#if I said this is the first time I've drawn him smiling... what's wrong with me

[nicecrumbart]

I've got the 'cant stop drawing a character until the design is perfected and I can draw in it my sleep' disease someone sedate me

[totalswag]

worthy of love — RAFE CAMERON

authors note something short and cute for you guys. also, rafe deserves to be treated with the love that he desires. he just wants to be understood yall.

paring mean!rafe x soft!reader

summary soft!reader wants to show mean!rafe that he's worthy of love but he pushes reader away until one day he finally knows what love truly feel like.

warnings neglect, feeling unworthy of love, ward being a shitty father, and a lovely happy ending.

Rafe Cameron believed he would never be capable of love in his life.

Raised in a family where love was a rare commodity, Rafe grew up believing that affection, vulnerability was a weakness that should be avoided at all costs. But little did he know that someone was about to turn his life upside down and teach him the true meaning of love.

You.

His father, Ward Cameron, is part of the reason Rafe is the way he is. Ward tells him to man up rather than express his feelings and be vulnerable. Overall, his father has never treated him with the proper care compared to his two younger sisters. This sent Rafe into a downward spiral, leading to a darker path in his life. Rafe held his guard up.

You entered his world like a breath of fresh air, bringing with you a warmth and tenderness he had never felt before. Rafe first rejected your presence, pushing you away with his harsh remarks and cold demeanor. But you saw through his strong facade, understanding the agony and vulnerability that lay underneath the surface.

"Why do you treat me like this? I’m not someone that deserves to be loved." 

Rafe was initially perplexed as to why, of all the people on the island, someone as kind and gentle as you would want to be with him. 

One of the many things Rafe would tell you when you tried to show him that he’s capable of being loved by someone, he would shut you out immediately when you tried showing him.

People said you were crazy for pursuing Rafe Cameron. His reputation in Kildare is immense. You just chose to ignore what other people had to say because you felt Rafe deserved love.

The first time you heard those words come out of his mouth, your heart broke into a million pieces. Behind all of the roughness, coldness, and unpredictable behavior, he is someone who wants to be loved.

Rafe continued to push you away for the longest time, hoping you would get the hint. Finally, giving in after protracted arguments. For far too long, he had kept his guard up to protect himself. He did not want to feel weak for expressing himself. Rafe noticed how long you stayed by his side.

You gradually began to break down the walls Rafe had placed around his heart. You showed patience and understanding by refusing to give up on him, even when he tried to push you away. Rafe became increasingly drawn to you as time passed, yearning for the love and acceptance that had always escaped him.

Rafe started to trust again as your relationship deepened. He progressively exposed a gentler, softer side of himself, something he had never seen before. He realized there are individuals out there, like you, who care passionately and will be by his side through thick and thin.

All he ever wanted was to feel fully understood and seen. You came into his life when he was in the deepest pain and saved him. You showed he’s worthy of love, compassion, gratitude, and vulnerability are truly like, and there is nothing wrong with it. He transformed into a very different person than anyone could have predicted.

"You're the most amazing person I've ever laid eyes on, baby," Rafe said with a lovely smile on his lips, sliding the front strand of your hair behind your ear as you moved your body closer to his and closed your eyes.

“I love you so much rafey” kissing his bare shoulder a few times.

“And I love you more,”

my taglist!

✰ if you would like to be added to my taglist and be notified whenever i post please let me know in the comments or in my ask box. if there's a line across your name that means i couldn't find your account.

@chenslucy @winterrrnight @rosezza @solanathascientst @runningfrom2am @brooklynscherry-z @johannelis2302nely

[wlw-imagines]

A Green Duffel - Emily Prentiss x Reader (Criminal Minds)

a/n: i've survived to day two of may fics - although not sure too many fics going into may will reach a word count as much as the JJ fic did, i may not survive that - but here is more criminal minds!!!!!

summary: you are the newest recruit to the BAU. You're quiet and reserved. Emily Prentiss clocks it immediately: the silence, the tension in your shoulders, the green duffel bag always at your side like a shield.

While the team warms up to you quickly, Emily finds herself drawn in, trying to connect. But every attempt is met with polite, muted smiles. She starts wondering if she’s doing something wrong.

Part of May Prompts: Day Two, a green duffel bag

You arrive on a Wednesday. No big announcement, no formal welcome. Just a nod from Hotch, a paper to sign, and a desk at the edge of the bullpen. Exactly as you wanted it. Your green duffel bag lands on the floor beside your chair with a soft thud. It’s scuffed, weathered, the kind of thing someone’s had for years. You keep one hand on the strap even as you sit.

“Hi,” you say to the agents around you, to no one in particular. Not cold. Just... quiet.

Emily watches from a few desks over. She’s halfway through her second coffee, watching the way your eyes track the room like you’re already mapping the exits. Like you’re waiting to be asked to leave before you’ve even started.

“Hey,” she tries, going for the casual tone. “What’s with the bag?” She nods towards your duffel sitting at your feet.

You glance at it. Then at her. “Just... my stuff.”

There’s a moment, an oppurtunity for this something to turn into a conversation, but then you pop in one headphone and look away. Emily doesn't push, doesn't pry, doesn't scoff. She just hums and lets her gaze linger on you a moment longer before pulling herself back to her work.

Later, you eat lunch alone. Headphones in. Not music, probably. Maybe just white noise or a podcast. Garcia tries to sit beside you, but she can see you are tense, it is subtle but sharp. She retreats with a gentle smile.

Emily still doesn’t push. Just watches.

That week, she holds the elevator when she sees you coming. Once, she places a second coffee cup beside yours on a slow morning. Doesn’t comment on whether you drink it.

She starts small. Sticky notes on your files.

“Nice work on the timeline.” “You caught that detail no one else did. Good eyes.”

You don’t respond at first. But you stop throwing the notes away.

By the next Friday, she sees you reading one of them twice before sliding it carefully into the pocket of your coat.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

The case is brutal. A hostage situation in the middle of a residential neighborhood. There are too many eyes, too many variables. By the time the chaos shows any sign of clearing, the sun is dipping behind the skyline and you're kneeling in the dirt, your gun still raised, a young, trembling kid clinging to your arm.

You talk the older child down gently. Not with training, not really, but with something softer. Realer. You kneel to his eye level, your voice low and steady. You don’t promise it’ll be okay, you just stay with him until he lets go of the knife and starts to cry.

Later, back at the precinct, Emily passes by the makeshift kitchen where you’re washing blood off your hands. She leans in the doorway, arms crossed. Watching.

“You didn’t even flinch.”

You glance at her. Shrug. “I used to flinch too much. So I... I guess I just stopped.”

It’s not said with pride. Just fact.

Emily looks down at the scuffed tile floor. “I saw how you worked with that kid. It was... special."

You don’t respond, but something in your shoulders softens.

When you return to the BAU the next day, your green duffel is tucked right under your desk again. You never leave it in the locker room. Even when it’s just a paperwork day, even when you’re not on rotation. Always there. Like an anchor.

Emily notices. Of course she does.

She gestures toward it one afternoon, nonchalant. “That thing’s seen more desks than some of our interns.”

You smirk. “Probably smells worse, too.”

She smiles back. A real one this time.

“Still not gonna tell me what’s in it?”

You lean back in your chair, arms crossed. Not defensive. Just... considering. Eventually you shrug, not answering but not really avoiding. “It’s just easier this way,” you say eventually. “Having it close.”

There’s a silence that follows. Not awkward but thoughtful.

Emily tilts her head. “Easier?”

You nod. “In case I need to go. In case I forget where I am. It’s dumb.”

She doesn’t say anything for a long moment. Then she turns to go, tossing her words over her shoulder as she walks away:

“I don’t think it’s dumb.”

You glance down at the bag.

Neither do you, really.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

You don’t show up that Friday. No message. No explanation.

Garcia assumes you took a personal day, but Emily knows better. You didn’t clear it with Hotch. You left no trace. Not even the green duffel bag sits under your desk, just the empty space where it usually lives, like something missing from a room you didn’t realize had changed.

By Saturday evening, Emily is pacing her apartment. She’s already texted once. 'Hey. Just checking in. You okay?' She didn’t want to overstep. She’s typing again now, something a little more direct, deletes it. Tries again. Repeats, 'Are you okay?' Deletes that too. In the end, she just stares at your contact name until her screen dims.

Garcia calls it a Y/N spiral. The kind where you vanish and come back like nothing happened, your emotions sealed off like rooms in a locked house. “I think she's just the kind of person who… forgets people care,” Garcia says softly, concern etched between every word.

Emily doesn’t answer. She’s already thinking about Monday.

And just like clockwork, you stroll into the BAU that morning, coffee in hand, hair still damp from a shower. No explanation, no apology. Your duffel bag is slung over your shoulder, same as always, dropped beneath your desk like a piece of punctuation at the end of a long sentence.

You look… fine. A little tired. A little more pale. But whole.

Emily waits until lunch to say something. She finds you alone by the vending machine, staring at the blinking lights like you’re trying to make a decision but forgot what it was.

“You can’t vanish like that,” she says gently, not accusing. Not angry. Just… exhausted with concern. “We care about you.”

You blink, like the words don’t make sense. “I didn’t think anyone would notice.”

Emily breathes in through her nose, then out. “I noticed.”

Later that evening, when the office is quiet again and all conversation has died down, Emily returns to her desk and finds a note stuck to her monitor. A small post-it, your handwriting barely more than a whisper.

Thank you for noticing.

She holds the note between her fingers for a long time, smiling faintly like it’s something precious. And it is.

It’s not a conversation. It’s not a confession.

But it’s something.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

It’s late again. It's always late around here. Most of the team has already gone home. Only you and Emily remain.

She finds you curled up on the couch in the break area, half-asleep, your duffel bag wedged between your knees like a shield. You look small in a way that doesn’t match the rest of you, all sharp edges and clipped responses during the day. Now, you're just… sleepy.

She doesn’t speak right away. She just sits across from you, watching the way your fingers absently tighten around the strap of the bag, like you’re afraid it might disappear if you let go.

Rubbing your eyes, you eventually murmur, “Didn’t feel like going home.”

Emily nods. “I’ve had days like that.”

You glance down at the duffel bag. The fabric is worn at the seams, a little frayed where the handles meet the zipper. It’s seen miles. Cities. Sleepless nights. Places you don’t talk about.

Emily’s voice is soft when she asks, “Can I ask what’s in it?”

You hesitate again, trying to test out the idea of opening up to this woman. But something in her tone, not demanding, not curious for curiosity’s sake, makes it feel safe.

“It’s… everything,” you say finally, like you are revealing the innermost part of you. “Clothes. A toothbrush. A blanket. Letters. Spare phone charger. There’s a book I’ve never finished. Some stuff from the academy.”

She tilts her head slightly. “You carry it with you all the time.”

You shrug, staring down at the scuffed floor. “It just… felt easier that way. I didn’t always have somewhere to land as an adult, or as a kid, so I kept everything important close. I guess I never really stopped.”

Emily doesn’t move, doesn’t interrupt. You go on, voice quieter now.

“I bounced around a lot as a kid, got used to it, swore I never would when I grew up." You sniffled a little, "Guess I was too used to it. When I first started bouncing between field offices, it was just easier not to unpack. I’d stay in motels, sometimes friends' couches. And the bag-” You laugh softly, self-deprecating. “It was like my home. Everything I trusted fit in here.”

You glance up to find Emily watching you with something unreadable in her eyes. Not pity. Not judgment.

Understanding.

“It’s not dumb,” she says, voice gentle. “We all carry something.”

You smile, barely. “Yeah? What do you carry?”

For a moment, Emily doesn’t answer. Then she reaches forward, fingers brushing the worn canvas of your bag before her eyes meet yours. You took a deep breath in, she was close. You avert your eyes.

“More baggage than that could fit,” she murmurs. “And hope. That someday, you’d talk to me like this.”

You meet her gaze once more. It lingers this time.

And for once, you don’t pull away.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

It’s quiet in the kitchenette. The kind of silence that hums under your skin, like the whole world is holding its breath. The coffee pot is still half full from hours ago, untouched and cold. You’re standing at the counter, back to the door, shoulders tight, trying not to cry.

But you are. Quietly. The kind of crying that sneaks up on you, you weren't expecting it. Your throat was tight, breath shallow, tears slipping down your cheeks without permission.

You press your hands against the edge of the counter. As if you could hold yourself together with just that.

Then, behind you comes the soft scuff of boots.

You don’t have to turn to know it’s Emily.

She doesn’t say anything at first. Doesn’t ask questions. Just steps into your orbit like she’s done a hundred times before, but this time, she stays.

“I’m fine,” you murmur, even though you’re clearly not. Even though your voice shakes and your shoulders do too.

Emily doesn’t call you out on the lie. She just says, “I’m here.”

And then, gently, like approaching a scared animal, she reaches for you. Her hand rests lightly on your back, just between your shoulder blades. Warm. Steady.

You go still.

For a moment, it’s too much. The kindness. The contact. The safety.

Then, slowly, you turn toward her. And it happens without decision. Your head dips, your arms slip around her like it’s the most natural thing in the world, like your body’s known all along what to do when it finally felt safe enough.

You sink into her like she’s gravity.

Emily wraps her arms around you without hesitation, holding you tightly, not to fix anything, not to pry it open, just to be there. Just to anchor you.

You bury your face in her shoulder, the fabric of her shirt already damp where your tears soak through. Your voice is muffled when you finally speak.

“That’s why I’m scared,” you whisper.

Emily strokes a hand slowly down your back, soothing, like she knows exactly what to say without words. “I know.”

You pull back just enough to look at her. Your eyes are glassy, lashes wet. “If I let this in… if I let you in… it could- What if it ruins me?”

Her thumb brushes under your eye, catching a tear. Her smile is small, achingly soft.

“Then we’ll be ruined together,” she says.

You laugh, barely. It’s a breath more than a sound. But it’s real. And for the first time in a long time, you don’t feel like you’re carrying the weight of everything alone.

You lean your forehead against hers. Just for a moment.

Neither of you speak.

You don’t need to.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

The morning feels different.

Soft sun through the office windows. A warmth that doesn’t quite reach your desk, but still… it’s something.

Emily’s already at her desk when you walk in. She glances up out of habit, expecting the same routine. The green duffel bag, slung across your shoulder like armour.

But it’s not there.

She blinks. Straightens. Her eyes linger on the space where it should be, and then, slowly, lift to meet yours.

You don’t flinch. Don’t look away.

“I left it at home,” you say, voice quiet, with a small shrug. “Didn’t feel like I needed it today.”

There is a moment of silence.

Then, something warm flickers in Emily's expression, not quite a smile, but close. A small inhale, like she’s breathing in the moment. “I’m proud of you,” she says softly.

You shrug again, slightly more bashfully. But there’s a glint in your eyes, just for her. “It’s just a bag.”

Emily gives a small shake of her head. “No. It’s not.”

You nod. You know she’s right.

You sit down across from her and pull something out of your coat pocket. Folded carefully in your palm, a soft green bracelet, threadbare but strong. A braid of fabric, faded with time. From the bag. From the beginning.

You hold it out to her.

“For you.”

Emily’s brow furrows. “What is it?”

“It’s from the lining of the bag,” you say. “I, um, tore it out last night.” You smile, shy. “Something for you to carry. In case I forget you’re here.”

She takes it without hesitation, fingers brushing yours as she loops it around her wrist. Her thumb lingers at the knot, securing it tightly.

“I won’t let you forget,” she murmurs.

There’s something reverent in the way she looks at it. At you.

Across the bullpen, Garcia peeks around the corner and sees the two of you. She opens her mouth, then pauses. Smiles to herself. Retreats, quietly.

The day passes differently. Lighter.

You still keep your headphones on, but one ear is open now. You laugh at something Morgan says, even roll your eyes affectionately when Reid gets too lost in his own tangent. You still keep to yourself, mostly, but not entirely.

At lunch, Emily passes you a coffee. No words. You take it with a soft thanks, your fingers brushing again.

Later, when you both end up walking down the hallway together, you don’t move away when your arms touch.

It’s not a grand gesture.

Just a small step. But steps add up.

You leave together that night, not because you planned to, but because neither of you considered otherwise.

In the elevator, she glances at the bracelet again. You catch her looking, and for once, you don’t look away.

“You’re not scared?” she asks.

You shrug. “I’m still scared.”

Emily’s hand brushes yours. “Then we’ll be scared together.”

You don’t say anything.

But this time, you let your hand stay.

[artsarasp]

You had people send you fics, but what are personally your fic recommendations?

Or fics you like in general or just find cool/neat?

WELL- First off you can always assume that I'm highly recommending any fic I've drawn art for, that's me pointing a neon sign at it and saying GO READ AND LEAVE A NICE COMMENT TO THE WRITER! I'm gonna go dig in my history to get some recs.

- "dumbstruck when you're tender" by pennydaniels This fic is SO good, I wanted to yell about it by making a drawing but I just couldn't decide what to draw. It's a timetravel fix-it fic where Liu Mingyan goes back in time and fixes the plot by joining Qing jing and basically spends the entire story making SQQ go "what the fuck is WRONG with this girl" .

It scratches an itch in my brain. 10/10 go read it.

"We should stick together" by pennydaniels (again <3)

As the author put it, SJ babytraps LQG without the baby. It's honestly so well written, (i want to personally break the face of SJ's Shizun) there's also a sequel fic where sj is de-aged and its so sweetttttt aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

"held within the sharp and the curving" by corduroyserpent

I've read this the other day and really enjoyed it!!! It's Gongyi Xiao/Zhuzhi-Lang. Zhuzhi-Lang brings Gongyi Xiao back from the dead and its a bit of a mess and then it turns so tenderrr

"How To Train Your Empolyee" by ParueCake (MiraEyeteeth)

I think about this fic so much. It's so good. Shen Yuan is a dragon and he needs someone to help him take care of chores around the house, he gets a tiny terrified Binghe to do the job. But honestly, LQG steals the show for me (CALL ME BIASED, HE'S MY FAV) There one scene in particular that just gives me the biggest smile whenever I think about it and it's when SY and LQG are sparring and SY keeps yeeting LQG far away and he keeps coming back like a cat that likes to be thrown around. ALSO LQG TRYING TO APPLY A TALISMAN ON HIMSELF TO GET RID OF MIND CONTROL AND IT'S NOT WORKING BECAUSE IT'S JUST THE WIFE BEAM- IT'S SO FUNNYYYY Mira said something about writing a LQG pov and I'm staring longingly in their general direction.

"A person I can't recall" by milktan

Honestly, I could recommend all their fics (They are ALL amazing and the ARTTT) but this one scratches that itch in my brain that loves funny misunderstandings like these. You can sum it up as: yqy: oh, my poor shidi is so traumatized :( sqh: FUCK FUCK FUCK *TROWS A MOLOTOV* 10/10 amazing shenanigans

"Seamless" by elanor_pam

This one is just the first chapter but it's so good already!!! Timetravel fix it where we get a front-row seat as YQY absolutely TEARS into the Qiu's, just one chapter and it's already PEAK just for the absolute smack at Qiu Jianluo.

"Celestial Afterglow" by elanor_pam (again <3 )

This one is a weird one, but I had a lot of fun reading it. SQH saves the plot by setting up the weirdest unintentional voyeurism session ever. SQQ turns into a living CLAMP illustration, Xin Mo is defeated by the sluttiest flower in the realm, LQG unlocks the particle effect. Everyone has a great time and the OPM gets destroyed as a little treat <3

[ddlydevotion]

Marriage Headcanons With Bobby Kennedy

“You know you can always come home to the one that gave you your name. ”

a/n: slight mentions of an age-gap, everything else about the reader is nondescript unless stated otherwise.

There'd definitely be a slight age gap between the two of you, similar to the one between his brother and Jackie (36 and 24). Bobby would feel the need to teach you about anything you might've missed out on due to your age. Whether it be him educating you on certain events or introducing you to certain authors or musical artists.

You cannot convince me that Bobby isn't clingy. He'd want to be near you no matter what it was that he was supposed to be doing. If he was reading then he'd want you to be next to him painting or reading a book yourself.

fawning over his baby pictures that you find scattered around the family compound. If your baby fever (entirely influenced by him)wasn't bad enough, seeing your darling husband as a baby definitely did it.

He takes it upon himself to help you with tasks that you're more than capable of completing on your own, he makes EVERYTHING a two person task. If you're getting out of the shower, he'll drape a towel over your slick body before drying you off himself.

I've said this a thousand times and I'll keep on saying it, he'd give you cute little nicknames based off of your characteristics/personality. If you tend to laugh a lot he'll call you giggles/bubbles, if you have curly hair then he'll call you exactly that: curly.

doodling on the letters that you send him while he's out assisting his brother with his campaign. Drawing a little stick man with a dopey smile, floppy hair, wearing a tux and pointing an arrow at it with inked words that say "it's you" with little hearts drawn around it.

Bobby acts like a literal housewife with the way he insists on doing nearly everything around the house (just like a husband should!). You being his wife means he has you on such a pedestal that makes him think you shouldn't be tasked with simple house duties.

He's such a sweet talker and your entire body aches with a pleasant buzz at the sound of his honeyed voice. You can't help but gleam at the fact that his attention is on you, the sweet tone he laces within his voice is for you. He caresses your face as if he's trying to memorize every little detail.

When the two of you first started dating, he acted as your guide on how to handle his parents.

"My mother likes to quiz us a whole lot at dinner, but don't worry. She won't make you answer anything. You're my guest."

If you didn't grow up wealthy then you're bound to get surprised at the whopping price of the gifts Bobby gives you. To him, it's just a nice sundress he knew his wife would look gorgeous in. But to you, it's a nice dress that just so happens to cost the equivalent of an antique vanity (which is a fuck ton). Don't get me wrong, Bobby knows that it's expensive but he also knows that he grew up with wealth all around him. He's used to it!

Going to auctions & estate sales and buying items for Bobby to add to his little historical trinket collection.

He's veryyy attentive when it comes to you. He's come to learn all of the little signs that tell when you're aching to leave an event, when you're tired, or when you're growing impatient while waiting for him to wrap up a conversation.

You could be sitting, quiet and unassuming and he wouldn't waste second before leaning in to grab your hands & bundling them together with his, "what's got you all tense? I feel like you've had something on your mind." Before your lips open to tell him about what's been weighing on you, he immediately cuts in with "y'know you can tell me, sweetheart."

You cannot hide ANYTHING from him. Don't even try to hide your sadness or doubts from him with the excuse of not wanting to disturb him, because he'll always reply with: "I'm your husband. Of course I wanna know what's goin' on in that head of yours", he finishes his sentence with a finger teasingly pointed at your temple.

Bobby is an incredibly busy man and he's always out on his feet ready to assist his brother, almost like a solder of some sort. Due to how busy he is, he sometimes forgets to take his lunch down to his office so that gives you an extra opportunity to see him again as you drop off his lunch (that you made for him).

Constantly praises you for just how sweet of a wife you are. Never lets you forget just how much you and your efforts to make his life easier mean to him.

"You're jus' so gorgeous, y'know that? Do I tell you that enough? yeah? Are you sure?" his teasing tone strengthens as he leans in to press a chaste kiss to your lips.

Credits to @uzmacchiato for the divider!

Taglist 💌: @bluelancergirl @fortheloveofjos @warfaredoll @summerrivera777777 @tomriddlethefinest @darcyspirits @h-l-vlovesvintage @bobbykennedyshusband @divinedelusional

Dedicated to @unmarlou for motivating me to finish this!! I haven’t written for Bobby in so long but I’m glad to be back 🪽🦢

[hishumanbellestories]

First kiss, but nothing serious.

I wanted something about the first kiss between Alastor and Deborah, I let myself go with the feelings, sweet and pathetic. 🫠

The air crackled between you like the charged silence before a storm. It had always been this way with Alastor — his presence was a static hum in your bones, an unseen force twisting the world around him. And yet, you were drawn to it, to him.

He grinned, as he always did; that sharp, ever-present smile that seemed more a mask than an expression. But his eyes — deep, endless red — lingered too long tonight, watching you as if there was something he couldn’t quite place.

«You do enjoy testing your luck, my dear», he said, voice syrupy smooth, but there was something else beneath it. Something unsettled.

You tilted your head, challenging him with nothing but a look.

«And you enjoy pretending you don't care».

For once, he didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he took a step closer, the space between you vanishing like smoke. His gloved hand reached out, hovering just near your cheek, fingers twitching as if fighting the impulse to touch you.

«You make the most dangerous assumptions», he murmured, and his voice was softer now, almost uncertain.

A rare thing.

You could feel his breath, though he didn’t need to breathe; could feel the static between you tightening like a wire pulled taut.

You knew Alastor — knew the way he toyed with the world, with people, but this wasn’t a game, was it?

The moment stretched, a delicate thread of something unnamed. Then, without thought, without fear, you closed the distance, placing your soft lips against his, just to spite him, and ruin his "I've got it all under control" ways.

The kiss was not meant to be anything but a test — chaste, fleeting. But the moment your lips brushed his, a current surged between you, sharp and consuming.

His entire body stiffened, and for a single, breathless second, the ever-present grin faltered. Then, just as quickly, it was back.

He pulled away, laughter bubbling up, but there was something wrong with it — too high, too forced — control slipped from his hands, causing the world to collapse beneath his feet.

«My, my, what a bold little thing you are!», he took a step back, a flicker of something unreadable flashing across his face before his mask slammed firmly back into place. «Careful, darling. You wouldn’t want to start something you can’t handle.»

But you saw it.

The way his hands trembled ever so slightly.

The way his grin no longer reached his eyes.

He didn’t know what this was.

And that...

Terrified him.

For the first time, you saw Alastor shaken. It wasn’t much — just a tremor in his fingers, a flicker of something too raw in his eyes before he forced it back into that gleeful, manic mask. But you saw it. And he knew you did.

He recovered fast, of course. Spun on his heel like nothing had happened, hands slipping into his pockets as he whistled some old radio tune, his voice bright, careless. Too careless.

«Well, well! That was unexpected! Can’t say I planned for a lady such as yourself to be so…», his grin sharpened, «forward».

You crossed your arms, tilting your head.

«It was just a kiss, Alastor».

He stopped.

Just for a second.

Barely noticeable, but you caught it.

He turned to you, that ever-present amusement still there, but something lurked beneath it, something restless.

«Just a kiss?», he repeated it like the words were foreign on his tongue. He took a step toward you, then another, the distance between you vanishing once more.

He didn’t touch you, but you felt him all the same, the crackle in the air thick enough to choke on.

His voice dipped lower, softer, almost dangerous in its curiosity.

«Tell me, my dear… was that just a kiss to you?»

You held his gaze, refusing to flinch.

«I don’t know yet».

His grin widened, but his fingers twitched at his sides. That was new. Alastor never hesitated. He never second-guessed himself. But right now, he was doing both.

For a man who delighted in control, in knowing the game before it was played, this uncertainty was driving him mad.

The silence between you stretched, thick with something unsaid, something unacknowledged. You could see it in his eyes — the war raging inside him.

Then, suddenly, the tension snapped. He laughed. Loud, sharp, as if trying to shatter whatever had settled between you. With a theatrical flourish, he stepped back, hands thrown up as if waving off the entire moment.

«Well! That was certainly entertaining!», his voice was back to its usual, sing-song charm, but there was something off about it. «But really, darling, if you were expecting a fairytale romance, I’m afraid you’ll have to find some other poor fool for that!»

He winked, as if that sealed it, as if he hadn’t just been shaken to his very core.

You didn’t argue. Didn’t push. You just smiled.

«Who said anything about a romantic fairy tale?», you teased.

Because you knew.

He was running.

And one day, he’d realize there was nowhere left to hide.

Alastor kept his distance after that night.

Not in an obvious way — no, he was far too cunning for that. He still laughed with you, still appeared at your side with a flourish and a grin, still teased you like nothing had changed.

But it had.

You saw it in the way his gaze lingered just a second too long, the way his hands would twitch when he got too close, the way his smile would slip — only for a fraction of a moment — whenever you so much as met his eyes for too long.

He was unraveling, and he knew it.

But Alastor didn’t unravel. He didn’t falter. He was chaos, but controlled chaos. And yet, you had done something to him.

And he hated it.

It came to a head one evening, the two of you alone in one of the lesser-used sitting rooms of the hotel. Rain pattered against the windows, and the room was dim, lit only by the flickering glow of an old lamp. It cast long shadows, twisting along the walls like they were alive, like they were watching.

You were watching too.

Alastor had been quiet all night, tapping his fingers against the armrest of his chair, his smile a little too sharp, his posture a little too tense.

«You’re avoiding me», you broke the silence with ease, not bothering to mask the amusement in your voice.

Alastor’s fingers stilled. His eyes flickered toward you, red and unreadable. Then — laughter. Bright, grating, forced.

«Now why would I do a thing like that, darling?», his voice was its usual sing-song self, but it lacked its usual bite. «I think you must be imagining things! After all... I am here, with you, all alone».

You leaned forward, resting your chin in your palm. «Am I?».

He hesitated.

It was brief, but it was still there.

A moment of hesitation, a sliver of uncertainty, and that was all you needed.

«Do you regret it?», you asked, voice softer now.

He went very still.

The shadows stretched around him, his antlers casting long, spindly shapes against the wall. The radio static that always followed him crackled just beneath the surface, an unspoken tension thrumming between you both.

Then — he laughed again, but this time, there was no humor in it.

«Regret?», he cocked his head, grin stretching unnaturally wide.

«Now why would I regret something so insignificant?».

You didn’t flinch. You didn’t even blink.

«Then why are you running from it?»

His smile twitched. It was the smallest thing — so small most people wouldn’t have noticed. But you weren’t most people.

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head as if shaking off something he couldn’t name. Then, with a sudden, almost violent movement, he was out of his chair and in front of you, too fast for you to react. One gloved hand braced against the chair’s armrest, the other hovering just near your face, fingers curling like he wanted to touch you but couldn’t.

Couldn’t.

Or wouldn’t.

You held your breath, but you didn’t look away.

«You think you’re so clever», he murmured, voice too low, too smooth, like a blade hidden beneath silk. «Poking at things you don’t understand. Playing a game you don’t know the rules to».

You smiled, slow and knowing.

«Then tell me the rules, Alastor», your voice firm and your gazes locked.

His breath hitched. Just for a second. And then, something in him snapped.

His lips were on yours before you even had a chance to react.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t soft.

It was a collision — sharp, desperate, edged with something neither of you had words for yet. His hand finally found your face, going against his instinct to give up on you, on your skin. Gloved fingers pressing into your skin, as if grounding himself, as if keeping himself from slipping through the cracks of something he couldn’t understand.

For a moment — just a moment — he let himself have this.

Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over.

He pulled away as if burned, eyes wide, chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven breaths. His lips parted like he wanted to say something, but nothing came.

Then — he laughed.

It was sharp, grating, too loud for the room.

A poor attempt at covering the tremor in his hands, the way his whole body seemed to be fighting against something it couldn’t name.

«Well, now!», he straightened, adjusting his tie with an exaggerated flourish. «That was certainly… enlightening!»

You didn’t speak. You just looked at him.

Waiting.

His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

«But I do believe I’ve kept you up far too late, my dear! Sweet dreams and all that!»

And before you could so much as blink, he was gone, vanished into the shadows like he had never been there at all.

But you knew better.

Because this time — he was the one running.

And sooner or later, he’d have to stop.

The distance didn’t last.

Of course, it didn’t.

You were attracted to each other like two magnets, the attraction for each other was too strong.

Alastor could run. He could retreat into the static, into the shadows, into the illusion that nothing had changed. But it had. And now, it was eating him alive.

It had been days since that kiss, since he had fled from you like a man on the edge of something he couldn’t name, something he couldn’t control. You had given him space, knowing he would break before you ever had to chase him.

And tonight, he did.

It was well past midnight when he found you.

The storm outside had swallowed the sky whole, thunder rolling in waves, rain hammering against the windows like impatient fingers demanding entry. The dim light of the hotel flickered, struggling against the pull of something unseen, something raw and waiting in the air.

You were in the lounge sitting on the sofa, the piano under the moonlight that created nostalgic atmospheres with the shadows of the reflections.

Alastor stood near the grand piano in the lounge, back turned to you, shoulders stiff beneath his coat. The room was empty, silent but for the faint crackle of radio static, seeping from him like a wound he couldn’t close.

You stepped forward.

«Alastor».

He didn’t turn.

«I should have left», he said, voice thick.

His voice was different. Not his usual sing-song lilt, not his playful, taunting tone. It was quiet. Unsteady. Almost human.

You frowned. «Left?»

He let out a short, breathless laugh, shaking his head.

«The moment I met you, I should have left».

Finally, he turned, and when he did, you nearly forgot how to breathe.

Alastor had always been unsettling — too sharp, too knowing, always grinning like he was two steps ahead of everyone else. But now… now he just looked wrecked.

His red eyes burned, feverish, his usual grin nowhere to be found. Instead, his lips were slightly parted, like he wanted to speak but couldn’t form the words.

You stepped closer, and this time, he didn’t back away.

«What are you so afraid of?», you asked, voice gentle.

His jaw clenched. «Don’t».

«Don’t what?»

He exhaled sharply, running a gloved hand through his hair.

«This», he whispered.

«You...», he gestured wildly, like the very idea of you existing in his world was an offense to the natural order of things.

«It’s not supposed to happen like this».

You searched his face. «Like what?»

His eyes flashed. «Like this!»

And suddenly, his hands were on you — gripping your arms, pulling you close, too close.

You could feel the tremor in his fingers, the barely contained storm raging beneath his skin.

«You think I don’t know what you’re doing to me?», he whispered, voice rough, unsteady. «You think I don’t feel it? The way you—», his breath hitched. «The way you’re ruining me?»

Your heart pounded. «Ruining you?»

His grip tightened.

«I don’t love. I don’t want. Not like this».

His voice shook, something raw bleeding through the cracks in his mask.

«Not until you», his voice a tremor.

The words sent a shiver down your spine.

You lifted a hand, brushing your fingers over his jaw, his skin burning even through the gloves. «Alastor…»

He sucked in a sharp breath, as if your touch had cut him open, and for the first time, he didn’t move away.

«I hate this...», he confessed, voice barely above a whisper.

«I hate you», he said again.

«I hate that you’re in my head.

That I dream of you.

That every time I close my eyes, all I see is you. I hate it because I can’t stop it. I hate it because I don't want to stop it».

His forehead rested against yours now, his breath mingling with yours, the storm outside howling like a beast.

You swallowed hard. «Then stop running».

He stilled.

You slid your hands up his chest, fingers curling into his coat, holding him there, as if anchoring him to this moment.

«I don’t want you to love me if it means destroying you. But I see you, Alastor. The real you. And I’m not afraid».

His whole body shuddered, as if your words had shattered something inside him.

And then, before you could say anything else, he kissed you.

It was nothing like before.

There was no hesitation this time, no fleeting, confused touches.

This was something deeper, something desperate, something starving.

His hands tangled in your hair, his body pressing against yours like he wanted to disappear into you, like he wanted to drown in the feeling.

You gasped against his lips, and he swallowed the sound greedily, his grip unrelenting, as if letting go would tear him apart. The static around you roared, the air splitting with unseen energy, lights flickering wildly. The very room seemed to bend around him, as if he was losing control of everything but this.

When he finally broke the kiss, his forehead pressed against yours, his breath ragged, his hands still cradling your face like he didn’t dare let go.

His voice was hoarse, barely audible.

«You ruined me, my dear. You have no idea what it means to want you mine. What it means to be mine. Like a poison you have corroded my mind. My heart».

You smiled. «No. I saved you», a shiver runs down your spine.

Alastor let out a sharp breath, something like laughter, something like surrender.

Then, with a slow, almost reverent touch, he kissed you again.

And this time, he didn’t run.

[uwukillmenowowo]

I was in my class, break time, playing CRK and "Love in Paradise" came up.

AT THE SAME I PULLED WIND ARCHER COOKIE AND I WAS LAUGHING SO FUCKING HARD THE TEACHER SCOLDED ME

Love in the Wind

[Yandere! Wind Archer Cookie x Human! Reader]

Notes:

Reader is female

Reader is a hardcore CRK player.

Buys all the limited packs, saves her gems for Super Epic+ cookies

Etc Etc Etc

But something went... wrong...

When Wind Archer first came out, you were the first to get him and his legendary costume.

You showed him much more love than you have any other cookie. Absolutely maxing him out until he had 1 Million combat power on his own. You got very lucky with the RNG.... Dang...

On the other hand... He loved it.

When he first came, he was already told how he was simply part of a game.

But after experiencing all your affection... He felt something in his code go wrong.

He started admiring you from beyond the screen, making sure his dialogue greeted you first.

Seeing you get all excited all over him flustered him beyond belief.

That's when things got bad.

The others cookies noticed Wind Archer acting out of place.

In turn the others starting acting out too, wanting to be a part of your team, wanting to be useful for their user.

Wind Archer did not like that... and decided to do something drastic

The Unthinkable happened... You were baking a cake when you couldn't find your phone. You looked around desperately since you needed to do your daily tasks. But that's when you heard a loud explosion. That's when you realized that you dropped your phone in the oven. the last thing you saw was your phone glitching all shades of green.

{Second POV}

~~~~~

Waking up slowly, you found yourself in an unfamiliar... yet familiar place. Sitting up, you were shocked to see yourself in clothes that you know all too well. After all, you designed it after Wind Archer Cookie's Legendary costume. "Morning Sleepyhead. You've been resting for a while."

You recognized the voice instantly. When you looked to where the voice came from, you saw the familiar green frosting. Stammering over your words, you stared at Wind Archer Cookie in shock, confusion, but most of all, amazement. "Are you... Real..?" You tilted your head. Wind Archer chuckled softly and sat beside you on the grass. "I swear I thought you were dead when you were laying in the soil."

You sweatdropped and rubbed the back of your neck. "Did you know you talk in your sleep?" Blushing in embarrassment, you chuckled and shook your head no. "Tell me though, who's [User]" In shock, you looked away. That was your username in Cookie Run Kingdom. Does hat mean that all the cookies you have are sentient..? "My... Player name..."

Wind Archer Cookie just smiled. "Anyways I've got all your could want here, all you can need here, just you and me my dear, my love for life!" You gasped at what Wind Archer said. "Wha- I-I'm not that" you blushed and looked away. Only for Wind Archer to suddenly be behind you and hug you tight. "I'm what you want here, I'm what you need dear, Just you and me my Love in Paradise! Now til' the end of time, From here on out you're mine. All mine~"

Flinching, you back up. "Yeah- No I can't stay here that's a fact- Are you sure this ain't a trap?" Wind Archer smirked and moved closer to you. "How cute of you to think, but last I checked, our codes are linked." You felt pale as you bit your lip. "Code?" "You're adorable~" Wind archer pat your head. "Our codes are connected due to your game crashing down on our heads but fear not cuz you're not dead. 'Cause I got all you could want here, all you could need dear, Under my spell, we're stuck in paradise. No one can come or go. My palace stays unknown-"

"No- No..." You look around in desperation to find a way to get out. "I don't belong here! There's something wrong here! I won't be drawn to Love in Paradise- not til the end of time there is no way-" Backing up on the bed, you were simply followed by Wind Archer.

"You're mine~! All mine~!"

I thought of this on the spot- I love this song and I--

WAHDBAWBDHLKHAWDNBJB

I may have made multiple mistakes but ehhhh.....

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 (𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐)

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors and inaccuracies. Not proofread.

Emma: "............"

Emma's face flushed with embarrassment as she lowered her gaze.

Matias: "Don't worry. I won't look at you inappropriately."

Matias: "Even if it's just until your clothes dry, I want you to focus on warming up first."

Emma: "I understand."

Seeing her trembling hand reach for the coat, I turned my back as the firewood crackled softly, blending with the faint rustle of fabric.

Emma: "I took everything off except my underwear."

Matias: "Okay. Put on the coat and sit by the fire, no, wait."

Still facing away, I grabbed her arm just as she was about to move closer to the fireplace.

Her skin was as cold as ice, and the lingering moisture from her wet clothes made it feel damp.

Matias: "You shouldn't warm yourself by the fire like this."

Matias: "If your body temperature drops too much, warming up too quickly can be dangerous."

Matias: "I've seen cases like this several times during winter training."

Emma: "Then what should I do?"

Matias: "You need to warm up slowly with a heat source close to your normal body temperature."

Matias: "Right now, the most ideal heat source here is... me."

Emma: "You mean… your body?"

Emma's breath hitched with unease.

Emma: "Okay, then, will you hold me?"

Matias: "Of course. And I swear—I won't look at you."

Matias: "Even though we're lovers, we have to keep things proper."

She wrapped herself in her coat and pressed her trembling body against me.

I held her tightly from behind, and her snow-dampened hair brushed against my neck.

Emma: "You're so warm."

Matias: "I see. That's good. Just lean on me and relax."

With only a coat between us, her back pressed against my chest, and our heartbeats gradually synced.

Emma: "I'm sorry. My heart must be pounding so loudly."

Matias: "Not at all. If anything, mine is probably louder."

Matias: "I'm trying to stay calm, but I'm still a man."

Matias: "It's impossible not to feel excited being this close to the person I love."

Emma: "I feel the same."

Emma: "When you hold me like this, my heart won't stop racing."

Emma: "..........."

She pulled her coat tighter around herself, shifting slightly before resting her head against my shoulder.

Emma: "It's still really cold."

Matias: "You're still not warm? At least you've stopped shivering."

Emma: "I'm much warmer than before, but I'm still cold."

Emma: "Hey, if I said I wanted to feel your warmth even more… would that bother you?"

Matias: "..........."

Matias: "Are you really okay with that?"

Emma: "Yes."

I touched her cheek and traced my thumb over her lips as she smiled.

The warmth between us had melted away the cold grip of reason, letting an irresistible desire take over.

Matias: "I'll admit—it's not just about staying warm."

Matias: "I simply can't stop myself from wanting to touch you more."

Drawn to her, our lips met.

(Emma's POV)

Emma: "W-Wait a second!"

Matias: "Is something wrong?"

Burning with embarrassment, I watched as Matias tilted his head in confusion.

(I only casually asked how he'd like to spend a snowy day, but I never expected him to have such a heart-racing fantasy.)

Judging by the way the clouds moved and the air felt, it seemed a fierce blizzard was approaching in the next few days.

Even the people of Acroite were preparing for it.

All I'd meant to ask was how he'd spend his day, yet somehow, the conversation had turned into a dramatic "lost in a blizzard" scenario.

Emma: "I think your idea of a perfect snowy day is a little too intense for me."

Matias: "My apologies. I should've been more considerate."

Emma: "N-No, it's fine."

For some reason, his calm demeanor only made my heart pound harder.

Matias: "That being said, what I just described will probably never happen."

Emma: "Why not?"

Matias: "As a soldier, I've learned survival skills for snowy conditions."

Matias: "Even in a blizzard, I rarely get lost."

Matias: "Besides, I would never let you go outside if there were even a chance of a snowstorm."

Matias: "So, this ideal scenario of mine will never come true."

(Oh, so there are times when an ideal can't come true for reasons like this.)

(But if he imagined it in such detail, that must mean he's always wished for it, right?)

(As his lover, isn't there something I can do for him?)

Emma: "There's a blizzard expected in a few days, right?"

Matias: "Yes."

Emma: "Then, if you're okay with it... why don't we try to recreate that scene?"

Matias: "Recreate?"

Two days later.

Just as predicted, Acroite was engulfed in a fierce blizzard, freezing everything in its path.

Emma: "The snow is incredible. Everything outside the window is pure white—I can't see a thing."

Matias: "Good thing we made it to the inn before the storm got worse."

Gazing out of the inn's window, all I could see was a world painted in white.

The fire flickered weakly, and the bitter cold crept into the room—so much so that the only way to stay warm was by sharing body heat.

Part 1 ╎ Part 2 ╎ Part 3 ╎ Part 4

[ilovegeorgie]

let me into your heart

george harrison x reader

genre: fluff & comfort

warnings: sh ! pls don’t read if youre not comfortable with the topic or struggling, remember that you’re not alone <3

summary: ⤦ having a hard time, but he makes it better

a/n: hii, this one is a little more personal (srry for that). i've been struggling with my mental health for a few years now, and because i didn't know how to deal with all, i used to sh. things haven't been that great lately, so i relapsed a while back. that's the main reason i haven't been able to post that much lately, which i'm sorry for. if you're going through a rough time, remember that you're not alone, and don't be afraid to reach for some help <33

the rain had been tapping against the window for some hours now, soft and steady. the room was dim, the curtains drawn, silence on every corner. she hadn’t left her bed all day, not feeling like doing much of anything really, her thoughts distant.

there was a knock at the door, it was soft.

she didn’t answer.

there was a little pause before the door slowly creaked open.

“love?,” george’s voice asked. she hadn’t seen him in a few days. he’d called and even left some flowers outside her door one night, which she found the next morning, with a small note: “thought this one might make you smile. please call me when you're ready. i love you.”

“i’m coming in,” he said gently, peeking his head through the doorway.

she didn’t move, still curled up in bed and buried in blankets, face pressed to a pillow she hadn’t changed in days.

george stepped in quietly. he didn’t say anything at first, just walked over, slow and soft, and sat on the floor beside her bed like he always used to when she’d study or read.

“i was worried,” he murmured, fingers nervously fidgeting. “did i do something wrong?”

her heart cracked a little at the sound of that.

“you didn’t,” she whispered, voice hoarse from disuse. “it’s not you.”

he nodded, trying to understand and, in a way, he did. he didn’t press her, just stayed there, hands resting in his lap. he looked up at her, eyes warm and full of concern.

“i miss you,” he said after a long moment. “even when you’re right here.”

tears pricked her eyes before she could stop them. she hated that she’d been pushing him away. not on purpose, but it was like her body was protecting itself by keeping everyone else out.

“i’m sorry,” she croaked, throat tight. “i don’t know why i’ve been like this. i don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

george shifted closer, “there’s nothing wrong with you,” he said firmly, “you’re just hurting. and there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s okay.”

when she finally sat up, slowly because of the pain in her limbs, george reached for her immediately. not rushed, not forceful, just open arms. like an invitation.

she let herrself fold into him.

he held her close, her head tucked under his chin, his fingers gently brushing up and down her back. she could feel his heartbeat steady, grounding.

“you don’t have to explain it,” he whispered. “you don’t even have to fix it all today. just let me be here with you, please?”

she nodded against his chest, silent tears slipping down her cheek.

“i’ll stay,” he added. “all night, all week if you want. we don’t have to talk, let me hold you. i can play you something later if you feel up to it. or just sit, whatever you need.”

she pulled back just enough to look up at him, his brown eyes soft and sincere, his thumb brushing gently under her eye to catch a tear.

“i love you,” he said simply, “even on your bad days, especially on your bad days.”

george stayed close. he helped her shift the blankets, tucking them around her legs and gently sitting beside her, as if she was made of porcelain. he didn’t ask questions, didn’t make her speak. he just held her hand loosely, his thumb brushing the back of it.

the rain kept tapping softly at the windows.

then, with a small hop, a little blur of fur appeared at the end of the bed.

“is that your cat?” george asked softly, smiling as the feline trotted over with confidence only cats could have. she gave a small nod.

“she’s lovely,” he murmured, letting the cat sniff his fingers before she promptly settled herself between them, purring loudly like a small engine.

george chuckled. “she’s a fan already.”

she smiled for the first time in what felt like days. a real, tired, soft little smile. and that was enough to make george’s whole chest ache.

“you wanna lie down?” he asked after a while, voice gentle.

she hesitated, but then nodded.

he helped her, carefully easing down beside her on the bed, her cat curling herself into a donut shape at their feet.

george propped himself up on one elbow, his other hand still in yours. she shifted a bit under the covers, the fabric brushing against her arm. she flinched slightly, that’s when george noticed.

he didn’t say anything right away, just shifted his hand slowly, gently tracing over her wrist with the lightest touch. his eyes flicked down, seeing the scars. faded, some newer, some long past. his breath caught just a little, but not in fear. not in judgment.

he brought her hand to his lips and kissed her wrist, so soft it almost didn’t feel real.

then he leaned in close, forehead brushing hers.

“you don’t have to be okay all the time, but please don’t do this,” he continued. “not for me. not for anyone. but i want you to remember something, alright?”

she nodded, tears slipping silently down your cheek.

“you are loved,” george whispered. “you are loved on the hard days, on the quiet days, even when you feel like you don’t deserve it. and i’m not going anywhere.”

she couldn’t stop the tears then, but george didn’t mind. he just gathered her close, wrapping his arms around her and letting her cry quietly into his chest, his hand cradling the back of her head.

“i’m here,” he kept murmuring. “you don’t have to carry it all on your own. i’ve got you.”

eventually, she started to drift, worn out, but warmer somehow, her body relaxing into the softness of the bed, into the steady rhythm of george’s breathing.

george pressed one last kiss to her temple and whispered:

“you are my heart, love. just as you are.”

...

the room was quiet again, not in that heavy kind of way. the world outside could knock and knock but wouldn’t be let in.

george hadn’t let go of her hand once. even as the rain ticked on outside. even as her cat curled tighter at the foot of the bed.

when he saw the scars, he didn’t say anything at first. just saw. just noticed.

then, softly, so gently: “can i hold you properly now?”

she hesitated, but george just gathered her into his arms. not urgently, not pitifully. just full of care.

she buried her face into his chest, and for a while, neither of them spoke.

then she whispered, just barely: “i don’t know how to make it stop. i don’t even know what’s wrong with me.”

george’s arms tightened slightly around her.

“there’s nothing wrong with you,” he said, and there was steel under the softness this time. “you’re hurting, it doesn’t make you broken. it makes you human.”

her fingers clutched at his shirt. her body started to tremble, the weight of everything, the numbness, the shame, the guilt, the exhaustion, everything rushing out of her all at once. she couldn’t stop it. the sobs were thick and hot in her throat, and the tears came harder than she meant to let them.

“i’m so tired, george,” she choked out, “i’m so tired.”

he cupped the back of her head and tucked her closer. “i know, love. i know. let it out, you don’t have to carry this alone anymore.”

her tears soaked through the fabric of his shirt, but he didn’t move. he just kept whispering, over and over: “you’re safe now, i’ve got you.”

when her sobs quieted, not fully gone, but gentled to sniffles and hiccups, george pulled back just enough to see her face. his thumbs brushed her cheeks. his eyes were glistening too.

“you don’t have to hide this from me,” he said. “not your pain, or your scars, not even your sadness. i don’t love some perfect version of you. i love you. and this is part of you.”

he brought her arm up gently, and ran his fingers along the faded lines there.

“these,” he said, voice thick, “are proof that you’ve survived every day you didn’t think you could. you’re still here. and i’m so proud of you for that.”

a fresh wave of emotion hit her chest. but this time, it wasn’t from the loneliness, it came from the impossible weight of being seen, truly seen, and not being abandoned for it.

george leaned in and kissed her forehead, then her temple, then her hand.

“promise me something?” he asked quietly.

she nodded.

“if it ever gets too much again… will you tell me? before you hurt yourself? let me help you?”

“i don’t want to be a burden,” she whispered.

george frowned, “you’re not, you never will be, i want to be here. i’m not here out of pity but because i love you. you matter to me more than anything.”

she didn’t say anything, just leaned into his chest again, her arms around his waist this time, holding him.

the cat stretched at her feet and curled up against her legs. the room smelled like rain and worn cotton and that faint trace of george’s cigarettes, warm, safe and steady.

after a while, he shifted a little to pull the blanket further over both of them. his voice was softer now, sleepy.

“i was thinking… maybe tomorrow, if i could play something for you. or we can just sit by the window, talk about nothing. or maybe i’ll read something to you, what do you think? we’ll take it slow. one soft day at a time.”

she nodded into his chest. “that sounds nice.”

his hand found hers again under the blankets, lacing their fingers together and pressing a final kiss to her head.

[theformulaimagines]

Untitled. 2017 [part 3]

I ain't proud of all the punches that I've thrown in the name of someone I no longer know. For the shame of being young, drunk, and alone .Traffic lights and a transmitter radio. I don't like that when they threw me in the car I gave your name as my emergency phone call. Honey, it rang and rang, even the cops thought you were wrong for hangin' up. I dial drunk, I'd die a drunk, I'd die for you…

Pairing: Kwon Jiyong x fem!singer reader

Plot: You loved this man. Ever since you were kids. But when self hatred runs deep everything breaks under the weight of it.

Warning: english isn't my first language, angst, mentions of: depression, stress, heartbreak, friends to strangers (to lovers later (?)), swearing, grief

Previously

8 years to be precise. It’s not like he counted. But he did. It was almost unavoidable considering how he was constantly thinking about you. The grief of losing you sat on his heart like a rock, and no matter what he did, where he was, who he slept with…it never shifted. Whoever said time heals all wounds lied and needed to be shot.

The evilest thing about it was that missing you felt like a thirst. It lingered in the back of his throat. Over the years, he met new people and befriended a few of them as well. Yet, nobody came close to…you. No friendship felt like yours. The insides of his cheeks had been in a consistent state of dryness. No wonder he couldn’t move on.

Jiyong was too proud anyway. His hands had been too occupied with romanticizing his crucifixion. He could’ve called you to apologize so many times. But he didn’t. Instead, he threw himself into his work, to neglect the guilt and remorse that were running through his veins at any given moment in time. Nevertheless, he never once changed his emergency contact to anyone else. It had always been…you. Of course.

He kept a lot of secrets when it came to you. Like for example in the top drawer of his desk laid his old Nokia. Neatly placed next to a couple of old notebooks. And while he had changed his main phone countless times, he never threw it away.

Because he somehow didn’t manage to figure out how to transfer your old voicemails to his computer. And the thought of losing the last thing he had left of you terrified him to death. Jiyong knew that it was ridiculous. But that Nokia is his time capsule, a reminder of a time when he liked himself. Genuinely liked himself.

He wrote songs about you. All the time. Even if he didn’t want to. It occasionally felt like he couldn’t not write about you. Considering how your fingers were in every single crease of his brain, pressing themselves into it. God, how he missed you. And he was so angry that you didn’t reach out either.

“The phone works both ways.”, Jiyong let out, looking down at his freshly painted fingernails. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught the way Daesung’s smile slowly faded away.

“Yeah, but…”, he paused:” Never-mind. Forget I said anything.”

„But what? Did she say something?“

His friend simply sighed.

„She talked about me? What did she say? Was it-.“, he cleared his throat. Embarrassed and disgusted by his own eagerness.

„Y/N misses you.“, Daesung answered after a moment of silence:” When we talk about you that’s all she ever says.”

Jiyong never acted on it. And to this day, he doesn’t understand why.

Of course, you thought about him. It was difficult not to, considering how you had loved that man ever since you both were teenagers. Running around the YG tower. Back then you’ve adored the way his haircut made him appear older than he was. You’ve always been drawn to people with confidence. And Jiyong had enough confidence for two.

You also adored the way he was treating you differently. Jiyong never truly liked a lot of people. But he cared for you. So much. People don’t know it, but you two were the main reason K-pop labels began including clauses in their contracts prohibiting idols from the same company from dating one another. YG knew. Everyone knew.

Everyone except for you two. To this day no one knows why.

„Everyone thought you two would start dating at some point.“, Daesung had told you one evening after you finished up working at your studio. It nearly made you choke on your water. „Don‘t be ridiculous.“, you only responded, turning all the remaining lights off:“ We‘ve only ever been friends.“

„No, you weren’t.“

It was a simple answer. Making you stop dead in your tracks for a second too long. You turned to Daesung who simply looked at you with big pitiful eyes:“ You know, he thinks you hate him.“

„Who?“ „You know who.“

A sigh left your lips and you grabbed your bag before stepping past your friend into the hallway:“ That‘s stupid. Why would I hate him?“ The explanation for that was so easy Daesung didn’t even say anything else. Rather, you both just walked towards the exit.

„Dae.“, you whispered as soon as you both stepped out into the freezing night. „Yeah?“

„Tell him…I miss him.“

Daesung simply nodded. And he did tell him. Jiyong just couldn’t acknowledge it.

[kupo-theincendiary]

Nathalie is resigned to find herself withdrawing to the empty balcony before the end of her own wedding. They won't miss her-- it's Emilie they're here for, and Emilie they'll get. She is happy to stay as a helper, as the lines drawn across the page of Emilie Graham de Vanily's life. This is what they are used to, Nathalie loving and working and Emilie shining. At the end of the day, Emilie will come back home and tell Nathalie she loves her, and it will be like the first time she said it, standing over Gabriel's grave, and Nathalie will know that she belongs in this family.

It's wonderful to watch her out there. Emilie spins between conversations, catches the light and shines around a glowing smile and makes the world fall in love. They congratulate her on the match, let her brush them off when they ask about how fresh the soil is over her last spouse, and they dance. Everybody dances with Emilie. Except Nathalie, but that's okay. Tonight, that isn't the place she's been given.

"Are you alright, Nathalie?*

She straightens, relaxes-- she wishes he'd stop asking that. But Adrien sometimes works in repetition, and she supposes there is logic in him running like clockwork every once and awhile. She tries not to parallel herself to a boy who has been told to be perfect and can't help but do what he's told. She knows it's different. She also knows what Emilie asks of him isn't wrong. Everything they do is for him. He owes Emilie obedience.

"Yes," she says, and remembers to smile. "It's a wonderful day."

"You're not going to dance?"

"I'm not much of a dancer."

"I've seen you and Mummy dancing before."

"That's-- not in public."

He nods. It's a sentiment the whole household knows. What stays inside against what gets to come out at parties, at work. They breathe it-- Adrien was raised on it, but Nathalie took it in herself, dropping out of college to help the Agrestes and hiding anything that might make them let her go. When they finally learnt her age, it changed very little.

"Just-- make sure you enjoy yourself."

"I am enjoying myself," she says, and looks at him. Just freshly a teenager, unsure of himself, and her family. Family. "I get to talk to you."

He laughs a little, like it's bullshit. It's not. She hates being disbelieved, but she stands and doesn't call him out.

"There you are!" Emilie rushes up to them, all fluttery gold and white. "I saw you two om the balcony together-- what are you doing all the way up here? My favourite son and my beautiful bride."

She kisses Nathalie. It takes her by surprise but it's nice and anyway, it's Emilie.

"I was just reminding my mum to enjoy herself," says Adrien, with a sideways grin at Nathalie.

Mum.

Nathalie has never been a parent. She was set on it as soon as it was suggested to her. She is not a teacher, not a protector-- she is a worker and a fighter and to Adrien she is a friend, first and foremost. But it's a good word-- mum. It finalises the marriage. She is with them, one of them. She is family.

She'll take being a mother for that.

But Emilie frowns. "Nathalie's said she doesn't want to be a mum."

"It's fine," Nathalie tells her, firm.

"Nathalie isn't your mother," says Emilie. "I'm your mother, why would you want to have another one?"

"But she's marrying you, I thought--"

"I understand the confusion," smiles Emilie, "but she's just my wife."

"Isn't she--"

"Don't call her your mum," says Emilie. "She's not actually related to you-- you know that."

She touches her rings.

Nathalie closes her eyes, and smiles flickeringly.

"Of course," says Adrien.

Somebody Nathalie doesn't know pushes his way onto the balcony. He shakes Emilie's hand enthusiastically.

"Lady Graham de Vanily," he exclaims-- "and the wife!"

A week later, Emilie calls them for a family meeting. Nathalie shows up, and Adrien stares at her hollowly.

"But you're not our family."

It's not his fault.

Emilie laughs it off for the both of them.

[short-honey-badger]

Better this Way

This one was just for fun. I've been on a roll lately so I hope everyone has been enjoying my works! Again, feel free to ask me anything. I love prompts!

This is preLuffy btw so Shanks had both arms.

Warnings: Just some more smut. drinking too. Shanks falls hard and fast.

Masterlist

Your vision swam, but you weren't about to let that stop you from making it to the privy. You had to piss something awful after having another round of shots with the attractive redhead in the corner of the bar. Shanks, you would learn later, had shouted at you from his seat after watching you down drink after drink with no intention of stopping. You looked lonely, so he quickly decided that he should be the one to keep such a pretty lass company. 

The Pirate had been pleasantly surprised when a grin let up your face and his breath was knocked away in that moment. You looked radiant, with flushed cheeks and shining eyes as you sauntered to his table. He gulped and sat up straighter in his seat, and his stomach did flip flops when you sat down across from him and he could really see how your smile truly reached your eyes, the way your nose scrunched playfully at him and asked What're we havin'. Shanks was drawn in by your sunshine attitude and it made him feel warm inside just being near you. He had never felt this way before, and he vaguely wondered if there was something wrong with him.

"Anything that'll get you to stay here with me," Shanks had said and his grin had been dopey. Like a kid finding out his first crush. 

You had laughed and shouted for shots be be brought for both of them, and from there, conversation flowed as easily as water. You learned that he was a powerful pirate captain with an equally strong crew. He loved his crew and always fought for what he thought was right in the world. The more he spoke, the more you enjoyed his ideas of true freedom and being out at sea. It was refreshing to find someone so passionate about his ideals.

You told him that you were more of a drifter, content to go wherever the wind took you. You didn't like the idea of being tied down to some island so had stolen away on a ship when you were younger and hadn't looked back since. Shanks had asked if you wanted to join his crew, if only for being such a nice drinking partner, and you were careful to always change the subject back to more natural topics without answering. 

Now, hours later, You finally found yourself in the bathroom. You quickly do your business and then go to wash up. You sigh when the warm water rushes over your hands, and find yourself closing your eyes for just a second to enjoy it. You don't hear the bathroom door open and then shut with a soft click, but you certainly feel the pair of muscular arms that wrap around your waist.

"Shit!" you exclaim and jump, scared for a split second before you recognize the now familiar straw hat that Shanks wore, "You scared the hell outta me. What are you doing in here?" 

Shanks hums and proceeds to nuzzle his face in the crook of your neck. He was well and truly drunk now and it had felt like you were taking forever in the bathroom. Without thinking, he had risen from his chair and had gone to find his perfect girl. And how could you not be in his eyes? You laughed at his shitty jokes and understood his odd sense of humor. He felt his heart stutter and skip every time you sent him even the smallest look. Shanks knows that you are the one for him. No one else had ever made him stutter and blush like some fool before.

"Coun't wait for ya out there," Shanks slurs against your skin, and his arms tighten around your waist, "Felt like you were gone forever," he noses at your neck and grins at the way you shiver at his touch. Oh, he liked that. 

You giggle at his whiney tone and lean back into his chest. He was like a personal furnace, "It's naughty to sneak into the women's bathroom, ya know," You admonish with a teasing grin, but Shanks just shrugs his lean shoulders and tightens his grip on you. 

"Then let's get outta here. Just you and me," The captain urges. You turn in his arms to look up at him and admire how relaxed and carefree this man is. Sure the two of you had done some heavy flirting through the night, but this wasn't something you had thought would come up. Now that either of you would complain.

"Let's go then. I've got a place at the hotel down the road," You agree and Shanks lights up like a kid on his birthday. He is kissing you before you blink, lips hungry for your own at his groans into the kiss. From there, it becomes a drunken stumble out of the bar and to the hotel down the street. The Red-Haired Pirates see their captain leave and let loose a couple of drunken catcalls to his delight before the two of you slip out the exit.

Shanks has you pinned to the bed the second that the door is locked. He needs to keep kissing you or it feels like his chest would combust. He needed to feel you, all of you, open for him. You gladly surrender to his onslaught, moaning with reckless abandon when the pirate's tongue fills your mouth just right. He pulls away with a stuttered moan of your name, and when you catch sight of his face, the man is frantic with need.

"Lemme suck your cock, Captain," You demand and Shanks makes a broken sound in the back of his throat. He grabs the waistband of his pants and shoves them down and off with ease before rolling to his back. You settle between his legs, licking your lips as you admire the length in front of you. Shanks was not a small man whatsoever. You actually wondered how much of his dick you were going to be able to fit in your mouth. 

"Not scared are ya, Baby?' Shanks teases and grips his cock. The head is red and swollen and he nudges it against your soft lips, "You were the one who wanted to suck my cock."

Your cheeks burn at the insinuation that you couldn't take him. You show him how wrong he is by opening your mouth and taking him almost all the way down. You breathe harshly through your nose and clench your eyes against the sudden burn in your throat. 

"Fuck!" Shanks snarls and bucks his hips. You gag around him but refuse to move away. You take a second to adjust and then bob your head, swallowing him down with a whine. Precum and drool leak from your lips and the blowjob turns fast and sloppy. Neither of you are sober or patient enough to take your time right now. However, if Shanks has it his way, he'll have all the time in the world to worship you. 

The pirate shoves you off his dick just before he comes, gripping the base of his dick tightly to prevent himself from actually erupting like a preteen. You drop beside him with a content sigh and Shanks follows once he has himself under control. 

"My turn," He says, and then his mouth is exactly where you want him. He licks your end to end, tongue flattening over your cunt to gather up your slick and lap it into his mouth. Were you really that wet from just sucking him off? The thought had his moaning against your pussy and drinking straight from the source, lips smacking in obscene noises as he positions two fingers at your entrance.

Shanks shoves them knuckle deep at the same time he sucks your clit into his mouth. He pistons his hand, fingers scissoring to get you to loosen up for him. His tongue flicks your clit just right and your hands find his hair, gripping the strands tightly as you rut against his face. The captain pets your twitching walls through your first orgasm of the night and then pulls away. He makes a show of licking his lips as he grins down at you, "Could have eaten you for hours if I didn't want my cock in you so bad, Baby." 

You twitch your hips up, hissing when the head of his dick catches on your clit, "What are ya waiting for then?" You ask and Shanks falls to leave a lingering kiss on your lips with a chuckle.

"Impatient, girl," He rumbles and then kisses you again. His lips muffle the whine you make when he suddenly sinks into you, stretching your cunt far more than his two fingers had. Shanks gives you half a second before his own impatience runs thin and he begins to thrust. 

Your breath is knocked out of your lungs and you are left to hold on to the redhead's shoulders for dear life as he fucks you. There was no other word to use with how Shanks grips your hips and tilts them just right to have him rutting against your sweet spot. He ruts into you like it is the last day in this world, and you know then that you will never forget this man for however long you live. 

"Feel so good around me, Sweetheart," He pants out and rises so that he can watch you wither on his cock. One hand stays at your hip while the other smooths your hair away from your face, "So lucky to have found you," he continues and grits his teeth when you tighten around him. His hips stutter and he loses his rhythm for a second, "Gonna come soon."

"On my knees," You whine when his pace begins to falter again. You didn't want this to stop yet. 

Shanks reluctantly pulls out of you and you roll to your knees. Your face is buried in the sheets and Shanks grins at the view he has of your leaking cunt and jiggling ass, "This is nice too," he comments and then enters you with a sigh, sinking in even more in this position. He drapes over your back, pushing your hair aside so that he can pepper the sensitive skin of your back and neck with kisses and love bites. He desperately wants to sink his teeth in and never let go. 

You push your hips back to meet his thrust, needing more of him. He massages your hips as he fucks you from the back, "That's it, Baby. Just a little more," He pants out and then slips an arm under your leg. His fingers find your clit and you keen in pleasure at the unexpected touch, "Come on, Cream on my cock," The way he says your name has you coming with a cry and Shanks follows right after. 

He pulls out and paints your back with his spend. The hand on your hip grips to the point of pain, but you don't mind. Carefully, you lower your legs and hips to the bed, wincing a bit at the soreness there. 

Shanks doesn't go far, simply finding the edge of the sheet and cleaning the two of you up with messy strokes. Both of you are still sticky when he falls to the bed beside you, but neither could care. He curls close, throwing an arm around your waist and tugging you close to snuggle against his chest, "What you again later, "He slurs lowly and you giggle and nod, already half asleep in his hold.

The pirate would wake you twice more than night, whispering sweet nothing as he took you again, slow and sleepy. However, it would be you who woke first in the morning. 

Thankfully, Shanks still snoozed away and you took this time to memorize his beautiful face. This man could probably give you everything you could ever want, but you just couldn't tie yourself that close to someone. You were a drifter, just like you had told him at the bar, but guilt still ate at you as you slowly shimmied out of bed and dressed. You tear a blank page from your handy dandy notebook and write a quick note that is left on the nightstand along with the key to your room. You take one last look at his sleeping form as you grip the handle before turning away for the last time. This was for the best, after all. 

The sun would be high in the sky and you would be long gone by the time Shanks woke up. He blindly reached for you and frowned when his hand met the cold bed. His eyes crack open and Shanks quickly sits up when he realizes that he is all alone. His chest aches at the knowledge that you left without even waking him and he falls off the bed to rip the room apart as if that would make you reappear.

He spots the note and key as she blankets settle and dives for it, clenching it tight in his fist as he reads it.

Shanks, I'm sorry for leaving without a goodbye. It's better this way. If the seas are kind, then maybe we will meet again.

It is signed with your name and even a tiny broken heart that you had doodled last second. Shanks sits heavily on the bed, head bowed as he thinks. Soon enough, he stands and dresses swiftly. Your note gets tucked into the lining of his hat for safekeeping as he runs for the ship. Like hell would he wait for seas to bring you back to him? You couldn't have gotten very far in a couple of hours, so if he hurried, Shanks could find you himself. 

[tsumuus]

For prompt 2 for your event, could you do that one Leah and Rob sound. "You don't hate me?" "I could never hate you." with Oikawa? tyyyyyyyyyyy

₊✩‧₊˚ toru oikawa + prompt 2 ˚₊✩‧₊

₊✩‧₊˚ ‘so you don’t hate me’ ‘i could never hate you’ ˚₊✩‧₊

You had always thought you knew Toru Oikawa like the back of your hand. From the days when you first met in middle school, his charisma and infectious energy had drawn you in, and over the years, you had become inseparable. You shared laughter, tears, and countless late-night conversations. So when the sudden shift came—when he started pushing you away, his demeanor growing colder and more distant—it threw you into a whirlwind of confusion.

At first, you thought it was something you had done. Had you unknowingly said something to upset him? Or perhaps your busy schedule had pushed him to the background? The questions buzzed incessantly in your mind, but you couldn't find any answers. Each time you tried to reach out, he seemed to withdraw even further, leaving you feeling lost and adrift.

It was during one of those quiet evenings, when the moonlight streamed through your window, that you finally confronted him. You had just returned from a particularly painful day at school, your heart heavy with the weight of his cold shoulder, and the sight of him at the park, sitting alone on a bench, felt like a last straw.

"Toru," you said, your voice trembling slightly, "what's going on? Why have you been pushing me away? Did I do something wrong?"

He looked up at you, his eyes softening as if he was seeing you for the first time in weeks. He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The usual charm and confidence that he wore like a second skin seemed to be stripped away, revealing a vulnerability you rarely saw.

"I've been an idiot," he admitted, his voice low and rough. "I didn’t want to hurt you, but I didn’t know how to handle everything I was feeling. It’s like every time I’m with you, I want to spill everything out—everything I’ve been keeping inside—but it scares me. It’s so unnatural for me."

You listened, heart aching, as he continued. “You make me feel things I’ve never felt before, and I don’t know how to explain it. I thought if I distanced myself, it would be easier for both of us.”

You stared at him, processing his words. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken emotions, and the moonlight cast a gentle glow on his troubled face. Slowly, you approached him and took a seat beside him on the bench, your presence offering a silent comfort.

"So you don't hate me?" you asked softly, the fear of losing him gripping your heart.

He turned to look at you, his expression a mixture of relief and regret. "Hate you? I could never hate you," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "The way I’ve been acting, it’s because I care so much. It’s because you mean everything to me."

The tension between you seemed to melt away with his confession. You reached out, taking his hand in yours, feeling the warmth and the sincerity in his touch. His eyes searched yours, and for the first time in weeks, you saw the familiar spark of affection in them.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn’t mean to make you feel like you were the problem. I’ve just been struggling with my own feelings, and I didn’t know how to handle it."

You squeezed his hand gently, offering him a reassuring smile. "It���s okay, Toru. I just needed to know where we stood."

He nodded, his relief palpable. "Thank you for understanding. I promise I’ll work on this. I want to be better for you, and I don’t want to let my own fears ruin what we have."

The night continued with a renewed sense of closeness, the distance that had grown between you now replaced by the understanding and the warmth of a bond that had weathered the storm. As you sat there together, the moon casting its gentle light over you both, you knew that despite the struggles, you were still there for each other. And for the first time in a while, everything felt right again.

a/n RAHHHHHHH i don’t like this but here you go🙏😓

₊✩‧₊˚ 555 follower event ! ˚₊✩‧₊

main masterlist

[writing-in-the-impala]

Secret Smokes (Part 11)

Pairing: Teacher! Remus Lupin x Reader

Series Summary: When the reader bumps into the new DADA professor on the bridge in Hogwarts she begins to build a friendship with him all thanks to their shared feeling of not belonging and love for muggle cigarettes. Their friendship blooms while they both fight internal battles deciding what is wrong and what is right leading to a lot of fluff, angst, flirting and a rollercoaster of emotions.

Warnings: Swearing, smoking, drinking, teacher-student relationship, angst, jealousy, fluff, smut.

Word Count: 4495

A/N: Yes I did drop off the face of the earth for a bit but can I make it up to you with an extra long chapter?

 | SERIES MASTER LIST (All chapters) |

Previous Chapter, Part 11, Next Chapter

Your fight was the last time you saw Remus Lupin that week, the next lesson you had with Lupin was taken over by Snape, even your tutoring was now with McGonagall. Lupin returned on Friday evening, you saw him in the great hall during dinner, and that's when you received an owl from him which was rare during dinner. He didn't pay you any attention, so you decided to take the letter to the lake and read it by yourself so no one could interrupt you and he couldn't watch or analyse you open it. You sat down by the water and opened it.

"My dearest, Y/N,

Oh how I've fucked up, in life constantly but with you in more ways than one. I don't know how to express my words in person I've never been good at words when it came to the important things like people. This is version five of this letter.

I traveled home after Monday. I couldn't bare to look at that desk, I couldn't go to Sirius as his home will forever smell like the first time I kissed you. When I arrived I found your letters, they made me realise you left to protect us from ending up in this very situation, I thought it was from fear of getting told off for being home late but really you knew that Percy was looking for clues. Unfortunately his letter found me first and convinced me to push you away, that I was risking too much by risking your schooling, I don't care about my career, what's life if you only live for a job but I don't want to mess up your future. I take my job very seriously but life is  more important.

You were right when you said I'm scared of having something good, however you were wrong when you said you were convenient. You're far from it. I might be lonely but that's not why I'm drawn to you, I'm drawn to your wit, I'm drawn to your smile and I'm drawn to your world. If we could spend forever sitting on my sofa listening to music and talking I would die a happy man.

I don't know what my feelings for you are but they are strong and they scare me, you're much more important to me than anyone else I know and I fear to admit it. New Year's Eve I messed up, if we were ever going to kiss I wanted it to be after a date where I show you how you're meant to be loved and offer you the world not drunk on the steps of my best friends house.

I don't know how you feel about me and if I hurt you too much, if that's the case I am terribly sorry I wish I could make it right. If an inch of you still thinks I'm a decent man I have two offers for you.

A. If you want to remain friends and go back to last year's rules "no dear, no alcohol and no kissing" meet me tomorrow evening in my office for tea and tunes, or let me know in your own way

B: If you are up for an adventure my dear and willing to see what happens if we risk it and you still feel any attraction after my poor behaviour: Meet me tomorrow morning at 9am in Hogsmeade, next to the three broomsticks.

C: if you simply hate me like you said (at least 4 times using my full name I'm glad you don't know my middle name) all I ask is show up to my lessons, we can arrange another teacher to take over you 1-on-1 schooling but please show up. I promise to pretend I don't think you're the most amazing witch and woman I've ever met. Please don't let me ruin your exams or future.

Yours, Remus John Lupin.

P.S. To answer the question in your original letters from the 1st of January keep my sweater, it will simply be a painful memory if you choose C and I like the way it looks on you if you choose B ."

You felt a mixture of excitement and relief with his letter, it felt like everything has magically explained itself. Remus was an anxious writer with a tendency to sabotage his own happiness but he was trying. He was trying for you.

The next morning you woke up early to get ready to see Remus, you didn't know what to expect but you were excited. You arrived in Hogsmeade early knowing Remus as someone extremely punctual you were shocked to find Remus wasn't there. You waited until 9:05 but nothing, so you began to walk back at towards the castle. "Wait!" Remus said and you turned around to see him holding two cups of coffee, one of which had obviously slightly spilled on him. "It's with milk!" He said holding a coffee forward towards you.

"Thank you." You said grabbing it.

"I'm glad you came." He said softly.

"I'm glad you sent that letter." You replied. "You have coffee on your sweater." You pointed out reaching in your pocket for a tissue.

"I didn't think through apparating with two cups of coffee.' He admitted with a shy smile as you dabbed his jumper dry. "Thank you dear." He continued softly.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked.

"Where?"

"London, grab my hand and hold your coffee tight." He said reaching out a hand and you took hold of it and you appeared in Holborn, London.

"I thought that wasn't possible in Hogwarts." You admitted.

"That's why we met in Hogsmeade dear, sorry about being late, there was a queue." He admitted showing you the coffee.

"I thought you may have changed your mind." You admitted.

"I was scared you wouldn't come." He admitted.

"Liar you got two cups of coffee." You pointed out.

"I had a feeling you'd show up, now dear, see today as my way of apologising to you. I have a small plan but if you want to do anything just tell me." He said and at that moment you turned the corner to the British Museum. "Have you been here before?" He asked.

"Maybe once or twice as a kid."

"Okay but have you ever had a magic tour of this place?" He questioned and you shook your head. "Great." Remus led you into the British museum, he looked quite excited and more young now than ever. "Now not everyone knows that many treasures in this building are actually artefacts from great magicians."

"So they stole from wizards too?" You asked and Remus laughed.

"They sure did, now not many people know how some of these great people used magic to help muggles and how some of this stuff is either cursed or enchanted." Remus continued as you walked through the beautiful foyer.

"But I'm sure you do." You said teasing him and he nodded.

"I'm not just a pretty face, unlike you I spent a lot of time in libraries."

"Are you saying I don't study? I spend a lot of time in my professors office."

"You spend a lot of time listening to music and distracting me while I try to mark work, dear." He shot back and you laughed. "Now as I was saying, I may not be a rich man or have much to offer but I have a lot of knowledge."

"You should be a teacher." You said with a wink.

"You should be a comedian. Now enough talking watch this." He said and then one of the Egyptian statues moved and stood up.

"Holy shit, are you allowed to do that?" You asked looking around.

"Don't worry no one will notice." He said

"What was that?" You asked.

"It's a Pharos tomb guard, they're enchanted to stand when an attacker approaches, they have a lot of ancient magic in here."

"So why didn't they do that when they were removed from the tomb?" You asked as you and Remus continued to walk and look at the different statues.

"They did, they did for a very long time, however when dark wizards realised there's money in helping archaeologists they helped lift curses or limit enchanted objects. Those guards were stopped from being the soldiers they were, the only thing left is the command to stand when you summon them." Remus explained, you were impressed by his knowledge. You walked through  the ancient Egyptian part for another few minutes before Remus took hold of your hand and hurried you to the Ancient Greek part. "This bits my favourite, sorry is it okay if I do that?" He asked gesturing to your hand.

"It's encouraged." You blushed.

"Tell me when I cross a line Y/N, we still need to talk about us but first I want to hold my part of the deal, showing you who I actually am."

"And who are you profesor?"

"A lonely bookworm with a furry problem and a teaching job to pay the bills."

"Don't forget the cottage." You winked making him laugh.

"Now these are the Parthenon marbles, the Parthenon was being used as a base to store ammunition by the Ottomans and some idiot messed up and blew up the whole thing."

"Some idiot is that the technical term profesor?" You poked him in the arm and he rolled his eyes. You found him very attractive when he was more casually dressed, with his jacket drooped over his arms and a warm sweater on.

"It is now." He replied. "Long story short some guy named Lord Elgin went to Greece and asked the Ottomans can I have this? And they said sure and he took it, as lords usually do. It's missing a lot of parts as they're back where they belong but a small part of me feels lucky to have them here as they tell a story. You see if you come over here you'll see the Centaur." He led you over to the far wall. "He tells a story of the battle between Centaurs and Lapiths at the marriage feast of Peirithoos. And if you do this even with it's missing parts you get to watch it." He lifted his wand and the marble moved. It began plaything the story throughout the panels as if they were alive just like the paintings in Hogwarts. "And if you think that is cool look behind you." You turned around and the main sculptures were all moving, they were missing parts but they felt human.

"That's incredible, show me more." You expressed with a big smile and Remus couldn't help but smile back. "Come on." He said putting one arm around you while his other arm still had his jacket drooped over it. And like that, he led you through the museum holding your waist and making your heart flutter at his actions and brain amazed at the world of knowledge he was sharing with you.

It was one of the few times you saw Remus truly happy as he immersed himself in history. It was beautiful to see him care free not putting himself down, not talking about his condition just being himself. As you walked out the museum hours later he still had a hand around your waist. "Now dear what would you like to do?"

"Should we go get some food?"

"What a wonderful idea, there's a great pub not too far from here, only thing I need to get some cash out as I'm low on muggle money." He explained.

"I can pay."

"I'm sure you can but you won't I'm taking you out on a date it's my treat." He said as he rushed in front of you to the cash machine. "Okay" he said looking at it. "Okay, okay." He continued looking for where to insert his card. "Just a moment." He said after inserting it and just starring at all the options on the screen. "Merlin." He whispered quietly while pressing random buttons.

"You do know how to use it?" You asked suggestively.

"Of course I do." He said but he was obviously struggling.

"Here let me help you." You stood alongside him pressing the buttons for him. "How much do you want to withdraw?"

"£20?" He said hesitantly.

"£20?" You confirmed.

"£50."

"£50 are you sure?" You asked in disbelief.

"I'm not good with this, I haven't been in a muggle pub in forever I don't know the prices these days. I'm sorry, get however much you think it'll cost for us to have food. This is so embarrassing." He admitted.

"£50 it is, Remus the muggle world is my world it's okay to ask for help, I literally didn't know you could aparate in Hogsmeade." You calmed him while you finished the transaction.

"Yeah that was silly, everyone knows-"

"You don't know how to use a cash machine Remus!" You interrupted.

"I'll shut up. Now off to the pub, thank you for your help." He took your hand and lead the way. The pub was quite busy but you expected it as it was lunchtime on a Saturday. It was nice to sit opposite Remus having a meal, flirting, chatting and being yourselves. You didn't feel anxious like you did sometimes on dates, you felt like you were hanging out with a friend that you had a crush on, he would make you blush a lot with his words but he was also clumsy and stumbled a lot, something you never saw in him at Hogwarts. He ordered fish and chips and knocked over the sauces with his hand, when he went to pick them up, he hit his head on the edge of the table, you found it all cute and amusing but he was obviously embarrassed. "Am I making you slowly think I'm an idiot?" He asked after the incident and you simply replied with. "Only a little bit, makes you less intimidating."

"Am I intimidating?" He asked.

"Not at all." You said and he shook his head while laughing. After you ate you decided to take a walk along the river at first you began to talk about meaningless stuff like how you missed the Christmas lights or how Remus enjoyed the fact you can find oyster shells and old pipes on the rivers edge from the Victorian era. However the conversation changed when Remus asked. "What do you see us as?"

"I don't know." You admitted a bit of anxiety started to grow inside you.

"I don't know either, but I think we need to set some ground rules."

"What do you suggest?"

"Defining what's okay, like for example I think if either of us is developing strong feelings like love for the other we should cut it off as we don't want to hurt each other and with our current position we can't be in a relationship and be student and teacher." He said his eyes moving all over the place but avoiding you and he used his hands to emphasise what he was saying.

"How come?"

"Well for starters we can't do this all the time, if I was in love I would like to offer that person all my love, I would like to take them on dates, I would like to walk around and hold their hand, I would like to bring them to see my friends and so on... we can't do that, it will hurt to love someone but not be able to live in public, I don't want to risk the pain for either of us." He explained and you nodded.

"So what can we do?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to continue to relax in your office with you." You began and he nodded. "I want to be able to kiss you, I want to be myself with you, I want to smoke on the bridge with you and when no one is watching I want to be held by you."

"And we can do that we can just not love each other, and give each other a relationship that's the line."

"So we can see other people?" You questioned him and he looked puzzled.

"I would prefer not, I can't stop you but I may not feel comfortable with sleeping with you if you're kissing other men." He admitted.

"I'd prefer if you weren't kissing anyone else either... Can we do this sometimes?"

"Of course dear, however not as much as either of us would like to, maybe once a month or every so often not to raise suspicions."

"But I can come see you in your office every night?"

"My door is always open for you dear."

"Can I sleep in your office?"

"Where on the desk?" He remarked in a snarky way.

"Is that where you want to fuck me?" You matched his energy y.

"Well it's not for sleeping." He winked and the grabbed your hand."Enough serious conversations, let's just live a little before we have to worry about rules. Today, exists in a world of its own, what do you want to do?" He asked with a cheery tone.

"I mean checking out that desk sounds fun but maybe before that we should enjoy London."

"I'm already enjoying it right here." Remus said stopping and pulling you in closer, putting his arms around your waist. "I think I like London." He said looking at your lips.

"Oh really." You stood on your toes to get closer to him and he leaned down and kissed you lightly.

"Alright let's go I have an idea." He said once again grabbing your hand and leading the way. You walked into a small cosy record shop. You both started looking through the shelves showing each other records you thought the other would life and either replying with a "yes" or "not my style" once the yes like became tall enough you walked over to the record played and started listening to them, there was only one pair of headphones so you had to share, bringing in your heads close as you listened to the music. "Oh listen to that trumpet." You said listening to a Chet Baker vinyl. "Do you like it?"  Remus asked and you nodded. "This is one of my favourite songs, the earnest vocals, I fall in love too terribly fast, for it to ever last..." you began to sing along to the song and Remus smiled warmly at you, he couldn't help but kiss you on the cheek. "Let's buy it." He said.

"What Remus it's quite expensive?"

"That doesn't matter today dear." He said putting it back in the vinyl sleeve and taking it to the till. "Besides there's nothing more I want to do than lay in bed with you and listen to this here vinyl." He said while paying for the vinyl, he thanked the cashier a grumpy old man who didn't seem to care about your conversation. You continued to walk through London for a bit longer but it started to get colder and you both decided it was time to head home. "Okay, we need to aparate back separately as it may be busy with people at this time." He began. "You'll go first and I'll follow, I don't want to leave you alone back here, I'm sure you'll be okay but I don't want the stress." You nodded in reply. "Okay dear, once you are back it would be a good idea for you to go to your dorm or walk around somewhere far from my office, and in about thirty minutes from now come to my office and we can continue this evening." You nodded in reply and that's when he gave you a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll see you soon my dear." He said and you left. As you walked back to Hogwarts all the emotions rushed in, the excitement, the love you felt but shouldn't, the confusion from the conversation about not falling in love. You felt very overwhelmed but you also felt so many positive emotions that you couldn't wait to go visit Remus in his office. It was weird not being able to travel back with him after you were able to spent so long acting like a couple but it made sense you just wished it could be different. You walked back to your dorm room where Percy was sitting on the chair. "Hi Y/N." He said as he saw you coming in, you didn't reply. "Still giving me the silent treatment? You know I haven't done anything wrong all I wanted to do is spend time with my friend." He continued as you walked away.

"Our dear brother causing you trouble?" Fred asked as you walked past him.

"I'm going to hex him." You replied as your turned to the girls chambers.

"Be our guest." George said before you went into your chambers. It was good that Percy saw you, helps avoid his suspicions. You waited the thirty minutes before heading straight to Lupins office, just in case you checked if Percy followed you but he didn't so you were in the clear to go meet Remus. You walked through the corridors with a hint of excitement as you approached his office, you knocked on the door and Remus opened it almost immediately. "Hey you." He said with a smile letting you in and checking behind you if anyone was in the corridor, he closed the door and turned the lock before leading the way upstairs to his office where he also locked the door after you came in. "Hungry?" He asked as you sat down on the sofa.

"More peckish."

"Perfect, I have some cheeses here and some bread."

"How fancy." You pointed out looking at the small charcuterie board he prepared.

"Only the best for you." He said as he sat down beside you, a record he already had playing way playing in the background as you both sat their indulging into the different flavours. "Thank you for joining me today." Remus suddenly changed the subject.

"Thank you for showing me everything, and for the food and the vinyls, everything." You said a bit overwhelmed by his generosity.

"Come here." He gestured for you to come in closer, you lay on the sofa with your head on his crotch and he stroked your head lovingly, slowly playing with you hair. "I love how soft you hair is." He pointed out as he continued to stoke your hair. A few minutes later the vinyl playing finished and Remus gestured for you to sit up so he could change the music. "How about we try this one out dear." He said pulling out the new Chet Baker vinyl and your heart warmed. "Anything to drink? I've got a nice bottle of wine I've been thinking about opening."

"That sounds great."

"The music or the wine?" He clarified.

"Both."

"White or red dear?" He asked while opening a cabinet.

"What do you prefer? Maybe red?"

"Red it is." He pulled the bottle out and began to open it placing two glasses on the table in front of you and filling them up. "To wonderful day." He said raising his glass as he sat down. You rested your head against his shoulder as you sat in comfortable silence.

"You know moony, I prefer this when we're allowed to cuddle on the sofa and kiss sometimes." You broke the silence.

"Me too dear." He bought his hand up to your cheek and pecked your lips slightly before going back to the resting position. "I craved this every time you sat here and I sat at my desk aching to kiss you." He admitted. This was peace, you were in your safe place.

"Are you aching to kiss me now?" You asked quietly.

"Always." He whispered into your ear placing his glass down on the small table in front of you and then taking yours to do the same for you. He leaned in to kiss you, as the kiss depended you ended up laying on the sofa. He was above you his lips and your lips colliding as you both struggled to catch a breath. You felt him getting hard as he slowly moved his body up and down over you, you reached up for his shirt unbuttoning it and pushing it off his shoulders. "You're not wasting any time." He said between the kisses. His arms moved under your ass and he scooped you up in one movement so you were now straddling him, he pulled your shirt up and unclasped your bra as you began to grind on him making him harder and harder. He pulled away from your lips to suck on your nipples, the sensation made you moan in reply he grabbed your hair and pulled it down roughly making your head tilt back as he continued to worship your body. "Let's take this somewhere more comfortable." He said lifting you up and carrying you.

"You don't want to do it on your sofa?" You asked curiously.

"Oh I do, and my desk and every wall however today I will show you how you're meant to be loved not fucked." He said while pushing the door to his bedroom open and throwing you down on his bed. He unbuttoned your trousers and pulled them off along with your underwear, getting down on his knees and kissing your legs all the way up to your pussy. His hand reached up to your breasts where he started massaging them as his tongue flicked your clit making you moan. As he continued this movement with his tongue he moved his hand to slowly slip his fingers inside you pulling in and out while starting to alternate between sucking and licking. "Merlin you're either so wet or I'm drooling like a dog over how good you taste." He went straight back in and continued until you started begging for him as you felt yourself getting close. "Beg for me again." He growled as he moved to be just above you.

"Please." You barely whispered and he smashed his lips into yours, unbuckling his own trousers and taking them off while still keeping his lips on yours. You felt him thrust inside you leaving time for you to adjust, even though you remembered his size it shocked you how deep he filled you. "Are you okay dear?" He whispered checking in on you. "Mmhm." You confirm and he picked up the speed. He kissed you while going faster and started to slowly move his kisses down to your neck and breasts. You felt yourself get close as he ramped up the speed. "Cum for me dear, I want you to feel how good I make you feel." He said kissing his breath a bit. You couldn't hold it any longer and came which made him cum in you, you felt the warmth inside you as he slowed his pace and rested more of his body weight while moaning into your lips. He kissed you deeply once more before pulling out and laying down beside you. You were both panting as you lay there, Remus moved the covers and covered both of your bodies and kissed your forehead. "Good night dear." He whispered and you placed your head on his chest hugging him as his arm was around you. "Good night, Moony."

NEXT CHAPTER | More stuff I wrote

Tags (if you aren't here but want to be leave a reply and I'll add you or DM me to get removed):

@thesoundresoundsecho @ahoyyharrington @merleisapartygod @sting-0f-ennui @starchaser-lily @ashisabitgay @livingordeadwhoknows @v0relino @evie-beanie @whotfskai @admiringyou @lily-mylove @kirubi @ghostbandghostcodghostface @rockymiles @99tech99 @almizz1 @standepechemode @lovingdilfss @artvoyager @sofacover @bubblegum9468 @spidermansolosurfav @harleyanderson2004

@kissmeunicornbaobei @marine-mayday @beelzebzb @universallyblizzardlove @liv2post @amoraneuro @xluansstuff @sizzlingthingnerd @bethsvrse @mrsgweasley

[msmk11]

Trou Noir

Regulus Black x gn!reader

WC: 665

CW: Angst; hurt no comfort; Regulus’ death; mention of bile (no graphic description just the word)

Summary: Mourning your husband.

Day 12 of mk’s mad dash

A tragic romance. That’s what people liked to call it.

“Right person, wrong time” they would sigh.

And you hated it. Maybe it was true. No, it was true. But they had no right to say it. They were the same ones who had silently judged from afar- who’d scoffed and claimed that you two wouldn’t last.

They had no right to mourn.

You remained seated stiffly in a hard folding chair as everyone rose to pay their respects to you and your brother-in-law.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, he will be missed,” they all said, the words piercing your heart bit by bit until it shattered everywhere.

You tried to keep from scoffing. Most of the people at this funeral ignored your husband on the daily. When he needed their help the most, they turned a blind eye. They scolded him and called him a coward, an outcast, a villain. They couldn’t miss him when he was never a part of their lives in the first place. They couldn’t long for Regulus- someone they never had.

But despite the sickening insincerity that forced bile up your throat, you trudged onward with a stony expression. It’s what he always did in the face of discomfort, anyhow.

Your brave, beautiful Regulus.

Finally, after what felt like days, the few remaining guests filed out of the small church in which the funeral was held. Now there was only you and Sirius left.

Sirius.

You never much liked the older Black boy- especially after he abandoned his brother. But Regulus never stopped loving him. Even when he tried to hide it, you always knew that your husband longed for the relationship he once had with Sirius. His brother was everything to him, even when he’d been discarded by him like trash. So, though you had no empathy for the older Black, when the fiery Gryffindor broke down into sobs, you knew what Regulus would’ve wanted you to do. Ever so carefully, you reluctantly placed a hand on his shoulder.

Sirius turned towards you with tears streaming down his face, “I- I’m so sorry. I should’ve been there for him. He would’ve still been alive had I not left him behind.”

He began to cry even harder.

“No, you shouldn’t have left him behind” you agreed, “But Regulus forgave you. He always wanted you to be happy and safe, even if it meant he wasn’t.”

“You’re probably just saying that,” Sirius sniffled.

“Black,” you began, “I’ve never been fond of you and I've been pretty honest about it. Never have I once put something nicely to avoid hurting your feelings. I sure as hell am not starting now. I’m telling the truth.”

The man nodded with a small smile.

A sharp pain shot through your heart.

Who would’ve thought the two brothers shared a smile?

Refusing to cry in front of Sirius, you stood and began to gather your things, using your flutter of motion as a chance to hide from the man before you.

“Well, I need to be heading out, Black. I’m very tired. My condolences,” you mumbled.

As you turned to leave, he protested, “Wait! Can- can we meet up sometime? To talk about Reggie? I- I want to know more about him. Maybe then I can find a way to forgive myself and move on. Maybe you can move on too.”

You hesitated.

What right did Sirius have to ask you such a question after all this time. What was he owed after neglecting your husband for years? Why should you say yes?

Maybe it was because misery loved company, or because you were drawn to anything related to your husband, but you finally sighed in agreement.

“Fine. But don’t call him Reggie. You lost that privilege long ago. Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron on Friday- 6:00.”

You and Sirius would never be the best of friends. But perhaps, through conversation, you would both heal from the Regulus-sized hole in your hearts.

[writeplace-wrongtime]

The Bet

*cracks knuckles* fine, I'll do it myself.

Okay but seriously, I've only binge watched the first 6 seasons of criminal minds, so I'm probably a bit off with character personalities.

This turned into mostly the team finding out, so if anyone wants a part 2 with more scenes pre-reveal I'd love to write it!

masterlist coming soon

Word Count: 3k

CW// brief mention of kidnapping case, use of y/n (i'm sorry), not beta'd

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

‘When was the last time you saw Hotch leave before the rest of us?’

The most recent case had been a relatively short one, allowing the team to get back to Quantico reasonably early. A young man caught kidnapping local women, caught easily when he appeared on CCTV taking his latest victim. Three women, three days. All had minor injuries, but all were alive. It had been the ideal end to the case and no loss of life meant the paperwork was minimal.

Emily’s voice caught the attention of Derek, who followed her gaze to the elevator, where the Unit Chief stood waiting. He raised his eyebrows, trying to think back on the last few months of late nights, week-long cases and multiple middle of the night calls.

‘Not since before his divorce,’ Spencer piped up helpfully from behind his desk, packing away the days half-finished reports and case notes before he too looked up. ‘Hey, has anyone seen y/l/n? They mentioned going for food on the jet, and I know this really nice Indian restaurant not far from here, I was going to suggest we all go.’

Now that Emily thought about it, she hadn’t seen you after you’d gone to Hotch’s office to drop off your report. Barely five minutes later, Hotch had made a beeline for the elevator, leaving unusually early compared to normal, and then you too had disappeared.

‘Holy shit.’ The dots were connecting in her head. ‘They’re totally hooking up!’

This gathered the full attention of everyone in the room.

‘Who’s hooking up?’ Penelope had her bag in hand as she peeked in the door, drawn to the gossip like a moth to a flame.

‘Y/l/n and Hotch!’

‘Oh my god!’ Penelope was quick to rush over to the group now huddled around Emily’s desk.

‘No way,’ Derek was shaking his head, arms crossed over his chest. They’d been working as a team for years, there’s no way you and Hotch were in a secret relationship, and no one had noticed. ‘Come on, you really think they could have hidden something like that from us?’

Spencer shrugged, joining the conversation fully. ‘Hotch hid the fact that Emily was alive from all of us for months, so a secret relationship wouldn’t be that hard for him.’ Emily grimaced at the comparison, searching for any hint of bitterness in his tone, though found none. He had been hurt that they hadn’t trusted him to know the secret, but that hurt had faded over the couple years since Emily had returned. He offered her an apologetic smile, as if only realising what he’d said.

‘Want to make this more interesting?’ Quick to bring the conversation back to inane office gossip, Emily reached into her bag to pull out her purse. ‘100 dollars they’re doing it.’

‘Oh, you’re on. 100 they’re not.’ Derek placed two fifties on top of Emily’s two. Another two went down, and they both looked up to see Spencer sheepishly tucking his wallet back into his pocket.

‘I think they’ve been dating for a couple weeks now, I assumed everyone else had noticed.’

Quickly, Penelope had joined, and much to everyone’s surprise, so did Rossi. Penelope thought they’d just started dating, and Rossi thought it had been at least six months. JJ scooped up the cash, promising to be a neutral party to assure the winner got the whole lot. Plus, when this inevitably went wrong, she did not want to be involved in the fallout.

‘Okay, but how do we get them to admit-‘

‘Or not admit,’ Derek cut in.

‘Or not admit, what’s going on?’ Emily mused. Everyone’s eyes instantly went to Penelope.

‘Oh no, no, no-‘

Penelope’s office felt quite cramped with some many people in it, the space only meant to house one technical analyst, not one technical analyst and five nosey special agents. Five nosey agents who were all huddled around Penelope to peer at the screen over her shoulders.

‘Oh it does not feel right tracking their phones like this,’ Penelope’s fingers danced across the keys as she brought up both locations, ‘My powers should only be used for good, not- not snooping on our friends personal lives!’ Still, she let the trace run its course, displaying the address for the others to see.

‘That’s Hotch’s apartment.’ Spencer recognised the address immediately. Two little dots blinked on the screen, Hotch’s address hovering above them.

‘So they’re together, that doesn’t mean they’re hooking up.’ Derek knew his argument was weak, but hell he had 100 dollars riding on it.

‘Oh come on, they sneak out and go to Hotch’s apartment and you think they’re what, making cookies?’

‘Kids, stop fighting,’ Dave put a hand on both Derek and Emily’s shoulders. ‘Why don’t you just phone y/l/n, invite them for food, see what happens.’

‘You think they’d lie to us?’ Spencer asked, as Penelope pulled out her phone and dialled your number.

‘They’ve been lying to us about this for weeks, if you’re bet is right anyway,’ Emily nudged him with her elbow. He nudged her back.

‘Technically it’s an omission not a lie, since none of us directly asked if they’re-‘

‘Shhh its ringing!’ The room fell to silence as Penelope put her phone to her ear.

~

Even though it had been a short case, you had been looking forward to getting back. And by how quickly Aaron had offered up his apartment for a movie night, he had been too. It was important to keep a clear line between boss and boyfriend while in the field, and it was only professional to stay in separate rooms during cases, so it felt good to have Aaron back in boyfriend mode, with comforting touches and quality time away from the office, away from the titles and roles that accompanied your positions at the BAU.

You had finished your report in record time. It was pure luck that everyone was too caught up in their own work to notice you slipping away. After dropping your report on Aaron’s desk, you had made a quick exit, waiting by Aaron’s car until he joined you in the car park. It had become routine to leave short gaps between your arrivals and exits, allowing the illusion that you had travelled separately, from different apartments, in different cars. It was a short ride back to his apartment.

You had only just settled back against Aaron’s side, a bowl of popcorn perched between your thighs when your phone buzzed.

‘Hey beautiful, where’d you run off to?’ Penelope’s sweet voice rang out from the other end of the line, ‘We’re going for food, you coming with?’

You glanced sideways at Aaron, who kept his eyes on the TV, though you knew he was listening in by the way his arm tensed around you. You gently squeezed the arm closest to you, relaxing further into his hold so he knew you weren’t planning on leaving.

‘Sorry Pen, not tonight, I’m, uh, not feeling great after today’s case…’ You trailed off, hoping she’d accept the excuse and you’d be home free. You should’ve known it wouldn’t be as simple as that. There was pause, and you could’ve sworn you could hear hushed conversation. Must’ve been the rest of the team packing up to leave. You felt almost guilty that they were still at the office, when you’d left as soon as your own report was done.

‘Oh honey!’ Her voice was laced with sympathy, ‘That’s it, we’ll bring the food to you! Nothing like good food and company to cheer up the soul!’ Your head fell back against Aaron’s chest with more force than necessary. Curse her and her kindness.

‘No, no it’s okay, really-‘ You tried to prevent your voice from giving away your panic, ‘No need to go out of your way! Tell the guys I said enjoy!’

‘Its not out of our way at all! See you in twenty, gorgeous.’ The line went dead before you had a chance to respond. You could feel the vibrations of Aaron’s quiet laugh behind you, tilting your head back to look up at him.

‘You think this funny?’ Your words were pointed, but the smile on your lips gave away your hidden amusement. In lieu of an answer, he leaned down to pepper kisses along your shoulder, the side of your neck, anywhere he could reach. You savoured the warmth of his lips against your skin, a soft moan escaping your parted lips as the kisses became more heated. Tilting your head back to give him easier access, you let out a disappointed whine when he instead detached from you, gently pushing you up until you were sitting straight.

‘They’re going to be at your apartment soon,’ He reminded you, giving your arm a squeeze before moving to stand. Your cheeks were flushed red, taking a few steadying breaths as he took the popcorn from your lap, placing it on the coffee table, before holding his hands out to you. Shooting him a mock glare, you resigned yourself to getting off the comfortable couch and getting your shoes on. As much as you loved your co-workers, so much that they were practically family, you really did not want to spend the evening with them, not when you could be curled up on the couch with Aaron, pretending the outside world didn’t exist.

‘Shit,’ You nearly tripped over your untied laces in your hurry to turn, ‘My car’s still at the office, Aaron I don’t have time to get back there, get my car AND-‘ Your words were halted by the soft press of his lips on yours. Clearly, you weren’t the only one wishing you could stay. Melting against him, your hands found purchase on the solid expanse of his shoulders, fingers digging into the soft material of his t-shirt. He pulled back, just far enough so he could press his forehead against yours.

‘I’ll drive,’ His voice was quiet in the minimal space between you, ‘Tell them your car broke down and I offered you a lift home.’ You just hummed your agreement, too caught up in his closeness to really be paying full attention. Overwhelming warmth encompassed you as you breathed in the faint smell of his cologne, trying to catalogue the feeling in your mind as your panic disappeared with the gentlest of touches.

‘Or,’ You offered mildly, blinking up at him through your lashes, ‘We could just turn our phones off, lock the door, and deal with all of this tomorrow?’ Soft open-mouthed kisses were pressed to the column of his throat in between your words, hands climbing to wrap around the back of his neck. Your fingertips teased the baby hairs at the base of his skull. You knew he wouldn’t take you up on the offer, even when his hands gripped at your waist, pulling you flush against him as he once again claimed your lips with his.

 It had been a tough decision, keeping the relationship from your team, but you had both ultimately decided that it was for the best, at least while things were still new. Then, six weeks had turned into six months, and six months into nearly a year. It was becoming harder and harder to keep a secret, and you nearly wanted the team to catch on. You’d met Jessica, and had a proper introduction to Jack, even going so far as to have gone to a few of his soccer practices at Jack’s insistence. You had been slowly moving your stuff into his room, small things like toiletries, pyjamas and a few spare work outfits. You spent more time at Aaron’s apartment than your own. You loved it. What you didn’t love, was having to hide it all from your friends.

‘We really should go,’ Aaron murmured against your lips, ‘At least you’ll get free food out of this.’

You laughed softly at that, pressing one last kiss to his lips before pulling back, cheeks dusted pink. ‘I’d rather have you.’ A rare boyish grin was your only response, before he turned to grab his keys and you quickly tied your laces. You were soon on the familiar road home.

 ~

They didn’t wait around to see if you were rushing from Hotch’s apartment, instead piling into the back of Derek’s car haphazardly. All but JJ, who had familial responsibilities, and Rossi who just wanted to go home, managed to fit into one SUV.  If Rossi had been with them to take some of the blame, Derek might’ve even thrown on the sirens and lights. Instead, he skipped through a few orange lights, and just barely stuck to the speed limits. When they arrived at the Indian restaurant, Spencer was sent to pick up the order, being deemed least likely to do something stupid like flash his badge for quicker service. Emily followed him inside to help carry it all back to the car. Even without the badge, they managed to make it in and out in under ten minutes. Luck was on their side, getting them to your apartment just 25 minutes after Penelope had hung up on you.

When they came to a stop outside your apartment complex, your car wasn’t parked in its normal spot, and they had a moment of celebration before Spencer realised the light was on inside. A light that meant you had beat them.

They all had to hide their disappointment when you greeted them at the door, not showing any sign of having rushed from one apartment to the other. Being one of the closer apartments to the office, yours was often used as a base for nights out, girl’s nights, and team movie-nights. It was the team’s apartment more than it had ever been just yours. Moving seamlessly through your kitchen grabbing plates, cutlery and glasses, Emily and Penelope set to organising the food, while Spencer and Derek moved your coffee table to the centre of the room so everyone could sit around it. It warmed you to know they felt at home here.

‘I’ll have to get someone to look at it tomorrow,’ You sounded morose enough that Emily almost believed your “car trouble” story. She just hummed her commiserations before stealing some chicken from your Jalfrezi. As much as she’d hoped to catch you and Hotch in your lie – or omission as Spencer would remind her – she enjoyed spending time with you, and this had been the perfect excuse for a team night.

‘Hotch didn’t stick around after dropping you off?’ Emily asked casually, scooping up a mouthful of curry with the edge of a poppadom. If you noticed the groups sudden interest in your conversation you didn’t show it. You shook your head, pushing the thought of his hands on your waist and his lips on your skin, out of your mind.

‘He was just being nice, he probably has better things to be doing after a case than hanging out here.’

Derek had to hide his laugh with a cough. You frowned at him, but before you could question it, Emily dragged you back into a conversation about Sergio and how he stole her bagel the other day. She glared at Derek when you weren’t looking. Conversation flowed easily after that, and it wasn’t long before everyone was on their second helping of food and the booze cupboard had been ransacked.

‘Hey babygirl, you seeing what I’m seeing?’ Derek had just sat back down with his second full plate when he spotted it; the start of your downfall. He nudged Penelope, nodding his head toward you. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, before rising nearly to her hairline. A sharp “oh my god” left her lips, before she covered her mouth. Just beneath the edge of your oversized t-shirt, a small red mark was blooming on your skin. It looked suspiciously like a hickey. A very, very new one at that. Penelope’s little outburst was quickly noted by Emily, who paused mid-conversation to notice what they had. Her shit-eating grin matched Derek’s perfectly.   

‘What?’ You frowned at her, quickly glancing at Spencer opposite you. He shrugged, offering no help.

‘Maybe Hotch stuck around for a little while after all?’ There was a teasing lilt to her tone as she reached out to tug your collar a little lower. You could feel heat rising up your neck into your cheeks, a beautiful shade of crimson. Covering the offending mark with your hand, you tried to come up with an excuse. Nothing came. Opening your mouth and then closing it a few times, you tried to look anywhere but at your friends. You were caught and you knew it. They knew it too.

‘Is there any point in me saying I burnt myself?’ You tried for a smile, but it turned out more like a grimace.

‘Nope.’ Emily said, popping the “p”.

‘Aaron and I, we, uh…’ You fidgeted with the hem of your shirt, your blush darkening, as Penelope mouthed “Aaron!” at Emily, who practically giggled. You were going to have to restock your alcohol cupboard before they came round again. You took a breath, glancing around the room. All eyes were on you.

 ‘We’re dating.’

There was an immediate outburst of “oh my god!”s and “I knew it!”s. You had expected to feel awful when your secret was finally out in the open, but all you could feel was relief. Well, and a tinge of embarrassment. Warmth bubbled in your chest, looking around the room at your team, your family, knowing you didn’t have to hide it from them anymore.

‘What ya thinking about over there?’ Emily nudged your arm, a small tendril of guilt creeping through her. You’d obviously wanted to spend your evening with Hotch, and instead they’d dragged you away in a hurry, all just to invade your privacy. A small grin broke through your façade.

‘I’m thinking, seeing as it’s not a secret anymore, I can leave you losers and go back to spending the night with my boyfriend.’ A chorus of cheers followed your words, and someone (you suspected Emily) shouted “Go get some, girl!”.

Spencer wrinkled his nose at that. ‘Gross, remember that’s Hotch we’re taking about, he’s pretty much our work dad.’ His words caused a laugh to bubble in your chest, and you leaned over Emily to plant a big kiss on his cheek.

‘Guess that makes me your new work-mom!’ He made a big show of wiping your kiss from his cheek, but the small smile that followed gave away his charade.

‘What are you waiting for beautiful? Your man is waiting for you!’ Your wide grin echoed Penelope’s as she ushered you up and out of the living room. Your overnight gear was already at Aaron’s, so all you needed was your shoes and phone. You felt almost giddy as you threw the spare key to Spencer.

‘Don’t stay up too late kiddos!’

‘Hey, hold on a second,’ You glanced at Derek, who had started stacking plates to take to the kitchen, ‘How long has this been going on?’

‘Oh… Y’know, only about 11… months.’ You shot them an abashed smile, before darting for the door as all hell broke loose.

‘You didn’t win the bet either!’ Emily and Derek’s argument floated out the door with you, and you couldn’t help but laugh. Of course they had bet on it. You didn’t have it in you to care, instead shutting the door with a sound click. Pulling your phone out of your pocket, you dialled Aaron’s number.

‘Hey handsome,’ You couldn’t help the smile that carried through in your words, ‘You want to finish that movie?’