#there's fluff. there's angst. there's more fluff and emotions!!!! all wrapped up with a neat little bow

[gentlebeard]

Our love was made for movie screens

For @saltpepperbeard 💕 Show: Our Flag Means Death - Season 1 & 2 Music: All I Want by Kodaline YouTube

[buckysleftbicep]

letters through time (5) 𐙚 b.b

pairing: modern!bucky barnes x fem!reader

warnings: none, a little angst and a ton of fluff to make up for the heartache in the previous chapters!

summary: you find a letter from 1944 hidden in the old brooklyn apartment you moved signed by one james buchanan barnes. you write back, he did too, and somehow, across decades, you both fall in love.

word count: 1.8k

author's note: hi my loves, we have finally made it to the last chapter!! i can’t even begin to express how grateful i am for all the love this series has received. your kind words and sweet comments means the world to me, especially because, truthfully, i never planned on sharing my fics on here! writing was something i turned to when i needed to cope, and to know that people do enjoy what i write means so much more to me than i can explain. i love you guys so much and stay safe out there!

series masterlist

He tasted like rain and everything you’d been aching for.

His hands cradled your face as he kissed you, slowly and gently, like he was rediscovering something he thought he’d lost. And maybe he was. Maybe you both were.

You clung to the lapels of his coat, grounding yourself in the feeling of him—solid, real and warm. Your lips moved in sync with his, tentative at first, then deepening into something filled with quiet desperation and promise.

When you finally pulled back, breathless, the silence between you didn’t stretch awkwardly. It settled, full and alive, charged with all the things you hadn’t been able to say but had always hoped.

He smiled. And your knees nearly gave out. “Hi.”

You huffed a soft, tearful laugh. “Hi.”

Bucky’s eyes, those familiar cerulean eyes that once lived only in your imagination, behind layers of ink and yellowed paper—were softer now. Maybe because they weren’t just gazing out from a photograph. They were looking at you. Seeing you.

“You said you remembered everything,” you whispered, just to hear it again. Just to be sure. “All of it?”

He nodded slowly. “I didn’t at first,” he said. “They wiped so much. I felt like I was swimming through fog. But something about your letters… they stuck with me. Even when everything else slipped away.”

His voice faltered, rough with emotion. Your heart ached just hearing it.

“I think it’s because you were the one thing they didn’t account for,” he said. “You weren’t part of my past. You were my future.”

Tears rose again, unbidden and overwhelming.

You took a small step back, just enough to really look at him. The lines on his face. The tiredness in his shoulders. The wear carved into him by time and war and loss. He wasn’t the young man in the photograph anymore—but that didn’t matter. He was still him.

Still Bucky. Still James.

“Can I come in?” he asked gently, his voice nearly a whisper, like he didn’t know if he had the right to ask.

You nodded and stepped aside.

He entered slowly, his eyes scanning the apartment like he was trying to memorize it. When his gaze landed on the cabinet—the one that had given you his first letter—his steps faltered. He reached out, brushing the wood with his fingertips.

Then he turned to you, something tender and aching in his expression.

“You kept them, didn’t you?” You didn’t need to ask what he meant.

Silently, you led him to your bedroom. You knelt and pulled out the box from beside the bed sealed all those months ago like a secret too sacred to discard.

You placed it between you on the edge of the mattress. Bucky reached for it as if it were a relic.

He opened the box carefully, gently. Inside lay the neat stack of letters. The faded daisies he had once given you you had once pressed between pages. The polaroids. The familiar curl of your handwriting wrapped around stories, questions, hopes.

And his.

He picked up one of the earliest notes, reading the words aloud with a disbelieving laugh:

“You sure you’re not pulling my leg, sweetheart? Phones that do everything?”

You smiled as he chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head. “God, I really thought you were messing with me.”

He flipped through a few more, his fingertips lingering on each one. Then his hands stilled, eyes landing on the letter you’d written after your visit to the Smithsonian, the one with no explanations, no logic. Just hope.

Please come back to me, James.

He inhaled sharply. Closed his eyes. Swallowed hard.

When he looked at you again, tears shimmered in his lashes.

“I’m sorry it took so long.”

You shook your head, your throat too tight to speak at first. “You came back Bucky. That’s all that matters to me.”

He reached out and took your hand in his, lacing your fingers together.

The silence between you was heavy, thick with all the things that had been lost and everything that had managed to survive. But it wasn’t painful. It was full. Alive.

Eventually, you migrated to the couch. The storm had dwindled to a whisper outside, you curled into each other like magnets long kept apart, finally drawn back into place. His arm wrapped securely around your shoulders, your legs tucked beside his.

“So,” you murmured, your head resting against his chest, “what happens now?”

Bucky tilted his head, glancing down at you with the same boyish softness you had once only known through paper.

“I don’t know,” he admitted honestly. “But I’d like to find out. With you.”

You smiled. “You mean you don’t have a Stark Industries time machine stashed in your back pocket?”

He snorted. “Nope. Just trauma and charm, doll.”

You burst into laughter, burying your face in his shoulder. He smiled wider, and tightened his arm around you.

And for the first time, in what felt like a hundred lifetimes, it finally felt like home.

The next few weeks were gentle. Bucky didn’t leave.

He stayed in Brooklyn, in the apartment that had once seemed like a strange anomaly in the timeline of your life, but had somehow become the bridge between past and present. Between you and him. Day by day, you came to know the version of James Buchanan Barnes who existed not in ink or memory, but in flesh and blood.

You learned that he was quiet in the mornings, that he liked his coffee strong, nearly burnt, and that he always read the newspaper from front to back like it was a ritual. You teased him for it, joking that he had officially become a grandpa, and he would roll his eyes but smile every time.

He still called you “sweetheart.” But now, he said it softly against your skin, with the warmth of someone who could reach across the bed and kiss your forehead after saying it. And every time, it made something settle in your chest. Something that had been waiting a very long time to rest.

He told you stories.

Some were light—childhood pranks with Steve, the time he tried to sneak out of camp only to be caught by a very unimpressed drill sergeant, his fascination with how different Brooklyn looked now.

Others were dark. Much darker. He told you about waking up in cold HYDRA cells with no idea who he was. About the way his memories had been stolen and stitched back wrong. About the fragments that survived the breaking—faces, smells, sounds. Your name.

“Every time they woke me up,” he said once, voice low and rough like gravel, “even when I didn’t know who I was… I remembered this apartment, that drawer. I didn’t know why. Didn’t know what it meant."

You didn’t answer. You couldn’t. The ache in your heart was too big for words, too swollen with everything he’d lost and everything you’d both somehow found again.

So you leaned in and kissed him.

Not because it made the pain go away, but because it was the only thing that ever made sense through the ache. Because he was here. Because he remembered.

Because against every odd, you had both survived long enough to find your way back.

And in the quiet that followed, when he rested his forehead against yours and breathed you in like a prayer, you knew that this soft, tentative beginning was worth every letter, every silence, every tear.

You were finally writing the rest of the story together.

Some days, you visited the Smithsonian together.

You stood beside him at the wall that once made you cry. This time, your fingers were laced with his. You watched as he stared at his own photograph, eyes tracing the younger version of himself frozen behind glass. There was a tender stillness in the way he looked at it, like he was seeing a ghost he had finally made peace with.

Then, just above a whisper, he said, “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

You turned to him, eyes stinging, and squeezed his hand tighter.

Later that evening, over the soft creak of floorboards and the smell of dinner lingering in the air, you asked him quietly if he ever wanted to get rid of the letters—if maybe it was too painful to keep them.

He shook his head almost instantly.

“No,” he said, voice steady. “They’re not just letters. They’re the only part of me HYDRA couldn’t take.”

You didn’t press him. Instead, you took the box out together that night. Laid the letters across the table, smoothing them out with careful hands. Then, slowly, page by page, you tucked them into a leather-bound album—a home worthy of their weight.

Every page was a piece of a love story that should have never existed. A story folded in time, hidden between floorboards, sealed in ink and hope.

Every word proof that somehow, impossibly, you and Bucky had found each other again.

And this time, you weren’t letting go.

One evening, months later, you found another letter in the drawer.

This time, it wasn’t old.

It was new. Fresh. The envelope was crisp, the ink still slightly smudged, like it hadn’t been folded for long. You blinked in surprise, your fingers trembling slightly as you reached for it, heart already thudding.

You opened it slowly, cautiously, like it might disappear if you moved too fast. Your brow furrowed in confusion at first—until you recognised the handwriting. That familiar scrawl, equal parts elegant and hurried. The same ink that had once kept you company across time.

Your lips parted in a quiet gasp, and a smile tugged at the corners of your mouth as you began to read:

Dear (y/n), I never thought I’d get the chance to say this in person. Never thought the girl on the other side of my letters would be real. But here you are. You once said you didn’t know what you meant to me. That maybe it was just a moment frozen in time. But I need you to know that you’re everything to me. The letters brought me to you. But your heart kept me here. And I plan on staying. Forever yours, James

You laughed through your tears, pressing the page to your chest as you turned toward the doorway. And there he was.

Bucky stood leaning against the frame, arms crossed, that same half-smile dancing on his lips, the same one you’d first seen in an old photograph, the one that had lit up your heart before you’d even known what it meant to see him smile for real.

“You’re such a sap,” you whispered, wiping at your cheeks even as your laughter cracked through the tears.

“You love it,” he said, not even bothering to hide the warmth in his voice.

You crossed the room in three steps and threw your arms around him, burying your face in the crook of his neck. He held you close, solid and warm and real, like he’d never left. Like time had finally settled into something soft enough to hold.

You kissed him then, slow and sure, and you were right.

You did love it. You loved him.

And maybe, somewhere deep down you always had.

a/n: this series will always hold a really special place in my heart, thank you for reading!

taglist: @ndanddnd @darling-eos @alikkatz @creepybake @maryssong23 @mgchaser @hiraethmae @coffeecigsandcommentary @iyskgd @silverdoragon @lori19 @counterstr1ke @cyberxlust @throwmethroughawindow @keira-kaz2y5 @herejustforbuckybarnes @tpwkyarely

[writingforstraykids]

Keep it together

Pairing: Chan x femReader

Word Count: 2199

Summary: You come back to an empty home, overwhelmed after a shitty day. Once Chan's there he makes sure to take care of you.

Warnings/Tags: angst, fluff, cuddles, emotional hurt!comfort

A/N: My dear friend and editor Miya @miyaluvvsyou wrote this beautiful comfort fic for Channie, trying to make me believe that it's "just a lil sth and probably not good"...please, help me prove her otherwise🤭🖤

Pushing the front door to your home open, you drag your tired body inside and let it slam shut behind you, ignoring the sound that normally makes you flinch. You slide off your shoes, drop your bag and keys on the nearby table, and take off your jacket to hang it up on the hook next to the door. You turn towards your living room, taking a few steps into your home. The air is still, silence clouding the air as you realize no one is home besides you. The sunlight peaks through your windows, and subtlety illuminates the space just enough to see the features of your home. 

You walk past the living room and towards the stairs to your bedroom, stripping the clothes from your body in the process. As you reach your bedroom, you drop your clothes in the laundry basket by the door and head into the master bathroom, leaving the door open. Standing in front of the sink, you look into the mirror and you inhale a shaky breath, exhaling as you examine your features while only standing in your bra and panties. 

Your hair, now frizzy and all over the place from its neat style this morning, is the first thing you see. The dark circles resting under your eyes threaten to deepen with one more sleepless night. Your eyes were red and puffy from rubbing them all day, also ruining your makeup you put effort into this morning. Your skin was slightly paler than normal. As you take in the sight, tears begin to brim your eyelids, and you take a shaky, deep breath to center yourself. You were drained in every sense of the word, and it was very apparent in your appearance, though you tried to hide it. 

And all you wanted was him.

A tear escaped and rolled down your face, but you wiped it away quickly with a sniffle. Moving towards your shower, you turn on the hot water and let the steam envelop the room for a couple of minutes while you continue wiping away the tears still escaping your eyelids. 

Keep it together just enough to shower. Wash the day away, and you will be fine…

You repeat the same words in your head as you strip from your underwear and step into the scalding water, letting it welcome you with a deep sigh. You try not to waste any time and energy getting to work on washing your body. With every scrub of the soapy cloth, you imagine every single worry and inconvenience from the week being taken away. But no matter how hard you scrub, your mind can’t seem to relax. The flowing hot water only giving you temporary relief from the icy atmosphere in your mind. And you can’t stay in the shower forever, as much as you want to sink down to the floor and let the water consume you. You resist the urge and continue cleaning your body until you’re satisfied. 

Finishing your shower and getting out, you wrap a towel around your body and walk back to the bedroom. Grabbing your lotion, you sit at the edge of the bed and moisturize your body as you get lost in your thoughts again, staring at the floor and spacing out. Your body moves on autopilot, making sure to cover every inch of skin with the sweet-scented lotion as you’ve done countless times before. If anyone were to walk in, they would think you’re just doing your normal routine. But they’d have no idea of the depressive storm brewing in your head.

Keep it together. You’ll be under the covers and away from the world soon…

As you continue your routine on autopilot, you tug one of his t-shirts over your head, slip on a pair of panties, and sit on your side of the bed, facing the window. Closing your eyes, you inhale deeply and hold it in. The tears that were in your waterline begin to slide down your cheeks. You exhale shakily, and before you can stop it, the tears fall faster. You begin to cry, feeling your mind and body give in to the breakdown you have been avoiding all day. As your sobs get louder, your body slides down onto the floor, leaning back against the bed, and your hands reach up to cover your face. You cry your heart out, trying to keep your heart from racing out of your chest. 

You don’t hear Bang Chan come home almost an hour later. He’s humming to himself as he closes the door, guiding it so it won’t slam, and puts his keys in the bowl on the table. As he takes his shoes off, he notices yours and smiles to himself, putting his bag next to yours. “(Y/N), I’m home, love!” He calls out to you. Taking off his hoodie and hanging it next to the door, he turns towards the living room, expecting to see you. 

But he’s met with nothing but the still silence of the home. There weren’t any lights on, just the few rays of sunlight coming through the window. There wasn’t any movement coming from the kitchen. As he walked further in, he noticed the tv wasn’t on either, couch unoccupied. 

“(Y/N)? Are you home, baby?” Chan called out again, his eyebrows raised as he awaits for a response. But none came, and he frowned. 

Strange.

Taking his phone out of his pocket, he opens it and calls your phone, listening to the ringing. A couple of seconds later, he hears the vibration from your phone and looks around to locate the sound. He follows the vibration back to your purse, where he sees your ringing phone with his name on the screen. He looks around once more before ending the call. He softly hums and begins to make his way upstairs, 2 steps at a time. Maybe you were in the bathroom or in the shower.

Chan notices the bedroom door open and looks inside, standing in the doorway. His eyes scan the room before he sees the top of your head poking out from your side of the bed. He exhales with a small smile and slowly walks in, trying not to make noise to surprise you. But his smile fades as he gets closer to you and hears your small sniffles. Are you crying?

“Baby?” Chan speaks gently to get your attention. Your head snaps up to meet his gaze, and his heart drops at the sight. You’re sitting on the floor in his t-shirt, one shoulder exposed and crossed legged. Your eyes are bloodshot red and puffy, tears flowing. Your chest rises and falls rapidly as you sniffle but struggle to breathe. My poor baby..

He’s kneeling down in front of you not even a second later, his hands cupping your cheeks and wiping away your tears with his thumbs. “(Y/N) what’s wrong? Are you hurt? Did something happen?” Chan rattles out questions as he closely examines your body. You shake your head and sniffle, more tears flowing from your eyes. 

“C-Chan I-“ You struggle to get out between sniffles. You put your hands over his and close your eyes. He leans forward and kisses your nose softly, then your forehead, and finally pecks your lips so delicately. It causes you to still, taking a deep breath and inhaling his scent. It calms you enough to finally open your eyes and meet his gaze. 

He looks at you with a pained expression and rubs your cheeks with his thumbs gently. “What’s wrong, princess? What’s upsetting you, hm?” He asks sincerely. Chan hated seeing you upset, especially if he’s the one that causes it. But since he’s just gotten home, he doesn’t think he might be the cause this time. 

“I don’t k-know, but hold me p-please” You whimper and wrap your arms around his neck. Chan sits back against the wall and pulls you into his lap, holding you close to his chest as he rubs your back. You bury your face in his neck and sniffle, trying to steady yourself in his arms. 

Chan rubs soothing circles on your back and shushes you softly. You instinctively pull him impossibly closer, taking deep breaths. “It’s okay, babygirl. I’m right here. I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere.” You nod at his words. “We can sit here as long as you’d like, okay?”

“O-okay Channie.” You whisper into his neck, steadying your beating heart as you find comfort in his arms. 

The two of you sit like that for 2 hours. Once your sniffles died down and the tears stopped flowing, you curled up in Chan’s lap, subconsciously trying to shrink yourself. He continued to rub your back while planting soft kisses on your head every now and then. He even started to hum one of your favorite songs to help steady your heartbeat. He didn’t complain about being on the floor for so long, he just wanted you to be okay. Once the silence was in the air long enough, he spoke up. “How ya feeling, love?”

“I’m okay…” You shyly reply, shifting a little in his lap. “I’m sorry I couldn’t-“ You begin to try explaining yourself, but Chan interrupted you almost immediately. 

“Shh hey, don’t apologize to me. My concern is you, no matter what.” He looks into your eyes as he speaks reassurance to you, letting the hand that’s not rubbing your back gently caress your face. “If you’re not ready to talk about it, it’s okay. I won’t pressure you.”

You nod and your eyes flutter as he leans forward to plant a kiss on your forehead. With a sniffle, you begin to speak. “I just had a really tense work week and once I got home, my body just…broke down. It’s just been so-“ The tears begin to rim around your eyes as you explain, and you take a pause to take a deep breath. Chan notices and kisses your forehead, running a gentle finger underneath your eyes to wipe away your tears. You take his hand and look into his eyes. “Thank you, Channie.” You speak lowly, but sincerely. 

“Don’t thank me, it’s my job to make sure you are okay baby.” He speaks softly with a smile. You match the small smile resting on his face and nod. “Do you wanna sit here for a little longer still?”

“Can we lay in bed and cuddle? You’re probably uncomfortable from sitting like this for a while. Especially with me sitting on top of you.” You give him an apologetic look, while an adorable pout rests on your lips.

Chan shakes his head. “You know I’ll never complain when you’re sitting on my lap, princess.” He says, wiggling his eyebrows. You gasp softly and slap his shoulder playfully, smiling as he giggled. “But we can lay down and cuddle baby, whatever you want.” He chuckles and kisses you. You kiss him back, wrapping your arms around his neck and moving to straddle his lap. He wraps his arms around your legs and stands up with ease, causing a squeal to leave your lips in the middle of the kiss. He chuckles and kisses you again as he takes a few steps towards the bed and lays you on your back. 

You keep your arms around his neck and wraps your legs around his waist to keep him close. He smiles and kisses your forehead and cheeks, going back to your lips for a soft peck. You whine softly and try to connect your lips again, but he pulls back just enough to be out of reach, a grin that flashes his dimples rests on his lips. “Channieee” 

“Uhn uhn, cuddling only princess. That’s what you asked for.” He raised an eyebrow, still grinning. 

You sigh and pout at him. “Just a little kiss?” You give him the best boba eyes you can manage. 

But he doesn’t crack, giving your pouty lips a quick peck before he playfully slaps your thigh. “There’s your kiss. Now get under the covers while I change my clothes.” He says, giggling at your stunned face from his movement. He gives you one more small peck before standing up and going into that closet to change. You smile to yourself and crawl under the covers, grabbing the remote and turning on the TV. 

Chan comes out of the closet in a pair of sweatpants but his chest bare. He climbs into bed and underneath the covers, pulling your body close to his. You lay your head on his chest and intertwine your legs, feeling safe and sound in his arms. He kisses your temple and smiles. “I love you darling.”

“I love you more, Channie. So much more.” You speak, placing a kiss on his chest and smiling to yourself. You turn on Netflix and you watch that K-Drama you both have been waiting to watch, feeling that much needed peace you craved just hours ago. 

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Taglist (Please let me know if you want to be added to or removed from the taglist):

@atinyniki @galaxycatdrawz @silverstarburst @aaa-sia @lilmisssona @kthstrawberryshortcake @channieaddict @soullostinspaceandtime @rebecca-johnson-28 @lixie-phoria @kibs-and-bits @xxstrayland @ihrtlix @pheonixfire777 @mellhwang @palindrome969 @michelle4eve @harshaaaaa @rylea08 @heeyboooo @manuosorioh @gisaerlleri @andassortedkpop @lailac13 @bbokari711 @kazuuuaaa @rssamj @wolfyychan @stellasays45 @chrizzztopherbang @ionlyeverwantedtobeyourequal @silentreadersthings @myforevermelody143

[kurosstuff]

🍯 Never request on a followers event before, sounds fun and neat

Can we get Sera x Exorcist!Fem!Reader?

I thought Sera could have some love from the reader, so let's shower her with kisses on the hand, wrist, and all that cute stuff.

I agree she does deserve all the love~

Warning(s): one spicy comment but it's all fluff and SFW, soft hint of angst, first kiss

Gonna be a bit shorter then usual Maybe im sorry I hope you like it♡

Sera x Exorcist!fem!reader

Stress was everywhere. In the mortal world. In hell. Heaven is not much different. The higher rank you are? The more stress you realize is actually around. Its not as relaxing nor as calming as everyone thought.

You obviously knew, considering not only are you an Exorcist. So, of course, you're full of stress from the pressure to fight. To train. To keep the sickening secret of why your a thing to the rest of Heaven.

But more so of your secret lover? Mate? You.. weren't sure what your status with Sera was truthfully. Frowning leaning back, watching the High Leader herself stress over the work for some upcoming meeting you weren't aware of. Sighing, you got up placing at god forsaken mask on the table "..High leader?" You spoke up watching her jump looking up at you

"..my dear~ you know in private your allowed to say my name~" she hummed, putting the pen down to give you her full attention despite how utterly tired she was. Humming, you decided to try that thing you read up on. Without a word, you gently held her hand, kissing her knuckles, watching as her wings puffed up her extra pair of eyes popping out to watch in shock "my- my dear what are-?" The words cut in her throat

Humming, you turned her hand around to kiss at her palm "I read in this book.. to help..others-" resisting the urge to say lover or more embarrassingly utter the word mate to her clearing your throat "kisses help relax them" kissing any skin you saw on her hands in a slow respectful manner

Humming flushed wings, "i see? Go ahead then, " she purred out, pulling you onto her lap, easily knowing you'd never do so on your own watching you kiss both her hands showering her in love and attention

Glancing up at her face, you debated. Should you truly test your luck? Kissing her face? Or should you stick to her hands? Sighing, you bit the bullet. Might as well since you're finally this close to her- "excuse me Sera-" you stuttered out, ignoring her curious flushed staring softly as you cradled her face, moving up, press soft kisses along her face "you should rest. You're always working -" you whispered wings, fluttering

Humming Sera couldn't help but let the grin appear on her. Holding your waist softly leaning into the kisses- the soft touches she herself taught you how to do. Feeling your cautious touches as if unsure "It's ok, little angel~" You're free to kiss me, " she purred out teasingly pushing where your wings met drawing a moan against her cheek "sorry sorry~" laughing at the flushed glare "couldn't help it~ always get your feathers ruffled when I mess with them huh?" She smirked softly

Moments like this brought joy to you. Which was an odd emotion to have for an exorcist. Having Sera explain it to you was also a hard thing from how amused she seemed to be when hearing you got like this with her. Around her. Constantly. Humming as you pressed kisses along her face, more watching the stress, the worry melt off her. You felt like an actual angel in moments like this- like two teenagers in love- you shook the thought away humming, kissing the corner of her lips making her gasp inhaling sharply.

Fearing you overstepped, you moved back. Apologies, falling out of your mouth quickly makes her hum and cradles your face, "you missed~" purring out softly, kissing you properly gently groaning softly "if your gonna kiss me.. kiss me properly no~?" Smirkinf against your lipstick covered lips watching you nod with a hum she stood up cradling you gently in her arms not minding how you wrapped your legs around her waist clinging to her over towering form

"Where are we going Sera?"

Humming she reached down a free hand grabbing your mask as she placed yet another kiss to your lips peppering you softly so your face was covered in her lipstick smirking in approval she walked out the door "to rest my angel~ I'm going to my room.. we may kiss there freely and much more comfortably ~" she hummed out making you yelp out when you saw her about to leave her office, making her to freeze

"Look at me! Look at you-!? What will they say when the high leader is caught carrying an angel? Covered in her lipstick marks-!" Your face burned at the rumors that would cause. She hummed watching you carefully her wings fluttered in thought

"Would it bother you?"

Shaking your head 'no' made her hum softly yet again before smiling "then let them see. Don't mind it. After all~ they should all see who I wanna court no?" Without a word or glancing at you. She left. Ignoring the looks of others combined with your voice asking her to repeat herself

Or to explain herself.

She ignored it. Cause wasn't it obvious? Since the beginning. Your feelings. Have been returned from Sera. Now she needs to work on making it..offical

[et3rnalknowledge]

Pairing: Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Content: a lil bit of angst, fluff

Summary: Life has been amazing so far, but when your worries keep you up late at night you search for a distraction. Who could've known this would be the night where you and Shuri finally take the next step in your relationship, and all it took was three words.

Note: uhm this is my time writing ANYTHING like this, so I hope whoever sees this enjoys it! (Also please excuse any mistakes, I was working on this late 😞)

You were on your balcony smoking a blunt, the wind calm and the city quiet. You were supposed to be sleeping next to Shuri, but relaxation never came. The plan was supposed to be easy: slip out from under her arms, have a quick smoke, then crawl back into her embrace and go to sleep. Of course it didn't play out like that.

Everything in your life had been amazing recently. You became Shuri's girlfriend, secured your dream career, bought your first high-rise apartment, and made a solid group of friends. It felt too good to be true, like it all came with a price you didn't know about, and that scared you. You had been outside for 10 minutes too long, and Shuri woke up. She looked around in the dark when she felt your absence in the bed. Though, she didn't have to wonder where you were at, because the smoke from the blunt was like a trail straight to you.

"sithandwa, what's wrong?"

Shuri's voice shocked you out your trance and you put out your blunt. You turned around and admired her. The curls that were once neat were now frizzy, and her fit form visible in the moonlight was covered with a sports bra and pyjama pants. She never failed to stun you with her beauty. Sometimes you wonder what you ever did to deserve her, but the only answer you can think of was fate

She walked up to you and wrapped her arms around your waist. The eye contact she held with you made you feel lightheaded. "Shuri, I'm scared," you whispered. "Everything is amazing, but I feel as though it comes with a cost I'm unaware of." Your eyes started to sting and you felt your chest tighten. "The thought of losing you, my friends, and my success is killing me inside." Shuri started to rub circles on your back as tears slid from your eyes, the emotions you fought to hide were now on display.

She took a hand off your back to wipe away your tears. "Do you know why I chose you?" You shook your head, attentive to what she had to say. " I chose you because you're everything I've dreamed of, hard working, gentle and kind enough to give others grace," She said as a bright smile graced her features. "Everything you have now you deserve because you continue to be yourself without shame, and none of it you will ever lose."

You let out a chuckle as she leaned forward, foreheads touching. Her hands went back to their rightful place on your waist, and their presence grounded you. "Y'know Shuri, you seem to know all the right things to say," You said as the tears and tightness in your chest vanished as if they never existed. Your hands held onto her biceps, only parting when she moved backwards to fully take you in.

Your smell, beautiful face, and body in your nightgown was enough to make her fold. The way she felt towards you was unique. Something she had never felt for any other woman shes been with. She adored you for being you, your personality, quirks, even the little things you liked that brought the slightest shimmer to your eyes. She made sure to remember every detail. Her silence was odd and you felt shy under her gaze. "What, do I have something on my face?" You said with a shy smile, but she never responded to your comment, only looked at you like something was on her mind.

"Y/n..I love you."

Time seemed to stop. Shuri's gaze into your eyes softened even more than before, awaiting your reply. You were shocked and looked at her with surprise. "Baby, I love you too." Before you could blink her lips and hands were on you. Her mouth fit yours perfectly, and her hand around your neck left you feeling flustered. The kiss was heated, desire and devotion engraved in the way both your tongues danced.

The kiss broke, and you were both out of breath. As you and her held eye contact you both started to laugh. The once sad atmosphere was replaced with love. All you could do was look into her eyes and imagine the future the both of you would have together. Shuri's kiss to your cheek brought you back to reality. "Let's head to bed sithandwa." She led you into the room, and you both got wrapped in the blankets. Both of your limbs were tangled together, no distinct end or beginning. Sleep found you easy now, and a happy heart accompanied it.

[ltsokaylove]

Star Shaped Scars

A Regulus Black x reader

Comfort, fluff, a good bit of angst.

TW! Mention of abuse and description of scars. Let me know if I missed anything! Stay safe loves~

:))

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

All dinner she had been awaiting her hangout with Regulus. The two usually met after dinner and talked out of sight at the astronomy tower, and she had been dying to see him since they hadn't met in private in about a week, and it had been a stressful week at that. It was the day after spring break ended, and her sixth year was only months from being over.

It always put her more on edge whenever Regulus had to go home to his parents. She hated the way he returned, colder and more distant each time. It broke her heart to see the toll his parents mistreatment took on him.

She practically inhaled her dinner before speedwalking up the numerous staircases to the astronomy tower. By the time she reaches the top she's like five minutes earlier than their usual meeting time. She stands leaning on the railing, the anticipation eating her up.

He arrives five minutes later than their usual time, appearing silently behind her. He hesitates, but she senses his presence and immediately launches herself into his arms, "Reg!".

He exhales wrapping his arms around her and making sure to not let her hit the ground. She runs her fingers through his hair clinging to him for dear life, "Are you okay?".

He just hums contentedly into her shoulder in response, as she loosens her grip so he can put her down. Her eyes look him over and scan his face of emotion, all she finds is slight happiness but hes otherwise closed off. "Come sit?"

He nods and they sit together behind the safety railings, shoulders touching. "How was your break?" he asks turning his gaze on her, his eyes travel over her face almost memorizing it.

She shrugs not looking at him, but at the sky, "It was alright, was yours...alright?"

He freezes, "A lot better than usual". His tone is final and dry.

"Oh Reg, baby," she sighs leaning into his side and taking his hand into hers. Her fingers graze over the skin of his wrist and hand and he visibly winces. She notices it out of her peripheral vision and looks down to his hand. Its covered in messy scars, most fresh. She gently raises his sleeve and he doesn't stop her he just sighs, defeated. She finds the word 'worthless' carved into his forearm just below his wrist. The only way she knows its not by his doing is the fact that its on his left forearm and that's his dominant hand, and the handwriting is too neat to have been done with his right hand.

She feels hot anger start to surge throughout her body, "Who-." her voice cracks, "Who did this to you?"

"My mother," he says bitterly but still crazily calm.

She digs through the satchel on the floor beside her, she didn't bother to take to her dorm before rushing here like her life depended on it. She almost giggles at the sight of her only band aids being my little pony but thinks better of it and continues looking for the scar ointment in her bag. She pulls it out and looks at him, "Can I patch you up?" she asks gently.

"You don't have to worry about it darling, I-"

"Please?" she says in that soft voice he can't resist. He turns his head away, she broke him.

"Alright, I'm just sorry you have to see this," his voice wavers.

"Stop apologizing for things that aren't your fault". She gently rubs the scar ointment over the word on his forearm before kissing down his arm lightly. She smiles covering the word with the my little pony band aids from her bag.

The corners of his mouth quirks up, "What are those?"

She smiles innocently at him. "Band aids".

He rolls his eyes playfully, "Well I know that, I mean-"

"Shh baby, let me love you." she kisses the palm of his hand, up to his fingertips. "I hope you know your not worthless-"

"I do-" he cuts her off, looking at her lovingly, "I promise, you make me feel so loved darling". He kisses the side of her head.

"Does it hurt at all?"

He shakes his head, "Just burns a little, but that medicine definitely made a difference, thanks my love".

She smiles leaning onto his chest as she holds his hand at her side, "Anytime, I'm just glad we're back at school".

He studies the worried look on her face, "Stop worrying," he shifts so she can lean back onto him, and pulls her in between his legs so they can stargaze comfortably.

"Look there's you're constellation-"

[krylng]

Gone.

Draco Malfoy comforting you after Severus Snape’s tragic death.

Maybe even comforting him.

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x fem!reader

Warnings : angst, fluff, sadness, death

Recommend song to listen to while reading this: The Night We Met, Lord Huron

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚⋆ ˚｡

“Draco?” you sniffed before wiping your nose with the sleeve of your black hoodie. “A-are the rumors…true?”

Draco couldn’t bare to see you like this—shaking, sobbing, pathetic… you were a mess. Mascara was smeared all over your face and your sleeves dirty with running snot. “Love,” he swallowed down a hard lump. He was close to Severus Snape, like you, but he didn’t have the bond you did. Sure, Snape made a vow to protect Draco, but he didn’t need to make one to protect you. You were more special to him. ‘You’re like the daughter I never had,’ Snape once said after class, pulling you into his tight embrace. “I hate to say this, but… yes. S-snape has…passed.”

Draco blinked back his tears as you screamed loudly, shaking his whole room, maybe even all of the Malfoy Manor. He bit his trembling lip sadly as you sank to the floor on your knees. He didn’t want to say the truth but… he didn’t exactly know how to comfort you. His father always told him to never let his emotions get to him… so, naturally, he wasn’t exactly empathetic. But for you? He would tell you anything, even take down the mask he puts on for everyone, trying to prove that he was tough.

“I…I’m sorry…” was all he managed to say before you let out a small sob. It broke his heart, seeing you like this. He watched you wipe a final tear, before slowly getting up on your feet.

You panted, staring straight at the ground. “I’M GOING TO MURDER HIM,” you screamed. “I’M GOING TO KILL YOU-KNOW-WHO!”

“Darling, please—“ he begged. He almost jumped when your eyes quickly fell onto him, giving him the same look. “—killing him won’t bring him back…I don’t want you losing your innocence by killing him. I…I think it’s Potter’s destiny to kill him… I can feel it.” he ran his fingers through his neat blonde hair, smoothing down the new frizz.

“You better be right,” you grumbled. “Otherwise you’ll be next if Potter doesn’t succeed.”

Though Draco hasn’t witnessed anyone he loved die before, he knew you were blinded with rage and grief. He needed patience. “Love?”

You looked up at him again, but with softer eyes, the eyes that made his heart break for you. He slowly extended his arm toward you, palm facing up. He watched as your trembling hand slowly reached out, before meeting his. Once your fingers were intertwined, he gently pulled towards him, wrapping both arms around you tightly as you fell into him.

The gesture was sweet, though he wasn’t surprised when you burst into tears again. He dropped one arm, reached up, and began stroking your hair, in no rush to tell you to suck it up or hush up. His fingers were caught in your waves, and he decided it was time to hug you with both arms again.

You really needed comfort.

“It’ll be alright, m’love.” he whispered, tracing patterns with the pads of his thumbs on your back. He began to whisper more encouraging and sweet words to you, words that made you doubt he was in the right House.

“I’m here for you, whenever you need me, wherever.”

He tapped your thighs twice, and you didn’t hesitate before jumping up and wrapping your legs around him.

A cue you knew all too well…

“Relax darling,” he chuckled. “I’m only bringing you to bed. It’s late.” he gently set you down on his bed, tucking you in under his warm and cozy blankets before joining in next to you. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you as close to him as possible.

You wanted to sleep after replaying a good memory with Snape.

“You two?” Snape asked. “Really?”

“Yes…” you answered. “We are.” Draco squeezed your hand tightly.

“Who knew, my favorite two Slytherins would end up together.” he smiled, a gesture he did often in their presence. “Even favorite students.”

You could feel Draco glancing at you, eyes filled with love as you talked with Snape in front of him. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of you. He caressed the side of your pointer finger with his thumb, before giving your hand another squeeze.

You and Draco were going on a date that night, to a fine Italian restaurant. You fidgeted with the silver necklace, the finishing touch of your look— a black dress that came down to your thighs and fit you in all the right places, paired with elegant, black heels. As for Draco, he wore a nice black suit.

“Well, I certainly approve…not only are you two in love, I’m sure any future child of yours will do great things, much like you two.” Snape chuckled.

In the corner of your eye, you saw Draco check his silver watch.

“Oh yes, you guys must get going soon, I would hate to keep you here.” said Snape.

You walked out with Draco, hands still intertwined, and your arms swinging as you walked through the corridors.

That date was amazing.

Your eyelids became heavy with sleep, and you finally gave in.

No, Snape wouldn’t be coming back.

His death was absolutely tragic. A death you wouldn’t wish on anyone.

You’ll avenge him in any way you can.

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As you probably know just from reading that, i’m pretty burnt out but I needed to write that because i can’t find any fics like that. Honestly that’s why it’s so short, i’m lazy and burnt out.

farewell y’all

huh… draco’s middle name is lucius.

how arrogant is his father bro 😭 🙏

[invisible-pink-toast]

Chloenette Fic Recommendations

Multi-chapter

Chloé Noir by JajaLala

Possibilities lined up before her. If she was a superhero, everyone would love her. She would have parades. She’d be powerful, perhaps more powerful than her parents. She couldn’t wait to tell everyone that she, Chloé Bourgeois, was a superhero! Then she looked in the mirror. Leather. Chloé was wearing not only a full-body leather suit, but on top of that she wore leather gloves, boots and a belt. Leather-on-leather! An atrocity! Even worse, Chloé’s hair was pulled out of its neat ponytail, and had turned into a mess of curls. Chloé spent an hour every morning having her butler straighten her hair, she didn’t want it to revert to it’s natural curly state every time she transformed! The excessive leather did not even spare her head, giving her both leather ears and a leather mask that tinted her sclera blue. If Chloé’s mother, the Queen of Fashion, ever saw this, Chloé knew exactly what she would say: “Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!” So this is why superheros had secret identities.

Chat Noir!Chloe and a rewrite of the first two seasons. Absolutely iconic, so well written, it’s got fluff, angst, comedy, feelings, and fantastic love square shenanigans between Chloe and Marinette. Couldn’t recommend enough! 

Fire by MKW_Raider

The fight against Hawkmoth has only gotten harder and with most of their allies having a compromised identity of some kind, Ladybug and Chat Noir need a new permanent hero by their side.

When Chat Noir gives the Turtle Miraculous to the one person Ladybug did not want to give a second chance, will their team crumble or only become stronger?

Can Chloe, as Khelone, prove she's worthy to wield the Turtle and fight by Ladybug and Chat Noir's side again?

Fighting akumas, saving the city, and trying to live a normal life in their spare time just got a whole lot more complicated when newly surfaced feelings are added to the mix.

I love this so much, Chloe getting a second chance, how her relationship with Marinette slowly progresses through their different identities, and tHE LAST CHAPTER!!! IT’S SO GOOD!! Also part of a series! 

The Bee on the Balcony by MarshmallowBun

Ladybug trusted Chloe enough to give her another shot at being a hero, even though her ego got in the way and she told all of Paris who she was. but on one condition, Chloe has to be nicer to everyone. What happens when she realizes she has feelings for a certain baker's daughter!

This fic is hilarious, the way Chloe realises her feelings for Marinette had me cackling, and Adrien and Chloe’s friendship is fantastic. Still ongoing.  

.

One-shots

There May Be Something There That Wasn't There Before by tacomuerte

Chloé’s fundraiser for animal shelters is on the verge of collapse?

Marinette isn’t about to allow that to happen, so it’s Paris’ resident polka-dotted superhero to the rescue!

Super cute, a Chloe redemption, protective Marinette and a good Alya & Chloe friendship! What’s not to love? 

Lemon Cake by MKW_Raider

Alone as she watches Paris from above, Queen Bee gets a visit from Ladybug a few days before Christmas.

This fic is sooo beautiful, and soft, it’s got such a wonderful atmosphere, like being wrapped up in a warm blanket. Very thoughtful look into Chloe’s thoughts too.

damn unpretty by agrestenoir

Moments of vulnerability aren’t Chloe’s specialty, rather something she tries to avoid entirely. But Marinette has a habit of screwing things up.

Snapshots over several years, beautifully shows the progression of their relationship. Emotional/hurt comfort

Lead with Kindness by breeeliss

The invitations had an address, a date, and a short list of rules:

1) You must come in costume. 2) You must show your invitation at the door. 3) You must keep your identity a secret until the end of the party. --

Marinette meets Chloé at a costume party but has no idea who the girl behind the mask really is.

Who doesn’t love Masquerade Balls? Chloe and Marinette find a spark between them, without knowing each other’s identities....

Rescue by MKW_Raider

Chloé attends a charity event hosted by her father. She wanted to spend the evening with her girlfriend, Marinette, but unfortunately for her, Ladybug had to patrol instead. Chloé would rather be anywhere else tonight but has to wait for the event to finish before see can see her girlfriend.

Chloe and Marinette are already in an established relationship, Chloe knows Marinette’s Ladybug, and a rescue plan beings....

Misdial by breeeliss

When Chloe wakes up in the middle of the night, she desperately tries to call Sabrina to help her get back to sleep.

She misdials and calls Marinette instead.

Hurt/comfort, wonderful look at their relationship progression! 

Lost by Megatraven

After fleeing from a kiss, Queen Bee finds herself unsure of what to do. Thankfully, she can always count on Ladybug.

Very sweet, hurt/comfort, identity parkour, lovely ending! 

Beeing There by Megatraven

A restless Chloe spots one Marinette Dupain-Cheng out late and alone while she patrols the city.

Chloe is the bee superhero Abeille, and she comforts a distressed Marinette, it’s all so sweet, and the ending is so good!! 

Sealed with a Kiss by breeeliss

"One day I promise you I’m going to be able to tell you these things to your face. I’m going to look into your eyes, take your hands, press them to my lips, and tell you everything. You deserve honesty and sincerity with how much of yourself you give to other people. So I’m giving this to you as a promise. There won’t be a single secret between us."

Chlonette Secret Admirer AU

Chloe’s letters are insanely beautiful, and Marinette’s such a sweetheart. Love it! 

Knowing You On Purpose by Emmalylis

When an akuma turns Chloé into a fish and the Miraculous Cure doesn’t turn her back, Marinette has to tend to a very grumpy fish for a week. One thing leads to another.

Premise sounds kind of crazy, but this is both hilarious and heartfelt!

. 

Also gonna mention my fics: 

Would You Be So Kind

‘It’s everything I hoped it would be.’ Marinette grins back at Marc. And she knows she shouldn’t jinx it, but these pride meetings were one of her proudest achievements and she can’t help but brag a little. ‘I really can’t believe it’s turned out so well.’

It was at that moment that Chloé Bourgeois walks through the door.

----

Marinette Dupain-Cheng is 17 years old and doing it all - student council, the bakery, her portfolio, and she’s the president of the pride club that she created at school. But her world is turned upside down when her old rival Chloé starts attending the pride meetings. A Chloénette highschool rom-com au - featuring friendships, forgiveness and new feelings that Marinette might be freaking out about.

Multi-chapter, fluff, rivals to friends to lovers. 

Walking the Wire

The door opened, but when Marinette looked up she was once again stumped at the sight of Chloé standing in the bakery doorway. The only thing stranger than Chloé showing up at the bakery out of the blue was her… doing it again. Spending time with Marinette, in her parents bakery, apparently of her own free will.

There was an awkward moment when neither of them said anything – Chloé’s arms crossed defensively across her chest, Marinette in shock at seeing the other girl again. There was that look on her face again, the vulnerability Marinette hadn’t seen before or since that night a few weeks ago. She still didn’t know what to make of it.

Marinette suddenly remembered she was working and had to be professional. ‘Uh, hi.’ she said.

Yep. Nailed it.

---

Chloé unexpectedly starts showing up at Marinette's family bakery and their relationship takes a surprising turn.

One shot, 5 +1 times

so what do you say? 

Marinette gathers her things and pauses outside the door to take a breath and smooth down her skirt. She opens the door and walks in with confidence.

‘Marinette?!’

That voice makes Marinette stop in her tracks. It’s one she hasn’t heard in a long time, but would recognise anywhere.

‘Chloé!?’

---

Marinette gets into some legal trouble when Style Queen steals one of her designs. Adrien suggests a lawyer friend of his could help. He leaves out that his friend happens to be Chloé.

Multi-chapter, older au, ongoing but the last chapter will be out soon!

.

These are some of my favourites, but I’ve got even more bookmarked on ao3

[ah-ga-seven]

No More Pain | Jung Jaehyun

Pairing: Jung Jaehyun x Fem!reader 

Synopsis: The lingering wounds of your miscarriage have reopened. Now that you are broken up, an unforseen change in Jaehyun’s life has brought him back to your doorstep. Will he be able to fix you this time? Or will he fail just the same as before?

Genre: Angst, One Shot. 

Warnings: mentions of the reader having a miscarriage, depression, alcohol addiction and heartbreak.

Word Count: 2.8k

A/N: Probably one of the heaviest angsts I’ve written. I know the subject is rough but the idea came from a dream so I just had to write it down.

This was a different kind of pang to your heart.

You’ve had your fair share of tragedies, heartbreaks and disappointments, but this…

This feeling was nothing like anything you’ve ever felt before and quite frankly, you wouldn’t wish this upon your greatest enemy.  

It was a Thursday night, one like many where you decided to stay in and recharge from a busy day at your demanding job.

You were seated on your couch with a hot cup of tea as you mindlessly scrolled through your Instagram feed. Completely wrapped in the warmth of your favorite fleece blanket. But even the thick fluffy material couldn’t protect you from the cold shivers that ran down your spine.

You blankly stare at the post your best friend forwarded to you via dm and stiffened.  

Memories of the night you miscarried 4 months into your pregnancy flood back to you as you stare at his comment.

You remembered how broken he looked when the doctor couldn’t find the baby's heartbeat anymore.  

You remembered how he held you as you cried in his arms, promising that he’d love you just the same as he tried to console you to his best ability while suffering himself.

You remembered the pain and the relief of having Jaehyun by your side through it all. Glad that even though your life was about to change forever, he’d be the one constant thing you could rely on.

You remembered all of these moments like they happened yesterday, wishing future you could mentally prepare past you for what was going to be the hardest time in your life.  

The man who swore never to leave you did just that, and not even 6 months into his new relationship, your biggest insecurity was made into a reality.  

He had moved on for good, and even though you have no ill feelings towards him, you can’t help but feel anger over sadness right now.  

It was that easy to replace you. And that easy for him to find someone that could give him what you couldn’t.

Even though your miscarriage wasn’t the direct cause of why he left, the effects of the incidence on your mental health dragged him down with you. So both of you felt it’d be better to part ways for the sake of not wanting to hate or resent each other in the end.  

But God…you hated and resented him now more than ever.  

It didn’t matter to you that both of you started to date new people, because a part of you always held on to the fact that you’d somehow find your way back to each other, though the probability of that ever happening again turned to ash.

Your miscarriage broke you.  

No appetite for weeks, no motivation to get yourself out of bed and no cure for the monsters in your head who told you that Jaehyun was only sticking around out of pity for your broken state.

That same insecurity is what drove him into the arms of the women he told you not to worry about, and now they’re having a fucking child together.  

Knowing that that should’ve been you was a thought that was just too much to bear right now. You suddenly feel sick to your stomach, tears prickling your eyes as you rub the spot on your belly where the mini bump used to be 8 months ago.

You were finally doing better, thriving in your job and social life. Meeting new people and dating a few loose ends here and there, but you can already feel yourself spiraling back into old depressional habits as you stare at the picture once more.  

You pettily decide to like it, hoping it would spark interest from none other than your ex, and much to your surprise, it did.

Not even 20 minutes later your phone started to buzz on the counter as you poured yourself a glass of wine. You mindlessly retrieve it, expecting it to be your best friend but when you see his name as you take a sip you almost choke.

Is he serious?

You try to come up with what to say for the next 3 to 5 minutes but nothing in your head seems to translate your exact feelings to your fingertips.

You sigh in agony while leaning over on your kitchen counter with your phone still in your hands, reading his messages over and over again. You subconsciously start to bite your lip in deep thought, getting startled by your ringtone as your phone starts to ring in your grasp.

“Fuck,” you mumble to yourself, taking a big chug of the alcoholic beverage in front of you, putting on the bravest face and straightest posture to make yourself feel better before accepting the call.  

You knew you didn’t have to answer, but you were dying to hear what he had to say under these circumstances.  

“Y/N? Is that you?” His voice was unchanged. You didn’t know why, but you expected him to sound different, be different. Yet the same worry he’s always had for you was evident in his tone this time as well.

You clear your throat to avoid a voice crack and sigh. “Congratulations,” you tried to sound as genuine as you could, but you knew you sounded like shit.  

You start to play with the ends of your hair out of anxious anticipation, waiting for him to respond on the other end of the line.  

“I meant to tell you,” he starts. “I just…I didn’t know how and Chaeyoung suddenly uploaded the picture and-”

“Jae…please spare me the details,” you interrupt him. Saying his name like you used to felt like speaking a foreign language. He stayed quiet upon hearing your voice again and let out a frustrated sigh.

“Do you still live in the same apartment in Itaewon?” he suddenly asks, immediately alerting you to stand up straight because he could only be asking for one reason and one reason only.

“Y-yes.”

“Good, I’m on my way.”

Just like that, he hung up and just like that your heart rate starts to race uncontrollably.  

You down the remnants of your wine glass and hope he’s isn’t too close because your place looked far from neat. For the next 15 minutes, you run around, shoving things into random cabinets. Whether those items belonged there or not was the least of your concern and just as you fluff the last pillow on your couch, your doorbell rings.

You take a deep breath, calming your nerves as you walk up to your front door, taking it off the lock before you open it with a dramatic swing.

There he was. Jung Jaehyun.

As beautiful and put together as he always looked, no matter the circumstance. You forget how to breathe when you lay eyes on him and gulp. It’s actually him.

His big dark orbs widened as he laid eyes on you after months of not seeing you. His facial expression softened, slowly parting his lips to speak but you beat him to it when you broke out of your trance.  

“What are you doing here?” your shoulders fall as you look into his eyes for answers. The same eyes that once looked at you with so much love and adoration, but right now his pupils were stressfully darting back and forth, trying to read you like he used to be able to but he had no idea what you were feeling right now.

“Because I feel like shit y/n. Please let me in and let me explain,” he pleaded with a defeated tone.

You scoff, rolling your eyes. “What is there to explain? You knocked up your girlfriend and finally got what you wanted. Why bother coming here? To rub it into my face?”  

Your plan of staying calm and collected went completely out the window just now and you could tell by the shock on his face that he did not expect you to be angry with him.

He took a step forward, backing you into your own hallway. His height towered over you when you stepped back and without looking back he closed the door behind him.

“Y/n. I would never purposely do that to you. Ever.” You ignore his statement, narrowing your eyes at him.

“I don’t remember inviting you in Jaehyun. Does she even know you’re here?”

You hold your ground, crossing your arms over your chest as you wait for him to counter your attack, but he simply shook his head. Knowing damn well that you’re acting tough just so you won’t get emotional.  

As he’s scanning the premises, his eyes linger on the red wine bottle on your kitchen counter and with a look of utter disbelief, he averts his attention back on you.

“You’re drinking again?” he asks with an almost condescending tone.  

“Did you come here to practice your parenting skills because no thanks Jae, please leave,” you bite back as coldly as you could, but he wasn’t having it.

“That shit almost killed you and you’re just casually drinking again?” He runs his hand through his locks out of pure frustration, not knowing what to do with the misplaced feeling of still caring for you just the same, while also knowing he has no business to tell you how to live your life.

The truth is, Jaehyun had no idea what he was doing here. Everything about the situation felt wrong and he couldn’t lie to himself any longer. Ever since Chaeyoung told him she was pregnant; he couldn’t be fully happy about it. He couldn’t commit to fatherhood knowing how much it broke your relationship. How much it broke the women he loved most to this day.

“A little red wine didn’t hurt anyone,” you mumble under your breath and that comment alone send Jaehyun’s emotions into overdrive, unable to hide his disappointment and worry for you any longer.

“IT HURT YOU Y/N. DAMN IT!” He raised his voice at you as he roughly grabbed your arm to make you look at him, which is the last thing you expected. He wasn’t mad at you. He was mad at himself. Mad at the fact that he wasn’t there when you needed him most and mad at the fact that this is what your lives had come to.

You might have previously dealt with your pain by drinking, and you might have mindlessly mixed your anti-depressants with your drink once, which…just might have earned you a trip to the hospital, but that was your lowest low and you made sure it’d never happen again.

You beat your demons by yourself when he had already moved on, so he had no place to waltz back into your life when he felt like it, just to judge you.

You’re absolutely fuming by now because of that same reason and much to your dismay you feel new tears well up in your eyes.  

“NO, YOU HURT ME!” you yell back at him as you smack his chest, the salty droplets streaming down your face as you kept hitting his chest to make him feel your pain. “YOU LEFT ME.”

Your knees got weak and you knew you looked absolutely pathetic as you crouched down in front of him. Shock took over his features as he got down on his own knees just as quickly, pulling you into the comfort of his arms. The warmth that you used to call home and the warmth that always seemed to calm you down engulfed you completely, a feeling your favorite fleece blanket from before could hardly imitate.  

He patted your head with assuring strokes, whispering sweet nothings to you as he held you on the floor of your apartment. Letting you sob the pain away in his black shirt. “Shhh, it’s okay…” he kissed the top of your head, caressing your cheek as he wiped away your tears.

You calmed down slowly, ignoring the suffocating ache in your head and heart while he made you feel safe and sound like he always did. You sat there like that for God knows how long, letting your minds go into overdrive as silence comforted the both of you.  

Ironically enough, this scenery was the exact same as the one in the hospital 8 months ago. You cried in his arms just like this when you had lost your child, but now you were crying because you had lost him. For good now.  

“I would never purposely plan to have a baby this quickly y/n, you have to believe me. Chae was on birth control but it just…happened,” he whispers, finally breaking the agonizing silence.

You stay quiet, closing your eyes to the sound of his low voice, letting his words register. “I was going to tell you. I was planning to ask you out for a coffee but as soon as she passed her first trimester, she was just so excited and made the announcement…it was just bad timing.”

“All of this is bad timing,” you mumble, which made him nod in agreement. He sighed into your hair as he continued to explain. “Y/n, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care for you anymore. I wish things were different, but they simply aren’t and I’m sorry.”

You sniff, dabbing your tears and your nose with the sleeves of your blouse before looking up at him through your lashes.

“You don’t have to apologize for moving on and being happy Jaehyun. It’s all I ever wanted for you.” You wipe the single tear that remained on the corner of his eye, not having realized that he shed a few tears himself too.

He leaned into your touch as he looked into your eyes before closing them, leaning his forehead onto yours while taking a deep breath.  

“I just want you to be ok.” He says suppressing a sob. “I can’t live this picture-perfect life knowing that you’re in pain y/n. It makes no sense; you deserve so much more it’s not fair.”  

Your lip starts to quiver as his words hit you, and you build up the courage to look at him again.  

He stared at you longingly and lovingly for the first time since forever and you knew a mistake was about to be made when he inched his face closer to you, but it was too late.

His lips made contact with yours and you completely gave in. Letting him lead you into a slow yet passionate kiss that took both of your breaths away.  Before things could get more heated, you realize what was happening and froze.

You take a hold of his wrists as you pull away, your eyes staring into his equally electrified ones as you recompose yourselves.

“I-I’m sorry,” he started. “I should’ve never confused you like that. Fuck. What the fuck am I doing.” He covers his mouth as he got up. Frustrated with his own behavior, he digs his fingernails into the palms of his hands to suppress the urge to swing at your door or any other object in sight for that matter.

You get up just as quickly as well. Straightening out your clothes before shaking off the nerves of what just happened.  

You take a deep breath followed by a shaky exhale as you opened your front door, turning around on your heels to look at an equally distressed Jaehyun.

He was about to speak; about to confess that he still loved you, but you stopped him by raising your hand, motioning for him to keep whatever he was about to say to himself.

Your eyes find his own and you take one last glance at the man that was supposed to be the pillar to your family. The man you used to call yours, and the man that you had hoped to still have a future with, despite everything.  

But you knew better.

You knew what was right and you knew what you had to do before things would start to spiral out of control again.

You stepped aside so he could pass by you, trying to avoid eye contact all while you could still feel his burning stare lingering on your fragile state.

You swallow harshly, licking your lips before you spoke as clearly and steadily as you could.

“For the sake of your family, please leave Jae…and never come back.”  

[atlas-of-a-human-soul]

Broken trust, pt.3

Part one // Part two  

Summary: Meeting with his Sun Summoner again, the Darkling has a choice to make. 

Warnings: angst, fluff

========================

It’s been a long time since Y/N saw her Darkling. Some would say time passes quickly, but it dragged on so painfully slow that every second marked her with more doubt. Aleksander was her safe haven, the one she’d run to whenever she wanted to lift the weight off her shoulders but that wasn’t an option anymore.

She had reunited with Mal, but he couldn’t understand. If anything, he seemed cross with her for being a Grisha, for staying in Little palace for so long. He wasn’t shy to state how disgusted he is with who she became, to insult the kefta she wore when they first saw each other.

“The way you talk, the way you walk, even the way you look! I can hardly look at you, he’s all over you.”

She doesn’t wear that kefta anymore, the black contrasting the golden embroidery representing the light she was meant to be. A part of her ached for Aleksander, while the other part of her resented him. He made her love him, but how can she love what was built on a lie?

Somber, she shivered in the cold. Her arms wrapped around her knees which were tucked close to her chest and under her chin. The majestic stag Mal had taken her to find, the one she had a chance to kill but refused to, was now gone. She made sure it would retreat deeper into the woods after laying her hand on him.

None of it was important now when her troubled mind returned to the beginning.

She looked at him with a bashful smile, a flush creeping across her cheeks. He didn’t notice her yet, buttoning his shirt slowly while she began to sweat, unsure about coming into his room uninvited now. Clearing her throat, she sat at the foot of his bed, noticing him tense up before turning to her.

“I didn’t mean to frighten you”, she bites her lower lip, her voice shaky but not nearly as much as her heart.

A breathless chuckle passes his lips, his eyes instantly light up as he comes closer, a few buttons remaining unbuttoned at the top. It gave her a perfect view of his chest and she couldn’t help but realize this is the most skin she had seen on him since they met. A kefta left everything up to ones imagination and it may have served as a neat way to hide from the others, but she was grateful he didn’t wear one now.

“I’m merely surprised to find you so boldly perched on my bed”, Aleksander raises his eyebrows, amused as he comes closer.

Shrugging, she looks up at him through her thick eyelashes, picture perfect innocence etched in her angelic smile. “You seemed tense today”, she pushes herself further back on his bed, far enough to rest her back against the headboard.

Pursing his lips, he knits his eyebrows together, “Did I now?”

Nodding, she taps her thighs, “I’ll help you unwind. Come on.”

“How?” Aleksander’s lips part as she rolls her eyes playfully.

"Here! Lay down in my lap." She taps her lap two times exactly, seemingly unaware of Aleksander's eyebrows furrowing.

"Excuse me?"

Tilting her head to the right, she gave him a pointed look. “Lay down in my lap so I can run my fingers through your hair.”

“Can I –“, Aleksander tries, but she’s quicker.

“Not negotiable.”

With a sigh, Aleksander clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. For the life of him, he couldn’t understand why he was allowing her to speak to him in such a manner, much less why he was crawling over the bed to rest his head on her thighs. Yet he found himself on his back, his head securely in her lap and his gaze is on her and the self-satisfied smirk on her lips that had made his heart flutter.

Threading her fingers through his hair, she watched him intently. It was hard to accept just how handsome he is, how unique the black skies reflecting in his eyes are. She’d see an occasional star when he’d look at her, a twinkle in the darkness she peered into fearlessly day in and day out.

“Isn’t it funny how I can’t even remember the first time I heard your name?” She spoke softly, her thumb grazing his forehead. “You’d think we’d remember something that will make such a huge difference in your life.”

Aleksander licks his lips, “What matters is you’re here. Wherever you go in life, remember this moment, Sunshine”, he smiles in disbelief, “When you had a general putty in your hands for a night.”

She couldn’t help but grin, “I’m not leaving you. Not now”, leaning in, she whispers, “Not ever.”

Leaving a kiss upon his forehead, Y/N started to pull away.

“Wait”, he blurted out. “Don’t pull away. Not yet.”

“I won’t”, she beams at him, “We have all night.”

Scoffing, she shakes her head. In the end, she lied too. How can a man capable of doing such terrible things be so gentle with her? Were they cursed from the start?

That’s when she felt it once more – her airway closed, her eyes widened. She gasps for air in panic, clutching her throat when she feels the pressure in her chest become too much. She wanted to call for Mal who left to pee a little while ago, but she couldn’t.

And then it stopped.

Gasping, she falls to her hands and knees, drawing in quick, shallow breath of cold air that soothes the burning sensation in her lungs.

“Are you alright?”

The familiarity of his voice brought shivers down her spine, her eyes widening as she turns around so quickly she nearly topples to her side.

“I didn’t realize they’d be so harsh, I’ll have to reprimand them later.” Aleksander frowns at his heartrenders, nodding at them to leave them alone.

She shot him a cold look, "Did you kill him?"

Looking away, Aleksander lets out a heavy sigh.

Her voice thickens, choked with emotion, "Tell me the truth for once in your life."

"I love you", he snaps, "That’s a truth!"

Too often had Y/N spoke of love with Aleksander before, too often had she given pieces of herself away by telling him how she feels, but he never uttered the words before. She wondered if he was capable of loving her, if his admission of love was just a way to control her.

She stands, her heart beating so loudly she feared he could hear it too. Never before had the Darkling bared his soul as he did now, but taking him on his word would be unwise. And she wanted to believe him, saints, she wanted to believe every single word, but he’s supposed to be the bad guy and he wasn’t showing signs of remorse.

"Did it ever occur to you that you're hurting me too?" His voice cracks as she averts her gaze, the sight of him breaking her heart.

His eyes are brimming with tears, his hand reached out for her to take and for the first time since they’ve met, Y/N notices his fingers are shaking and not with the cold.

"With everything to win, the only thing I lose is you. How is that fair?" He uttered, drawing his lower lip between his teeth.

She turned her gaze away, jaw clenched, pity and anger gripping her in equal measure.

He comes before her, his lower lip trembling, "I would not be unkind to you", Aleksander persists. Cupping her face, thumb stroking her jaw, "I would never hurt you." He caressed her cheek, running his fingers down her vulnerable throat.

Pressing her lips together, she shakes her head slightly in order to resist the urge to look back at him or allow herself to quiver under his touch. Straightening her back, she looks him straight in the eye, refusing to break apart.

“But you did hurt me. I don’t even know who you are”, her voice is dark and low.

He leans down, his forehead resting on hers, “But you know me. All of me. You know the real Aleksander…Aleksander Morozova.”

Scoffing, she pulls away, “Wonderful!” Rubbing her forehead where she could still feel him, she turns to him with an incredulous look, “You lied about your name too!”

“Only my last name”, he states and she rolls her eyes at him.

“Because that makes it so much better.”

Sighing, Aleksander reaches for her hand and this time, Y/N doesn’t recoil from his touch and he can’t help but smile, encouraged to lightly tug, bringing her closer.

“Please come back with me. I know what it feels to be alone, to always feel empty on the inside. It's the only thing I know when I'm without you.” His free hand rests on her hip, bringing unexpected warmth along with it.

Y/N understood what he meant, being without him had ravished her. With him she was sunshine, the Sun summoner and a light in the darkness, but without him? She learned even the Sun can be eclipsed.

“Will you help me destroy the fold?” She asks, lifting her head up to meet his gaze. She loved the way he watched her with a longing smile and an oddly gentle look in his eye.

“It’s not that simple”, Aleksander replies, noticing her bottom lip is trapped between her teeth, tortured as she nibbles on it. He wanted to do that so badly, to bruise her lips as they molded with his.

It felt like going through the motions as he spoke, her mind focusing on all he’s done. He killed people, he did it for her too. Is that his idea of commitment? Is killing in someone’s name a way to say I love you in his world?

“It is”, she swallows thickly. She trembles and shivers, then looks at him with pleading eyes. “You’ll either help be destroy the fold and the danger it holds or you’ll lose me. Is that what you want?”

Releasing her hand, his lips part. Aleksander takes a step back, his eyes narrowing. "They say I'm a traitor. They call me the black heretic. Maybe I am. All I know is that I did what I had to do to protect the Grisha from certain doom.” His voice is heavy, laced with anger and frustration Y/N had carried as well.

For a long time, she wondered if she was just the same as him, if he had dimmed her light, but she wasn’t. Never once had he looked into the mirror of his own soul and asked what different choices he could make, not for his own sake, but for the sake of others. In his story, he’s not the bad guy and if she could deny who she is, maybe he wouldn’t be a villain in hers either. But she can’t.  

“Aleksander, please”, her hand rests on his left cheek, cold to the touch unlike the warmth he was used from her. “We will protect them together. The fold had killed plenty of Grisha for us to react too.”

His jaw clenches, “But their death can mean something. I made a necessary sacrifice, so if that makes me evil, fine!” His nostrils flare as he pulls her hand off his face, “Make me your villain."

Swallowing thickly, she turns away from him. “You’ll have to kill me if that’s your plan. Because I will destroy that fold, with or without you there to hold my hand.”

Nodding, he comes closer. His breath on the back of her neck is enough to make her hold hers, awaiting for his next move. She waits, giving him a fair shot now because he’ll never be given another one. But nothing happens. There’s no darkness engulfing her, he had not cut her in half.

When she turns around, this time he’s the one that’s gone. Covering her mouth to stifle a heart-wrenching sob, Y/N’s tears flood her eyes, falling like waterfalls.

Aleksander had walked away, his loyal Grisha following after.

“You did the right thing. She was holding you back”, Ivan states, further fanning the flames of Aleksander’s wrath.

Too quickly did Ivan find himself pinned to a tree with a hand wrapped around his neck tightly enough for his vision to blur, hearing his general’s words.

“You will never know the depth of what I just lost.”

PART 4

[the-cult-of-russo]

No Going Back (part 2)

Pairing: Billy Russo x Reader 

Request : Hey love, can you please do a part 2 to “no going back” where the reader is with a new partner that treats them better and shows how happy y/n is (after a few months of heart break) & billy is upset and dealing with the aftermath of his actions - regret - or not being able to find someone like reader. I’m in the mood for sad!billy because my heart broke for myself in the last one lmfao, they could meet again with y/nS new partner idk go crazy babe!

A/N: Welcome to the Land of Pain. Enjoy the deep rooted sadness and heartache lmao why am I so invested in Sad!Billy? Like really, let me give him a hug or something 😂 this one kind of took on a life of its own and I couldn't help the comforting at the end lmao sue me.

Also, I keep the description of the new partner vague so you can imagine whoever you want. Personally I was thinking Charlie Hunnam because 👀🙃 but this way you can picture whoever. 

Warnings: cursing, some angst, heaps of sadness and despair (for Billy), very much Sad!Billy. Lil bit of fluff too

You never thought you'd find happiness, not after Billy. But sometimes you find things when you least expect it, or they find you. You'd spent months healing after what happened with Billy and at times you honestly thought the pain wouldn't stop. The saving grace was the fact Billy actually kept his distance and didn't contact you. At first you weren't sure if that hurt more or not. But the clean break allowed you to heal and you knew deep down that's why he did it. It had been hard knowing he loved you, that he wanted to fix things. If he had just been an asshole then it would have been easier to get over him. You could hate him. But you couldn't. Part of you would always belong to him but you had to move on. And you did. 

Jacob was a great guy and you'd met through a friend. He took you on dates, doted on you. He was there and he listened and he treated you amazingly. And for the first time since Billy, you hadn't compared Jacob to him. Previous dates were always measured up to Billy but when you met Jacob, you didn't even think about your past lover. 

You'd been with Jacob now for 4 months, it being half a year since the split with Billy. Everything was looking up for you and you finally felt like things were on the right track. You still thought about Billy sometimes. Wondered if he was okay, what he was up to. You couldn't help it. You just hoped one day he'd find happiness too. It hurt that he hadn't allowed that with you but you hoped he'd let it happen with someone one day. 

-------

Billy had experienced pain in all forms in his life. The pain of abandonment from his mother, from the shit in the group home, being in the marines and everything after. He'd always dealt with it. Picked himself back up and moved on. He got back up every time and was always stronger for it. But this time… this time he was weak and he couldn't do a damned thing about it. 

Losing you, all through his own bullshit fault, had been by far the worst thing he'd ever been through. The worst kind of pain. Being shot in the heart would hurt less than the agony and waking hell that had been his life since you begged him to leave your apartment 6 months ago. It felt like only 6 days ago yet 6 years at the same time. It was a never ending spiral of darkness and despair. 

And it was all his own fault. His inability to just be a normal fucking human with emotions had ruined the best thing he ever had. He deserved this pain. He deserved every bit of it. He'd done a lot of bad shit in his life but this was the worst. He couldn't get your face out of his head. How you looked at him with such betrayal and hurt. And he'd caused that. He'd caused those tears to stream down your face, he'd caused that pain. So he'd wallow in his misery and take every inch of pain he was in because he deserved it all. 

He'd thrown it all away, and for what? The sex with the other women hadn't even been good. He hadn't enjoyed it because it wasn't you. And then after, the guilt would eat him alive. But he kept doing it. He couldn't stop himself because he was overwhelmed. He loved you. He actually fucking loved you and he didn't deserve you at all. He never thought he'd love anyone. Didn't think he was capable of such a thing, yet here he was. And he never thought in a million years that anyone would ever love him. His own mother didn't, so why would anyone else? He kept replaying over and over when you told him you loved him that day. The pain had ripped through him like C4. He'd fucked up so badly and he couldn't fix it. He'd finally had a taste of what it was like to be loved and to love someone and it was snatched away in a heartbeat because of his own actions. 

He couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. He lost some weight and was well aware of the dark circles around his eyes. He'd taken to drinking every night just to numb the pain and hope your face didn't haunt his dreams. He hadn't even slept with another person since. He couldn't bring himself to. He was a mess. All he wanted was you and he couldn't have you. 

------

You and Jacob were on your way to a little cafe you frequented for lunch. You felt happy, radiant even as you both walked hand in hand. The weather was warming up and the sun bathed you in its warm glow as you walked. Everything felt right. Just as you got to the outside of the cafe, his phone rang. 

"Shit, I need to take this, babe," he sighed. You smiled up at him, giving him a quick peck on the lips.

"It's okay. I'll see what they have today," you smiled. He gave you a wide smile, kissing you softly before he stepped away a bit to answer the phone. There was no anxiety. No wondering who he was talking to. You felt settled and content. 

You glanced through the window of the cafe where they displayed fresh baked sweet treats. They had different ones every day and you pressed up against the window, eyes glancing around as you tried to decide if you wanted a glazed donut or a cinnamon bun. Probably the donut.

"Y/N?" The shocked voice felt like a splash of cold water. You knew that voice anywhere. You turned around to see Billy, wide eyed as he stared at you. He looked… oh Billy. Your heart ached at the state of him. He was still in his fancy suit with his hair neat and slicked back. But he looked exhausted, his dark eyes sad. It hurt.

"Hey, Billy," you murmured with a soft smile. You thought about what it would be like if you saw him again. You thought it would bring all the pain back. The anger. But you were hurting for a different reason. You were hurting for him this time. 

He glanced at the floor, looking somewhat out of place and his usual confidence seemed to be left at home. When he glanced back up at you, looking at you through his lashes, he looked like a lost boy. 

"You look good," he said quietly. You smiled sadly, shifting where you stood. 

"You look tired," you countered softly. He chuckled, the noise hollow sounding and you'd be a liar if you said you didn't miss him. Part of you wondered if you could have stayed friends but you didn't think it would help.

"Yeah, I'm uh… not sleepin' so good," he shrugged like it was nothing and you frowned. 

"Billy-" you started, only to be cut off by Jacob coming back over and wrapping an arm around your waist. 

"Sorry, I'm done now," he smiled down at you, kissing your cheek. It wasn't done as a display of possessiveness like Billy would have. It was simply affection. But you saw how Billy's jaw clenched, eyes hardening as he looked at him.

"Uh… Jacob, this is Billy. Billy, this is Jacob," you said carefully. You didn't need to say that Jacob was your boyfriend. It was obvious and you didn't want to rub salt in Billy's wounds. Jacob's brows raised a little, arm moving from around you as he looked at Billy. 

"Oh. It's a pleasure to meet you, I've heard a lot about you," Jacob said amicably as he extended his hand. Billy glanced at it like it was a poisonous snake before glancing at you. You gave him an imploring look and he swallowed thickly before shaking Jacob's hand. 

"Nothin' good, I bet,'' Billy smiled bitterly. Ouch. That hurt. 

Jacob looked at Billy hesitantly with a small smile. 

"Actually… Y/N had nothing but good things to say about you. Except for how it all ended but… there were a lot of good things," Jacob said softly. It made you smile. You'd told him everything about you and Billy and he'd never seen it as an issue. And the fact he was trying here really meant something to you.

Billy looked taken aback for a moment before his face schooled back to the mask of indifference he'd wear often. He glanced at you then at Jacob again as Jacob gave your hand a squeeze.

"I'll get us a table and give you two a minute," Jacob murmured to you. It wasn't lost on you how he purposely didn't kiss you like he normally would. He wasn't petty. He wouldn't hurt Billy or rub it in his face. 

Once Jacob was inside you looked at Billy as he glared off to the side, hands stuffed in his pockets. 

"Billy… I'm sorry, I…" you frowned. You wished he hadn't found out this way. Not when you saw how badly he was hurting. He chuckled humorlessly and shook his head.

"Don't … Don't do that," he bit out. 

"Do what?" You asked with a frown. His obsidian eyes turned to you then, full of such pain and sadness that it felt like you'd been punched in the gut.

"Don't… apologise to me. I don't deserve shit," he muttered, jaw clenched. 

You took a step closer to him and he looked down at you, rolling his shoulder a little. 

"Look… you fucked up. It happened. But I don't … I don't hate you, okay? I never could. I don't want to see you hurting like this," you lamented. His lower lip wobbled a little before he clamped down on it with his teeth, glaring at the floor with glassy eyes. 

"You should hate me," he replied tensely. 

"Well I don't. I forgive you. I don't know if that's helps or anything but… you need to forgive yourself, Billy," you said as you moved closer, looking up at him. His eyes met yours for a moment before he looked away. 

He was so tense, hands in his pockets as his shoulders were set and his body was rigid. 

"Does he uh… he treat you good?" He asked, voice strained as his eyes drifted to the window of the cafe before back to you. You nodded, worried if you vocalised it that it might hurt him more. He scrunched his nose a little, his shoulder rolling again.

"He make you happy?" He asked quietly. It sounded like it brought him great pain to even ask and you looked away with a sigh.

"Billy…" you frowned, not wanting to answer. 

"Just… please. Does he make you happy?" He asked again, a little firmer this time. You met his eyes as you nodded. 

His jaw ticked as he nodded stiffly, glaring off to the side.

"Good… good, you deserve to be happy," he muttered softly. 

"So do you," you replied sincerely. Black eyes snapped to yours then as he scoffed. He opened his mouth to no doubt say something fueled by self hatred but you spoke before he had the chance. 

"I'm serious. I want you to be happy, Billy. You need to allow yourself to feel things and one day you'll get that. You'll find happiness one day," you implored.

He blinked at you for a moment, his eyes shining from moisture.

"I want that with you. And I know… I know I can't. I know we can't fix this. But I just… I don't think I could find that with someone else," he admitted softly. He looked so sad and it was wounding you. You hated seeing him so vulnerable and lost like this. It was so far from the Billy you knew and loved. This Billy was the Billy that woke from nightmares about the group home or from when he was overseas. The Billy you'd comforted many times before. It always hurt you when this side of him was out. 

"There'll always be a part of my heart with your name on it, Billy. I'm sorry it didn't work out but it doesn't mean I don't care at all," you breathed. He squeezed his eyes shut and took a shaky breath at your words. 

"This… this is why I never deserved you. You're too good for me, too kind and… caring. I don't deserve somethin' precious like you. I don't deserve anythin' good," he muttered bitterly. You knew this spiral well. How he got in his own head and went down the rabbit hole of hating himself. 

You took another step towards him and wrapped your arms around his neck. You just wanted him to be okay. To stop hurting. He may have hurt you, broke your heart, but you didn't want this for him. You wanted to comfort him and this was the only way you knew how. You felt his arms wrap around you, one fisting your shirt and the other in your hair as he held you close. He buried his nose in your hair and inhaled deeply. 

"Stop hating yourself. Do it for me. I hate seeing you like this," you whispered forlornly as you held onto him tightly. 

His hand in your hair tightened a little and you could feel a slight tremor running through his body. 

"I'm a mess without you," he lamented, slightly muffled by your hair. 

"You need to allow yourself to move on," you replied softly. You went to move away but his arms tightened and you allowed him to hold you a moment longer. He'd called you his anchor once. You hadn't really believed him but now it seemed like he was floating away and you were the only thing tethering him here. 

He pressed a kiss to your hair before releasing you but you didn't step back too far as you blinked up at him. 

"Maybe we… maybe we can…" he trailed off uncertainly and your chest constricted painfully. You really hoped he wasn't going to ask for another chance because shooting him down in the state he was in would kill you. 

"I wanna… could we be friends? I won't… I won't get in the way or anythin', I just… maybe if I could text you sometimes? Just to know you're okay?" He asked hesitantly as his dark orbs flit to the window of the cafe before back to you.

You weren't sure if it was a great idea. You didn't know if it would help if you were honest.

"Billy… I don't know if that's a good idea," you murmured sadly. His eyes bore into you, pleading and desperate.

"Please? I know that I-I can't have you. Not the way I want. But I need you in my life, even just as a friend. You not bein' there at all… it's left a gaping hole and I…" his hand went to his chest, rubbing over where his heart was. 

"Okay, you can text me if you need me. But only as friends," you relented, stating the last part firmly. A small smile graced his face then, eyes lighting up ever so slowly. You hoped this wouldn't be a bad idea. 

"I appreciate it. And… as much as it hurts… to see you with… Jacob. I am happy for you," he said Jacob's name like it pained him but his eyes were sincere as he looked at you. It made you smile a little. 

"Thank you, Billy," you murmured. He gave you another small hesitant smile as he nodded.

"I'll uh… let you get back," he said with a nod. Without thinking, you wrapped your arms around him again, around his middle this time as your head rested on his chest. He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around you tightly. His hand going to your hair like it always did. You could hear the rapid thumping of his heart in your ear. 

"It was good seeing you," you said softly. You meant it too. 

You always thought it would be difficult seeing him again, and it was in a way. It hurt seeing him this cut up about it. But it wasn't how you imagined it would go. You weren't angry at him, you didn't feel the same pain you did on that day. The only pain you felt was for the broken man in holding you. You wanted to comfort him and you'd missed him. He'd been a constant in your life for a while, even before you officially got together. 

"It was good seein' you too," he sighed, squeezing you a little. When you stepped back, he gripped your face and for a moment it startled you. But he planted a firm kiss to your forehead before stepping back. Once again, you allowed him that. You couldn't help it. 

You gave him a soft smile and he returned it with a sad one of his own. You forced your feet to move as you made your way into the cafe. Jacob was sitting there patiently waiting at a table with a coffee and a donut waiting for you. You grinned at him as you sat down and he leaned over to kiss your cheek.

"Everything okay?" He asked softly, stroking your cheek.

"Yeah," you sighed. You really hoped Billy would forgive himself for everything that happened. He didn't need to punish himself like this. 

"Good… he'll get over it one day. Just give him some time, babe," Jacob murmured as if he knew what you were thinking. You gave him a warm smile as you laced your fingers with his. 

You hoped he was right. You hoped that being friends with Billy would work and maybe help him. You still weren't sure if it was a good idea or not but he seemed adamant it would help him. It was hardly how you ever imagined it would go but it was how the cards fell. All you could do was wait and see what happened and hope that maybe you could help Billy through it. It was kind of upside down and all ass upwards. Helping the man that broke your heart get over you. But you still cared about him and you'd do whatever you could to help him through it.  

[raincappuccino]

Venti remembers the man in the alleyway, lit almost ablaze in the lamplight. The gold in his eyes. The meteor orbiting his shoulders. His hands had been as steady as the earth, and when he held Venti, he had called him— —a name he hadn’t heard in a long, long time. After hearing news of Morax’s death, Venti travels to Liyue to honor a tradition that the Original Seven had long held: each time one of them passed on, those that remained would gather to drink a toast and say their final goodbyes. He figures Morax deserves this, at the least, even if it’s a party of one. He didn’t think it would be so hard to do it alone. Drunk, lonely, and despairing, Venti takes to wandering the streets of Liyue and stumbles upon a well-dressed stranger by the name of Zhongli, who reminds him far too much of what he’s just lost.

pairing: venti/zhongli rating: T word count: 10.8k tags: fluff and angst, love confessions, misunderstandings, reunion, idiots in love

hi hi i wrote a zhongven fic and i figured i'd post it on tumblr too so please check it out! it involves venti thinking morax is dead and not recognizing zhongli at all, zhongli rescuing an extremely drunk venti, zhongven going on a cute date, and all hell breaking loose when venti finds out. there's a lot of both of them being very, very bad at handling emotions <3

Preview under the cut! The whole thing's pretty long, so check it out over on ao3!

Venti wakes up to a room that’s way too bright for his piercing headache. The curtains are drawn, but light filters through the gaps between them, painting a zigzag across the dull blue blanket covering him. The air is still and quiet, and the shadow of a waving tree branch flutters outside the window.

He looks around, trying to remember where he is. Everything is unfamiliar. The architecture of the room is traditionally Liyue, with a polished lacquer folding screen standing by the large trunk at the foot of the bed, inlaid with ivory and mother of pearl, simple but elegant. It reminds him of Morax’s taste, but the room itself is completely foreign to him, as is any knowledge of how he’d arrived here.

To be fair, this was far from the first time he’d woken up after a night of drinking in a stranger’s bed with zero memory of how he’d gotten there, but usually he was unclothed, which at least gave some hint as to what might have transpired. Instead, he was still clad in his undershirt, with an embroidered silk robe he’d never seen before draped over his shoulders.

He hears footsteps, and sits up quickly as he hears a door open. The fast movement makes his head spin. “I see you’re awake.” Venti looks up, meeting the eyes of a well-dressed stranger. It was the man from last night, he remembers vaguely, though only fuzzy images come to mind. In the mid-morning light, his hair is a softer brown than Venti had previously thought, and the lines of his face seem less stern and more thoughtful. His eyes, now looking a dull amber in the daylight, regard Venti curiously.

“Um,” Venti mumbles, trying to remember how to speak. His tongue feels awkward in his mouth, and his way with words that usually gifted him onstage and at taverns vanishes as he fumbles for what to say. “Yes. Hi.”

“Good morning, although it’s nearly noon.” The man sets down a towel and a tray by the bedside. “I’ve brewed you some tea. It should help with your headache.”

“Uh, thanks.” Venti wonders if he sounds as confused as he is. “Do I… Are you… What did…?” He can’t seem to form a coherent sentence.

Ignoring this, the man continues speaking. “You should be more careful. The townsfolk here are not quite as free-spirited as what you’re used to in Mondstadt. If you wander the streets drunk and incoherent, someone might take advantage of you.”

Flashes of last night come back to Venti, and he clears his throat, trying to regain the ability to speak. “Oh please. Thanks for your concern, but I assure you—Wait, how did you know where I’m from?”

“It is obvious from the flower in your hat,” the stranger responds smoothly, pulling said hat off a coat rack in the entryway and throwing it at his face. The rest of his clothes, Venti notices, are folded and stacked in a neat pile nearby, and the thought of the man removing them from his body the night before sends heat rushing through his cheeks again.

He blinks, trying to clear his head. “Anyway, like I was saying, I assure you, I’ve got plenty of practice lately getting wasted and sleeping with strangers, so you can spare me the lecture. Thanks for your hospitality, though, and I’ll be taking off—”

A look passes over the stranger’s eyes. Judgment, perhaps—Venti wouldn’t be shocked; it isn’t as if he’s never been scolded for his fast-and-loose way of living—but then the man’s eyes narrow, dark with something akin to anger, and Venti wonders if there’s something he’s missing, something he’s not understanding.

“You should rest,” the man says shortly. “You’re in no shape to travel.”

Perhaps against his better judgment, Venti obeys, leaning back into the headboard. He studies the other man with interest, watching the way his fingers wrap around the handle of the teapot, slowly and with immense care, as though he were cradling a fragile creature. It makes Venti think of the way Morax held him the very first time, and he has to choke back a noise that very nearly makes it out of his throat.

The stranger hands him a cup of warm, dark liquid, smelling of spices and something domestic, and Venti sips it. It tastes exactly like the sobering tea Morax used to make him drink if he got too wild, and the nostalgia almost brings tears. He breathes in sharply. He has to stop connecting every little thing here to Morax, from the tea to the decor to the man himself, but how can he, when all of Liyue may as well be suffused with his breath, as if he were still living?

Read the rest on ao3!!! >>> https://archiveofourown.org/works/31732375

[nasaty]

Vieux Carré

Shouta Aizawa x (she/her) reader. Angst, fluff, and smut! This is a choose your own ending! There are three separate endings and a few choices. 15 part series.

TW: Panic attack things. Ends up fine.

Ch. 5

The next morning, you found yourself thinking of him as you woke up. You picked up your phone and dialed his number.

“Hey Eraser. You around today?”

“Of course. I’ll make my self around for you.”

His deep voice made you shutter. God, he was such a flirt. Maybe he just does this to all women, or men, or anyone. Maybe he just does it to be an ass.

“I’m working again tonight if you and Hizashi want to come by later.” You offered.

“We’ll come before patrolling tonight this time so we don’t end up ditching you again.” You could practically hear him wink.

“Okay, well we don’t open until 6pm”

“That’s alright, we don’t patrol till 11 tonight anyway.”

“Damn that sucks. You really have no time to sleep.”

“Yeah…I only really sleep in between school and patrol…if you don’t count my naps in class,” he mumbled.

You giggled, “So you usually sleep around the time you’re going to come to the bar then? Will you be okay?”

“Oh yeah I’m always tired. It’s okay. I’ll have someone do a presentation in class tomorrow while I sleep.”

“HAH is that what thats for?”

“Absolutely, I don’t really trust anyone else to teach my kids for me.”

Somehow that seemed kind of sweet. Maybe recovery girl was right, he is a softy.

“So you really like teaching then?”

“Oh absolutely not.”

You cracked up. You could tell he was beaming on the other side of the phone.

“Well maybe I’ll get to hear about it tonight then.”

“We’ll see.” He brings back that playfulness again.

“I’ll talk to you later, Eraser.”

“Please, call me Shouta”

“Alright, Shouta, see you later tonight.”

“See you tonight, y/n.”

The sound of his voice saying your name made you feel warm.

~~~~~~

The evening came and you made your way to the bar. You flipped the sign over for the nth time in your life, and couple minutes later Hizashi and Shouta showed up followed by another woman.

She was tall with legs for days, dark hair down to her ass and was wearing a skin tight suit, visually differed quite a bit from the two men. She’s intimidatingly attractive and has a sultry look on her face. You couldn’t tell if you want to fuck her or be her.

“HEYYY y/n!!! This place is NEAT. Hope it’s okay that we brought a friend, she’s a hero too. Her name is Midnight.”

“So you guys travel in packs?” You joke.

Hizashi laughed loud and hard and smacked his knee. The other two chuckled and Shouta plugged his ear that was closest to Hizashi with his finger. You turned to Midnight.

“Nice to meet you Midnight, I’m y/n.” You held your hand out to shake.

“Please, call me Nemuri. Or anything you’d like, I’ll listen to you call me whatever you want-“ you blushed she turned your hand and pulled it to her to kiss it -

Shouta’s hand flew in and smacked Nemuris away. He rolled his eyes “Nemuri, keep yourself off of her please.” He looked even more tired that usual somehow.

“Oh I’m sure she doesn’t mind…” she winked at you, then leaned over to Hizashi. “Did you already call dibs or something?” She tries to ask him quietly. Hizashi opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted.

“Nemuri. She is a person.” Shouta breathed.

You giggle at their back and forth and change the subject, “What would you guys like to drink?”

Hizashi got some sort of fruity drink and Nemuri copied him. They had halfway downed it before you got to Shouta. Shouta said he didn’t need anything.

“Shouta come on, just because you were a shit last time doesnt mean you can’t have something today” you teased.

“LAST TIME?” Hizashi exclaimed.

“Oh so YOU called dibs.” Nemuri deduced looking at Shouta.

Shouta looked at them surprised and shrunk down in his seat, blush across his face. He was so shy around everyone else it was surprising he said so much to you.

“He showed up the other night and made himself a drink, it was pretty funny.” You told them.

They both turned to him with their jaws on the floor. He deserved this. You got put on the spot multiple times the other day and covered for him, so he could take a little teasing from his friends tonight.

“Daaaaamn Eraser, that’s bold!” Hizashi said.

As they were relentlessly teasing him, you looked over to Shouta and tried to determine what kind of drink he may like. Probably something with coffee in it for tonight.

You made him a White Russian and slid it over to him with a smirk. He mouthed a ‘thank you’ as they continued to berate him. You kept working as a couple other customers were in the bar, but the bar was never busy, especially on a cold night like this.

They spend time joking around and teasing, inviting you into conversation whenever there was a lull in work to do. They drank a few drinks and ended with some waters, paid out their tab and tipped generously.

“We gotta do this again sometime, y/n!” Nemuri says.

“Yeah next time let’s go somewhere where you don’t have to work!” Hizashi adds.

“See ya around” Shouta breathed as all three of them walked out.

You finished your shift at around 4am, later than usual but there were a few people hanging around late and you didn’t mind since you didn’t work the next day. You closed up, cleaned up, and went out the back door to walk home. You heard a voice from nowhere.

“Could I walk you home?” In the distance, Shouta emerged from the shadows. You jumped, it had reminded you of the night when you met and that villain attacked you.

“Shit Shouta…you scared the shit out of me…” You tried to calm down but your body disobeyed you and you started shaking.

“Heh I didn’t think I was that scary-“ He stopped and noticed your behavior. “Are you okay…?” He made his way towards you cautiously and gently.

“I….no…I don’t know...” your face went hot and tears stung your eyes. You sat on the ground to get your bearings. Your stomach twisted. Shouta ran over to you as you fell.

“Can I…?” He held his hands near each of your shoulders to ask permission to touch you but you nodded before he could even finish asking. He put his hands on either side of you and rubbed your arms up and down slowly, “it’s okay….everything is okay… I’m so sorry.”

You sat on the ground with your arms wrapped around yourself and tried to steady your breathing.

He pleaded. “Can I do anything to help? Do you want me to shut up?”

You shook your head no at both questions. He was actually helping just a little. It’d been a long time since you’d had a panic attack.

As you both sat on the ground outside the back of the bar in the dim light for a few minutes, he continued to soothe you with his words and held you in his arms.

After some time you calmed down a little and were able to speak, “We need to put a bell on you or something.”

He chuckled and gave you a pitiful smile. “I can live with that... What’s going on, do you want to talk about it?” He said as he pushed a hair away from your face.

You shake your head no, “I’m okay…thank you for taking care of me.”

“Of course, it’s my job.” he winked.

“No it’s not.”

“No…it’s not. But I’ll do it anyway. Can I please give you a walk home?” He asked.

You appreciated that he asked to just walk with you rather than assuming or asking if you wanted assistance. Of course you didn’t want it, you didn’t want it to be necessary. But unfortunately it was as you had seen before.

“Yes please.”

He stood and held out his arms out to you to help you up.

“Are you good to walk?”

“Yeah… I think I’m fine.”

You started to walk home in still silence for a few minutes.

“…I thought you were on patrol? That’s not a long shift,” you asked.

“Hizashi and I overlap…and…I was worried about you.”

“What happened to ‘seems like you could handle it’?”

“You shouldn’t have to handle it.”

Damn. He actually listened to you.

“I…thank you.” You said.

“Anytime.” He offered. His voice was so pure and caring you could melt.

As you made it back to your house, he walked you to the door.

“We’ll have to do this again sometime. Well not …this specifically..just like-“

You laughed “I get it, Shouta.” He smiled.

On the porch, you gazed at each other softly for a moment, and somehow it wasn’t awkward. You realized that you want to kiss him. Badly.

“I…uh…” not knowing what to say, you just moved forward to lean against his chest and kiss him. Slow enough that he could step back if he didn’t want to, but, he didn’t step back.

He kissed very gently. His lips were slightly chapped but soft, and his stubble grazed against your chin. He reached up slowly to hold your face in his hand, resting his thumb on your jaw. You eventually pulled away.

He hummed. “…I’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he admitted, blushing and looking away.

“Do you want to come inside?” You said, turning and putting your keys in the lock. ‘Maybe I could’ve worded that differently’ you thought.

“I would, but ….I think you’re a little too fragile tonight. I don’t want to take advantage of your emotions like that. Maybe another night if you still want me to? Sorry if that’s….rude.”

“Thank you, Shouta.” You beamed.

“What did I do?” He sounded excited to have done some good.

“You’re just…sweet.”

He blushed and hummed happily.

“I’ll see you around, y/n. Call me if you need anything.”

“Goodnight Shouta.”

“Goodnight.”

Go to ch. 6

[sunfleurry]

Inches

Disclaimer: I write stories and use Harry Styles as a face claim. In no way shape or form does my writing reflect how I perceive the actual Harry to be. These are my characters, the face is just a bonus!

A/N: Let me give you some fluff because I’ve posted only angst. Another repost from my old blog because ya girl has no time to write.

She woke up, flinching from the sunlight penetrating the flimsy white curtains. Her movements caused Harry to stir from behind her before he tightened his hold around her waist and kissed the back of her head.

“Good morning,” he said, morning voice making her toes curl.

Smiling, she turned around to face him and squeezed her hand between his head and the pillow, pulling his lips towards hers. “Good morning.”

He closed his eyes and kept her against him for a little longer. “I’m so tired. Let’s stay in bed all day,” he mumbled.

“We can’t, we have plans.”

Sighing, he nodded his head but didn’t move. She liked it when he was like this–relaxed and wholly himself without any stresses of the outside world weighing on him. His naked chest was pressed up against hers and she could almost hear the steady beat of his heart. At that moment, hers ached at how much she loved him. They’d been through so much in the last five years, but they were stronger than ever.

She ran her hands through his hair then paused. “Your hair is getting really long. Almost like you’re twenty-one again.” When he opened an eye to look at her, she said, “I like it.”

He nuzzled his face into her neck and kissed her right there. “I don’t. I need to cut it soon.”

“Shall we cut it?”

“I’m so happy I’m dating a hairstylist.”

“I’m not a hairstylist,” she giggled. “I just learned by cutting my brother’s hair. Poor kid.”

“You’re my hairstylist,” he cooed.

Laughing, she shoved him off her and proceeded to go wash up and get ready for the day.

After breakfast, Harry was sitting on the edge of the bathtub with towels surrounding him on the ground while she laid out a pair of scissors and a comb on the counter next to him.

She ran her hands through his wet hair and pointed at the mirror. “Alright, H, take it in. This is the last time you see yourself with this length for a while.” 

Harry brought his fist to his mouth and bit his knuckle, dramatically wincing at his reflection. “I don’t know if I’ll recognize myself after this.”

Rolling her eyes and stifling a smile, she clipped the back of his head. “Stop being so dramatic.”

He laughed, rubbing the part where she hit him. “You can start now before you give me a concussion.”

She climbed into the bathtub to stand behind him and started brushing his wet hair, clipping neat sections out of the way. She could see how her ministrations relaxed Harry through the mirror–his eyes were closed and he had a small content smile on his lips. She couldn’t help but give him a kiss on the cheek before she started cutting the hair on the back of his head.

As she got to the sides, Harry hummed when pieces of hair fell in front of him but didn’t say anything. He liked that she enjoyed cutting his hair and it also helped that she was good at it. He was admiring her through the mirror–her hair in a mess at the top of her head and her glasses perched a little too far down on her nose. She was wearing his white t-shirt that was big on her but not too big–as it only fell a quarter way to her knees–and peeking from underneath was her ridiculously expensive cotton shorts from her favourite lingerie store. The sight was one of many that he’d committed to memory and stowed away in his mind to look back on when he was away for work again.

A few minutes later, she stepped over the tub again and proceeded to push his knees apart in order to squeeze herself in between his legs.

Harry raised his eyebrows at her. “You’re a little handsy today. If you wanted to be between my legs, you just had to ask and I–”

“Oh, piss off,” she slapped his thigh, “or else I’ll give you one inch bangs.”

He gasped and brought a hand to his mouth, pretending to zip it up and throw away an imaginary key.

As she cut his hair, he had to hold back a stupid smile at the furrow in eyebrows. He found her concentration to be cute. She shivered slightly when he rested his palms against the back of her legs and slid them up her thighs to cup the skin right underneath her butt.

“I’m going to mess up if you keep this up,” she mumbled.

“I trust you.”

“You really shouldn’t.”

“I can’t wait to marry you.”

Before she was even able to register his words, her body reacted in shock and accidentally cut a part of his bangs clean off.

Her gasp caught Harry’s attention and he looked up only to see his girlfriend staring wide-eyed at him with a big chunk of hair held in her fist.

“What did you just say?”

“Did you just mess up my hair?” He tried to look at the mirror behind her, but she blocked his vision.

“Harry–”

Giving up, he cupped her face in his palms. “Of course I want to marry you, love. Don’t you?”

“Of course,” she breathed.

“Well then,” Harry smiled and backed up to look at the hair in her hands. “This is definitely not a part of the haircut is it?”

She gave him a sheepish smile and slid her arms around his neck to surreptitiously drop the hair in the bathtub behind him. “No, it looks fine,” she eyed the gap between two long pieces of hair, “it’s fine.”

Harry knew she was trying to convince herself, but he wasn’t mad. Frankly, it was his fault for dropping that bomb on her while holding a pair of scissors to his hair.

She kissed him once. “It’ll grow back.” Kissed him again. “You’re still the handsomest.”

“Am I now?”

She pulled him in for a deeper kiss. “Always,” she mumbled against his lips.

Harry couldn’t contain himself anymore. He wrapped his arms around her waist and stood up, holding her against him in the process. He carried her to their room then laid her down on the bed.

“I don’t believe you,” he laughed.

“Gross, Harry, you’re getting hair all over the bed! You could’ve at least brushed it off.”

“If you doubted I ever loved you before, just know the fact that I’m still so enamoured even after you’ve ruined my precious hair should prove you wrong.”

He looked funny with his hair gracefully falling onto his forehead–a generous chunk missing. She couldn’t hold it in anymore. She burst into laughter, tears running down her face, yet she still managed to squeeze in “I’m sorry” between each round of laughter. He soon joined her and jumped on top of her, almost making them both fall off the bed. This resulted in more hysterics.

A few minutes later, after having calmed down, Harry laid on his back with her head resting against his chest and her arm wrapped around his waist. They were both catching their breaths from the fit they just had.

He whispered her name.

“Yeah?”

“I was supposed to ask you at dinner tonight, but I don’t think I can wait any longer.”

She sat up on her knees and peered at him quizzically.

“Stay here,” he quickly said.

Before she could answer, he got up and disappeared inside their shared walk-in closet then re-emerged with a velvet box tucked in his hand.

When she caught sight at what he held, it felt like emotions flooded in her bloodstream and spread through every inch of her body. Shock, elation, love.

He climbed back on the bed and faced her, catching sight of her silver-lined eyes. He resisted the urge to reach for her face to catch the tears that he knew were about to fall any second.

“I love you. I loved you before we started dating, I loved you when I asked you to be my girlfriend and I loved you when I asked you to move in with me. I love everything about you, from the way you can’t help but sing along to every single song you hear, even the ones you don’t know the lyrics to, to the way you eat the crust of your sandwiches first, before eating the rest of it. I love you so much that I have no doubt in my mind that when we’re nothing but memories left on this earth, my soul will continue to love you. I can’t spend another day without seeing a ring that I gave you on your finger, so I have to ask you this: My love, will you marry me?”

She was speechless, but that didn’t mean she was paralyzed. Without a second thought, she threw herself at him and he caught her .He held her against his chest and stroked her hair as she nodded furiously, and when her chest heaved with sobs, he tried soothing her with his words. He couldn’t suppress the smile gracing his features at the realization that she’d agreed.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he hummed, “please don’t cry, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“I’m just so happy,” she sniffled, looking up at his eyes.

“So, is that a yes?”

“Even though we’re wearing barely anything and there’s a large chunk of hair missing from your head?” She laughed through her sobs.

Harry grinned.

“Of course, I’ll marry you, you idiot.”

He slid a hand behind her neck and pulled her in to kiss her with as much passion he can muster up. She pulled him closer, muttering “I love you” between each kiss.

After what felt like forever, they pulled away and he slid the ring on her shaking hand. And for the rest of the day, they changed their minds and decided to stay in. They stayed in and spent their time showing each other how much they loved one another with not only their words, but with their bodies, accompanied by a gorgeous diamond which sealed their future together.

[mage-ellie]

Going Back

Another Goro akechi x reader oneshot. I love writing fluff hkafjdshkfdh

Link to original post: Click me!

Warnings: Spoilers, fluff, angst, mentions of blood and wounds, kissing, cuddling

Word count: 6,409

Summary: Akechi's sacrifice left a bitter taste in your mouth that even Akira's amazing coffee couldn't fix. So you did the only thing you could think of doing that would help you feel better. You went back for him. You'd get him out of that criminals palace, whether he was dead or alive. He at least deserved that much, right?

You felt sick.

Goro Akechi, the 'traitor', just gave his life to save you all while in Shido's palace. He had spilled his horrific past to you all moments before his sacrifice. Shido's puppet version of Akechi said that all Akechi wanted was to be loved. To be wanted by someone. That broke your heart.

No matter how he had acted in the past, he was still a victim. A victim you couldn't save.

You couldn't deny the blossoming feelings you had for the conniving detective. Twice a week for the past 4 months, you had met up with Akechi at Jazz Jin in Kichijoji to just relax in each others presence. Most of the time, you wouldn't talk. You'd just enjoy the music and the taste of the fruity virgin cocktails that he would recommend. When you did talk, you explored all kinds of topics with him. You two would talk about your dreams, current events, work, and sometimes even the Phantom Thieves.

Akira introduced you two back in August when Akechi had stopped by Leblanc for some coffee. While you didn't immediately get along with him, he was still fun to converse with. During one of your nightly outings, you had ran into the detective at the station. He had asked if you would be interested in joining him for a drink and you had accepted. Even though he just wanted to grill you about the Phantom Thieves, you found yourself enjoying the mindless banter and before you knew it, meeting up with him at the Jazz Club had become a regular thing.

Currently, you were sitting at the bar in Leblanc with your head in your hands. Akira was behind the bar, mindlessly making coffee in an attempt to distract himself from what had just happened. Morgana was curled up on your lap, trying to comfort you.

The sound of a cup shakily being set onto the counter prompted you to lift your head. Akira's normally clean and neat coffee cream art was messy and almost unrecognizable. It was hard for him to make the cream look nice when his hands wouldn't stop shaking.

"Are you thinking about him?" Akira asked, his voice was deep and quiet.

You swallowed as you slid your fingers around the warm mug. "I can still hear the gun shots." You whispered. The ringing in your ears still hasn't stopped, despite it having been over an hour since the whole event happened.

Akira nodded as he made himself a cup of coffee. "Me too."

As you sipped your coffee, Akira rounded the bar to join you. Having him around was comforting, but you couldn't stay here all night, even though you wanted too.

Once you and your leader had finished the coffee's he had made, you decided to take your leave.

"It's getting late. I don't want to miss the last train." You said as you lifted the soft black and white kitty from your lap and set him on the counter.

"Goodnight Y/N. Be careful getting home." Morgana said softly, his big blue eyes filled with pity.

Akira stood from his seat and walked you to the door. Before he could open the door, you wrapped your arms around him and pressed your face into his chest. Akira has always been like a brother to you. You considered all of the Phantom Thieves to be family.

He immediately returned the hug, squeezing you tightly as you did your best to not break down sobbing. "Are you sure you don't want to stay?" He asked, gently stroking your hair.

"As much as I'd like to, I can't. I left all of my homework and school stuff at my apartment." You mumbled, mentally scolding yourself for leaving your stuff behind.

You and Akira pulled away from each other after a moment of silently reveling in each others warmth. He opened the door for you and said a quiet, "Goodnight," as you walked out.

On your short trek to the station, a thought popped into your mind. It definitely wasn't your greatest idea. You could go back for Akechi. Akira had kept you in the backlines when Akechi had challenged the Thieves because he knew of your feelings for the detective, meaning that you still had most of your strength. If anything, you could at least bring his body back to the real world. He deserved a proper funeral.

Before doubt or hesitation could sink into your caffeinated mind, you hopped onto the train that went to the Judicial district of Tokyo. Determination filled your veins as the train came to a stop at your destination. Or maybe it was adrenaline. Either would work. You just wished that you had prepared more. You didn't have any healing items, so you'd be relying on your Persona, as well as your sneaking skills.

The moment you entered Shido's palace, you sprinted towards the entrance. Your feet silently hit the ground, the speed of your sprint made your hair flow behind you. You could do this. You wanted to prove to Akechi that he was special, that he was wanted, even if he wasn't here to see it.

Shido's palace was filled to the brim with shadows who were all on high alert. The only way to traverse through his palace even somewhat safely would have to be through the vents. While you would be able to handle a few of the shadows on your own, you could easily get overwhelmed with the amount of them roaming the palace.

You weren't sure how long you had been crawling through the dusty and cramped vents, but you finally managed to find a way into the boiler room.

Silently dropping into the room from a high up vent on the far left side of the room, you crept towards the place where the detective would be. Despite the amount of shadows that had been in the room when Akechi had trapped himself in it, there were none to be seen. Thank God. Your aching muscles wouldn't be able to handle all of them.

There he was, slumped against the wall that kept the Thieves from helping him. He was sitting in a small pool of his own blood, a few bullet holes riddled his body. His head was hanging down, his body limp. He looked so small, so sad.

The sight of him made you want to scream. You were frozen in place, unable to move because of the flood of emotions that washed over your body. Regret pricked at your bones. You wished you had tried harder to show him your love. You wished you had confessed your feelings to him. You wished you had been there for him like he needed you to be.

Taking a shaky and deep breath, you willed your legs to move. Standing around in this area was dangerous and would accomplish nothing. You came here to get him out, so that's what you were going to do.

Finally, your legs moved you towards the detectives body. It took all of your strength to not start crying. You could mourn his death when you got him out, when you were safe.

You were now standing close enough to him to see the skin of his face. He looked so pale, faint tear stains were the only thing coloring his face. Gently, you crouched down beside him and gazed at his form.

Slowly, hesitantly, you lifted your hands. Your left hand removed his shattered mask and your right hand tenderly stroked the soft skin of his cheek. His skin was cold, but it wasn't freezing like you had expected it to be.

A slight movement on his face caught your attention. His piercing maroon eyes had opened ever so slightly and were trained on you.

Your heart stopped, hands froze, mind going completely blank as you stared back at the man you had thought to be dead. Goro Akechi was still alive. Was his will to survive this strong?

Carefully, you removed his helmet, his slightly damp chestnut hair fell around his face. Even like this, he looked so handsome. You lifted one of your legs and put it on the other side of him so that you were straddling his lap.

You lifted his head as softly as you could and pulled his body into yours. His head rested against your shoulder and his chest pressed into yours. You combed your fingers through his soft locks and rubbed his back as you called your persona.

"Orpheus." Your voice was barely a whisper. The stringed man appeared beside you as you gathered your strength to cast the skill Cadenza. It wouldn't heal Akechi all of the way, but it was the only healing skill your persona knew.

A warm, healing light wrapped itself around you and Akechi. The ache in your muscles lessened as Orpheus did his best to heal you both. The warmth in Akechi's skin was returning, his breaths were becoming deeper as his body took in more oxygen. His strength was returning. Slowly, Akechi wrapped his arms around your waist and nuzzled his face into the crook of your neck.

As the green light faded, Akechi pushed you backwards, forcing you to lay on the ground with him on top of you. His legs were in between yours and he was squeezing you as tightly as he could. His face was pressing into your neck as his body began to shake.

"It's okay. I'm here now." You whispered as you held him back with just as much force. A choked sob ripped from his throat as he began crying into your shoulder.

"I've got you. You're okay." You continuously murmured words of comfort as he broke down on top of you. You shifted slightly underneath him so that you could wrap your legs around his hips in order to hold more of him. Your mind was a jumbled mess, thinking of ways to get him out of here and what you wanted to say to him. A part of you wanted to yell at him for what he did, a larger part of you just wanted to cry and hold him forever. You wondered if he could feel how fast and hard your heart was beating.

Your mind was struggling to comprehend that he was still alive.

"I'm sorry I took so long." You croaked, raising a hand to brush his hair out of his face. Hot tears started trickling down your cheeks as your mind came to terms with the fact that Akechi was still here. Your words only made him cry harder.

His tears were soaking into your metaverse outfit, though you didn't mind. You'd let him cry like this for as long as he needed to.

Slowly, his sobs became soft whines and his shaking body calmed down. Turning your head, you gently pressed your lips to the top of his head as you continued to stroke his hair. Akechi softly sighed into your neck and he nuzzled his face into your shoulder once more.

Finally, he lifted himself up to look at you. His eyes were red and puffy and his cheeks were tinted pink.

You reached up and cradled his cheeks in your hands. "Let's get out of here together." He closed his eyes and leaned his face into your touch, nodding in response to your words.

Akechi pulled away from you and stood, offering you a hand to help you up. You accepted his offer and he pulled you to your feet.

"Come on. I came here through a vent at the end of the room." You pointed to the open vent and began walking towards it with the 'Princely' detective in tow. You couldn't help but wonder why he had been so quiet.

You looked up at him and scanned his face. He looked so tired. "Are you alright?" The soft tone of your voice was filled with worry. His jaw visibly clenched for a moment before he started speaking.

"This just doesn't feel real is all." He had a far away look in his eyes, like he wasn't actually looking at you, but looking through you.

You couldn't stop the dry chuckle that left your lips. You reached for his right hand with your left, entwining your fingers with his and squeezing his hand tightly. "You can say that again." Akechi gripped your hand back.

Your trek to get out of the palace with Akechi was slow and clumsy. While you had healed him for the most part, your persona couldn't give him back the blood he had lost, so he couldn't move for too long without needing to take a break. He didn't comment on his constant need to slow down, but you could tell he was annoyed. The light coming back to his eyes was making his maroon eyes glow crimson.

Currently, you were sitting in a small closet with him while he rested. His fingers were still wrapped around yours. You gently leaned your head against his shoulder and stroked his arm with your free hand in an attempt to comfort him.

"Why?" His voice was so small. You knew what he was asking. He wanted to know why you came back for him. His hand began to shake as he awaited your answer. It took you a moment to put the words together. Your nerves started to take a hold of you as you contemplated telling him your feelings for him. You should do it now, just in case this really wasn't real.

"I love you Goro." You could feel his body tense as you whispered your response. "I couldn't just leave you here alone. You deserved better than to just rot in a palace where you'd never be seen again. I wanted to give you a proper burial. You deserved that much at least." Your voice was tight. It was a struggle to force the words out as you confessed your feelings for him and how you had thought he was dead.

Goro's breathing had become shaky again as he processed your words. You didn't stop rubbing his arm or holding his hand as you let your words sink in. Even if he didn't feel the same, at least he'd know that someone out there did love him and want him around.

"I'm glad you're okay." You finished and closed your eyes as you leaned into him more, reveling in his warmth. He didn't say anything in response, but he did lean his head against yours and squeezed your hand tighter, rubbing circles gently into the back of your hand with his thumb.

You both sat in silence as he slowly took deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself down. This was probably the first time in a long time that someone has told him that they love him like this.

"Let's keep moving." He whispered as he pulled away from you and stood. His hand was still locked around yours though, so he pulled you up with him. You collided with his chest and he pulled his hand away from yours as he wrapped his arms around you for only a moment, giving you time to hug him back before he pulled away and opened the door.

As you exited, he slid his hand back into yours. The rest of your journey through the palace with Goro went by a lot faster. It took you a while to find a saferoom where you could exit, but once you did, relief flooded your system. Even Goro visibly relaxed once you had entered the room.

Pulling out your phone, you transported the two of you to the entrance of Shido's palace.

Silently, you pulled Goro towards a busy road and hailed a taxi. He didn't question you when you pulled him into the taxi with you or when you gave the driver your address. He didn't make any comments when you led him by the hand to your empty apartment. You silently thanked your mother for being away. She was currently overseas for some business convention and wouldn't be back for another week or so.

You gave him a little tour of your home and proceeded to give him a clean shirt and a pair of pants that he could wear to bed.

Finally, you turned towards him and spoke. "I know it's late, but you should eat and drink something before you go to bed. Do you have any requests?"

Goro pondered your question for a moment. "Just something light." Was all he said before he locked himself in your bathroom to shower.

Since you didn't have much energy and you conveniently had some leftover rice from yesterday, you cut up some carrots, green onions and fried some bacon, mixing it all together to make a basic meal of fried rice. After adding a pinch of a few different spices, you had your light dinner complete.

You set up two spots at your kitchen table with a bowl of rice and a cup of water, just in time because Goro walked out of the bathroom after you set the cups down.

You watched as Goro took a deep breath and eyed the food on the table. "Should I have made more?" You asked, observing the way he looked like he wanted to devour your serving too.

"Perhaps." He mumbled, still staring at the food from the hallway. You brought a hand up to your chin for a moment to think.

"Why don't you go figure out how to work the laundry machine, and I'll add eggs to the menu? How to you like your eggs cooked and how many would you like?" You spoke as you turned your back to him and walked towards the fridge.

"Two please, and surprise me." When you turned back around to look at him, he was gone. Since he didn't have a preference, you decided to make them sunny side up. By the time you had plated the eggs, he was sitting at his spot at the table, patiently waiting for you.

Goro said a soft, "Thank you," as you set his plate of eggs by his rice. All you did was smile at him in response before beginning to eat.

It didn't take the two of you long before you both finished eating. He oh-so-generously offered to do the dishes for you while you took a shower, which you gratefully accepted. You were exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

Once you finished and walked out of the bathroom, you noticed Goro had made himself comfortable on your couch.

"I hope you don't mind, but I stole a blanket from your room." He didn't look at you as he said that, he was just staring at the TV.

"Are you not going to sleep in my bed with me?" Your question caused him to snap his head to the side to look at you. A look of uncertainty crossed his eyes.

"Only a few hours ago I had tried to kill you and all of your friends." His voice was sharp, harsh, but you could tell that it wasn't directed at you.

"Only a few hours ago you sacrificed yourself to protect me and all of my friends. I didn't crawl through dozens of vents to find you to just let you sleep on my couch." You retorted. Your heart tightened at the memory of what he did.

"You thought I was dead." He responded, his voice not as abrasive as before.

"I had planned on giving you a proper burial, a whole funeral. Thankfully, I don't have to do that, so the least I can do is give you a proper bed to sleep in tonight. Come on." You didn't leave any room for arguing as you turned and headed to your room.

You could hear the TV turn off and the sound of footsteps sounded softly through the hall as Goro made his way to your room. You turned off your lights, leaving only the lamp by your bed on.

He stood at the entrance of your room, looking unsure as you slid into bed. When you made eye contact with him, you opened your arms and opened and closed your hands, signifying that you wanted him to come to you.

He just stared at you, unmoving.

"Goro." You said softly, hoping that he would join you.

In the dim, warm light, you noticed him swallow, his adams apple bobbed as he did so. His jaw clenched and unclenched as he eyed you from where he stood. Slowly, he began walking towards you, the uncertainty in his eyes was blinding. You were beginning to worry that you were making him uncomfortable.

For a moment, he just stood beside you, looking down at you. Your arms were still open to him, inviting him to you.

Finally, he crawled on top of you and laid down like he had done back in Shido's palace. He hooked his arms around the arch of your back and pressed his face into the left side of your neck. His breathing immediately became shaky as he made contact with you.

You reached over and turned off your lamp, letting the darkness consume your room, before you slid your fingers through his hair and rubbed his back. His grip around you tightened as he held back his tears.

"It's okay. You're safe now." You whispered into his hair as you continued to soothe him. He finally let go and cried into your shoulder. His body was wracked with sobs and hiccups. His shoulders shook and his arms were trembling.

You gently hooked your legs around his as you kissed him repeatedly on the top of his head. His left hand slid up your back so that it was resting in between your shoulder blades in an attempt to hold more of you.

You weren't sure how long you've both been laying like this, but you definitely knew that neither of you were going to go to school in the morning. After all that's happened, you deserved a break, plus you were worried that Goro might have a breakdown if you left him for too long. His mind must be a mess after causing himself to have a psychotic breakdown.

Eventually, his sobs quieted, but he was still shaking. You wondered if he's ever been held like this. That thought made your heart ache.

"Did you mean it?" His voice was hoarse and deep.

You reached over and pushed the hair out of his face. "Did I mean what?" You asked softly, still combing your fingers through his hair.

"Did you mean it when you said you loved me?" His shaking got worse after he clarified.

You exhaled slowly as you held him tighter against you. "Of course I meant it. I love you so much, Goro Akechi." The beating of your heart increased as you confessed once again. Goro could definitely feel your heartbeat this time.

Goro pulled his arms out from under you and propped himself up onto his forearms, so that he was hovering above you. You could feel his breath fan across your lips from how close he was.

"Say it again." His lips brushed against yours as he whispered that, causing a shiver to go down your spine.

You could barely make out his russet eyes in the darkness of your room, only being lit by the light of the moon. Tenderly, you reached up and cradled his face like you had done back in Shido's palace.

"I love you Goro." You gently pulled his face down to yours. He didn't try to stop you as you did.

Goro's lips pressed against yours in a soft, unmoving kiss. You both held this position for who knows how long.  

You relaxed out of the kiss, pulling your lips away from his, only to have him quickly close the distance and kiss you again. Your lips began melding with Goro's in a slow and steady rhythm, gently sucking on each others lips, savoring this moment.

His lips were soft and warm and he tasted so sweet. You didn't want this moment with him to end. He must've thought the same thing because he slid his arms under your upper back and rested his body against yours, keeping you from pulling too far away from him.

After a few minutes of your heart warming make out session, he pulled away, his nose was brushing against yours as he hovered above you once again. You opened your eyes to look at him. The darkness of your room kept you from seeing most of his face.

He removed one of his arms from underneath you and brought it up to hold your right hand, which was still holding his face. Goro leaned forwards and pressed his forehead to yours as he gently stroked the back of your hand.

You sighed softly as you rubbed your fingers over his cheeks.

"I..." He began. If your heart wasn't beating fast before, it definitely was now. It took him several moments before he was able to finish his thought. "I love you too." His voice was deep and velvety, firm. Goro meant it.

You couldn't stop the smile that spread across your cheeks. You squeezed his face between your hands and rubbed your nose against his as you softly chanted, "I love you," over and over. He responded with a chuckle and did the same thing, only to say, "This is grossly cheesy," and pull away from you to lay on the other side of your bed.

Though, he wouldn't let you sleep too far from him because he grabbed your arms and pulled you onto his chest.

"You love it." You quipped, nuzzling your head into his warm chest as he hooked his arms around your waist once again. Your consciousness immediately began drifting into sleep as you got comfortable on the detective.

"I suppose I do." His voice sounded so far away in your sleep hazed mind, but you still heard it. You also felt the chaste kiss he gave you on the top of your head before you passed out from exhaustion.

-----------

Despite his exhaustion, Goro couldn't bring himself to fall asleep. He still couldn't believe that this was real. He was afraid that when he did fall asleep, he'd wake up alone in that boiler room, dying from blood loss.

How could he believe that this was real? You had come back for him, not only that, but you loved him back and were currently passed out on his chest. The sight of you softly breathing beside him pulled at his heartstrings.

If this truly was real, he wouldn't take it for granted. Goro couldn't help but feel like he didn't deserve this, but he wouldn't break your heart like he did back in Shido's palace. Not again. He clearly remembered the look on your face when he confronted you all in the boiler room. He remembered the tone of your voice as you cried out for him when he had trapped himself with Shido's cognitive version of himself and the shadows.

You sounded so broken, so angry. Even when he had caused himself to have a psychotic breakdown and tried to kill you all, he couldn't stop the weird feeling he got whenever he looked at you as you broke down in Futaba's arms. He felt so gross, disgusting, for doing what he was doing. He never wanted to feel that again.

He wanted to feel that warm and tingly feeling he got when he opened his eyes and saw you, kneeling beside him. The look of pain and concern written across your face, only to dissolve into shock and what he could only describe as a mix of relief and terror when you made eye contact with him.

He had held on for as long as he could, hoping, praying that someone, anyone would come back for him, and you did. He wasn't sure if you were the person he expected the least, or the most. Besides Akira, you were the closest one to him, but since he did what he did, he didn't expect you to be the one to come back for him.

Goro held you just a bit tighter as his mind went over the feelings and memories he had. He melted when you gently rubbed circles over his rapidly beating heart, silently comforting him.

You were so kind, and warm, and loving. He wasn't sure what he did to deserve someone like you.

And before he knew it, he was drifting off to sleep as well.

-----------

You had made sure to turn off your alarm before you went to sleep so you could sleep in, so the sound of something beeping made you groan. Rolling over, you squinted up at Goro who was sitting on the edge of your bed, turning off his alarm.

"What are you doing?" You mumbled, almost falling back asleep immediately. Your eyes hurt from how tired you felt.

"We have school today you know." He smiled down at you, dark circles surrounded his eyes. You couldn't believe what he was saying. He nearly died last night and he's talking about going to school today. If you had the strength, you would've laughed.

Slowly, you sat up and crawled over to him, only to wrap your arms and legs around him and pull him back onto your bed. "No." Was all you said as you pulled your blankets back over the two of you. He seemed to accept his fate of ditching school with you because he rolled over and pulled you into him. Goro brought one of his hands to rest on the back of your head and the other held you by your hips.

It didn't take you long before you slipped back into dreamland.

-

This time when you woke up, you were alone. Panic and dread immediately sunk into your soul as you reached for your phone. It was currently noon and there were over a dozen text messages from the other Thieves, asking where you were and if you were okay.

You quickly slid out of bed as questions slammed themselves into your mind. Had that all been a dream? Was Goro actually dead?

But before you could come up with any more devastating questions, the door to your bedroom opened and you launched yourself at the detective who was entering. You stood on the tips of your toes and locked your arms around his neck. Goro immediately grabbed onto you and held you back with an iron grip.

"Sorry. Did I scare you?" His tone was light and airy, full of warmth. All you did was nod in response as you grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, clinging to him with all of your might.

It was Goro's turn to stroke your hair and rub your back to comfort you. He whispered sweet nothings into your ear as you slowly calmed down. Taking deep breaths, you let go of his shirt and played with the ends of his hair as you took in his scent. It wasn't just a dream.

"I made breakfast." He mumbled into your hair as he slowly began to rock side to side, swaying to the beat of a song you couldn't hear.

You relaxed your tensed muscles and leaned into him, enjoying the sweet moment you were sharing with him for a bit before you let go.

Goro took your hand and led you to your kitchen and sat you down. He served you a plate of eggs, bacon and rice. "No pancakes?" You joked, smirking up at him.

He immediately frowned and sighed. "I never want to hear that word again." His response made you laugh. A small smile twitched at the ends of his lips as you giggled.

You both ate in a peaceful silence before your phone buzzed, receiving a flood of messages from your worried friends. "We're going to tell them that you're alive, right?" You asked, looking away from your phone, eyes locking with his.

His eyes darted away from your gaze. "If you want." It's clear he didn't want to talk about this, but the other Thieves deserved to know.

"Obviously I want to. The others were upset by your sacrificed too, you know." Your voice was soft, but he still wouldn't look at you. "Akira wants to send the calling card ASAP, so we'll be meeting at Leblanc once everyone gets out of school. We can tell them then." Goro only sighed. You wanted to give him a bit of time to prepare.

In the mean time, you responded to your friends texts, saying you were okay and you just needed to take a mental health day because of what had happen. They all understood why. It's not like you kept your feelings for Goro a secret from them.

-

As 4:30 P.M. rolled around, you and Goro finally got dressed. You had spent the day cuddling with him on your couch, watching movies together.

Once you were ready to go, you paused and looked up at him. "Are you ready?" You asked, concern filling your voice as you scanned his face.

"As ready as I'll ever be." He responded. His face remained stoic as he spoke, but you could see the turmoil swimming in his eyes. "Are you ready for the stern lecture you're going to receive from Makoto for going back into Shido's palace alone?" He smirked at you this time, probably enjoying the terror that crossed your face.

"Yup." You squeaked, causing him to laugh. He clearly didn't believe you at all.

Goro gently grabbed your hand as you both made your way out of your apartment and to the subway station.

Upon arriving at Leblanc, you noticed that you were the last ones to arrive. Goro's hand was shaking ever so slightly as he gazed at the door. You looked up at him, prompting him to turn his gaze down towards you. You gave him a reassuring smile and squeezed his hand. He released a shaky breath and smiled back down at you.

He walked in first, opening the door for you like the gentleman he was. The sound of the bell above the door ringing signaled to the others that you had arrived. They all lifted their heads and directed their attention towards you.

You watched as their faces paled and shock took over. Their eyes widened and their mouths dropped open.

For a long moment, no one said or did anything other than stare. That was until Akira stood from his seat at the bar and walked up to Goro. Akira didn't hesitate to pull Goro into a hug. You backed away from the boys as the others came out of their shock.

"Y/N. What the fuck did you do?" Ryuji said, not looking away from Goro.

"Witchcraft." You joked, not taking your eyes off of Goro as he slowly returned Akira's hug. A smile pulled at your cheeks as you watched him relax slightly into Akira, his only other friend. He clearly wasn't going to show any more affection than that.

Haru was the next to stand and make her way to the boys. She came up beside them and hugged them both.

Goro visibly tensed as Haru hugged him.

Before you knew it, everyone was hugging Goro. The sight made your heart sing. He still had a lot to make up for, but for now, the Thieves put that aside to show him just how happy they were that he was alive.

"Alright. That's enough." Goro spoke up, pulling away from Akira and wiggling himself out of the group.

"Aww you loved it." You teased as you looked at him. All he did was scoff and roll his eyes.

"Now." Makoto spoke, suddenly standing right in front of you. Your body immediately tensed and you instinctively took a step back. "You went back for him? Alone?" Her tone was harsh, she was definitely angry with you.

"Yes ma'am." You squeaked as you shrunk under her intense gaze.

"Lighten up Mako-chan. If N/N-chan hadn't done that, Akechi wouldn't be here with us now. Besides, she seems to have made it out just fine." Haru spoke up in your defense. You couldn't thank Haru enough because her reasoning caused Makoto to relax a bit.

"I suppose you're right, but don't do anything like that again, understood?" You nodded vigorously in response. She seemed satisfied with your answer because she turned away from you and made her way back to her seat.

For a moment, you locked eyes with Goro, who was smirking at you from his seat at the bar. You gave him a half-hearted glare in response.

Goro spread his legs a bit and gestured for you to come over and stand in front of him while you all spoke about the calling card. You sighed softly and walked over to him. He slipped his arms around your waist once you got to him.

Ann stared at you for a moment as the detective shamelessly clung to you. "So like, are you both..." She trailed off towards the end of her sentence, not sure if she should finish it or not.

A blush quickly spread over your cheeks as everyone turned and looked at you both again. You tilted your head back slightly and looked at Goro, who was looking expectantly at you, waiting for your answer. You could only assume that Ann was asking if you were dating.

Looking away from him and not meeting the eyes of the others, you said, "Yes," in a soft voice. A few of them cheered and others groaned as they all took out their wallets. Apparently, they had placed bets on whether you two would get together.

Goro's grip on you tightened as you pinched the bridge of your nose due to the fact that the Thieves were now arguing over who got how much money.

"I love you Y/N." He whispered into your ear, gently nuzzling his nose into your hair. His voice warmed your heart.

Turning your head to face him, you whispered, "I love you too Goro." A smile breaking out onto your face.

Thankfully, the Thieves didn't seem to notice your little moment with him.

[maplecornia]

chapter 28

𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔡 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔱: 2.13K

𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔯𝔢: romance | slice of life | fluff | angst | bts x female!reader | ot7

𝔰𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶: You watched them from the sidelines ever since you were a young teenage girl. Now you’re grown up, they’ve returned after 2 long years and everything has changed. What happens when you pull back the mask and find the darkness within? What happens when you see that they’re broken?

𝔞/𝔫: Jin looks kind of like a vampire in my banner ngl

𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰: cliffhangers | angst | fluff | slight mentions of self hatred | depression | mental health illness | self harm | occurs in the year 2024 | set in a timeline where BTS went to the military together | slight language

tags:@kookaine |@fangirl125reader |@kookiebbyxx |@taradevonne |@rae-bear |@mangminnie |@pixiekooo

What does he know?

You find yourself spacing out as you stand at the printer, waiting for Namjoon's schedule.

Just when you thought you had found some normalcy to your already chaotic life, you find yourself here. Biting your bottom lip, you groan, falling on top of the printer, the warmth as it sparks to life easing you even if it's for a little while.

"Why me?" you murmur, your brow furrowed and eyes glistening with helpless emotion. "Why now?"

What happened to the auditions you had sent before? In a time where you believed that you could achieve your dream without anything or anyone else holding you back. Were you not good enough then?

What makes you good enough now?

Groaning, you slide off the printer and run your hands through your hair. Your neat look has been thoroughly rumpled, just like your day, and you wonder if there will ever be a time where you're allowed to breathe.

Where you're welcome to let go.

With the small slip of paper sliding out of the printer, you grab it and turn swiftly around, ready to take it to Namjoon.

If only life were easier.

With a sharp cry, you bump into a couple of people walking by, and scalding hot liquid splatters between the two of you. A bitter, almost pitch black liquid soils your shirt and destroys the schedule you hold in your hands.

Coffee? Again?

Sighing, You wipe some of the drops off your face before glancing up to see if the pair is all right.

It's two girls and from the looks of it, they seem to be staff themselves, perhaps working on the publications team. You try to catch a glimpse of their badges, but they're moving too much and you can't get a good enough look.

However, you're able to catch a glimpse of their features perfectly fine. One of them is tall, with a soft tan to her smooth skin, and darker features. She has obsidian eyes that glitter when the light catches them and a square jawline that matches her demanding aura. Her hair is long and straight but looks soft to the touch. She doesn't wear many expressions on her face, however, and looks to be a bit standoffish. She would be hard to get close to.

The second one is the one who was carrying the coffee and though her face is pulled into one of disgust, you can tell that she's gorgeous. She has soft honeydew skin and almond butter eyes. Her face is perfectly symmetrical, and her lips full and glossy. Her eyes are large and wide, a deep brown color, with long dark eyelashes brushing against her cheek each time she blinks. They would otherwise be beautiful if they didn't sparkle with hatred and malice.

After a moment, you recognize what you've done; panic rising in your throat, you scramble to do something. You quickly reach for your emergency towels, but you've left your satchel in your small office. Cursing silently underneath your breath, you reach down to pick up the discarded cup and help her as best as you can.

"I'm sorry I--"

"Watch out will you?!"

Stunned, you step back, not sure what to do. It's been a while since you've been yelled at like that. A while since you've felt that shock. Swallowing hard, you shake it off and proceed to pick up the cup, keeping your distance.

Maybe it's better to just leave her alone.

"Wait..." at the sound of her voice, you look up, rather disinterested. "Who are you?"

Rolling your eyes, you turn to the trash can. You can't believe you expected an apology. Her friend, the one who was helping her clean up, peers at you before nudging her.

"She's who we were talking about, remember? Jaejin's replacement."

At the mention of your friend's name, your ears perk, and you drop the coffee cup in the trash can. Just what have they been saying about you two? Biting the inside of your cheek in annoyance, you turn around, facing them head-on.

"Oh!" The coffee girl's eyes widen. She looks you up and down as though inspecting a piece of meat. Her lip curls as she turns to her friends, eyes darkening with disgust. "Why didn't they ask one of us? She's hardly experienced."

You raise an eyebrow. Do they think you can't hear them? The dark beauty shrugs, her black eyes dull with disinterest.

"I heard she knows Jaejin. He gave her the post."

You try to be angry, you try to deny the accusations...but they aren't wrong.

Somehow, that makes it worse.

"Who is she, a colonizer?!" Ms. Coffee scoffs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. You try not to flinch, but you can't control it. You swallow hard, curling your hands into fists at your sides.

"Besides, isn't Jaejin dating Mijeong?"

Your breath stops as you hear the words, the same words Sunoh said when you met him. The same words which remind you of everything you have lost.

If they continue to speak, you don't listen, you can't hear them. The roar starts in your ears as your blood rushes to your head, and spots cloud your vision. You can't see, you can't think, you can't function.

Why is it still so hard?

Why can't you let go?

You feel yourself begin to sway as the room swirls into fragments of time and space, and you lose sight of where and who you are.

The only thing left is pain.

Always pain.

"Who says he isn't?" The hand wrapping itself securely around your shoulder, the soft calming voice at your ear, brings you back to reality and you're able to breathe again.

"Jojo?" The tall dark beauty's eyes widen and she steps back a bit. It seems as though she's started a fight she won't be able to finish. Jojo narrows her eyes, her hand tightening around your shoulder as she pulls you behind her in a protective gesture.

"What's going on here?"

"Nothing." Miss Coffee quickly intervenes, sending a wide smile your way. One that somehow comes across as menacing, matching the anger in her eyes. "Just a careless newbie is all."

Her voice is dripping with sarcasm and her friend beside her pinches her in her side, whispering something incomprehensible in her ear. The Coffee Girl shakes her off, growing furious by the second. You narrow your eyes her way. This has to be more than a stupid coffee spill, but what could she possibly have against you?

"Come on, Jojo. She's the one in the wrong. If it were any one of us, you wouldn't give a second look." She snarls before turning to you and reaching around Jojo to push you backward.

"Ya!" Jojo cries out in surprise, stepping in front of you, but not before the damage is done. Caught off guard, you stumble back into the printer. Her friend gasps, and steps back. You wonder if she's considering removing herself from the equation. Pulling yourself up, you glare at her before stepping forward.

"What's your problem?" you hiss, your hands clenching at your side to try and contain your anger. Jojo steps in front of you once more, just in case you decide to start swinging some punches. Frustrated, you push her aside. It's not like you're going to do anything. Jojo sends you a sideways glance, but you ignore her, focusing on the target in front of you. “What are you, a child?”

"Did you hear something?" The girl smirks, nudging her friend beside her who swallows nervously. You don't know why, but that only makes you angrier, and you consider stepping across Jojo to smack some sense into her. Instead, you deepen your glare and roll your eyes.

"Pathetic..."

Are you wrong? She's acting like a child. So naturally, your snide comment doesn't sit well with her. Eyes widening in anger, she raises her hand to slap you across the cheek, and you flinch.

But the strike never comes.

Opening your eyes slowly, you turn to find someone has come in between the two of you, hand wrapped tightly around the girls. You look to Jojo, half expecting the source to be her...but it's not. Her eyes are wide and she seems to have frozen.

So then who?

"Now now." Your eyes widen at the voice and your heart starts pounding hard in your ears as he steps in front of you, shielding you. The girl stares up at him with shameful fear, as though her entire world has just been shattered. "You should really watch your temper."

He drops her hand and she steps back, her friend catching her from behind.

"You never know who might be watching."

He gestures to the room, at the groups of people watching, whispering to each other. They don't hide their interest, nor their disgust as they send looks towards the girl.

Satisfied, he turns to you, a reassuring smile breaking out on his face. The same face known and cherished worldwide. Up close, it's even more unreal.

Kim Seokjin.

"As you said, Yen is new, and when you were first starting out, you made way more mistakes believe me." Jojo snaps, her eyes glittering with anger as she turns to Coffee. She steps forward, leaning beside her ear.

"I would be careful who you make an enemy, sweetheart." She whispers harshly, loud enough for anyone close to the two of them to hear. "Namjoon quite likes his assistant, wonder what he'd do if something happened to her."

Though the threat wasn't directly said, it's clear what Jojo meant and as she pulls back, smiling sweetly; the girl's pale face tells you that she clearly understood.

"Is that all then?" Jin says from beside you, causing you to jump. When did he get so close? The girl glances at the two of you and seems to grow furious at the sight. Her pale face quickly flushes with anger and she scowls before storming away, ramming her shoulder violently into yours before she goes; her friend scuttling after her.

"Ya!" Jojo calls, but the girl is already gone, and you don't mind. Scoffing, she shakes her head before turning to you. "So immature...what are we kids?"

You don't respond, instead, you turn away from the pair of them, finding your printed schedule discarded and drenched on the ground. Sighing, you pick it up, holding it gingerly in your hands.

Everything soiled.

"Now I have to start all over."

Behind you, Jojo and Jin give each other a look before Jojo kneels beside you and places her hand on your shoulder. When you don't look at her right away, she peers into your face and you turn to her, your face blank.

"Yen, are you alright?" you nod before pulling away, throwing the schedule in the trash can.

"I'm fine."

Jojo sighs before standing as well.

"Why didn't you stop them?" you pause at the question.

Why didn't you stop them? You're not sure you know yourself. You wanted to, you wanted to fight back...

But you have no fight left.

Sighing, you shake off the feeling of despondency before turning to her and smiling weakly.

"Were they wrong?" Jin furrows his brow in concern at the phrase. He tries to read your expression, understand what's wrong but it's near impossible. You've closed yourself off to everyone around you, and while you try to act tough, you're afraid. Sighing you turn away from them, unable to handle the pitying looks. "Besides, I don't have to answer to them."

I don't have to answer to anybody.

After a moment, Jin walks to your side and places his hand gently on your shoulder. Surprised, you flinch away from his grasp, but it doesn't phase him. He looks down at you with a somber expression before noticing your drenched shirt. You follow his gaze and the heat of embarrassment floods your cheeks. You quickly fold your arms across the stain, acting as though it doesn't exist. He smirks a little at the attempt.

Now she...she's interesting.

"Jojo?" He calls, still staring at you, and you narrow your eyes.

What is he expecting, a cookie?

"Would you mind printing out the schedule for Ms..." His eyes search for your badge before he locates it and takes it, reading your name. "...Lin today?"

Jojo nods but looks towards him a bit perplexed.

"Sure...but what are you planning to do?"

Smiling he twirls your ID in his hand before you snatch it away from him which only makes his smile grow wider. Taking your hand, he turns and pulls you behind him, Jojo staring at the two of you in shock.

"I'm going to help her change."

𝔫𝔬𝔱𝔢: another BTS member encounter! and yes, it's the cliche stop of the slap, shut up 🙄

chapter 29 here

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