back to where the main portion of people were hanging out. As you were walking you procured a couple of the younger models. They had asked you several questions about how things worked and what you did in the field. You animatedly answered them, happy to be able to talk to someone about your interests. The other models rotated in and out of the conversation as you walked telling you that they had fun and that you did an amazing job. When the food finally got here you sat in a large circle of stylists and makeup artists and ate.

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

It had been about an hour before people started showing up. You were led to where you would be taking pictures of the celebrities that were showing up. When you got into it the moments blurred by. You recognized several of the people you got to take pictures of. They were all kind to you, especially the ones who recognized you from your work in Seoul. BamBam and Jackson Wang in particular were a couple of the people that gave you some of the most dazzling smiles before they gave you quick hugs and left you with a pat on the shoulder. 

When everyone had finally trickled in you had to bust your ass to get out to the opposite side of the bridge. You passed some of the models on the way and gave them a large smile and thumbs up. At this point you were practically running to make sure you got to where you needed to be on time, your cameras were in your hands as you were moving. Some of the people you passed cheered you on, there was a shout of that's my friend from someone that had a very thick Korean accent. You didn't have time to look and see who it was but you had to guess it was BamBam. When you finally skidded to a halt you were met with some of the other photographers lined up. There was a space in the middle for you held by a couple of the staff members. As soon as you got yourself planted there the music started and Pharrell Williams made his appearance. Your brain was already moving your hands to get your long shot lens. When it was connected you started getting the shots. 

Your night consisted of much of the same thing. This was one of the times you had been happy to have two cameras on you. When the models were walking you used the long range, when they were closer you used the closer range. You expertly flipped between the two while the models walked. Amid some of the shots you took off your glasses and let them hang from the small star and moon chain around your neck. You moved with some of the models as you were getting their pictures. One of your favorite moments was when all of the models walked in a large group, it gave you some of the best shots from the night. Some of the people were blurred while you focused on one in particular, it gave it a sense of movement that you always loved to capture in pictures. There were a couple of times you directed some of the other photographers so they could get some more sideline shots. They surprisingly listened well. Generally there was a power struggle when a woman, who was obviously younger than most of the other photographers, was bossing people around. The camera crew that was filming above you was a well oiled machine, you didn't even have to worry about them. 

When the show came to an end you lingered and took more pictures. At one point someone was yelling your name through the crowd. It confused most of the photographers in the group that didn't know you well enough. The staff had been laughing at the confusion before BamBam and Jackson appeared in front of you. A large smile appeared on your face as they approached you at a quick pace. You gladly accepted their hugs. 

“You've grown from the little shy photographer from forever ago.” You rolled your eyes at Jackson. BamBam was just standing there nodding along with him. You were happy to have people that you knew here. Crowds of this size generally freaked you out a little bit, but knowing that someone you knew and appreciated was here eased your mind a little. 

“You did amazing! I can't believe you were heading this whole thing! Y/n-nie, I am so happy for you. It's awesome watching someone that is like a little sister to me doing such big things.” 

“Yah, I’m only a few months younger than you.” you were smiling the entire time you interacted with the two men. They had stuck by you while you were making your rounds. After a while a lot of the crowd had cleared. Some of the other photographers said their goodbyes while others continued to take pictures; your time was officially over as the show was over. You had been walking toward the building your things were in while talking animatedly. There had been a couple of people that looked at you weird as they passed, they must have been confused as to why you were speaking Korean. Oh well. BamBam had insisted on getting a picture with you and Jackson before you had to part ways. You posed with the pair holding up your camera and a finger heart. They continued taking pictures, both rotating doing some sort of cute poses while you laughed at them. You smiled as you watched them leave, they had unknowingly provided you with a little calm amongst the storm. Your phone pinged and it was a message with the pictures you just took with BamBam and Jackson. Your smile grew as you saved the pictures. 

Quickly and methodically you packed your things up and made your way out. Several of the models and other people stopped you and thanked you for making the day go so well. Most of the staff gave you waves as you passed. Even Bernard Arnault stopped you and thanked you for your services. In the time that you worked with Louis Vuitton you had only met him a handful of times. You were smiling ear to ear and offered him a polite bow out of habit. He chuckled at you and gave you a small pat on the head before he was called over by some other people. Finally you made it outside and far enough away from the event that you could hail a cab. When you did it was fairly quiet on the ride over, you could feel your shoulders slump as more time went on. As you walked into the hotel you could feel the exhaustion of the day physically weighing on you. When you finally made it to your room you gently set your bag on the chair in front of the desk and plugged everything in. Muscle memory took over for you at that moment. You checked your phone and realized that most of the boys had sent you goodnight messages. You sent a couple of pictures BamBam had taken with the caption “Look who I ran into!” Before plugging in your phone and flopping into the bed. You fell into memory lane, a good one this time. 

Today was one of the longest days you have had in a long time. You wouldn't trade it for the world. This opportunity was huge for your little on the rise company.

You had gotten many opportunities in college to intern with your professors, which gave you connections with JYPE, BigHit, Pledis, and Dreamcatcher Company. You were integrated on the idol side but you also knew that if you wanted to excel in the field you would have to be well rounded. You had come out of college and immediately chosen your old company for their rap sheet within the fashion and idol worlds not knowing it was going to be a shitty place to work in. Your extensive portfolio had impressed them and they almost immediately hired you after your initial interview. You excelled there because of the freelance work you did, and with the help of the professors that personally vouched for your skills. It also may have been because they could barely keep anyone on their teams. 

That's where you came in, your attitude was different. You didn't tolerate too much bullshit, you helped where you could and you made it so they were not competing with each other. That company thrived while you were there and sometimes you wondered what happened. If you had to guess they lost a lot of their business when your team left. You didn't have many things you were thankful for with that company, but the opportunities they gave you was one of the few. Those thoughts led you into sleep, a small smile gracing your face. 

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

You were awoken by your phone vibrating incessantly on the bedside table. You reached for it and squinted at the name. San? You sat up and answered the facetime call, the look on his face was worrying. He was wide eyed and ramrod straight. The first words out of your mouth were “Are you okay, is everyone okay?”

“I think there is someone in the house.” It felt like a bucket of ice water was poured over your head as the words left his mouth. You were definitely awake now. You grabbed your glasses and quickly put them on your face, almost stabbing yourself in the eye in the process.

“Where are you at right now?” 

“I'm in your room with the giants, we were cuddling before I had to get up like we have been for the past couple of days and then I heard someone shuffling around on the first floor.” 

“Fuck, okay. I need you to go close and lock the door.” You watched as he got up out of the bed, this was the first time you noticed that he had been shirtless. Now is not the fucking time for admiring your beautiful boyfriend. You heard the soft click of your door closing and the lock turning. 

“Okay, there is a bat in my closet. I want you to grab it and hang out while I figure out what the hell is going on okay.” He nodded at you while you clicked out of the facetime app and got into the cat cams you had all over the living room and kitchen. When you looked through all of them you spotted the culprit. Your mother. For fucks sake, you told her that someone was watching your children, generally that means you don’t need to show up. You clicked back into the facetime app and saw him sitting on your bed with the bat next to him. He looked like he was in the middle of debating his life choices.

“Sannie, everything is okay, the person downstairs is my mom. I guess she decided she needed to come check on the giants even though I told her someone was taking care of them.” His shoulders sagged and you heard a heavy breath leave him. 

“Jagi, this is not how I wanted to meet your mother.” You let out a laugh at his frazzled state. 

“I know Sannie, it's not how I wanted it to go either. But here's what we are going to do. You're going to put on a shirt and we can go downstairs and scare the shit out of her like she did to you. Don't worry, she's pretty chill.” He gave you a questioning look before nodding, he set the phone down on your bed while he moved around the room. Beans was investigating San’s phone as you cooed at her. She had gotten up fairly close and you took a screenshot of her while you waited. A minute or two later San had gently relocated Beans and grabbed his phone. You smiled at him and he matched it. 

“Before you start going to scare her, are you okay with me telling her you're my boyfriend and then telling her about the rest later?”

“Yeah, I'm okay with that Y/n-nie. This really is not how I expected my morning to go,” he muttered while walking toward the door. He was being silent as a cat while he made his way through your house, he had you looking out the back camera. You caught sight of your mother looking in the cat treehouse for the giants. San’s simple greeting to your mother elicited a scream from her, she leapt back and whipped around. Your laughter rang through your hotel room and you slapped a hand over your own mouth. You had neighbors that most likely wouldn't like being woken up by your giggles. You watched with amusement as she sized San up, she greeted him and looked into the camera. Your view moved to San’s pretty face as he approached her and handed her the phone. 

“Hi mom, having a fun drop in?” She shook her head at you and fixed you with one of the most motherly glares she could muster.  

“You are just like your grandmother I swear. You even got him into it.” Your grin widened, that was the ultimate compliment. 

“Yeah well you scared him first so we are even. Mom, this is San, my boyfriend.” She gaped at you, her gaze flickered between the two of you several times before she settled it back on you. 

“Boyfriend? You haven't told me about a boyfriend.”

“It’s fairly new, I wanted to be able to introduce you in person but since you decided to make a drop by visit you moved it up.” Her face turned just a little red at your comment. Serves her right, she should have just left well enough alone. 

“It’s wonderful to meet you,” You could just picture the polite man he was being. The small bow that he had most likely just given her was stuck in your head. You could also see the smile on his face clear as day, even if you couldn't physically see him, his dimples on full display. 

“Likewise San, when Y/n gets back we will have to go out to dinner to get to know each other better. I’m sorry that we had to meet like this and that I scared you. I just wanted to see the grand kitties and wasn't expecting anyone here.”

“I look forward to that,” She had transferred the phone back over to him after giving you a knowing look. The smile on his face was exactly how you pictured it as they chattered while he walked her to the door. Honestly, you couldn't have thought of a better one of your boyfriends to meet your mother first. While you absolutely loved the other boys they could be a little too chaotic, San had perfect manners and it really showed here. As soon as they had parted ways San looked fully at you. You were grinning already at him. He seemed to have recovered from the shock of everything. You heard the deep breath he let out like he had been holding it the entire time she was in his presence. 

“You did good Sannie, I’m sorry she just popped in.”

“That's okay jagi, I’m sorry for waking you up in the middle of the night.” You shook your head at him.

“I would rather you have called me than you scaring yourself shitless, and then scaring my mother shitless with your shirtlessness while you walked around my house.” That was a damn tongue twister. San was laughing at you while he made his way back to your room. 

“Jagi, you should go back to bed, I can see how tired you are.” You took stock in your body and felt the exhaustion pulling at you, you could feel your eyes drooping without you even noticing it. 

“Alright, I love you Sannie, I hope your day goes a little better than this morning has.” 

“I love you too, jagi. Have a good day when you actually wake up for it.” You smiled at him before he hung up the call. When he did you set your phone on the bedside table and cuddled back down into your comforter. You would have never expected your mother meeting one of the boys like that, but life had a weird way of taking the reins. A little while later when your body had gotten rid of the little bit of adrenaline in your system you fell into sleep. 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Next Chapter (Chapter 23)

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[marlynnofmany]

Other Uses for Packaging

I waved goodbye to the customers — other humans this time — then sat back and waited for the trash pickup. I didn’t blame them for not wanting to take all the packing material out into the spaceport. They hadn’t brought a hovercart or forklift, and had been unprepared for the huge crate full of bubble wrap and foam.

Other times, our little courier ship had done deliveries where time was short or regulations were tight, and all we would have been able to do was advise them on where to rent a hovercart or buy a crowbar. Luckily for these customers’ convenience and my conscience, today we could stick around and help them unpack the custom end table or whatever that was.

They’d left happy, with something much easier to carry, and Captain Sunlight had headed for the cockpit to call in the station’s trash crew. (Apparently this was a regular feature at this space dock, which was a nice change from the last few where we’d had to move the ship’s garbage over to the trash area under our own power.)

Zhee looked over the crate that he’d just taken great joy in disassembling. “Wood may be valuable here,” he said with a thoughtful click of a pincher arm. “If not to the station at large, then surely to another ship. I wonder if the captain thought of that.”

I glanced back at the open cargo bay. “Probably?”

“Probably,” Zhee agreed.

We were both silent for a moment while the spaceport bustled around us.

“I’m going to check,” he said, tapping his way up the ramp on his many bug feet. “Make sure none of that blows away.”

“Sure thing.” I looked at the piles. The only breeze in here was the faint wafting of ventilation systems and the occasional gentle landing of other ships at a safe distance, but I understood the impulse to be careful. That one package awhile ago, full of styrofoam beads, had been memorable. And terrible. The darn stuff was almost as bad as glitter, what with the way it stuck to things with static electricity. Nobody wanted a repeat of that.

This set of packaging was much better. The boards made a tidy stack, the foam was in rubbery sheets that didn’t leak bits everywhere, and even the bubble wrap was in long rows instead of individual panels. This was no top-of-the-line cryo suspension or force field generator, but it was respectable.

I organized the mess a bit while I waited. The rest of the crew either had stuff to do on the ship or out in the station, so despite all the ambient noise, things were quiet.

I started rolling up the bubble wrap, thinking someone might want to use it again, but found that many of the bubbles had gotten popped in the disassembly, leaving it only good for one thing.

The first bubble popped with a satisfying snap. By the third I’d pinpointed which direction the sounds were echoing from most, and I enjoyed the different noises I could get by tilting my head. None of the pedestrians were close enough to pay much attention, so I happily worked my way down the roll. I’d seen multiple other types of bubble wrap, some made by different cultures and different materials, and most of them didn’t actually pop. What a simple joy to find the regular old Earth kind again.

Mur’s voice from the cargo bay asked, “What’s making that sound?”

I sighed and turned. “Don’t tell me, this is another swear word in your language.”

Mur waved a tentacle. “No, of course not. I just wanted to know what’s breaking out here. It sounded like a problem.”

Before I could answer, Paint appeared behind him in a rush. “Is there a problem??”

“No,” I hurried to say. “Everything’s fine. It’s just bubble wrap. See?” I held up the section I’d been working on and popped another bubble.

Paint winced. “Is there something wrong with it?”

“No, it’s just garbage.” I rolled up the part I’d already flattened, then twisted it to pop the next row all at once.

“Okay, that almost sounded like a swear word,” Mur admitted.

I had to laugh at that. “Of course it did.”

Blip and Blop hurried out to join the growing crowd in the cargo bay. “What keeps breaking?” Blip asked, frills waving anxiously.

“It’s just bubble wrap!” I exclaimed. “See?” I held it up and popped another one.

Instead of nodding and going back to whatever they’d been doing, my alien coworkers remained perplexed. “Why does it keep popping?” Blop asked. “Are you doing that?”

“Yes!” I exclaimed.

“Why?” asked both Frillians at once. Paint and Mur also looked curious.

“Because it’s fun?” I replied, scrambling for an answer. I hadn’t thought this needed explaining. But apparently it did.

Paint asked, “How is that noise fun?”

“Well, it echoes—”

“You don’t need to worry about condensing materials for the trash pickup, if that’s the concern,” Mur said.

“Yes, I know—”

“Are there food items on your planet that you have to open like this?” Blip asked. “Large fish eggs, maybe?”

“No, ew! It’s just—”

A shadow loomed taller than the Frillian twins. “It is violensssss,” Trrili hissed, making them twitch. (I don’t know how she found a shadow in the cargo bay. Sometimes I think she brings them with her.) “Small-scale, sanctioned violence. These can be destroyed without repurcussionssssss.” She was choosing which words to hiss on, for effect.

“Sure,” I said, spreading my arms and lifting the bubble wrap. “Let’s go with that.”

Trrili wasn’t done. “Each tiny section can be crusssshed individually, with precision, or multiples at once for maximum volume.” She glided forward on quieter feet than Zhee’s, and the others made room for her.

I held out the bubble wrap. “You want a turn?” Her pincher arms didn’t seem suited to it, but I was curious to see where she’d go with this.

“Plasssssse it on the floor.”

“Sure.” I flapped the row out in front of her like a red carpet, and she moved like the predator she was to crush one after the other. With precision. And shiny black bug feet.

It gave me an idea. “Hey, wanna see who’s faster?” I grabbed another section and laid it out to one side. “You’ve got more feet, but my shoes are bigger.”

Trrili spread her mandibles in her favorite creepy smile. “Challenge acssssssepted.” She crouched like a spider and waited for me to be ready.

I glanced back at the others. “Anybody else wanna race?”

Mur spun on his tentacles and scooted back into the ship. “No thanks! I’m going back where it’s quieter.”

“Me too,” Paint said. “But thank you!” She scampered off.

Blip and Blop looked at each other in silence for a moment, fins waving. Then they turned to me. “We’ll judge,” Blip announced.

“All right!” I said. I wrangled my own section of bubble wrap, roughly the same length as Trrili’s, and struck my own ready pose. “Say when!”

The twins chorused, “Start!” and we were off. Pops filled the air along with Trrili’s delighted hisses and my laughter. There were probably people staring, but that didn’t matter.

Maybe I could talk Trrili into a dance-off afterward. On whatever was left when one of us was declared the champion of small-scale, sanctioned violence.

~~~

These are the ongoing backstory adventures of the main character from this book.

Shared early on Patreon! There’s even a free tier to get them on the same day as the rest of the world.

The sequel novel is in progress (and will include characters from these stories. I hadn’t thought all of them up when I wrote the first book, but they’re too much fun to leave out of the second).

[delicateperspective]

I was just thinking. How much of an escapism is “faith in the future”? Why is it always keep your eyes on the horizon, paradise is getting closer everyday? What is there in some uncertain, undefined concept we will never ever feel or touch with our hands and minds? Why are we ought to never consider the now which is where we live and breathe and think and love? Can we trust ourselves to just carry that notion carefree in this moment of time? And the more of an untactful question, to what capacity can we say this is Louis’ toxic habit considering we don’t know him for more than 10% he showed us?

Happy pride month🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

L has been chanting faith in the future at us since 26 march 2021—moments after his yearly nod to his x-factor audition (which he has not done since). then he kept doing it. march 2022. march 2023. march 2024.

so did he string us along? maybe, if you expected the future to be a single cinematic ta-da!—big rainbow doorway, he steps out, “surprise, i’m free and with harry.” but L’s compass is smaller, scrappier: survive the grief, build a record you’re proud of, sing it loud enough that arenas shake. when that’s done? pick a farther shoreline and start rowing again.

and notice—this march he didn’t tweet it. not because the mantra died, but because the boat actually docked: fitf cycle wrapped, lt3 sessions booted up. new horizon, new sticky note.

important footnote: L has also been yelling “be here now” the entire time. in “all this time” he literally says, “just have patience / it’s not how you spend the time, it’s if you waste it.” patience ≠ numbing out; it means don’t miss the friends you’re making, the love you’re trading, while you wait for tomorrow.

same energy in “holding on to heartache.” somebody calls him out: “you should be staring at the sky, the birds just passing by.” translation—quit doom-scrolling your own misery and look up; life is happening all around you.

so is the forever-tomorrow mindset toxic? it can be, sure, if it erases how heavy today feels. the mantra isn’t “everything’s fine,” it’s “don’t unpack and live in the pain forever.”

tl;dr: louis isn’t dangling an unreachable utopia; he’s handing us the compass he uses himself. keep the eyes forward and the feet grounded. make friends, scream the chorus, watch the birds, row toward the next shore. rinse, repeat, survive. ☼

[7s3ven]

ATHENA'S GIRL. luke (pjo) - pt 3

trailer > part 1 > part 2 > part 3

( master list )

IN WHICH... Luke has to finally acknowledge his growing fondness for Y/N while she does the opposite and pushes her feelings down in order to fit her mother’s expectations.

"Have you forgotten to turn off your heart? This is not you. I see you changing from how I've designed you. Have you forgotten your purpose?"

Warnings : Y/N swears a lot

—

Y/N was the talk of the town after Athena oh-so dramatically claimed her. She didn’t even have to spend a single hour in the rowdy Hermes cabin.

The H/C-haired girl turned her head, looking around at her surroundings. Her heart almost did a leap of joy when her gaze landed in the rows of books that seemed to fill the cabin up to its capacity.

“Excuse me, which bed should I take- Oh. Okay. You’re walking away. Yeah, just act like you don’t hear me. It’s fine.” Y/N watched as the young girl brushed past her without a single word, ignoring her question. Judging by the state of some of the beds, Y/N assumed the neater mattresses were the ones available.

She set her things down on the squeaky floorboards, sighing. She didn’t have much with her; only a novel and some spare change as well as her school textbooks. It looked like she wouldn’t be needing this anymore.

Y/N sat in the edge of the mattress, pressing her lips into a thin line when she felt a spring break. “Man, I hate it here already.”

Y/N felt even lonelier at meals. None of her so-called siblings wanted to associate themselves with her. She could feel their envious stares on her as they constantly whispered how they could’ve easily solved a murder case. Finally, Y/N had enough.

She placed her silverware done, tensely smiling while clasping her hands together. “Are you guys familiar with Nabokov’s work?” She piped up, catching the attention of everybody at the rickety wooden table. They each turned to each other, confused.

“He’s like… a German poet, right?” A boy replied, furrowing his eyebrows together as if Y/N’s inquiry were stupid.

She shook her head. He was the stupid one. “I found a clue in one of his books. And the nationality of the writer helped quite a bit in unpacking it. But none of you seem to know Nabokov so I doubt you could’ve solved the mystery. I solved a crime in under an hour, slayed a dragon, and easily killed a happy. What have you guys done? Made friendship bracelets?”

One of the kids hid their untidily made bracelet, thickly gulping as if he was self-conscious.

Y/N was about to turn back to her food before someone else spoke up. “Vladimir Nabokov was a Russian author, best known for his work Lolita. Or rather, infamously known because it’s quite a controversial piece.”

Y/N’s eyes flickered to the kid with pretty brown eyes and long, braided hair. “Three movie adaptations were made, all of them equally hated to no one’s surprise.” The younger girl added, causing Y/N to smile.

She stabbed a string bean as she shrugged, “It’s always the Russians pulling some sort of weird crap.”

“Language.” Another teenager uttered. Y/N turned her head to stare at the boy, unimpressed. She raised her brows in an almost pocking sort of way.

“Fuck… off.” Y/N tauntingly smiled, causing Annabeth to lightly snort. “Don’t you guys fight monsters? I’m sure you can take a bit of swearing. Can't you?" She leaned forward, "Listen here, you little bitch. I dealt with Castellan's shit for months. You think I can't take you and your stupid ass now?"

"Colorful language you've got there, writer. As always. You gonna use it in your next global article?" Luke placed a heavy hand on Y/N's shoulder as he quietly chuckled. "Hey, Akut," The Hermes boy turned his attention to the teenage boy, "I wouldn't mess with this one. She's fierce. And she was best friends with Clarisse for a while."

A flash of fear crossed Akut's face at Clarisse’s name. “I was only teasing. Jeez.” He grumbled to himself, shrinking back. “She doesn’t have to be such a whiny bitch about it.”

Luke clicked his tongue, knowing exactly what was coming next.

“A whiny bitch? Oh, I’ll give you a whiny bitch, punk!” Y/N grabbed her plate that still had a decent amount of food on it and slammed it into Akut’s face. “How’s that, huh?!”

“She could be Ares’ kid with that anger.” Chris whispered to Luke.

“She’s probably still adjusting to camp… you know how it is.” Luke’s gaze stayed glued on Y/N as she whacked Akut across the place with a goblet. His eyebrows raised in partial surprise but he did nothing to stop her. Akut was asking for it anyway.

Luke felt Annabeth tug on his sleeve and he slightly leaned down to listen to her over all the shouting because some other Athena kids were trying to pull Y/N off Akut. “I like her.” Annabeth murmured, “She reminds me of Thalia… a little bit. Thalia never had such strong rage, though.”

Luke chuckled under his breath as he ruffled the young girl’s hair. “Guess it’s time to finally stop this before she ends up killing poor Akut.” Luke grasped the back of Y/N’s orange shirt, pulling her back. “Chiron and Mr D are gonna have a mean jab at you, writer.”

Y/N merely scoffed as she wiped away the blood smeared across her chin. Akut had blindly punched in her direction and landed a lucky shot. “He deserved it.” She muttered, eyes flickering to Akut’s bruised face.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s get you cleaned up before Chiron whoops your ass. You, get Akut some nectar.” Luke sternly pointed at a nearby Ares kid before he dragged Y/N towards the infirmary. He had patched up Annabeth enough to know what he was doing.

Y/N was silent as Luke wiped her lip with a towel soaked in alcohol. She quietly winced but that was the only noise she made. Luke gently dabbed the cloth against her split skin, being mindful of how hard he pressed.

“What? Not gonna snap at me this time? I’m waiting for you to tell me that I’m holding the towel wrong.” Luke joked but Y/N simply shrugged and let him continue.

Luke’s gaze raked over her suddenly soft and deer-like features. In this moment, she almost seemed peaceful. He had seen many different versions of Y/N. The stressed one, the annoyed one, and the bloodied one. But never calm version until now. Without the biting remarks and sharp tongue, Luke couldn’t deny that she was beautiful.

He heard Y/N clear her throat. She raised her brows, as if questioning why his actions suddenly halted. “Y/N… you’re pretty. Did you know that?” He found himself accidentally whispering his thoughts but the look of shock swirling around in Y/N’s eyes made it worth it. Her eyes softened slightly before she looked away.

“Are you just gonna stand there like an idiot, Castellan?” She asked, glancing at him again.

“You’re just too good-looking, writer.” Luke teasingly uttered before going back to cleaning Y/N’s small injury. “You better behave yourself after this, though. Chiron will end up punishing you for attacking Akut, even if he started it with words.”

“He just got on my nerves. Everybody does. They all whisper and say they could easily do the stuff I did, knowing fully well they probably couldn’t.” Y/N’s lips curled into a scowl, “I just got ripped away from my life, from my school, and probably from my dream of attending Harvard. How did you think I’d react?”

“To be honest, I thought you’d be less violent. Must’ve been all your pent up rage.”

Y/N’s angry eyes turned to Luke and for a moment, he was scared she’d attack him. But they softened and suddenly, Luke was aware of how close they were. He could easily lean down and kiss her.

The duo were interrupted when Annabeth walked through the open door. She took in Luke’s wistful expression and Y/N’s slightly flushed cheeks but didn’t comment on it.

“I thought I’d come and introduce myself.” She uttered, “I’m Annabeth. You’re pretty good at fighting, did you know that?”

“The orphanage was run by a strange woman… she taught us how to fight and all sorts of crazy things.” Y/N clicked her tongue.

“Well, anyway, I think what you did was your quest was impressive. Rarely any newbies can say they slaughtered a monster, let alone two.”

Y/N lightly smiled at the young girl. “Thank you.”

Luke pouted, poking Y/N’s shoulder. “How come you aren’t this nice to me, writer?”

“Because you’re an idiot, Castellan. And you merely existing annoys me.” She sent Luke a pointed look while Annabeth muffled a snicker. “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Y/N hopped off the bed, “I’m going to finish Akut or whatever his stupid, hideous name is.” She walked out of the infirmary before Luke could grab her.

“Are you going to stop her?” Annabeth questioned, raising her eyebrows.

“… Nah, I kind of what to see how this ends.”

It did not end good. Akut ended up needing stitches and Y/N was dragged into Chiron’s office while Mr D and a few Ares kids betted on who would win in a fight; Y/N or a random Aphrodite girl. The answer was obvious.

Y/N lay in her bed, half asleep yet half conscious. She rolled over, hitting her forehead on the wall next to her but she didn’t bother to open her eyes.

She wasn’t sure when she ended up in a temple made entirely out of white marble with pink veins running through the slabs of stone. Fluffy clouds floated around and Y/N waved them aside to see who the two figures standing in the distance were. She instantly recognised Athena but the short woman with beautiful locks of curly blond hair standing next her was unfamiliar.

“Mom?” Y/N carefully called out, causing Athena’s head to turn.

“Back so soon, my dear?” She asked in that calming, silky voice.

“Where are we?” Y/N questioned, furrowing her eyebrows. Athena didn’t get the chance to reply because her companion, whose blond hair was now brown and pale skin tanned, answered for her.

“You’re in my temple, of course!” She joyfully clasped her hands together while Athena kept her calm composure.

“It seems you are unfamiliar with the goddess of love, my dear.”

Everything seemed to click in Y/N’s mind. “Aphrodite.” She breathed.

“That’s why she’s your daughter and not mine, even with how pretty she is.” Aphrodite let out a giggle, gracefully grinning and showing off her pearly white teeth. In the beautiful goddess’ presence, Y/N felt inferior.

“Um… if it’s not crossing a boundary, I’d like to ask why I’m here.” Y/N piped up as she stepped closer to the deity duo. “Every time I fall asleep, I end up in different places.”

“Something seems to be troubling you. Oh, is it love problems? Because I can solve anything!” Aphrodite, as gleeful as ever, beckoned Y/N forward. “It’s that Hermes boy, isn’t it! Aw, I knew you two would end up in a thrilling and cute romance!” Aphrodite jumped around as she gushed over what Y/N and Luke could possibly become.

Y/N stole a small glance at her mother only to flinch at Athena’s furious facial expression. “Aphrodite, some privacy please.” Athena uttered, lifting a hand that seemed to hush the goddess of love.

“Oh…” Aphrodite seemed to hesitate before she nodded, “Of course.” Her body faded away into a mass of pink glitter and Y/N was left alone with her mother.

“So, you and this Hermes boy?” Athena quirked an eyebrow which made Y/N shrink back.

“We’re nothing, mother. I don’t even like him that much. To be honest, he’s annoying and he talks too much.”

Yet, Athena was not convinced. “I have created a clear pathway for you, my dear. Annabeth is a bright girl but I want you to be my star pupil. However, if you choose not to follow in my footsteps, then you will merely be only another disappointment.”

Y/N stiffened. Failure was her worst fear, whether it be within a school exam or being unable to meet someone’s expectations. She had never failed and she was not about to start now. With reluctance, she turned to Athena. “What do I have to do?”

Y/N quickly opened her eyes, quietly panting. She found herself back in the cabin and a sigh of relief slipped past her lips. She lay awake in her bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling. She could hear light snores coming from her siblings and while the crackling sound of fire was supposed to calm her nerves, it didn’t. Eventually, Y/N rose.

She made an effort to keep quiet as she slipped past the cabin’s front door and into the chilly night air.

“Can’t sleep, huh?”

Y/N almost let out a loud shriek when she turned around only to almost crash into a certain Hermes boy. He had oh-so coincidentally been standing on the Athena’s cabin porch.

“What are you doing here?” She quietly hissed, on edge from both her dream and seeing the very boy her mother despised.

“I had a feeling you couldn’t sleep. The first few days are always the worst. You’re homesick and you’re also stuck with the realisation that you probably won’t ever go back.” Luke’s grin was visibly in the dim light coming from his lantern. “If I’m being honest, I was just on patrol duty and you happened to step out while I passed by.”

Y/N fidgeted with her fingers as she slowly sat down on the squeaky porch, wincing as it creaked. “What was the first night like for you?” She slowly questioned, staring up at Luke.

He shrugged. “Hard. I missed my mom and my friends and, well, Thalia.”

Y/N tilted her head to the side at the mentioning of Thalia’s name. “Who’s that?”

Luke paused before he glancing over at the lonesome tree on the hill. “This is going to sound stupid to you but she’s that tree. She was my friend while I was on the run from monsters. We then found Annabeth. Our satyr guide led us here but we were being chased by monsters. Thalia fought some of them off but there were too many… she would’ve died if it were for her father, Zeus, saving her.”

“He turned her into a fucking tree.” Y/N deadpanned.

Luke quietly groaned, “That’s the same ready Percy had as well. Why did the king of the gods turn his daughter into a tree of all things to save her life? I don’t know. I ain’t Zeus. Yeah, a tree is stupid but hey, at least she’s not dead.” Luke sarcastically smiled while Y/N remained unamused.

“I would rather die than become a tree.” She replied, “Imagine all your leaves falling during winter. You’re basically bald then.”

“If you were a tree, I’d cut you down.” Luke snapped back before he could still himself.

“So, Thalia. Tell me more about her.” Y/N abruptly switched topics.

“She was a little fiery and prideful but that’s expected of Zeus’ daughter. To be honest, she was a little bit like you. She seemed to have a soft spot for Annabeth. I think she preferred Annabeth over me.”

“Wow, what a shocker. I prefer Annabeth too.”

“I was young back then but I’m pretty sure I had a crush on Thalia. She could get me to do anything with one look.” Luke slowly trailed off while Y/N bit the inside of her cheek. Her heart felt unexpectedly heavy and for a moment, she thought she was sick.

“I should go to bed now. I’m feeling tired.” She stood up, stretching her stiff limbs. “See you later, Castellan.” Y/N walked back into her cabin before Luke could reply. He watched her disappear, leaving him standing alone in front of the porch.

He sighed. “Good night to you too, writer.”

Y/N was in the bathroom, washing her face tired face, when somebody else entered. They awkwardly stood behind her for a few moments before clearing their throat.

Y/N opened her eyes and wiped away the beads of water that dripped down her chin.

“You did some mean damage on Akut.”

In the mirror’s reflection, Y/N could see a pretty Ares girl with long, curled hair and a camp t-shirt a size too big. She was shorter than Y/N, not by much, but the H/C-nette still had to look down.

Clarisse had changed a lot but Y/N could still recognise that familiar glimmer in her old friend’s eyes.

“So this is where you disappeared off to?” Y/N questioned as Clarisse stepped closer. The brunette was now standing beside Y/N, leaning against the sink next to her with her arms folded over her chest.

“I never thought I’d see you again.” Clarisse uttered, her gaze looking Y/N up and down, “You’ve grown… a lot.”

“So have you, Clari. You look good.”

“You look better. You might turn me lesbian. It’s a shame you like Luke.”

Y/N paused and furrowed her eyebrows. “I don’t like Luke.” She said, but it was mainly to reassure herself. She heard Clarisse laugh.

“He’s all you look at. For a daughter of Athena, you aren’t too smart on this topic.”

Y/N remained stone-faced as she calmly turned to look at Clarisse. “I don’t like him.” She repeated, this time firmer.

Clarisse hummed as if she wasn’t convinced. “He’s always looking at you, by the way. You being claimed means he sees you less and I think he misses you. But you shouldn’t care. You don’t like him.” She teasingly smiled as she applied a heavy layer of gloss onto her lips.

Y/N said nothing as she looked away, splashing another handful of cold water onto her face.

“You probably remind him of Thalia. Headstrong and stubborn.”

Y/N let Clarisse’s words sink in before she opened her mouth. “I’m not Thalia.” She quietly muttered. “I remind Luke of Thalia. I remind Annabeth of Thalia. But I’m not her. My identity is not tied to Zeus’ half-blood daughter.” Y/N clenched her hands into fists. “It was nice catching up, Clari. Next time we talk, we should tell each other about our lives after we parted.”

Y/N dabbed her face with a soft cotton towel as she walked back to the Athena cabin, almost groaning at the sight of Luke. “What are you doing here? Again?” She demanded, kicking his ankle.

“Woah! Hey, I’m waiting for Annabeth. I’m not here to annoy you. Yet.” Luke grinned as he leaned against a wall. Or he tried to, at least. He underestimated the distance and ended up falling.

“Smooth, Castellan.” Y/N sarcastically said as she towered over him.

“Thanks, writer. I try.” Luke coolly played his embarrassing mistake off while Y/N rolled her eyes.

“Luke, what are you doing?” Annabeth pushed open the door, arching an eyebrow at the boy who was sprawled across the floor.

“Y/N pushed me.”

Y/N scoffed, “I did not. You fell by yourself, Castellan. Like an idiot, might I add.” She brushed past Annabeth.

“You like her.” Annabeth blurted out as soon as Y/N was out of earshot. It was more of a harsh statement than anything else.

“I do not.”

“You do. What about Thalia? Why don’t you like her anymore?”

Luke furrowed his brows as he glanced at Thalia’s tree. “Thalia’s a tree, Annabeth. I have to move on at some point.”

Annabeth clenched her hands into fists as she glared at Luke. “I don’t want you to move on!”

Luke was confused as to why Annabeth was acting this way. He knew she missed Thalia but she had never burst into a fit. “Annabeth… I have to. You said you liked Y/N.”

“I do… but she’s not Thalia.”

Y/N woke up covered in a thin layer of sweat. She quietly panted. Her dreams were all the same now and depicted Athena ruthlessly lecturing her over and over again to the point where Y/N felt a little scared.

She heard someone shift in their bed. “Are you okay?” Y/N heard Annabeth whisper from across the room.

Y/N gave herself a moment to catch her breath before she sighed. “Yeah… just a bad dream, you know? I’m going outside for a bit.” Y/N kicked the covers off her body, shakily standing up.

“Thalia wouldn’t do that.” Annabeth muttered, “She doesn’t like going outside after nightmares.”

Y/N bit back an annoyed huff. “I’m not Thalia, Annabeth. I never will be her. You and Luke should let it go.” She walked out of the cabin, resisting the urge to slam the door.

“Oh, wow. This is just creepy. Are you sure you aren’t stalking me?” Luke grinned while Y/N sarcastically smiled. She sat down on the steps.

“Does Annabeth always go around and comparing people to Thalia?” She was straight forward and blunt. Luke clicked his tongue as he took the spot next to her.

“Not really… no.“

“Do you see me as Thalia?”

“I see Thalia in you but I know how to tell the difference between you too. Listen, Annabeth was attached to Thalia. And with new things coming to light, she’s on guard.”

Y/N turned to look at Luke, gazing at him in confusion. “New things?” She questioned.

“New… feelings.”

“… New feelings for Thalia the tree?”

Luke held his face in his hands as he groaned. “How are you a daughter of Athena? I’m giving you all the hints, writer.”

Y/N only raised her eyebrows. “I see no hints. All I see is your infatuation with a tree that was once a girl.”

“I like you.” Luke blurted out, unable to withstand any more of her obliviousness. “I don’t like Thalia. Maybe I did before but like I told Annabeth, I have to move on.”

Y/N was silent. She stared ahead while Luke awaited her reaction. Finally, Y/N said something. “You can’t like me… you don’t know me, Luke.”

“But I do! I know your favourite food and I know your favourite book. I know when people ask what your favourite colour is, you say it’s stupid to have one but your favourite colour is actually (insert)! I know you hate parties but you also want to feel like a normal teenager. And I know your favourite drink is (insert) yet the best one you’ve tried is in that cafe across from the school. I know things you didn’t know that I knew”- Luke cut himself off with a small sigh. “My point is I know you!”

“Did you mean you know things I didn’t know you knew about me?”

“Yes!” Luke quietly hissed, not wanting to be too loud in case he woke up the Athena kids. They wouldn’t be too happy about that. “And I know that you like correcting people’s grammar because the only paper you scored a B on was because you made grammar mistakes. You think you’re helping people but they think you’re a know-it-all. Though, when you explain your intentions, they realize you were only trying to help.”

Y/N stared at Luke with her lips parted. “Are you stalking me?” She murmured.

“No… yes? It was part of my quest, writer. I had to.”

“Well, that’s not creepy at all.”

“Are you even listening to what I’m saying? I just said I like you and you called me creepy.”

“You are for knowing all that information about me!”

“Okay, okay.” Luke held his hands up in surrender, “Truce. I really do like you, writer.”

“And here I thought you hated me. What was up with all our bickering then?”

“It was the only way to get your attention. And, I must admit, I did feel a little jealous of you. You were so good at everything… and I’m only good at swinging a sword around.” Luke’s gaze flickered to the ground. He thickly swallowed before lifting his head again. He quickly realized how close he was to Y/N, their foreheads almost butting against each other.

“Do you really like me, Cast-Luke?” Y/N quickly corrected herself. Luke could feel a grin stretch across his lips. Y/N had never called him by his first name before. It was always Castellan this, Castellan that.

“I do. I like you, Y/N. I really, really like you.”

“Okay.” Y/N whispered, slowly leaning forward. She was afraid of what her mother would say but when her lips met Luke’s, suddenly she didn’t care.

All that mattered were Luke’s hands trailing up to grab her waist and the smile that spread across his face like gleeful wildfire.

PJO TAG LIST (FULL) : @lostinhisworld @julielightwood @jennapancake @evrybodydies1 @kkrenae @s0ulsniper @justanotherkpopstanlol @simpforeveyone @papichulo120627 @corpsebridenightamare @lilacspider @urmomsbananabread @ur-lacol-dsylexic @hottiewifeyyyy @kamiliora @be-bap @finnickodaddy @th0tblckgrl @shoyofroyoyoyo @syraxesrevenge @ahh-chickens @dracoslovergirl @midnightstar-90 @liv1104 @krkiiz @arialikestea @lizziesliz @maryclx01 @lukecastellandefender @yuminako @coryoskywalker @crybabysbakery @jsbabyyy @liviessun @p3pperm1nttea @angie-esc @purplerose291 @prettylilsimp @10ava01 @happy-jj @czennieszn @gisellesprettylies @loveyava @kamiliora @jamesmackreideswife @2hiigh2cry @xx-all-purpose-nerd-xx @randomgurl2326 @niktwazny303 @luvvfromme @y0urm0m12 @mochi-lover26 @annispamz

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[webslingingslasher]

i wanna bite peter. no. i NEED to bite Peter.

his skin looks so yummy i crave it😁😁

it's been a long three days and you've missed your frat boy past the point of insanity.

mentally, you were scratching your arms and had a twitchy eye. physically, you were power walking to frat row. the second, and you mean the second, peter texted you and told you he was back from his weekend trip, you dropped everything to see him.

he wasn't even done unpacking when he heard your soft stomps up the stairs, he knows it's you just by the sound. peter had missed you more than he would admit, he couldn't wait to give you a bruising kiss to prove it.

'petey!' it's loud and he doesn't care one bit. his girls in front of him.

'trouble!' opening his arms wide, he's ready for the hug of his lifetime. you're nearly bouncing over to him before pulling his arm down. peter's eyebrows furrow, he thinks you're going for an awkward wrap around, until you tug his shirt sleeve up and sink your teeth into the meat of his bicep.

'ah! you vermin, get away!' he's doing the world's weakest job at pulling away, you smile into his skin before shaking your head like a dog with a bone.

peter had expected you to jump on him and kiss over his face. you had done nothing but tell him how much you missed him and his 'strong arms' and the second you can be in them again, you treat him like a chew toy.

you missed his arms alright, missed eating them, that is.

'hey, c'mon, i missed you too! i want a hug and a kiss, then you can nibble as much as you want.'

you dot kisses over the skin you had under your teeth, 'i missed you so much.' peter's whiny this time, 'then give me a hug!' he wants his arms around you so bad.

you wrap your arms around him and tuck your head under his chin, you can tell how much he really missed you when he fully relaxes into your hold.

'slept like shit without you.' kisses on your forehead has you happily sigh into his chest. 'liar, you hate sharing a bed with me. you always threaten to kick me out.'

peter didn't realize how much he missed you waking him up in the middle of the night for some bogus reason. it made him feel loved, it didn't matter what time it was, you wanted him to be the first person you told anything to, even if it was just a weird dream.

he won't admit that though, instead he says, 'you're right, it was nice not being woken up to cold feet and philosophical questions.'

'knew it,' that means you know he missed you more than he'd ever tell you. 'can i please have a kiss now?' if you'd ever say no to that question, especially when he asks it as soft and hesitant as he just did.

but that doesn't mean you can't give him shit, you let out a pretend groan, 'fine, i guess so.' revealing your face, you blink at the overhead light in his room.

instead of grabbing you passionately, he cups your cheeks and smushes your lips together in a pout. peter takes his time looking you over, he's silent and it makes you feel shy.

While you look down for a second, peter whispers out to you.

'my baby.'

his lips are on yours, a sense of home and peace envelops you. clenching at the waist of his shirt, you lean up to fully melt into him. peter's thinking the same way, wrapping an arm around your lower back to pull you flush into him.

peter pulls away for just a second before he's back on you, placing three quick pecks before breaking out in a smile.

'i have no fucking idea how i'm going to survive the summer,' you bite down on your lip, summer is months away, he's not able to imagine a future without you and it makes you ultra giddy.

'easy, i come stay with you for a few weeks. i think may and i would get along.' you expected him to roll his eyes, instead he nods his head. 'i think she'd love that, she's always hinting she needs another woman around her.'

you kiss your teeth at him, 'three days without me and you're planning the future. i love to see it.'

'it made me realize how much i like having you around me, even if you're biting me.'

you gasp, eyes widening at the forgotten idea. 'oo, thanks, petey!' you swing your head to clamp your teeth into his arm, a hiss follows.

'you're a fucking rat and so uninvited from my aunt's house!' 

[moseyluvs]

Terlingua Girl - Pt.1

Matty Healy x Cowgirl!OC

A/N: she’s here!! It’s mostly preamble so things make sense in the future but nonetheless she is HEREEEEEE! Enjoy hotties.

Word Count: 1378

Warnings: none.

———

For the first time in a long time, Matty Healy is completely silent. Sitting in the last row of the large black SUV, looking wistfully out the window sits an utterly quiet Matty. Dark curls tousled, eye bags prominent, it's almost unsettling to the rest of the boys on the “detox” that his headphones haven't left his ears since the plane ride here.

He’s in his head, swirling thoughts of past conversations, paths he’d wished he’d taken, Matty is starting to spiral. He can’t get out of his head.

That's why they are on the trip in the first place. No phones, no social media, no civilized society, nothing but making a record on some Texas compound in the middle of the state. He knows it's for his own good, leaving everything behind for a while. Savoring the final moments of his phone he types his passcode in with his thumb almost secretively, almost like he’s ashamed to care that the message sits there at all. He checks his messages one last time, maybe it's changed, and maybe he’ll have to courage to open it.

1 Unopened Message Look Matty I love you it’s just…

He sighs and clicks the power button, taking out his wired headphones to join the lively conversation taking place in the row in front of him.

“-Nah mate im telling you it'll be good, you lot are too accustomed to the city,” says Arthur driving the car, one elbow casually resting on the center console.

He's a producer friend of Jamie’s and has some connection to some property in the country that's “so fucking cool it's mental mate”. He works well with George and after a particularly harrowing cancellation, a weekend plan turned into a summer-long break from the public eye.

“Oh look who decided to join them convo, you done being dramatic?” George smirks turning at the shuffling of Matty putting his headphones in his too-full backpack.

“Fuck off,” Matty mutters not even caring to look up at the blonde.

“It's jokes mate, but god knows you use your mindset for this album well chart!” Ross laughs shifting to face Matty as well.

Giggles are let out amongst the grown men in the car. Matty is not amused in the slightest, a scowl finds its way upon his face. Matty looks up at the men and opens his mouth to rattle off some witty dig when Arthur interrupts.

“Everyone hold on this is where things get a little bumpy” He sharply turns onto a dirt road, and everyone is too busy holding on for their life to continue their tiff.

—----------

They pull up to the compound at dusk after excessively long on the nauseating dirt road. Matty wasn't quite sure what he was expecting, maybe a horror movie house, full of spiders and creaking floorboards but what he was met with was far nicer than anticipated.

The spacious ranch house is surrounded by fields, with a little creek rolling through the property cutting it in half length-wise.

A sprawling deck extends from the back of the house, full of outdoor furniture with a barbeque and a fireplace. Adorning the deck are delicate string lights, their glow illuminating the space warm and inviting, especially as the pink skies fade into pale powdery purples. If he hadn't given up his phone to Arthur a few minutes prior he’d have taken a picture to send to his mom.

It's as he’s surveying the property when he sees it, a small house just on the other side of the creek. He swears he can see a silhouette in the window, lights softly glowing through thin curtains when a hand lands on his back startling him from his discovery.

“Let's go in yeah?” Says Adam with a soft smile. He leads Matty inside one hand on the strap of his own backpack, the other still on Matty's back. Matty shrugs it off and walks beside him in silence breaking apart to claim his room for the future months.

After he gets slightly unpacked and changes out of his travel clothes, the group congregates in the living room to set up where they’ll be physically making the record.

“There’s honestly plenty to do just help yourselves to the land and the house whatever sparks your creative juices you know?” Arthur starts unpacking production equipment, making a makeshift studio while giving his spiel.

“Just don't fuck with the livestock Lou gets all pissy when you fuck with the livestock and I do not want to be yelled at because someone wanted to pet a fucking cow and spooked the whole herd again,” Arthur says sternly, eyes wide.

“Who the fuck is Lou?” Says George, visibly confused.

“Livestock attendant, the compound is technically a vacation house for some rick fucks so they needed somebody to watch the land and keep up the animals,” Arthur explains continuing his grappling with the tapestry. Ross reaches up to help him, pinning it in place immediately. “Thanks, mate.. well that person is Lou”

Matty has no interest in another guy joining their circle, another guy to mess up their dynamic, another guy to mistake as a friend. Adam senses his uncomfortable energy and shoots Ross a look, the bearded man shoots him one back, shrugging.

Matty ignores the worried stares and unspoken comforts and walks to his room without so much as a peep, feet padding along the cold concrete floors.

“We’re worried about him yeah?” says Adam still looking at where Matty stood only seconds ago, as if he left a dark cloud in his path.

“Yeah” Sighs George.

—--

Matty shoots up, sweaty, rigid, and breathless. His legs stick to the white sheets of the bed, crisp cotton turned damp and constricting. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon but the heat of the day has already started. The thick air is filling his lungs, Matty needs a smoke.

Not bothering to change out of the plaid pajama pants and lack of a shirt, he rifles through his backpack pockets searching for his cigarettes. After finding his saving grace in the deepest pocket, he rushes down the long halfway to the back porch frantically lighting his cigarette when he sees her.

She sits on an old wooden fence, all pouty lips, tangled hair, and long legs knocking around in an old pair of cowboy boots. She’s facing the other way toward the pasture, head turned over her shoulder to get a look at the shirtless stranger who looks far too out of place.

Matty rakes through her appearance, light wash cutoffs, and a white tank top you can see through if you squint. She's a gangly little thing really, with freckles upon her cheeks and brown hair bleached a dirty blonde from the sun. She seems unruly, with bruises on her legs, and hands dirtied from caring for the creatures, but she seems…free.

“I take it you’re my new summer neighbor” she breaks the silence, revealing a slight southern drawl, spinning around on the fence to face the man who more so resembles a flustered teenager in the current predicament.

“I’m Lou” she continues cocking her head to the side flicking her eyes to his tattoo-filled abdomen. A slight smirk playing on her pink lips.

It hits Matty that this is the Lou he was worried about. Lou is not a man, she's instead quite possibly the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. Matty feels the need to puff out his chest suddenly self-conscious of the vulnerability, and the shy nature he doesn't typically carry.

“Oh- uh- yeah I guess I am” he manages to choke out.

She grins. There’s a sparkle in her eye, a glint of curiosity. He's something shiny, something new, something to discover.

“Well alright stranger, If you go put on some real clothes I'll show you something cool, yeah?” She states as if he would immediately obey. Matty Healy is no “simp” he doesn't do whatever a chick wants him to do. He is a cold player who calls his own shots. But the way he treks back to his room to throw on a pair of jeans and an old band tee makes him seem quite the opposite.